It's a spring thing

Baseball, Hot Dogs, Fun in the puddles, and apple blossoms.

These are the things I love about

Spring. Yesterday was Caleb's opening day for little league. It was kinda neat to see him out there with his team. Being a part of baseball is teaching Caleb much more than just the game of baseball. It is teaching him how to be a part of

a team. How to care about more than just himself. How to make friends and how to find ways to do his best at something. Caleb is a young man full of many dreams. Which is great, however he is not one who wants to work at anything. If it gets hard in any way he wants to give up. Goodness knows that since we have started baseball he has said he wants to quit daily. Because it is work. It takes a commitment to something other than himself. I am hoping that somehow through accomplishing baseball he will learn that it is only when we work at something, sweat, suffer, put the work and time into it , that God rewards us greatly! Mother's Day is next Sunday. For me Mother's day is a reward. For many years Gary and I tried and tried to conceive. Oh how these were hard years. Years full of longing for a child. Many tears and many prayers were shed for a child. Just one I would tell the Lord. I would be happy with just one. Then as the years have went on we were blessed with not only one but two beautiful children. Infact if I were to count the children that I have been a mother to the number is greater than just two. For me motherhood is not just taking care of and loving my children it is taking care of all the children in this world that are in need. Weather that is in need of a pair of shoes, a meal, a hug, or just being someone who says that they are unique and special not only to me, but to God. Many days this is not easy. Our world is hurting. It is hurting our children. Because I have been teaching for over 14 years and I have been involved with foster care for over six years. I have seen the way our world is changing even more than most. Many people ask why do you do what you do? Why do you stay in fostercare when you and Gary are going through such a rough time. I look at it like this. God has blessed our life in such a big way. I want to share all I have with people. Yes, even with children. When children come into our home the first thing I do is get down to their level, and tell them that they are safe. I remember when Caleb first came to our home. The one thing he said to me was " Ms. Mandy, do you know why I liked Head Start so much?" my answer was "because you had so many friends?" He said " It was because I felt safe" " I knew no one would touch and hurt me" These words spoke measures to me. It actually challenged me to find ways to keep children from being hurt. Today I challenge you to find a child who might be hurting and give comfort! God Bless!

Easter Fun and Quizzing Fun

As many of you know Elijah loves hats. I recently had purchased a new beach hat to wear on our trip to Florida in June. Well, I had it sitting on the table and Elijah spied it. He played with that hat for the longest time. He loves to be laughed at and this was definately a time that made us all laugh. Often I say "God knew we needed laughter in our home, that is why we have Elijah." He is much like his daddy! He is at such a fun age. He is always exploring, always giggling, always looking for ways to have fun. Yet, he is developing a very strong will. He is becoming more and more of his own little man. Most times he knows what he is after and he doesn't let no stand in the way.

Elijah at our Church Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday. He really didn't get the concept of

"hunting for eggs" as he went along he would pick up the plastic eggs and say "BBB Ball" (which is his word for baseball) as soon as he would find an egg he would throw it. Actually he would whip it and it didn't matter to him who was in the way. Needless to say, many children and adults had to be on their toes or Elijah with all his might would peg them with a plastic egg.

Our District Camp (where Caleb's

quiz match was) recently made

a new toddler area. Needless to say

Elijah had so much fun outside playing that I had to drag him away

kicking & screaming. Why do kids always pick the most inconvient times to throw a fit?

Caleb at his Quiz Match on 4/25/09. He Quilified for the WORLD QUIZ in Orlando, FL!

Elijah says "All This Quizzing Makes me soooo Tired!"

Easter is on it's way!

Palm Sunday- Easter is on it's way!

Well, it's palm sunday and the boys are so excited! You see, in our church for the 5 years

we have been here we make palm sunday so much fun. We wave palm branches and sing

Hossana. The boys have on their easter outfits. Caleb has on a typical pull over while Elijah is

decked out in a little tan outfit bought for him by Gary's Mom (we call her Grandma K)

The reason we call her this is that Elijah loves to call people on his toy phone. He often calls

"Nanny" (Mandy's Mom), "Poppy" (Mandy's Dad) and one day he said "Gammy K" so around

here when we refer to Grandma Keith it is now Grandma K.

Anyway back to palm sunday I have a funny story to tell you.

During the service we were waving our palm branches and singing Hosanna,

and Elijah is just waving his with all his might, trying so hard to wack the people in front of us who after being hit a few times decided to move out into the isle.

Well, this year we decided to have a young man dress up as Jesus and walk down the middle

isle. At first Elijah was to busy with his palm branch to notice, then he looked up

and saw Jesus. He looked at me then he looked again at Jesus and he wispered oh so quietly,

Aw, Jesssss(this is how he says Jesus). Then as Jesus got to the front of the church,

Eljah tried to jump out of my arm and go toward Jesus. I really had to hold him tight.

As the song was ending Jesus was coming back toward us and still Elijah is in awe just waving his

little branch. I don't know if the man playing Jesus meant to do this or not, but he

looked right at Elijah. At that moment, Eljah leaned into me and said "my Jesssss"

Almost like he was saying, this man we pray to daily, talk about, sing about and worship

just noticed me. Almost as if to say all is well.

