Spoiled...I think so!

Tomorrow, we are leaving for Tulsa so day I have been vigorously cleaning and packing. I was cleaning our bathroom and Harper walked in and said, "mom, what are you doing?" At the time, I was cleaning the toilet, so I said, "Harper, I'm cleaning the toilet!" She said, "Ewww, that's disgusting. Don't we have cleaning ladies to do that?" I said, "Harper that isn't very nice. We used to have cleaning ladies but since mommy isn't working anymore, I am the cleaning lady." She said,
"oh mommy, I'm so sorry you have to do that....maybe we can find new cleaning ladies!" Pretty sure my daughter is pretty spoiled if she knew we had cleaning ladies and knew what they did.

Go Timberwolves

The girls and I ventured to the first Timberwolves game back on October 27th. Of course, I took my camera to capture the girls at their first NBA game but neither one of them really wanted to cooperate until it was time to go. I'm sure there will be many more pictures of the girls at the games.

"Cheese"

Doesn't Peter look official?? The girls were so excited to see his new work or as Harper says "this is where daddy lives."

Leaving Tulsa

We left Tulsa the morning of October 21st. I had shirts made for the girls before we left, which said "Oklahoma Girl At Heart!"! Of course, I had to get a few last pictures of us as Oklahoma residents.

Just had to show a picture of the back-end of my car-it was crammed full!

Breakfast of Champions-Eggo waffles to go!


One last picture of us before we left.

Grammy and Poppy with the girls before we left

1st Snow of the Year!!!

One of the many perks of living in beautiful Minnesota is the snow. I say that now and may despise the snow in a few months but right now, it's gorgeous! The first 2 pictures are the view from our apartment when we woke up on Saturday morning. When Harper woke up, she ran into our room, screaming "It's snowing!, I LOVE snow!" It was one of those priceless moments that I will remember forever. It snowed pretty hard most of the day on Saturday so we waited to go out in it until Sunday.

We waited until after lunch on Sunday to go out in the snow so Adeline was getting a little fussy (note: the pacifier).

Harper walked right out into the snow and fell.

Here she comes-I love her "strut" with the pacifier!

Daddy and Adeline!

Trying to build a snowman with daddy!

Sisters!

Harper eating the snow!

Harper making a snow angel

"Where's Adeline?"

Saying Good-Bye to ELA-FUMC

One of the hardest things for me when we left Tulsa was saying "good-bye" to the Early Learning Academy at First United Methodist Church. Harper started when she was 9 months old and Adeline started when she was 4 months old. I absolutely LOVE this school and the love they show my children. Both girls learned more than I could of ever asked for this year.

The girls last day of school was the day before we moved to Minnesota. I took cookies so the girls could celebrate with their classes. Harper still talks about her class and how much she misses each one of them.

Harper's class during circle time.

Harper and her school boyfriend, Hugh. Her eyes light and she she just smiles when she hears his name.


Miss Stephanie and Miss Sarah (Harper's teachers this year)

Covered in icing at her "moving" party

Adeline and Miss Debra...Harper had Miss Debra and we fell in love with her then. She is the most amazing and caring teacher.

Adeline and Miss Rachel

Thank you ELA-FUMC staff for a wonderful few years. We are blessed with the memories and the knowledge gained.

Happy Halloween (a bit late)

This year for Halloween, I let Harper pick out her outfit. Actually, it was about a week before we moved to Minnesota, we walked into Wal-mart in Tulsa and I said, "pick out a costume." She picked out several before we mutually agreed on "Jessie" from Toy Story. Adeline had no choice, her daddy and I decided on Elmo since she has this great obsession for him.

The day before Halloween, one of the small town (suburbs) called Maple Grove had trick-or-treating at some of the shops. It was cold and windy but the girls had a wonderful time.

Because it was so windy, we had Harper wear a jean jacket. She was NOT happy and threw a major fit so we had to tell her a lie to have her put it on. Harper asked if Jessie wore a jean jacket and Peter and I said yes and we also said the package told parents to put little girls in jean jackets if it was cold.

