This and That

As you may know we are in process of adopting a 5-6 year old child. This will probably happen in the middle of the school year (or sooner or later- you know crazy adoption time).

My thoughts now are that I will not take in my child and enroll them into public school the next day. Which I would, by law, have to do. We will need time to bond and she/he will most likely need to play "catch up" so to speak- due to possible education delay, etc.

I enjoy teaching, I did teach school, but we are so social that I do not plan on doing it for my child's whole education. I love PTA, Homeroom mom, parent/child fieldtrip, assemblies, conferences and the idea that other people are pouring their gifts into my child as well.

BUT I always told myself I need to do what is best for each child that enters our home and for this next kiddo, I can SO see the benefits for the first year at least. I mean MANY many benefits as you can imagine- attention, love, playdates, discipline, structure and routine, just to name a few.

So here are some questions:
What system do you like? Recommend?
How many hours a day to you spend?
Do you have a group/co-op?
Where do you like to buy your material?
Any other advice please send it along...

HOMESCHOOL MOMS PLEASE COMMENT...
THANK YOU!

Check out our new friend Kissy Ma-nonda and learn how to make your own!
Last weekend was Just Between Friends and I found THE.BEST.DEALS!!!
This slide was the best $5 investment I have ever made...
Oh so much fun!
She said it could be her new bed. She tested it out by "napping" on it.
Spending quality time with Dada. A mani-pedi. He actually did really well. I was impressed.
Taking a moment to cuddle. Before and after this moment he was a wild wrestler, but at least I can catch a cuddle-with-daddy moment every now and then. (I get lots of cuddles. He still LOVES to be rocked and gives me lots of kisses and baby talk.)
T.G.I.F.
Friday is my favorite day and I am looking forward to the weekend. Hanging out with the Lydens tonight, babysitting the Homan kiddos all day Saturday (they are moving) and family time (Adam's mom's side) on Sunday.

Many blessings. Thank you for being a part of our journey through life!

The Perrymans

Dress Rehearsal Blooper

Last week we pulled a dress rehearsal. And it was not fun.

I knew that school started last week. Well, she only goes on Tuesdays but since school started that week we got up, got ready, drove to school and no one was there! We were both sad and both cried! It was the first week for kids who attend Wed-Fri, but we had to wait until the next week to attend on Tuesday.

Here is her official first day of school picture. We made tee-shirts to celebrate.
That same week of non-school was the first week of dance. We got up, got ready, drove to dance and no one was there! She was sad again and she cried but I was LIVID! A sign on the door said it started the first FULL week of school. Which was, again, the next week.
HOW COULD I BE SUCH A BAD MOM? I AM ORGANIZED AND OBSESSED WITH BEING TIMELY!!! O.M.W.

Here is her official first day of dance picture. The Ballet Box she is holding was mine when I was little. aohhhh.
Waiting for class to begin.
Miss Kristy walking her into tap/ballet class.
All the cuties dancing, BUT MINE...
You can see in this picture everyone is taping with their right foot, except Avi Joy. She was the official OBSERVER for the WHOLE HOUR! She did NOT want to tap, ballet hop, skip or curtsy.
All I could do was laugh. She is so unique.

Afterward Miss Kristy and I talked about it. I was like, "Is she too young? Does she not like it? etc." She gave some great advice about letting her stick it out for a month and see if she blooms. She knew how to please a mom because she said, "You know some of my smart older kids just like to watch before they try to do it on their own." : )
Even when we go to the playground she likes to watch other kids play. It takes her awhile to play herself. But if dance is not a right fit, we will most likely try piano. I am not super big on children having tons of outside activities that run a mom till exhaustion, but something before "real" school starts will be fun.
Other than the dress rehearsal we have had a great week...
Avi Joy loves to rock her brother. Its more about giggles and wiggles than preparing to sleep.
We saw a beautiful FULL rainbow in our backyard this week. It has been a long time (and Avi Joy's first ever) to see a rainbow. We let out the dog and the weather was just perfect. I walked outside and felt a drop, so I looked up to see if it looked like it was going to rain and there it was. Avi Joy and I got to talk about the real meaning of a rainbow!
Avi Joy wanted to wear her baby like I wore her when she was a baby. In a sling. She is SUCH a wonderful mommy to her babies.
Yo I am from the hood! Or at least was treated to an Oreo.

After I word searched Rainbow on biblegateway I noticed another reference other than Genesis popped up. It was from Revelation 10:1. I was excited to see this... our CBS will be studying Revelation for the year so hopefully I will understand its meaning soon!

"Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars."

