We're going private!

I know I have been terrible at updating or haven't been able to post any this year!
However we are going private for various reasons so if you want to be invited to stay informed. Please just comment and leave your emails so we can make sure to keep in touch and stay connected. Thank you so much!

My Amaryllis Reminder

My biggest fan and personal cheerleader in life was always my father. He believed in me.
When I was 8 months pregnant with the twins, he made the drive to Florida for a visit. He had dug up some Amaryllis bulbs from his sister Sally's home in Mississippi and could hardly wait to bring them to me. I must admit that cleaning out a flower bed to plant bulbs while 8 months pregnant was not very fun. But, I was grateful for my father's effort and I tried to share his enthusiasm for the project.
When we moved from the townhouse where those bulbs were planted, I decided on a whim to dig them up and carry them with me to our new home. My father had passed, and all of the memories of that hot, dirt-digging day were somehow sweeter to me.
I went outside out house in Tallahassee today, and to my surprise, the Amaryllis has bloomed. This is the first time any of the bulbs have bloomed since they were planted, then transplanted eight years ago. Slade noted that there were exactly four flowers. Tears welled up in my eyes and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift of the resurrection that our Savior has given us. I'm grateful that a loving father on earth brought me bulbs even when I didn't really want them, and I'm grateful that a loving Father in Heaven made those bulbs bloom and remind me of the awesome gift of our Savior's love, atonement, and resurrection. What great peace it brings to my soul to know that because of Him, I can one day wrap my arms around my earthly and Heavenly fathers again and feel their unconditional love and support of me.

Award Winning Girls

Makenzie and Madison received "A" Honor Roll awards as well as Reading Awards and a surprise $5.00 gift each from Mr. Joe Brown for their academic efforts. Madison received February Student of the Month for her class. The girls were most excited about their $5.00. They wanted to immediately pay it all to tithing. They've learned that if they pay their tithing, surprise gifts are often received from Heavenly Father. We explained that only .50 cents was required for tithing and .50 for savings, and that they could use the other $4.00 as they wished. That $4.00 immediately began to burn a hole in their pockets. I explained that my father always encouraged me to save by using a percentage system. If I could save my money for a week, he would increase it by 25%, two weeks 50%, three weeks 75%, and if I kept the money for a whole month, he would double it. Their minds quickly began to calculate and they've set a goal to save their $4.00 for one month. Slade and I promised them we'd double their investment (don't we wish banks offered such deals?). Their plan is to use $7.00 of the increased money for another skating lesson and the other dollar for a drink at Skate World. We'll see how long they can hold on to this $4.00.

Our Yard Has A Magnet

Our yard has a magnet that draws children to it. It's been that way for a long time. Slade's Mom says that all of the children used to congregate in the yard that is now ours because Granny Birdie always had pretty flowers planted and she did'nt want them to get trampled. The kids love to pull limbs from the woods into the yard to "build forts." Slade says that's what his siblings and cousins used to do. We enjoy watching creativity at work. So if you're ever missing a child, just look our way.

The Best Day of Our Lives

We spent last weekend at our Tallahassee house and decided to spend all day Saturday doing fun family things. We were crazy enough to wake the girls up on a Saturday morning to take them for their first skating lesson. Madison ventured onto the slick floor right off. After one hard fall, Makenzie stuck to the carpet for her lesson.After skating we attended Family Fun Day at Chick-Fil-A. We sang karaoke, played several games for prizes, and ate and jumped. Then we were off to the Irish Parade and Festival. We ended the day panning for gold at Natasha Robert's 9th birthday celebration. On the way home from the party the girls said, "This has been the best day of our lives."

"Move That Bus!"

Extreme Makeover Home Edition came to Tallahassee last week to build a 3800 sq. ft. home for the Kadzis. This family adopted six special-needs children from China. The big reveal to the family was Friday, 2/27/09. The girls, Aunt Wanda, and Mom were there to shout the rally cry "Move that bus!" The show is set to air on ABC April 26, but good luck trying to see us in the crowd of hundreds welcoming the family to their new home. 

We Are Blessed

One of the greatest blessings and joys in our life is our twin girls. For 13 years we prayed, fasted, and did everything in our power to have children. We had no idea of the depth of love that we can feel in this life until two precious gifts from heaven were placed in our arms. We are having so much fun seeing our daughters learn and grow. We are eternally grateful that we have the privilege of being their parents. Enjoy taking a look at their first seven years.

Let Them Eat Cake

Chocolate and strawberries. Is there anything better? Makenzie's policy is, "blow out the candles and then lick them dry of icing." Madison and Makenzie enjoyed every moment of their party on Valentine's Day at Uncle Shane and Aunt Zann's. It rained, so all of the festivities were moved inside. Aunt Zann led a game of "Spoons" with cousins, classmates, and friends. Helaman pulled the pinata sting that released loads of treats to the guests, and each friend picked a gift of their own from the treasure chest. Thank you to our dear friends and family who braved the rainy weather and gave up a few hours of their Valentine's Day to join in the birthday celebration. We enjoyed you all!

