Tis the Season

Sorry for the randomness of this post but we've continued to have computer issues so I'm just getting these photos out there the best I can. (yes I know the picture of Lucy and Sarah is sideways but it isn't on my computer and no matter what I do, blogger keeps turning it on its side - it is cute anyways :) ) We're done with all the organized activities of the season and are settling in to enjoy the last few days of getting ready for Jesus' birthday. We have had family photos taken but Christmas cards aren't back yet - they'll have to be Happy New Year cards. I did put up a new family photo on the side from when we got our Christmas tree - not bad for a guy who couldn't figure out how to work my camera :)
Praying that all of you can enjoy the holiday with family and friends and celebrate the birth of the Messiah!!

The saga continues....

I've decided that I so could not be Amish this week (ok, I really wasn't considering it). We have been down still with the computer and after 2 service calls in 3 days we only have the lapttop up and running (and it is hard wired to the modem downstairs). 83 emails later, no online Christmas shopping - you get the idea. We celebrated Sarah's 4th Gotcha Day on Saturday, had our very last visit from the social worker yesterday and the kids had their Christmas music Sunday night. We did get our Christmas tree but it is naked in the family room. If I can get all my laundry done, I'll post some pictures this afternoon. Hopefully I can get it done before something else on the computer breaks!

The Magical Touch

I probably should have named this posted "The Evil Touch" or "You Really Don't Want us to Touch Your Stuff". We have had one thing after another break, stop working or need to be replaced in the last few weeks. The computer router AND modem are included in that list. We (Ken) is working to get us up and running in his free time (hahahaha) so pictures of Thanksgiving and Jacob's party and our new addition will have to wait some more.
We are alive and had a great week in VA Beach with Ken's family and are now looking at the Christmas rush head on. While I have done NO Christmas shopping, I'm bound and determined not to let this season go crazy on me. The girls helped me decorate the house yesterday which only took an hour because of a rare spot of genius on my part. Last year when I took the Christmas decorations down, I put them in bins by room. So this year I just took the bin to the appropriate room and presto - the kids could help easier and I didn't waste time remembering where I usually put everything.
Our addition above the garage is going well (yes, we are in the middle of yet another big project/trip at Christmas.....) and we hope to have it done by January. The extra space will be nice but the boys having their own rooms will be the best bonus of all.
We have Christmas pictures scheduled soon so hopefully we'll actually get those out this year, even if they are Happy New Year cards:)

He's 11 !!!!!!!!

The very happy birthday boy!

Yes that is Nathan playing his guitar next to Jacob - yikes! Do we have a basement rock band in the making?!!


Jacob turned 11 on Tuesday! He has been asking for a drum set for a very long time now. We've been putting it off as long as we could but decided that since he has been doing so well with band at school and since we are tired of him banging our furniture, siblings, car seats.... We did the deed and bought him his first "real" drum set. Ken spent last night putting it together and we have both moved high up in the ranks of "most amazing, awesome parents". He is just grinning from ear to ear and the child that normally requires dynamite and a forklift to get out of bed in the morning jumped out of bed this morning wanting to play at 6:45 am (completely dressed and ready for school)!!!!! Needless to say he wasn't happy when I reminded him that half of the house was still asleep and I wanted them to stay that way. He is actually pretty good but there is no quiet way to play the drums. New item for everyone's Christmas list - ear protection!

He can use a STRAW!!!!

Thursday Caleb got hold of my drink and proceeded to put the straw in his mouth. His eyes suddenly got wide and he sputtered a bit - he had successfully sucked through the straw!! We were both a little suprised and he decided that he liked his new skill. Several sips later he was happily draining my tea. Yet another big step for our little guy!!!!

Pumpkin Time

The boys still haven't carved theirs but at least the girls got theirs done Friday afternoon!

Boy or Dog?

Caleb has always loved Hershey but lately he has been trying to imitate his every move. He will eat the dog food, lap Hershey's water, sniff the grass, lick the flowers...no he hasn't lifted his leg yet but we're waiting for it!

