Science

Zeek loves science.

Especially science that includes concoctions.

This kit came with all kids of good stuff.

With instructions and ingredients for some very interesting results.

Like Proto-Plasmic Slime, Thermo-Chrimic Matter,

and Magneto-Goo...

which Zeek named "Robert"...

and talked to like it was a pet. :)

Let's not forget Moon-Snail Slime...

which didn't get a name, but made this science time super 

gooey + messy = FUN

Never a dull moment around here. :)

Valentines Day

We were never big Valentines Day people, 

until last year when "love" became kind of a big deal in our family. 

Now, we don't need a special holiday for mushy gushy displays of love around our house. 

We slow dance every morning, gather at the front door for kissing and hugging and 

waving goodbye when Greg leaves for work - there are always romantic gestures, doors opened, 

and warming of cold bedsides - I always have fresh flowers, the first drink of every coke opened, 

and too much cuddling and sweetness to keep track of. 

So when there's an excuse to get yet crazier about showing our love, WE TAKE IT! 

I woke up to a giant heart shaped box of Seroogy's assorted chocolates 

and cards from both of my sweet guys. 

Zeek and I made tons of decorations throughout the day. 

I made him a "love-ly lunch"…

and he secretly worked on making these standing "LOVE" letters of legos. 

We made cutout cookies and frosted them. 

We made Valentines cards and bought treats and snacks for our Valentines weekend. 

In the middle of the day a florist delivered the biggest bouquet of roses I've ever seen in my life, 
from my sweetheart. :)

And in the afternoon a Pajama Gram was delivered with my name on it. 

My clever Valentine found and bought me these!!!!

The most comfortable, snuggly, warm, adorable "hoodie footies". :)

Once Greg was home from work the real party began.
We had a great family, movie, pizza night, valentines day party, 

and we enjoyed the rest of our weekend together just the three of us, in love. :) 

Ralph Marvin LeBreck

This weekend we got a pet mouse. We had been talking about it for awhile. I think Zeek's interest was spurred on by his love for the Ralph S. Mouse books by Judy Bloom. We have taken turns reading them to him off and on for years. 
Since our hermit crabs died in December (the most boring pets ever), we certainly had room for something new.  

I figured a mouse is a mouse. It will live a short time, die, we will throw it away and move on. 
I've had mice before. No biggie. Much like hamsters.

So, on Saturday, we had plans. My brother Tony came in from Appleton to see the Lego movie with Greg and Zeek, who dropped me off at the mall across the parking lot so I could replenish our household pajama and sock inventory. After the movie, we all went to lunch together, and then we decided to hit the pet store and check out the mice. 
That's where we found Ralph. 

If it weren't for his good looks, we would have just gone to a different pet store. The other mice they had were pretty run of the mill, boring, and Zeek had an all white mouse in mind- of which there was not one. 

But we all noticed Ralph. He was in the wheel, just spinning away. SO pretty and there was just something about him. We ALL wanted him (an agreement like this on a specific pet is rare for us), and so we bought him. I had already purchased food, water bottle and salt block in preparation. We already had dishes, bedding and an aquarium. Greg bought Zeek a small wheel and a mouse fort building set. 

We honestly had no idea (nor did we really care) what Ralph's personality or behavior was. You buy a small rodent, you put it in it's home, you feed, water and clean it's bedding… you don't get to touch them much - they are all pretty nibbling and scurrying. AKA bite and run.

While we were driving home with Ralph, Zeek said so many sweet things we have not heard him say… ever? Like, "I can't believe this is really happening… is there actually a mouse on my lap right now? How can this be real? I'm the happiest kid in the world right now." 

We were pretty surprised by this. We have three of the cutest dogs to walk the planet, and he never got this excited about having them as puppies. 

Once home, we set everything up for Ralph while he chilled out in his cardboard carry-on. Finally, we were able to take him out and put him in his aquarium. From there we started to learn just what we had gotten ourselves into. 

Ralph is the nicest mouse I've ever heard of. He likes to be picked up, cuddled, pet… he is not worried or skittish about anything (including barking or sniffing dogs). He is playful, sweet and very calm. He took ZERO time transitioning. He doesn't run away when we put him down, or try to get away when we hold him in our open hands or on our laps. We can even leave him if we have to use the bathroom or get a snack, etc… 

Zeek has played with him, watched movies with him on his lap or at his side, and pretty much been inseparable from his new mouse since we brought him home. 

Ralph is amazing. He even lets me take his adorable picture… 

Welcome to the family, Ralph.