Adeline wasn't so sure on the Elmo head piece....

Apartment Park

It was 56 degrees so we went to the apartment park this afternoon. It wasn't the best idea I have had in awhile because it was extremely windy but the girls had fun getting out and stretching their legs after their naps.

Learning to SPELL is so much fun!

I'm so excited~a few weeks ago, (when Harper was in preschool) she really became interested in letters and their sounds. Peter's mom also bought Harper The Letter Factory DVD's (thanks Gramma)! Ever since then she has been constantly asking how to spell things and what letter do certain words start with. So today, I had an experiment (with our refrigerator magnets) and my little girl can spell. I would say a word and she would sound it out as she spelled it. She spelled cat, dog, hat, sit, hot. She gets very excited when she finishes each word. Now, I need to find her a preschool that can keep her engaged in learning. Harper needs to constantly be learning and I'm not sure I know the correct rules for teaching reading.

Some Girls (Harper) LIKE horses and some girls (Adeline) DO NOT

Harper LOVES to ride horses. Anytime we see a horse that can be ridden, she BEGS and PLEADS to ride one of them. We are not real sure where this obsession came from but it's real and it grows each time she gets on a horse. The past few weeks, Harper has gotten to ride 3 different horses.

Here Harper is riding a horse at the Tulsa State Fair. Julie (AKA "JuJu") helped Harper while I dealt with Adeline...her pictures will follow.

She was so excited and so proud to be riding this horse. This was taken at the Annual Chili-Cook off with our Sunday School class and my parents Sunday School class.


I'm so proud of the way Harper treats horses-she is so kind and nurturing to them. I love how tall and straight she sits up while riding a horse.

More horses to ride...this one was taken at the Pumpkin Patch.

Now, meet the polar opposite of Adeline when it comes to horses. This picture was taken at the fair. She started screaming and crying immediately but I thought she would stop so I made (bad mommy move) her ride the horse "Pedro." The workers finally stopped the ride early to let get Adeline off the horse-we aren't real sure where her complete fear of horses came from but it is real and it is bad!

My parents, brother and his wife really wanted to see the girls ride horses while we were at the Pumpkin Patch. As you can see, we ended with the same result but this time we did get our money back.

I hope and pray that Adeline would learn to enjoy horses. They are such beautiful animals. Peter has always said that if we had all of the money in the world, we would have horses and a stable so the girls could ride. Of course, I would want to hire people to help with the upkeep/maintenance.

Good-Bye Molly

The was one the of our first steps to moving...Peter left on Saturday before Labor Day and we gave Molly away on Labor Day. I was a wreck; in fact, my wonderful dad was the one who gave her to the lady-I just couldn't do it. We knew that we couldn't bring here to Minneapolis with us but we wanted to make sure we found her the best home. Molly was our first baby, we had her for 7 years. Peter had put her on craigslist but we ended up giving her to Pet Adoption League (PALS). They were amazing and we can call anytime to get an update. Harper still prays for Molly almost every night. She says "please be with Molly while she is with her new family".

Harper and her doggie (she has already asked Peter when we can get a new doggie...)

Adeline getting Molly kisses. The girls loved and tortured this poor dog. Molly never got upset when they were pulling on her. When Adeline started talking, she called all dogs "Mol"...occasionally she will still call a dog "Mol."



We miss you Molly but we know you are in a much better and warmer home!

Backing Up-The Girls First Day of Mother's Day Out

Backing up-I'm terribly behind on my blogging since we embarked on this new fabulous family adventure. When Peter moved up here to Minneapolis 8 or 9 weeks ago, he brought the computer with him so we could Skype so I'm just now downloading pictures from August. The girls started Mother's Day out the last week in August. They LOVED their teachers this year. Harper was in Miss Stephanie and Miss Sarah's class and Adeline was in Miss Debra and Miss Rachel's class. Peter was fortunate enough to take both girls to school the first week before he moved. Both girls learned an abundance of things and now we are trying to figure out a Mother's Day Out program here up north.

The girls with their lunch bags. Harper picked out her outfit for the first day of school...


