Christmas with Kaden

One day my mom came down stairs to find Kaden busily occupied with something a little out of the ordinary. 

This is what she saw:

A Nutcracker tied up with white yarn to bulldozer,

and Playmobile Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus in a rescue boat.

 

"Kaden, what is this?" she asked.

"Well," he replied, "Him, (pointing to the nutcracker) Him made bad choices, so him had to go to jail."

 

Then Mom turned to Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus.

Turns out, this year they're speeding away to escape Herod in a rescue raft.

 

Hmmmm... What do I make of this?

All I know his that Kaden has a wonderful imagination!

Bethany and Kaden Conversations

Kaden is all about being the police man of the family.

He has decided it is his job to make sure everyone in the family "Does good choices".

Yesterday I was typing up some school work on the computer when I overheard Kaden talking to Bethany.

He had her sitting down in front of him, his pretend handcuffs on her wrists.

The toy of offense was next to them, and Kaden had a serious frown on his face.

The conversation went something like this:

Kaden:  why you do bad choices, Defany?

Bethany:  Me wanted to play with this.

Kaden:  but I was playing with it first.

Bethany:  No, me was.

Kaden:  No, I.

Mom: Kaden, do you want a snack?

Kaden:  Wust a minute, Mom!  Defany, don’t do bad choices, ok? You not want to go to jail.

Bethany: (sighing) ok.

 

I completely cracked up hearing this!
Sometimes I forget how absolutely hilarious these conversations are when I hear them several times a day.

I need to take a minute and simply enjoy the stage we are at now as a family.

I love it!

 



Bethany Update

Oh, Bethany...

My beautiful, beautiful sister...

How we all love you!

 

We are completely smitten around here with Bethany!

She is 2.5 years old, and such a darling!

 

I am happy to report that Bethany is potty trained!

Except for naptime and at night, Bethany is completely diaper free.

My mom could speak more to this, but I personally like the way Bethany was potty trained.

My mom waited until she was ready (and for summer - less clothes that way!),

and introduced the potty, explaining how it was used. 

 The next step was to simply take her diaper off and show her that she could use the "big girl potty."

Yes, there were accidents, but for the most part, Bethany did great!

After a couple months of this, she is always using the potty and can do it on her own, although we are always nearby to help if needed.

 

 

I am also very happy that Bethany is out of the "NO!" stage.

Again, it comes back occasionally, but at this point we rarely here her yelling it.

 

 

With Kaden at 1/2 day Montessori school, we no longer need a nanny during the morning.

Brandon, David and I take turns with Bethany in the mornings during school time.

This works for us.

During this time, we don't have to entertain Bethany, exactly, but it is our job to be available if she needs anything.

I usually work on school at my desk and set her up with Play Dough or something similar.  

She does amazing with playing quietly by herself. 

Sometimes it is mind blowing for me to see her laying on her stomach quietly coloring!

 

 

One thing that we are working on with Bethany is her eating.

Bethany LOVES  juice.

She could just drink, drink, drink all day.

But she gets full of juice and won't eat,

so we are working with her to help her with that.

 

When Bethany was younger, we were a bit concerned about her speech.

We shouldn't have been, though!

As soon as we had her speech evaluated, she took off orally, and has NO problem talking now!

 

One thing that I love is that I can really enjoy Bethany now.

When I was sick, I honestly couldn't at all.

My life was consumed by my eating disorder, and I remember crying because I finally had what I always wanted - a baby sister- and I couldn't enjoy her.

Thankfully, I'm making up for that now and honestly love the time I spend with my baby girl.

 

So, here's a little update on our Bethany.

If you haven't already picked it up I hope you can see that

we absolutely love her to death, and I cant imagine life without her.



Whitey

When I was 2, I begged for a dog.

I was always told, "When you're eight you can get one, when you're eight."

8 years old could come fast enough for me. 

Finally it happened, and now, nearly 8 years into life with Whitey, I can more clearly see the pros and cons of our dog.

Pro:

He's usually a sweet dog.

Con:

He doesn't like kids he doesn't know, and will growl at them.

Pro:

He doesn't bite (usually).

Con:

His growl scares little kids.

Pro:

He likes to snuggle

Con:

He won't usually come when called.

Pro:

he's an easy dog to have around the house.

Con:

When he's mad, he'll raid the trash cans...and our guests suitcases. 

