Monday, March 16, 2009

The Adopted Family


They put on this really cute play that they had been working on all week, complete with a program, props and costumes. Totally cute. Doesn't it look like my kids fit perfectly into their family?

We finally got back to Provo around midnight and I couldn't wait to see the kids. I was trying to be so quiet and not wake anybody up as I snuck into the girl's room first. That didn't go over too well since their dog sleeps in there and went crazy because he thought we were intruders. I took advantage of Kylie being awake and begged her to come snuggle with me in bed, but she wasn't interested, she would rather sleep with her cousins, oh well. I spied on Jayden and Maddox and couldn't wait to hold them and smother them with hugs the next morning. Even though we weren't gone that long, I swear they all grew. Atleast their heads did. Their heads always seem bigger when I haven't seen them in a while. And Maddox got more hair. After having so many miles between us, it was a good feeling to have our family back together again (unfortunately that good feeling ended 5 minutes after we got in the car the next day and everyone was fighting and crying, but it was nice while it lasted). I seriously can not thank Jason's sister, Andrea and her family enough for watching our kids while we were gone. We thought it would be fun to do a swap so we watched their kids last year for like 5 days while they went on a cruise and then they watched our kids this time. For like two weeks. With a newborn. We are so mean. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins and Andrea was nice to entertain them while her kids were still in school by going to the library, doing crafts, going to lunch, playing outside and all sorts of other fun things. The good news is that they were finally able to get Jayden to eat all his food (and he's still keeping it up, yay!) and the bad news is that now my kids have realized what things "real families" are supposed to do and are constantly pointing out everything we are doing wrong. Thanks Andrea for setting the bar extremely high! Apparently Jason needs to cook breakfast every morning (no more cold cereal), we need to hold hands during family prayer, we need to wake up at 6 AM to do family scripture and prayer, we need to have a reverent couch during FHE, they need to have quiet time everyday, Jason needs to work from home so that he can help me out, if they don't eat all their dinner then they have to eat it for breakfast the next morning, we need to give them a weekly allowance and keep a chart with smiley faces if they do all their chores, they need to have more chores....and the list goes on. They really are a great family and I don't think I could keep up, but thanks for being such great examples and temporarily adopting our kids! Maybe you'll be recovered enough in another 5 years so we can do it again :)

8 comments:

Chelsea said...

For like two weeks. With a newborn. You crack me up. They do blend in perfectly with their family! So funny how the kids noticed all the little things they were doing differently. Hot breakfast every morning made by Dad, and quiet time every day? I totally got jipped.

Jodee said...

I want them to take care of me too. That sounds like a great time! I can't believe you resisted picking up that little Maddox, I bet it was amazing to hold him again!

Pays said...

Looks like you had a wonderful trip!! I could stand for somewhere warm....it's snowing here today!! Yep, snow in the middle of April. Before we know it, I will be complaining that it's hot.

Jessica 洁玲 said...

lol, the Howards are the Howards. I think you guys are doing a great job!

kemptons said...

I am so jealous of your trip. It looks like you guys had a great time! I would give anything for two weeks alone with my hubby!!

Heidi said...

Just me stopping by to read about your trip. It all sounds like you has such a great time. I would have picked the sleeping baby up and chanced waking him - you are a strong momma.

Andi said...

I was laughing almost in tears on the part on what "real families" should really do. Seriously, Rory and I try so hard to think of ways to get our children to do their chores and be nice to each other. I loved what you wrote! I'm glad Jayden is still eating. It was very fun to have them with us because we live far away and don't see each other that often.

Janessa said...

Andrea puts us all to shame! Glad they had such a great time and that you were able to enjoy the bliss of togetherness for a few hours. We have got to live closer so that we do swaps like that. I'm dying to get a turn with those kiddos. I'm sure we won't return them with grand ideas on how to have a better family. They'd probably go home thinking, "We thought Janessa was a nice aunt before we stayed at her house for a week. Take us home!" Hey, at least they'd be excited to see you:)