Monday Memories

This will most likely turn into silly things Addison says...she has been saying some funny things lately.

1. As we said our bedtime prayers the other night we prayed for our long list of people like we always do and when we got to baby Kasey (Chris and Lauren's new baby due in August) Addison asked how Kasey was going to come out of Lauren's tummy. My immediate response the doctor is going to take her out, hoping that this would satisfy her and we would not have to get into details about babies yet. But of course this did not satisfy her..."How does the doctor take the baby out?" This time I froze and as I thought about what I was going to say Addison came up with her own answer. "I think Lauren's tummy is going to crack open like an egg and Kasey will come out!" Sure I said not saying yes or no to her in my mind. We'll save this talk for a later date. That's for sure!

2. Addison has been asking A LOT of questions about dying lately. Really trying to understand it and comprehend the meaning of it I guess. She knows that when you get old you die. She has been asking about all the "old" people in our life and are they dying soon and going to Heaven? The other day as she was playing with Hunter our dog she asked if he was old. Yes I said not thinking. This upset her because Hunter is her best friend. I tried to reassure her that it was not Hunter's time yet and he would be with us for several more years. That seemed to help but then she said, "I am going to love on Hunter because when you love on someone it makes them little again." So very true! My Addison is one smart cookie!

3. With questions of death...come questions of the afterlife. She wants to know everything. Where does Jesus live? She knows Heaven but the girl wants details! What kind of house? What kind of car does he drive? and so on...She also wants to know what's your number? How old are you? When I told her my number was 32 she made a face like I was ancient. Then she asked me if I was older than God? Very nice!

...and I cannot forget my sweet Ashley!!

1. Ashley Grace is becoming a walker. She is unsteady on her feet but will walk about 70% of the time.

2. Ashley can says several words: Mama, Dada, Night Night, Bye-Bye and the word for everything else is: up ah or Opa! Really can't figure it out but she says it all the time. Maybe one day we will know what it means!

Splash Day!!

Today I took the girls to my Splash Day at school. One of the perks working part-time!!

Only one week to summer!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Memories

So I am going to try to record some memories on Mondays from the previous week that I want to remember one day when I am old and forgetful.

When talking with Addison about Ashley's upcoming adoption day I was trying to explain to her what adoption was..trying being the key in the conversation.

Addison: "What's doption day?"

Me: "Well you and Ashley are so special that Daddy and Mommy got to pick you."

Addison: "But I don't want to be picked!"

Me: "Why not?"

Addison: "Because I am not a strawberry Mommy."

If you remember we went and picked strawberries a couple of weeks ago. Too funny!!

Ashley Grace Oliver Adoption Day

"It is ordered and decreed by the Court that the adoption of Ashley Grace Oliver be and is hereby GRANTED to Jason and Michelle Oliver."

Very powerful words :)

What a joyous day for us! We had a great adoption day filled with family and friends. It was an overwhelming and emotional experience just like Addison's adoption day. I cried of course and then we all cheered and clapped when it was all said and done. I will never be able to thank everyone enough for all of your prayers for our second beautiful daughter! We are very blessed and thankful! Thank you to all of the family and friends who came to court and cheered us on.

What a memorable day!

"Faith is the substance of all things hoped for." Hebrews 11:1

Faith has gotten Jason and I to this joyous day today. Thank you Lord and thank you for your faith!

Not so Wordless Wednesday: Water Damage

It's pure chaos at the Oliver household. Sunday night we discovered that the ac unit in the attic was leaking into the girls’ bathroom and Jason’s office. Then to top it off our old dishwasher that was replaced at the end of April had been leaking in the kitchen as well. When all is said and done the girls’ bathroom will get new sheetrock , ceiling and tile. Jason’s entire office will get new sheetrock, ceiling, carpet and possibly office furniture and last but not least…the kitchen will get new cabinets and countertops. It has only been two days and we already insane in this long process which has just begun. The biggest hassle so far is not having a kitchen. The only thing not ripped out is the fridge. We are eating out which is already getting old and not helping our waistlines that Jason and I were trying to trim. We have been eating lots of really good salads at different restaurants but I am ready to have a home cooked meal. It has been hard on the girls as well simply because we have no routine right now and most of the house is torn apart. Also the places that are not torn apart are being used as our storage area for the kitchen. On the bright side I am excited to pick out new countertops, paint for the rooms and essentially have a partially new house. I am also thankful for our insurance company USAA and feel blessed that they are on our side even though they are fitting the bill. We have been in our house for nine years and I was ready for a change in house but definitely not this way! To be continued…

