Abbie's Princess Party

Today we were invited to our friend Abbie's Princess and Prince birthday party. Darrick had duty so it was just me and the kids.

The party started off with a Jumper. Naomi had never seen one of these before. I thought she would be scared of it but right away she wanted to go in. She was laughing and trying to jump, it was really cute. The boys were very watchful of her and made sure no one got too close to her.



After we all had lunch "Oogles n Googles" arrived and the party started. First off all, each child got to wear a costume and then get on make-up or warrior paint. I could not get Genesis or Naomi to smile for their picture but they really were having fun...






Then they did all kinds of fun activities like making crowns, acting out a story, dancing, a scavenger hunt and the highlight: getting crowned! Announcing Prince Micah, Prince Jacob and Princess Naomi. Although later Naomi traded in her crown for one she liked better!

Happy 4th Birthday Abbie! We had so much fun!

Decorating our Christmas Tree

Last weekend we spent time decorating our Christmas Tree! We always let the kids put the ornaments where they want to, so it ends up looking uneven but they always like it! Naomi enjoyed putting them on once she figured out what we were doing and after she watched the boys for awhile.



Many years ago my Grandma Vanderbilt gave us a little Santa ornament that opens it mouth when you squeeze its cheeks. Micah had fun getting Naomi to stick her finger in its mouth and then closing her finger in it and Jacob had his own idea what to do with it!

One of the highlights of the night was when we lit up our outside decorations. We explained to Naomi who the figures were and then she whet over to Baby Jesus and gently touched Him over and over saying, "Baby Jesus, Baby Jesus".

Breakfast with Santa

Last weekend the USS Lake Erie hosted a "Breakfast with Santa" for the children of the parents who serve on that ship. It was very well attended and the boys had a blast. Naomi was overwhelmed by it all and she stuck close to me!

We started off making crafts!

Next it was time to eat Breakfast. We all went through the chow line. We had our choice of eggs, bacon, waffles, pancakes, donuts, whip cream and fruit toppings. It was really delicious!


Part way through the breakfast the bells rang and they announced over the 1MC that Santa had arrived and before we knew it he was on the Mess decks greeting all the children. Jacob LOVES Santa, Naomi had no clue who he was and Micah doesn't believe in Santa anymore.



After breakfast it was time for the children to meet with Santa one at a time. We happened to be one of the first families which was great because Naomi was done. Jacob was first and told Santa all about how he wants "Army" stuff this year. Then Naomi went with Darrick's help but she just sat there.

Then it was Micah's turn. Here is a little back history...about 2 weeks ago, while using a public restroom Micah dropped his DS in the toilet after it was um, used. The DS does not work anymore so Micah is asking for a new DS for Christmas. We told him that we could not find any DS's and the only one who could bring him a DS is Santa but he would have to ask him. As you can tell from the pictures that was the last thing he wanted to do but he really wants a new DS. He would definitely not sit on his lap.

All in all it was a great time!

Adoption Blog

We were recently asked by our agency to keep our adoption and the country's location on the down low so we have deleted our adoption blog.

Me and my three kiddos

Darrick went back to work today AND he has duty, so today was my official first day alone with my three kids. On the whole I have to say it went pretty well even through we had some rough spots.

I got up early so I could have everything ready, including me, before I got the kids up. Once they were up and dressed we headed to school for breakfast. That went smooth and then the boys were off to class.

Naomi and I hopped in the car and headed to the exchange and commissary. The exchange was fine but the commissary is rough. It was her 2ND time there. I guess the biggest problem is that there is food everywhere and Naomi does not understand why she can't have it. So this time I brought her a little snack but she did not want it, she wanted the food that she saw. The first time we went, Darrick and I thought if we let her hold the food that would help but she tried eating a banana without peeling it and then ripped open a bag of Ritz crackers and started shoving them in her mouth.

After we got home, some friends, Jennifer and Baylor, stopped by with a crock pot filled with a roast, potatoes and carrots for dinner, since they knew I would be alone with the kids. Thanks again it meant so much to me!

So far I have been unsuccessful at getting Naomi to take her mid-day nap. I know she is tired but she just can't relax. So to kill time before we went to pick up the boys from school I took her to the park. She loved it and didn't want to leave.

After school until bed was the hardest. While I was helping the boys with their homework Naomi got very upset and bit me a lot and stepped on the boys papers and cried. But we made it through.

Dinner was so yummy and we only had 2 cups of water spilled and one cup of gravy!

