What they say now...

McCale..
one - two - three -fer - five - six...
I dropped the ferk
My name is Otis
The name of the game is "I wike it wike dat".
Guitar hero!! I wike guitar hero, do you wike guitar hero?
UNKLE WANCE!!!!!
A worm, I need to go get it, a worm a worm!!!!

Karleigh
(upon arriving downstairs in black spandex dance clothing).. I look good dont I?
loves nail polish, pretends to be a princess, walks like she is in a wedding...
ACTUALLY Mommy -
I dont want to go in the tubby! Can I just dunk my head over the side?
Im going to be a butterfly monarch.... no, for halloween Im going to be a grasshopper.

I have not updated in a while and felt that time was slipping by! Yesterday the kids graduated from pre-school age three program, they are getting so big and ready to move on. We will sign Karleigh up for summer ballet and she is very excited to be taking her first official class after two years of "mini movers", McCale will take creative dance with her and they both will continue with gymnastics. With school out there is time on our hands to burn, but at the same time, a big loss of mom-time with them home every day. We will make the most of it and Im looking forward to time with them to do the fun and free things the township offers.

Here is a post from a chat board I participate on, describing the happenings of the last day of school. This is just a sample of what life is like these days.. but a memorable one.

I wish mom was not away on the big Alaska road trip, I miss sharing this with her!!

On Tue, May 27, 2008 at 9:33 PM, Colene <colbelli@hotmail.com> wrote:
I just had to share with someone who could appreciate this!!!!I dropped the kids off at school with all of the appropriate snacks required for the parents and childrens last day celebration event dubbed "miss spiders tea party". All of the goodies should be bug related, and we came up with an assortment of "mud in a bucket w/ worms (pudding, the good part of the burned brownies, marshmallow and crushed oreos w/ worms sticking out), flying butterflies on sticks (recycled worm parts and spearmint leaves stabbed together in a row) and a nice assortment of cookies and bugs made of marzipan on top of green coconut grass. It was certainly a grouping I was PROUD to say, the kids helped with because boy, did it look like it!!Anyhow, McCale was trying to get at it all on the way to school, he had grabbed a cookie from the tin before I even covered it this morning and there were small hands reaching from behind the seat trying to dip into the worm mud mixture, etc. I was able to get it away from him, carry the two knapsacks, three plates of food, a chocolate rose ensemble as a thanks for the teacher gift and hold tight onto two wriggling hands through the parking lot. I was not paying much attention to anything other than getting myself to the door to drop it all on the lady in charge.. McCale offered to help, he grabbed the pudding, and when I opened the door, tried to get into it again..so much for HELP!!!So... this is a way longer story than it needed to be, but humor me... kids settled, goodies dropped off.... it was graduation time...the kids looked up and were not at all enthralled with the child like diploma.. Karleigh wants to be a doctor and tells people she is one already actually.. but anyway, DOCTORS diplomas come in a frame..so what does she ask when she gets hers? "where is the frame?" and not in a cute way, she was down right insulted. Ok, this passed, we chuckled, but hey, didnt she have a point for the $ we paid.. whatever, next the parents went upstairs so the small buglike children could show off their bobbing head gear and sing in a larger group for us. As they came up, McCale had his bobbers in his mouth, Karleigh was still recovering from the no-frame diploma and they begrudgingly sang baby songs such as itsy bitsy spider... I have to say, since guitar hero hit our house, they tend to want to sing "you wheely got me" and "sending out an SMS" (ie. SOS). Song time over, the kids all ran to the goodie table, Karleigh snatching up someones really clever cockroach fudge and McCale trying to yank out as many of the flying butterflies on a stick as he could. I stopped him, got Karleigh a drink and went to look for McCale again. Couldnt find him. Not a big deal - small place, closed doors, lots and lots of kids and sugar, so I decided to get some of the worm swimming punch and then go look.. still no McCale.. I turned to Karliegh who was back at the table, she was fine eating spider cookies, and asking to have some of the marzipan ants we made, I said yes, then turned for McCale.. in the mean time, I looked for the items I brought to see if one..they were actually being eaten or just laughed at..cookies nearly gone, butterflies eatin up, no pudding bucket? hmmm.. could it be soooo ugly that they didnt want to use it? or did someone else bring the same and mine was put away..yes..there was another pudding/dirt pan, so I guess mine was saved.. no worries, now where is McCale..... then I see two feet sticking out from behind a bunch of stacked chairs, the shoes were on backwards and his "getting too short" overalls were about ankle high.. ahhh..found him.... I turned the corner and there he was, 1/2 faced w/ YOU GUESSED IT, pudding dirt, the bucket wedged between his legs and his hands fully submerged heading upward by the scoopful. He finally reached his goal, he didnt just have a serving, dang it, he took the whole bucket!!!!!Well, all I can say is "thats my boy!"...And this my friends is one of the biggest joys of parenthood... scrubbing pudding from behind ears, up the nose and some how, dont ask.. on the legs and knees. These are the days.

