I'm about to have a niece!!!

(don't let this picture deceive you...she is actually very tiny, but China believes in LOTS of layers :)

Well, I am realizing that I haven't even posted about this yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With all the excitement and chaos that has gone on lately, I've neglected my blog. Anyways, I cannot explain how excited I am to introduced to you my new niece "Mamie" who is coming here in March or April!! Robyn and Charles have always had the desire to adopt internationally and the time has FINALLY come. They started this long process in November of 2010. In October of 2011 they received her file and accepted and she is so close, yet so far away!!! Robyn and Charles are now awaiting travel approval and we are all praying they get to leave mid March (so you can pray with us!). I have never actually been to China, but have always had a heart for that country. I just cannot describe the emotions I feel about this precious little girl who has no idea who we are yet. So I can't imagine Robyn's and Charles' feelings. All the kids pray for her and long for her coming! Wells calls her "China" from time to time, but that will hopefully change soon :). Claire doesn't realize her little princess world is about to change now that she will not be the only girl in the Caldwell grandchild clan anymore. But I know they will be best buddies and I can't wait!! Mamie's birthday is August 6th, so she is 18 months old. Mamie (pronounced with a long a) is a family name on our side and Charles' side. And there is a very cool story behind that as well. If you want to follow her story, my sister's blog is on my site (The Kown Family). Please pray with us for her healing as she has one femur shorter than the other. I will keep you all posted.

I will write a post of my family soon. Here is a breakdown: Just know I haven't taken a picture all month, I'm taking a Master's level course at UAB to renew my teaching certificate (LOTS of research and reading), Claire is about to have surgery again on her eyes, and we are crazy at all times. BUT...really wanting to enjoy every moment no matter what! :) Sorry if I've neglected my friends since Christmas. My class ends in May :)

what to do....what to do

I don't know about you, but we have had tons of family time and tons of "what are we going to do today" moments since the Christmas season is over. We have enjoyed EVERY moment of it, but I am a little tired!! The kids are just about ready for school to start back and so is mommy! Here are a few things we've done the past two weeks...
had pajama parties with friends, played outside when warm, fostered a precious puppy who is now gone (yes, i cried), gone to the carousel, played dress up, gone to the zoo, had lots of dance parties, read LOTS of books, gone to birthday parties, watched Christmas movies some more (over them :), and the pictures tell the rest! We are ready for another fabulous year!

On another note, poor Chris hasn't had the best start to the new year. He has dealth with head/neck pain for as long as I've known him, but migraines have now accompanied that pain. He is really having debilitating days. Please say some prayers for answers and relief for him. He works, eats, and goes to bed :( We are trying acupuncture next week and praying for good results. He has tried EVERYTHING else and gone to numerous doctors. We are praying for God's healing hand and we know if it is His will, it will happen. In the meantime, pray! thanks!! :) It's hard to watch and the kids miss their smiling and fun daddy!

December/Christmas Fun!

WARNING...This.is.long.
(I put all of the pictures first. So if you don't want to read all the details, you don't have to! :) They are all in order of our activities except this first pic. I had to post the anticipation pic on the steps. Didn't your parents make you do that when you were little?? also, half of these pictures are iphone pics so I apologize in advance )

Okay, since I didn't post the entire month, I have tons of pictures and information to share. I'll make it as brief as possible! We've had SUCH an exciting month. With the children being 3 and 2, December was magical this year...and completely WILD. We started off the Advent season by joining the Advent Wreath Family Celebration night at church. We participated in this last year and decided it would be a tradition. We all eat dinner, then make the advent wreath together with tons of different families. Everyone shares greenery and decor! The night ends with what the advent season really means and we all light the first candle (hope/prophesy) and sing christmas carols.

Next up was the live Nativity at Briarwood. We had never been before and we LOVED it. Briarwood does an incredible job of retelling 13 scenes of the Christmas story and the resurrection using people and animals. It takes 800 members to make it work! If you haven't ever been and you live in Birmingham...go. The kids were totally in awe.

Up next...who could forget Zoolight Safari?!? All the lights make the children hyped up for quite some time. Of course with Chick-fil-A sponsering the whole event, the children were more impressed with seeing the chick-fil-a cows up close and personal. Zoolight Safari is a big hit around here!

