Well, we made it--our first ever family sickness. I am so thankful we have not yet had to tackle this battle, but I am pleased to announce aside from some runny noses, the Zimmerman household is illness free!! Last week, the babies battled 102-104 temps, colds, coughs, low oxygen sats, croupe, and three ear infections between them, while I also battled a shut in at work and illness all week. Gross to the max, but thanking the Lord for making it through sickness back to everyday norms.
This week Kate's vocabulary has really been beginning to take off. From dropping her milk cup on the ground and exclaiming, "Oh My!," to asking Gram on the phone, "what are you doing?" Kate continues to find new daily joys in communicating through words. Aiden simply adores his older sister and takes great pleasure in engaging himself in Kate's every word or jumble, even though he has not a clue what his sister is telling him. It's all good, I think Kate would drive him batty with her unwillingness to share and repeatedly telling him "mine." We're working on it. They are just too fun together, and I love being able to spend an entire day watching them in little people action.
This week, I submitted the first round of adoption paperwork. Not going to lie, I have probably checked my e-mail thirty times a day since Monday to see if there is a response but at the same time am experiencing such peace with the decision our family has made to adopt. Kirk and I enjoyed reading one another's autobiographies. It was really interesting to read Kirk's perception of our life, and the direction he is hoping to head with our family; it made me excited!
Of course at times, I wish I could speed up the process or control the situation, but I know it will work out the way it is supposed to. I am prayerful, hopeful, and joyful in knowing that everything will work according to His plan. This week, I was struck by Matthew 6: 34 "Give your attention to what God is doing right now." I certainly can't wait for the newest addition(s) to come, but I certainly don't want to miss the amazing blessings right here right now. Change is inevitably headed our way, so I am soaking in these precious moments!
Will keep you posted--please pray!
Running on His Love,
the Zimmermans
Friday, February 11, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
SUNDAYS, FUN-DAYS
Sunday mornings. They have become my absolute favorite time of the week. Aside from the typically lazy afternoon to follow, it's the delightful chaos in the morning that really gets me.
Today, I got up to get ready before the babies awoke. It's silent, which almost never happens these days, and gives me time to reflect, pray, and think about the week to come as well as its flip side. It's the routine along with spontaneity that makes these mornings exciting. Kirk's sermon notes lying on the coffee table each week, pen in place, his Sunday best pressed and hanging on his special "outfit" hanger :), and the babies' clothes laid out and ready to rock. The only things missing are Caleb on the couch and Callie's light on, which I would inevitably need to turn off...bummer. (We will look forward to that next week :) ).
This week I was able to spend a Friday with my family. It was an amazing day. My family laughs because those who know me know I am constantly taking the babies and our family in for photo shoots. This week was no different; hello, milestone moments?! Aiden was getting his 9 month pictures taken, while Kate took great joy sabotaging every moment he was posing. Balloons in face, monkey in basket, basket coming toward A, Kate smacking A-dawg after he reaches for the baited monkey or balloons...you get the drift. At the end of the shoot, we put on Kate's snow suit and took her outside to play in the snow for the first time. Never having been knee deep in snow, we were not sure how she would take to the wet, glistening goodness, but we are happy to report she is definitely half Canadian. Kirk would make a snowball, hand it off to Kate, and Kate would choose to eat it or through it at Mom. Excellent (insert sarcasm), but nevertheless, so fun to watch. Aiden made the littlest snow angel, and Kate was so incredibly happy spending a family day in the snow.
After the photo shoot, we headed to see the Cavanaugh family in Valpo. I was so excited as I have not seen the twins since our wedding. I walked up to the door and there was a cut-out rainbow and sun posted for our arrival from Becca. It was so sweet, as I am sad to report, she didn't remember who we were. As the door opened, there stood Becca and Brady. I felt as though time stopped, a piece of life's puzzle put back in place. I had spent so much time with their family throughout school, esp. the twins, and here they were running to the door, ponytail, leggings, and cords after I had left them in diapers, watching Dora. This is the reason I take the pictures.
While Heather and I were talking, I mentioned I have a really hard time with milestones. I am so excited to see my children do or say new things or enter the next phase such as "tweenie" but saddened as I will never get to see some of those cherished moments again. (I confess I get really teary and emotional.) The cuddly cute, the wobbly stands, the first smile, first crush--they melt my heart and enter into the memory bank for keeps. Fortunately, I was reminded of the goodness and beautiful moments to be created, after all, I do need to be reminded how incredible snow is from time to time, and Kate's carefree smile did just that Friday.
