Reid and Stefani Adopt

Isaac is potty training right now. He just told me he needed to go to the potty, so we ran off to the bathroom. As he's on the potty, I start singing, "I love Isaac, he loves me..." Isaac finishes with "I love peeing on the potty, E-I-E-I-O!"

Thanksgiving and Christmas 2014 get put together this year.  It was a crazy holiday season.  Reid interviewed for a new job in Florida, and got it in November.  There was some back and forth on the offer and whether or not we would accept it.  Over Thanksgiving, the MN Archibalds helped the MI Archibalds get their house ready to sell.  We put up Christmas decorations, but took them down the day after Christmas, cleaned the house for staging purposes, then drove to MN to visit the MN Archibalds.  When we got back to MI, we put our house on the market, and within a week, the movers came and packed us up.  Now we are in FL, enjoying the temperatures and the outdoors more than we had, but it made for a super crazy holiday season.  I didn't get many pictures in. Esther enjoying pie on Thanksgiving. People waiting very patiently for the turkey that never got smoked.  We had to put it in the oven to finish cooking it and everybody was so ...

Esther's birthday was on November 25th, and we had a small cupcake and gave her a rocking unicorn on that day.  Then we had a party a couple of days later when family had come for Thanksgiving.  I make her cake (Thank you Pintrest!) I know I'm posting this late.  It's time I played catch up.

When the judge finalized Esther's adoption, he gave Isaac this certificate: I thought this was so cute and heart-warming.  Although Isaac has been known to push and get jealous of his little sister, there are also many times that he is so caring and careful around her.  He always gives her a kiss goodnight, he made sure to get candy for her when we went trick-or-treating, he makes sure to mention her in our family prayers, and he likes to sit by her at meals.  I also have two videos of times when I thought he was fulfilling the court mandate to "always love her." I was so impressed at how carefully Isaac pushed Esther around.  I loved how he moved the garbage can out of the way so he wouldn't accidentally run her into it.  It was so cute. Usually, when we go out to swing, Isaac insists on pushing Esther himself.  He's barely tall enough to reach, and it's so funny to watch him push his little sister on the swing.

Halloween has come and gone again this year.  We did our usual meal, and even Esther got to enjoy the monster mash.  Isaac was excited to be Elmo, which is one of his favorite things.  Esther was a cute little fairy, complete with wings, which she couldn't even wear on Halloween because she had to sit in the stroller, which isn't conducive to wearing wings on your back.  She did get to wear them at the TOTs Halloween party though.  The video below is the "Show off your costume parade," which Isaac got to lead with Miss Laurie.     Monster Mash, complete with a face, and a pumpkin roll.  We also had "bug juice" although it's not pictured. Esther loved the monster mash. Isaac was actually pretty excited this year.  He is getting old enough to appreciate holidays now. The Archibald family right before Trick-or-Treating this year. Isaac made sure to get 2 pieces of candy at every house...one for himself, and one for his si...

Sundays are always a little wild with the kids.  Church starts at 11:30 AM.  This means we usually make it on time, but it totally messes up the regular daily routine.  We are constantly pulling out new toys or treats to keep them occupied, and often have to take them out of the meeting because of crying or a diaper change.  I know that it's worth it though, when they both fall asleep on the way home, and I get to carry them to their cribs.  The house is will be quiet for at least an hour, and usually longer.  Then it's my time to contemplate spiritual things, and appreciate the opportunity I have been given of being a mother to 2 little angels.

Esther just started to crawl this week.  Isaac is very excited because now he can at least crawl around with her.  He is seriously wanting a playmate.  He is possibly more excited about her making this milestone than his parents are, simply because now she able to get into more trouble than ever before.  But we are excited. Congratulations, Esther, for making this milestone.