You know our family doesn't seem that big except when we load and unload in our big van or when we see a picture of ourselves. Javier and I both laughed out loud, "Wow- that looks like a tribe!" We have 1 little girl that would not smile, another that had the "cheesy smile" and a little boy that cried most of the time. Maybe in 10 years from now, we can get a good picture :) until then, we will just be thankful for our little characters.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Family Pictures
Posted by Joy at 7:45 PM 16 comments Links to this post
Friday, October 16, 2009
Fabulous Find Friday
Posted by Joy at 5:21 AM 2 comments Links to this post
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Memorial Box Monday -11 people, crawdads and a bear - oh my!

Jo Jo is on the lookout for bears with her binoculars and walkie talkie in hand.

The bear's snacks?







catching crawdads



Posted by Joy at 6:00 AM 4 comments Links to this post
Saturday, October 10, 2009
We are known by our actions
Posted by Joy at 12:39 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Friday, October 9, 2009
Fabulous Find Friday
If you only know me through the blog, you may not know that I buy EVERYTHING from garage sales. Every piece of furniture in our home was either passed down to us for free or bought at a garage sale with the exception of 1 set of couches and a huge coffee table my dad made custom for us. I think every decoration and all my curtains were also garage sale finds and most of the kids' toys and clothes are from garage sales. Well, I think I hit the jackpot the other day. I found this solid wood wardrobe thing for $20! The kids had fun pretending it was the wardrobe from Narnia, but now I put in the shelves that came with it and it holds our school stuff. I was needing more storage to organize my school stuff and I would have spent the same amount on 3 big tubs at Targ*t. This is how we save so much $, but have everything we need/want. I just might make this a regular post on Fridays :). 
Posted by Joy at 6:38 AM 7 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Mia's new friend
Posted by Joy at 9:32 PM 2 comments Links to this post
1st buzz


AFTERPosted by Joy at 9:02 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Psalm 67-Burundi night
Jeremiah celebrating Burundi night using the Burundian basket as a hat. Burundi is dear to our hearts because of our refugee friends. We have had a lot of great memories with them - here are a couple of my highlights over the last few years.
The Burundian wedding reception in our old backyard. Many of you helped donate and lend items and volunteer time to make this possible. Some young men played African drums and an electric guitar and everyone sang and danced. All the songs were praising the Lord and blessing this new marriage - really neat.
I was able to meet my Burundian friend at the hospital in the middle of the night for an emergency c-section because she couldn't get a hold of her husband at work. I was the first to see her baby - she didn't believe me that her baby came out white (she was put under for the c-section). I was pretty surprised myself.