As we were walking out the door, I told Heather we needed to do lunch sometime even with life being crazily busy. Having five kids with five lives, she looked and said, "If you wait for time, you will never have it. It's a choice, and we will choose to do it." So true. Time never stops, life keeps running full speed, and the times you choose to stop and invest in those family moments, friendships, and awe-ha God moments, will NEVER be regretted.
I'm off to the races, I'm hearing the little man!!
Running on His love, the Zimmermans
Today, I got up to get ready before the babies awoke. It's silent, which almost never happens these days, and gives me time to reflect, pray, and think about the week to come as well as its flip side. It's the routine along with spontaneity that makes these mornings exciting. Kirk's sermon notes lying on the coffee table each week, pen in place, his Sunday best pressed and hanging on his special "outfit" hanger :), and the babies' clothes laid out and ready to rock. The only things missing are Caleb on the couch and Callie's light on, which I would inevitably need to turn off...bummer. (We will look forward to that next week :) ).
This week I was able to spend a Friday with my family. It was an amazing day. My family laughs because those who know me know I am constantly taking the babies and our family in for photo shoots. This week was no different; hello, milestone moments?! Aiden was getting his 9 month pictures taken, while Kate took great joy sabotaging every moment he was posing. Balloons in face, monkey in basket, basket coming toward A, Kate smacking A-dawg after he reaches for the baited monkey or balloons...you get the drift. At the end of the shoot, we put on Kate's snow suit and took her outside to play in the snow for the first time. Never having been knee deep in snow, we were not sure how she would take to the wet, glistening goodness, but we are happy to report she is definitely half Canadian. Kirk would make a snowball, hand it off to Kate, and Kate would choose to eat it or through it at Mom. Excellent (insert sarcasm), but nevertheless, so fun to watch. Aiden made the littlest snow angel, and Kate was so incredibly happy spending a family day in the snow.
After the photo shoot, we headed to see the Cavanaugh family in Valpo. I was so excited as I have not seen the twins since our wedding. I walked up to the door and there was a cut-out rainbow and sun posted for our arrival from Becca. It was so sweet, as I am sad to report, she didn't remember who we were. As the door opened, there stood Becca and Brady. I felt as though time stopped, a piece of life's puzzle put back in place. I had spent so much time with their family throughout school, esp. the twins, and here they were running to the door, ponytail, leggings, and cords after I had left them in diapers, watching Dora. This is the reason I take the pictures.
While Heather and I were talking, I mentioned I have a really hard time with milestones. I am so excited to see my children do or say new things or enter the next phase such as "tweenie" but saddened as I will never get to see some of those cherished moments again. (I confess I get really teary and emotional.) The cuddly cute, the wobbly stands, the first smile, first crush--they melt my heart and enter into the memory bank for keeps. Fortunately, I was reminded of the goodness and beautiful moments to be created, after all, I do need to be reminded how incredible snow is from time to time, and Kate's carefree smile did just that Friday.
As we were walking out the door, I told Heather we needed to do lunch sometime even with life being crazily busy. Having five kids with five lives, she looked and said, "If you wait for time, you will never have it. It's a choice, and we will choose to do it." So true. Time never stops, life keeps running full speed, and the times you choose to stop and invest in those family moments, friendships, and awe-ha God moments, will NEVER be regretted.
I'm off to the races, I'm hearing the little man!!
Running on His love, the Zimmermans
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Getting the "OK" . . .
(Callie)
Today Caleb and I first received the news that our adoption process was "okay-ed". The journey has started! Yep, we were all sitting at the kitchen table and there was a pause while Megan looked on the computer for our Lion King song (we call it Dos Vuh-den-ya, haha) . . . the African one, I don't know its name (we're adopting from Africa, so it fits). What a great opening.
Anyway. I can honestly say I was speechless - something that happens often, but still. I thought it would happen, but at the same time I didn't. Like it was some far off dream or something that was there but still distant . . . and now its HERE. I'm so excited. Caleb was also speechless (which DOESN'T happen often). We all agree that a baby boy from Africa would be the cutest thing. I don't know why, I usually go for the girls (we have to stick together). Although we're gonna have to cut back from stuff like shopping (yikes!) and eating out (even worse) I wouldn't change the decision for the world.
Coming from a bi-racial family in Fishers, I think it would be a good idea to have two children from another country because then they can have somebody that looks like them and they don't feel too different (even though different is what makes us unique and special). Since we are a BIG family, people better watch out if they say anything less than positive about my siblings - I already consider them here. Nobody messes with family.
