Never Runs Out On Me

Waaaay back on March 8th we celebrated Isa's 5th Moser-versary at Ivanhoes.  She ate an entire clown sundae which included ice cream, cone, cookies, gummy bears, marshmallows, cherries, etc.  We usually make the kids share when we go but on this very important occasion she got her own.  She didn't feel sick after finishing.  Not sure how that is possible.  In fact, she asked if she could try Benjamin's ice cream that he didn't finish.

I didn't have my camera with me.   I blame the lack of photos on pneumonia.  (Sorry Isa, I was off my game.)

I gave her a package with two matching dresses.  One for her and one for me.  I got them at the Baby Gap Outlet in Muncie before it closed (gap closing=sad day=first world problem.).  Who knew I could wear an XXL at the kid Gap?  Wish I would have known that years ago.  Isa is so excited for some warm weather so we can wear our matching sun dresses.  I read once that because a lot of kids that were adopted don't look like their parents, they love wearing matching outfits.  Her eyes lit up which was very sweet.

I have said it before but parenting Isa is the most humbling daily commitment in my life.  A few families have talked to us recently about adoption.  We have been very honest about our experience and that it has not been as natural or easy as we thought it would be.  But every single time we talk about it, I get choked up and we tell them that we would do it all over again.

This past year at church we have sung "One Thing Remains" quite frequently.  We didn't know that Isa was ever paying attention or that she knew the words.  One Sunday at church a few months back, Drew and I looked down at Isa who was standing in between us and saw her belting out the words, "Your love never fails.  It never gives up.  It never runs out on me."  We made eye contact over her head.  Bawling messes, I tell ya.  Both of us.  It was one of the most precious moments in my most recent days.  May she believe this always.

Isa Joy, we love you.  Happy 5th Moser-versary.

We're Bugging Out

Samuel requested a bug party this year.  He couldn't get to sleep last night he was so excited.  We all had a great time celebrating Sam.

Benjamin made little pennants for the cupcakes with bugs drawn on them.  One or two may have started on fire when we lit the candles.  It was nothing that Sam couldn't handle when he blew out the candles.  

Sam asked me when I was down with pneumonia if I would make him a pinata for his party like I did for Benjamin a couple of years ago.  I stifled a moan and said, "Sure, buddy."  Both grandmas were in town this past week to help me recover and got in on the paper mache action.  It was a good, messy time.  I think our little ant turned out quite well.  Sam was sooo proud of it.  He kept saying, "This is the best pinata ever."  "I can't believe we made this."  "Doesn't he look so cute, mama?"

 Grape caterpillars.  Can you pick out which ones Stella made?

 I borrowed a mosquito net from a friend to put over the table.  Bzzzzzzzz.

 Party face.

Gummy worms frozen in ice cubes.  This was probably Sam's favorite thing of all.  He kept checking on the worms in the freezer.  This also turned out to be a lovely time waster at the party.  The kids were determined to eat the gummy worms and spent quite a bit of time trying to gnaw them free.

Sam and I constructed a very solid pinata.  A little too sturdy, perhaps?  I was worried it wouldn't make it through one round of all these boys.  However, it made it through two full rounds of multiple blows from each kid and still wasn't close to opening.  Drew ripped it apart and threw the candy everywhere.

To one of my favorite little bugs, happy birthday.  We love you so.

More Winter

I have spent the past 2+ weeks really sick.  Upper respiratory flu turned sinus infection and pneumonia.  I am finally feeling more myself.  We had a big snow storm on the 6th of this month.  I didn't have the energy to go out and play with the kids and was feeling like a horribly negligent mother as "the rest of the town" took their kids sledding.   Drew reassured me that our children would still look back on their childhood with fondness and he would take them out when he got home from work.  They loved being out and we had a hard time getting them inside for dinner.

5 YEARS

This boy stole my heart 5 years ago today and has never given it back.  He is quiet and reserved around strangers, crazy loud and confident at home, strong, kind, and so darn cute.  His swagger and dimples are going to get him into a world of trouble. 

He can take or leave cake and cupcakes.  He eats all the frosting off the top and then hands me the rest.  Doughnuts are his favorite treat so we took him out this morning to a new little doughnut shop in Gas City.

Samuel Jacob, we love you.  We like you.  And we are really, really proud of you.
Happy Birthday, little man.