Feelin' Smugg.

Over MLK we went to Smuggler's Notch, Vermont...this has become somewhat of a tradition. It is our fourth annual trip. This year held new adventures for the kids...Ruthie is skiing unbelievably well...she has excellent control in her turns and more importantly, she can control her down-hill speed as well. Rusty is a good skier also but he loves the speed and approaches it all more matter-of-fact...like, yea, I can ski. He sort of heads straight down the mountain with very little side to side motion (which is what the instructors teach them to do to control there speed) and he get down safely and quickly. Flip, however, looks at skiing like he looks at most things in life...it's a race. We only got to ski with Flip for a very little time but each day when we picked him up from the kid's camp, he would inform us which "place" he came in on each of his runs down the mountain. We would then hear a blow by blow of who "wrecked," who "wrecked him," and who had the "pole position." I would repeatedly explain to him that it is not a race and that Miss Naomi who taught him last year and remembered him and Grant was trying to teach him to be safe. He of course replied logically, " I know that's why I wear this helmet!"


This year, My uncle Rick joined us as did my cousin, Cherri and her new little guy Ricky. Each day Cherri and I took her little one and my little one to the day care center they call Treasures. When I walked in the first day, I recognized one of the nannies in Ellie's room and I told her I remembered when she had Flip. She remembered him! How funny. She said, "Who could ever forget Flip?" Who indeed. Ellie really looked forward to going over there each day and took all the cold weather and bundling up in stride. Next year, she will be on skis too.

Other high lights include: Parent/child races in the play zone, tubing (which Ellie didn't like at first but then loved!), getting to know Mogul Mouse and loving him, toe warmers, Jacki's crash into the trees, flight delays and turbulence (which makes me sick to even think about it was so bad!)

It's All About Flip!

Yes, indeed, he is FIVE! We had a whirlwind weekend starting on Thursday when Flip and I hopped in the car and drove to Disney World for his "free" day at The Magic Kingdom. We wandered the park and started at a ride I had never done before...the astro orbiter that sits on top of the Lunch Pad. It is no big deal but it always has a long line and it moves very slowly!!! On the way Flip informed me that Daddy had told him it was his birthday and he could do whatever he wants..."and I want to ride the race cars...LOTS!" We did....4 times to be exact. We even sat at some tables overlooking the race track while we ate our lunch that we brought from home. If you haven't been, this ride leaves a little to be desired for most adults. The line is usually considerable, the fumes are disgusting and the ride is none too exhilarating...but to a newly turned five year old it is the equivalent of Daytona.

Other highlights of the day include the tea cups which he was fearless on and loved being spun as fast as I could possibly get them to go. We rode Space mountain but skipped Big Thunder...we're saving that for our Feb trip! His constant chatter was endearing to me on this day where as usually I am just beside myself answering his constant questions and following his sometimes confusing string of conversation. He was taking it all in, never getting tired and embarrassed to ride in the stroller I brought, just in case. "Mommy, do you see ANY big kids riding in strollers around here?" No, Flip...none as BIG as you!

We were late getting to the night parade...enjoying one last ride before closing down the park and I had to hold him on my shoulders for the entire 30 minutes of lighted Disney Magic. I have a new respect for my husband who usually does this dastardly deed...I thought I was going to expire right there...or blow out my back at the very least!

Although the crowd through out the day was considerable, we didn't have to wait longer than 20 minutes to ride anything! We finished off the night with the fire works and as many times as I have seen this particular light display, it still amazes me...Disney sure can close down in style!

So that was Thursday...Friday I kept him home to let him sleep...he was snoozin' soundly before I hit the interstate. On Saturday, we went to the circus...one of my mom's gifts to us every Christmas...This year it was Ellie's first time and although she loved the sights, she was more fascinated by the snacks. Our pediatrician has us a bit worried about her growth and so, I have made every effort to make sure all her calories are good ones that will encourage her to gain weight and grow big...as a result, she doesn't get to fill up on things like cotton candy, pop corn and snow cones...but what is the circus with out all of those yummy things? By the end of intermission she had eaten herself into a coma and missed most of the second act!

