well i apologize for being a bit of a slug lately.
a lot of you have asked me questions, either in email or left comments, and i've maybe answered...1.
i could blame it on having 5 kids, but really...well yah. i'll blame it on having 5 kids.
seems like a good excuse.
so, if you've asked me a question, oh...in the last 10 months or so, and are mad at me cause i didn't answer, ask again.
some have asked about my kids' names...about our adoption...about my camera.
leave me a comment on this post and i'll answer them sometime this week.
pinky promise.
and you may not ask "why are you so dang cool"...cause yah, i'll never tell, mkay?
in all seriousness, i appreciate you taking the time to read this blog and leave comments---so i apologize for not answering questions when you leave them.
i also apologize because spell check isn't working and i assure you there are mistakes.
I do love your kids names - I'd love to know their middle names too because I am sure they are creative as well....and why you chose their names.
ReplyDeleteyou are awesome! how is that for a big bowl of sunshine on a monday morning? :-)
ReplyDeleteI was under the impression that to adopt from Ethiopia, the child you adopt has to be younger than your youngest child. Is that not the case? Elsa looks a wee bit older than that cutie in the middle there.
ReplyDeleteHow old is Elsa and has language been a barrier? (aka, does she know english?)
I would just love to know the details surrounding elsa coming home. Also- is Elsa speaking english? What have been the biggest challenges since she's been home?
ReplyDeleteEmily, I don't have any questions. I think you are a pretty amazing person and I don't "know" you. You have a heart full of love and you give it freely - just like Jesus did and just like he wants us to. You inspire me to be a better person.
ReplyDeleteThat picture is adorable! Everyone is sooo happy and full of joy! Awesome. I would also love to know how you and Mr. Anderson choose your babies names, they are all so unique and pretty.
ReplyDeleteit looks like elsa has been in that bunch for years. :)
ReplyDeletelove this happy photo!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear more about Elsa and what her level of English is and if there's a language barrier you're working through now?
ReplyDeleteI cannot even stand how precious that picture of all your kiddos is. I just love it!
ReplyDeleteHey Emily. :) I'd like to know what led you and Mr. Anderson to decide to adopt a slightly older bebe? I think the hubs and I would/will also go with a non-newborn, but I still have lots of questions about it. How did you make your decision?
ReplyDeletei just came across your blog and i love reading it. It brightens up my day and i love the way your personality shines through. I am a new mom to a precious little baby and would love any suggestions on any good bible studies that you might know of... one that maybe isn't shallow but at the same time not completely time consuming?
ReplyDeleteOh my, so many questions! Who named Elsa? Is everyone all bonded and happy? The kids sure look like it! Has Elsa found food/drink she likes, or is she still adjusting? Does she know that you guys are her parents? I don't know how you'd explain that to a 2 year old... thanks for being so open! Your kids are so freaking cute, and I love reading about your life!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletewhy are your kids so freakin cute?!?! this picture makes me smile SO much! thanks for sharing your life with us.
ReplyDeleteI want to know where Milo's other hand is. Wenis maybe?
ReplyDeleteHahaha.
And, Caedmon's hair, wow. Pantene Pro V.
Beautiful children. The smile on each face is priceless :). How are the kids adjusting to each other since Elsa came home?
ReplyDeleteSome of mine are gonna be duplicate questions from other peeps but I'll ask anyway...
ReplyDelete1. How are your kids adjusting to having a new sibling?
2. Has there been any resistance from Elsa?
3. Is their a language barrier?
I don't have any questions (though I'm looking forward to reading your answers to everyone else's!), but I just wanted to say:
ReplyDelete1) Cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute!!
and
2) Hadley looks so, so content with her sister! I love it so much!
I love this blog. We just had our first baby, and plan to adopt many more. So reading about a big family is so inspiring... so many people are afraid of having too many kids, we never have been, so it's encouraging! Thank you for writing!