what they say now

I MAM a big boy mommy! I MAM.

gajamas (pajamas) - K

Merrr (more) - M

over der' K and M

Come cwoser - fer I can see you - M

HEWWWO! - M

Karwee! M

Its darken - K and M

Preschool has kicked off and the kids are warming up to the schedule nicely. Mrs. Carasio has their days filled with fingerpainting w/ pudding, shaving cream ghosts and they have had to where a specific color to every class for three weeks now. They are really enjoying it, making friends and growing in all ways, physically, emotionally and UP.

Karleigh has been having mid-afternoon meltdowns lately, really pushing to see how far the kicking and screaming can get her. She was screaming in the car "you are hurting my feelings" - maybe 10 - 20 times...Im not sure why I was, or what I had done, but boy she was sure they hurt.

Mc on the other hand is really coming into his own, he is listening, behaving, and helping...as much as can be expected. : ) He is a sensitive little soul who really gets concerned if someone is hurt or if something is wrong. He will give random hugs more and more and is actually containable in Walmart these days. YES, they jet off screaming in front of me and I still look like the mom who cannot control her kids (any mom reading this who does not have any yet - shame on you for judging you too will have your day). They speak well, are learning consequences and really "Get it" if we have a prize involved for good behavior such as a Barbie -anything....or a robot/power ranger or motorcycle theme.

Im really looking forward to the holidays and have cut them off from presents until Santa comes, This is very hard to do - but when I see the toys out there - specifically the huge $250 horse that you feed and it moves its head, etc. that they BEG for (no, not going to get it) - but they want it all this year, and then some. The best part is, McCale could get just as happy about "the forbidden" piece of gum, so I think we are safe from the marketing ploys of the holiday season, at least for this year.

Karleigh - upon leaving the mall
"Mommy, I want to live here"

McCale - after dad told him he was too small to ride the big motorcycle...
"Mommy? - Daddy said Im too small to ride his motorcycle?""" Mom said "yes, you have to be a big boy to ride Daddys motorcycle"... McCale "But I MAM a big boy!"....

Karleigh - after receiving a new dress up costume (Elena from Fairytopia w/ rainbow wings!).
"Mommy, this is like a dream come true!"

McCale - commenting on a dark road we were driving down...
"This is as scary as a skeleten frame of a burned out chevrolet".

Night time ritual with Daddy...

Brush teeth
Rinse "dont use too much!"
Potty
Get in bed
Several kisses
"Good night princess"
"Good night motorcycle driver"

"Goodnight Daddy".


McCale -
"Mommy, I did stinkies and tinkle and poopies" .... "all of dem"....."What do you think of that?"

Karleigh - ballet shoe was rubbing a blister - she would NOT wear another shoe.. I suggested socks to give some cushion, Karleigh said "Princesses dont wear socks, they wear bandages."...."Mommy, can I have bandages?".........

Karleigh - asking for me to open crackers for her in the back seat while Im driving M- "Karleigh, I cannot open the crackers right now, Im driving" K-"yes, you can mommy, drive with one hand!"....

She also tells me to go faster - etc.