On Sunday, we had "Flip's Fall back into Fall Fun-time Birthday Bash!" Back in October Flip looked at me and in all seriousness told me he wanted to have a Halloween party for his birthday...in January? So, right after Halloween, I went out and bought up a bunch of fall decorations and we decided to make it a fall carnival theme...the kids dressed up and we had activities like bobbing for apples, a scarecrow craft, potato sack races and they all made caramel apples topped with chocolate chips, marshmallows and other wonderful treats. My mom made these really cute cardboard cutouts for the kids to pose behind. Adam and I dressed up with all of the kids...we finished the party off with an old fashioned game of musical chairs and a good time was had by all! Happy birthday little Man! Good grief, I love that kid!

The whole crew.

Our gang: Incognito

Rangers, Power UP!

For Meagen...she knows why!

Can we get back to the fun stuff?

Cheater, cheater, apple eater!

FIVE!









Just another lady-bug nibbling on an apple.

What party is complete without a melt-down?

2009!

Whew! We made it! The holidays are over and I can say that all of my Christmas stuff is PUT AWAY! Yes, it was all packed up and put away on Sunday, a full 3 months ahead of schedule:0) If you know me, you know that I usually run a little behind getting this done...you know, you get busy, you think, tomorrow I am going to put all that away and then you don't and before you know it, it's March...no? Well, me neither although I did make it that long once, the year Flip was born. My grandmother was over one day and she said, "Where are your tubs? This is getting done today!" So, she and I did it while the little man rested in his swing. Now, I put the deed on the calender. (who likes to put it all away?) This way I can't use busy-ness as an excuse. Of course, it all went back into the attic and then I noticed that one piece was forgotten...this year it is our little counter that counts down to Christmas...still sitting right there by the TV. I guess I will have to stash it somewhere until next year...

We spent the new year as we have in the past with our friends, the McKinleys, Stofers, and Forzaglias. We went to dinner at Roy's. I enjoyed the meal and I think I got the vote for picking the best dishes for each course (except desert, I picked a cheese sampler...who knew there were so many disgusting cheeses?). After dinner, we went back to Mike and Marie's house to watch the ball drop. Adam and I had had some late nights so we cut out right after midnight...woke up leisurely, and then joined our kids over at my mom's house for a New Year's meal, some Wii, and some fire works! 2009, Yahoo!

2009! 2009! 2009! Really? 2009? I just can't believe it is 2009!

2008 Wrap-Up

There are only a few days left in what has been our busiest year ever. I like to think that we have fallen into a routine now and that we have sailed into smoother waters...with four children in the home, it is unlikely we will not be hitting high surf every now and then...but...we have our life jacket and He will get us through it all.

December is nearly over and I wanted to catch up on all that has happened...Ruthie and Rusty got their first report cards of the year...Ruthie made straight A's, principle's list, and Rusty made straight E's, except for art, which, uh, it's art???? I emailed the teacher to find out what all went into this grade...art is subjective, right? She assured me that he is well behaved and hard working and that he earned that V! Ok, well, what do you have to do to earn an E? Whatever, we'll take it. Both of the kids are working in the highest reading groups and participating in what is called super star math...I'm a proud mama!

I went to EPCOT to sing in the Disney Candle Light processional and earned two free tickets to any park. In 2009, Disney is giving every FL resident a free ticket to any park on the their birthday so, we will use those and take each of the kids to the park of their choice for free on their birthday, and for two of them, one of us will also get in free. I'm looking forward to this as something different and a good way for each child to have a full day of being the center of attention!

Adam and I had our TENTH anniversary. We didn't celebrate it yet but the plans are in the works. On the eve of this decade of devotion, I rolled over in bed and heard a loud popping noise in my neck and could not turn my head for 24 hours...we did manage to one thing on the big day...Santa...now I know why there are so many June brides. There is absolutely nothing going on in June.

