Happy Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day the kids and I loaded up and took a day trip to Bloomington to meet Kristina, Stephanie, and their kids. We were planning to go to a neat place called Make A Mess, but after much looking we discovered it was closed! This was a bummer, but we decided to take the kids to Chuck E. Cheese instead. They had fun and it was pretty quite. That is a good thing because we are finding it harder and harder to keep track of our group and visit!

Titus loved trying out the rides with his big sisters.

I can't believe how grown up he looks here.
Titus dumped an entire bottle of water on himself in the car while we were trying to navigate. He was soaked by the time we arrived. But, luckily Stephanie snapped a quick picture of us before we took off his "Valentine" shirt.
This visit the mouse came out to meet & greet. Grace is usually afraid, but got a bit braver with Hannah & Sadie.



By the time we got home (it was a lot of driving!!) it was dinner time. Luckily I had left some dinner in the crockpot. Since Jeremy and I had just gotten back from our special weekend away we hadn't made any plans. We do however usually do something special as a family. I had planned to make and decorate a big cookie with the kids. But, they were so worn out from the day we just had dinner and then it was about time for bed. We gave the kids a Max Lucado book about adoption I had picked up for $1 at a used book sale in the mall. A very simple celebration this year, hopefully we can do something a bit more fancy next year.

Take me away!

This year Jeremy turned 30, so I wanted to do something extra special for his birthday. I knew he wouldn't want a party. His only request was a weekend away without the kids. While I thought he wouldn't enjoy a surprise party I thought he might enjoy it if we shared our weekend away with other couples. So, after Christmas I contacted the wives of the two best men, Joe & Brian, from our wedding to see if I could conspire with them to surprise our husbands. Joe turned 30 the day before Jeremy so Deidra thought this was a great idea. Hannah ended up having to let Brian in on the secret, but they were in too. It was a bit of a feat getting a weekend that all 3 couples could be gone and find childcare, but we did it!! Jeremy knew we were going away for the weekend, but had no idea where we were going (or that we weren't going along). We all met up in Peoria, IL. Jeremy was very surprised when we walked into the restaurant Friday night to find Joe & was even more surprised to find out that Brian would be joining us as well.

Friday night we went to Alexander's Steakhouse. Its been so long since I've been to a fancy restaurant I forgot we should probably have a reservation. We had to wait over an hour for a table. But, when you don't have your kids along this doesn't seem like a big deal. This is a total "man" restaurant. You choose a steak from a cooler and then grill your own steak at a big grill. The guys were able to grill their steaks and visit. They also made baked potatoes & texas toast. Us girls enjoyed the salad bar while they grilled.

In order to make our trip affordable I tried my hand at bidding on Priceline for the first time. With some tips from Stephanie I was able to get our room for $55 a night. We stayed at a Courtyard by Mariott (a business hotel). It was very nice. When we arrived to check in there were students everywhere! The state chess finals and Jr. High Believe were both in town. How ironic! Not exactly super romantic but when you can only get away once a year you don't care!

On Saturday we all met up at a place called Jillians. It had pool tables & an arcade.



After Jillian's we had to say goodbye to Brian & Hannah. Then the rest of us headed to the mall. After shopping for a little while we decided to meet back up that night for pizza and cards. Luckily, all the students had cleared out and the lobby was quiet and it worked out great! On Sunday Jeremy and I enjoyed a day all to ourselves until we picked up our kids that afternoon. We ate at a buffet and did some "window" shopping. It was a great trip and I think our favorite part was being able to talk without all the interruptions of our life with small children. I was excited to see our kids but, I always find myself looking forward to the next weekend away/date night as soon as we get home.

A New Skill

Faith and her sticker chart with her nightgown backwards & inside out. (and spaghetti on her face:)

As of late getting Faith dressed in the morning had become a quite unlovely experience. She was uncooperative and whiny. Her attitude was such that I would end up leaving her in the bathroom with the instructions she needed to get herself dressed. This wasn't really working either as she would just cry on the bathroom floor until she apologized and begged me to help her. So everyone else would be at the breakfast table and she still wouldn't be dressed!

I had tried letting her pick out her clothes, but she still had no interest in learning this task. So.... I decided to try something different. We talked about how that dressing yourself is a job you need to learn when you turn 3. I made her a sticker chart. If her sticker chart is full by the time we go to Chicago she gets to purchase something for her baby at the American Girl store. Each day she dresses herself/puts on her own pjs she gets a sticker. I was very generous in the beginning giving stickers for effort and have gradually expected more as we go along. The first week she wore her shirt backwards 3 days in a row. Even though I informed her it was on backwards she had no interest in turning it around. She even wore her shirt inside out a couple of times. So, I let her wear it like that. I laughed when I was having to check the backs of her shirts for stains when doing laundry. Eventually she was open to being taught how to do it correctly.