 (sorry about your hat, Pop!)

 

I don't think I'll get another dog after Whitey. 

I've learned that dogs are a large responsibility and take work and time.

I am very thankful, though, that my parents gave me the opportunity to have a dog and learn what it is like.

Whitey is like my baby, and I'm thankful for my him and the learning opportunity he has provided.

The Sky - God's Canvas

I've often wondered if God specifically designs how to sky looks each day,

or if the sky kind of just happens.

I'll probably never know until I get to heaven,

but I'm beginning to suspect the sky is "painted" by God every day.

 

One night this week - I think it was Thursday- I took Bethany and Kaden out on a walk.

The sky was amazing and only got more spectacular as the night went on.

The days following, I've paid more attention to the sky.

It has been so amazingly beautiful recently.

If God does "paint" the sky, He's created some masterpieces recently.

 

I believe that God reveals special truths to young children, who have the faith accept them without question.  I've asked Kaden what he thinks about certain subjects recently, and I've enjoying hearing his insight.

I asked Kaden how he thought the sky was made so beautifully,

and he answered with hesitation that

"God makes it that way."

 

I'll leave you with pictures that display God's masterpieces.

I hope you'll be as inspired by them as I am.

 

 



My Prayer - Answered!

This is a school paper that I wrote as part of my creative writing class.

I want to share it here, as I feel it shows my heart towards my sister.

 

Though this is about Bethany, I want to make it very clear that I feel the same way about Kaden, and that he is every bit as much of an answered prayer and blessing.

It was because of the assignment requirements that I do not mention him in this paper.

That being said, please enjoy!

As I gaze down at the treasure sitting contently in my lap, I become keenly aware of something. My dream, my hope, my prayer, has been answered.  I think back to the years of waiting, hoping and dreaming that slowly slid away as I waited.  Even now the truth has yet to penetrate my brain.  My dream has been realized, and yet I fail to realize it. “Do you know who that is?” I ask, twisting one of her braids in my finger. 

“That’s baby me!” She exclaims, recognizing the picture. 

“Yes,” I say, “that is baby you.”  I stop there.   Her two-year-old mind isn’t quite ready to take in the words that have been collecting in brain.  The day will come when we both will be ready; she will be ready to hear, and I to tell.  I want to be able to tell her adequately how cherished she is.  How she is the answer to years of prayer.  How she helps to light the spark that sets the fire in my heart alive.  Her story isn’t mine to tell, but I have a role in it. 

As I have a role in her story, she has a role in mine.  My story goes back to the early years of my childhood, and creeps on up to today.  It goes back to my three-year-old self praying at night for a baby sister.  It goes back to my eight-year-old self longing for a baby to love.  It goes back to my twelve-year-old self, trusting that my prayer would be answered.  And it comes up to today, as my answered prayer sits in my lap. 

So many times I have taken this for granted.  So many times my selfishness doesn’t recognize the miracle of her.  I get caught up in the day-to-day living and fail to make the most of every moment.  Love is a choice that I must make, and today I choose to make it.  I choose to embrace every stage, every day, and every opportunity.  It is not a one-time decision, but one that I must make every day.  I have made my choice, and I choose to love. 



2 Years Home!

This second year of Kaden and Bethany being home as absolutely flown by!

We've had a really great year with them, and have seen them both develop and grow,

both in character and physically.

 

I think back to this night 2 years ago.

We were all so excited for our parents to come home with "Kadi" and "Baby Jilma".

As excited as I was, I was lightly nervous and apprehensive. 

What would this be like?

Our life would be completely different now...

What would we do with them all day?

Would Mom and Dad have any time for us anymore?

I never asked these questions, even to myself, but they were subconsciously running through my mind.

Then they pulled into the driveway.

Slowly they got of the car.

As soon as I saw 5 month old Bethany - my baby sister - all my subconscious fears instantly vanished.

I held her for the first time a few seconds later, and I was in love.

This was my sister, my answered prayer, the one I had waited for years to love.

And Kaden....

Oh, the little toddler he was then.

It is absolutely crazy to look back at picture and videos and to see what an absolute baby he was then.

He has grown so much and has completely transformed. 

He has been such an amazing joy and blessing, even through the sometimes trying times.

We are so unspeakably thankful for the gifts we have been given through Kaden and Bethany.

We love them so very much and cannot imagine our lives without them. 

 

Our day was packed full of fun!

