First week of February!

February is a big month around here! Sveta became an American 3 years ago today, and in 10 days she will celebrate her 7th birthday! She is counting the days...and I have to get ready for a Frozen party.

This week was filled with late nights as we are taking a class this month called "Freed-Up Financial" at church. We also got to spend some time with friends, and my wonderful in-laws on Saturday. This weekend was really nice. We had dinner and a movie on Friday as a family.  

Oh...and this morning, Elliott slept until 9:00. I don't think hez's ever made it passed 8:30! Oh...and he ate a marker.

Sveta loves her stethoscope! 

I got out of the house and did some planning!  Lots of new ideas on how to keep Elliott busy while we have school. Implemented one:

And, this is beautiful!

3 years and milestones!

Week 5/52

This week has been awesome! Highlights include Elliott taking his clothes off by himself (see the progression below) Sveta writing an amazing story about being chili that goes through the digestive system, a date night with Barry & my brother Michael, and his girlfriend, Lisa. 

This week also marks a huge celebration period of our family!  3 years ago we were spending our first week together as a family of 3. We picked Sveta up from the orphanage and drove her away from the only home she knew on January 31, 2012. She is the most courageous, and resilient, and amazing little girl!  I am so grateful to be her Mama. She teaches me more everyday than I could have ever imagined.  

Her Daddy gave her $2 for trying hot sauce. She said it wasn't bad.

Barry also made her this amazing birthday countdown! She helped design it...and colored it, of course! 

This is from several months before she came home with us...but it is the first family picture!

Now, for the random things of the week...

This is from Lysa Terkeurst's book The Best Yes. I loved this paragraph.

Also, no picture of this....but, today I was going to get ahead on breakfasts by scrambling 17 eggs to use throughout the week for breakfast burritos (17 is just the number of eggs I had). Got them in the pan, stirred and saw something small and black. Yes, yes, there was mouse poop in my pan and I didn't know it until all 17 eggs were in there with the poo. Eww. 17 eggs were thrown out today. 

And, I am loving the You Need a Budget software. It really is awesome. I am excited to attend the Freed Up Financial class too!