What a Christmas!

Chase: See, see, Mommy? See, look, pesents!

Mommy: Did Santa Claus bring you presents?

Chase: YES!!! Mommy, open?

Peyton: Giggles & Oooo.

Peyton: See Mommy, Mickey Mouse!

Chase: Daddy, see look, peekachoo (Scooby Doo)!

Mommy: Who brought Scooby to you?

Chase: Tanta Caus

Chase, Peyton, and Daddy putting together the Choo, choo train and track.

Peyton: Oooo, choo choo tRain

The little people barn set. So cool...Mommy likes it a lot!

Check out our Sweatshirts! Our very talented Great Aunt Linda from Ohio made them for us! She even made of Christmas ornaments to match! Mommy says that Logan and Bryce got some too!! Thank you Aunt Linda!

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Miracles

December 23, 2005 Matt and I submitted our paperwork to Families Thru International Adoption (http://www.ftia.org/) requesting to adopt a baby boy, as young as possible, and as healthy as possible from Guatemala. That's how it was worded. We spent that holiday in hopeful excitement as we prepared our dossier for submission to Guatmala. On April 29, 2006 (3 days after my 28th birthday), we received our referral. Cristian Omar Caal Ico, date of birth-Jan. 25th 2006, birthweight 5 lbs, birthmother-minor. 8 short weeks later, we were blessed to find out that I was pregnant. We were overjoyed! 2 babies!

We had every reason to believe that Chase would be home by Christmas-at least the new year. Instead we spent that Christmas grieving...for our baby Chase that was growing up without his mommy and daddy. Christmas and New Years came and went...Jan. 25th rolled around and Chase was spending his 1st birthday in Guatemala. February. March-the 7th-what a celebration! Peyton Matthew was born the morning and it was just wonderful...I was so excited that I barely slept a wink that night even though I'd been up for hours--Peyton and I spent time getting to know one another while Daddy slept on the fold-out chair next to us. It was so amazing-but Chase wasn't there to greet his baby brother. We brought Peyton home and began settling in the best we could. Matt, Peyton and I trying our best and learning how to be a family. April. May. June. July-finally a phone call...we would leave in 6 days to bring our Chase (now 17 months old) home. I was torn. I was so excited to finally bring Chase home, but how on earth was I going to survive leaving Peyton. He would be cared for perfectly well-between all our family members-but he and I had not been apart-not for even one night and he was only 5 months old. We made our plans and I was numb until we arrived at the hotel...we were supposed to be there for a couple of hours before Chase was brought to us...but I was walking up to the hotel desk to check in--I spotted him!! Oh my God-there he is-he is ours-bless you father! Then my attention quickly moved on to his foster mom-Diana Rosmery. God bless her today and forever!

Our God is so good to us. Watching our sons, you would never know that they have not spent every moment of their childhood together. They are best of friends and are learning, laughing, playing and even snuggling together. Our family was formed perfectly in God's time. We are just as he wants us-the four of us. Everyday our love for each other grows...sometimes it feels as if our hearts might just burst from joy.

Take time this Christmas and every day to stop and count the many blessings in your lives. Live each day as if it might be your last. Love and be loved.

Love,

Raber Christmas

This weekend we celebrated Christmas with mamaw and papaw Raber, Auntie Stepy, Logan and Bryce! The got here about 2:00 on Friday and stayed until noon Sunday. We enjoyed spending time with them and were so happy they could come see our new house! A BIG thank you to papaw Steve for all the hard work while he was here! He and Matt hung shelves for a walk in closet, put together our new king size bed, and moved the water line for the refrigerator to open up the space in the kitchen!! Yay! Much better!