Valentine's Day Birthday Celebration

Valentine's is even more special since Makenzie and Madison were born on that day. This year the holiday was on a Saturday -- perfect day for a party.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Disney Celebrates Cheryl's Birthday

DISNEY CELEBRATES CHERYL'S BIRTHDAY TODAY

Locks of Love

Madison Geiger did something unusual for her seventh birthday. Instead of receiving gifts, she gave a gift to another. That gift was her hair. When Madison was three, she met a little girl that did not have any hair. The girl’s mother explained to Madison that her daughter had a medical problem that made her daughter unable to grow hair. That medical condition is known as alopecia. Madison told her little friend, “Since you cannot grow your own hair, I will grow mine for you.”
For the past four years, Madison has foregone any haircut besides a slight trim and she has stayed firm in her goal. “There were times when it hurt for my long hair to be brushed, and once I got gum in my hair while playing soccer. I was tempted to get my hair cut then, but I knew I had made a promise,” Madison said.

13" of Hair Cut

Mrs. Nancy Granthan at Nancy’s Hair Design cut Madison’s hair on Saturday, 2/7/09, and prepared it to be sent to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is a foundation that provides hairpieces for children with any medical condition that prevents or causes hair loss. Donated hair must be at least ten inches long and is needed from men, women, and children of all ages, color, and ethnicity.

Madison and Makenzie

Madison's twin sister, Makenzie, has always had short hair. Teachers and school mates were easily able to tell the two girls apart because of their hair. When Madison first saw her new hair style, she said, “I look just like Makenzie. No one will be able to tell us apart.” She had a brief moment of regret. But then, she remembered the goal she had set four years earlier and realized that she could always grow her hair long again, while the children that she was donating her hair to would never be able to grow hair at all. When Madison’s three year old cousin Andra saw her with short hair for the first time, she said, “Now there’s two Makenzie’s and two Madison’s.” Other family members noted that while it may be a challenge to tell the two girls apart, the cause is well worth any extra effort on their behalf. A picture of Madison along with this story was printed in our local newspaper. We are very proud of Madison and the birthday gift she chose to give to another.

It's Birthday Time!

February is our month. We celebrate Hansen Geiger's birthday on February 7th, Slade's on the 12th, Makenzie and Madison's on the 14th, Cheryl's on the 19th, and cousin Carly's on the 24th.

Valentine's Day, Makenzie and Madison's birthday, is on a Saturday this year. We're having a party at Uncle Shane and Aunt Zann's. Aunt Wanda is coming from Atlanta. After the party, Aunt Wanda, the girl's, and Mom are driving to Jacksonville Beach to spend time with Deborah, Kate, and Jamie. The next day, we'll cheer Kate and Jamie on as they complete a half-marathon.

Mark Your 2010 Calendars

February 14, 2010, is on a Sunday. Makenzie and Madison will turn 8 and will be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mark your calendars. We want everyone special in our lives to be there!

MLK Weekend in Atlanta

Mom's Getting Into the Action

Inspired by Carly, Kate, Beckie, and Lena, I've decided to give blogging a try. MLK weekend we drove Aunt Wanda home to Atlanta and spent more fun time with the Shaws. We drove to Cleveland, GA to visit Babyland General Hospital and witness cabbage patch babies being born. Aunt Wanda got the girls cabbage patch kids as playmates for their cabbage patch babies Aunt Sissy gave them Christmas 2007. Makenzie's doll came named Geraldine. Gotta love that hers is named after her Grandma in Heaven. She officially calls her Hanna Geraldine. Madison named her doll Ella Bella (in honor of Aunt Wanda's Twilight heroine). Both kids were adopted from the patch on January 19, 2009, their Papa in Heaven's birthday.

SNOW...Yes there were snow flurries and sleet. The girl's and Presley loved seeing the snow fall to the ground. The girl's enjoyed another "Cooking with Kate" session as they prepared a taco bar for all to enjoy.

Wanda, Deborah, Dad, the girl's and I went to Medieval Times Dinner Show. We all loved it! Our knight, the Yellow Knight, saved the day! We ate without utensils and had a grand time.

On Monday we toured Mayfield Dairy Farms with Kate and Aunt Wanda before our long journey back to Hosford.

Don't even think of taking him away!

This is Culley, Seth and Heather's youngest. The girls love to pick Culley up. In turn, Culley loves to tell the girls "I'm not a toy"! I remember when the girls were at this playful stage. Hey, the doll has hair like Uncle Slade! :)

Two Gents and Two Ladies

I just love this picture of Papa and the kids. Dylan is sitting so relaxed and cool on Papa's lap.
The girls look like toy pom poms. So cute!

This is where we should be!

Seeing this picture made me realize, I'm way over due for a cruise. I'm ready to sail away into the New Year!