The Barton Family Blog

Last week we took the girls to Portland for a {quick} apt and a day out on the town! First we rode the tram up to OHSU. The girls were THRILLED! I think Natalee and Kyah rode 4 or more times by the time the day was done! They were so cute. They were the only voices on the whole ride and they all talked in their high pitched voices for the entire ride! (: At least the tram driver had some entertainment for one of the hundreds of trips he makes each day! a view from the tram at the top: Afterward we headed to lunch at the Spaghetti Factory! We couldn't pass up eating at one of our favorite restaurants while we were here. Natalee announced as we walked through the restaurant... "I LOVE the Spaghetti factory!" I guess it is kinda a place of awe for little ones the first time they visit. It's so beautiful! I can't wait to visit again as Christmas draws near. We love to go for dinner and watch the Christmas ships out the window!

Ok... some of you might think this is dumb... but did any of you play with these little guys as kids?!? I did and I saw them the other day in the store and they are just so stinkin cute!! I must get them for my girls! I adore the Hedgehogs!!! There are lots more... I just want to know - Does anyone else have fond memories of these cute little guys?!

gorgeous girls in the snow! photos by me. photo editing compliments of Mackenzie from Lily Bird Photography! http://www.wix.com/mackenzierice/photography

I just got done telling my girls the story of the 1st Thanksgiving. It was difficult considering the vocabulary words that they aren't familiar with: *Pilgrims *Indians *Europe/Asia *America/United States of America/North America/ South America etc. But I did the best I could in the simplest way possible. I'm not sure if the girls quite followed.. but half was through, Hollie burst out, "Why?!?! Mom? Why??? I love Amer-key-ca!!" I honestly have no idea where that came from! She had no clue what she was saying - but gosh it was sweet!

I am thankful for... Thanksgiving!!! and to prove it to you all... this year I'm going to take pictures! what a novel concept! not like last year ... or the year before ... now Natalee's 1st year ... there's a bunch of pictures [if you haven't figured it out... click the dark brown words for links to other posts from Thanksgivings past!]

I am thankful for... the joy and awe of life -seen through the eyes of a child.

I am so very thankful today - for my Momma! Today is her birthday! Happy Birthday mother-of-mine! I am so very grateful for your friendship and for your prayers over my life. You are a blessing to me every day! Thank you for all you have taught me. You are my inspiration and my closest friend! Your life is a testimony of God changing a broken little girl - and of all the things that God has done to restore the years of brokeness in your life. I am so very thankful that as a 15 year old girl, you walked into a little Baptist church and gave your heart to Jesus. All our lives are blessed because of you! xoxo Hope your birthday is sweet! I love you!!

I am thankful for.. SNOW on the horizon! Here's a glimpse at some pasts snows in our lives.. 2007: 2008:

3 New Christmas Shirts! Thank you Maga!!

I am thankful for... Sundays! -A day of worship -A day of rest -A day with my family -A day before it all starts over again.... Thank you God for inventing Sundays! Can I get an "amen"?!

I am thankful for... a little life that is growing inside of me! (:

I am thankful for my dear friends who have laid down their lives for a great cause. "No greater has any many than this, that He lay down his life for a friend" Tonight a young woman who has become a dear friend through her struggles of being a mother, spoke at our church about the struggles of being a mother, a wife, and a pastor's wife far from home. She spoke of the desire to give up initially, and the heart that God has given her to trust him and believe that God holds her and her family in His palm. She lays her life down, not just for a friend, but for complete strangers that she and her husband hope to reach with the Good News that Jesus forgives and can change lives. And when I think about it... I have so many friends who have given their lives "for the sake of the call" And I am so grateful for them! So too all my friends out there pioneering... THANK YOU!!! I know that I am grateful that you lay down your lives - and there will be so many others tha...