The kids did a mini report on Burundi during school time to share with us at dinner. We also used this Operation World book to find out more ways to pray for the people and country of Burundi. It is a tiny country, the size of Massachusetts, located near Tanzania, Rwanda and Congo. Many have been killed or displaced because of the genocide between the Hutu and Tutsi people groups. This has also created many widows and orphans that need care and our prayers. (Notice Josiah bows his head and closes his eyes - not for long, but he is learning :))Posted by Joy at 10:26 PM 6 comments Links to this post
Socorro is here again!
If you need a deep cleaning and/or organization of cabinets, linen closets, garage - anything, my friend Socorro will be available this coming week. This is the easiest way to get the word out. Let me know if you want to book her. Also, if you live further, Javier can always take her and pick her up or meet you since he works near the 101 and Broadway. She works all day and most people pay her $100-120/day.
Posted by Joy at 9:54 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Monday, August 31, 2009
Think of heaven and the people worshipping him, truthfully what image do you see? People like yourself? Mostly English speaking, middle class, singing a nice tune, not too loud, clapping hands to the beat? . . . . .At one time I did - but that is not a biblical image. God is so greatly to be praised that he will have a beautiful variety of every language, every large and small tribe and ethnic group - worshiping him. Every skin color, size, tradition, dialect, dancing, chanting, singing, clapping on and off beat, stomping - not just conservative-stand in a row, clap in unison, English speaking believers :).
There are still many, many unreached people groups. People who have NEVER heard the gospel and who have none of God's word in their own language -we need to pray fervently for them. There are hurting and poor people, orphans and widows in many nations - we need to pray for them. There are Christians still being martyred in many nations - we need to pray for them.
Posted by Joy at 10:30 PM 8 comments Links to this post
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Busy August - picture update
Although we have so many great cleaners in our family . . .
Sometimes we need some extra help. Thank goodness for our friend Socorro from Hermosillo!
Our refugee friends from Burundi came over this weekend. We have known them for 10 years. If you have never seen Hotel Rwanda - you should rent it. It gives you a taste of what they lived through except they hid in the "bush" (jungle) for months and in the movie the people hid in a hotel. Augustin also lost 2 children in the midst of it, yet they are so thankful to the Lord and such faithful and joyous people!
Agustin (above) and Audace, Jessica, Penina and Sarange (below). Penina and Audace had their wedding reception in the backyard of our last house - it was my favorite wedding party I have ever experienced. Now they have 3 little ones! Oh how I would love to have another wedding at our house!
Christina (below) she was just a baby when we met them, now she is a beautiful young lady. There were many more kids, but they were off playing.
Also this last weekend, Javier's 1/2 uncles came over. Javier found out about them and met them about 7-8 years ago and they now live about 2 hours from our house. Uncle Juan is actually younger than Javier. His dad is Javier's paternal grandpa. He also originally came to the states to play baseball. It's in the blood. The kids LOVE it when Uncle Juan comes to play.
Josiah was so comfortable with Uncle Juan. Uncle Freddy is below.
Like father, like son - Jeremiah is learning early.
See mom what I got?! Both of our dogs are so good with letting the kids do anything to them.
I finally got a 3rd highchair at a garage sale. Jameson just doesn't like baby food. He has gone straight from breastfeeding and formula for 6 months to table food (of course he still loves his milk too). I have never had a child do this - he doesn't throw a fit or anything, he just will not open his mouth for even applesauce. He is crawling fast and just starting to pull up on things and stand. He has fallen flat backwards a few times this week, because he has no concept of what happens when he lets go. He is almost 7 months - we call him chub-a-lub. He is still the happiest and most mellow little thing - Julia was just like him.
Need I explain this next picture - let's just say this was a great homeschool science project of identifying organs and he made a great dinner, but a little chewy :). We got 7 eggs yesterday from our wonderful hens! (all we get from the roosters is a lot of noise!) Before we have only gotten 2-3 eggs a day- so hopefully this means all 7 hens are laying now. It takes about a dozen and a half to feed us one breakfast (assuming we add toast and other food too) - so bring on the eggs!Posted by Joy at 8:30 PM 6 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Need a deep cleaning and live in the east valley?
This is the easiest way to get the word out (sorry this post doesn't apply to people in other states :)) I know some of you mentioned being interested in having my friend Socorro come to clean, well she is in town. She is available to work Saturday or any day next week (she might stay for 2 weeks - I'm not sure yet). She usually spends the whole day at 1 house cleaning it from top to bottom. Depending on what you want, she does blinds, plant shelves, light fixtures, insides of cabinets, cleaning out refrigerators or anything she has time for (in addition to regular cleaning) - it just depends on how big and how dirty your house is and what you want :). She even likes to refold linens and wipe out shelves etc. You can pay her what you can, but most people pay her $100 for about 7-8 hours of work. Some pay her a little more or a little less and some people use her for 2 or 3 days. We love this because we can not afford a regular house cleaner, but we can afford deep clean a couple of times a year that helps out another believer. She is honest and a fast/hard worker. I can translate everything and deliver her/pick her up most days and places in the east valley. You can email or if you have my # call me. Also, pass this on to anyone else that might be interested. There is also another lady available from our Spanish church to clean, cook, iron or babysit etc that is here for 2 months in the Queen Creek area who also has similar rates and is looking to make some extra $ while she is here. Just let me know.
Posted by Joy at 8:35 PM 4 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
1 more thing . . .

This was supposed to be in my last post - sorry. We got our first egg yesterday! I know it is tiny, but it is a start - the kids were so excited. Jordan does most of the care for the chickens - he is a hard worker around here. It turns out our dog caught one chicken and it died, then 3 died in a storm and now we are left with 7 hens and 6 roosters I think - oh well. I think we will be having some rooster soup pretty soon :). We are officially farmers!
Posted by Joy at 6:50 PM 5 comments Links to this post
The little things in life
This was Josiah the first day home in these 6-9 month pjs - notice they are even a little baggy on him - 8 months ago - he was 20 months old
Here is Jeremiah a few weeks later - same pjs - he could wear them for quite a while

This is what happens when you have so many big sisters - They called him "Man Bug" instead of ladybug
He loves the potty seat - just for fun Posted by Joy at 4:05 PM 6 comments Links to this post
Monday, August 3, 2009
Memorial Box Monday - A break from the heat
What do you do the first day you fill up the pool??? You make a boat out of a baby pool and play pirates with your cousins of course.
Posted by Joy at 8:36 PM 3 comments Links to this post
Monday, July 27, 2009
Memorial Box Monday

