Memorial Day Weekend

We pretty much hung around the house this weekend since Brian was on call :( - but we did get to hang out with some family Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we had Brian's parents down and we went to a neighborhood garage sale and got a few goodies, then we spent the rest of the day having a cook out and playing some yard games. It was really a fun day - the weather was beautiful! Then Sunday we went down to visit my Grandma Chi and her husband Bruce for the day. We ended up cooking out twice and visiting - also trying to get my grandma through her Nintendo game :) haha. We had a lot of fun over there too. I have included some pics of our visit and also some flowers I took pics of (I love to photograph flowers!!!). Enjoy!

p.s.- today we took the tree out of our front yard! Yay! :)

2 going on 16...

So this morning Eli was saying something I could not understand for the life of me... It sounded like "Man killed" then "On fire" I was thinking what in the world is he talking about?!?!?! So I kept trying to guess and finally I said "sorry bud, I just can't understand what you are trying to tell mommy..." So when I turned away he yelled very loudly "TALKING ABOUT!" I laughed SO hard I almost peed my pants - seriously... It was hilarious!!! I just can't get over it - I had to share :)
~Amanda

A proud moment in a 2yr old's life - putting on his own scoobs (underwear)

Okay I HAD to take a pic of this. This is an older picture but I wanted to share it with those of you who live farther away and who may not always hear our "little stories". :) Yes he has both legs in ONE hole, and yes that is the front of the underwear that is on his bum :) haha!

What a proud moment for a momma...

We were at the park the other day with my parents and siblings during their spring break and had just pulled in and noticed a little boy was crying and his older brother (i am assuming) was tending to a little scratch on his head. When we got out of course Eli was very concerned for the other little boy and say "yittle boy cwying mommy" (little boy crying, mommy) And while dad was looking for an ice pack in the car and we were all standing around talking to them and asking what had happened - Eli looked over at the little boy and pointed to his own head where he recently had stitches, and said "its okay, its okay, Elijah stitches, its okay its okay." I knew what he was telling him - that it would be okay and that he had gotten stitches on his head and knew what it felt like and that it would be okay. It was such a cute thing to see. At the age of 2 and 3 communication can be strong enough to show caring and concern, and that sometimes even when everyone around you is trying to comfort you - it may take only one person who truly understands what you are going through to get you to calm down and feel like it really will be okay.

~Amanda

Thomas' Dedication

We were honored to witness the dedication of our new little nephew Thomas a few weeks ago. He looked so cute up there with mommy and daddy and the whole scene made me think back on when Eli was dedicated at our church and it was such a proud moment for us as parents. When a child is "dedicated" it means as parents you are dedicating them to the Lord and promising that as their parents you will raise them with the morals and values that are required of us as Christians. That you will help them become a man/woman of God. So, it is a big deal even though to some people it doesn't seem that way - and I am proud that Mel & Rob are the great parents they are. :)

What a month!

Hey guys! We have had quite a month around the Ewbank household :) We completed our foster parent training and are excited to have our homestudy here soon. We have been told it could be a while before we have a "match" with the age group we selected. But we are willing to wait (at first we disagreed on which direction to go, but came to the conclusion that it would be selfish to jump into something just for our own benefit) to see what the Lord has planned for us. It is easy to "choose" an easier path, but when you know the path you have taken up to this point is the right one - why would you want to change it for a momentary gain. We want to give these children the best possible, and we feel that is through us being with the agency. So, this means we will have to attend some "networking" nights and go over some available children to see if they match our family. (by this we mean age and gender - nothing more/less). So we are being patient to see what and when the right time will come for us. Of course we wish "tomorrow!" but we have learned in the past that when you hurry and make a quick decision for the "right now", the "later on" feelings aren't so great.

On another note - our home has been pretty busy this last month. Eli had to get stitches in his forehead for tripping into the bathroom doorframe...

We bought Eli a fishy - and he INSISTED we name him 'Neck'. I thought maybe I didn't understand him correctly until he got frustrated and started pointing at his own neck saying "Neck, mommy! No, Neck!" Because I thought maybe he had heard the name "Nick" somewhere or something, and he was trying to get it through my head that he meant "Neck"! So, now we say good morning and good night to "Neck" each day. We feed Neck, we talk to Neck... It's so weird and funny and cute all at the same time. I bet you this fish will last forever, too... Just so we have to endure the hilarium of having a pet fish named Neck... sigh... but what a great and funny memory to have with your child! I can't wait to look back and laugh about it with our grandkids! :)

We have had some luck selling things on Craigslist and have been pretty pleased with the outcome. We are trying to save up for a second car - and when you don't have anything extra to start saving with, well you have to be creative! So we are doing what we can to get to that point. I also have been going to some sales and Goodwill and purchasing anything I can that is way underpriced or "new in the box" and reselling them online. It has worked pretty well for us! Oh, and for those of you that don't know - THIS SATURDAY (Mar. 21) IS 50% OFF DAY AT ALL GOODWILLS!!! YAHOO!

Well, we hope everyone is having a great time preparing for Spring time :) I just can't wait for Easter this year!!! Eli will be into egg hunting this time around! Yay! (I think I have him signed up for 3 egg hunts haha)

Love,
Amanda

Getting Ready...

So we are getting ready for the foster parent training to come to an end. We are so happy the Lord has given us this opportunity. I know this will be one of those times in life we will never regret "just going for it" instead of putting it off. We may seem young to some people to do this, but what is the perfect age? What is the perfect "time" in life? There is no better time to do what the Lord calls you to do than when he calls you to do it. That time for us is right now, and we are trusting God to help pave the way and guide us in the right direction with any and all the children we ever care for. Thank you to all of you for your support and for just being in our lives by choice. We are grateful to have our "team" of friends and family to stand beside us. (If you want details on our progress please visit our other blog - you can find the link on the side of this blog)

Love,
The Ewbanks

Thank you Aunt Karen for my letter and stickers!
~Love~ Eli :)

Playing in the snow!

(That last picture I look like I was trying to poop! haha - the sun was very bright!) :) So I am sad to say the snow would not stick enough to build a snowman :( BUT we had lots of fun playing anyway!!! Here are some pics!

Happy 2nd birthday, Eli !

Dec.29, 2008 - our baby turned 2! Such an excited and wonderful day. I can't believe it has been 2 years as I look back to Dec.29, 2006 when I first held my little boy in my arms. Right then I knew what true love felt like. I couldn't believe I was finally meeting this little person I had come to be so attached to in that past 9 months. He was amazing. I was awestruck. Brian quickly navigated his way through deer-in-the-headlights mode into full on protective and pro dad mode. I was so proud of my new family and the newest blessing God had bestowed upon us. Even lately as I realize that my being so naive about "I don't think my son will reach the terrible two's! He is just so well behaved!" attitude has finally caught up with me and I am a full blown at-his-mercy mom of a 2yr old multiple personality stinker in size 7 toddler shoes, I just laugh at my old self and dream of those "not-so-easy" nights where I was awaken 3 times to change a dirty diaper then nod back off to sleep... Ah, those were the days... But I will tell you, as a mother - I could not be more proud of my little boy becoming a young man with character. He is loving, sweet, generous, caring, funny - and talented! Although, some of his talents may include flatulence and obscene laughter afterwards...thats okay! I am thankful for even the worst of days, because I know we serve a mighty God and I must have done something right to be awarded such a beautiful child. Happy 2nd birthday, buddy!
Love, mommy