Oh, Summer..

11 Jun 2012 Leave a Comment

by The Howard Family in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ok.  So, I am sure this is not a news flash to anyone, but summer with 5 kids is H.A.R.D.  Just sayin’..

I don’t have the hang of this yet, and I am not ashamed to admit it…..we need advice!  (Any other somewhat large families out there care to lend some wisdom?!?!)

I thought I had this thing down… Last summer, honestly, was a piece of cake compared to the summer of 2012.  The only thing I can figure is now those adorable 12-14 month old twins who could only crawl are now 24 months, and are R.U.N.N.I.N.G. everywhere.. YES, everywhere…..and, I might add—in 2 different directions. Every.Single.Time.(those who have seen us at the pool this summer can attest to this unfortunate fact). Relaxing at the pool??  I think not.

Okay – time for true confessions with Meredith Howard….. I have thought about buying those “leashes” for kids.  Haven’t done it, but have sure thought about it…..how far I have fallen.  Once a mom of one who thought parents who had their kids on a “leash” needed to be scorned. (yes, how quickly I judged!)….now to TOTALLY understanding (and even beginning to embrace) the need for them.  I just don’t know how it is humanly possible for one mommy to keep up with twin toddler boys running in different directions, while keeping an eye on the other 3 (still young, I might add).  When Kindred is with us, it is a no-brainer.  It’s Man-to-Man Defense.   He gets one twin, I get the other.  Easy.  But, by myself?  Ugh.  There HAS to be a better way…. (waiting for a response here from Kate Gosselin or the Duggers).

Anyway, as for our big announcement for the summer: The “Big Kids” and I are GARDENERS now!  Yes, We have a garden!!  Woo-Hoo!!  (we have no idea what we’re doing, mind you..but we now call ourselves gardeners).  Have you seen the movie, What About Bob? I love that movie.  Maybe it’s the psychology major in me, but I love it. It reminds me of the scene where Bob is roped to the pole in the sailboat and gleefully shouts, “I’m a sailor!  I’m sailing!!”  That’s us…we’re GARDENERS!  We’re gardening!!

Here are a few pics of the master gardeners at work this weekend…..enjoy your summer everyone (and please feel free to give me some tips on how to make it through successfully!) ;)

William planting

William planting

L-R William, Carson & Emerson

L-R William, Carson & Emerson

Carson & William working hard

Carson w/dirt in his eye

Growing My Baby Boys…

31 May 2012 6 Comments

by The Howard Family in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Samuel & Asher celebrated their 2nd birthday on Monday. Yep…TWIN TODDLER BOYS in the “TERRIBLE TWOS!”  Can we all take a moment to say a prayer for me to have strength?  (Or we can all sit in a circle and sing Kumbayah ….whatever floats your boat…we just appreciate any support and good wishes you can send our way) ;)

Brothers Lookin' For Trouble!

Brothers Lookin’ For Trouble!

The last 17 months have been a blur.   My house is a wreck.  We are exhausted.  It is HARD WORK growing Ethiopian twin baby boys.  Especially when they had as rough a start as they did.  And when you already had 3 kiddos in the house ( a 3 year old, 5 year old, and 7 year old when we brought the twins home).  Would we do it again?  ABSOLUTELY!!!! (And hope to sooner rather than later…but shhhh!  don’t tell Kindred yet) ;)

Papa called to sing Happy Birthday!

Papa called to sing Happy Birthday!

The 2 year “Well Check” at the pediatrician this week for Sammy & Asher felt like crossing a finish line.  I was waiting for someone to come running out waving a bottle of champagne for us to celebrate.  We did it.  Both are solidly on the charts for height and weight.  Both are healthy, “normal” (whatever that means), thriving children. It is time to potty-train (oh, Dear Lord….) They truly are miracle children. 

Carson & William

Carson & William

Sweet Emmy

Sweet Emmy

If you are an adoptive parent, you can probably relate to a lot of our fears & concerns the first few months home.  It is emotional.  It is a lot of guess work, a lot of tests, a LOT of bloodwork, a lot of doctors visits.  It is physically, emotionally, and financially draining.  It is just hard.   But it is worth it.  SO, a big huge “shout out” to all those mamas out there- both adoptive and biological- who work so hard to give their babies what they need.  You Rock.  And, if I lived closer, I would bring over a bottle of champagne so we can toast each other. 

There is a line in ”What to Expect When You’re Expecting” where one of the dudes says something like,  ” I may be a lackluster husband, but I am an above average father.”  I love that line…..makes me cry everytime.  (yes, I have seen the movie 3 times already!)

Carson & Asher exploring

Carson & Asher exploring

I may be dropping the ball in a whole lot of areas, but I am pretty darn good at growing baby boys.   Happy Weekend, Everyone!

Brothers Chillin'

Brothers Chillin’

Welcome to our blog!

01 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment

by The Howard Family in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , ,

Wow!  Well, where to begin… We are an ordinary family, with an extra-ordinary story.  The story seems to keep unravelling before our very eyes, so we will follow along with you! :)   Please stay tuned, and we will try to update as often as possible….with 5 kiddos ages 8 and under, that might be quite the challenge, but I promise we will do our best.

DISCLAIMER: I (Meredith, aka “Mommy”) will be writing most of these posts… so, please excuse my lack of formality or writing skill.  I am not a professional writer (I leave that to my hubby!), just an average Mommy trying to figure out this “blogging” thing! 

                            Here we are…the entire Howard gang!

(L-R): William(6), Kindred(daddy), Asher(22mos), Emerson(8), Meredith(mommy), Samuel(22mos) and Carson(4).  Whew! ;)

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