Meet Soleyana

This is Soleyana Alem and she is the newest member of our family. We decided to sponsor a child through COMPASSION again. When Peter and I first got married we sponsored a little boy from the Philippians but he moved and was no longer going to be part of Compassions program. An announcement at church reminded me of it and so we did it. I really have a heart for Africa and for Honduras so (this may sound horrible) I let Noni pick. I gave her two choices and explained that we are going to help her and send her money and letters and gifts and pray for her. She picked Soleyana. She is from Ethiopia and is 6 years old. If you want to or think of it keep her in your prayers!

No more boobie milk!

My Noni girl is officially done nursing. She nursed a full 3 years and I am sooo happy we did. We decided when she was first born that we would do child led weaning with her and that is pretty much what we did. She would still nurse every now and then if I would let her but the answer is no. She only asks for it when her sister is nursing. I gently guided her to being fully weaned. As she got bigger the stronger and bigger her mouth was and I didn't really like how it felt. She could only nurse for short periods of time or I would freak out. It was down to once maybe twice a day. All summer leading up to her 3rd Birthday we told her that she was going to be done nursing and that she is a big girl. That she doesn't need to nurse anymore and that it is for Evey. Sometimes she would get upset when we talked about it and other times she was totally ok with it. And the night before her birthday she nursed one last time. We made it a big deal and took pictures and said how proud we were of her and she was totally fine. She only nursed on one side and when we were done she said bye bye boobies and that was that! Like I said she has asked for it a few times but the answer is no and she has been ok with it. She gets almond milk instead.

I am so so glad we did it the way we did! And I am so glad it ended as well as it did! She really is amazing and am soo grateful for our 3 years of nursing!!!!

She's 3!

Noni loves to create things. She is really into doing crafts right now or coloring, drawing, stamping, anything. She loves being outdoors (as long as its not too hot, she didn't use to mind the heat but this summer she didn't handle it to well) Hiking and walking in the woods with daddy is probably one of her favorite things. Collecting things for her nature box. She has become very observant, she notices birds, bugs, leaves, all kinds of things and points them out to us. I love when she says, "mom its a beautiful day today."She loves running. Its fun for her to just run around the house 5 times in a row or more. Shes very active and is hard to keep up with.

Noni loves playing with her friends and cousins. She loves her sissy (yes I say sissy, don't make fun) and can't wait til she can actually play with her. She loves candy and all things sweet. She loves pickles and olives and would eat them at every meal. Oh and she loooves singing and dancing. She is always singing something even if she is just making up the words and shes always spinning or jumping saying "watch this mama watch this." She loves reading books. We go to the library once a week and pick out 5 or 6 books, and she loves story time.

We are so in love with her it hurts. So proud to be her mama!

Her birth story is on the right if you are interested. Click on *My Noni girl*

PaRtY TiMe

We have been celebrating my Noni girls birthday for a few days now. Today is her actual birthday. We had her friends and cousins over on Saturday for a little party and then on Sunday had a party with my side of the family. For Saturday I made cupcakes, for Sunday I got a cake so today we are going for ice cream. Heres some pics from our fun and busy weekend!

a little side note; I made this banner and am very proud of it. It is not perfect that's for sure but I don't mind. It will be able to be used for all of our birthdays, well maybe not Peters. I plan on making one for almost every holiday. I can't take all the credit, this is where my inspiration came from. Art to go

2 year Dreadiversary!

Ive been meaning to post about my dreads for a week now. August 1st was 2 years. I can't believe its been that long. I remember the day I got them done like it was yesterday. They are really doing great. Some people I have met who have dreads really struggle to get them to lock up but mine are pretty solid now. I have been working on blunting the ends (which is pulling the ends up into the dread to make a rounded end) with a crochet hook for a while now. Its quite a process and little hairs are always falling out. I have found a guy on you tube who has been really helpful and has great advice. (ryanOriley, if you're interested.

I still love them but this summer has been rough with the heat. I never wear them down. Everyone asks me how long I am going to keep them and I originally wanted to make it to the 3 year mark and I'm almost there so we will see. I can't imagine myself without them! :)

Heres the pictures from the day I got it done!

This is my One year dreadiversary!

Breastfeeding

I meant to post a breastfeeding pic last week for National breastfeeding week but couldn't find any. So I had my hubby take some for us. I have loved breastfeeding my girls! I have had no issues with it and my almost 3 year old is still nursing. (almost done though, more on that later) and my 9 month old is still going strong. It's such an amazing and important thing I can not imagine raising my girls without it!

I was a part of the Big Latch on last week at La Leche League. If you dont know what it is its an event to get as many woman as possible nation wide to be nursing at the same time for a minute long. There was only five of us at our group but it was fun!

The Power of prayer!

I read this post on my favorite blog a few weeks ago and it has really stuck with me. I have kept a journal for years now that is specifically for my God Time but now really prayers. I want to pray and I do pray daily but not real in depth prayers, just short little praises or requests. I don't really take the time to truly pray for the things that are on my mind or my heart or for other people.

So this past week I have started my day with some prayer. (not every day but every few days) Wow! Amazing stuff. It is amazing how powerful the simplest thing of saying a prayer to our Almighty God is. I feel instant peace after writing out my thoughts, hurts, burdens, concerns, requests, and then praising Him for all that He does for me. It has really been great and I am going to try and keep this prayers on paper going.