Happy Birthday Jackson!

3 years ago today I became a mommy. It was one of the happiest days of my life. I can not believe my baby is turning 3 today! Jackson is such a sweet boy and I love watching him grow up into a little boy. He is caring and snuggly but also energetic and inquisitive. He loves to find out how things work, he might be a future engineer....although right now he wants to be an airplane pilot when he gets to be a daddy:)







Jackson was such an easy baby. He slept through the night by 8 weeks and was sleeping 12 hours by 12 weeks. He was always happy and only cried when he was hungry.....which he was a lot.

He got his first tooth the day he turned 3 months old! He started eating solids at 4 months and never looked back. He had all his teeth (including his 2 year molars) by one year old! He was eating table foods at 9 months and loved every bite. He was 27 lbs. on his first birthday.

Jackson's first birthday.

Jackson's 2nd Birthday!

Today at Jackson's 3rd Birthday party.

Stay tuned for pictures of Jackson's tractor party!

Happy Birthday sweet boy! We love you!

Jackson's Circus Day

Jackson had Circus Day at preschool yesterday. We had a lot of fun playing all of the circus games:)

The ring of fire!

he made it out safely!

Bean Bag Toss- I was in charge of this game it got a bit chaotic but they loved it.

no line, it was a bean bag tossing free for all



hmm just noticed that he isn't even on the balance beam in this picture....ha.

there we go that is better.







strong man

ending the circus day with a class snack of animal crackers.

Tot School

Here is what we did in Tot School this week!

We practiced fine motor skills with tweezers and pom pom balls

Livi is starting to get the hang of Tot School.

Jackson helped me bake the cake for his cupcake bites.

We practiced matching capital letters and lowercase and also practiced saying the names and sounds of the letters.

Jackson got a new, fun Mickey Mouse matching dominoes game. It comes with 6 different types and so we started with an easy one (colors) for him so he could get the hang of making domino trains.

He really seemed to enjoy it.

Adoption Changes

UPDATED: You can find out some more information here on this blog and be sure to keep an eye out on the US State Department website for official changes and information.

Ethiopian Federal Court

I wish I had the time I used to to follow everything that is happening in Ethiopia, especially regarding adoptions. Somehow time is something I have very little of right now.....hmmm.

Today I found out that Ethiopia is changing the rules regarding court. As of right now (and they pretty much mean right now, very few cases will get grandfathered in under the old rules) they want parents to travel at the time of court and then again a few weeks later to pick up their child when they have an embassy date. You see, just last week parents could sign a power of attorney and someone from their agency would represent them......well, not anymore. While I am glad to see Ethiopia putting rules in place to make sure that every adoption is ethical, this is going to put a huge strain on families.

For instance, we got the call that our court date was in three weeks. Now can you imagine if someone called and said that along with, "Oh by the way, and you need to be there. And you won't be able to take her home. You will have to leave her here for another 4-6 weeks and come back again to get her." That is what happening to these families. Now this isn't the end of the world but coming together with an additional $5,000 to travel on a moments notice when you are already on the edge of the international adoption cliff, is enough to make anyone a little upset.

So I just ask you to keep these families in your prayers. Keep Ethiopia in your prayers, these kids need homes, but Ethiopia also needs hope. Only the saving grace of our Lord Jesus can truly make a difference in this country. It is my prayer that international adoption is not even needed there anymore one day. But today, kids need families.

Cupcake Bites

Yesterday I made these for Jackson to take to his preschool class for his birthday. I can't believe my baby is almost 3!





They are cakeballs that look like cupcakes...so they are chocolate with cake in the middle if you aren't up on the cakeball hype. You can check out all the amazingly cute cakeballs, cake pops, cupcake bites at bakerella.com Just be careful, you will have a strong urge to start baking........and you quite possibly could end up with 44 cupcake bites for 8 preschoolers.



but hey I am pregnant:)

We have a winner!!

UPDATED: Sorry if the video wasn't working! Whitney Pratt is the winner!

Congratulations!





Email me at raising3babesinthe3rdworld@gmail.com with which shirt you want, your size, and address and I will order it for you! And for all of you that still want one for yourself just click here. Oh, and I am so touched by how all of you generously give to those in need and sponsor so many precious children!

Another Great Giveaway!

Melissa Hill over at A Long Way From the Theta House is giving away a book and cd set for one of my favorite speakers, Mary Flo Ridley! Actually, I have only heard Mary Flo speak once but that was all it took for her to climb to the top of my list!



She speaks about talking to your kids about......well er, s-e-x. You see, I went from hiding in the corner in the fetal position with my fingers in my ears to actually having a plan and even sharing age appropriate truths about this gift from God to my kids even now! Yes, you start young and her approach is so Christ centered. Anyways, let Mary Flo tell you all about it....head over to A Long Way From The Theta House to win yourself a copy.....contest ends tomorrow so hurry up!

And don't forget about my t-shirt giveaway here!