That moment made me wonder if we as adults could just see Jesus as our little ones do.

We too might remember the Awe and Power of Jesus

Another funny little story about this Easter season.

Tuesday night Gary was at school and the Easter bunny came to our local

Burger King. So I thought I might take the boys and do something fun for them.

However, this bunny was at least 6ft. tall. He was huge.

Elijah continued to watch the Easter Bunny make his way around the restaurant.

Then the easter bunny came our way. First he was teasing Elijah by trying to take

his french fries. Well that did not go over so well. Eljah is too much like his daddy, you

just don't mess with his food. Then they were taking pictures so I give Caleb a dollar

and sent him with Elijah to get his picture taken. All is fine until Caleb attempts to

put Elijah on the Bunny's lap. Elijah Screams in fear! LOUD!

Poor Caleb, he is so embarrased! We did get a picture, but in the picture

Elijah looks scared to death.

After all of these crazy Easter experiences , Gary has decided that

It's amazing to us how our little one year old is scared to death of

the Easter bunny, yet can't wait to be near Jesus.

As for me, I just love ALL of it!

We try hard to cherish each moment of our sons lives, because

life is precious. Blink, and you might miss it!

Happy Easter!

Trains can be so much fun!

So, here is how the story goes. It is good friday and I have the day off, so I say to Gary,

let's go to the mall for awhile. So we did. Anyway at the mall they have the Easter Bunny

and a train(Elijah calls them chu,chu,chu). Eljah doesn't want any thing to do with the

Bunny, but he is facinated with the chu,chu,chu. So I ask Caleb "will you go with your little

brother and hold him in his seat for the ride. At first Caleb was sure he was too big, then

the ride lady said"you can go, we have grown men that ride this ride" So Caleb goes in hopes

that none of his buddies come by and see him. I will say that this is a benifit of having the

years between the boys. Caleb does look out for his little brother and teaches him many

things. Well, anyway Elijah is so excited he can't sit still. The train does not have

seat belts and poor Caleb is truly getting frustrated at the fact that Elijah just can't sit down.

Caleb & Elijah sit for about four minutes waiting for all the kids to get on.

Finally the train takes off. As they are coming around the first corner I see Caleb

waving his arms and trying to tell me something. I have my camera ready for pictures

and at this point Gary is on his phone taking care of church business.

As they come closer I see Caleb holding Elijah's diaper in the air.

I just start laughing which for some reason makes Caleb even more mad.

He is screaming "Mom, he took off his diaper and wet the seat!"

I guess as they rode around the little house Elijah's diaper fell out of his pant

leg. And because Elijah is so excited he is on a chu, chu, chu he just pees away!

Poor Caleb, not only is he embarassed because he is on a kiddy ride, but

his little brother has soked the seat! I still can't stop laughing!

Coloring Eggs can be so much fun and messy too!

Elijah made such a mess. Caleb was fit to be tied! Elijah was just picking up

eggs and tossing them into the colored water. Then Elijah had a very difficult time waiting

for the eggs to be done. When it was all said and done, we had a dozen rags out, colored water

everywhere and Caleb was so frustrated. Elijah has learned quite well what to do to push Caleb's

buttons. He just giggles and continues to make a mess. Mommy just giggles to because I

learned years ago, messes can be cleaned up. Then when the eggs were done, Eljah wanted to

eat his with the shell on.

Here we go again!

Here we Go Again!

Well, once again Elijah has taken another tumble! It happened on Monday morning. He turned to run away from his big brother and in his hurry he tripped over a toy and fell on a large plastic elephant. Yes, it had to be the trunk of the elephant he hit. And oh yes, once again it was his eye. For him the most difficult part of the whole episode was the fact that Daddy had to hold him down while Mommy put ice on the booboo. This kid is such a little bruizer. Nothing seems to phase him. He is so different from his big brother who hardly ever gets hurt and if he stubs his toe we hear about it for weeks. We are still trying to figure out if these mishaps are due to Elijah's vision issues or if it is just because he is all boy, a toddler and he runs full speed ahead! We have some good news to share with you. We took Elijah to a pediatric dentist on Monday. Yes, even after our morning mess with the eye. Any way the black spots on Elijah's teeth are not decay. The dentist (Dr. Kelly) said that they are stains. He feels that when the perminant teeth come in they should be fine. This Doctor whom I would recomend to anyone who needs pediatric denistry, has adopted a child and he has done alot of research on children who are adopted and their teeth. He told me that what Elijah has is common for children who are adopted. It all has to do with how a baby forms in the womb. He said that teeth are like bones and if an unborn faces trama, be it an unwanted pregnancy, drugs and alcohol or just the fact the mother doesn't have appropriate care this all plays a HUGE part in how a child's mind, body and yes, teeth are formed. He proceded to tell me that he is a big fan of adoption and wished he and his wife would have adopted more children. He also said that he can tell Elijah is well taken care of and other than the black spots his teeth are healthy. As a mother this was a relief. As many of you know you try now while your children are young to form good habits in their lives. Elijah loves to brush his teeth. I have to fight the tooth brush out of his hands every morning and every night. I keep thinking some day this will get easier. Although I have been brushing Elijah's teeth even before teeth were there. Even then he fought it.