Ellie met Santa for the first time ever and he scared her! Not really but she cried...until he pulled out the candy canes and then she vaulted herself straight into his arms. She sat on his lap for a good five minutes, clutching her candy cane and investigating his face. As to the other three, I fear some of the magic has been lost as none of them wanted to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted because, "he is not the real Santa." Huh?

Ruthie sang in both our Christmas Cantata and our Christmas Eve services at church and she had a small solo which brought tears to many eyes. With her moving onto the competition squad in gymnastics, this may be the last year she is able to commit to individual parts in shows like this since require additional practices that will conflict with her gym time...one of those things we really had to think about but believe that in time, we will know which path to take...for now, she is loving gymnastics and really doing well.

Ellie had her first Christmas and was completely adorable opening her gifts...her favorite was probably the new little tricycle...it has been in the middle of the floor since she got it and every time she gets on it or walks past it, she announces, "mommy, that's my bike!" Other favorites include her dolly which she has named Allie and the sunglasses that were in her stocking. The other three made out like bandits on the DS games but otherwise, Christmas did not get out of hand with too much "stuff" this year and I confess that although I always experience that little let down right after the last gift is opened, it was nice this year to not have piles of "stuff" to find places for.

We initiated a birth search for Ellie's birth family. We know their names, have their address and a lot of other information adoptive families from Russia don't always get. So, it will be easy for the searcher to find them but we don't know if they will cooperate. We hope to gain information about the area she is from but especially pictures, maybe a letter and possibly a video of her birth family including her biological sister. All of this to be held for her until the time she is mature enough or begins to ask questions about them. The searcher said that almost always, the families are relieved to know that the children have a home and to see pictures of the child and want the child to have something from them. We sent pictures of her with us as well as a letter thanking the family for the gift of Ellie. I had to refer to her in the letter as Vika and that was a little strange. Writing the letter brought forth a lot of emotions that I will save for a later post...

So, what's left? We have initiated the BIG after Christmas clean out and that will take weeks...we have New Year's Eve with our friends and then...2009...another year...the year of the 1/2 marathon...10 weeks to go!

Happy New Year! Go Light Your World! Love, The Jergers

Nine Is Fine...

She's nine! I wanted to do this post a week or so ago but December in the Jerger home is a mad rush from one event to another. We have Ruthie's birthday, our anniversary, and of course, Christmas! Although her birthday fell on a Monday, we waited until the following Friday to have her party. She really wanted to have both a slumber party and go putt-putt golfing. Since the last slumber party, with about 12 girls, I have wised up...so, Ruthie invited her three closest friends and we started the night at The Olive Garden. I wish I had recorded some of their conversation during dinner. They were both little girls and yet big at the same time. As they sat and did all the activities on their kid's menu, they talked about boys in a completely serious and yet, child-like way...drinking from cups with lids, they had very serious conversations about the differences between their schools, the activities they each participate in and even told jokes.

From dinner, we went to putt-putt golf. The girls had a blast...it was cold and we were all bundled up...there were many re-do's and some debate over what was fair and what was just plain cheating...Laura got the good sport award because she was abysmally bad but loving every minute of it! After Putt-putt, we went for ice cream and the girls ran into one of the boys from their class...uuugh! I mean, really! We got back to the house around 10:30, opened gifts, and then settled in for a few movies. Finally, we finished off the night around 2:30 AM...I remember this being so much fun when I was little girl but now, these late nights just make me a little nauseous.

In addition to her turning nine, we got the awesome news that she is being moved up to level 4 in gymnastics...this means that, assuming she hangs tough in workouts, she will be competing come fall and we will be on the road to meets! Her work out schedule has increased to 9 hours/week making for some tough decisions regarding other activities she is involved in. This is so exciting not only because of being on the competition team but because she had an uphill battle getting there this year. Ruthie was moving along so quickly and then earlier in the year, while back flipping into the pool, she hit her head and needed stitches. The accident put doubt and fear into her head and she had to work very hard to overcome it and get her round-off back handspring. I think seeing her go through that and push herself is what makes me the most proud.