October Fun

This year our church's harvest party was on Wednesday so my kids got to trick-or-treat, some for the very first time! We went to a friend's house and got to go out with a whole big group of kids. The trick-or-treat newbies (Anna, Sarah and Caleb) got the hang of it very quickly and my big boys had fun dressing up and hanging out with friends.

A couple more pics

When I was looking at pictures for yesterday's post, I ran into to these as well. These were taken a year ago today, October 30, 2007. Man I love this little guy!d It is also amazing how much the other kids have grown in a year - no wonder I'm tired!!

One Year Ago Today...

October 20, 2007
Taiyuan, China




October 29, 2008
Our bedroom (no, we don't let his sisters wear makeup like this all the time - we're getting ready for our harvest party at church tonight)



I couldn't let the day go by without this post. There is so much I could write about how far Caleb has come in a year and how he is securely wiggled into all of our hearts forever. He has gained 8.5 pounds and grown 6 inches in a year. He has learned to walk. He is starting, however slowly, to talk. He can now open door knobs, the refrigerator, climb the kitchen table, feed the dog the contents of said refrigerator and empty the contents of every bucket in the toy room - all within a 10minute time span. He gets so excited about trucks and cars that he wiggles and yells "whoa!!!" everytime he sees a big truck. He has the funniest prayer face - he gets so serious and wrinkles his brow as he folds his hands. He gives lots of hugs and kisses and has a heart for those who are hurting. He loves to wrestle and has the most impish grin I have ever seen. He is our little ray of sunshine and we can't imagine life without him. We love you Caleb and thank God for this day a year ago when you entered our lives forever!!!!

G's and Straws!

Last night, completely on his own, Caleb made the "g" sound!! And this morning he drank some chocolate milk through a straw!!! Just when you get discouraged that you've hit a roadblock, God gives you a little sparkle and they take off some more.
Praising God for the little things...

Ok, ok, ok......

For those who have emailed me wondering if I've given up on blogging - I got the picture! No, the Weikels have not fallen off the face of the earth. Here is proof!













Feast or famine should be the new name for my blog. It isn't that I've not been busy in the past. But this school year's schedule seems to have very little wiggle room for extras, like let's say, blogging (or grocery shopping, sleeping - well you get the picture). I've made a few changes that have been good for me. I now take a 30 minute walk every day, have joined a new Bible study, have kept up with my book club. These are my sanity saving devices and have given my some built in quiet times that I've needed. It is awfully hard to hear God talking when life around you is making so much noise!
A year ago today, we all boarded a plane and were on our way to China. We were unsure of what awaited us, just knew that God was calling us there to our little boy. We met a little guy who was scared, undernourished, developmentally delayed and oh so sweet. Tonight I spent most of the almost 2 hours of High School Musical 3(yes, that is yet another post...) chasing that sweet but now active 3 year old down the aisle twice during the movie, hanging out in the lobby, retrieving him from BEHIND the video games, chasing him down the hall, keeping him out of SAW V. Needless to say, a lot has happened with our little guy in a year. He has also learned how to open the refrigerator on his own this week. I'll post more about that next week...

This and That

As you can tell, my weeks have been beyond busy since school started. We've been battling different ills (bronchitis, sinus infections, fevers....) and keeping up with our new schedules has been a challenge. But I did want to make sure you knew we had not fallen off the face of the earth. We've enjoyed the county fair, welcomed new additions to families at church and just tried to keep up. I'd like to say that things are going to slow down but I'm not so sure. I think we're just going to have to adjust to this new normal!
I have been able to walk most mornings which has helped my mental state but my quiet time has been lacking. I'm getting ready to start a new Bible study with some friends and I'm hoping that this will give me a kick in the rear to get back into God's word!

Sarah's new "do"!

Before.....

During.....

After with Callum, Liam and Caleb (photo courtesy of Anna Weikel photography :) )

She had about 10 inches or so cut off and it was enough to donate to Locks of Love. Everyone loves her new haircut (Thanks Ms. Dawn!!!) and she loves that she can wash AND rinse it by herself (so does Mommy!).