Proud to be an AMERICAN!!!

February 23,2010 is the date that I became an American citizen. I have been living in the United States since December 23,1997 and this was a dream that I have had not only since I moved here, but since I was a little girl! It has been a long and not always easy road, but I wouldn't have it any other way. My life here has been an amazing testimony to God's faithfulness and provision!!!
Brett and I drove to DesMoines for my Naturalization interview that Tuesday morning. The interview was with one of the imigration officers and it was everything that I expected it to be. He asked me different questions about Brett and the kids, other questions ranging from where I went to school, to if I was ever affiliated with a communist or terrorist party *I wonder if anyone says "yes" to that last questions/yikes!!
After the questionaire, it was time for the history and Government test. He asked me 6 questions (for how many years do we elect a senator/how many justices are in the Supreme Court/if the President and VP are unable to be in command, who becomes president?... and some other similar questions that I don't remember right now)
The English test was EASY...had to read a sentence and write another sentence....fair enough!
Fourty-five minutes after the interview, was the Oath Ceremony, where I received my Naturalization Certificate!!! The ceremony was about 20 minutes and VOILA...I am an American citizen....wootwoot!!!

Brett and I in the waiting room before the interview

The Director of Naturalization in Iowa
During the ceremony... The ceremony was for 8 people. 5 people were Asian not sure from what countries. 1 lady was from Bosnia, 1 guy from England and me/Romania.

Going up to receive my Certificate! (the equivalent of the birth certificate for US citizens born here)

Me with the director...just after I told her this picture will be on my blog!...and she said"Oh no, I'm gonna be on the internet now!" haha!

I am an AMERICAN!! So glad!

Valentine's Day for our kids

Kylie, Brayden and Colton had loads of fun on Valentine's day with their best babysitter, Lizzie!

Our kids had a great time with Liz, while Brett and I went on a Valentine's Day date!!!:)

Thank you Lizzie!!!!

Recently we...

...have been busy and here is what we have been up to!!!

* P is for Pajamas-- I (Kylie) wore my PJ's to school today! We are learning about the letter P and we had a pajama day to help us remember the letter P!

* Colton has been a little ornery lately. Amongst the throwing things in the toilet, climbing on the top bunk, getting pasta and flour out of the cupbords; he has been standing in his high-chair. One morning at breakfast, he crawled out of his high-chair and on top of the table to get more cereal....mommy flew into the kitchen and we thought she was going to have a panic attack, she didn't.
* We babysat Braylen for 4 days last week. He was a lot of fun! Mommy had to use the timer so we all had a turn holding him. His usual babysitter was on vacation and since our parents are friends, he came over to our house!

Colton liked Braylen too *only every once in a while he got a little jealous when he had to share mommy with Braylen, he got over it though!!

* We made Valentine's day cards to send out to family!
* We have been playing with puzzles a lot lately. Kylie put this puzzle together
ALL BY HERSELF!!!
*Mom and Dad were SO proud!!!!

* We have been building with blocks too. Look at this tower, is taller than daddy, he helped us build it!

* Sam and Ale came back from Colombia(yeayy!) not too long ago, and among other gifts they brought us lollypops. (this was Colton's 1st, he liked it ALOT!)

That's it for now!

Signing out - Kylie, Brayden and Colton! pEace!

Saints vs.Colts -Superbowl party

Sunday night was *as you all know* the Superbowl game: Saints vs. Colts. We went to our friends' house for a Superbowl party! It was fun!

Here are a couple of pictures...

Kylie played "house" with her friends most of the time we were there and I don't have a picture of them playing; but I do have a picture of Brayden playing with the "million" cars and motorcycles that our friends have.

My Brett and I :)

"Walk this way!!!..."

In spite of all the challenges (*watch the 1st video) that stood in front of his walking career ...Colton has won the battle and is now....WALKING!!!!!!!!

We are so very proud of you our sweet, sweet Colton!!!

* So sorry the videos are sideways; i realized after i uploaded them to my computer that I can't modify them...ugh!

** Okay, i know I have posted 2 things in one day...HOWEVER, i have fallen way behind on my blogging life (busy here lately) AND i just couldn't wait any longer to tell you all about my Colton! :)

Trip to Las Vegas, Nevada

As part of his admission liaison responsibilities, every once in a while Brett has to travel and meet with students that are interested in the flight department at UD. He and an admission counselor flew to Las Vegas, Nevada to meet with a few students and to speak at a high school about what UD has to offer. They left on Sunday and came back late Tuesday night. I so wanted to go with him, but this trip was short notice, PLUS I am going with him to Florida at the end of the month!!
In between meeting with potential students and speaking to groups of highschoolers, Brett and his co-worker were able to visit the Hoover Dam, walk down the famous Las Vegas strip, and watch the Bellagio fountain.



Brett was telling me there were guys working on this bridge suspended in a cable cart on top of the bridge...you can barely see them on the left side of the picture.

At the Hoover Dam...

Cirque du Soleil was in Vegas and were advertising on the streets.

Kiddies goodies!

* Monkeys, elephants, frogs and lions: Kylie and Brayden painted these cute porcelain animals, then we went online and gathered information about where they live (we looked the place up on Kylie's globe), what they eat, and other fun facts about them. Then we added a Bible connection to our little unit. Where does God talk about these animals in the Bible? We read the creation story, Noah's ark and the flood, Daniel and the Lions' den story, and the plague of frogs in Exodus. We are not quite done with it, but the kids look forward to learning more every day (*I am not sure how much Brayden learned, he has lost his patience once or twice and wondered off, but you never know! :D )

They come in a set of 4 and include the paint and 1 paintbrush, they were only $1.25 at Target!

* Snow men: I took this idea from a blog I follow: "Children's learning activities" (see right side-click on shapes activities and scroll down). I like this blog because it has many fun crafts and activities so I don't have to surf the net for ideas, they are at my finger tips. This was more for Brayden, we talked about shapes, colors, and he traced his name, but I know Kylie had fun with it too!

* Bathtub crayons: My kids got these for Christmas so I am not sure how much they are or where they were purchased, but they LOVE them!!! After this post, I should start working for the PTPA (parent tested parent approved) website. :)

This is an older video but I ran across it and I couldn't believe it it hasn't made the blog yet...so, with no further due...our drummer, pianist... and dancer! (* i was folding laundry that day, hint the laundry baskets :D )
"I love the Earth!!! "