Our Kitchen

Jason's office

Bathroom

Skippyjon Jones

Addison has always had a love of reading. Every night we read several books before going to sleep. One of Addison’s favorite series of books is Skippyjon Jones. These are wildly wonderful books about a hyperactive kitten, Skippyjon Jones, whose head and ears are too big for his body, and whose imagination is too intense for his mama. According to her, he needs to do some serious thinking about what it means to be a Siamese cat. Addison has enjoyed this series since she was little, first having Skippyjon Jones board books with shapes, colors and numbers. Now she is in love with the original series. We read a SJ books almost every night with the many other books we read and lately we have been listening Skippyjon Jones on tape. I decided to bring home my collection of books on tape (I know, I'm old) for Addison to enjoy all summer long. She absolutely enjoys listening to the silly voices and Spanish accent of Skippyjon when he goes on his adventures. Some of her favorite phrases from the books are, “Holy Guacamole!” “Holy Jalapeño!” and “pickle pants” which she now says all the time. Addison is also enjoying the Skippyjon Jones website which has lots of games, downloads and shorts.

Adios, Dudes!

Friday Family Funday

Friday night we let Addison choose what she wanted to do that evening. Her choice as always was Johnny Rocket’s for dinner and ice cream for dessert. Great choice we thought! Addison loves Johnny Rockets. I don’t think she cares about the food at all, she loves the atmosphere. If you have never been to JR’s it is a 50’s style hamburger and malt shop. Addison’s favorite part is when they crank the music to something like Aretha Franklin’s RESPECT and all of the wait staff dances. She stares at them wide eyed and puts on her shy face. Last night I asked her if she wanted to dance with them. She said yes but then would not leave the table. Maybe next time…Ashley enjoyed the night too just dancing in her high chair and munching on some french fries. Sweet Lee-Lee is always happy.

After Johnny Rockets we decided to walk through Market Street to Cold Stone creamery. It was a rainy night but Addison did not care because she got to use her umbrella that Aunt Lynn gave her for Christmas. Once inside Addie T picked her favorite color pink ice cream with sprinkles and sort of enjoyed her dessert. Just because an ice cream is pink does not mean it will be yummmy. But she insisted it should be pink. Oh well, lesson learned. Overall we had an awesome Family Friday Funday and we are looking forward to our next family funday to see Shrek Forever After!

Wordless Wednesday: Train Ride

Mother's Day

There was a time in my life when I thought I would never really get to celebrate this day. Year after year as Jason and I prayed for a family I always wondered...Then Addison came along and changed my world. AMAZING!! Then who knew last Mother's Day as I watched Addison playing in the fountains at Kemah that God was preparing my heart for Ashley.

I am so BLESSED with these two precious gifts from God. They are my heart and soul. They are pure joy and have lit up mine and Jason's world. Thank you Jesus for my Peanut and Lee-Lee! I am one lucky Momma!

My PINK roses Addison picked out b/c that is her favorite color.

And my card that Addison drew Humpty Dumpties for me

and wrote with Daddy's help all by herself!

Love you girls and thank you for making my world blissful!

Spring School Pics

Addison's Spring school pictures

They turned out really cute!

Save The Date

Ashley's adoption day will be on Friday, May 21st! We are very excited and ready to have everything finalized!

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 1Samuel 1:27

Our Best Friend: Hunter (Goober La Rue)

Lately I have been thinking…I’ve have been sharing our family and our memories on our blog but I have not once shared a HUGE part of our lives, our family dog Hunter! Hunter is by far the best dog a family can have. Jason and I bought Hunter in Lubbock while we were dating. Instead of buying groceries that month, I bought a dog. I was hungry but very happy. Hunter lit up my world! He was my best pal and followed me everywhere. He still follows me everyday. Any room I go to in the house he is right beside me or shortly behind. It drives me nuts sometimes but I wouldn't have it any other way. I was a little worried when we got Addison simply for the fact that he had been our baby for seven years. I never thought he would hurt her; I thought his feelings would be hurt. It took him a little while to adjust to her but now they are best friends and partners in crime. I love that they are so close. I also love that Ashley has started to fall in love with him as well. Our Goober La Rue is getting up there in age. He was eleven in March. I hope and pray that Ashley can experience many years with Hunter like Addison has and we get to share his silliness and crazy tail for many more years.

Our memories over the years…there are lots!!

Addison's first kiss to Hunter

Poor Hunter...the dressing up begins

but there is a treat for dressing up!

BFFs sharing food!

more kisses

trying to smile with him...

He really is a great pillow!

 

And now it's Ashley's turn! Her fun begins!!

Love you Hunter! You are a good boy and I look forward to many, many more years with you!