we are licensed!

Yesterday just after noon, I received the call that we are approved & licensed. On that same call I was told of a potential placement. Jake was at work; I took notes like crazy during the phone call, asked questions, and then called Jake to discuss the details.
We welcomed a sweet 2 year old boy (his name starts with a "K") into our family yesterday at 4 pm. Prayers appreciated.

baked oatmeal

This baked oatmeal is a family favorite.  I have had a few requests for this recipe, so I figured I might as well post it.  This recipe comes together very quickly; simply dump all ingredients in one bowl, mix & get it in the oven! We hope your family loves it as much as our family does.

Baked Oatmeal Recipe Courtesy of Cheryl “Mom” Tuttle

Ingredients: 1⁄2 cup applesauce 3/4 cup brown sugar 3 cups oats 1/8 cup oat bran, wheat germ or chia seeds (or any combination) 2 eggs 1 cup milk 2 tsp baking powder 1⁄2 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions: In medium bowl, mix all ingredients. Pour into a greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

Serve with the following toppings: Pecans Raisins Craisins Apples

pumpkins

We just had another fun weekend with family here. Auntie Em came to visit this weekend, unfortunately Uncle Jonathan wasn't able to come as he had a golf trip planned.  Auntie Em arrived Thursday evening & stayed until Sunday morning. Here is some of what we did this weekend:

Auntie Em & the girls picking out a pumpkin.

After naps, we got out the dot paint & markers to decorate our pumpkins.  
Note to self: pick up finger paint soon!

Saturday morning Jake & I got up early & left our house at 6 am. We drove to Charlotte to shop at Ikea.  We needed some things for our master bedroom & bathroom remodel. The main thing we needed was a closet system for our bedroom. 

We arrived just before 10 am, when it opened.  We had a list, but we first looked through the showroom then loaded up 1 cart & 2 flatbeds. Yes, seriously! The end result was success....a full van.

We left Ikea just before 1 pm and headed back to Wilmington. While Jake & I were driving and shopping and driving some more, the girls were having a fabulous day with Auntie Em.  Their day included the park, Power of Play and watching Swiss Family Robinson.

Thanks for coming up, Emily.  
This was a huge help & we always love seeing you.

cousin's visit

We had a great time last weekend when our 'cousins' came to visit.  This family moved away in June & we have missed them.  Lily & Ella regularly talk about Sydney, Reiley, Lucas & Lauren.  We all had a great time playing & catching up.

worn out toes

a LOT of this...

...and this...

...results in this...

...worn out toes. 

Good thing I snagged these rubber toed sneakers for $3 at Walmart.

k4 at home

We're having fun doing low-key learning at home this year.  We started after Labor Day. I don't have a curriculum, but I have collected some number, letter, color & shapes workbooks.  We have some letter & number flashcards as well as a Bible memory verse book with a verse for each letter of the alphabet. LOVE those verses! We are doing a letter a week, nothing super structured, just getting Lily used to learning & practicing her letters.  We are doing maybe 15-30 minutes a day (sitting down at the island).  Of course we read lots of books all day and do fun things like send pictures to our friends & family whose name starts with the letter we are working on. We also made granola bars, I wrote all the ingredients on our chalk board and then Lily circled all the Ee's in the ingredients we used. We always color & draw pictures! Hard to believe this girl will be off to school next year!
As my mom has reminded me before, the days may be long (especially when they are little), but the years go fast! I'm trying to savor our time together even on the long days.

The other morning Lily said, "Mom, is this how you spell Ella?"  I came over to her paper and found this....pretty good, Ella spelled backwords A-L-L-E.

Lily LOVES to draw & do "crafts."  We go through LOTS of paper & stickers, and she always asks to use scissors and glue.