A lot....a definition of character, a legacy, a hope, an ideal. We have always taken the choosing of our children's names very seriously and with the 2 new additions coming home soon, we are again playing the name game. Though we've had their first names chosen for a long time, we've struggled for nearly 2 years with their middle names. Not only have we finally settled on middle names, but we have come to a monumental naming decision. Once we readopt the boys here in the States and officially have their names changed, we will also have a name change for Logan and Cai. We really want to honor our fathers and grandfathers in such a way that their relationships to us and the legacy they leave behind, will be forever etched into our children's minds - and names. So, without further adieu, here are the new Pihl children (with the new names in bold):
Logan Gabriel Robert Pihl
Micaiah Ramsay David Pihl
Moise Benjamin Joseph Pihl
Phoenix Jude Austin Pihl
Yes, I know - I hear you - 2 middle names? Whatever - it's very euro and very honoring to our patriarchs and so, it is what it is.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
What's in a Name?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Cai-ism of the Day
I love you Cherry Fanta and your red taste! (And yes Nichole, he sounded just like you when you're mimicking him!)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Cai-isms
Pastor: How'd you like your class today?
Cai: I have goldfish in my teeth!
Daddy: Come on, let's get you ready for your bath.
Cai: Can I take a shower with my peeper?
Cai: I have such a beautiful brain! Wait....why is it so quiet in there?
Cai: (In regards to daddy's hairy chest) You have such beautiful feathers, daddy!
Cai: Silence! You are defended!
Cai: I'm so sad about it, my bones are tears...
Monday, August 11, 2008
Thank you
We wanted to extend a special thank you to those of you who have donated to our efforts to bringing our children home. Your thoughts, prayers and donations have meant SO MUCH to us and have made a HUGE difference! THANK YOU, does not seem to be sufficient.....
For those of you lurking, reading and/or wondering what we're referencing, please click on the "adoption" label on the right hand sidebar and read the posts regarding our adoption process. God has definitely provided, but we've not reached the finish line yet. We implore you to pray/consider and ask how you can/if you can be of assistance.
Until they come home.....
Heather & Jeremy
Monday, August 4, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Moise playing soccer
Moise is in the light blue shirt and, as usual, has to stop whatever he's doing to imitate his favorite superhero - Spiderman!
Mmmmmm bread!
You have to appreciate the beauty of this french bread. No, it was not bought at the Publix bakery. It was crafted lovingly, by hand, from scratch, by me! Yes, me. It shall be enjoyed tonight with Swedish meatballs...mmmm swedish meatballs. Why does dinner have to be at the END of the day? Grrrrr.
IKEA=B*L*I*S*S
Since we had to go all the way into Orlando yesterday to get our fingerprints redone, we decided to make a day of it. Unlike the first fingerprinting (which took 1/2 the day even though we had an appointment), this time we were in and out in literally 15 minutes. It was a thing of beauty. So, off to the land of bliss we happily went. Keep in mind, neither of us have ever been to an Ikea store. We were Ikea virgins. I have to say, our first time was nothing short of pure, unadulterated BLISS! As we entered the store about 15 minutes before it actually opened, we were ushered upstairs to a land of brilliant colors and whimsical simplicity. The first "showroom" area we walk into was the children's area and our 2 boys immediately went bat**** crazy! And, since you are encouraged to touch, play with and try out everything in the store, the boys happily complied!
There really is a very special feeling that radiates throughout your entire being once you take your first step into an IKEA, like utter euphoria. It is difficult to put into words, but I will tell you that I had to fight the urge to sit down and cry in the middle of the store. (DO keep in mind how stressed we've been over the past 2 weeks with all of the adoption troubles and work situations that this was nothing short of a beautiful release.) After the children had sufficiently tried every toy and every bed, climbed through castle tunnels and hugged stuffed animals, we had the brilliant idea of checking them into Smaland, IKEA's supervised children's playroom. The boys were so delighted to swim in the enormous ballpit, climb the rock wall, slide down the slides and hide in forts to watch movies, that they were actually pretty pissed at us when we had to pick them up at the end of their allotted hour. During that one hour of glorious mommy/daddy alone time, we fell in love with the furniture, textiles and everything IKEA had to offer.
Once we picked up the boys, it was off to the in-store cafe and the moment mommy had been waiting for all week: swedish meatballs! IKEA certainly does not disappoint in the quality of their food, the beauty of their presentation and the ridiculous affordability of everything they have to offer. How can you beat a completely balanced and yummy kid's meal for 99 cents? CRAZY!
Before we left with a birthday present for Cai and a few essentials for mommy's kitchen, we made sure to hit the swedish food market for absolute essentials like rasperberry jam cookies, lingonberry jam, swedish meatball sauce mix and a few other confectionary treats.
4 hours! That is how long we reveled in the beauty, simplicity, whimsy and utter delight that is IKEA. Truthfully, it's my new Disney, my new mecca.
After the IKEA experience, we met up with a friend at the Millenia Mall (right behind IKEA) and chilled there for a while before grabbing some lunch at the Mellow Mushroom - an incredible all organic pizza joint. We shared a tremendous jerk chicken pizza that is not to be missed!
All in all, a full day spent in Orlando, tremendous fun and much needed stress relief. Hooray!
