Things that touch our hearts!

What a dream that was! She comes and jumps on my bed and we both giggle because afterall it has been eleven hours since we last saw each other. I throw my covers back immediately start jumping up and down on the bed! Life is good! I can hear the littlest in the other room so we decide to go see what she is doing. I swing open the door and see a little face peeking over the side rails of her crib. We catch each others eyes and smile! I take her out of her bed and sit her on the floor and bring her some toys from the other room. She loves it when I do that! I wonder whats on TV this morning? So, I go flip on the tube. YAY! It is my favorite show! I sit down and watch a moment then I hear my tummy growling! mmmm I wonder what we can have for breakfast I mumble to myself. Maybe we can make some pancakes! Those are my favorite for sure! I stand up from the couch and run as quick as I can to the other room. "MOMMY GOODMORNING!! CAN WE HAVE BREAKFAST" I say! She rolls over and says "sure, Lets go see what we have"!
I got pancakes and bacon this morning, MY FAVORITE! I am looking forward to spending the rest of the afternoon being a 5 year old boy!

It is so much fun to live in your children's shoes for just a moment. Ethan has grown up to be such and independent person. Aside from the day I left home to live in Big Spring, I cant recall what is was like to go from being dependent on mom and dad to learning independence. In a way I think it feels the same way as we mature in His word. He promises that He will never leave us and forsake us, but he also expects us to make the right descisions and to keep his commands! As long as we do so we will be blessed!

Ethan now showers on his own, pours his own juice in the morning, carries his baby sister around with no problem, buckles himself in his carseat and does his own jurisdiction (making his bed) in the morning! I am so proud of him to say the least! He has become such a helper! For their birthday's his Bee and Great Grandmother Joy bought them a bikes and helmets. It is so sweet, because everytime him and Abbi ride together he insures that both helmets are on and that they are on correctly! His responsiblity is outstanding! We are counting every bittersweet day down until Kindergarten. We are going to have a meeting with the superintendent of Elbow Elementary next month so that he can be considered as a transfer student. Going to Whitharral, I feel like it is very important to put my son in a small school! T-ball is almost finished and I am so proud of the A's as well as Ethan! He may just be baseball player someday!! I have so much to look forward to in this little man's life! He is wonderful!

My sweet Abbi has become 'little miss thang' in our household. Spankings havent been spared and neither have feelings. As she would say "I'm in targe!" Sometimes, all that Kevin and I can do is turn the other way and laugh. She is a mini mommy and wants everyone to treat her like she is! Yes, it gets her in trouble, but she is learning. I guess we all have gone through our sassy stages. I love her so much and even though she is a toot, she is a sweet heart most of the time. She never turns down a kiss or a hug! A while back a tv show made me tear up a little bit, and when she realized mommy was sad she put her head in her hands and just cried along with me. It was so sweet! Her favorite movie is 'Tangled' and she personally thinks that she is Repunzel. After bath time, while I am combing her hair she sings " make your powers shine, make the clock reberse what once was miiine" it is precious to hear!
Her favorite food right now is bread and cheese. Not a grilled cheese or bread with cheese. It has to be a piece of cheese and a piece of bread. In fact, Im not sure if she would even eat it if it was touching. She has become little miss picky in her food selections. Good thing Im not a short order cook! :) Oh, what fun a 3 year old girl is!

Our newest purchases will have to be for baby proofing! Ali Jo has become a mobile little booger! She hasnt quite learned how to crawl with her knees, but she is army crawling everywhere! I cant keep up with that girl! She has also learned how to summon her team with one high pitched scream! That girl could break glass! Her voice is precious! She says Dadadadada all the time and mouths nigh nigh before bed. I have taught her "more" in sign language! She picks up so quickly! I am in amazement how quickly she has grown. She will be 10 months very soon. It feels like I just brought her home from the hospital!
She is starting to get her top two teeth and boy is she ready! If she could have molars right now she would be in heaven. In other words, she will eat EVERYTHING! Fatty Jo is her nickname and as mean as it sounds we will not call her that when she is 16. haha! My precious baby!

                         This picture was taken at the Houston Aquarium! She was so intrigued

   by the giant fishes!

                                          Best friends and worst of enemies at times. ;) 

T-ball,potty,teeth and hair!

Wow! It has been a long time since I last updated! Ethan started playing t-ball and I think it has got to be the sweetest thing I have ever seen. It consists of 13 five year olds that arent quite sure how things are supposed to go down. His coaches are awesome at teaching them exactly what they need to learn. The shirts we ordered say  "throw down your bat before you run!" haha! Every detail has to be taught because this is the first time for them all! Ethan has a little bit of anxiety about the sport. He is a perfectionist and if he doesnt do it exactly the way it is supposed to go he gets bored.