ReplyDeleteI would love to know what camera you use? Or what camera you would reccomend to newbie. Your family is so beautiful. Do you ever get tired of hearing that, because I bet you hear it all the time.
Also, any tips for a new blogger? How to get it going?
Also... do you plan on adopting again?
ReplyDeleteOhh this is nice of you answering all our questions, you are going to be a busy lady!!!
ReplyDeleteok question: Elsa is amazing, but can I ask why you choose to adopt a older child instead of an infant? I like this is amazing of your family, but I wonder what brought you to this decision? And if I can ask 2 questions I am wondering how Elsa is adjusting? Can't imagine the crazy stuff she is processing.
Thanks!
And why are you so super cool? hee hee
I don't even remember how I first stumbled across your blog, but ever since I've been a huge fan! You and your family are darling! I have been interested in adoption for a long time, and I began reading just a couple of weeks before you announced that you would be adding to your family in that way. So it's been quite a treat for me. Are there any books or other resources that you found/find inspiring in regards to adoption? My husband and I are just starting to discuss it and I'd like to read more about adoption (outside of the adoption blogs I'm always reading).
ReplyDeleteIf someone wanted to serve you {in FL) or bless your family in some way {from afar} what would be the most helpful way to do that?
ReplyDeleteLove the pic of the kids, so adorable!!
ReplyDeleteI love creative names and I would love to know how you came up with each of your kids names!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any questions, but wanted to chime in to tell you how encouraging and inspiring I have found your blog. I'm not sure how I stumbled across the site, but since reading over the past few months, your authenticity and openness have been such a good challenge in my life. My husband and I are just starting our family and have discussed adoption many times. Seeing your family go through the process has answered a lot of questions in my mind and driven me to be open to the many challenges, whether financial, emotional or physical. Thank you for following God's call in increasing your family his way and for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeletebeautiful.
ReplyDeleteummm....yeah. We (sam and I) would like to know when you are toting all those kiddos cross country to visit? They've all gotten so big and can't wait to meet the newest cousin.
ReplyDeleteMuch love from Cali.
Aunt Mel
Cute pic... All the kids are looking at the camera and smiling. Amazing! You may have found a good pic for your blog header.
ReplyDeletei was thinkin' the exact same thing as heidi when i saw that picture...great new blog header?!
ReplyDeletethey are adorable! no questions here, just wanted to say that i love your blog and that you are an inspiration!
Hi Emily!!!
ReplyDeleteI´d love to know your kids names (because I know their faces already and they are soooooo beautiful!!!).
I´ve participated (again) to our´s "Embrace the Camera" - april set. If you wanna see it, it is at
http://diariodos3mosqueteiros.blogspot.com/2011/04/embrace-camera-diario-da-mirys.html
See you.
Kisses and blessings.
Mirys (from Brazil)
I love your blog! It brings a smile to my face everyday! I was just wondering how you find time for yourself? and how about for you and mister Anderson? Also I was wondering how you deal with the mixed races. I have dated someone that is not my race for a long time now and people tell me all the time that my kids are going to be mixed up and not know what race they are and not know where they fit and etc. I feel that it will not be a problem at all. I was just wondering how you deal with that or what you tell your kids?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
Love your blog, and especially the inspiration you have provided for me to get out from behind the camera. My question is, what kind of camera and lenses do you like and use the most? And do you edit your photos? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have some questions about adoption. I have always wanted to adopt children and have a some biologically too! But recently I guess I have this fear of what if it doesn't work out? What if my adopted little ones aren't happy here or they miss home? What if our kids don't get along well? or start to resent each other? Probably just silly fears but I thought since you just went through this process you could talk about your fears and what it has turned out to be.
ReplyDeletehi emily! i would love to send your girls some hair accessories! i love your story and it hits home for me because my sister is also in the process of adopting. here is my blog where i post the things i make and let me know what they would like and i will send them to you. you have a lovely family!