So, nine years...I keep looking at her trying to remember all the little things...funny words, mannerisms, all the things that make her who she is and try as I might, I can't recall everything. It makes me want to turn back time...call for my own little re-do and just be able to rock her in my arms until she falls asleep a few more times before she goes away to college...in all this busy-ness, the time I want to hold onto the most seems to slip through my fingertips and my need to get it all imprinted in my memory increases as I see her face losing all the baby fat and her legs lengthening in to those of a young lady. This year, her ninth, my prayer is that I am the example the Lord called me to be when he gifted me with such a beautiful, talented child. I pray that when she grows into a woman, she will look back and remember me as a Godly, loving, obediant and compassionate wife and mother. And I pray that the Lord will help be that woman.

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:14

Mind Over Body

Just a quick update on my running...mostly for me...to keep me motivated. This is hard. As I said, I am following a training plan and it starts 10 weeks out from the race. Well, we are not yet 10 weeks out...this Sunday will be 12 weeks. So, I have tried to adapt the plan each week to challenge myself. I am up to running 8 miles on my long run each week. My training plan for the next two weeks looks like this:

Sun: rest

Mon: 3 miles

Tues: rest

Wed: 5 miles

Thurs: 3 miles

Fri: rest

Sat: 8 miles

Actually, even though I do it VERY slowly, the 8 mile run isn't too bad...it is the 3 mile run after a day of rest that I loathe. Compounding the mileage that I have to get in is the fact that I have 4 kid's schedules to work around and often find myself having to run at night when I am most tired. So, I found this quote and in the middle of a run, I whisper to myself, "you are not tired." And sometimes, my self listens...

"Now if you are going to win in any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."

-George S. Patton, US Army General and 1912 Olympian

Sounds about right, right?

Dark Brown

Another sign I am getting older...I had been getting one, maybe two grey hairs a year just in the front...and then a few weeks ago, Adam found a really long one mixed into the back of my hair...he plucked it out in the middle of our ABF...I'm not sure who noticed but it got me to thinkin' about murder. Just last week, I was parting my hair like I do on the rare days that I decide to style it and low and behold, there were about 3 greys right there in the middle of my head...I plucked them in the privacy of my own bathroom. Then a few days later, I am again parting my hair and right there is brand new growth...devastating! So, I decide I would rather not go bald and make a trip to the drug store for my first box of Clairol...you'd think if I am finally going to join the ranks of hair coloring women I could get some cool sounding color like "Mahogany bark." No, the color that matches my hair is called, "Dark Brown." So, now, I am old AND boring.

I really wish I could have found time to update before now...Today is Ruthie's birthday...She's 9...NINE! I am going to do a post in her honor after her little party this weekend...In the meantime...Last week, We started the week with tubes. Flip did really great but woke up a little sad which was a first for him...The doc said that the fluid in his ears was the consistency of taffy and that we should notice a huge difference in his hearing, again. The hole I was previously worried about was completely closed over and had healed nicely. They see no signs of scar tissue so we will get regular hearing tests until we decide the "permanent" tubes can come out. He has said a few times since then that things were too loud and hurting his ears so it seems his hearing is much improved like after the tonsils came out and it will take him some time to get used to life on a normal volume.

Ruthie with Peder the Llama.

Over the weekend, we had two extra munchkins in the house. Jenna and Jason came to stay so their parents could get a nice weekend away and we had a nice time with the kids. On Saturday, we went to the Zoo...a first for Ellie...and she was so excited about all the animals but her favorite part, I think, was petting the sting rays...I'm pretty sure she would have stayed there as long as Adam would have held her up.


Yesterday, after church, we got the outside of the house decorated, the tree up and painted our yearly ornaments for the tree. Ellie was fascinated with the tree...she kept touching the branches. I said to her, "what is that?" and she said, "flower." We told her about the tree and showed her the ornaments, which she kept taking off:0)

My kids all have their own ornaments that they put on the tree every year and I was glad I had bought a set in Russia and collected few for Ellie over the past few years so that she had her own little set to put on the tree. (all on the same branch, I might add)Although, I think she enjoyed playing in the trees storage bag more.