McCale - WOWDER when he wants the radio turned up... Y-uss-A (born in the USA)... Gwrory days and Skeleten Frames.



Both "Uppie Uppie?"

August 30, 2007

A few posts have not made it out here, and a few just didnt happen because of lack of time... it seems like yesterday we were packing and planning for a trip that was a few days from now and just a few minutes ago.

The kids are growing like weeds. They are happy, healthy and a handful! We all have our moments and are finding new and different ways to express our feelings. We have become a family.

McCale continues to be active, still snacks on dog food if he can, and he also has no issue with stealing a few nuggets from the cat bowl. Now you would think at 3.5 years, he would get the fact that there are other snack foods that taste better. I suppose his taste has matured, he no longer goes for the bowl, but takes a fresh piece from the bag.

He runs, jumps, climbs, gets into the cabinets, loves to take things apart and is a skilled atv rider, (battery powered). He is amazing when it comes to maneuvering the vehicle and on more than one occasion he has said that he wants to take daddys motor-cycle out for a ride... he also mentions he knows where the keys are. YIKES!!!!

Karleigh has blossomed into the Kazakh princess she was destined to be. She loves jewels, fancy dresses, pocketbooks and pink fingernails. This entire summer I could have saved a bundle...she wore only the pink dress my mom made for her with frills on the sleeves and ballet attire. Although not officially in ballet, she has quite the routine if you pretend you are not watching and let her become absorbed into one of her favorite dvd's. She loves Barbie - fairytopia, mermadia and anything that is frilly. She is a shoe fiend and is very particular with her ensembles.

The two of them together are a complete crack up. McCale shows his soft side, will share, cater to Karleigh and will often help clean up. Karleigh on the other hand likes the full service treatment and will instruct McCale to get her something or bring a blanket to her and he will. They ADORE each other and dont like to be apart (not much) Once in a while they will say...do you want to go to the store,,, "just you and me?". I love that, and eat them up.. but when push comes to shove, they want the other to come along.

Today, a milestone day and perhaps what prodded the return to blogging - or maybe its just that its coming up on the day we left.. dunno...regardless.... McCale stopped in the store, hugged my leg and said "I love you". Its really a first that he has randomly said that and showed such open affection. He is a cuddle bunny, dont get me wrong, I know he loves me and there is no attachment issue - he just never said it like that before. If he would have asked me for ANY toy in that store, a truck load of candy and maybe even GUM..the forbidden but frequently request treat of all times.. It would have been HIS. My heart, tears welled, I picked him up and hugged him for all I was worth. THIS is what life is about.

Karleigh regularly shows affection too, she is a sweetheart and a lapkid. I have no doubt Mc would be more of one if he could only sit still. :)

They moved to twin beds a few days ago from their plastic, low to the floor step two toddler fire engine and dollhouse, it was a sad day to pull the beds out..we did it quick as to avoid the slow agony of lifting a bandaid off one inch at a time. They love their new beds - floral motif and what else, motorcycle driver accents... the beds are so big, and to see them tucked in with their heads on a pillow, its clear that they are growing up.

Preschool is starting next week. Id be lying if I said I was not disturbed by this. Insane pangs of jealousy are coming upon me....... I dont want to have someone else teach them how to write their name!!! Thats MY job!!!!!! They are very ready for it, they will love it and I need to cut the strings some for all of our own good!!

McCale can sing the entire Bruce song "Thunder Road" and Karleigh can explain how a caterpillar changes to a butterfly - along with the props we have in the livingroom consisting of a fish tank and cocooned caterpillar... gosh I hope that thing busts out soon into a butterfly. we are going to have major disappointment if it just sits there all winter. Anyhow, they have learned alot and I will continue to focus on the fun stuff, like lego building and finger painting - teaching someone how to write their name is highly over rated!!

Hopefully I can come back to this over the next few weeks and at least describe how rediculous it was that I was nervous. It would be nice to report that there is no more dog food consumption and we are diaper free - but well.. all in good time I suppose.