We have been trying to get pregnant for 3 years. This pregnancy is an answer to prayers, and yet I feel that it was all God's timing in the first place. Our adoption is drawing to an end, Naomi & Jason have Kaysea and Michael, and I believe for whatever reason, God wanted me to wait until now to conceive. I started having suspicions a week or more ago. I've had a lot of negative pregnancy tests in three years, so I wasn't in any hurry to share my suspicions, or take a pg test. I knew the longer I waited, the further I'd be along, if I was pregnant. Somehow I convinced myself I'd be less disappointed if my period started, than if I got a BFN (big fat negative) on a test. So I waited. By Thursday, November 18, I was pretty darn sure. But I knew Johnny couldn't keep quiet once I told him, so I waited to tell. Friday afternoon on our way home from Portland, I asked him if he could buy me a pg test on his way home from work that night. He responded non...

I am so very thankful that I have a gym membership! Thankful that through Johnny's layoffs, he has let me keep this membership. My gym is my de-stresser at the end of the day! When I first got Shy and Hollie I knew that would be a HUGE need in my life - and I'm so glad that I still get to go!

of Hollie! This girl pretty much makes it impossible! Even with bribery! Ignore the staff infection on her chin. It's almost healed up - what a pain!

Today I am thankful for... heat! Maybe that sounds trite - but I hate being cold! and I am grateful as much for heat in the winter as a/c in the summer! I am currently wrapped up in a down blanket sitting near the heater waiting for my sweetie to come home from work! (I don't think HEAT would make it on Johnny's top 30 things he's grateful for... so I have to get the house toasty before he gets home!! otherwise I freeze! ha! (: )

Today I am thankful for... a GYM MEMBERSHIP to de-stress after watching a combined total of 8 kids today (including my own!) I feel great now!

I am thankful that Johnny is home with me more through this time in our lives. For many reasons... I am thankful for all his help - I could not have made it through the two weeks w/ Kaysea and Michael without him! He kept me sane! He helps me now as I babysit (Kaysea, Michael, another little 3 month old baby boy, Alyssa & Kyah!!!) various kids on various days! (not all at once hopefully!) I am thankful for the ways he's grown closer to all our girls. As I watch him home more and more with them, their bonds grow stronger and stronger! I am also thankful that we have grown closer over these months. We've had more time together, learning about each other, and growing in understanding of each other. I love you Johnny!

who needs Disneyland when you have this?!? [video]

about Shy??? EDITED TO ADD: Ok! it was a trick question (: She didn't get her ears pierced - she's always had them pierced ever since she came to us - I just re-pierced them yesterday with a pair of earrings! I can't believe it worked! Doesn't she look darling!?!? look closely! (:

I am thankful for a precious church family. Before I came to Corvallis, the Mac church had been my old church. My mom started going there when she was pregnant with me! Moving to Corvallis, I honestly wasn't sure I'd like church here... but I couldn't have been more wrong. I LOVE my church. I love the precious friendships forged here... and I love that we all are in it together. We all know what it's like to be a pioneer church - and we all know how precious every soul is. I like to think that going to a small pioneer church helps you have more of God's heart in you - I know I value every soul that walks through that door. Where as in a larger church, you can take those precious people for granted. Thank God for the precious gift He has given me in my church family!

Cutie girls! I am so in love with fall leaves this year! I can't get them out enough for my own happiness! MUST. HAVE. MORE. PICTURES!! Aren't they cute?!?!

If you have a little one under the age of 4 - head on over to Patti Rice's blog for a sweet giveaway just in time for Christmas! If you don't have a little one, head on over anyway, leave a comment, and when you win - you can give it to me! PERFECT! Check out her sweet blog: Letters to her Lily www.babynumber10.blogspot.com

Such a be-u-ti-ful time of year!

Today I am thankful for.. the roof over my head. my husband probably won't believe me on this one - because yes, it is crowded, and yes, I would like to live in a house. really. I would. but I am thankful. God has taken care of us and provided for us every step of our way. He has helped us to make ends meet each and every month. and he has given us a hope in a mansion He has gone to prepare for me. Who needs a house!? I've got a mansion waiting baby! in the meantime, I'm grateful that we have a 3 bedroom we call home, with 2 bathrooms so we never have to wait (ha!) and a roof over our heads!