I see why God wants us to become like little children. Ethan just loves his coaches so much. He stands in the outfield and talks to them. I caught him holding onto his hand last game. Ethan has always had a gentle spirit and a heart of gold. I admire it so much! He loves EVERYONE! No matter what they wear or the color of their skin! What a great little guy! I hope he continues to shine his Jesus given light! 

At our last practice his coach "Tim" was wearing a Tony Romo jersey and as we pulled up Ethan said "OH MY GOODNESS ITS TONY ROMO" I nearly fell out of the car laughing! He is so precious and the moment he put his uniform on his whole life from birth flashed before my eyes. I cried and cried! He didnt know why mommy was crying over a silly green uniform. I told him I was just happy to see him growing up and that one day he would understand. sniff sniff! My little guy went from having his intestines on the outside of his body at birth to playing t-ball with his friends and running around like a five year old should! Praise be to the Father! 




                                 

As for Abbigail? Well, she is still sassy ol' Abbi! She has got going potty down! She makes sure to let me know when she has to go too. MOMMA I GOTTA PEE PEE!!! It never fails we are always in Wal-Mart or out eating at a nice resturant when she does it! She has a full vocabulary and insists on using it to her advantage everyday! Yesterday night I left her in the bath while I went to get towels and pajamas and by the time I got back the floor was literally covered in bath water. I looked at her and said "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" Expecting to just get an oops expression on her face. She chimed back with her hoarse voice "bring it down a notch, mama" I just died laughing and the water on the floor didnt seem like such big deal! We will be celebrating her third birthday on Friday and I think we are going to make a trip to Houston to go see dad! I cant believe it has been three years since I gave birth to her. My first girl and my second love! She reminds me of myself so much, but has her daddy's kind heart. I love her so much and she reminds me everyday how sweet and beautiful life is! Once again I give thanks to my almighty redeemer! 

Now for the last kitty in the litter. Our Ali jo is now seven months old and is learning new things everyday. She finally cut her first two teeth and she is a much happier camper now. She still chews on everything she sees which makes me think that she may be trying to get some more!

 I love to just sit and watch her. She is so interesting! Every morning I wake up and go look at her. She knows I am there, so with her eyes still closed she give out the cutest goodmoring grin I have ever seen. It makes me happy to know that something so perfect could love me so much even with her eyes closed!

She is starting to scoot across the floor and as veteran mom I know that crawling is just around the corner. We are so glad that G-pa and Uncle Aaron came to finish our floors! They look amazing and are now crawl friendly! Thank you both so much for taking the time out of your day to do this! As the squeeky toy aliens on Toy Story say "We are eternally grateful!"

Before

&

After

Back to Ali Jo.. haha! I am so excited to say that her little eyes are turning HAZEL! Abbi and Ethan both have bright blue eyes like their dad, but my little plum actually is starting to take after me! This makes me so excited! I grew up not looking like anyone since I am adopted, so having children that have my nose or lips or hair or EYES brightens my day!
Ali is a very quiet little girl! She is very different from the other two in that since. I never hear a peep out of her unless she is having a chit-chat spell or she is laughing at Bubba. (she loves him so much!) Recently she has had some terrible separation anxiety. She goes hysterical if I just leave the room. I have to put her bouncer everywhere I am. I dont mind, I love her silent company! haha! 

I am also very excited to say that she sings too! Everytime I sing I can hear her sweet little quiet voice in the background. I hope she grows to love music as much as I do!  

 Now, lets move on to the hair. For some reason at about four months old she started to go bald in the back of her head. It just never grew back as fast as the top of her head so now is stuck with a "reverse mullet" (thanks Uncle John) I have tried everything to make it look somewhat normal. I part it to the side, but she looks like Hitler, I have tried to slick it back, but it just reaches right out for the sun anyway.

 Our latest trick is to put it in a teeny tiny pony tail right on top. She looks like a peach!  The gift of children is a wonderful thing! God blesses me everyday with the sound of children playing and sometimes tattle telling. I wouldnt change it for the world!

 

America's Got talent audition day!