Somehow, we already love you.

Zeek

It seems that you have settled into the idea and a better understanding of this adoption journey we are on. I suppose, since we went from the cautious standpoint of talking to you about it as a possibility or an option, to living each day as though we are fully "expecting"…

You are becoming very excited. You had your concerns before you accepted that we are having a child. But now, you've joined right along with us in talking about it just as though he or she is already on their way home. 

Every night we ask God to be with our child who is not with us yet. We pray that they are in a safe, warm, loving place. We ask that God makes Himself known in their hearts - that they will have a burning hope from Him and a foreknowledge of their coming family. 

Everyday, I have to lift all of this up to God- our child, their journey, safety, health, care, the waiting, etc... or I would barely be able to stand this interim time. I spend just as much time handing things over to God as I do dreaming of his or her eyes, hands, hair, voice, heart, hobbies, interests, dreams, learning style, current home and care givers, future in our arms…

Last week you made a blessings list. You numbered it from 1-10. When your Dad and I read it together that night we were beaming with pride, joy, excitement (and my tears).
#7 read, "Soon I will have a brother or sister"

Currently, you are concerned about tattling. You wonder if your sibling will tattle and whine a lot. You ask me about it. I point out the fact that it could turn out to be you who is the whiny tattle-tale, reminding you how often you aimlessly tell on Frank for ever such tiny matters. :) 

You slept at Aunt Pam's house over the weekend, and you did not want to come back home when it was all over. In the car on the way home I asked you what you love so much about being at Aunt Pam's. You said, "there's always someone for me to play with." 
You have made the point that you have no one to play with at home maybe 10 times in your life, but for the first time ever I was able to just smile and tell you in my heart, "just you wait, baby". 

Just we all wait. 
I love waiting with you and your Daddy.
  

You

There's a sacred quiet place inside of me that is made up an unexplainable love that's all for you. 

I've dreamed of this life, where two people in love, have love, and know a love they've yet to hold. 
I knew it was possible, but I long let go of the hope it would ever be ours. 

God does His amazing thing in His amazing ways, and all things work together for good. 
It took awhile to get here, but we are really truly, actually, finally here, 
and we are coming for you! 

Hold tight "you".

Nibs,

Today we did some stocking up on groceries at Woodmans. You often stand on the cart holding the push bar while I push the cart with you leaning back against me. We talk and whisper and giggle and sometimes I sing into your ear. Sometimes you mention that there are people, like you don't want me to sing to you or kiss your cheeks in front of them. I don't mind. I do it anyway. I hope you always remember my love for you. 

I think of that when we watch our show at night as a family. We all lay on each other and snuggle close, sometimes with a dog or two to top us off like cherries on an ice cream sunday. I didn't have that closeness with my family when I was a kid. I hope it makes all the difference for you. I don't know how we could be in the same room and not fallin' in love. ;)

After walking away from your favorite cartoon last week because of it's content that is dishonoring to God,  I think you gave up your usual brand of yogurt today because you realized the brand is called "Greek Gods". You mentioned something about it and asked where the "Brown Cow" yogurt was instead. Your conscience and convictions are pretty remarkable. While I do like to encourage balance and remind you that we are Free in Christ, I do let you take your strong stands. I even learn from and have become more mindful of myself because of your example. 

You have been making your own play money in your spare time the last couple of days. You got the idea from your Judy Blume Double Fudge audio book. You have a whole plan to make items that you can sell to your friends using the Fudge Bucks you are going to give them when they come to visit you. You are pretty serious about it. Although, I don't quite understand the appeal, it's cute, fun, imaginative, artsy, and somewhat mathematical. And it's not a video game, so... 

Speaking of, you have been earning your Media Time. In the completion of a school day, chores, extra reading, exercise, and community service you receive a determined amount of time per activity. It has been a good way to balance your productivity with your down time. We'll see how it works for the first weekend we use it. 

I love you. 
You're fabulous. 
Can't get enough of you. 
Meam

Zeek,

Yesterday we got "the call" we have been waiting for from our Adoption Case Worker. Our paperwork was approved so far, and we were able to schedule our first Home Study. We are very happy about this step. Every step forward is exciting for me and your Dad. I don't know that you understand it all completely. The process of adoption can be overwhelming and confusing at 8 years old, I'm sure. We try our best to explain it and include you in our celebrating of milestone, dreaming and planning for. 

