Just pictures

The big apple

Saturday we took Holly, Alley and Noah to New York City for the day. We toured the empire state building, saw the "big tree", went to central park and FAO Schwarz. We did much more however the above were the highlights. The city was extremely cold, windy, overly crowded yet very fun and exciting.
A big Thank You to my sister for inviting Carson to sleep over her home while we went to NYC.

It starts already?

I thought I had a few more years before this: My Mom said, Yes.
Lately, Carson will ask me if he can do/have something and if I say No. He will reply, Daddy said yes. The other day I heard Carson asking Jonathan for candy (which he hardly ever gets). Before Jonathan could answer Carson, Carson said quickly, My Mom said, Yes (no I did not). Are you serious?

I want to help!

Too Cute!

Carson has been saying the cutest things lately.

Mom can you put my hook up? Hook= Hood

Can you give me the commode? Commode= remote

Is that jealous? Jealous= Jelly

He sees christmas lights and says "yea, its christmas time"!

Dad, are we going to get Noah from the Ark?

Does Santa live in America, Mom?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRETA JO

Today is your birthday
and I truly must say
The Potter did such a masterful job when
He formed you so delicately with His pristine clay

I do wonder how He did it
as He thought whom to create
and considered your hands, your feet, your mind, your heart
that one day I would have the honor to call you my mate

The life that you live is one of great value
You've used what He's given you to serve and to bless
Your faith in our Master is something to behold
As you walk often blindly, trusting He'll provide the rest.

As thanksgiving approaches and soon will be here
This day, I celebrate all that you are, my wife
And give thanks to our Lord for what He has done
You are so funny, so lovely, so altogether fly

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday sweet love, Happy Birthday to you


Love,

Jonathan

Could this be true?!

Guatemala reopening international adoptions

JUAN CARLOS LLORCA
Published: Nov 20, 2009
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) - Guatemalan officials on Friday announced the resumption of international adoptions after a nearly two-year suspension prompted by the discovery that some babies were being sold.

Legal reforms established during the suspension will prevent problems in the future, according to the National Adoption Council, which said in a statement on its Web page that it will start a pilot program involving four countries.

The Council did not say when the program would start or which countries would be involved.

Prior to the shutdown, Guatemala was the world's second-largest source of babies to the U.S. after China due to its routinely quick adoption process.

But the door to adoptions slammed shut in 2007 when authorities discovered evidence of fraud that has since been revealed to include false paperwork, fake birth certificates, women coerced into giving up their children and even baby theft. At least 25 cases resulted in criminal charges against doctors, lawyers, mothers and civil registrars.

As a result, thousands of adoptive parents, most from the U.S., were forced to put their adoptions of Guatemalan children on hold - many after paying thousands of dollars.

Last year, the National Adoptions Council began requiring birth mothers to personally verify they still wanted to give up their children.

Nearly 1,000 of 3,032 cases were dismissed, however, because no birth mother showed up.

Prosecutors suspect many of the babies in those cases never existed - that Guatemalan baby brokers registered false identities with the council in hopes of matching them later to babies obtained through fraud.
AP Mobile. © 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

We live in a healthy state. How about you?

This annual ranking, published by the United Health Foundation, looks at 22 indicators of health, including everything from how many children receive recommended vaccinations, to obesity and smoking rates, to cancer deaths. (Insurer UnitedHealth Group funds the foundation.) Scores for each state are determined by gathering data from a variety of government and nongovernmental databases and then calculating how much each state is better or worse than the national average for each measure. Click here to see the report. The below chart lists the final results in addition to rank changes in specific categories over the past 20 years.