After dinner Micah said he wasn't feeling good and went to take his bath so he could go to bed early. I cleaned up the kitchen while Naomi and Jacob ran around. Then it was their turn for baths.

I got Naomi to bed first, then Jake fell asleep in my bed and Micah in his own. Now I am doing laundry and cleaning up the house for Bible Study tomorrow.

It has really been a big change for me going from 2 to 3 kids and I know it will take time to get a routine down.

HAIR ISSUES

So you may be wondering how it is going with Naomi's hair. My friend Nicole was here for a week, and if you don't know she is biracial, and she gave me a lot of helpful advice. But then Monday after school we went to the beach.

Naomi loved the sand, a little too much. She was actually dumping it on her head. After the beach I put her in the shower and tried to wash it and it would not all come out. I called Nicole and she suggested holding her hair under running water. So we did. It took Darrick and I both to hold her because she hated it and screamed the whole time. We felt terrible. So we just kept pouring bucket after bucket on it and it was still not all gone!

Wherever she sits she leaves bits of sand behind. Tonya, now I know why you didn't like taking your kids to the beach.

Then today I was talking to another mom about Naomi's hair and she was feeling it and said it was really dry. Does anyone out there have any advice? I need some!

He finally did it!

If you have been to visit us in Hawaii, then we probably took you to Darrick's favorite place to eat: Dirty Lickins. Darrick LOVES their hot wings and eats there every chance he gets.

The first time we ate there was for Darrick's birthday almost 4 years ago. It was then that he noticed a poster that said "1000 wing club". He pledged right then that one day his name would be up there.

Well that day has come. Darrick has eaten 1000 hot wings-I'm so proud. Not a lot of wives can say that about their husbands. His determination and persistence is admirable and he never lost sight of his goal.

He does not get anything for making it into the club, except bragging rights. He ate about 15 wings every time we went, which means we have eaten there about 68 times.

Congratulations Darrick-you did it! Hopefully one day the boys will carry on your legacy and get their name on a wall somewhere for eating 1000 something.

Home is where the Navy sends us

We just found out yesterday that this summer we will be leaving the beautiful island of Oahu. We will be packing up our house and kids and moving to Everett Naval Base in the state of Washington.

Darrick has been on ship duty for the past 5 years and he is ready for some well deserved shore time-we all are! This will be a 3 year tour and then back to ship duty until he retires!

So you have until this summer to come out and see Hawaii and us too of course!

Polynesian Cultural Center

Saturday we took Nicole to the Polynesian Cultural Center. The weather was not the best, rain off and on, but we had a great time. It was Nicole and Naomi's first luau. Naomi was not too excited about her lei and just wanted to pick the flowers off.

After the luau we made our way over to the night show. They were selling light up sticks so we bought one for each of the kids. Naomi liked it a lot, so much in fact, she thought she would eat it.

Jacob was so exhausted that he fell asleep during the night show but Micah and Naomi watched the whole thing. After the night show, Naomi just let loose and was laughing and acting so silly making funny faces. We all laughed so hard and were so excited to see her put her guard down and just be a 2 year old!

Sweet Kisses and Sweet Moments

Thanksgiving

We have a lot to be Thankful for this year. God is so good to us! We finally have Naomi with us. We are amazed and overjoyed to watch Naomi discover a whole new world. We are seeing the world through her eyes. Everything is new and wonderful.

We started out the day in our own backyard, she was so happy to play on our little plastic swing and slide. Then we went over to our friends Pat and Carlos for our Thanksgiving meal. She had so many new foods and in abundance she was enjoying everything. After the meal we went to park and she was having fun, but the real fun came when the sprinklers came on, we now know she loves to play in the water. I guess we never really thought of all the things that would be new for her. Like swings, slides, sprinklers, ham, marshmallows, turkey, stuffing, gravy, rolls, salad and green bean casserole and then came the cakes and pies. In Africa she ate rice, beans and chicken livers and now all this and it was Thanksgiving so she ate a lot of it. Jenn and I were so happy to watch her and her big brothers have such a great day. Jacob is doing a great job as a big brother. Micah has really stepped up, he is so helpful and is thriving on a new role as a big brother to a brother and a sister. We are very proud of them. They take good care of Naomi and keep watchful eyes on her. I hope that is something that will continue.

Today Jenn's friend Nicole made it safely to Hawaii. We have big plans to show her a good time here. I am sure you will get to hear all about it. Today was the traditional stop at Pali Lookout. It seems that is one of the first things we do with all our guest. Then we had Big Kahunas for lunch and Zippy's for dinner. Both are very yummy.