Best Mothers Day EVER!

Yesterday was wonderful.  Drew and the kids really spoiled me all day and I couldn't believe how emotional and weepy I was.  For someone who is extremely emotional anyways, yesterday was such an emotional day!  From thinking about my mom and my grandmas and the example that they have been to me to waking up to the sounds of Drew feeding both kiddos breakfast and their giggles and voices was just extra special yesterday.  And then while sitting in church holding precious little Zoe and remembering what last year's Mothers Day was like was just too much for me and I was a puddle of tears.  I remember last year longing to have BOTH of my babies in my arms, wondering what little Zoe was doing halfway around the world and praying so hard that she would be home soon with her forever family.  I was just so overwhelmed with the thought of how blessed I am that God hand-picked both Evan and Zoe to call ME "mommy" and that I get the honor of raising them and loving them everyday.  But I couldn't help but think all day about 2 very special women in Ethiopia- one who gave birth to sweet Zoe and the other who made the toughest decision ever- to relinquish her to an orphanage.  I can't even imagine such loss and I am forever grateful for the choices they made and that God chose ME to be the one to be Zoe's MOM.  I know I say it all the time- but...  Adoption is SUCH a beautiful thing.  I am reminded everyday when I look into my precious Zoe's face how amazing adoption truly is and how grateful I am that God called us on this journey.  And now...  here are some pictures of our little 18 month old!  Lindsey always does such a great job capturing her personality and these are only a few of my favorites.   ENJOY!

ComeUnity 6K!

Last weekend, our small group had an awesome opportunity to volunteer at the ComeUnity 6K Race again. It was terrible weather (cold and sleet), but there was still a great turnout of people all walking/running to support a clean water project in Ethiopia. The reason for the 6K instead of the typical 5K or 10K races is because 6K is the average distance that women and children in Africa have to walk each and every day to get their water for their families, which is often VERY dirty and makes them VERY sick.  My heart was so full to see these people running and walking in the yucky weather, as the women and children have to walk in terrible weather conditions too.  Evan and a lot of the other kids from our small group ran in the .6K childrens race.  He was sooo excited and it was a great way for us to talk again about how fortunate we are to have clean water and it provided a very tangible way that we could help make a difference.  Here are a few pictures from the day. 

 At one point during the morning, I was overcome with emotion thinking about what this little lady's life could be like had she remained in Ethiopia and about where we were in the adoption process at this time last year.  At the ComeUnity race last year, we had received our referral and were volunteering with this precious little face in our minds, praying and hoping we would have her in our arms soon.  And this year, here she is at the race with us.  Nothing short of a miracle.  

 My 2 littles- all bundled and ready for a fun morning :)

 Evan and his buddy Riley running their little hearts out :)

 So proud of my little guy!

 And the kids race is done- now to help with the adults 6K race- luckily the kids race was before the sleet started!

 How would you like to drink this dirty water?  And even more, walk 6K everyday only to get this water for your family, knowing it will make you sick but having no other option?

 Again, so thankful to be a part of this great day!  Hoping for better weather and an even bigger turnout next year!! 

On a side note- little Zoe is now officially 18 months old, which means she has been home with us for 6 months now!  Not a day goes by that I'm not so incredibly grateful for the blessing she is to our little family. 

I'm back!!  Ok, so I'm not the greatest at keeping up with this blog now that I am busy keeping up with 2 little ones while trying to keep up with all the other things that go along with settling into a new home!! For all of you readers who have stuck with me through my drought in posts, here are the updates from our house in the last couple of weeks:

***I am now a minivan mom! I never would have thought I would be so excited to post that, but I LOVE it!

***Evan can now ride his bike WITHOUT training wheels and is doing great at it!!

***The laundry room project I mentioned in my last post is still underway (taking a little longer than anticipated), but I can tell I'm going to LOVE the finished product!  Pics to come when it's done!

***Zoe is a climber.  Nothing is off limits to her anymore.  I left the playroom a few days ago for just a minute only to come back and find her sitting on the bar stool peeking over the kitchen counter with the biggest grin on her face.  It was like she was saying "Look at me Mom!"  *Sigh*  This little girl and her latest tricks are a big reason why I can't keep up with things like my blog these days!  But I wouldn't trade it for the world!

I think that's it for the *BIG* news at the Baker house....  Here are some pictures of the last couple of weeks!

The kids got this big cardboard house for Christmas and we just now got it out.  It was like Christmas morning all over again- I think I might do this with more of their gifts next year!

