Wordless Wednesday

Well, this week's Wordless Wednesday takes a break from my usual subjects (the boys).  Instead these are pictures of a visitor we had in our back yard a while ago (these pictures were also held prisoner on the camera during The Great Battery Hunt).  Although we have firmly made up our minds to move and are quite excited about it, the pictures below detail something we will miss about living so far out.  Oh well, give a little get a little I guess.  In this case we will give a little of the friendly woodland creatures out here in Cypress and get a little, actually a lot, closer to the city!

A bunny!  I was doing some work about 2 weeks ago when I noticed Lucy going crazy at the back door.  Went I went to see what was up I saw our little friend!  I called the boys down to see it and they were thrilled!  

 Since this time he has come back to visit twice more but we haven't seen him in about a week.  Probably because I finally mowed the back yard and he didn't find it to be a comforting meadow anymore!  :)  Oh well, I keep hoping he will return!

Earning Their Keep

Well, today marks a momentous occasion in Drosche Land.  Today was the day we implemented chores for the boys.  Yes, that's right, as the title of the post says, we are making the boys earn their keep!  Well, really we are just trying to teach them responsibility and money management while we reap the benefits of delegating some of our tasks to them!  It's nothing big right now, but you have to start somewhere right?  Braeden has 4 chores a day since he is 4 and so obviously Jack has 2 chores a day.  We will add a chore per year until they max-out at age 5.  Over the years these chores will change and become more complicated to reflect their age, abilities, and level of responsibility.  A pretty good plan huh?  Well, we can't take total credit for it since it is heavily based in what we learned through FPU with Dave Ramsey.  Once they both get a little older we intend on beginning his kid's program with them.  But baby steps for now.

Each day they are responsible for their chores and if they complete them (with minimal reminding) they get a sticker for that day's chore.  Sunday night we will tally the stickers earned that week and pay them.  Yes, we are actually giving them an allowance, but technically they are working and we are paying them for the jobs they do for the family (again based upon Dave's principles).  Right now they are getting .15 a chore which, if you add it up (or take my word for it) adds up to about $4 a week for Braeden and $2 a week for Jackson.  I have to give Amy credit for how much, it was her idea and she came up with dividing it out equally to get to a dollar per age (gotta love her number-oriented mind!).  Again, over time this total amount (as well as the individual chore amount) will change depending upon age and complexity of the task, some chores will be worth more than others.  Yes, again based upon Dave's principles (I told you I couldn't take credit for it all).  What I can take credit for is the chart that I created!  I've attached it below because I'm that proud of it and just to show it off!  


I know what you're thinking.  What are you expecting a 4 and a 2 year old to do?  Well, funny you should ask, I was just getting to that.  Braeden is responsible for daily: 1 - putting away toys, 2 - taking his dinner plate to the kitchen counter, 3 - making his bed, and 4 - using respectful language.  Jackson has the chores of: 1 - putting away toys and 2 - taking his dinner plate to the kitchen counter.  See, nothing too complicated or difficult, but all aimed at teaching responsibility.  So far so good though for Day 1.  Jack has earned both of his stickers for the day and Braeden has 2 left, with all signs pointing toward the other 2 being earned before bed!  Right now excitement is high about the stickers and the money so we will see how long that lasts.  Amy and I are hoping that the excitement at least makes it until the chores become habit but we'll see.  


All is well, with everyone doing their share, in Drosche Land.

The famous chore chart (I'll pause for your applause!)

Eye Spy!

Well, summer is the time for relaxation and vacations, but it is also the time to squeeze in those appointments and check-ups that there never seems time for during the school year.  Such was the case a little more than a week ago with Braeden.  At his 4-year check-up his doctor, Dr. Kinalska (she is amazing) and one of the nurses, noted that his left eye did not track correctly.  Instead it seemed to go outward slightly.  This is something that Amy and I have noticed occasionally but not quite enough to worry about.  However, after the occurence at the doctor we were encouraged to see a specialist about it, better sooner rather than later despite how small it may seem.  So we made an appointment for the summer, when we would actually have time to go.