She is doing great and we are definitely making progress!

Grace also requested her own sticker chart. Since she already dresses herself my mom suggested we practice her zipping her own coat. I thought this was a great suggestion. I'm sure she could have learned this skill earlier if we had taken the time to practice it, but it worked out well for both girls to work on a new skill at the same time. When I took these pictures the girls were actually in their pjs but Grace ran and got her coat to zip up for the picture! Grace helped choose her reward, a family dinner at Burger King, so they can play on the indoor play place. Look at how proud she looks.

I'm know both of these new skills will come in handy as we transition to having a kindergarten student next year. (AGH!)

The Great Blizzard of 2011

Had to post some pics from the "Blizzard of 2011" we ended up with 17-18" of snow. We mostly enjoyed the excitement around our house. The snow really started coming down around midday on Tuesday. Jeremy was able to get home by 1:00 when it really started picking up. We shoveled our driveway 5 times on Tuesday to try and keep up with all the snow. The snow finished by 10:00 that night. The most exciting part was that Jeremy didn't have to go to work on Wednesday, his birthday! So it felt like we had a "weekend" in the middle of the week. :)

Here are some progressive picks I took of the same shot of our backyard.

Grace LOVED the snow. She dives right in and gets covered.
Our attempt at a "snowman" the snow refused to pack.
Faith is not as big of fan. She preferred to help shovel the driveway and stay much drier. It doesn't take but about 10 minutes and she is suggesting hot chocolate!

On Thursday we were able to get out of our driveway and travel a few blocks to visit our friends the Whetstones. We attempted to take the kids (10 kids total) sledding. It didn't work the greatest. We had to carry the babies, and at one point I was carrying Titus & Logan. And the 3 year olds couldn't really walk in that deep of snow either. Titus actually got to go down the hill a few times. We couldn't decided if he like it or not. He didn't cry, but he was giggling either.
I know this is the kind of snow storm people will talk about remembering. Even though my kids won't be old enough to remember I wanted them to have some pictures to "remember" with.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

The Sunday before Jeremy's birthday we planned a special birthday dinner for him since we were planning on being at church on his actual birthday on Wednesday. However thanks to the blizzard we got to celebrate his birthday twice.

On Wednesday we were blessed with a snow day so we got to spend Jeremy's entire birthday together! After playing in the snow we enjoyed a birthday coffee cake. Faith shared her "3" from her cake for daddy's 30th birthday.

On Sunday night we had Taco Bell (a special treat) & made Jeremy an ice cream cake which is becoming a family favorite.
Singing happy birthday to daddy. In the background you can see some of the special decorations our little artists made to decorate for the party.

Happy birthday to our very special daddy.

Too Funny

One night Jeremy went into the girls' room to find them asleep like this. Grace is laying on a box of Titus' diapers!

Grace...

I came downstairs to find her folding a pile of clean laundry I had left on the couch. I asked, "Have you been folding clothes?" To which she replied, "Yes, mama we don't want you to have to do all the jobs and be the Cinderelly." So sweet.

Faith...

Faith knows that I am selling jewelry. The other day she was in my bedroom and said, "Mama you sell the jewelry?" I said, "Yes" She replied, "But not the sparkly one!" (Meaning I couldn't sell my wedding ring.)

Titus...

When I was changing Titus this week he started furiously signing "all done." He has had a diaper rash and doesn't like having his diaper changed.

Playing Dress Up

One of the fun activities we planned this winter for play group was a dress up day. The Humiston children happen to have the world's best dress up collection thanks to their Nana. So we loaded up our huge chest of fun and brought it to share. Here the girls select jewelry.

We also brought in our church's "wedding mirror" for the kids to admire themselves in.
Faith's Rappunzel hair gets worn for the first time.
Faith "teaching." She loved this peach dress someone else brought and wore it the entire time.
Baby Charlotte looks adorable.
What a gorgeous Gracie.
We did have some "boy" outfits, but most of the boys choose to play with trucks instead.

Let the journey begin...

Well, in January Jeremy and I had signed up to go to Bethany Christian Services' Discover Adoption Seminar. I was counting down the days like it was Christmas. I could not wait. Then the day before we left they started predicting snow and lots of bad weather. I was so worried we wouldn't get to go.... And then the day of the seminar Faith woke up not acting like herself. By lunch she had a fever and our trip was an official no go. I was SO bummed. This was especially disappointing to me because they only do this seminar every three months. I felt like someone had told me I was going to have to wait another 3 months to open my Christmas present. But, God was at work. Due to the weather Bethany allowed Missouri families to attend their Illinois seminar (the next week!) So we simply had to drive 30 minutes more and only had to wait 6 days!