As I pulled up to the most enormous building I have ever seen, the shock that I was about to do something I only dreamed about was about to become a reality. My heart was racing a hundred miles and hour and my husband could feel my anxiety. He was biting his nails and grasping the steering wheel like it was about detach from the column. We drove down a long narrow street with blinking signs and arrows pointing to three different areas of the Reliant Center. There was a gardening show, Sesame Street Live and America's Got Talent. Before going down the street that led to America's Got Talent parking section, Kevin wanted to get his hair cut. Afterall, this could be his first national televison debut! We arrived at a nice little salon and Kevin quickly ran inside to see how the long the wait would be. We absolutely could NOT be late to my audition. The wait was only 15 minutes! YAY! We went inside. I was wearing black stilletos that looked good, but didnt feel so swell, so I quickly found a spot next to a hispanic woman texting on her phone. I was in sheer agony, I was ready to get er' done and be on my way to the auditions. We finally got his hair cut and he looked mighty spiffy I might add! We hopped back into our car and pulled into the the section labeled "America's Got Talent' It was 10 dollars to park and I was so relieved that we had some cash on us! We found a spot in the very back of the parking lot. There were 2,100 participants so there was very limited parking unless it was in the boon docks!  I pulled off my high heels and slipped my simple black flip flops on and walked toward the front of the building. I entered the building and instantly came face to face with a man from the America's Got Talent staff. He had one of those curly clear headphones wrapped around his right ear and a tiny black microphone looking device that was attached to his headphones. As we approached him he quickly said "stand here and we will put you in your appropriate waiting line." I raised my hand and said "I am on the Q list, is there anything I need to do?" Instantaniously his whole demeanor changed. He said "Oh what is your name and time?" I felt like a celebrity walking into a private party! Everyone who had been waiting in line for hours looked at me like I took the last candy out of the candy jar! We signed our consent papers and I got registered. I took a drink of water and went out to practice my song. The halls were full of dancers, singers, instrument players, jugglers, people dressed in boots and some in slippers, high heels and go go boots! It was an amazing sight! I found a quiet place for me to practice so that only my hubby and I could hear. At this point I was shaking so hard my knees were about to give out from underneath me. I only had about 15 minutes and I was going to be called back to audtion in front Amber Debose! I swollowed a gulp of anxiety and put it away so that that I could belt out 'At Last' for my Fabio. I could hear a girl around the corner rehearsing and I remember thinking to myself. "wow I hope she doesnt think I am one of those girls that tries to updo everybody." I began singing and about mid song someone walked around the corner and kinda peeked at me in curiousity. It made my heart jump a bit!! In a strange way it made me feel good! I nailed it and I was ready to do this!
Kevin and I returned to the holding room where about 25 other contestants were sitting. I sat down and before I knew it I heard. "LAUREN BARKER and ----- ----- (Dont remember her name, I just know she was dressed like Tina Turner) your up." "Please follow me." Tina Turner and I walked down a seperate corridor and we sat down in two rows of parallel chairs filled with other participants. My heart was pounding as I watched six auditonees (is that a word?) go into the judges room together. 
I was not aware that I was going to have to auditon in front of the producers and the other participants. My heart jumped and my hands became sweaty. I waited for about 15 to 20 minutes and while waiting talked to the others in my group. There was one that reminded me of John Mayer, he carried his guitar and even dressed like him! There was a little boy named Sebastian, he was about 10 or 11 years old. He was there with his dad and their bond was evident the moment I saw them. He was such a nervous wreck and we talked and got to know each other. He was singing a song by John Legend. I am rooting for this little man!
The time finally arrived! We all stood up to go inside the room where producer was ready to hear what we had! As soon as we stood up I was immediately sat back down. The cordinator said "No, you stay here, your on the Q list, you will go in by yourself" I was ecstatic and a the nerves really set in! The other contestants looked at me like I not only stole the last piece of candy from the candy jar, but also took the actual jar. The time waiting on the others quickly flew by and it was my turn. I was directed into the room where Amber and  her assistant were sitting. Im a perfectionist so I put the point of my high heel right on the center of the blue X on the floor. Realizing that my chances of getting a call back were not based on where I placed my foot on the ex, I giggled in my brain. She said " Hi, Lauren" like we  had known each other forever. I instantly felt a little bit more comfortable, but had just the right amount of nerves to make me try my hardest. She asked me my age and what I would be singing. I confidently said "Im 25 and I will be singing 'At Last' by Etta James." "Whenever your ready" is last thing I heard. I took a deep breath and I belted through the song! I NAILED IT!! I was so relieved! When I was finished  Amber said "good job" then she said, "do you have another song prepared?" Thank goodness I did! I sang "My sweet Song." I hope she liked it! I was once again told "good job" and she said that I would find out by mid-March if I had made it or not!