Unless God wishes it otherwise, in maybe two years our family will be blessed with a new addition. One more can't hurt, we're already a zoo. Well, maybe two can't hurt, but that's it. (Caleb and I have four little brothers and sisters from both families.)
The quote at the top of our blog page basically defines our family, which is why we picked it. "I'd rather regret something I've done than something I didn't do." What an awesome quote? I don't know who said it (or if it was made up), but our family definitely takes those risks and goes with it. Just to explain a little.
'Nite.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas Laughs
So I'm sittin' here thinking about the last few days (a.k.a.: Christmas Eve and then the Day.... and the following). I've gone to who-knows-how-many Christmas Eve services because I basically have two families... which means TONS of presents, not that that's the most important thing:)... but anyway, just so you all know, Mary Did You Know has become the most popular Christmas song of the year (I think I can still hear it). Good thing it's one of my favorites.
I think being 14 now is getting to my head. I'm so excited that I have enough money to buy everybody in my immediate family a present -- a good one. I had no trouble getting one for everybody... but Meg. Although she is one of the most easy people to buy presents for, her family also has a tendency to buy exactly the right thing (many right things). So when I saw How To Train Your Dragon - a movie she has been dying to buy - it was fate. Until I thought about it. Sure enough, come Christmas, in perfect wrapping is the movie... I think from Gram, but who knows? So chocolates, here I come. Since my dad loves chocolates, it was like killing a bird with one stone (not quite like that).
Thursday Megan and I are going to Juniper. I've never heard of it until now and I'm so excited. It seems like we always have a shopping expedition to tell of, but here it is again. Shopping to us is bonding since we are basically on opposite ends of the spectrum... me, shy and a book-lover, her loud and proud. But our love of jewelry and clothes brings us together like none else. I've really gotten to know Megan over the last few years and she is one of the most fun to be around, entertaining, and kind-hearted people I know. We joke around a lot about how lucky my dad is to be married to her, but really she is awesome. So is my dad, but us girls have to stick together.
I'm gonna go now since I really have no point to this post except to show how much I love my family. Ever since we established this blog together, it's become a really fun project sort of thing to do. No deep thoughts today.
Merry Christmas from Callie.
I think being 14 now is getting to my head. I'm so excited that I have enough money to buy everybody in my immediate family a present -- a good one. I had no trouble getting one for everybody... but Meg. Although she is one of the most easy people to buy presents for, her family also has a tendency to buy exactly the right thing (many right things). So when I saw How To Train Your Dragon - a movie she has been dying to buy - it was fate. Until I thought about it. Sure enough, come Christmas, in perfect wrapping is the movie... I think from Gram, but who knows? So chocolates, here I come. Since my dad loves chocolates, it was like killing a bird with one stone (not quite like that).
Thursday Megan and I are going to Juniper. I've never heard of it until now and I'm so excited. It seems like we always have a shopping expedition to tell of, but here it is again. Shopping to us is bonding since we are basically on opposite ends of the spectrum... me, shy and a book-lover, her loud and proud. But our love of jewelry and clothes brings us together like none else. I've really gotten to know Megan over the last few years and she is one of the most fun to be around, entertaining, and kind-hearted people I know. We joke around a lot about how lucky my dad is to be married to her, but really she is awesome. So is my dad, but us girls have to stick together.
I'm gonna go now since I really have no point to this post except to show how much I love my family. Ever since we established this blog together, it's become a really fun project sort of thing to do. No deep thoughts today.
Merry Christmas from Callie.
Reflect and Relax.
On this past Sunday, Kirk spoke about the "January Blues" or the feeling of letdown after the Christmas hustle and bustle. You know, the calm after the storm sorta speak. I have never been one to really dread this time of year, as I see a new year, new beginning, and those anticipated new year's resolutions. Although I claimed to have never acknowledged the January blues, as I am looking over my work schedule, I added some extra shifts which one could easily conclude I was subconsciously preparing for the dreary January.
I post this because I have always been a go, go, go-er. Not so much an adrenaline junky, but a busy junky--work hard and play hard. I have had to learn to enjoy precious moments that fly by and not take family moments for granted. I have always worn my heart on my sleeve. A good quality at times, at times, not so great. I have had to learn to make time to get to know others, their likes and dislikes, what makes them tick. It's amazing, but after spending, my entire life with my family, I still spend the car rides home asking my husband, "Did you know that about my mom (or sister, or brother-in-law?)."
