Boys

It's Friday!  It's been a great week.  I look forward to a great weekend as well. 

This week Nolan was Ben Franklin in the "Living Museum" at his school.  He did really great, considering his dread of public speaking.  He also started "Explorer" classes at school.  He got stuck with his second choice (arts n crafts) but he is ok with it, since he has a buddy in the same class.  He stays after school once a week.  He is a pretty busy dude.  He has homework,  chores, explorer class, basketball 3 times a week, GAMING,  friends, etc. He gets up early and goes to bed early.   I'm so proud of him!  I've said it before.... every mom should get to have a Nolan!

Ben Franklin 

Go #2

 
 

Markus is "talking" up a storm!  He is making so many new sounds!  And his gestures are just so cute and impressive.  He had a sonogram on his bladder and kidneys today.  He was so GOOD!  We were finished in no time!  I won't hear the results for several weeks.  The best part.... the sonographer said Markus looks "just like me". :D  I told her he is adopted.  She just kept saying "Are you sure!?".  Uh.... yes, I'm sure.  lol  But he is so stinkin cute, I'm glad to look like him! 

Being at Scottish Rite Hospital with Markus today, I was feeling a bit emotional.  It's so hard for me to wrap my brain around mothering TWO patients of the hospital. lol  When Kennedy was a baby 14 years ago, Spina Bifida and everything that comes with it was so foreign, so scary.  Now it is second nature. it's a "non issue".  Noone plans to give birth to a baby with special needs, I know I didn't!!  But in my wildest dreams I could not have imagined adopting a baby with special needs.  But that is exactly what we have done.  And what's weird to me is that it's not weird!!  Markus doesn't feel scary or like extra work.  He just feels like my son.  

 At the doctor with Reagan

At Walmart, shocking I know! 

Markus loves him a bath!!

I don't know what it is about these boys.  But they just hook you!  They reel you in and they've stolen your heart.  Nolan and Markus are still so young.  I hope they have many, many more years ahead of them.  But already I have been changed by them.  Thank you, God, for the little men in my life! 

Friday

It's been a super busy Friday, but a great one non the less.  I had so MUCH on my plate today!  But I didn't panic and it all got done.  I don't even remember how! lol God just gives me whatever I need to take care of my family.  This weekend is full, but it will be fun.  I'm looking forward to basketball games and a DATE...that's right, a date with Randall. 

I spoke to a precious friend today that I have spoke to in YEARS!!  What an amazing blessing that was!!  I hope that we will stay in touch.  Good friends are essential to a happy life! :)

I heard a song on the radio today that made me cry.  Crazy, I know.  No doubt God was speaking to me.  Who cries over a song?? lol  But if I had a "Life Motto", this would be it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n3hwhLVx6w&feature=player_embedded

Etrade baby

You could look these up yourself.  But I'm doing you a favor! lol  I can't get enough of these commercials.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do, but I doubt that's possible. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEXZ2hfD3bU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCs8gIMKBSo&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=783CfN2R18k&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqVBKO_QM3o&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYoEZMXMPYE&feature=channel

Basketball

Lady Mavericks 



Pictures!!

Oh my goodness have I been terrible about getting pictures up!!!  It's because I usually write from the laptop and I have to upload pictures on the PC.  I did TRY to upload pictures from my phone the other day, got frustrated and quit.  Yep, I'm a quitter!  But I tried today and did it right away!  Go me. 

Let's see....what don't you know?  Markus has two huge teeth coming in.  Both on top, maybe the canines??  He has his fingers in his mouth a lot, but so far the drooling isn't too bad.  He doesn't seem to be in a lot of pain either.  He is pulling up a lot now, that's really great to see.  Oh my goodness... today when we dropped Kennedy off at school, Markus sobbed!  How sweet is that??  I don't know why, we do it every day!  But when I got back in the car without her, he watched her wheel away and just cried. :(  His new "thing" is knocking on doors.  He knocks with his lil fist and says something.  I think it's "hello". 

Nolan played his very first basketball game last Saturday.  I missed it. :(  I had Karrigan's game at the exact same time as well as team pictures.  Hopefully it will be the only game of his I will miss. 

Report cards came in.  Reagan got good marks (she gets "S"s).  Nolan got all A's, one B, still very impressive in a gifted program.  His work is hard!  Karrigan got all A's!  Second 6 weeks in a row, go K!  Kennedy, bless her heart, she passed everything!  :) 

Ok here are lots of pictures.  I wish they were with the appropriate blog.  But ya get what ya get!