I am thankful for Jason & Naomi - also Kaysea & Michael. God has blessed me with my sister near-by. He has blessed Johnny & I with built-in friends right here in our apt. complex... And He blessed M&K with great foster parents! I am so happy that it worked out with Jason and Naomi to take K&M. God is opening doors everywhere for Jason & Naomi. I can't wait till we know just WHO their kids will be! In the meantime, we know M&K have Christian foster parents who love them and bless them and pray for them! I couldn't've (is that a word???) have asked for more for these sweet kids!

I am thankful for... the sweet words that come out of the mouth of babes. they remind me every day what my focus should be and who is Number 1 in our lives. Today: Natalee: "Jesus is in love with us!" We always say, Jesus loves me, or Jesus loves us - but tonight I think Natalee worded it the very very best!

I have officially merged my two blogs! "Our Hope" has been deleted and every post has been merged (by date) with this blog. Thank you for journeying with me - through the anguish of not knowing, to the joy of the girls being [almost] ours! It was a roller-coaster ride. When I look back now and read my old posts... wow.... but now that I know the end of the story... All I can say is God is so very very good. Please take a few minutes to read the post below this one. It has been on my heart the past few days and I felt a need to share. Thanks! Danielle

Yesterday while at Indoor Park, a lady was questioning me on which kids were mine (out of all the kids in the park), how old the girls were etc. There are days when Johnny and I get tired of people asking (Johnny, more than me, I tend to take it in stride more... ) She was nice enough and gushed when she found out we were adopting. But then I overheard her explaining my family to another mom whose children were playing at the park. She said something to the extent of, "That's her daughter (pointing to Natalee) and those two are not hers. They will be soon because she's adopting them." Of course the lady didn't mean anything by it, and if I was one of the think-on-your-toes kind of people, I know exactly what I would have rebutted with, but alas, I am not. And so I said nothing, attempting to not let it bother me. But here I am tonight thinking about that woman's words. I AM MY GIRLS' MOM. No question in my mind. No question in their minds either. And ...

Thankful for nights snuggled on the couch, surrounded by books, and my girls. It's definitely the simple things in life that mean the most!

Today I am so very thankful... That my father-in-law is going to be ok. He has had a rough month and a half fighting a nasty yeast that threatened to take over his spinal fluid. When it started they sent him home with a migrane, then a few days later, changed his diagnosis to Viral Meningitis, which then progressed to him being admitted into the ICU when they discovered this deadly (if not caught and treated in a timely manner) yeast. It has been a long hard month + for my FIL. He has lost 40 lbs and has had to undergo some intense treatments daily. Yesterday he finally ate a good amount of food and last I heard he had even gained 3 lbs! John, I don't know that you ever read my blog, but I just wanted you to know that you are so very very loved and I am so very glad that you are making progress in the positive direction! Praise God. He is so faithful to hear our prayers. There have been a lot of people praying for you and I believe God used Amber to push the doctors which led...

I am thankful for... this gorgeous October & November we've had. The weather is making up for a terrible summer and I am soaking it up!! LOVE IT!

I am thankful for... God's provision in these lean months. God is so faithful to provide and help us make ends meet. A little job here, a seasonal job there. Extra babysitting, a short-term stint at Little Beavers. God has been faithful through these months where plumbing jobs have been scarce. I am so thankful that we can rely on Him to provide for our family. "Jehovah Jira: my provider. The Lord will provide"

I'm am thankful for... The sound of laughter. Somedays it is the best medicine. Hearing my girls laugh and enjoy having each other brightens my day.

I am thankful for... Hollie May Barton Sweet Hollie May, the baby in the family. Hollie is talking up a storm these days. I love all her little sayings and phrases. Hollie loves to play imaginary. She is so growing in her ability to imaginative play, sometimes I have to remind myself that she's not 3! She plays right along with the big girls like she's their same age! Hollie is always excited about life. When she's trying to tell you something that excites her, her old baby language resurfaces. It's like she's trying to talk so fast, she has to fill in with some jibberish just to get all the words out fast enough! While Hollie a 100% a daddy's girl, she does love her momma too. She snuggles me and lets me rock her and I enjoy every minute I have with my "baby"! I am so thankful that God brought Hollie to me. Now I simply can not imagine my life without her. God knows what He's doing when we don't have a clue. Thank you God for my swee...