More soo. Colene

4/13/05, 5/2/05, 5/11/05, 5/29/05, 6/27/05, 8/11/05, 9/05/05

Hurricane KatrinaHello dear friends, I wanted to post that Tina, the woman who supported us through our adoption, then was waiting, who finally received travel dates - you remember, we prayed for her....she came home with her beautiful son Leyton, only to fall victem to the hurricane. She and her parents have been rescued and are safely in housing with her in-laws, however prayers for an emotional recovery and relief for the stress they are under are still needed. Please think of them. We are sending care packages through Wreath of Hope to them.



September 5thI cannot believe that a year ado today we were rushing around the house preparing for our trip. We were giving the dogs last minute hugs and packing, repacking, packing!! What an exhausting week leading up to two people collapsing into their seats on the plane. The take off was similar to the climb up a roller coaster and the meeting of the children was the amazing thrill of swooshing down.Today I was just looking at the children, watching them play, maneuver the bubble wand in and out of the container, trying to blow bubbles, laughing and giggling with each other. It really is a miracle. They love to play and chase one another, very often these days can I see two little bodies crowched over something on the floor, it could be a block, a fuzzball, an overthrown carrot, who knows, but they both need to investigate; together. Ofcourse, one will grab the other will push and before you know it Im giving the best mommy hug I know how. They are so curious, and most of all, becoming independent. They want to hold their own spoon, open their own door, and pull or push buttons on their own toys. We take turns flipping pages in books and spend lots of time on the floor stacking blocks or figuring out how things work. They catch on so darn fast. Most times they see something once and by george, they've got it.Im amazed by McCales dexterity and strength. He seems to be getting stronger by the day, its now a battle to pull something dirty and dog chewed from his hands or mouth. He is holding his own spoon and coordinates the delivery of such items as jello, pudding and applesauce to his mouth with minimal spillage. He is very proud of this and will often give a pudding filled grin when complete.Karleigh is a chatterbox!!! She is picking up words left and right. She recalls words after only once or twice. She is combining words now and repeating what she hears. She will now as for "mo-juicy" that's MORE juicy to you and I, she says to the dogs upon our arrival home "back up, back up" and bless her heart, she hollered at someone in the grocery the other day to "get out of the way".Both kids are becoming familiar with simple commands like turn around, all fall down, open the door, etc. They will run to the gate for the tubby and to the refrigerator for cheese if the mood strikes them. They are growing so fast and I just want it all to stop!!!We spent a beautiful day at the lake yesterday with Grandma and Grandpa Belli yesterday, we enjoyed a nice breeze and the shade of the pine trees while the kids scooped sand and sifted rocks. They both love the water, Karleigh is a regular fish, submercing her head underwater causing grandma to scamper to her rescue. Karleigh would surface with a big grin, wipe her eyes and try for another dip. Mc and I floated in the waist high water (his waist not mine) and sifted rocks and sand through our fingers all over our legs and to the lake bottom. He figured out how to pick the items back up underwater and thought that was pretty dern cool.We have had many events this summer, we took the kids to see the Wiggles in Philadelphia and they LOVED it. Karleigh was shouting while standing on Jeffs legs looking backwards telling everyone "WIGGLES!!" as if they didnt know who was coming on next. Mc was a little more laid back, but not scared at all. He fulfilled his duty as a Wiggles Groupie by mimicing the appropriate hand gestures and bursting out with a yelp here or there of glee. What a beautiful afternoon, just us and the kids. This is one of the things we dreamed about doing before they came, not specifically the Wiggles, although Jeff has taking a strong liking to them too, but just a fun day all for them.The kids took their first trip to a big zoo with our friend Amanda and Olivia another Kaz family. We enjoyed the sunshine, the animals and the great conversation. Very similar to Karleighs shrieks of delight when the wiggles were coming on, she also told everyone about the MONKEYS! Ofcourse in her best wiggle dancing with arms raising one at a time and oohh-ahhh-oooh-ahhh as the "do the monkey" song goes. Mc was sound asleep by that point, exhausting all his effort on the fruit bar at lunch. Go figure.We have spent alot of time with Gramma Aug doing fun over nights and shopping, lots of shopping. Mostly the dollar store for glittery shoes and balloooooons. STILL a huge favorite around here, both on the day of purchase and for weeks to come. The other day I bought them one balloon to share as they were begging for one in the store...Ok, not begging but saying Bbbllllln (mc) and Ballloooonie(kar) and how could I not. Well, the kindest lady tied the balloon onto Karleighs arm as I forked over the dollar and as we left, the balloon went sailing off her wrist and into the sunset....Karleigh yelled "oh no!!" "balloon, oh no!" (hand to cheeks) "balloon, up up and away!!"...maybe you had to be there, but it was really priceless. Mc stuck his lolly pop in his hair, pulled it off and continued licking.Finally, we have to mention the big trip to Washington with Pappy to see Uncle Lance and Aunt Nancy! Uncle Lance graduated from his masters program and we had to see it to believe it. We enjoyed the ceremony and their hospitality very much. The kids had a great time and we did things at their pace. We enjoyed SUSHI at he-ben and then played cards, etc at nice when the kids slept. What a nice visit - way too short as usual. But its great for the kids to have time to bond with everyone.As we move into Sept, I will be posting some memorable recollections of our days in Kaz. I cannot believe its been only a year and a full year at the same time. It seems as if things have always been this way, and the best part is - they WILL BE this way forever. We are truly blessed.Colene