Smiling for the camera...I'm wondering what was she looking at???

My two sweet princesses walking to their classes

Can you tell that we are dealing with "Miss Independent" these days. Peter said he tried to help her with her lunch box but she cried because she wanted to carry it.

"I'm Letting Go"

"I'm Letting Go" by Francesca Battistelli has become my official theme song for this major transition in our lives...apparently she wrote this song when she moved away from her home. Here are the words.

My heart beats, standing on the edge
but my feet have finally left the edge
like an acrobat there's no turning back

(Chorus) I'm letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I'm falling and that's what it's like to believe
So I'm letting go

This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace
The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone

(Chorus)

Giving in to your gravity
Knowing You are holding me
I'm not afraid

Feels like I'm falling and that's what it's like to believe
Feels like I'm falling and this is the life for me

So many of these words speak directly to my heart...especially THIS IS A GIANT LEAP OF FAITH, TRUSTING AND TRYING TO EMBRACE, THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN, BEYOND MY COMFORT ZONE. Also, the chorus-I'M LETTING GO OF THE LIFE I PLANNED FOR ME. I know this transition was and is God's plan for our family-We are trusting and believing.

Home Sweet Home

The girls and I finally made it to Minnesota on Thursday...it was a long and tiring (12 hour) drive. Harper did amazing because she knows what to do for entertainment and Adeline did quite well for the most part. My amazing mom drove with us-she helped do some of the driving but the majority of the time she was the "go to" person when the girls needed a drink, snack or dropped something. I lost count on how many times she was turned around helping make the drive easier on them~THANK YOU MOM!There are so many posts that I want to make with pictures but my camera attachments are still in a box. The girls are doing remarkable here. They love having their rooms right next to each other and I love that we are all on one level. We have been blessed with several meals from a few couples from the church that Peter has been attending, which has been so nice! Friday, my mom and I were crazy unpacking-the girls played and got to know every inch of their 1400 square foot apartment. Our apartment is crammed full of our stuff (pics to follow in a later post). We are so thankful that everything we brought, fit. Saturday was spent relaxing with Peter, the girls and my mom. We all needed a little R & R-the anticipation of this move has been exhausting (not to mention, I basically have become an insomniac since Peter moved up here 8 weeks ago). The girls have been sleeping more too, which has been nice. Sunday, we went to the church that Peter has been attending. We enjoyed our time but we will be looking at other churches, as well. After church, my mom, Harper and I ventured to Mall of America...it was extremely crowded but we accomplished our goal-my mom bought the girls Christmas dresses. Yesterday, my mom left (boo hoo!)-it was hard to see her go but it was time for me to be strong and it was time for us to make a life as a family...there were tears, lots of tears, when I left Tulsa, on the drive to Minnesota and when my mom left. I know this is God's plan for us but it is still hard! Today, we went to the gym (yes, I went to the gym-an amazing gym, probably nicer than any other gym I have been in)...I worked out and the girls had a fantastic time in the kids playroom. This afternoon, we went to a play group with some girls from the Sunday School class that we visited on Sunday. Everyone has been so warm and welcoming. Tomorrow, I'm debating between attending a bible study or going to a water aerobics class in the morning. Also, we might go the Timberwolves game tomorrow night-it just depends on the weather. Speaking of weather, I'm pretty sure I feel like we have moved to Seattle. It has been drizzling or raining basically since we got here on Thursday. Pretty sure the thermostat on my car read 39 degrees at one point today with major cross winds---all of this added together = COLD! All of the natives say, this is nothing-this is great weather for October. I am prepared for snow and some might even say I'm excited for the snow but for rainy windy weather-NOT SO EXCITED! With that being said, I am very thankful for the underground parking at the apartment. The parking down there is VERY tight but My sweet Harper cheers for me, when I finally get my into the correct parking spot! Yesterday, it was very interesting trying to get both girls and a ton of groceries inside but we managed. I'm slowly realizing that I need to add 10 to 15 minutes onto my commute anywhere because it takes forever to get them down the hall, down the elevator, walk to our car and then of course, get them strapped in. Like I said earlier in this post, the girls have done amazing---Sweet Adeline continues to have her "go with the flow" type attitude. She is very curious these days and is into everything. Harper has become the official greeter in our apartment building-every person (and I mean every person) she sees, she greets and tells them she is going to be "Jessie" for Halloween. Sometimes, she gets into in depth conversations~she will help me make friends! I LOVE her sweet, loving, innocent personality! Overall, the transition has been so much better than expected-we are still taking things day by day.