The big man riding his bike all by himself.  There wasn't much *learning* involved, he just took right off.  He must have been ready!

This girl has an obsession with getting herself stuck inside small spaces.  Several times I have tried to come to her rescue and she makes it very clear to me that she WANTS to be in there.  Crazy girl :)

Watching a little TV together.  Our kids don't watch much TV at all, so when they do it's a big treat :)

They LOVE baths together.  Does this momma's heart good to watch them giggle and play together.  Zoe LOVES to have water dumped on her head (which Evan has always HATED).  But he is more than happy to dump it onto her head.  And she keeps saying "More, More, More!" 

Just playing on her laptop! 

Ok, that's it for now!! Have a happy Thursday!!

And the long-awaited update with pictures!!

For all of you blog readers who have stuck with me through this busy season and my lack of posts, I apologize!  Things have been pretty crazy at our house.  I honestly don't know how working moms and moms of more than 2 kids do it!  We have officially closed on our old house, so we now only own 1 home which is a big relief and we are happy to be able to focus on some home improvement projects at our new house now.  Or I should say- I'm happy.  Not so sure about Drew (who will be doing most of the painting and home improvement projects)!  This weekend Drew and a friend are going to be building me some cabinetry and a bench in my laundry room.  I will be sure to post before and after pictures when they are all finished! My type-A personality just can't wait to have some organization in my laundry room/mud room!

 And here are some of the most recent pictures I've taken of the littles!

Zoe is famous for getting herself into trouble.  I quickly went to rescue her (after I took a pictures, of course) and she very clearly let me know that she did NOT want to be rescued.  She meant to get herself stuck in there and did it over and over again throughout the day.  Silly girl.

 Another one of newest tricks.  I tell ya- I can't turn my head for a minute.  And she has now become a master climber.  The couch, bar stools, and dining room table chairs are not off-limits for her anymore.... She keeps me on my toes for sure.

 But it's pretty hard to be mad at this sweet little face.  I just love her to pieces...

 Our kids have LOVED playing in the front yard and driveway on some of the nicer weather days we've had lately.  Playing in the driveway is a new thing for Evan since we lived on a busy road before and were never able to play in the front yard.  It's been so much fun!

 

Zoe LOVES watching Drew mow out her bedroom window...

 

Just another one of their favorite pastimes lately.  Zoe will climb in the wagon and say "HELP" to Evan.  And he is such a sweet boy for always running right over to her to pull her around.   Too cute.

 They both loved hunting for Easter eggs.  I think they had 3 egg hunts on Easter and loved every bit of it.  Zoe caught on real quickly and was so fun to watch. 

 My little Ethiopian princess in her Easter dress.   LOVE HER!

Checking out the contents of the eggs afterwards.  

We had a great time celebrating our Risen Savior this Easter season.  I pray you and your families did as well!

Referral-versary!!

April Fools Day will always hold a special place in our hearts...  One year ago on April Fools Day we received the phone call from our adoption agency that would change our lives forever....Sheila (our agency's director) called Drew at work to tell him she had our referral and he rushed home (without calling me first!) so we could open the email and see the pictures of our baby girl together.  I can still remember my confusion when I heard the garage door open in the middle of the afternoon and the look on Drew's face (and his red eyes that had been crying the whole ride home).  And oh the joy when he told me.  I will never forget opening up that email.  PURE JOY.  She was 5 months old and absolutely perfect. We instantly fell in love.   And she would soon be OURS.  These were the pictures we received that day. 

What a crazy ride the past year has been.  I couldn't feel more blessed to be able to call this little bundle my daughter. Happy referral-versary little Zoe!

17 Months Old and 5 Months Home!

So hard to believe that this little girl

turned 17 months old yesterday and has been home with us for 5 whole months!

She seriously NEVER stops smiling or giggling- that is until she starts throwing her little tantrums and showing us her attitude!  Right now her attitude is just pure cuteness- not so sure what we will be saying about it in the months and years to come!

She still LOVES her big brother and does anything he does (which isn't always a good thing!).  They are both adjusting to our new home so very well.

And they play so well together these days.  Who knew that a HUGE pile of toys behind the couch could be soo much fun?!?

Can't believe this little princess has been with us for only 5 months- she couldn't fit into our family any more perfectly.  It's hard to imagine what life was like before she came home.  So thankful for BOTH of my littles and the joy they bring to our lives!  Happy 17 months baby girl!!