Kaden called a meeting and together we came up with a list of things to do to celebrate.

Amazingly, we've done everything on the list!

 

Our day began with a special breakfast, then a trip to the park to play and take pictures, with Subway for lunch.  Next we came home to play outside, make jello, have shrimp for dinner, and end our special day with looking at pictures and videos from Congo before playing Baby Kaden and going to bed.

One of my greatest treasures... enough said.

this year

Last year

Two years ago! 

 

 

We also made Jello!  Although it didn't turn out quite right, it was fun!

Jon got into it too!

 

 

Kaden and Bethany,

We love you SO. VERY. MUCH. 

You are amazing blessings in our lives, and we can't image our lives with out you.

We love you!

 



Bethany's Beautiful Hair

"Bitty, Bitty, look!" I heard as I walked in the front door.

"Bethany, I can't believe it!" I replied.

 

My hair really awesome!" 

I couldn't agree more, little sister.

Your hair is beautiful! 

Your hair is wonderful and unique and perfectly designed for you.

Your hair is "awesome!"

 

Bethany got her hair done professionally for the first time this Wednesday!

I wasn't there, but from what my mom tells me, she did great!

I have to admit, I was pretty nervous that she would freak out.

She gets tired of us messing with her hair, so I didn't know how she would react with a stranger working on her hair for a while.

But she did awesome, and her hair is, well, "really awesome!"

 

the following pictures are taken by my mom with her phone:

 

 

And then at home:

Isn't it gorgeous?!

 

As Bethany's sister, I love that she loves her hair.

I know the time will come when she will wonder why our hair is different from hers, and why her hair require a little extra effort.

My and my mom's hair has a fine texture, and we don't have to do a lot of work to it. 

Bethany's hair, though, we try to condition and moisturize every day.

She's a the point now where she doesn't hate us doing that, but she does get tired of it pretty quickly.

We knew the time had come when we should have her hair done.

And it is so. very. beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 



Bethany Update

"Bitty, you finished, your math?"  Bethany asked me this morning.

"No, not quite, but I'm working on it," I replied.

"Ok.  I count," Bethany told me and proceeded to say,

"3, 10, 15, 16, 18... Bitty, you done now?"

 

I just cant seem to get over how completely adorable Bethany is!

At 2 years old, she is the spunkiest, cutest and simply best 2 year old I know!

If you haven't picked this up yet,
We're smitten with the youngest Gilbarte!

We're still working on potty training.  Not there yet, but definitely on our way.
She gets excited about "big girl undies" and no diapers.
We're excited about those things too!
Just not so excited about the accidents that happen! :)

Bethany is learning how to obey the first time,
and how to handle when she gets angry/frustrated.
Her natural tendency is the throw whatever she is holding when she gets upset,
and we are working on that. 
She's definitely learning!

Bethany loves to read books, go outside, and play with play-dough.
Play dough is her newest thing, and she really likes it!
When she's outside, she likes to swing or go on the trampoline, or sometimes the sandbox.

As far as talking, Bethany is making leaps and bounds!
She is doing sooooo well, and speaks in clear, understandable sentences.
We love to hear her talk.
Her voice is so sweet and innocent.  Consequently she is a little bit spoiled!

And her hair...
Bethany's hair is long and curly, and beautiful!
She has her *first* hair appointment tomorrow, and we'll see how she does...:)
I'm really exited to see it braided and/or styled professionally.
Certainly we'll have a blog post there.

So, friends, here is you Bethany Update.  I hope you were able to gather how amazing and well our little princess is doing.  Though, like any two years old, she has tantrums, quirks and all, she is the best little sister I could asked for, and we are super blessed with her!



Cousins Visit September, 2014

Last week our cousins came to visit!

We had such an awesome time with them!
We were very busy the entire time and had our day pack full of fun.

Kaden and Emily are best friends, and they had an awesome time together.

The rest of the bigger kids rip-sticked, played football, four-square, cards, board games, and swam.

I enjoyed all of those things as well, but always managed to find time to squeeze in photography!

 

 

Oh, Kaden and Emily.... You two crack me up!

Kaden with straight hair... too funny!

Nutty buddies!

the mustang was a hit!  Everyone loves it!

Bethany and that crazy hippo.  sometimes we all want to throw it out the window.

Quintin

thanks so much for coming to see us, Gilbartes!

We had a blast!