ReplyDeletehttp://ramonas-creations.blogspot.com/
Emily, you need to answer all these questions on the comments page so we can all see the answers! **or do a blog post on it I guess.. :)
ReplyDeleteI do have question but first a comment to let you know you are simply AMAZING and I thank life (and blogging) for allowing me to find your site!
ReplyDeleteSo...how do you do it with five?Are you big into scheduling and is that how you find time for the things you want to do...if you get to do the things you want to do...how about the bedtime routines?? Thats one of my biggest challenges as a mother!
Oh so, so cute....the smiles are very contagious!
ReplyDeleteK, Em here is my question. What size does Elsa wear? I have all these girls clothes and once they are through Harper I have a pile! Let me know and I would be happy to send some of the good ones to you!
I love your kids names and I was wondering if they are named after certain people or if they were more like just cute names you adored. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, was there a certain reason you decided not to change Elsa's name when she moved home?
I feel so nosy asking these things! So obviously if these questions are tooooo nosy, feel free to disregard. ;)
Ps, I love your blog and it makes me smile!
Great picture! Your family is so precious!
ReplyDeleteFAB.U.LOUS picture! Love.
ReplyDeletePut it in your header asap :)
Since we're adopting, I would love to know more of the details surrounding Elsa coming home. How long was your process? How is she adjusting?
ReplyDeleteso, what does elsa eat? was is hard to get used to the sleep schedule here in america? what was her first tantrum about? and...do you homeschool or public school?
ReplyDeleteyour happy family just rubs off on me daily when i bring up your blog :)
ReplyDeletein your kitchen by your phone you have a picture of a phone it looks like it is a rub-on. could you tell me where i could find one of these? PLEASE.
wow! lots of comments. u do have an amazing blog-quite uplifting. thank you for sharing bits of ur life with those of us in the blogosphere.
ReplyDeletemy question would have to be where do u have time to take all these amazing pics? i have a canon 7d. i am a new photog enthusiast. i put it away after each use. ive contemplated doing the embrace the camera on thursdays, but never have the camera out the right time to catch those goofy moments. i often wonder, do u just leave ur camera laying around? what kind do us you use? what editing program do u use?
god bless u guys as u bond together! praying blessings over ur family!
Love the pic.
ReplyDeleteMy question is silly but, where you do you buy the aloe vera you add to your smoothies?
Thanks chica.
I really wish you would reveal the secrets as to why you are so dang cool *sigh*...but, since you won't ;)...how long did the adoption process take? Were there other countries you were considering in addition to Ethiopia?
ReplyDeleteone, two, three, four, five. FIVE KIDS. i'd say that deserves some grace in the correspondence category. love seeing your beautiful family grow. xo
ReplyDeleteGreat photo! Like everyone else, I'm curious about the kids' names, but I'm also curious about where you find the great music that is always playing when I cue up your page. And how the heck do you have time to keep discovering new music at all?!?
ReplyDeletejust found you and i'm pretty excited about it! we are in the process of adopting and i love finding others who have gone through it.
ReplyDeleteyour site makes me happy, so i will be back!
www.brockandkelli.blogspot.com
* * what a beau-ti-ful bunch * * *
ReplyDeleteHey, just wanted to add to the list of folks going on about how adorable that photo is! I sure hope everyone is adjusting well. I know there are probably struggles, but aren't there always?!? Friends are headed to Ethiopia to pick up their boys this month - so exciting! Also just wanted to say again cool kiddo names! My oldest is Caedmon too! I think the only thing in that boy's chest is a big ol' heart, and teared up when we had him read your post on YOUR Caedmon putting the big red sticker on the globe for his sister! And no joke, we took Hadley to the hospital on our top 5 name list for our third, but she just didn't look like a Hadley...whatever that means. We ended up with one that wasn't even on that list:) Anyway, thanks for the blog - loving it!
ReplyDelete1. do you drink caffeine? if not...HOW?