So, Monday the 14th we went to see an ophthalmologist.  Yeah, I could have just said eye doctor, but ophthalmologist is so much more fun to say!  Say it - ophthalmologist!  See, told you.  Anyway, he was super nice and Braeden did very well.  However, the doctor was not able to observe the problem himself but made a diagnosis based upon the referral from Braeden's doctor and our stories.  Intermittent Exotropia.  Sound cool huh?  Basically his eye moves outward rather than tracking correctly.  Commonly noticed at this age and not much to worry about.  It could develop further and require treatment or it could not.  We will just have to wait and see.  No worries, we were actually completely unalarmed by it!  So we will just continue to monitor it and make a follow-up appointment in about a year - sooner if it becomes more noticeable.  I have to admit, I thought it would be kind of cool if he got to wear one of those cool pirate patches, but that wasn't necessary right now.  Oh well.  I would have been cool to have a ready-made theme for a Halloween costume! 


Well, why write about Braeden's seemingly miniscule eye problem you might ask?  Well, in addition to the fact that it is just one of our many adventures here in Drosche Land, it got me thinking about the adoption again, the Waiting Child Program in particular.  Not only do Amy and I feel we have been called to adopt a special needs child, I've blogged about that before, but this is an example of how a "special need" does not mean much at all.  Did we choose to have Braeden's vision "problem"?  No.  Does it affect the way we love him?  No.  Had we known he was going to have this "problem" would we have been upset?  No.  Notice I said "problem" rather than problem.  It's all in how you view things (vision pun intended).  This relatively small "problem" is quite likely very similar to the reason that many children are on the Waiting Child list now.  However, does this slight "problem" deem them unloveable?  NO!  Granted, I'm not naive, I am well aware that there are children on the Waiting Child List that have needs far greater than this, but it is a good example of how something small can be termed "special needs" when in fact it just makes them who they are.  We are, after all, fearfully an wonderfully made.  Technically both of the boys are already special needs since they were both born pre-term and have had respiratory problems.  I wouldn't trade them for anything! 

Amy and I have already discussed, at length, the needs we will be capable of handling and caring for and we are very realistic.  This whole issue with Braeden's vision just got me thinking about it all and has really confirmed in my heart that we are not only doing what we have been called to do, but that we are doing the right thing for our family.  It also has further excited me.  But alas, that awful, yet realistic, w-word (wait) has come into play.  I'm ok with that.  Hold on while I step down from my soap box.  Maybe my post got a little preachy but maybe not.  Regardless it is just one of the many adventures we are a part of!

All is well, we can clearly see that, here in Drosche Land.  

Batting 1,000

Well, judging by the little visitor counter on the right-hand side of the blog sometime between yesterday's posts and today we reached 1,000 hits!  Woo hoo!  I'm excited, it's the little things.  Now this means one of two things.  Either a lot of people are coming and visiting once and never again, or a few people are viewing it constantly, eagerly awaiting new posts!  Either was I'm happy.  I know what you're thinking, "What about when you log on, doesn't that count?".  Nope, when I set the counter up I made it so that it ignores my computer (it works, I've tried it!).  I also programmed it to wait a few hours before a visitor becomes "unique" again.  I thought this would give a more realistic picture of who is visiting.  Yes I know, I'm a little obsessive about it all.  But hey, I like it.  I have really enjoyed this blog.  Not only is it fun, but I think that it's a great idea to share our adventures here with family and friends.  So, I will celebrate this milestone by, well by blogging about it I guess.  The next milestone I am looking forward to is 100 posts.  This makes #79 so that celebration should come sometime this summer.  Get your party hats, confetti, and champagne ready!  :)  Happy reading!

All is well, and welcoming visitors (repeat and unique), in Drosche Land.

Wordless Wednesday (THE SEARCH IS OVER!)