August 11, 2005WOW, this summer is just whipping by. We have had so many exciting trips and events!! The kids are just sprouting up and are starting to both become stretchy legged toddlers (vs . pudgy leg infants). They are both into just about anything they can get their hands on and are naming and pointing at things left and right.We have finally started to enjoy looking at books together, not just trying to turn pages and chew on the corners. Karleigh will frequently bring me one of her favorite books, naming colors and shapes, she is dead on with green, yellow and blue so far and we are so proud. Another favorite is the ladybug book, where start with five and work our way down until we find they have all gone HOME.. HOME is a very big ending around here - we yell, then CLAP! HOME! What a joy.We have fine tuned our itsy bitsy spider and now can get through most of the motions and some of the words, DOWN CAME THE RAIN! is a big line in this little ditty, again, shouted and celebrated with applause! Heck, we applaud when the veggies are put on the tray, so anything is worth celebrating if you put your mind to it.The kids have come a long way with their coordination, they climb in and out/off and on of their MANY toys. They enjoy rocking in their chairs and even push each other back and forth in the little red cruiser car. I finally captured that one on video, Karleigh gives a beauty queen wave with an upright stance as McCale pushes the car from one end of the room to the next. NO IM NOT MAKING THIS UP.We have had a busy summer, the kids have experiences MANY firsts, they camped at Poppy's farm, playing in dirt, with rocks and finding their shadows in the grass. This was their first time being outside, in an open field, able to just run, jump or roll. They were truly in their element. McCale would sift dirt and grass blades through his fingers, while Karleigh made a break for the pond. She ended up going in, with me by her side, she toppled backward and went under. I pulled her right out, she laughed and tried to do it again. This kid is a water rat for sure!!! Poppy filled a wash tub with ICY spring water and we dipped their toes in it and let them splash around, they ended up diaperless and running all over, feeling the warm summer sun and a gentle breeze. This was a Norman Rockwell moment if I ever saw one, but he didnt do nudies I dont think.The kids spent their first night away, while Daddy and I went to a Toby Keith concert. This was a mothers day gift to me, and it just so happened that the concert, (JULY 24) ended up being on a hallmark holiday, called PARENTS DAY. I typically dont buy into that type of hype, but it just seemed special for some reason. Both Jeff and I had a stomache bug, mine coupled with a beer hitting it simultaneously, not making for a pretty scene at the concert. Details of this to be withheld because if Karleigh or McCale read it some day, I dont want them to hold it against me. All in All they had an amazing time and didnt miss us a bit!!! Uncle Eugene was "the man" that night, with two creepy crawlees relentlessly tackling him in the living room. He said "its nice to visit'.....Its also important to mention a very fun trip we took last week to Hershey Park with Grandma Belli, and the cousins. Stephanie and Samantha were terrific with the kids, alot of bonding between us all was going on. Ofcourse Uncle Gene was a huge hit whenever we needed some extra luvving for McCale, and of Aunt Ann Marie always has the special touch!! Daddy couldnt make it, so grandma was my primary assistant, she shared the room with the kids and I. Bless her heart she was a trooper!!!! I KNOW she didnt get much sleep, but she didnt complain a bit. (although she did comment on my snoring, which makes me wonder if she should have). The kids were very excited to be away, they love to spend time with grandma and especially hear her sing the Ducky Duddle Song...Ok, that one is my favorite too.... Grandma really loves these kiddos and it showed. She and Karleigh ended up cuddling (sort of) in bed while she tried to give Mc and I a little more rest. This one on one time is invaluable!The park itself was nice, alot of rolling hills for a double stoller pusher, but the sites kept the kids occupied and I feel they did very well for missing naps, the heat, the stimulation of noice and motion and not being able to run freely and burn steam like they would have preferred. We all called the trip a success and look forward to our next