Last night, we watched our Brady Bunch, like we've done every week night since Christmas. When it was over, you asked for a second, like you've done every week night since Christmas. :) We usually say yes, but your Dad asked what we thought of all snuggling into the same big bed, watching a movie on Amazon, and falling asleep together. I think all the excitement over "the call" made him want his family close. He and I did our devotion while you got ready, and then we all climbed into our bed, did your devotion with you, and then your Dad prayed. We fell asleep watching Turbo. 

When I woke up this morning I was between you both. You each had a knee over me and your arms were laid across me, touching. I've never felt so loved and special, to be the girl of your hearts. I can't imagine more love. I watched you both sleep for awhile. Your Dad, so strong and sweet. His heart is so good. And you, so grown and yet so young. I can see his strength in you, and his quiet, sound, stable peace. You are both so good. 
I love you. 

Ezekiel,

For eight years I have kept a blog just for you. The pages have been filled with your milestones, activities, events, interest, and all your days since birth. It's been a journal of my heart for you with photographs and love letters. It's been a sort of baby book for you and memior of our family, so far.

As you know, in the past several months we have been discussing our desire to adopt. Of course, you have been a very important part of this consideration. Your Dad and I are grateful for and encouraged by your heart to welcome another child or children into our family, and we are proud to announce that we have officially began the process!  

As our life will likely soon be filled with more hands and feet, more smiles and tears, more of us... these life documenting pages are going to take root in some significant changes. These letters will no longer be written to just you about the three of us, but they will also be addressed to whoever it is God has chosen to enter into our family.

Here we will write stories of celebration, blessings, and the proof of His favor and provision in and on our now expectant family.

While we will surely enjoy the journey, we can't wait to be united! 

Yours Forever, 
Mom  

Somewhere Out There

A saved post from 12.18.13

Last night, your Dad and I put our inflatable penguin family out on the deck again for Christmas. We stood together facing the three of them - like the three of us - and your Dad said to me, "maybe next year we will need to add another little penguin to their family." It was an exciting realization for us both - this Christmas could hold some of our lasts for just the three of us, before we become... more.

When we went inside to look out at them, happily waving, bundled close together, we prayed there by the Christmas tree. We prayed for our child or children. Wherever they are, whoever they are, that they are safe. We prayed for the people caring for them to be loving, gentle, patient and kind. We prayed that God would fill them up with Him, hope, peace, and love - with a knowing inside.

It's an incredible thing to think - that our child or children, your sibling or siblings, are out there somewhere, right now. 

Zeek

Today was such a good day. I never want to forget. 

You smiled most of the day. Your eyes sparkled. You joked, danced, sang, spun and jumped. You threw back your head and laughed hard. A lot. 
I loved watching. 

We made our lists of to dos, and wants. We did some school and ate breakfast a couple times. We snuggled our dogs in our chairs at the table. You played between studies. I cleaned and readied. 

I took you to gymnastics for open gym. I shopped while you played. When I picked you up we decided to go cosmic bowling. We had the greatest time at The Gutter. I felt like I was with an older you, a more-comfortable-in-his-skin you, more confident-in-his-stride you, a looser, funnier, more humorous you. 

I looked at your hands - halfway there, between child and man. The way you move them, how they curl... I thought about what things they might do one day. I watched your eyes - I still can't believe He gave me you. So much you will see, and discover, and find here. So much light and life in your dancing eyes. 

I loved how you did the robot for me in front of all those people - the people you referred to as "the public". I loved how you tackled me in the alley and didn't mind one bit what anyone thought of you laying on me, laughing - not even all those kids who were watching. 
I loved how you bowled seven pins and in the second half of your frame you missed the remaining three altogether, and so you stood, motionless, staring down the lane for what felt like forever. You made me laugh like, up until now, only my brother could. 
I loved when you said, "they call this an alley you know? We're in an alley... Only it's cleaner here." and you searched my face to see if it worked - if you made me laugh. I've never seen you do that before, try your own hand at comedy. 

You're so kind. You've always been so kind, but it's growing up with you. A bigger kindness. 

And you're neat. Always interesting. Always bringing something fresh and new to the table, into perspective. And it's always smart - like "why didn't I think of that" smart. 

And now, you're funny. You are SO funny, and I laughed so hard it was hard to forget you were my son and not just a friend I was out having a good time with.
How big you are getting. 

And your sweet. I love how sweet you are. Opening doors for me, slipping your hand into mine when we walk, asking me if I'm okay when I stub, or snag or shock myself. 

Thank you for today. 

I've never forgotten your every stage, and I'll forget you like this. 

I love you,
mom