On Friday evening we enjoyed some chili, cheese, crackers, and cookies and then had Christmas! The boys made out like little bandits as usual! Mega blocks, a semi full of matchbox cars, a Mickey Mouse for Peyton that's as big as him, crayons, coloring books, books to read, modeling clay, bath tub markers, sweatshirts, farm animals, and cute little John Deere tractors to play with! They love their new toys (and so do mom and dad). Mommy and daddy even got new sweatshirts!!! Mine is pink (yay) and says Indiana! (Think they were trying to tell me something?). And Matt got a green one with a buck on it! (Matt sad, oh look you got another sweatshirt-cause I'm always stealing his!).

Saturday, we took everyone for a tour of the river town, the guys worked, while the girls and little boys played. We enjoyed Mexican at a local restaurant Saturday (thanks again Steve & Dianne) and then came home for my homemade blackberry pie and french vanilla ice cream. We ate it by the fire and watched a movie!

It was a great visit! Oh and FYI - Matt and I are thoroughly enjoying our new memory foam mattress - totally awesome!

Beginning to Settle In

We are finally beginning to settle in to our new home and loving every minute of it!

This is the left side of the living room...I actually put up the Christmas tree the day after we moved in!

Our first fire in the fireplace...mmmm, so cozy...the boys are wanting to have another one...maybe this weekend since our family is coming for a visit...might even roast some marshmellows!

The rest of the living room...not completely put together, but getting there!!!

The boys watching a movie...they LOVE movies!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend!!! Oh, and to all of our country friends back in Indiana...yes, we had to buy wood to burn...and yes...we bought it at Walmart...go ahead-laugh-we did!!!

Love,

A Special Gift from a Special Friend

Just days after moving into our new home we received our first package...a lovely canvas wallhanging! This is actually the very first personalized item we have. The Raber Family...it just has a great ring to it!

A Close up...This is the best decorated spot in the house at the moment...

one thing at a time, right?

And yes...this is the upright piano that we received with the house!!! Can't wait to start practicing...I used to be able to play a bit and I'm looking forward to starting again now that I have my very own piano!!

Picasso

Peyton Picasso visited our home last night...

A close up of his work...isn't it amazing?!

Mommy loves washable crayons!

All About Chase

Chase is talking bunches these days and I wanted to share some of the things he's saying. He talks all the time and enjoys talking on the phone whenever he gets the chance.

See, mommy, see, look
Mommy, monster, rraaa!
Daddy Matt
Peyton (graduated from Pety)
Hi mamaw, hi papaw
Logan, Bryce, Stepy
mommy, peyton, tichen (kitchen)
mommy, daddy, room (mommy's bedroom)
chase, peyton, room (boy's bedroom)
no, no racal (Rascal), puppy
look mommy no (snow)
reen (rain) outside
peekacho (scooby doo), shaggy
eat banana
nack (snack) pease (please) mommy

I randomly asked Chase what was mommy's name this morning...and his response?
Lor!! I was seriously impressed because we've never talked about that!

Chase will be three years old January 25th! He is completely potty trained, can count to 10 if you get him to concentrate, is learning colors (but not much into that), knows all his animals and sounds, and is showing interest in learning A,B,C's but is a bit confused yet. He has become very outgoing and loves to play with other children. He plays very well with others and likes to share (except with Peyton of course). He also enjoys pretending, singing, dancing, playing with blocks, and playing monster chase (thanks to Scooby Doo). So, with all of that in mind, as long as everything goes as planned...Chase will be starting pre-school February 3rd! I'm so excited about it because I think he's really going to enjoy it and learn so much! He'll be going to Keokuk Christian Academy which is a private Christian school here in Keokuk that teaches Pre-K thru 8th grade. He's a completely different child than when we first brought him home, August 2, 2007. Matt and I are continuely amazed at the developmental progress he has made. One of the greatest joys we have are watching how close the boys are becoming. They are the best buddies and we're doing everything we can to nurture that relationship and make it strong!

