Tribe of Nine: April 2008

Monday, April 14, 2008

March Madness!!

UPDATE: It's done!! Scroll down or click on each link below:

March was a very busy month for our family:

My 18th birthday was February 26th.. I believe I left off right before that..
Dad, Elena, Ian & Asher all promoted to the next level in Karate.
We spent one Saturday with our church family creating a Memorial Garden for our dear friend's late son, who passed away in July (and whom Asher is named after)
Esther's 2 year Gotcha Day was on March 12th
Asher, Esther & Emma are all taking violin lessons
I was accepted into Southeastern University!
Esther & Emma went to their very first sleepover
Elena, Ian and Asher were in their first karate competition!
Where was Easter?
We spent an entire weekend enjoying the lake
Ian's birthday was March 25th

....and I'm sure I missed something else.

Oh by the way-- I got a new camera!!!! I am the proud owner of a wonderful, amazing Canon Rebel XTI. I love it.. I'm still learning how to use it but wow.. there's a HUGE difference between this and my old crappy Kodak! It's a combined Birthday/Graduation gift and will definitely be used as I plan to major in photojournalism in college. So, part of the reason why pictures haven't been added lately is because of the camera change.. but don't worry.. they are coming!!

And since I haven't added any pictures in awhile.. here are a few random ones of the boys at karate!

SCROLL DOWN FOR NEW UPDATES!!

By the way.. notice our new look?
Special thanks to my good friend and fellow adoptive sister Staci (and her sister Rachael!) for their artistic skills in our blog makeover! Staci is big sister to Sarah Lu, and soon Chayah!

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Ian's 10th Birthday

Ian Matthew

"Ian"- God is gracious
"Matthew"- Gift of God

Ian was definitely a much awaited little blessing. After being blessed with three girls, my parents were beyond excited when they found out they were finally expecting their long awaited boy! I still remember the night he was born.. 5:45 pm on March 25, 1998. Seven pounds, three ounces.. ten fingers, ten toes. We had the fortunate opportunity to be present at his birth since he was delivered at a local birthing center. I got to cut his umbilical cord which was such a special honor. I always tease Ian that if it wasn't for me cutting his cord, he'd still be attached to Mom!

Ian's a great kid- he's very dedicated and involved in his Martial Arts and Boy Scouts. He plans on finishing both and obtaining an Eagle Scout when he is older and a Black belt.. which could happen before the end of the year! He also loves to go tubing on the lake, play his Wii and he loves anything to do with technology. I think he had our computer figured out before my Mom even did! I see him as being an engineer in the future, but he could also have a career in singing. He has a loud strong voice and will sing anything, anywhere.. frequently I hear him belting out Rascal Flatts or *sigh* Miley Cyrus in the shower!
He's very smart, funny and such a flirt!! Apparently, he's had several girlfriends and is debating about whether or not to break up with one right now-- quite the social life, huh?

Ian's had a tumultuous transition since his new brother arrived home. As excited as he was to finally have a brother and playmate, I don't think he quite understood that Asher wasn't going to be the average 7 year old kid who's grown up like he has. It's been difficult for Ian, but he is learning how to be a big brother and is slowly taking on the role of teacher. I hope one day the two of them will share a very special relationship with one another. They kind of have to since they are the only boys in a family with five girls!!

My mom's favorite verse that she put on his birth announcements:

"For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together inside my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written,
every one of them, the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there were none of them."
Psalms 139: 13-16

Since Ian's birthday fell on a Tuesday and I was out of town that weekend, we ended up having a little party for him the following weekend. Our friends the Fay's joined us for some fellowship time and we went boating, tubing, wakeboarding, grilled and had cake.

Dad and Dan grilling... notice how the grill is on fire?
Ya, don't know exactly how that happened!

So, the box the cake came in ended up getting squished, causing the icing to stick to the lid when we opened it. I didn't have any green icing to fix it.. so I took a little bit of green food coloring and improvised!