ReplyDelete2. how long was elsa at the orphanage? I saw the post with pictures of her biological dad. Can you tell how she is processing all of that?
3. i am so happy for her and of course (i worked as an international adoption social worker) i know she is grieving losses. how is she doing with all of that?
4. do you have any stories yet of random strangers saying stupid things about your larger than "normal", mulit-race crew?
have a great day!
amy
I have to admit i didnt read through all the questions so if this is a doubled up question - delete asap! ** What are your plans for Elsa going to school? Was it hard getting her to sleep at night? Whats it like with food - ie is she a picky american food eater?**
ReplyDeletemy biggest adoption related question is about names: do you normally keep the child's birth name, or is there liberty to change it? Is that normally dependant on the child's age? (Is Elsa her birth name, or a name you selected. If it was her birthname, would you have changed it if it were something you didn't really prefer?)
ReplyDeleteSo, is it just me or does it look like she's fitting in like a missing piece to a puzzle?! She has the biggest most beautiful smile in every picture! Has it been anything but amazing? Awkward transition? Transition at all? It sure looks like she feels like she's finally found her home. Sweet girl!!!
ReplyDeletei just wanted to say this is the best pic EVER!! look at everyone so happy!!! love love love!
ReplyDeletethis has already sorta been asked, but I was also wondering if she spoke any english, and what language she natively spoke? if she was raised on an african langauge will she forget it after she learns english, or has she spoken it long enough to be bilingual?
ReplyDeleteWhere is Mr. Anderson from? As in, "Where in California?" Ha. Is he from God's Country (Northern California)?
ReplyDeleteAre you and Elsa going to hole up in the bathroom together sometimes and eat peanut butter off the same spoon? Smooth or chunky?
Who's older - Milo or Elsa? Who would win in a fight? A dance-off?
Would your family ever consider dressing like Jon and Kate plus Eight for Halloween (the "good" years) (were there ever good years?) Or just for fun? Pray about it.
-Erin K.
Hello. My question... I am so wanting the herb recipe you put in the shake for eczema... :) thanks so much!
ReplyDeletehow in the world did you get 5 kids all looking at the camera with natural glowing smiles on thir faces? that seems like a miracle up there with turning water into wine.
ReplyDeletegorgeous pic.
How do you get your kids to stay in rest time all afternoon?!
ReplyDeletehi! i'm a new follower and just really have fallen in love with your writing and your beautiful family! i even added you to my "blogs i love" sidebar (that's the big time baby) haha so glad i found your blog!!
ReplyDeleteCould your babies be any cuter!?!?! :)
ReplyDeleteellelorraine.com
okay! i want to know if we came to flordia this summer if our families could hang out?! it's okay to say no because if someone asked me that i would FREAK OUT and probably hide. [INTROVERT!] but, i THINK i could make an exception for your family and we're hoping for June! =)
ReplyDeleteAwww such a cute pic of all the kids! I cannot believe you got them to all pose and smile at the same time. Impressive photo skills right there. :)
ReplyDeleteSo I have a question! Your husband is Chinese right? Is he full Chinese? Half Chinese? Just curious because I'm Chinese too. :)
I love that in every picture since Elsa came home the girls are always right next to each other with arms entwined. So precious.
ReplyDeletehow on EARTH did you get 5 kids to smile AND sit still for a photo!!! you are super mom :) They are gorgeous every single one of them!!
ReplyDeletehey!
ReplyDeleteSo i stumbled upon your blog through a friends. I saw the embrace the camera thing and thought it was cool. Then i saw it was my cutie lil surf board riding best roomie ever from sdsp! I miss you girl. I tried to email you through facebook and tried to search for you, but didn't see ya so I thought I would try on here. How are you?! You have quite the litter there. what like 5 kids... that's so sweet and they are sooooo cute. Well I would love to catch up! and ps. your playlist on your blog is amazing... most of my favorite jams are on it...love it! Well hope all is well
beth