Caleb had his first night of little league practice tonight. He really enjoyed it. He is on the team called the Astros. He is excited about making new friends and I feel this could be a good experience for him. As soon as he gets his uniform I'll get pictures.

I have began the count down! 26 days with children left. My school year ends so soon. From here on out I know it will fly. I can't wait until summer and I really can't wait to be at home with the boys. Gary however will have school until June. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. It is a struggle every week for him to leave. Elijah especially has taken this hard. Being without Daddy has made him very whiney and often a little bully with the friends at school. Gary did work it out that he only needs to go to school 3 days a week. This is so much better than 5 days a week. Well, God Bless!

Fun in the tub

These are Pictures of Elijah having fun in the tub! He is so fun at this age! So many times all I can do is laugh at him because the simple things in life bring him so much fun and laughter.

I can't believe how much he loves water. I can't wait until we can take him to the beach this summer. He will truly be a blast. I will make sure you all get a blog on that experience.

Caleb and his GOLD

certificate from bible quizzing!

We are so Proud!
Life's Precious Moments!

A moment with my parents

and my new little niece (Sophia)



Elijah being a daredevil on

the steps. He still loves hats
and as you can see he doesn't

let the fact that the hat is to

big get in his way!
One of the many things I love about living in Pennsylvania is the changing of the seasons.

Life is just like the seasons. So full of changes!

We sure have had some nice weather lately. Gary and Caleb enjoy the art of cooking out.

I also enjoy an evening of not cooking. It's kinda neat how Gary's father taught him how to BBQ

and now Gary is teaching Caleb. This has been a challenge for Gary since the loss of his sight, but it is amazing how we learn to adapt. That is why Gary has been attending the blind school.

They have been teaching him so much. He is even learning how to scrub a kitchen floor-not that he has ever needed to know this, but I like the idea of him taking his turn.

The other evening I took the dog and the boys out on a local trail in Cloe, PA

It was beautiful! As you can see from the picture Elijah has a new bike. He isn't so fond of the stroller any more so I went and spent alot of money on this tricycle that you can strap the child in and also it has a handle so I can control it. Well, the folks that made this bike must not have tried it out with a child like Elijah. He is such a bruzer. He literly forces the bike to go where he wants, not where Mama wants it. Then of course he adds his little giggles. What am I to do? He

should have been named Samson! His latest game is chase. He loves it when I try to catch him and he runs. He is so fast. I told Gary the other night I now know why God gave us Elijah, it was to keep us young. Well it is working. To keep up with Elijah you have to be on your toes.

Well, God Bless and remember to give a hug, read a book and keep safe!

Another adventure begins in our household. Gary left this morning to attend the vision & blindness school in Pittsburgh. For some reason you always think you are prepared for these life changes, then you are thrown a curve ball. Elijah was up most of the night with a fever and congestion. So the day did not go as planned. I had to take a day off work to take him to the doctor. Oh well, that's motherhood! Actually this is the part I love about motherhood the part that makes you feel very needed. Elijah is very clingy today. We will be sending Elijah to a vision specialist at the end of the month he seems to be seeing things in a tunel vision form. He does not see things above his eyes or below his chin when he is walking. So his therapist referred us to someone in DuBois. I'll keep ya posted as to how we make out. I'm praying that it is nothing. Elijah continues to amaze our household. Just today he said another word. He said "pretty". As Caleb and he were looking out the window. He loves to immitate Caleb which is great although Caleb gets upset about it. I often tell Caleb he does this because he wants to be like you. Caleb has been moved into the teen group. We had a teen get together Friday night where he played ball with the other teens. He seems to be enjoying it even though he is the youngest at this time. Actually I guess I'm the one that hasn't gotten used to him being old enough to be with the teen group. If it were up to me I would keep him little. But, like I tell Caleb " we need to put childish things behind us". I have to let you all know I had a new little great niece born on friday. Her name is Sophia Grace Hetrick. From the pictures I have seen she is adorable. We are praising God for a new life in our family! My work is going great! I have a wonderful group of students this year which makes my life alot eaiser. I only have 9 weeks of work to go then I'm off for summer vacation! I can't wait to be home with the boys. Being a working mom isn't easy, but I do enjoy them when we have time together. Elijah continues to go to daycare 5 days a week. He loves it. Although when you look at him with his peers you can tell he is delayed by about 4 months. But I don't care. He is so precious and such a loving little boy. He is the little one we prayed for! He may or may not catch up and that is okay. He is still a hat fan. He loves to wear hats! His daddy decided he needed a pirate hat. Now Gary,Caleb and Elijah all have matching hats. It is so fun to have sons. Although the Lord knows I would love a daughter we will see what He has planned. Many of you may know this already, but Elijah's biomother is due this month with a little girl. I hope his mother will step up and take care of this next little one, but we will see. Yes, I have already told CYS that we would take her if she ever came into care. Well, take time to read a good book, give a hug and say an encouraging word. Love Ya all!