This Christmas was the first Christmas without my grandmother. She was truly one of the most amazing women, beauty radiating inside and out. If you met her, you were better for it; she could put sunshine in any day. After opening many amazing gifts, my mom presented us all with Devotions of the Heart, a compilation of my grandmother's most cherished quotes, biblical verses, and thoughts. As I am thinking back, speechless does not often grace my vocabulary, but the only word I can think to describe this moment. I will cherish it always and am so thankful for an often "techinically-challenged", caring mom who took the time to solidify memories.
With this, I end today with page 29 of Suzanne Kersting Earnhart's Devotions from the Heart:
Thank God for Little Things
Thank you, God, for little things
that often come our way,
the things we take for granted
but don't mention when we pray,
The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful
kindly, deed,
A hand reached out,to help us
in the time of sudden need-
Oh make us more aware, dear God,
of little daily graces
That come to us with "sweet surprise"
from never-dreamed-of-places.
-Helen Steiner Rice
In 2011, I hope to be able to do just this- live in the moments, bless others, and cherish life.
Thank you God for bubble baths, bubbly kids, and an amazingly supportive husband.
Running on His Love, the Zimmermans
I post this because I have always been a go, go, go-er. Not so much an adrenaline junky, but a busy junky--work hard and play hard. I have had to learn to enjoy precious moments that fly by and not take family moments for granted. I have always worn my heart on my sleeve. A good quality at times, at times, not so great. I have had to learn to make time to get to know others, their likes and dislikes, what makes them tick. It's amazing, but after spending, my entire life with my family, I still spend the car rides home asking my husband, "Did you know that about my mom (or sister, or brother-in-law?)."
This Christmas was the first Christmas without my grandmother. She was truly one of the most amazing women, beauty radiating inside and out. If you met her, you were better for it; she could put sunshine in any day. After opening many amazing gifts, my mom presented us all with Devotions of the Heart, a compilation of my grandmother's most cherished quotes, biblical verses, and thoughts. As I am thinking back, speechless does not often grace my vocabulary, but the only word I can think to describe this moment. I will cherish it always and am so thankful for an often "techinically-challenged", caring mom who took the time to solidify memories.
With this, I end today with page 29 of Suzanne Kersting Earnhart's Devotions from the Heart:
Thank God for Little Things
Thank you, God, for little things
that often come our way,
the things we take for granted
but don't mention when we pray,
The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful
kindly, deed,
A hand reached out,to help us
in the time of sudden need-
Oh make us more aware, dear God,
of little daily graces
That come to us with "sweet surprise"
from never-dreamed-of-places.
-Helen Steiner Rice
In 2011, I hope to be able to do just this- live in the moments, bless others, and cherish life.
Thank you God for bubble baths, bubbly kids, and an amazingly supportive husband.
Running on His Love, the Zimmermans
Monday, December 13, 2010
My #1 is a teen...
The title says it all. I am now officially mom to a teenager. On December 7, Callie turned 14!
There are so many things I love about Callie. She is beautiful, inside and out, as she loves to shop and dress but can kick it in jammies, as well as is shy but can have you laughing out loud in minutes with her quirkiness.
It has taken me awhile to crack that quiet demeanor, but over the last year Kirk and I have seen such personal and spiritual growth. She has such a caring heart. I will also take the opportunity to plug her 130 page novel she has been working on--her creative talents are AMAZING. Let me know if we can forward you a copy.We are so proud of her and are excited to see where life will lead.
I remember the first time I met Callie. To backtrack for those of you who don't know, Kirk and I met at Riley Hospital for Children. After the first couple visits, Kirk brought both Callie and Caleb to Riley to say hello to the Fosters and casually introduce them to me. Callie was 9, shy and a head full of curly hair. As we colored her bubble-lettered name in with brightly colored crayons, her shyness wore off and she told me all about school and practically anything else that popped into her head. Kirk and I went on our first date that night: to McDonalds (some things never change ;) ), with the kids and Pirates of the Caribbean happy meals, where I forced to demonstrate my most pathetic pirate impressions--ARRGGGGGGGGGGHHH. Nothing more romantic then that my friends!
This weekend we celebrated Callie's birthday over a double-layered red velvet cake with confetti-chip icing and heath sprinkles. Yes, diabetic coma, but Callie's absolute favorite. I worked the weekend, so after arriving home at 8 managed to assemble the troops, and we popped out a birthday cake and meal, toffee, and appetizers we are saving for the elders Christmas party (Caleb had to sample then to make sure they were good options). It seems silly, but it was actually a night for our memory book; we laughed at the chaos and complete disaster of the kitchen over a 10PM dinner celebrating an amazing teen! Moments like this make my heart melt---livin' life in its simplest form!