The kids gave us "spa treatments"
In May, a friend from Mexico that we met through our Spanish church, Socorro, came in to town. She comes and deep cleans homes for different families to make some extra $. We only see her once or twice a year, but we really love her and it is a great treat when we have had her clean our home. This year the Lord provided in so many ways through her. Posted by Joy at 1:32 PM 7 comments Links to this post
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Its been 1 year . . .
Melkamu 15 months
Abush 4 months
Posted by Joy at 8:43 PM 6 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Janae, Super Skinny and pool fence


Posted by Joy at 3:46 PM 5 comments Links to this post
Sunday, July 19, 2009
sheer excitement
The rain has just begun
Running through his first few drops
Posted by Joy at 9:14 PM 6 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
You know it is hot when. . .

Posted by Joy at 8:07 PM 5 comments Links to this post
Janae - the zombie
Posted by Joy at 7:40 PM 5 comments Links to this post
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Fun stuff + video
I found the boys on our coffee table watching a video. Look how Josiah has to be just like Jordan on his tummy w/ a remote. Having older siblings has been the best thing ever for Josiah's development. He mimics EVERYTHING and Jordan just loves it!
Another candid shot. I just love how my big kids love the little ones so much!
For fun one night when I had nothing defrosted for dinner, we made green eggs and ham (with tortillas) for fun. Everyone liked them Sam I am.
Here are the kids on crazy hair/hat day for Blast Xtreme - the vacation Bible school - Jordan won the crazy hair for his team. We basically gave him 3 mohawks - then I shaved it off the first thing when he came home :)
Roses from Javi on my b-day. That is sweet - but I am weird and cringe at someone spending $ on flowers for me- seriously- and he knows it:) - we aren't big on celebrating b-days. We just went to Denny's /Joe's bbq for our free b-day meals. Wow - what a difference a year makes! Last year on my b-day I was getting my first ultrasound and I was sick with morning sickness, we had Javier's 17 yr old niece living with us and I was so tired of waiting for our referral of our boys. I didn't even know their precious faces a year ago on June 25. For this, I am soooo glad to be 1 year older - for those wondering - I am 33 and Javier turned 34 2 days later.
I caught Josiah lifting the rug to vacuum under it, then Jeremiah came to help. Too bad that is a play vacuum!
Jeremiah is my strongest baby - he can muscle up things and climb anything mostly with his upper body - it is incredible - future gymnast maybe :) Jameson must know that he needs to be strong to defend himself from Jer Jer because he is my strongest bio baby ever! He has been getting out of his big swing, onto the floor for a month or 2 (no seat belt) - I know crazy! So we switched to putting him in the ground swing - but this is how we always find him - out or flipped over. He is now on his hands and knees constantly rocking. He will be crawling in no time - he already scooches - 5 months old -16 lbs which is 50% for weight and 80% for height - praise God. He was under 5 % at 6 weeks and I started supplementing him, but thankfully he still prefers breastfeeding! 
This is just some super cute video of my boys cleaning up their dinosaurs. I had to move Jeremiah's crib away from the blinds, so now they like to play and hide back there. Jeremiah now says mama, dada, by, hi, babbles and lots of signs - Josiah says mama, hi and signs **turn up the volume** I bet you never knew cleaning up was THIS exciting!Posted by Joy at 8:12 PM 6 comments Links to this post
Monday, July 6, 2009
Memorial Box Monday-vacation and friends

As a family we continue to do Memorial Box Monday and add things to our box to help us remember what the Lord has done for us. I haven't been good about blogging about it, but as I have time I will post about some of these things in our Memorial box. Today we are adding a wrist band from our little trip to the Arizona Grand Resort.
Two friends from our agency, Mona and Tania flew into Phoenix this weekend with their baby girls - Mona was coming straight from Ethiopia! We got to all meet in the airport and share in the special moment of bringing her little Janissa home to the US. Leah, another friend from our agency, planned and provided a weekend for our 2 families at this nearby resort/water park which gave us a place to meet up and hang out with the others. What a blessing! Not only was this our first "vacation" with all the our new boys, and a blast for my family, but it was also special for us ladies to have time together meeting and talking about our experiences and babies. The babies were even sweeter in person (the mommies too :)).
The moms - Mona, Tania, Me, Leah The babies (all 1 yr old) Janissa, Sabah, Jeremiah, Aslynn
The view from our rooms
Javier said this was the most relaxing time he has had since we brought the boys home. I have to laugh because that is pretty sad - because yes it was fun, but both of us were busy, busy with watching the kids almost every second - so if that was relaxing, that tells you how normal life is :). I think what helped make it relaxing was that he had a chance to watch some sports during nap time and at night with his beloved cup of coffee once the kids went to bed. The kids are always awesome about going to bed at night (nap times are another story) - what a blessing!