adventure.We have more adventures coming this summer, like a wiggles concert and a trip to the zoo. I will try and do better keeping up with the posting, I really want this fun stuff to be documented for the kids as they get older.I hope you are all having a great summer!!Coleneps. Tina G. is now home with her son, your prayers worked!!! There are two other families I correpond with and one just got travel dates for next week, the other just received a referral of a little girl. WHAT wonderful things are happening!!! Life is good.Colene July 18thWow, the summer is slipping by and I have been slipping on the posts. Jeff is posting two at once this time in effort to catch us up. So much has been going on, so many changes.We have had alot of firsts in the past month, our first baseball game for fathers day, our first 4th of July celebration and our first camping trip. Fathers day was restful and enjoyable. The kids colored pictures for Jeff which I framed. The drawings are still not hung on the wall...but will be by the end of the summer. We attended a Somerset Patriots game, a local team. We had nice close seats and enjoyed a clear and warm day. The children enjoyed the game right up the the 7th inning stretch, where McCale felt he needed to stretch to the parking lot and go home for a nap. Fine and dandy by us. We never thought we would make it that long.4th of July celebrations started in Whiting with Grandma and Grandpa Belli, at a picnic at their clubhouse. The kids had a blast and spent alot of time meeting friends who had followed their journey home. The day was hot and sunny, but the kids didnt seem to mind. They watched Grandpa cook burgers for everyone and Grandma do a dance routine and ceremony to honor the flag. What a wonderful way to spend their first 4th.For the holiday weekend we spent time at Eugene and Ann Maries house, dogsitting Brandy. We had such nice weather and fully soaked up as much sun and pool time as we could. Karleigh is a true water bug, she was floating on her back (with assistance ofcourse) and was madam pompadore pointing which way she wanted to be towed in the inflateable boat. McCale was a little more reserved when it came to swimming, but found himself splashing an laughing before too long. Jeff and I enjoyed some quiet time in the pool and away from the distractions and dirty dishes of home.Last weekend we took the kids camping with our neighbors in upstate NY. The years of infertility and waiting had always stifled the dream of our children running across the field at my fathers farm. Last weekend this dream became reality and I found myself welled up with tears more than a few times. The kids arrived after their 3.5 hour car ride ready to run, and run they did. They played in the sun, laughed, touched, threw and almost ate rocks. McCale and Karleigh saw their first "froggy" and watched butterflys (moths) flit from blade of grass to blade of grass.McCale found his shadow that followed him, he would turn and bend to touch it, but it scrunched up when he bent down, up he would go, back down to grab it...priceless. The outdoors toybox of mysteries for children!! Karleigh also found the "MOON" again. This is her second time pointing out the moon to us. She was so mesmerized by it, she would lean back to point and fall down. She would not stop shouting moon and pointing, maybe we have an astronaut on our hands??The children seemed to blossom this weekend, their speach picked up alot. Karleigh is pairing words together clearly and consistently like "turn around", "jackie, COME" and more. Mc is more nimble and agile than before... his first day back on solid ground after a long weekend of bumpy and hilly terrain and he is running around like never before. They each have a sunkissed look, despite our efforts at keeping them slathered in sunblock. Karleigh is getting especially golden, much like her cousins Stephanie and Samantha in the summer.I cannot believe we are heading into a year since meeting them. Life has changed so much, it is so much fuller and so complete. The joy of seeing these kids gesture "up" for their grandparents, share grins and giggles with each other, and the biggest smiles when we wake them in the morning are just a few of the things I count as blessings.Thanks everyone, more soon.Colene and Family (<- isnt that part nice)ps. Tina and George are in Kazakhstan with Leyton, everything is going well. Here is the link I had promised you to their website. www.gouldbaby.blogspot.comColene


