Play Date, Wednesday March 6th

Our friends came over to play and I had the bigger kids do an Easter craft.  We cut out an Easter egg and then glued pieces of tissue paper onto the egg to decorate it.  The kids had fun doing the project!

 Take note of Nathan's shirt... green tractor shirt.

  

Notice Isaiah's shirt...green tractor shirt.  The SAME shirt and Sarah and I didn't even plan together!

The kids enjoyed a fun morning of art and playing together.  As everyone was packing up to leave Sarah and I attempted to get a matching shirt picture of our boys...ha, yeah right!

 

 

This was our best attempt! 

Later in the afternoon Esther entertained herself by relaxing her legs upon the ring string that hangs across her pack and play.

 

St. Patrick's Day Art Work, Tuesday March 5th

For Valentine's Day I used this pinterest idea of toilet paper tube heart stamps.  I blogged here about Isaiah having a blast painting and stamping hearts.  We had so much fun it made me wonder what other possibilities could be stamped from toilet paper tubes.  I thought I was being creative and original and brainstormed shamrocks.  Isaiah was impressed with making St. Patrick's Day art work! However, a day or two after this special project I found it has already been posted as a pinterest idea. Well, I guess it was a good idea!

After our morning fun of painting we ventured out for a walk to Fred Meyer. I love carrying Esther in the Beco!

Once we returned home again Esther enjoyed some floor time with Ellie the elephant.

 

Esther's Church Dress, Sunday March 3rd

My friend Sarah let me borrow a bunch of her daughter Lily's clothes for Esther.  When we went through the clothes I was so excited about Esther getting big enough to fit and wear this dress.  It is a Gymboree dress (expensive/fancy brand) and looked so adorable on the hanger!

I just realized that Esther probably would finally fit the dress, so I decided to have her wear it to church.  Well, it turns out it isn't my favorite dress because it was very stiff on her so she only wore it for a couple hours at church.  We took it off of her after we got home so naps would be more comfy.  I still think it is an adorable dress.

 

Our Visit with the Stevens-Esther's First Time Wearing Shoes, March 2nd

On Saturday, March 2nd the Stevens family had us over to their house for brunch.  We had Esther dress up for our visit by having her wear shoes for the first time.  She wore her borrowed glitter shoes and looked adorable!  

We had a yummy breakfast and wonderful conversation!  Isaiah (and Travis) had fun playing with all the Stevens boys.  John Mark and Case (no picture) both even wanted to hold Esther- so sweet and such good big brothers!  We sure do love this family.

  

Cousin Bedtime Singing Friday, March 1st

While Esther Sleeps Isaiah and I Have FUN- Wednesday, February 27th

While Esther took her morning nap in the swing...

Isaiah and I played play dough.  I was the creator, but he was mostly the idea generator and organizer.  The video is long, but so cute.  He describes all of his food collection and even pretends to eat some of our yummy food creations.

While Esther took her afternoon nap in the crib...

Esther loves her Taggie elephant (Ellie) from Aunt Kayla, Uncle Josh, and Kiara.  It pretty much goes everywhere with her!

Isaiah and I played Legos in my bedroom.

Our First Trip to Papa's Pizza with Friends Tuesday, February 26th

Since it was ALMOST March I decided it was alright to bust out Esther's St. Patrick's Day dress for our play date.  Our play date today was to Papa's Pizza over by Sarah's house.  This was our family's first experience with Papa's pizza and we all enjoyed it!  It will be a place we need to visit again, especially since Brook was the all star parent and supervised the older kids and Sarah and I didn't take our turn in the play area with the older kids or get pictures of the kids playing.

   

Later in the evening Ruthie came to say hello!  We enjoyed an evening walk with her and then she got some Esther snuggles.

Church Baby Shower- Sunday, February 24th

My amazing small group and church family planned a wonderful baby shower for Esther and I!  

I am so thankful for all of these wonderful ladies!

Thanks to Rachel there were FABULOUS decorations!  She took the color scheme she new was in Esther's room (red and blue-she didn't know I had added pink) and my teacher heart (love for letters) and came up with all of these wonderful decorations.  She didn't even gather ideas from Pinterest, because she is that good!

  

Visiting before the shower officially started.

Aunt Elise getting to hold Esther before the shower officially started.

Angela planned a letter themed game.  She wrote Esther Annah Elizabeth Morgan at the top of a paper and then told the guests to make as many different four letter or bigger words using the letters in her name.  My mother-in-law (who is amazing with word games) won the game!

  
Next, we had snacks.  Esther even got to participate in snack time!  She was a good baby and fell asleep while drinking her bottle and then happily transferred to Aunt Kayla so that I could open gifts.

Thank you to everyone that was able to come celebrate Esther with us and thanks for all the wonderful gifts we received.  Esther is such a blessing to our family and we really appreciate all the support from our small group and church family throughout the adoption process.    

  

Rachel ended the evening by doing a short devotional and prayer for Esther.  Rachel shared what Esther means..."hidden" "star". Rachel said what neat plans God has for her little life, a hidden star.  Rachel shared a summary of Esther from the Bible- orphaned, raised by an uncle, loved by a king.  Her life/her story was an adventure full of espionage, deception, an evil villain  and a lovely women.  Esther faced pressure not to speak up.  She was the new queen.  The queen before her had been banished for not obeying the king.  The king made a law that persecuted Jews.  She was Jewish. She could stay silent- save her people, but maybe not herself.  Esther asked for prayer and approached the king. He listened and changed the law.  Because of her faith and courage God could use her.  Then Rachel shared Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  Rachel closed by saying that parenting is an adventure, a tiring, wearisome adventure-let's not tire!

Here is all my family that was able to come to the shower and celebrate Esther!