For the past  two days I have attached my phone to my hip. Im praying that Amber saw my talents and decides to push me forward! If I get a call back I get to meet the celebrity judges! This will be my big break! Everyone put and extra prayer for me this month! Just typing this has made me jittery!

I also wanted to thank everyone for the most wonderful support! I have felt so loved by each one of you! Thank you from the bottom of my hearts and please remember that I wouldnt be here without your amazing support!

To my wonderful blessing Kevin, Thank you for doing this with me! For being my inspiration and backbone! For telling me that your my biggest fan! Most of all, for reminding me that God is in control and no matter the outcome, I should be pleased! Thank you for my babies and for always having hope in me! You amaze me everyday! Our weekend together was enough for me to fall even deeper in love with the man I call my husband! May the Lord be your guiding light! I am so proud of you in a way that words can and never will express! You are my best friend, confidone, and support! I love you!  

THE TIME HAS COME! -Ricky Ricardo

I cant believe it is already time for me to audition! I have done the two P's (Prayer and Practice) for almost a week and a half! My husband giggled when he got into my Traverse yesterday and 'At Last' karaoke style was playing! Im looking foward to giving it my all on Sunday! I praise my Heavenly Father for giving me this gift! I feel so blessed! 
Last night I had a dream of my birth mother. It is amazing, because everytime I dream of her I cant see her face. Or I am about to come face to face with her and she never turns around. Last night in my dream, her and I had a telephone conversation about what we looked like. I remember telling her my hair was very curly and had some red in it when the sun hits it just right. (my birth mom is red headed) I also remember telling her that I had hazel eyes and we both cried. (she has hazel eyes) In my AGT consent papers I had to explain a little bit about myself and so I wrote about my birth parents and how they inspired me to sing! They always wanted me to be musically inclined! I said that everytime I sing I imagine seeing my birth mother and dad sitting in the audience. For some reason it pushes me to do even better! I know that my birth mother and I have never met, but do you think it is possible to feel someone? Ive asked myself. Does she wonder about me too? It's so interesting!
Sunday at 2:45 I will be trying out in front AGT's producers! Everyone please send a small prayer out for me! I will keep everyone updated via-Facebook! Once again! I thank everyone for the sweet support! Your words of kindness have been absolutely moving!!

Psalm 119:105  ” Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path “.

Acappella Rescue

YouTube and being uplifted!

After reading yesterdays post I sat back and thought.. What in the world? The Father has put me in this postition. He gave me my voice to use. Even if I dont make it big I still can bless people! It says in Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 
When I was smaller I listened to 'Accapella'. I attended a Church of Christ for many years of my life and during these wonderful years this was one of the most touching musical ministries. It brings back memories of old days at WRYC! woot woot! I did some prayer when I woke up this morning. I prayed that He would calm my anxiety. About an hour later I was on YouTube grueling over what song I was going to sing next weekend. About as quickly as opening up the site, I came across 'You come to my rescue'  Thank you Father! You truly do 'come to my rescue' especially in times I need to feel your presence the most! I felt calm immediately!
He comes to my rescue in times of doubt and worry. He is there for me when I am up and down and when I am lonely! He holds me in the palm of his hand! He apparently is listening when I am a nervous wreck too! :) Im so thankful for his grace and mercy and for being my best friend!

If it was a talent to be nervous.. I would absolutely win first place!

Okay so I'm a little bit overwhelmed with the whole America's Got Talent thing. Im not certain what I want to sing and if you know me at all it HAS to be perfect. This is the one time I absolutely CANNOT mess it up! I think I am going to sing the same song I sang at the first competition in Odessa, just minus the horrible back up music.. I learned today that my judges name is 'Shweta' and if this is a woman's name I can take a sigh of relief. For some reason women make me feel more comfortable. I have ninety seconds to sing and the way I sing this song is about 20 seconds over. I have a list of worries from here to Minnesota.. What do I need to wear? Should I wear my hair straight or curly? Should I wear my black stilletos or will we be walking all day? Are they going to rudely cut me off in the song and say "thats enough.. you dont have what it takes." What am I going to do if I get the call that I have made it to the actual show? Geez I hate being nervous.. What questions are they going to ask? What if I draw it out to long? O M G I think I might hurl!.. AHHHH!  I will see what happens on that day. I was watching American Idol tonight and was literally LITERALLY nervously shaking because of my personal anticipation for this audition. If you pray tonight please say a little prayer for me and my anxiety about this. I have thought about this day since before I could talk!  I cant believe it is actually here! My heart is racing as I write this now!! EEK! Eight days in counting!! Thanks for letting me vent!! ahhh.. :)