Woo Hoo!  The search is over - on several accounts actually!  Ok, so I was looking through the pictures I have and I suddenly remembered that when I was cleaning out our aptly named junk drawer in the kitchen the other day I came across 2 AA batteries!  It didn't hit me then, obviously or we wouldn't have had today's posts, so I put them with the rest of our batteries (mainly usless AAA and D batteries).  But I digress.  Anyway, I remembered I had found them and as luck would have it they worked!  So I quickly connected the camera to the computer and rescued the photos of our first splash adventure of the summer!  But hold your applause, there's more.  Not only have I found 2/3 of the things I have been searching for, but also I started thinking about what could I post about.  Ideas began to flow.  See there is value to the posts tagged as "Random" (i.e. "Searching") and the ones where I declare Blogger's Block!  I always say it helps to talk (or in this instance write) your problems out, it often leads to understanding and solution as is the case today!  Woo hoo!  So, here are the much anticipated (or at least I would like to belive the one or two people who read this have much anticipated them) release of the photos I have been talking about.  I will save the post topics for tomorrow, although I think I may write the ideas down.  But I digress, here are the pictures!  Enjoy!  I know we have been having a blast splashing around in the back yard!  Who needs a pool anyway?  :)

Although excited they were hesitant at first because the water was a bit cold

They soon got over that!

 They (ok me too!) loved this cool Buzz Lightyear rocket that Braeden got for his 4th birthday!  Thanks Tooie!

Amazingly enough they peacefully took turns launching it!

Jack loves to jump/dive head first into the pool!

 Splash, splash, splash!  Fun, fun fun!

Searching

"For what?" you might ask.  Well the answer is pictures.  Yes, as I am sure you could guess I still have yet to replace the batteries for the camera, thus further imprisoning fun photos.  So I have begun to scour my iPhoto and my iPhone for previously unreleased photos for today's Wordless Wednesday post.  I can't fully blame the lack of batteries solely on budgetary reasons any longer.  The truth boils down to my forgetfulness (at this Amy is either shaking her head "yes", saying "AMEN!" or both).  So, until I can get my act together and remember to either get some temporary regular batteries or a new set of rechargeable ones, I bear the punishment of photo hunting.  Truth be told though that is not always a bad thing, I do enjoy going through pictures and reminiscing so I'll look on the bright side of the bed I've made and enjoy it!  

I guess the title of this post could also be eluding to the need for something to blog about since lately I am also experiencing Blogger's Block again.  I thought for sure summer would bring a wealth of things to talk about, what with all the free time and fun things.  However, I am often finding myself at a loss of things to discuss.  Weird I know, "speechless" is not typically an adjective one would use to describe me.  But alas that's how I feel.  So, while I search for photos maybe I will also search for topics?  Who knows, maybe I'll find both.  I know you are waiting with bated breathe for both - no worries I will find them both I'm sure!  Until then though the search continues!  Hopefully I will return later with at least one, hopefully both, of the things I'm searching for!

All is well, and on the hunt, in Drosche Land.  

Father's Day

Well, today's was Father's Day and it was a great one.  I have to say though, as nice as it is to have a day all about me (AWESOME) I have to give credit to the people who make it possible to be a father - the boys and Amy.  They made my day wonderful.  Presents, hugs, kisses, constantly telling me "Happy Father's Day", and eating at La Finca - our favorite restaurant.  It was fun.  All day I kept thinking about the birth of the boys and how crazy and different our lives are now that we are parents.  However, no matter how busy, hectic, or crazy our lives get I wouldn't change it for anything.  Just one smile from them melts me and everything is totally worth it.

This Father's Day was also different because it is the first once since we have fully decided on our adoption adventure!  So of course my mind was filled with all the thoughts of what lies ahead for our newest addition.  It is still so long away, but I know (and desperately hope) that the time will fly by and before we know it we will be welcoming our little daughter into our arms, lives, and hearts.