Prayer Please

I mentioned 3 months ago that a friend of mine from childhood, Tara, had lost her fiance in a tragic motorcycle accident...it has been 12 weeks since Patrick passed away and (rightfully so) Tara and her beautiful children are still suffering with the loss and working so hard to cope. Almost 3 weeks ago, Tara's sister Bobbi Sue, had gastric bypass surgery and had major complications, I believe that the surgery total is up to 4 now. Bobbi is on a ventilator and will undergoe a tracheotomy on Monday around 2:30. Bobbie Sue has 5 children, Tara has 4, their sister Nikki has 6. They have an extensive support network through family, friends, and co-workers. I just ask that as time allows, you say some extra special prayers for this family. I have always had a warm place in my heart for Tara. Pray for protection, strength, comfort, understanding, and peace. Pray for the same for all the volunteers who are helping this family to get through their difficult times. Tara - I wish I were in Indiana so I could do more than pray. I love you and God Bless!

Stressful Activity

Moving is definitely the most stressful backbreaking activity a person can do. I am stressed and my body aches...We STILL have stuff at the Macomb house and still have cleaning to do there. Things need to be organized and put away here and of course there is still cleaning here too!

I forgot my medicine in Macomb and have been without it since Saturday so of course the headaches, hot flashes, and mood swings came back...but I haven't been taking daily medicine for very long so it's hard to remember. Matt stopped at the pharmacy on his way home last night and picked up more so I wouldn't have to get out in the snow with the boys. :-)

HOMEWORK - I am so far backed up on homework that it's not funny - and can't seem to find time to work on it with these 2 little boys "exploring" the new house, new boundaries, etc...

Myra - I MISS my friend Myra tons!

BUT-I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, sweet boys, our health, wonderful friends (and new ones), new house and new things in it! So in the end - all the stress, work, and headaches are worth it!

Mostly Moved

Hey all...just a note to let everyone know that we are "mostly moved." We moved major items on Saturday thank goodness because Sunday & Monday it snowed. I braved the weather and headed to Macomb this morning to load up the van and do some sweeping because the landlord was going to show the townhouse to someone this afternoon. We are slowly but surely getting settled and unpacking decorative items today...I've even done 4 loads of laundry with my brand new washer and dryer!! They are AWESOME!! We need to make yet ANOTHER Walmart trip so...I'll write more later! Oh...did I mention that we have to buy a new bed?? Yeah...a queen size mattress won't go up the "fancy" staircase so we have to buy a "split" box spring set!!

My Beautiful Sister

Erin had her Senior Dinner last week and said she had a great time! They had dinner at a steak house and enjoyed sharing their favorite memories. I don't know if all schools do this or not, but North Daviess has always had Superlatives-you Best Dressed, Most Likely to Succeed, etc...well, our very own Miss Erin received one. **Class Clown** LOL. I just LOVE it! She is a funny girl and so much fun to be around so I think that's really cool. Here's a pic from her night.

Thanksgiving, ER Visit, & Moving Day

This past Saturday we had a beautiful and delicious Thanksgiving meal with our dear friends the Houzengas (pronounced how-zen-gay). I got up at 5:30 AM to start roasting turkey. I found a recipe for Roasted Turkey Herb de Provence & Citrus on the Food Network. Herb de Provence is an Italian blend of herbs with lavendar in it. You use the herbs, 1 orange, 1 lemon, 1 onion all cut into wedges and stuffed inside the bird. The herbs, kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper, and real butter are "cooked" together to form a rub that you put on the turkey. I basted the thing every 30 minutes because I was so scared it would get dry-LOL but it was good. I also found a recipe for Italian-style mashed potatoes that had parmesan cheese and you bake it. Myra made the potatoes, stuffing, cranberry salad, cheese ball, pecan & turtle pies! I did the turkey, homemade noodles, green bean casserole, and apple salad. It was all great and it was very enjoyable to have a special meal with friends...and we don't feel like we "missed" a holiday!