Harper Quotes

I love all of the random things my kids say...I wish I could remember them all and write them all down. These three have been stuck in my head for several days.


1) About two weeks ago, the girls and I went into a paint store to find some paint to match our back door. The man told me it would take just a few minutes, which in turn was 45 minutes. I had to try and keep both girls occupied without getting into anything. We marched, we played "simon says", we counted, we sang, etc. We did everything this momma knew to do to keep them quiet. When we were about to leave, a gentleman walked into the store-he had two huge diamond stud earrings. Harper walked up to him, in her flirty way and said "I LIKE your earrings!" The man looked a little stunned, looked at me and then back at Harper and said "Uh, thanks...do you have earrings?" Harper: "NO, I'm too big (which means, I'm too little). Harper smiled, looked away and then looked at this man again and said "Um, I thought boys weren't supposed to wear earrings???" I was mortified-so I grabbed the girls and we headed to the other side of the store.


2) That same day, we went to Freckles to get some custard. We went through the drive-thru and Harper saw one of the employees and said "OH MY, HE IS SO CUTE!, LOOK MOM, HE IS SO CUTE!" I was embarrassed because then the boy is looking at me. Harper is only 3 and already boy crazy!


3) Last night, I was telling Harper that I was said because daddy was leaving in the morning, Harper responded with "Oh Mommy, it's okay-we can get you a new daddy-A Giraffe Daddy!" Not sure what that means but I never want to replace Peter!

MOVING ON UP

That’s right; the McAdams’ family is moving on up to MINNESOTA. Peter accepted a job with the Minnesota Timberwolves (an NBA team). We will be moving to Plymouth, Minnesota (which is western suburb of Minneapolis) and it was the #1 City to Live in-2008. We have signed a lease for a 1400 square foot 3 bedroom/2 bathroom apartment.

We are excited, sad and scared for this amazing new opportunity for our family. I am sad to be leaving my home; the only town I have ever lived in and everything that I am familiar with. I am sad to be leaving my family. I love how my girls are blessed with abundantly loving and giving grandparents that are minutes from our house. I love to watch my girls squeal with excitement as we pull into my parents’ driveway (which is in our neighborhood) and watch them run inside. Harper has changed my dad’s name from “Poppy” to “Poppo” and Adeline is so cute when she tries to say it. I love knowing that Peter’s parents look after my girls when I am at work. I love how Harper and now Adeline know where we are going and start getting excited when I am on 91st heading towards their house. I know whenever we need our parents-they are always there to help. I will miss calling my dad when I have a minor emergency at the house and he rushes down to help me out (i.e., the garage not closing or when I thought there was a gas leak). I will miss the random grocery shopping trips with my mom at 9 o’clock at night. I am sad to be leaving my church. The only church I have ever known. I love my church family. Words cannot describe how much I will miss the music, sermons, fellowship, prayers and atmosphere that we experience every Sunday morning. I will miss watching my girls faces light up as we walk into the children’s department (and they are greeted b/c everyone knows the McAdams girls!). I love how their teachers know them and make them feel so very special each and every week. Harper thinks she practically runs the place. I am sad to be leaving my dog because we all know that Molly can’t go with us in that small of a place. Molly was our first baby that we have had for almost 7 years. I am sad to be leaving my job. This is the place I have wanted to work since graduate school. I have the best schedule and most amazing co-workers. I love the kids that I get to serve and the parents have been wonderful, as well. I am sad to be taking the girls away for their Mother’s Day Out Program…we all love that place because it is also our church. They have both learned more than I could have imagined. I love that Harper now recites “The Pledge of Allegiance.” Now the pressure is on me to teach them something new and educational every day. I am sad to be leaving our extended family. Lately, the girls are getting more cousins and I love to watch them play together. I am sad to be leaving my friends. Leaving my family is going to be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do but leaving my friends is a pretty close second. I LOVE my friends. I am blessed beyond measure with the friendships I have made. I will miss having a random girls night, play date, coffee date, whatever. I will miss being surrounded by people who really know me. I will miss all of the birthday parties for al of our friends kids. I am sad because my girls have the most amazing friends (with the best parents) who they love and adore. I pray that as a family we can all make new friends. I am sad to be leaving everything I am familiar with (grocery stores, malls, doctors, restaurants, streets, highways, QT, SONIC). This may sound crazy but I love all of our doctors and I dread having to find all of those again. I will also desperately miss my favorite drink-A diet coke with vanilla from Sonic. I will probably have to treat myself to one every day until we move.