Have a great weekend!
Adam, Natasha, Avi Joy and Nehemiah

Puttin' on the Ritz

We spent some time earlier this week playing dress-up at our favorite Asian market. They have the cutest Ao Doi (Vietnamese dresses), shoes, parasols, non la (conical hat) and of course lots of "fun" foods. We went home with some cute hair clips and some Vietnamese goldfish (like our regular goldfish snack but they are salted).
Nehemiah has discovered all the fun things in our drawers. He is now into eating toothpaste, hiding daddy's contact case and the best one was busting the large glass bottle of Obsession cologne all over the bathroom floor.
He also loves all his sister's toys- here with her beaded necklace. This has caused some sibling squabbles. We had a lot of talks about sharing this week.
Resting with daa. The little bit of white under Nehemiah's head is Adam's back.
"Tiny Dancer" has been one of Avi Joy's nicknames since she was little. She is fully living up to this nickname. There has been much dancing, prayer songs and performances this week!
Just soaking in the beauty of dance.
Gettin' kisses from great-grandma Fern. She will be hitting 90 soon, amazing!
The kids after church. They had a great time showing all their skills. Walking skills and Hammertime skills.
Looking forward to this week... Back to school, first dance class and sharing a major blooper is soon to come!

Message from church today: Working together... watch it online.
"I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel."
Philippians 1:5

Blessings,
Adam, Natasha, Avi Joy and Nehemiah

Two Peas...

"And she said to him, 'As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.' And he worshiped the LORD there." Hannah's Dedication of Samuel, 1 Samuel 1:27

double shot of good with bite of bad

ALL JULY PICTURES

My POOR BABY! Why oh WHY do her mosquito bites turn out like this??
Day one- it swells up like a baseball hit her.
Day two- fever.
Day three- blister.
Urrrr.
We took her to the Dr. yesterday and they basically said: use bug spray and double dose of Benadryl. We have tried everything. Good thing it only happens with half of the bites. But they leave a nasty scar!
Adam's parents neighbors had 3 girls. When the oldest was 2 yr's old they got this house. She is now married and her mom wanted a new home for it. My mother in law saw it and knew I was looking for a house for the kids to play in.
So we cleaned it up...
And it is like new! We painted Bless This Home on the front door. They love it already!

Love this upclose droplets...
Oh and so love the wild hair!
This weekend was Grand-dad and George's (cousin) double birthday party. We all had the best time playing and eating to celebrate. I am starting a new tradition. At least once a year, getting all the kids in "line". Now ages 4, 3, 2, and 1. (and one more older kiddo on the way ; )

Lil'Annabelle.

Thanks to Jonathan for the encouraging scripture. He and his wife have been waiting for some time for a referral from Ethopoia. He read our blog and actually encouaged us in the process, it should have been vise versa!

"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us." Ephesians 3:20, The Message

The Perryman Family

internationalblend

A wonderful weekend

We were blessed to spend the weekend with the Pierce family!!!
Shannon and I met the first week of college in '97. We have walked through life together: maturing, graduating, marriage, kiddos and everything in between.
They serve on the Stumo staff at OSU. They have a heart for God and the people of India. We love them dearly!
My friends Bernadette and Aisha came over to babysit all our children so we could go out to dinner for our anniversaries.
As we were leaving the Riverwalk we asked a stranger to take our picture. As his wife was taking the picture he jumped in. We all cracked up. The WILD part was that we saw this couple at church the next day. We talked with Ravon and Margaret and found out that Margaret has been to Vietnam on a medical mission working with orphanages in the North. It was an awesome divine appointment!
Here are our first two girls... age 1.

Here they are now... age 3. They went straight to playing dress-up and had a wonderful time together. Bernadette told them that when they get older they were going to be best friends, Avi Joy said, "uhhh, we already are!"

We have always had them in separate rooms, but we decided they could try out having a real slumber party. We heard lots of giggles and girl talk but they did great.Here is their second daughter, Maggie... 4 months.

Nehemiah and Maggie did lots of hanging out and playing on the floor.

Shannon and I in our apt in 1999. She knows the good and bad of me and still loves me! Apparently I love to tackle my friends. She has always gotten lots of kisses and rough-housing, but it is all worth it when I hear this...

Her super loud laugh. I love that laugh so much! (also go back to top and see the pic when Ravon jumped in)

Is this not THE MOST BEAUTIFUL arm you have ever seen!?

Shan taught me an acronym for Phil 4:8 that she made up- cause she's cool like that.
The Nice Resturants Put Lettuce At Each Placesetting
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

ANNIVERSARY- on international blend!

The Perryman Family