So, the boys are now in bed (quiet so hopefully they are asleep) and all is quiet and calm.  Time now to relax and enjoy the remainder of the evening with my beautiful wife.  The day, my day, is over.  But I close it in peace and comfort.  Happy with my role as a father, enjoying the blessings (stinkers though they be!) that God has given me and awaiting the ones that have yet to come!

All is well, with one proud Papa, in Drosche Land.  

The Father's Day picture Amy took for me this morning!  Love my boys!

Wii Love Sports!

Well, as you can probably tell from the title of this post we have been playing the Wii a lot now that summer is in full swing.  The boys are finally old enough and to the point where they can play by themselves and they love it.  Right now their favorite thing to do is to play Wii Sports - baseball in particular.  This is the easiest for them since it does not involve button-pressing and moving.  Braeden, however, taught himself how to work the remote in order to pause, restart, and select.  So it may not be too long before they are broadening their athletic video game abilities.  They really want to try bowling, but I must confess, I do not have the patience yet to try and teach them how to use the remote for that.  I know once they get it they will have no problem, it's just the probability of a frustrating learning process that has me holding out.  But luckily for now they are content with baseball only.  They are actually really cute when playing, Jack especially.  He has a funny little grunt when he pitches and spends most of the time he plays yelling "Yeah Baby!" and "Did you saw that?!).  I would love to say I have pictures, which I do, but they are trapped on the camera since we still do not have any replacement batteries.  However, there are some, as well as an adorable video on Facebook.  Ahhh, I love Facebook, but I digress.  We did finally have the bright idea to set a timer for them, 30 minutes, when they play.  This keeps things in order and makes for way less drama when it is time to stop!  It may also be time to bust out the Cars game again since we had dinner at the Lytle's house on Tuesday where the boys played a Mario racing game and loved it.

My favorite part of the Wii you ask?  Well, I would have to be honest and say using it to access our Netflix and watch the instant movies/TV shows.  That is why I am totally addicted to Weeds now!  Plus I just love watching movies and now the ability to do so whenever I want is almost too much joy to withstand, but I manage! :)  Although I do enjoy Wii Sports as well, particularly bowling and tennis.  I'm not too terribly bad at either actually.  Of course I have put off starting up Wii Fit again.  I'm not ready to confront the little guy that runs it and get on the board/scale just yet.  I know I have about 10 pounds to lose but that little computer is a taskmaster and I have a tendency toward laziness (you're shocked I know!).  Hopefully next week I will begin again.  We'll see (Amy is now rolling her eyes!).

So, now that summer is here we actually have the time for the fun and recreational things that the school year tends to unintentionally forbid.  Wii time being one of them.  It is fun to watch and play, although I have to admit it is kinds of bittersweet to watch the boys play because it makes you realize exactly how fast (too fast!) they are growing up!  But for now we will focus on the fun aspect of it.  That and of course me working up the courage to face my Wii Fit Instructor!  Yikes!

All is well, Wii are loving summer, here in Drosche Land.

Wordless Wednesday - Again on A Thursday

Well, everyone has gone to school this morning and I am just sitting back and enjoying my coffee and I suddenly realized I didn't post last night!  I finished my homework early but then we got hooked (again) on watching Weeds on Netflix and I completely forgot.  That show is awesome and addictive!  So, here is this week's Wordless Wednesday.  Nope, I don't have batteries for the camera yet so the splashing pictures remain imprisoned.  Luckily though I have some more pictures I found last week when cleaning out my Hotmail email.  They are from a special day Braeden's teacher organized at the end of the school year.  It started in the morning with Donuts with Dad and then continued in the afternoon with Tea with Mom.  I was able to attend the entire thing thanks to a great friend and coworker who covered my class (thanks Lori!)  Here are the pics, it was a fun time!  Enjoy!

B

Braeden and I had a great time!

I

 I found out that Braeden enjoys (and is quite good at) puzzles!

Braeden & Mommy!

Storytime with Mommy!