Peyton and I have been battling a stomach bug pretty much for a week and so far Matt and Chase seem to be okay. Peyton had seemed to be doing better until yesterday he didn't want to eat but was drinking plenty. He went to bed around 8:30 last night and woke up screaming! I was still up watching TV and Matt had just gone to the bedroom so he got to him first. He said he had his leg caught and maybe that had scared him. But a 1/2 an hour later he was still inconsolable and the thing that tipped me off was that he DIDN'T WANT HIS BLANKIE! That has never happened. So, I told Matt I was taking him to the ER because we can't be too careful and something was obviously wrong. We had to wait quite a bit to be seen which is odd for Macomb but the Doctor gave him a thorough exam and decided that the viral infection must have caused his bowels to spasm and he was hurting from that. Poor little guy had to have blood drawn which was very tramatic for him. He had some apple juice while we were there and some more juice and some goldfish crackers when we got home. I gave him some Tylenol for the pain and he was asleep around 1:00 AM. I think I finally fell asleep around 2:00. But everyone is okay and he seems to be just fine today!

We officially close on our house tomorrow morning so the boys and I will be heading over to Keokuk in the AM to have a final walk through at 9:00, then to the bank for the closing at 10:00, lunch with Daddy at 11:00 and back to the house at 12:45 to have the water turned on. We'll start moving on Thursday. I have quite a bit of stuff packed and we're going to take it over and unpack and bring boxes back to reload. On Saturday, Myra is going to keep the boys and her husband is going to help us load the u-haul truck with all the furniture. We will be staying in Keokuk Saturday night. I told Matt I'm not going to stress about the move. We don't have to be out of the townhouse so we can take our time getting all of our stuff moved. Then I'll have to clean it and have the carpets cleaned. The next few weeks are going to be very busy but exciting!

Silly Boys

Here's a video of my silly boys from last night. It's around 3 minutes long and there's a lull in the middle but I thought at least grandparents would enjoy seeing it and it's too large to email! Enjoy!

Mommy's Accomplishments

Yesterday was full small accomplishments for me thanks to Miss Myra. I decided that I wanted to get started on packing so Myra agreed to watch the boys so I could be free of distractions. I went through ALL of our paperwork, catalogs, magazines, etc...gathered up everything suitable for recycling (and set it out this morning), filed important papers, took a hefty stack of shredding to Myra's to shred while we talked, and threw out some broken toys since there were no eyes to witness it. I re-packed all of our rubbermaid storage boxes that we were using stuff out of (we have a storage area in the townhouse), cleaned out the closet under the stairs, removed /packed everything from a shelving unit that had become a catch-all and packed the boys closet. I really wanted to keep working but my body said - HALT! Oops. I forgot it's only been two weeks since surgery! By 2:00 in the afternoon I was hurting pretty bad...but I was so happy to have that many things done! I forgot how easy it is to get work done when there's no kids around!! When we get moved I might just have to find a mom to swap kids with every other week in order to do major cleaning!!

I also called Lowe's for a refund on the refrigerator that was supposed to go in the first house-which they did give us a full refund. Then I called Home Depot to schedule the delivery of my new front loading washer and dryer! This was the point that I realized that we are going to start moving next week!!!! We have to have the carpets professionally cleaned as part of our lease agreement which really stinks because it's going to cost about $150-ugh! I've also got to get the patio area cleaned up (still need to scrub the boys pool, pull some weeds and pick up doggie doo doo) but it's supposed to be a little warmer tomorrow.

I've also got homework to do so I best get going. Hope everyone is doing well!

My baby is such a BIG boy!