a-tootie-ta (shy looks a little dazed and confused because she isn't in Natalee's class and didn't learn the song. She's just trying to learn it) a-tootie-ta part 2

I am thankful for... Natalee Grace Barton My sweet little original Barton baby - now my middle child. Natalee brings joy to my days with her witty little brain and her love for life. She always has some funny little saying that she comes up with that makes my smile. A few weeks back, she was laying in bed next to me and I was trying to ignore her so she'd go to sleep. She started playing with my hair as I lay there, eyes closed. Suddenly her sweet little voice pipes up, (I wish you could hear the tone!) "Ooo... your bangs are A-dor-able!!" (; I couldn't stop laughing! Natalee has an incredible memory. She remembers entire songs, books, words from the radio, people's names her momma can't recall... She is a little sponge right now - soaking up life, letters and language. I'm sure she'll be reading before she's five. I am so grateful that God blessed me w/ Natalee at a low time in my life. She was and will always be my sunshine on a rainy day!

I am thankful for... Shyanne Lynne Barton My oldest baby, Shyanne. So crazy to think that she is almost 4 years old. Shyanne is full of love and she's deeply able to convey that love. She gives fierce hugs, don't-let-me-go type hugs that make you not want to let go. She is quick to say she's sorry and it always must be accompanied by hugging and holding and kisses sometimes. She's a total character - coming up with crazy stories created in her vivid imagination. She has little ways of saying things with a smack of her lips that lets you know she KNOWS what she's talking about - no matter how insane it sounds! (: I am so very thankful that God brought Shyanne into my life that crazy July day. Little did I know how fiercely I would love this little girl back - and how big my heart would grow to hold the love I feel!

I am thankful for... Johnny. I seriously scored when I married Johnny. Patti always said he was the male version of me, and I don't know if that's true - but I know he sure is the right one for me. (and he's dang cute!!!!) Johnny is an incredible husband and provider for our family. He willingly has commuted 3 hours round trip for the last 5 years, working in Portland and NEVER ever complained. He faithfully would get up at 3:30, 4, 4:30 am, and drive all that way - wiped, exhausted often from late nights of school - getting home at 11pm. And yet he was faithful to do what it took to provide for our family. There was never a question of whether or not I would stay home, he has always made a way to make ends meet so that I could stay home with our baby - now babies! Johnny has a heart of gold. When I brought up the idea of doing foster care, he was all in. He jumped in w/ both feet and never looked back. When we got the call for Shy & Hollie, he said YES! When I a...

I stole this idea from another blog - but I like it! 30 days of thanksgiving. So often my thanksgiving post is an afterthought, written hurredly on Thanksgiving day, "o ya, I'm so thankful". And not to discredit that - but I am looking forward to being thankful for 30 different things, one each day for this month. Yes I am a couple days late. So I will catch up here - and co-inside the date w/ the day that I am writing about. So w/o further ado... Day 1 - I am thankful for... my salvation. It may sound trite, and I admit deep emotional thought is hard for me to convey in writing w/o feeling like I sound cheesy - but God's gift of Salvation is the number one thing that I am thankful for. God demonstrated His love toward me, that while I was a sinner, He loved me and gave His son for me. Knowing that I had the choice to accept or reject this free gift. God gave anyway. That just blows me away. God loved me before I ever loved Him. And He gave the ultimate sacrifice, Hi...

Things I'm loving right now include: darling little mary janes bought from a resale shop for $5 Johnny's birthday gift this year. lattes. mochas. hot chocolate. steamers. yum! seemingly complicated hair styles that look so darling on my girls. I seriously make them late to school most days just to make sure their hair it just so - it's just a obsession of mine Fall leaves. I know this is a dumb pic. but just you wait!! I found the most gorgeous setting for some fall pictures! can't wait!!! loving life. loving being a mommy. loving having my hubby home days (miss him in the evenings.... but days have been so fun to go out around the town and have him help with the kiddos!)