 Reagan after church Christmas Eve

 Markus after church Christmas Eve

 Kennedy after church Christmas Eve

 Nolan after church Christmas Eve

 Christmas day

 Christmas day, she is wearing a new outfit.

 Christmas at the Harris'

 Christmas at the Harris'

 Christmas

 My niece Maggie at Six Flags 12-26

 Karrigan and Nolan at Six Flags

 Karrigan and cousin Levi at Six Flags

 Karrigan with cousin Megan and bf Stern. I love this picture!!  I remember driving my Grandparents in these exact same cars and feeling soooo grown!  Look how intent Karrigan is! lol

 Closing in the dining room

 Yes, the tree was still up!  It IS down now! :)

 Looking good, just a little cosmetic work to go. 

 Bathtime is always fun time!

 I love this pic!!

 ~*snow*~

 Karrigan and Nolan

 Carpenter snowman

 Gosh do I love this guy!

Snuggling

LOL

This makes me lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmw23Ad9aLM&feature=channel

Kids

The other day Reagan said "It's a good thing we got that Markus, cause now you don't have to be lonely while we're at school".  It's hilarious that she thinks I'm lonely while they are gone!!  But I have to admit....I have thoroughly enjoyed Markus's company today.  He has been really quiet, a change from the nonstop yelling that has been going on. :)  But he has been super sweet and just hanging out with me in whatever room I'm in.  He is gesturing so much with his hands and his face is so full of expression!  In the mornings, when he and I go to wake up the older kids, his face lights up and he points at them.  It's as if he is saying "HEY, there you are!". 

I was thinking today about how completely different each Carpenter kid came into the family.  Kennedy was conceived out of wedlock (shocking I know lol).  Of course we knew she would have special needs and were terrified the entire pregnancy.  Kennedy actually made us a "family".  We tried for a year to conceive Karrigan.  We were thrilled to be expecting again and then to know she was healthy.  Having two girls was great, one for Randy and one for me!  Nolan was a surprise baby.  We were shocked to be pregnant but thrilled to have a son.  He was just what we didn't know we wanted!  Reagan joined the Carpenter family slowly.  As a temporary situation drug on and on, it was clear we needed to make it permanent.   She needed us, but we didn't know that we needed her too!  And then Markus, who was brought to our attention by way of the internet, wow!  I can honestly say that I felt each kid completed our family.  Each child, no matter how or when or why they joined our family, has made us complete!  Each of the kids are so different, so unique, so special, so complicated and so loved!  Markus is here, he is home, and now I can't imagine life without him.  Amazing how God works, how He just knows.  Markus puts the period at the end of our family sentence....when I never knew he was missing!!  I think Reagan was right about one thing, it's a good thing we got that Markus.  And Reagan.  And Nolan.  And Karrigan.  And Kennedy. :) 

Random

Karrigan has downloaded a "news" app on her itouch.  It's both cute and sad.  She has never cared about the news before.  Just today she said "What does improper relations mean?", and then "Why is marijuana illegal?".   She read to me both of the news stories she was asking about.  It gave us a good reason to talk about things, but still....very sad that we have to discuss such things. 

How cute is it to get a text from Randy's cell phone saying "Nolan has been very good lately!  He deserves a special sumthin sumthin"?  And later a text saying "This is dad, not Nolan texting you".  lol  He is so funny! 
A big thank you to my friend Melanie for updating the design of my blog!!  Thank you friend!

 

Proud of myself!!

Wow, I did it!!  My first time getting a picture from my phone onto the computer!  Go me! 

So...here is a picture of Nolan yesterday at the salon.  He was in such a weird mood! lol  First and most obviously...wanting a haircut.  Secondly, wearing a shirt with a collar!  He never does that!  In fact, that is his idea of dressing up for church.  He must have wanted to impress the stylist.  His hair is gone, but not his power!  Power to charm, that is. :D



2011

First day back to school in 2011!!  It was a smooth morning, despite Randy not being here and me being up a LOT last night.  Is it mean that I was disappointed when the school nurse called me this morning? lol  I mean... it's not that I wanted to get up and get the kids off this morning.  But once I've done it, I don't want them back!! ;)  It turned out to be nothing.  Dodged that bullet!

Nolan got a hair cut!!  I have a picture on my phone.  I'll see if I'm smarter than my new phone and can get the picture on my blog.  No promises.  He looks GREAT! 

This week is back to school and everything else.  Three basketball practices each week, two bball games, two therapy sessions, two ECI visits, homework, bedtimes, doctor visits, etc. etc. etc.  The break was sooo nice!  Now the count down is on to Spring Break! 

Have a super day!!

Funny stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwimc4cvUmQ