In the last few days it has become painfully obvious that my baby isn't going to be a baby much longer. He says: Pweeze Mommy more bites, uh oh broken-dits it daddy, puppy no no-shh, hi chase-come and just about whatever else he wants to say. He's stacking blocks and counting to three and can tell me what every animal I point to in a book is. He LOVES to "read" books, play with cars & trucks (with his "motor" running), play with Chase and ON Chase. He's starting to become very independent and is showing that to us at meal times. I haven't let him feed himself with a spoon much yet because he is like a tornado with a spoon-but we always let him feed himself "finger" foods. I picked up Happy Meals the other day because they had Madagascar movie figurines (which the boys just love) and brought them home. We had been eating for a bit when I needed to go to the kitchen to get something...when I came back this is what I found...
He finished off the cheeseburger all by himself...while saying cheesebooger, fry fries! I was proud of him for doing it all by himself and at the same time I was sad because he's growing up so fast. One more tid bit...Matt just brought Peyton back downstairs from changing his diaper (eat your heart out ladies) and said Peyton wants to show you something. If you are familiar with My Friends Tigger & Pooh you'll get this... Peyton pointed to his head and tapped it and said Tink, Tink, Tink!!!! Soooo cute!

So...my baby is becoming such a big boy and it's bittersweet for this mommy...but he still LOVES to snuggle so when he woke me up at 5:15 this morning-we laid on the couch together and cuddled under the blankets holding each other for two hours!!!! Thank you God for our little blessings!

Daddy's 31st Birthday!

Yesterday Matt turned 31 years old...his words "I can't believe I'm 31, that's just crazy." Ha Ha. I think we've finally reached the point in our lives where it "feels like yesterday I was in high school." ...all except for the fact that we have (as the song says) "a mortgage and a SUV...responsibilities (i.e. 2 cildren and a dog)."

Chase and Peyton colored some pictures and I wrote Happy Birthday on them and put them on the front door to greet Daddy. Then the boys and I made chicken parmesan with angel hair pasta primavera and homemade marinara sauce AND Daddy's favorite - chocolate mayonnaise cake with chocolate butter creme icing and strawberries on top. I lit the candles and sang Happy Birthday while the boys clapped and said Happy, Happy. We wore party hats and had fun with noise makers! Chase could blow through it but not make a noise with it and Peyton put the noise maker in his mouth and "sang" into it to make noise! It was so funny!

I think Daddy enjoyed himself and I know we did! Happy, Happy Daddy!

Menopausal Momma

Okay so...apparently my ovary wasn't quite as dead as originally thought.

Back in April, I was diagnosed as going through menopause and my doctor prescribed premarin for me...we had to steadily increase the dosage for a couple of months until things started to seem balanced. I began having some pain and discomfort a couple months ago. After an ultrasound, I found out the remaining ovary had a solid cyst on it. So, as many of you know, I had the ovary and cyst removed a week ago yesterday...and I have gradually noticed that I'm becoming very irritable, angry, sensitive, and crying at the drop of a hat...so menopausal momma is back in full effect! UGGGGHHHH! I absolutely HATE this! Tomorrow morning I'll be calling the doctor's office to ask them to up my meds!!!! Maybe they can prescribe something for Matt and the boys too so they'll have extra patience and understanding!! (I wish!) I actually told my husband to shut up today...I would NEVER say something like that...I feel like someone switched my insane switch to the "On" position!

At least this time, I know what's happening and can deal with it more appropriately and with speed.

Thanks for listening to my rantings and please pray for a quick recovery for me and my family.

Friends ARE Family

It has been said that "friends are family that you choose for yourself." Nice quote but not quite the case.

After moving to Macomb this past January. I was living in the frigid cold of a new town, looking for a church home, trying to figure out where to buy groceries, and how to make it on my own while Matt was at work. God placed some of the most amazing people in my life. Some of them for a very short time for a very specific reason - shortly after being diagnosed as menopausal I met a girl named Myra at women's Bible study. She was also a stay at home mother of two-but two girls instead of boys. We pretty much hit it off immediately and I began looking forward to Bible study not just for the lessons but the fellowship with the ladies (Holly, Glenda, & Bridget)and specifically to get to see Myra! Her girls are 2 and 10 months (I think 10). I desperately needed a Christian friend and confidant. Myra needed someone who could understand the daily trials of having an infant and a toddler. God just new we were perfect for each other! Over the last few months my love of her and her family has grown and I am amazed constantly by her selflessness and willingness to step in and help me. She's watched the boys so I could go to appointments, kept them overnight so Matt and I could celebrate our anniversary, and helped me during my recovery...she's even offering her help for our move! I just wanted to take the time publicly to say - that I love you Myra and I appreciate everything you do for us. We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

So, anyway..."friends are family that God chooses for us...just like he chooses our families."

