We are in Florida!

I am so excited to be outside of Michigan. I braved a snowstorm, de-iced plane, and flying alone with 3 kids. But it is SO worth it! The weather and sun are so needed in this family.

Day 1 we went to the zoo because kids were free today. It is President's Day.



Ava really, really wanted a slushee. Grandma's make a girl's wish come true!


Playing outside with the palm trees.


This is the view out the back of the condo.



North eating sand and SITTING! I can't believe he is sitting. He NEVER sits. But apparently this got his attention.



Little hands and feet.



Sunset at the beach.



Me and three of my loves. Miss you babe! You better schedule that flight out here pronto!

Ann Arbor U of M Natural History Museum

Nothing beats another Freebie in Ann Arbor! This museum was FABULOUS! Big dinosaur bones, amazing planetarium talk. Definitely recommend.

U of M Dental School Photos

We were playing before we went to the U of M Natural History Museum. Here are my fav pictures. If you want to see more, just click on the picture, go to the untitled album and surf!

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To Homeschool, or not, THAT is the Question

When I tell people I am thinking of homeschooling Ava they get the funniest look on their face. It's a faked smile concealing pain and concern. Very disturbing, but I see it so often it must be worth blogging about.

You see, the question that is almost always on my mind these days is whether I am up for homeschooling, and if Ava would be ok with it. Somedays my house is so chaotic I think, "No Way!" Then other days, the house is clean, the laundry is running, the baby is napping, and the girls have a great reading lesson. I think,"This is AMAZING!"

You see, I was a great student of pregnancy and baby literature. Now, being a mother has morphed into the school-year phase. It seems like many a mother stops reading up on how to parent, what to do, the stages, etc., and when I looked this up - and what to do with these school-age children, it occurred to me, well, why don't I TEACH them something?

Another friend taught both her boys to read by the time they were 4 simply because she didn't remember her mom teaching her anything. Wow.

The thought of homeschooling also forces me to take a good look at my behavior, schedule, communication, etc. Am I emotionally prepared to teach my children what they need to know? Does our schedule allow enough time for teaching? It seems like every time we have to go somewhere I end up yelling. Hence, my 1 1/2 ft. reading pile downstairs. If we're already going nuts, what is going to happen next year?

There are about a million other thoughts I have on the subject. But the bottom line for me has come down to - what is BEST for our family? Tyler will be traveling a majority of the week for his job. I will do anything possible to keep our family unit #1 on our list.

Perhaps this takes "Together Forever" to a whole new level!

One of our Dreams

Two years ago, we were almost certain that we would adopt our next child.

During this time I was ready to just charge everything on a credit card to make my baby dreams come true. I saw wonderful families created through adoption. And also importantly I saw birth mothers lives completely changed for the better. Leading happy, "normal" lives.

For any adoptive couple, they have already gone through struggles with infertility, doubt, and feelings of hopelessness. It really is not fair that after all these powerful emotions and deciding to proceed with an adoption there is one other hurdle they must face: the cost.

Two years ago while I was busy making baby plans, Tyler was getting ready for grad school. Our budget was tight. Too tight for comfort. But I was ready and waiting knowing that somehow we were going to pay for our baby. How can anyone put a price on the gift of love for a child?

Now to my point.

After all this time, Tyler and I formed a dream of one day creating a scholarship fund for hopeful adoptive couples in graduate school. These families are still young, but limited in their abilities to make their families grow by finances. Adoptions can cost up to 50k. Or more.

School is an investment but it doesn't mean life should stop, right?

We don't have a name, we don't have a start date, but we do have a dream.

Just wanted to share it with you!

P.S. There was the cutest adoption story in The Friend. Did you read it? It made me cry.

Happy 5th Birthday Ava

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Happy Birthday Ava! You are so beautiful and fill our lives with absolute pure joy every day.



5 marks the beginning of school, the beginning of reading, the beginning of a whole new world.



You are a daughter of God, and we see his light reflected in your spirit each day. May we know how to magnify that light in the best way possible and be blessed with knowledge and patience. Thanks for being a great kid.

We love you more each day.