6

Years that is, today is our 6th Anniversary!  Wow, it is hard to believe that it has been 6 years already.  It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the milestone of 5 years with one of my most romantic actions ever - the re-creating of our wedding cake topper.  Yeah, I did good!  :)  But this year came with less frills, but was special nonetheless.  Due to budget constraints (in order to hit our Debt Snowball hard) we decided to forego cards and presents.  That also meant no eating out or special date this year.  Instead, we just spent the day at home relaxing as a family.  As luck would have it though we were cleaning up and came across two old gift cards, both with remaining balances.  So, we took them to the grocery and bought items to cook a special dinner.  Amy made fondue, and I must say it was the best fondue she has made - EVER!  We also had some delicious rosemary chicken and smashed potatoes.  So, we did end up having something different and special after all.  Other than that though we relaxed and watched the US vs. England World Cup game, which I surprisingly was interested in.  It was a tie game in case you missed it, which threw me for a loop, since when is no winner a good thing?  However a friend explained it all via Facebook (thanks Daniel) and now not only am I all up to date with my knowledge, but am actually looking forward to the next game(s)!  Weird huh?  Maybe soccer is my sport?  Maybe I'm just all caught up with World Cup fever?  I'm leaning toward the latter, but you never know.




But I digress.  Today was a special day.  A day when I personally give thanks for my wonderful wife and everything she means to me.  I'd be lost without her and am lucky to have her.  So frills or no, Fogo de Chao (our special occasion splurge restaurant) or eating at home, gifts or none; I'm just happy to spend the day with my true love.  That's what today is all about anyway right?  Right!  Below are some of my favorite pictures from our wedding.  Man we look so young, but I guess we were!  Ahhhh the memories!  Enjoy!
 
All is well, entering our 7th year, in Drosche Land.

 This is my favorite picture of Amy ever!

Amy and her bridesmaids

Me and my groomsmen

The Wedding Party

Both of our families all together!

Our first picture together as a married couple!

Leaving the reception - one of my favorites!

Recharge

Well, since I finally got to mow the lawns yesterday, well at least 3/4 of the back yard before the mower ran out of gas, today was the first day the boys got to splash around outside!  Luckily I began mowing the back yard beginning with the portion closest to the house!  How clever am I huh?  I figured the mower would run out of gas, it's been low for a while, and I wanted to be sure they could get out to splash and play.  See, who says I can't think/plan ahead?  Guess I should have employed that thinking/planning ahead to getting gas though.  But anyway, I digress.  I filled up the pool, with two very anxious boys peering out the back door at me, urging me on.  Then I opened up the new water toy Braeden got for his birthday, thanks Tootie!  It's a Buzz Lightyear rocket that attaches to a water hose so it shoots up into the air when the water is turned on!  I, oops I mean the boys, really loved it.  Lastly I dressed the boys in their swimsuits and lathered them up with sunscreen.  By the time I let them out into the back yard they were practically vibrating with eagerness!  Needless to say a blast was had by all.  Running, jumping, splashing, playing with the new toy; it was a fun and wet hour.  Where, you might ask, are the pictures of this fantastic welcome to summer?  What, you may also be asking, does this have to do with the post title of "Recharge"?  Well, everything!  It seems our rechargeable batteries for the camera have finally thrown in the towel.  Luckily I was able to get some (hopefully) cute pics before they died.  I shouldn't really complain though.  Those batteries were at least 3 years old, at my best guess, and possibly older.  Sadly though the photographic evidence of today's fun are trapped on the camera until we can buy new batteries or I can scrounge up 2 AA batteries from somewhere around the house (watch out remotes!).  They were going to be the subject of next week's Wordless Wednesday, but I do have some back-up photos that have never before been shared to fall back on. 