Here are a couple of pictures I "stole" from Myra's facebook page...don't think she'll mind.

Myra and her first daughter - Charity the pit bull (shhh--she doesn't know she's a pit bull)

Myra, Lily, Travis, and baby Aspen (or Appie as we affectionately call her).

Lastly...in lue of our phone conversation last night, Myra...

"Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts." ~Author Unknown

November 24th!

We are tenatively scheduled to close on our new house November 24th! Yay!

Good News!

I talked to my Dr. last night and he said my pathology report came in all benign! The cyst was endometriosis just as he had suspected and he found no other signs of it. Now, if the soreness would just go away!!

On the housing front...I just spoke with our loan officer and she thinks we will be able to close on the house before Thanksgiving! I'm really excited to be in a "permanent" housing situation. I just love the house and can't wait to make it a home with my three men!

And...college classes are almost over for this 12 year bachelor's student! I checked my academic calendar today and I only have 5 more weeks of school, of which 1 week is vacation...4 more weeks and I am DONE! Thank you Lord...I didn't think I'd ever see the day!

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband. He has been very patient and understanding with me this week (and over the last few) and so helpful! I'm doing the very best I can not to take him for granted...lots of women only dream of having the kind of relationship and family life that we have and I owe it to Matt! He's a great husband, father, provider, and friend. He's the love of my life-chosen by God to fulfill my earthly blessings! I love you Matthew!

New Pictures

We had our family photos taken on October 25th and got the proofs today...these are duplicates of the proofs so the quality is low, but I wanted to share them! There are several...this was the first time we have done family pics so I'm so excited there are a bunch to choose from!

Praying they'll always be best friends!

Surgery

Hello all. My surgery was yesterday morning at 8:45 and I was home by 11:15 and NO I was not happy about that. But, nonetheless, it is over and I'm home resting. Well I just got through changing a diaper and dressing the boys after cleaning up their breakfast mess. My friend Holly is coming over shortly to stay with me until about noon today, then my friend Myra will be coming over this afternoon. Tomorrow, I'm on my own...Myra graciously offered to be my "beck & call" girl...and I so hope that I won't have to inconvenience her or anyone else. So, Dr. removed by left ovary and the cyst. He did not see any endometriosis in my adomenal cavity (it can still be in other places though). My biopsy report comes back in about 72 hours. Well, I need to call the hospital and ask some questions because they did not give me any discharge instructions!?!

Trick or Treat or...Vick or Veet

Tonight we got dressed up in our costumes and went trick or treating in our housing complex. Our friends Myra, Lily, and Aspen came too. While we were waiting for them we took some pictures and the boys went to their very first house with Chase leading the way.

Our front stoop.
Too cute, huh?

Chase walked right up, knocked on the door (and said knock, knock), then "Vick or Veet. Peas, tandy!" Then plain as day..."Thank You." Peyton just stood their giggling and with his bag open and then said "Tank-um." I was laughing so hard I almost peed my pants (no comments from the peanut gallery)!

Oooo....we found some leaves to play in...

This is our friend Lily...She was a puppy dog, I didn't get a very good picture of the puppy head. It was so cute. I couldn't get her to bark though. At one point, Peyton was fussy and she came to his rescue and held his hand while they walked down the sidewalk. (Will have to hit up Miss Myra for that pic.)

One of my neighbor's houses...that's "part" of Myra.

And this is happy baby Aspen...isn't she precious. Tiggers bounce--she crawls! Hope you enjoyed the pictures. We had so much fun doing it! Happy Halloween everyone!!