I am terrified of learning how to get around in a new city…there are so many highways in Minnesota-this mama is going to need a Garmin.

I am excited to totally trust in the LORD to provide for us. We are going to be wholly dependent on him. This is the first time, Peter and I, will completely relinquish all control to him. We have to and we want to! I am excited about stepping out of my comfort zone. I am excited to be a stay at home mommy with my precious girls. I am excited for this dream job for my hubby. I am excited to become a Timberwolves fan, while the girls will become a fan of “Crush” the mascot. I am excited to explore in a new city. I am excited to maybe learn how to be a crazy “big city” driver. I am excited to learn how to drive in snow…well maybe not excited because driving on snow terrifies me so I am thinking positive thoughts. I am excited about the new jogging stroller Peter is going to buy me. I am excited to become active and join a mom’s group. I am excited to meet new people. I am excited to make new friendships. I am excited about cold weather (yes, you may think I am crazy because it can get to -40 in MINNESOTA in the winter but I would much rather be cold than hot). I am excited to watch my girls experience new things. I am excited to watch my girls make new friends. I am excited about watching the girls LOVE the snow. I am excited to “maybe” become a big city girl. I am excited that if I need or want to come back to Oklahoma-it’s only 11 ½ hours away. I am excited that I know we are coming home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am excited about the 4 of us living close together (in an apartment-there will be no escaping). I am excited to make the new apartment our Godly home. I am excited to know that we believe this is God’s will for us. I saw this a few days ago and I had to share it (these are not my words but it spoke directly to my heart-I will probably have this frames in our new place). I am able to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine. Come to Me with positive expectations knowing that there is no limit to what I can accomplish. Ask My spirit to control your mind so that you can think great thoughts of Me. Do not be discouraged by the fact that many of your prayers are yet unanswered. Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon Me, to trust Me in the dark. The more extreme your circumstances the more likely you are to see My power and glory at work in the situation. Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for my glorious intervention. Keep your eyes and your mind wide open to all that I am doing in your life.

The plan right now is that Peter will be driving to Minneapolis over Labor Day weekend. He will begin his new job on September 7th. Peter will be staying in an extended length hotel. I will go with the movers the first weekend in October to set up the apartment. From the first of October until mid-October the girls and I will be staying with my parents. The girls and I will make the BIG move over fall break. My mom will be going with me to help get everyone settled.

We are asking for prayer during this transition. We know this is God’s will for our family and we feel very blessed to have this opportunity. We are going to want visitors, so please come and visit!

Love,
Peter and Tiffany

Adeline's 1st haircut

Here is my gorgeous little girl before her first haircut. I took her to the lady that cuts my hair along with Harper's hair. She is amazing and my girls adore her. Thanks Jamie!!!

I think she is wondering, "Jamie, what are you doing to me?"

A half smile for the camera....

Cut, cut, cut...Jamie didn't cut much off, she just evened it all out

Adeline was not so sure about the hairdryer

Check out those beautiful curls...Jamie added a curl enhancer to her somewhat curly hair and also I love her tiny braid!

The beautiful finished product!