So, on Titus' one year birthday we dropped our kids off with our dear friends the Whetstone family for their first ever official sleep over and headed to St. Louis. It was a great trip and all the driving allowed for lots of talking time. While we waited for it to begin we looked at pictures of waiting children. Jeremy would tell you I was ready to "adopt them all" but the time the seminar started. Well that isn't entirely true....not ALL of them. He would also probably tell you I asked the most questions, which is also probably true.

We learned a lot and are still following up on finding out some more information we need in order to officially decide which path we will start on. At one point during the seminar she asked who had a type A personality. Jeremy kept whispering for me to raise my hand, which I did. I'm pretty sure if you read this blog you already know I'm a type A. The woman told us how difficult this process would be for us. Well, actually she said it will be a real asset during the paperwork phase. (Yeah!) But, that when you adopt you can't be in control you have to be willing to let God lead you down a different path than you might plan for. (Uh, oh let the learning begin) Well, I figure when I started my motherhood journey I was probably a straight up A+, three kids later I like to call myself an A-. I have really learned to let go. (a bit) So, I say bring on the B+ I'm ready to see what God has in store for this dream he has planted in my heart, even if I don't know the exact path.

Speaking of letting go and being willing to try something new. In January I also hosted my first Open House for my new business selling jewelry for Inspiranza Designs. I am so excited how God is going to use this opportunity to help fund our adoption and give me the opportunity to share about his heart for adoption. Below, is a picture of my display table. The Open House was a great success and I felt very loved as many of our friends came to support our family! I felt like the first baby step in this process took place and that is very exciting and overwhelming all at the same time.
Dear Future Members(s) of the Humiston Family,

When your dad and I got married we had an idea that we might be open to adoption. Almost seven years later God has grown that crazy idea into a beautiful dream. During that time God has blessed our family with your siblings Grace, Faith, & Titus. With three children some families feel complete but our hearts know there is room for more love in this family. That love is growing while we wait for you. I can't wait to meet you, because I know God always intended for you to be ours. I have no idea what you will look like, where you will come from, or how you will get to us. But, I know God is on this journey with both of us. We love you already and are reserving your spot.

Love,

Mama (for the whole crew)

Titus-12 Months

My Titus is 12 months old (also commonly known as a one year old!) I can't believe it. I am a bit sad that my baby is growing up so fast. (But confess I am also a bit excited to be done with monthly updates.... :)

Titus loves stairs. Although he is still hesitant to try walking he likes to climb. He was very proud of himself that he can use his big sisters step stool to get closer to the sink.

Here he is checking out his birthday cards. He isn't overly interested in books at this point. But, he isn't all that interested in toys either. Mostly he likes to get into things like the toilet, the kitchen cupboards, or his sisters' crayons etc.
Here is his first sips of cow's milk. He did great, although still doesn't like it enough to drink as much as he "should." When Titus turned one he was still nursing 3 times. He easily gave up his nap time feeding and then we cut out his bedtime feeding a few weeks later. He is still nursing in the morning. Most recently he likes to wake up to his dad's alarm clock (5-6 a.m.) and come nurse and then sleep in bed with me. (Wow- I've come a long way I didn't let either of the girls sleep with us at all, not even like once.)
Titus is starting to enjoy bath time, although he likes to stand up which can be exhausting making him sit down over and over and over again.
Here is Titus with his bear at his birthday party. My "army" crawler is officially crawling, pulling up, and cruising a lot. He has taken a step or two but shows little interest in walking. When we try to encourage him to take steps he simply drops his bottom to the floor. But, he can walk holding on with only one hand so I don't think it will be long before we can declare him "walking."
Titus has begun to sign just a bit. He totally surprised us one night when he signed, "Daddy" and "Night Night" when I said, "Tell Daddy Night Night." before bed. He also signs more, all done, milk, and is waving bye bye.

Titus' personality continues to be laid back. He loves to be picked up, especially whenever I am trying to cook something. He still sucks his thumb when he goes to sleep. Although he still doesn't ever stick it in his mouth any other time at this point. Hoping that continues. He has officially moved up to 24 month/2T clothes and I am hoping that size will fit for summer...we will see.

Titus,

You are such a joy to our family. We have enjoyed this first year with you immensely! I am so glad God chose us to be your family. I can't wait to see how you will grow and change this next year. We love you!

Mama (for the whole gang)