The Barton Family Blog

Walked by Natalee's room today - she's sitting on her bed, looking at her children's bible and flipping the pages. Hollie & Kyah were her audience. Natalee: "This is Noah. He built the ark because God made it rain and all the animals went on the boat!" turns page. "This is Ruth & Naomi. NOT JASON and Naomi. Ruth and Naomi" turns page. "Jonah and the whale. Ate him all gone, because he didn't obey God!! He ate him all gone because he didn't listen!" turns page. "Goliath and David. David knocked him over with his rocks! ." turns page. [Ezekiel and the dry bones] "These are bones. The bones are all over!" Made my heart just ache with love to hear her telling these stories! I wish you could hear her little voice. Next time you see me, ask me to play them for you from my phone. I wish I could figure out how to send video. My phone says it's too big of a file to send! ):

check out her outfit! Kyah's socks... or maybe one of Kyah's socks and one of someone elses.... Kyah's shoes.... diaper.... that's it. She knows she's beautiful! She picked the outfit out herself!

if Mom's going to take FOREVER to get us dressed.... I guess we'll just start playing!!

a pool full of beans... not too exciting right? wrong... if I added up all the time they've spent playing in this sandbox-turned swimming pool - turned bean sensory table - hours.... upon hours. Every time a friend comes over they HAVE to take them outside and show their new play toy. Yes she's in a diaper. No pants. She woke up from her nap, and rushed right outside wanting to play!! Goofy girl!

I forgot how much I love Johnny w/ babies... LOVE LOVE LOVE him! He was trying desperately to make eye contact so she would smile...

THIS little doll.... ...went home to Wyoming. It was o-so-fun to have her for 6 days. Just so so sweet... we miss her sweetness. I saw the little dress Shy has on and just loved it... I could picture how blue her eyes would look in it. Then I saw the other two dresses, and the little mini one for Kaitlynn. I couldn't resist! (: They were only $6! Here's an attempt of a 4-some pic! It didn't work very well!! Natalee woke up early from her nap and snuck an extra Kaitlynn holding-session. A picture w/ both of them smiling is PRICELESS! Natalee, to put it mildly, wants a baby, SO BAD.

Hired a baby sitter. Drove to Salem. Sat in the waiting room for 30 minutes. Answered 5 question. 10 minutes max. Drove home. The questions: Why do you want to adopt the girls? What do you like about the girls? Do you plan on doing Foster Care after you adopt the girls? What are your plans for connection between the siblings after they are adopted? etc. etc. My certifier from Benton County didn't show up to the meeting - so we must wait for his approval before we can have the final approval. Hopefully we will know by Tuesday!

I did things a little different w/ Hollie's birthday party. We were planning on a family bbq w/ Johnny's family so I thought I could also do a party for some of her biological family, Aunt, Siblings, Grandma & Grandpa etc. Friday morning we all met at Corvallis Indoor Parks. The kids played hard and enjoyed the variety of activities. Opening presents was a little chaotic - we had to do it in 3 parts so Grandma, Jen, Kyah etc.could watch their presents be opened, Hollie is a baby fanatic right now! That said, if anyone who asked me what to get her for her birthday, I didn't say a baby because we seriously have 20! Needless to say, Hollie got 5 babies for her birthday plus 2 barbies! ha. She was in HEAVEN! This face says it all... She loved that each one came w/ a sippy and/or bottle Mommy, of course was grateful for the clothes & hair ties! Such a blessing! My little 2-year-old!

Smilin' Shy "hurray" says Hollie Grinnin' Girl - Natalee 3 little cuties all in a row!

...LOVE having a baby in the house... I have to keep Kaitlynn up out of their reach or they practically maul her! Helping , of course! So... what to they do when K is out of reach?? Play baby! With all the new fun toys Mommy has spread here and there. I love how they play mommies. It's just too sweet! Hollie is sooo very into it right now. I walked into the living room and she had her baby on this play mat and she was laying on her tummy talking to her baby. I grabbed my camera, but missed the picture because my batteries were on the charger. When I came back, they were all playing w/ their babies on the play gym. Mini-mommies! I loaned my bouncer & swing out to friends so this morning was a bit tricky. I had to put K somewhere out of reach while I got ready and while I got the girls ready. The high chair seemed to be her fav. I know she looks a little grumpy in the picture but she was perfectly content to sit and watch Johnny & I rush around tying up lose ends, trying...

Once again, adjusting to a new normal... a new, very short term normal. Kaitlynn joined us Friday evening for a 2-3 day stay before being transported back to her home state. We are thrilled to have a baby in the house, even if just for a short time!

watch out! It's contagious! Seriously. On any given day, if you dropped by my house, you'd find my shoes SCATTERED throughout the house. Randomly placed. Lost. 1 here. another there. I think my husband just thinks I kick different pairs off all day long in random rooms! ha. These girls are into my shoes allllllllll day long! It's so cute! I wish I captured it on camera more often.... it's become the norm around here!

are you jealous? I know I am! (:

This is a terrible picture.. but a cute story!! Hollie wanted to wear her Princess Dress from Aunt Amber so she decided to put it on herself! Only problem these are the bloomers that go UNDER the dress! ha ha She was so proud of herself! (:

good thing we have quite the assortment of dresses! (:

The girls call these dresses their princess dresses. Natalee has been demanding that she wear a "princess" dress every day which usually means one of her fancy Christmas dresses, wedding dress, etc.... but today they donned these dresses and I had to peel them off at bedtime (w/ Natalee requesting to wear them again tomorrow!) They are so sweet together!!

Feeling blessed beyond what I could have asked or imagined. Giving thanks for my own mother’s example, love, humility, strength, and sacrifice. Being grateful for a mother-in-law who embraces our family, gives from her heart, and who raised a son who loves us unconditionally. Celebrating other godly examples of mothers in my life who I admire greatly and who teach me much through their own display of grace. and Striving to become a better mother and wife to my 3 precious girls!

... to why we're laughing!

Hollie's birthday fell during our sick week. We were supposed to go to Monmouth on Saturday for a "bye-bye April" bbq & to celebrate Aunt Autumn, Aunt April & Hollie's birthdays... But the girls were sick... so we didn't go.... and we missed AUTUMN GETTING ENGAGED!!!! ): sad.... (congrats Auttie & Zach!!) Sunday Maga & Paga came down to bring Hollie her birthday presents & April came by to say good-bye - she's heading to work in Yellowstone for the Spring/Summer/Fall. April got Hollie a cute little summer outfit! (She's already worn the capris April! So cute!) Aunt Amber & Uncle Jesse got her a princess dress & a very popular puzzle!!! And... the Elmo toy topped them all! She's sooo into Elmo right now (: Thank you Aunties & Uncles & Maga & Paga!! More Hollie-ness to come as she gets better. She still is fighting that dumb virus!

anything. everything. whatever makes them happy.... Even when "washing" dishes involves completely drenching your clothes, the counter, the cabinets & the floor! Hey, if it keeps them happy for 10 minutes.... woo hoo! P.S. Yesterday I let her take 2 showers. ha. It makes her happy!!