So, now the summer-long question of where to store their inflatable kiddie pool begins???  I truly to not want to deflate and re-inflate it countless times and I really did want the boys to splash at least twice a week.  I need a bigger garage, or one of those neat storage sheds for the back yard!  (Amy is rolling her eyes at this!  :) )  But I digress again.  Dead batteries and captive pictures withstanding, today's splashing adventure was a success!  I even put on my swimsuit in an effort to cool off and work on my tan (sorry no pics of that were taken!  HA!).  We will definitely be splashing more often, something cheap and easy to enjoy during the summer!  Hopefully the quarantined pics, and more future ones, will be forthcoming.  Until then, take my word for it - it was awesome!

All is well, and splashtacular, in Drosche Land. 

Wordless Wednesday

I was cleaning out my email inbox today and came across these pictures of the boys that were taken at Trinity for their Easter celebration at school.  I thought that they were super cute, plus both of them are smiling for the camera (always a toss up for these two) Thanks Dana for sending them.  Enjoy!

 Happy Easter from Jack!

 Happy Easter from Braeden

SOS

Well, when we were building the house and going through the process of picking everything out, eliminating the bathtub in the master bath in favor of an extra large stand up shower seemed like a good idea.  Key word - seemed.  However, nobody told us how difficult they were to keep clean, particularly the glass doors.  So, it has been a battle for the past 2 1/2 years to keep the doors sparkly clean.  A battle, I'm afraid to say, I have not been winning.  So, the first definition of SOS stands for "save our shower".  Part of my plans for this summer at home has been a deep and thorough cleaning of the entire house.  One because it's time for it, and two because it will make it easy to get everything ready for the move next summer.  As I'm cleaning I am going through everything and making the small repairs here and there.
 

Today was the first day that the boys went to school on their Tuesday/Thursday schedule, which for me meant a day of cleaning and work I can't get done with them around.  I was supposed to mow the front and back yards but a huge storm had other ideas.  Instead I decided to clean the bathrooms.  The downstairs half-bath, and the boys' bathroom were not too bad.  I saved the most challenging task for last - the master.  I had been researching online the best way to clean shower doors and came upon several theories.  Many things seemed to center around vinegar, which we do not have (of course).  Then, as luck should have it, I found one that said to use those SOS sponges, the ones that are little metal pads with soap inside.  Yes!  We had a whole box in the garage!  So I was set, I first used the pads to clean the sinks and countertops.  Next I moved on to the shower.  Long story short - they worked!  So, 2 SOS pads, a lot of elbow grease, and about an hour later the shower doors are clean!  Now the only task ahead is to get some vinegar and Rain-X (another near trick) and keep them that way.  But that can wait for another day.  After the bathrooms I dusted and cleaned the dining and living rooms so I'm all cleaned out for today.

One of the things, though, that Amy and I have agreed upon for our next house is no stand up shower if we can avoid it.  Or at least a smaller one so it's not so bad.  But oh well, you live and learn from your mistakes as a homeowner.  Until then we will keep cleaning and living with our shower.

So, the clean-a-thon is off to a great start and we will see what tomorrow brings.  Probably not as much cleaning since the boys will be home and I will be working on finishing up this week's homework.  Believe it or not, I actually enjoy all this cleaning.  I don't know if I could be a stay at home dad all the time, I might go insane, but so far it's going well and I am really enjoying it.  Weird I know!

All is well, and squeaky clean, in Drosche Land.

Summer Lovin'/Lovin' Summer

Well, today was the first full day of my very first summer vacation, as an adult that is.  Yes, that's right.  A teacher who has never had a summer break.  Hard to believe, but true.  At Memorial I always ran the Summer Program, but at Trinity that is a job already held by someone else!  So, I actually get a vacation.  I wish it were with Amy, but she works year-round.  :(  Such the is life of an Early Childhood Director - no rest for the boss.  So far though my vacation is going well.  Today was just a day of nothing - no big chores or anything on the list.  That will all begin next Monday.  However, I did get 7 loads of laundry and 2 loads of dishes done.  In addition to that, the calendar and Religion/Memory sections of my 2010/2011 block plan and some discussion questions for this week's homework are also done.  So needless to say, it's been a productive day.