Running on His love, the Zimmermans
There are so many things I love about Callie. She is beautiful, inside and out, as she loves to shop and dress but can kick it in jammies, as well as is shy but can have you laughing out loud in minutes with her quirkiness.
It has taken me awhile to crack that quiet demeanor, but over the last year Kirk and I have seen such personal and spiritual growth. She has such a caring heart. I will also take the opportunity to plug her 130 page novel she has been working on--her creative talents are AMAZING. Let me know if we can forward you a copy.We are so proud of her and are excited to see where life will lead.
I remember the first time I met Callie. To backtrack for those of you who don't know, Kirk and I met at Riley Hospital for Children. After the first couple visits, Kirk brought both Callie and Caleb to Riley to say hello to the Fosters and casually introduce them to me. Callie was 9, shy and a head full of curly hair. As we colored her bubble-lettered name in with brightly colored crayons, her shyness wore off and she told me all about school and practically anything else that popped into her head. Kirk and I went on our first date that night: to McDonalds (some things never change ;) ), with the kids and Pirates of the Caribbean happy meals, where I forced to demonstrate my most pathetic pirate impressions--ARRGGGGGGGGGGHHH. Nothing more romantic then that my friends!
This weekend we celebrated Callie's birthday over a double-layered red velvet cake with confetti-chip icing and heath sprinkles. Yes, diabetic coma, but Callie's absolute favorite. I worked the weekend, so after arriving home at 8 managed to assemble the troops, and we popped out a birthday cake and meal, toffee, and appetizers we are saving for the elders Christmas party (Caleb had to sample then to make sure they were good options). It seems silly, but it was actually a night for our memory book; we laughed at the chaos and complete disaster of the kitchen over a 10PM dinner celebrating an amazing teen! Moments like this make my heart melt---livin' life in its simplest form!
Running on His love, the Zimmermans
Friday, December 3, 2010
"..they are two of the several great loves of.my.life."
It's 4:30 AM. Aiden is getting his four front teeth on top, therefore, he has become my night owl (waking up whenever randomly throughout the night). It might sound crazy, but even at 4AM, I love and look forward to snuggling with my stinky, little man. No matter what time of day, or night, he has a smile that is simply contagious. :) I am soooooo in love.
A rather frequent question I get asked when talking with people about our family's hope for adoption is, "Why would you ever adopt when you can have your own babies?" My answer is usually this--I look at the love my family has for our kids. I am constantly cuddling, kissing, and caring for them...little things that every baby or child deserves. They are two of the several great loves of my life. It literally makes me sick to my stomach at times to think of a child who doesn't have that on a daily basis. Every night, Kate, my twenty-month old, loudly slaps her prayer hands together and we pray for those kids. We pray for the children He might have planned for our family and to prepare our hearts for what's to come.
In Kirk's sermon the other morning, he said, "loving Him means at times giving up something you love for something He loves even more." It encompasses this entire process for us. Yes, we would have 5 or 6 children, yes, the house would most likely always be messy in one way or another, and we wouldn't go shopping or out to eat nearly as much (to say the least), but we are just fine with that. Everyone has a calling, whether it be to adopt, help someone in need, give to charities that distribute to specific causes, etc--never be afraid to follow where your being led!
Well, back to bed :)
Running on His Love. The Zimmermans
A rather frequent question I get asked when talking with people about our family's hope for adoption is, "Why would you ever adopt when you can have your own babies?" My answer is usually this--I look at the love my family has for our kids. I am constantly cuddling, kissing, and caring for them...little things that every baby or child deserves. They are two of the several great loves of my life. It literally makes me sick to my stomach at times to think of a child who doesn't have that on a daily basis. Every night, Kate, my twenty-month old, loudly slaps her prayer hands together and we pray for those kids. We pray for the children He might have planned for our family and to prepare our hearts for what's to come.
In Kirk's sermon the other morning, he said, "loving Him means at times giving up something you love for something He loves even more." It encompasses this entire process for us. Yes, we would have 5 or 6 children, yes, the house would most likely always be messy in one way or another, and we wouldn't go shopping or out to eat nearly as much (to say the least), but we are just fine with that. Everyone has a calling, whether it be to adopt, help someone in need, give to charities that distribute to specific causes, etc--never be afraid to follow where your being led!
Well, back to bed :)
Running on His Love. The Zimmermans
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