Josiah is never short of love for his baby brother
Jameson - just a gem the whole trip
A yummy buffet breakfast our last morning
Ready for breakfast - do you see Camelback mountain in the background - those not familiar with AZ you should see a camel laying down - the left hump is the head and long nose, then the hump on the back is the bigger bump (I think)
I was stressed out the first day (Friday) because the water park was so busy and it was really hard with 5-non swimmers and everyone wanting to go different directions. We tried getting on the lazy river, but it was crazy trying to get the kids in tubes with the current and some were still standing on the deck others crying in terror as they were holding on for dear life just to keep their heads out of water. So we just all got out and ended up with our friends at one of the quiet hotel pools. Each day we got better at pairing up the kids with their buddies and taking the big kids to do the slides etc when the littles were napping or contained with one of us in the kiddy pool. They have 2 - 8 story high sheer drop slides and a curly slide. I was so proud that all 3 big kids were brave enough to go on the slides with us.
All ready for the water park
Jeremiah and Janae
Jameson, Daddy and Joanna
Jordan and Jacklyn
Josiah
Josiah (pink car), Julia, Janae, Jeremiah - waiting for the waves to turn onPosted by Joy at 11:01 AM 4 comments Links to this post
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Feliz Cumpleanos Papi
Daddy, You love mommy all the days and Mommy likes you and Jameson. You are my favorite Daddy and I like to go on a date with you. I like to sit on your lap and read books. Love, Jo Jo
Daddy, I love the eggs that you make. I love how you act silly and I love when you play tackle time with us. I love you. - Love, Jacklyn
Dad, You make me feel special when you spend time with me, play card games, play sports outside and when you tell me I have sparkly blue eyes. I am so glad I have you for a Dad. Thank you. Love, Julia
Dear Dad, Thank you for teaching me sports and coaching my baseball team last year. I like it when you play tackle time with us and take me to your softball games. You are the greatest home run hitter. You are really funny and always make me laugh. I like our special discipleship time at night when we read together. Thank you for letting us have Checkers. You are really cool and I really look forward to going to the Dominican Republic with you. I hope to be like you when I grow up. Love, Jordan
Happy Birthday Dad! Thank you for bringing me to take your daughter to work day and on dates like Garcias and to the horse auction. You almost always have time for us and my favorite things are tackle time and playing sports outside. Love, Janae
Happy 34th B-day - you look better than ever! I am so proud that finally after 8 kids you have worked hard and lost your "baby weight" and learned to shave ;). You always make me feel beautiful no matter if I am + or - 25 lbs, pregnant and swollen or normal with a face full of pimples. I know I am blessed to have you. Te amo mucho.
Posted by Joy at 7:35 PM 8 comments Links to this post
Thursday, June 25, 2009
20 lbs of Trouble
This is what I found upon returning from changing Jameson's diaper
So into the high chair Jeremiah goes. How many times must I tell him to sit on his bottom? Yes I know what he needs - a little training :)
HMMMM- Josiah come quick - mom is distracted feeding Jameson. Let's raid the pantry!
Let's play pick up sticks with the spaghetti - NAAA lets just dump them
Come on Pudge - hurry we better sweep this into the vacuum vent before mom sees the mess!
Not working - get something bigger - quick the broom. Ok - Pudge you turn on the vent.
Shucks - mom caught me before I got a chance to "reorganize" the cups.
How about this mom - just loving on my dog -see I'm harmless - why does everyone call me "TROUBLE"?
Giddee up - HMMMM this dog just won't move. Let's try the baby.
So sweet. Mom, who are you looking at? Don't you trust me to be gentle?
Yep. He has all his parts. We'll let him join our club.
If mom won't let me dump anything else in her kitchen, maybe I can find something here. . .
AHHHH - and this was just the first couple of hours of my day on Tuesday, while all of the big kids were at VBS and I had no help. I have a new appreciation for the helpfulness of my big kids!Posted by Joy at 8:48 PM 5 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Blessed is the man whose quiver is FULL
"Only one life 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last!"
Notice Jameson's shirt says "Daddy's little sidekick" - yeah - both this shirt and his Mother's Day shirt were garage sale finds - $.50 and $.25 - love garage sales! Also - notice all of my kids have clothes on - this is rare if you look at my blog much - LOL






