Someone Had a Birthday Today!!
09 Jul 2012 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: 2 year old twins, 5 year old, adoption, American Idol, Babies, birthday, ethiopia, Ethiopian Twins, Family, Hollywood, Home, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Lopez Adoption, JLo Spot, Kindred, Kirk Jones, Marriage, orphan, relationship, twins, TWINS Magazine, What to Expect, What to Expect When You're Expecting Movie
My sweet Carson turned 5 today. FIVE. Where does the time go?!?!?! It is so hard to start “letting go…..” he starts KINDERGARTEN this year 
Ugh. Although, I have to say he has promised me that he will NEVER marry. Really. He wants to live with me forever. When I asked why he doesn’t want to get married, he said “because I don’t like kissies on the lips.” That’s what he associates marriage with, so I guess Kindred and I have done an ok job, huh? 
Here are a few pics from his big day. My sweet, sweet boy. We love you, sweet Carson!!!
Oh, and check THIS out!! My awesome hubby wrote an article (featuring guess who??) in TWINS Magazine this month…. I thought he did a phenomenal job. Here is the link:
http://www.twinsmagazine.com/html/JU-JY12twinsfinal.html
*He got a little shout on on the front cover, and there we are at the LA premiere in the Table of Contents, with our friend Kirk. Cool, huh??
Hello Again!
22 Jun 2012 4 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: adoption, Alex, Asher, Caleb, ethiopia, Ethiopian Twins, Family, Holly, Hollywood, Home, J-Lo, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Lopez Adoption, JLo Spot, Kaleb, Kindred, Lionsgate, Twin, What to Expect Movie, William
Well, HELLO everyone!
I can’t believe it has been a week since I have written one of my earth-shattering, life-changing posts. How have you all made it without my wonderful words of wisdom??!?! (totally kidding!) 
It has been quite a week. Lots of summer chaos with all of the kiddos running around, and lots of sibling fights. Yahoo!
This is really cute, though- last weekend, I set Sammy & Asher in the stroller to take them for a walk so they could look for “doggies” and “cars” (and, truthfully, so mommy could clear her mind for a moment and think!) We ran into this adorable gaggle of girls…. they recognized the twins from the movie. They asked if I could take a picture (or 5, or 10) of them with the twins, and one of the girls (thanks, Gabby!) emailed me a copy of the pic. Can you stand this cuteness?? (the twins AND the girls?) BOYS…..I have to say….I think this will be what Heaven looks like for you when you are teenagers, no?? 
On a serious note, though, Kindred and I have spoken with several great non-profits in the last week who provide maternal care for mommies in Ethiopia. It has been encouraging to see so many people with such amazing hearts! Hopefully we will have a big announcement in a week or so…..I will tell you one thing. We want to change the world. My boys and their story WILL change the world. I just believe it. How can it not?? I think that when people are made aware of needs that exist, most people’s response is to want to help. To make a difference to someone else. Because at one time or another, we have ALL been that person who needs help. And we will again. Just the nature of this wild ride we call life.
Totally changing subjects here, but William and I were working on a project tonight. I have these wooden letters that spell out all of the kids’ names. (Actually, I bought them after we accepted the twins’ referral, but before they were home with us. Yes, they have just been sitting in the closet. For 1 1/2 years.) I have these great creative ideas, but then it seems like I don’t ever have the time to execute them, you know?? Well, William and I decided to work on them tonight. They have NO hardware on them to attach them to the wall, so we bought these brackets that we thought would work. They have the TINIEST little nails!! It was pretty hilarious watching us work at this. We decided to get tweezers to hold the tiny nails in place with hopes that then a hammer could do the trick. Nope! We have had little, tiny nails flying all over the kitchen. Oh well. It was a bonding moment with my oldest son. Some Mommy-William time. And, maybe ONE day, these letters WILL be on my wall! (And, yes, that lovely pattern on the black drawers behind William are courtesy of Samuel & Asher….didn’t even notice it until my flash went off on the camera….they smeared Danimals Yogurt Drink on my furniture. Yay.)
Sammy & Asher have gone “across the pond”
05 Jun 2012 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: adoption, American Idol, ethiopia, Ethiopian Twins, Hollywood, J-Lo, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Lopez Adoption, Jennifer Lopez Co Stars, JLo Spot, Kaleb, Kirk Jones, oprhans, Rodrigo Santoro, Sunday Mirror, UK, What to Expect When You're Expecting
Sweet story about the twins in the Sunday Mirror (UK) from this past weekend. You go, boys!!
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/what-to-expect-when-youre-expectings-little-848847#
Check Out the Latest People Magazine…On Stands Now!!
26 May 2012 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: adoption, ethiopia, Hollywood, J-Lo, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Lopez Co Stars, Kaleb, orphans, People Magazine, Rodrigo Santoro, twins, What to Expect When You're Expecting Movie
Go grab a copy (or two) !! Check out p. 39……
and grin and enjoy our sweet baby boys
-Kindred, Meredith, Emerson, William, Carson, Samuel & Asher
Fox 5 Atlanta Link, and getting over myself…
25 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: adoption, American Idol, Dr. Aronson, ethiopia, Ethiopian Twins, Fox 5 Atlanta, Heidi Murkoff, Hollywood, Jennifer Lopez, Kaleb, Melissa Fay Greene, orphan, orphanage, WAGA-TV, What to Expect, What to Expect When You're Expecting, WTE
Here is the link to the story done on Fox 5 Atlanta today. (It will air again at noon and 5pm today).