Another exciting part of being home is the time with the boys.  They will only be attending school on Tuesday/Thursday so I will have them at home the other three days.  Today we just relaxed but starting next week I really do want to start some structured activities with them.  I have grandiose plans of working on letters, numbers, and handwriting.  But we will see how that dream progresses as the summer sets in.  I don't want to, and am being told not to by others, push them too hard.  They do just need a break also, so we will see what happens.  Today though they did well.  Just relaxing watching movies, playing with toys, and playing sports all day.  Starting next week I also want them to be outside and splash some each day (I will also get to work on my tan!) but that means I have to mow the lawn and get it ready - another task for next week.
 
In addition to regular housework (I want to thoroughly clean the entire house) and working with the boys I also have an extensive "honey do" list developing.  With the hope of moving next year there are things that need to be done this summer to prepare.  Most of these projects, and other big ones, will be done on the days when the boys are at school and I can just work on stuff.

So, sounds busy huh?  But I'm actually excited about all the to-do's emerging and everything!  I will also plan on plenty of time to relax, but I also do enjoy chores and stuff - weird I know.  So, I'm already loving this summer vacation thing (hence the post title).  I also am excited about blogging more and photographing the boys more!  Woo hoo!  Oh, and I want to learn iMovie, I've already started!  Well, I gotta run and get dinner ready (another fun part of being home).  Summer will be busy - but exciting and lots of fun!  Woo hoo!
 
All is well, and on vacation, in Drosche Land.

Wordless Wednesday

As promised here are some of my favorite pictures from our trip to Quintana this past weekend!  It was the boys' first time at the beach and, as you can tell from their faces, they loved it!  We are definitely planning on returning soon!  Enjoy!

By far my favorite picture!

 I also love it in black and white!

 Running and splashing was a big hit!

 

Jack's reactions and facial expressions all day were priceless!

An awesome family trip!

They're All Ears

Well, of course the boys are aware of the adoption.  I have blogged about it before.  Through the informational DVD and discussions, we have tried very hard to inform them of it and keep them aware of this exciting adventure our family will be taking.  However, since it is so far in the future we don't talk about it with them constantly, even though it is a topic Amy and I talk about frequently.  So, despite all the talking we have done I do sometimes wonder how much they understand and comprehend about this.  Well, my question was answered in a huge way yesterday during breakfast.  With our vacation day off Amy decided to make a big breakfast for us - breakfast tacos, always a favorite in Drosche Land.  So, we're sitting down and eating when Braeden asks, "So Mommy, you know what we will be getting from China?"  Amy and I looked at each other with a smile, not sure what to expect.  I mean the last time he brought it up on his own he said he wanted a panda.  So Amy then answers, "What?"  To which Braeden promptly responds, "Our little sister, but that is a long time away and we have to move to a new house first."  I can't speak for Amy, although I can assume her reaction was the same, but my heart leapt at this!  So, not only does he understand and comprehend, but he thinks about it and is looking forward to it.  One prayer answered, we have wondered how the adjustment would be for the boys, and this is quite positive.  Yes there is a long way until the adoption is finalized and it will be filled with ups and downs, but this is huge, for me at least!  Of course this prompted a discussion about their new little sister, to which both Jackson and Braeden eagerly and excitedly participated in.

So, they obviously hear Amy and I talking about it since that and moving next summer comprise the majority of our conversations.  This is good because I hope that hearing about it over and over will translate into their understanding and acceptance of it.  However it does bring to my mind the need for censoring what I say around them and what they hear/watch.  As a teacher you learn in school that children are sponges are absorb everything, good and bad, around them.  Being a parent has only stressed this for me!  But for now I will focus on the positive aspect of their sponginess!  I am so excited that they are excited about the adoption and their new sister.  I also am happy that they are willing to discuss it with us on their terms.  I think it is setting the stage for a great adventure!
 
All is well, and always listening, in Drosche Land.