Posted by Joy at 8:47 AM 6 comments Links to this post
Thursday, June 18, 2009
pool construction
Posted by Joy at 6:49 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Josiah's skin

Posted by Joy at 9:41 PM 4 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Finally! (turn up the sound)
My Josiah (2 yrs old) has never babbled. He just grunts, signs, giggles and cries. Early on he did say something that sounded like hot (HA) when food was hot, but I don't want to count that as his first word. You see, the reason why is because a few weeks ago he finally said his first word, "Mama". I was overjoyed - not only did he finally say a word, but he is the first baby to say mama before saying dada :). The truth is I bribed him with a chocolate chip and still do, but hey it works! Here is proof. (I think he thinks that mama and chocolate are 1 in the same - but no harm in that since we basically are 1 in the same).
On a sad note, I don't think the giardia is gone on either of the boys. Josiah now has about 6 open bleeding sores on his bum and more on his private parts - he is just raw and nothing helps and he screams (even when urinating) and I literally have to hold him down to change him. He has scabies looking sores all over also - but there is a possibility that it is a skin condition that mimics scabies that just needs a steroid cream. He has a pediatric endocrinologist specialist appointment this week, a developmental/speech plan meeting and I need to get him in to a pediatric dermatologist as well as redo all of the stool samples again to see if the giardia is gone yet and then see the GI specialist again. I share this info because I know some of you will commit to praying for God to heal his little body and also because I know there are people reading this blog who are adopting and will be dealing with these same issues, so maybe you will be a little more prepared.
Posted by Joy at 8:55 PM 8 comments Links to this post
Friday, June 5, 2009
adoption friends, tractor & cute baby - oh my!
Leah and I both adopted Ethiopian babies through the same agency and live in the Phoenix area and met in person a few weeks ago at my house. Last night we went to her 30th b-day bash about 1 1/2 hours away. We had a fun time at her dad's house with a comedic murder mystery dinner. You can see below that there were some actors that barged through their door and started the night out. Javier was taken by surprise when the nerdy guy was at the door going crazy hugging people like he was at his class reunion- and Javier was thinking, "Who is that goof?" Then they passed out roles and hats to different people to get the guests involved in the action. We laughed a lot and the food was great too. Javier and I enjoyed dressing up and having a date night out too. Happy soon to be b-day Leah!
All of our kids together (Jeremiah was sleeping) a few weeks ago at our house.
Leah and me - I am exactly 3 years older - we share the same b-day
My hunky husband has lost more than 15 pounds doing the biggest loser competition at work!
The nerd that startled Javier :)
This is what we woke up to this morning after a late night out. The kids ran out and sat there like statues for a couple of hours watching the action.

You can see the kids - remember it was about 6:30 am and so that is why Jo Jo still has her morning afro:).
We feel blessed because we got a great tax refund (thanks to all our kids/adoption), a gift from my grandmother who passed away in December and a bonus from Javi's work. We had a set budget and nothing was working out in our budget so we almost gave up. Then some friends recommended a company that actually many people from our church have used. The owner is a Christian man w/ 7 kids and homeschools, so we hit it off with a lot in common and his bid was within our budget. The pool should take about 5 weeks to build. Here is the big hole.
Here is my chub-a-bub - cute little thing. 4 months old and he is THE BEST BABY and seriously has never had a crying fit - ever. Yes he cries (rarely), but it is more like a whimper or complaint - never screaming crying. He flashed me the peace sign the other day - it was too funny. Oh and he got his 2 bottom teeth already!Posted by Joy at 1:36 PM 5 comments Links to this post
Thursday, May 14, 2009
health update w/pics
Both boys still had giardia (5 months now at least) so I took them to the GI specialist at PHX Children's Hospital. That doctor was great and even found some other problems that he wanted to check out. He put the boys on a 30 day treatment 3x a day. The problem is that insurance wouldn't cover the first 2 medicines the doctor wanted to give them, so we tried the 1 that they do cover. If this doesn't work, we will look into natural stuff or the other medicines.
We need to see an endocrinologist for Josiah because his thyroid is high. He is also going to receive speech and developmental services soon. The state sends people out to our home which is great. Josiah only grunts and signs, he doesn't even babble, but he understands everything. Josiah has become a BIG kisser and he is the first to run to daddy and climb up in his arms every night when he gets home.
We just love this sweet boy!

Posted by Joy at 4:25 PM 9 comments Links to this post






















