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/18622338/adopted-twins-appear-in-jennifer-lopez-movie
Ok..am I the only one who TOTALLY dislikes seeing themselves in a video, hearing themselves talk , etc?? please tell me I’m not… but, dear Lord, did I actually say “Anywhoo??” Yep. sure did. nice.
I need to get over myself however. Kindred and I fully realize (at least when I am not critiquing myself on TV) that this is NOT about us. This is not about our family. This is not even about Sammy and Asher. We are not Toddlers and Tiaras type of parents (no offense anyone…just not our thing.) We are crazy, sleep-deprived parents of 5 who just want to make a difference in the world. (no pressure, right? Ha!) And, apparently, we are parents who say “Anywhoo” on tv. Sweet.
I thought Tacoma did a great job with the twins’ story. We DO want to get the word out about not only the horrible orphan crisis, but also- and equally as important (if not more so)- the tragedy that befalls so many mommies in developing countries- death during childbirth. It is wrong. It is preventable. It is sad and tragic, and should not be happening as much as it does. And, shame on us if we do not try to speak up for the millions that don’t have a voice….because we have been given a brief window of opportunity to help raise awareness to these incredibly important issues.
So, that said…I just need to get over myself and suck it up. Even if I do say words like “Anywhoo.” Doesn’t matter…what DOES matter is the potential impact our story can have on those who are struggling.
More pics from the movie premiere, and a preschool graduation :)
19 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: adoption, American Idol, Entertainment Tonight, ethiopia, Ethiopian Twins, Family, grauman's chinese theater, Heidi Murkoff, Hollywood, Huffington Post, Jennifer Lopez, JLo Spot, Kirk Jones, Lions Gate Entertainment, Lionsgate, orphans, Premiere, Rodrigo Santoro, What to Expect Movie, What to Expect When You're Expecting
I am not deceived. I fully realize and embrace the fact that people who read this blog really don’t care to “hear” me talk much…..you just want the good stuff. (ESPECIALLY if you are a mommy! No time to read…just show us the pictures, right?)
SO, in honor of that…..here are more pics from the LA premiere of What to Expect When You’re Expecting…
On our way to the premiere…already tired out!
Taking a break from the interview to say hello!
Entertainment Tonight Crew
Outside Grauman’s with our favorite “Baby Wrangler!”
Hi Again, Movie Daddy!
Walking the Carpet…please, God…don’t let me trip!
Asher bored with the whole thing, and our “reality” on the carpet
You mean they have popcorn here??
With Lisa & Lyda, our friends the Assistant Directors… You’re following my blog, right Lyda?!?!
Our stunning Movie Mommy (alright…quit drooling, guys!)
With our friend Heidi Murkoff at the After Party
Well…you knew we had to get this shot, right??
Home in time for my sweet Carson’s preschool graduation!!
WE LOVE YOU CARSON!!! Happy Preschool Graduation!!
Jennifer Lopez Article……Are you kidding me???
06 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: adoption, American Idol, Baby, ethiopia, Family, Hollywood, Jennifer Lopez, orphan
Ok, at the risk of peeing in my pants again (and needing to invest in Depends!), check this out!
A dear friend just brought this article to my attention. My heart is swelling with pride and gratitude. I am blown away. (and I truly just might pee in my pants)
Jennifer Lopez talks about the movie, and when she first held our boys. (It is a little hard to read….just follow the white print)
http://wonderwall.msn.com/music/jennifer-lopez-open-to-adoption-1680348.story
My mind is spinning with the impact these little boys are having. (And I am trying to figure out how to “act cool” getting ready for a Hollywood premiere….any advice??) More later, but just wanted to share this with you all-
Much love,
Meredith
Well….it happened…
01 May 2012 Leave a Comment
Well……it happened. In the last few days, 2 different people stopped my hubby when he was out with the twins and asked if they could have their picture taken with them. (Just the twins- not Kindred. Sorry hun.)
Seriously. I mean, WE know they are awesome and all, but do these people realize that Sammy & Asher still poop in their pants?? They burp at the table (seriously!), throw food across the room, toddle all around our house taking all of our stuff out of EVERY drawer, draw on each other (and our walls!) with permanent marker (again…wish I was joking here) and pee in the bath….. SO Un-Hollywood!! (although, there can probably be a decent argument made that their behavior does resemble a few Hollywood starlets…..but I digress).
Kindred has begun throwing around the idea of charging people for pictures…**totally kidding** however, I think there might be something to that!!
I mean, really……do people realize how incredibly expensive adoption is? If you have adopted, I know you do….if not, it would probably shock you to find out. This could be our opportunity to be financially “stable” with 5 kids! We could finally pay off all of the twins’ medical bills we are still- after a year and a half- paying off!! Yahoo!!
Maybe we could get one of those photo booths and put it on our front lawn. $5 a picture. Or maybe we could get headshots done and have them ”autograph” them with permanent marker…. maybe $10 a pop for those? Love it!
Of course, I am just totally having fun with this….and, truthfully, we are very honored and humbled that people want to meet our sweet boys. Seriously.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed we get invited to the premiere in L.A….(any Lionsgate people out there?? We would love to be there!) We just bought the boys pewter suits for a premiere a friend is putting together in Atlanta the week before the movie opens. Just look at these cool threads….
Can you just imagine how ADORABLE they will look?!?!?! ( I will definitely post pics!!)