Buckle Your Seat Belts...

It's a long ONE!

First I have to talk about the conclusion of fall sports... Rusty finished up his flag football season and got a little metal...it wasn't the dream season, kind of more the Bad News Bears version but he had a great time and that is what matters. Flip also finished up his T-ball season...if you are a Baseball mom, you know what I mean when I say FINALLY! He got a little trophy that he was so excited about. I have to mention this because as the third child, I have noticed that he has grown up (in some ways) faster than the older two. (Not so much in other ways:0) He has for a long time now been asking when it was going to be his turn to play something. He has watched Ruthie and Rusty at numerous activities and always been there for the trophy ceremony...longingly waiting for his very own trophy...and finally:

I think the grin says it all...What a cutie! So, on the Friday before Thanksgiving...I was madly trying to get us ready to leave town for the week...no small matter when I had to go on a field trip with Ruthie and have everything we needed packed for the frigid weather in D.C. as well as all of our formal wear for Adam's cousin's wedding! I had in my mind that we would leave around 2:00 and be at the rehearsal dinner at 4:00, right on schedule...well, at 4:00 we had been in the car for 2 hours but had yet to leave town...checking the cat into the kennel took forever, I forgot some stuff and we had to run back to the house, (ok, twice) but anyway, we made it to the dinner part and Adam did fine in the wedding so I think it turned out ok.

We left the hotel on Sunday morning at 5:30ish...took our time, stopping when we needed to and playing at rest stops to keep the kids from going crazy in the car...they did awesome, really! In South Carolina, we were playing at a rest area and a man from our church came up to us...how weird! We got to the Durham area and spent some time there with our Friends, the Forzaglias.

On Monday, we got up leisurely and headed out...after having coffee at you guessed it, cultbucks, and an hour long stop at the Walmart, we landed in Leesburg a little after 5pm to spend Thanksgiving with our friends, the Harrisons. We spent the time there seeing the sights including: the air/space museum, Mt. Vernon, The White House, all the D.C. monuments and some of the Smithsonian. Stacy was an awesome tour guide with all of her historical knowledge but while she knows her dates, her figures leave a little to be desired:0)

She laid a beautiful table on Thanksgiving and it was wonderful to spend time with the people who have shared in such an important part of our lives...Aidan and Ellie, while I can't say that I think they remembered each other, I did tell Stacy that I felt like they felt a familiarity to each other...there was no time needed for them to warm up to each other, he was so sweet and gentle with her and they took to each other like they had never been apart...it makes the mind wonder...

After a fun-filled week of hanging with our Russian co-horts, we packed back into the car and went to see Arlington before hitting the road for home...D.C. was different...I have been there before, as a child but, as an adult, everything there and all that it stands for looked different to me and some how, more important. Seeing it all made me want to recall all of those history lessons I never cared about in school and always wondered why we had to learn them. I've come to the conclusion that while the saying goes that it is important to know your history so that you don't repeat it...I feel exactly the opposite...sometimes, repeating history can be a good thing.

It's late, I know but I decided to challenge myself and list TWENTY things/people I am thankful for during this season of Thanksgiving:

1. Jesus: He is just so AWESOME!

2. My mom: She's pretty wise.

3. Adam: of course, he is the reason I am happy.
4. My children: I could go on forever.

5. Ellie's birth mother: she could have made a different choice.

6. My job: I'm lucky to be able to work from home.

7. Adam's job

8. Our church
9. My friends

10. A great school and teachers for my children.

11. clothes and food

12. My home: I have a love/hate relationship here...so many unfinished projects.

13. books

14. crystal lite

15. My dog: woman's best friend

16. warm, fuzzy socks

17. music

18. my college education

19. fall weather

20. having known my brother, if only for just a little while...

Time to Deck the Halls!