2009 STATE RANKINGS
1Vermont
2Utah
3Massachusetts
4Hawaii
5New Hampshire
6Minnesota
7Connecticut
8Colorado
9Maine
10Rhode Island
11Washington
12Wisconsin
13Oregon
14Idaho
15Iowa
16Nebraska
17North Dakota
18New Jersey
19Wyoming
20South Dakota
21Maryland
22Virginia
23California
24Kansas
25New York
26Montana
27Arizona
28Pennsylvania
29Illinois
30Michigan
31New Mexico
32Delaware
33Ohio
34Alaska
35Indiana
36Florida
37North Carolina
38Missouri
39Texas
40Arkansas
41Kentucky
42West Virginia
43Georgia
44Tennessee
45Nevada
46South Carolina
47Louisiana
48Alabama
49Oklahoma
50Mississippi

Christmas gift giving struggles

I have been personally struggling with what to get Carson for Christmas. He has so much. We have toys in every room of our home. He does not even play with 90 percent of them. Matter of fact, I do not think he know what he has regarding his toys, books and videos. I know Christmas is not about the amount of gifts under the Christmas tree, its not the amount of money spent, its not what the other kids get however I am still struggling. So what do I do?

Annual pumpkin carving 2009

This October Carson participated in his first annual pumpkin carving contest at my aunt's. Carson truly enjoyed "gutting" the pumpkin. Each time he would pull a handful of guts out of the pumpkin he would either laugh or say gross. Even though we did not win we had a wonderful time with our family. Great job Joanne for winning the 2009 pumpkin contest! I truly enjoy spending time with family and making memories.
The Herron/Payne cousin's rock!

News Flash

A few months ago I posted about getting married on August 1, 2009. However there was a change of plans due to personal reasons that I would rather not post about for the whole world to read. Anyway, Jonathan and I prayed faithfully about getting married which lead us to a romantic elopement on October 25, 2009 in Florida followed by a wonderful seven day cruise on Holland America. We had a great time on the cruise and touring the islands we visited. I have to give Jonathan all the credit as I would never want to marry me (lol). Jonathan has been very patient, thoughtful, forgiving and understanding with me and my baggage I bring into the relationship.

His smile melts my heart!

Words can not describe how much I love my sweet baby boy-

I want a snack!

Carson asked for a snack yesterday and I replied what do you want?
He said, hmmm a peanut, jelly and butter sawnwich. I wanted him to say it again, so I replied What? He said, Mom a peanut, jelly and butter sawnwich.

Last call for rides 2009

Today was super Sunday at the wildwood boardwalk. Only one pier was open out of three however there were plenty of rides for Carson to enjoy. The pier was open from 11-5 for $20.00 rides all day, free face painting, games, ect. My parents met us on the pier and they loved watching Carson ride the rides. The weather was perfect! The sun was shining bright and there was a little breeze off the ocean. We have been going to super Sunday every year since Carson came home (God willing we will continue). As I have mentioned in previous post, we love the boardwalk. Matter of fact we love everything about the boardwalk- trendy stores, curly fries, Sam's pizza, ice cream, rides, people watching (and you see ALL types), and most of all spending time with family and friends. Maybe one day some of my blog friends will join us- the invitation is open!

melt down city

Last night Carson had a hour melt down (Yes, a full blown hour)at bed time. In the course of his temper he said to me, "Mommy, I do not want to be in your heart anymore!"

Its going to break my ear

Let me set the stage-
Yesterday Carson attended his first "school field trip" to the local fire house.

So, today as we were driving to school, Carson was in the back seat eating blueberries and says:

Carson: Mom call the fire house and tell them not to blow the horn.
Mommy: Why Carson?
Carson: because its going to break my ear again.
Mommy: OK
Carson: call Mommy

I pick up the cell phone and pretend to dial the fire house

Mommy: Hello fire house, please do not blow the horn because its going to break Carson's ear. OK, Thanks fire house. ( I hang up the phone).
Carson: Mom, what did they say?
Mommy: they said they will not blow the horn.

As I looked in the rear view mirror, Carson gives me a smirk and went back to eating his blueberries.

snake and an artist-

Last week we went to a little fall party down the street from our home. Carson enjoyed the hayride, pumpkin painting and Mommy having a snake placed around my neck. Yes, it was a huge snake! I played it cool even though I was completely grossed out-

Hmm good!

No that is not his soda! No soda for Carson!!