We rested for about a week in between all these events, but the excitement at home continued to build. The Grinch became a daily ritual while I showered so the children can pretty much quote it. Of all the Christmas movies, I was shocked this was a favorite. Frosty was a close second. But for all of you out there thinking, "did they really sit and watch the whole thing while you got ready?" the answer is no. One morning (before pics with santa) I came down before drying my hair (as I do everyday to check on them) and it was eerily quiet in the house. I walked into the kitchen to see green sharpie on claire's cheeks, arms and neck. Wells proudly walked up to me and said, "mama, I colored claire with make-up. Isn't she pretty? She looks just like the grinch!" I was furious and didn't take any pictures, but really wish I would have. It only took 30 minutes before I laughed for a LONG time. And just so you know...we didn't go get pictures with santa that day. The next morning, I came downstairs before drying my hair to find chips ahoy cookies spread all around the house. Again, I ask wells in a frustrated tone, "Why are cookies all over the floor?" He responded with, "mom, we are getting ready for santa." Needless to say, my showers are now taken before they wake up or during their naps. If you see me on a day where I didn't want to wake up early...sorry!! We did eventually get pics with santa and ride the reindeer carousel. Claire's eyes tell you how excited she was about that santa's lap experience. We also spent many nights riding around looking at Christmas lights. EVERY night before bed we read Wells favorite book, Born in a Stable. He had the story down pat by Christmas. It was so sweet!! And Claire continued to make us laugh by talking about Mary and "Jophus" all season.

Back to the activies...

The 23rd was spent with Chris' dad's side of the family. David, his brothers and their families and his sister all went to Chris' parents lake house. I sadly had to stay home and rest because I had 103 temp for a couple of days, but the kids and Chris had a blast!

I rested all day on the 24th (except we HAD to make cookies for Santa!! the kids did it all :)) and then we headed off to a children's service at my parent's church where the children dress up as angels, shepards or lambs. It is so sweet. They help to tell the story. Baby Jesus was the big hit of course! From there we went to my mom's side of the family christmas where we had crock pot soups and TONs of fun with all the kiddos. By the way, soups are the way to go! Everyone got to visit and have fun and no one sat over the stove. The kids totally passed out on the way home.

Finally, Christmas Day was upon us! The children really were beyond thrilled and their faces were priceless. We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and played with toys all morning! We then ventured over to my sister's for brunch with just our immediate family (where the kids all have matching pj's of course). After coming home to more playing with toys and naps by all, we headed off to chris' parents for his mom's side of the family Christmas. Chris' mom made the kids an awesome circus tent which was the hit of the night!! Then after MORE food and MORE presents we headed home with children who were completely spent. With spinning heads and exhausted bodies, chris and I decided it was our favorite Christmas season we could ever remember. What joy and excitement children bring to the season. Not only was it magical to experience it all with the kids, but we honestly celebrated Jesus more than I ever have. I saw Him through the eyes of a child this year and it was fascinating. I hope yours was equally as awesome! Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!!

Thanksgiving and half marathon!!

We had the best thanksgiving that I can remember since we've had kids. We've always had so much to be thankful for, but honestly the last two years have been tough trying to schedule everything around naps, bedtimes, and illnesses. If you've read this blog for a while, you know we haven't had the easiest of babies!! And although we have still felt so blessed and thankful, this year was just THE BEST!!! The kids were old enough to play with each other (which they do so well anyways), played with their cousins for hours, and the adults all got to really catch up and enjoy one another. We had my parents' thanksgiving last weekend so that we could enjoy one weekend with each family and no one has to miss! Last weekend before thanksgiving day with my parents, I ran in my first half marathon!! I've always wanted to run in one, but honestly thought I couldn't do it. Well in July I decided it was time to train! A best friend and I have had tons of fun together over the years and knew we would do this if we held each other accountable. So we did it!! We were so proud! We didn't worry about time as much as sticking to our plan. For the most part it was such a blast. I was definitely sore, and a little loopy afterwards, but it is something I want to try to do once a year. And laura is such a trooper doing it 20 weeks pregnant!! I ate plenty of calories that night to reenergize myself!! :) Then we did Chris' parents family on Thanksgiving day. It was so relazing and just so much fun for all of us. We thank God for all His many blessings, but especially our families.

Halloween fun!!!

Our neighborhood has an awesome cookout/potluck for an hour and then we all go trick or treating. Not only do we have lots of kids, but we have three couples that are close friends of ours from church! The boys had a BLAST running around. And Claire tried to keep up for sure. By the time Trick-Or-Treating came around they were CRAZY!! :) it was such a fun year with Wells getting it!!!

The cowardly lion Wells! He LOVED his costume!

Trick or Treating at Mrs. Hayley and Mr. Jimbo's house! (some of our best buds)

Trying to get 6 kids in a picture....fail the blairs, matteos (joined our neighborhood for the night), and our kiddos. We are so blessed with so many fun friends from church with boys that LOVE each other! I wish I had gotten more pics with the Tucker and Dorman kiddos! sorry friends!

And here is Dorothy Claire, Toto, and her new smile :)

Checking out the paws

Wells "waking" Claire up from nap (scared her to death)

Claire showing us her ruby red slippers!

Loving on Toto

My sweet little lion! He definitely isn't furocious!

Can you tell we had a fun night?!?