June 27Weeks go by like minutes, and sometimes afternoons years. The sun has been out and we have been playing alot on the new deck. We have a small splash pool for the kids to play in - sometimes nekked, sometimes with all of their clothes. This my friends, is the joy of childhood. A plastic boat, a tupperware lid and we have the best time. Karleigh is definately a waterbug, in the pool right after its filled with water too cold for my little toe. Mc on the other hand plays it safe on the sideline, dipping a finger in here and there. Either way, we spend most of the days laughing and playing. The days go by fast when we can go outside and play. The fresh air is nice, and despite my valient effort with sunscreen, Karleigh is becoming a beautiful shade of golden bronze, while my little buddy and I look like over ripened strawberries.The kids both had their first extended experience in their cousins pool last week, bathing suits and all. Karleigh was like the queen of the nile, pearched in the inflateable boat, pointing with a fingers for Samantha, Steph, and Ann Marie to tow her about. Mc hung in with Mama, relaxing enough to dabble his finger or splash his legs. I think he needs a few more dips to go about on his own. No big deal, the hugging time was cherished by Mommy - and they just about had to drag our purple lips and crinkled toes out of the pool at the end of the day.Jeff celebrated his first fathers day! We went to a local baseball game with the kids and had a nice time. We made it to the 7th inning stretch, when McCale decided that he really needed a 7th inning WALK. We even tried vanilla icecream, but, we called it a short game and headed back to the car. The kids were tuckered and had a nice long rest, giving Jeff and I some alone time. As a gift, the kids gave Jeff their very first crayon drawings, all framed and fancy. Finally, now I can get Jeff to hang something on the living room walls!! So, yes, there was an ulterior motive...All and all, we are doing fine and if its at all possible are really feeling settled finally. I could be mistaken, but I think the groove is setting in and we are all very comfortable and confident with each other. Yes, it has been almost a year, yes, it was love at first site - but the natural feeling of being a family is something that seems to keep developing. There is nothing better in the world.Thanks for checking in!! More soon. And please dont mind the website - it will be cleaned up soon.Colene June 13Hello Dear Friends,Thanks for your patience as we relocate our website. More pictures will be coming soon. I hate to even bother Jeff with posting the update, but time is flying by and if I dont get something out there soon, Im afraid I will forget special details....Like, yesteday, McCale tried to let Jack outside for us. Jack was begging by the door and Mc tried with all his might to reach the knob. It was adorebale, and the comprehension is amazing to me. In the same breath and same day, Karleigh was helping mommy with the laundry, happily mixing my sorted darks and whites in their baskets.They are both coming along with their words, and have been saying things like "trees" and pointing to them, or the ceiling fan, which for some reason they point out to us each day. Karleigh just keeps learning, Jack, Molly, Daddy, Cootie, the everluvvin "Iwavwoo" and she is especially happy to shout her own name in the store loudly or wherever we might be KAWEEEEEEE! I'll spare you the screach that comes with it.They are both quick as a whip, I told them later we would take a bath "tubby" and Karleigh headed for the hall to go upstairs for the bath.....She was ready and on the way, saying "tubby" with the expression of, WELL YOU DID SAY IT, LETS GO. I really have to watch now.I wanted to let you know that my friend Tina is on her way to Kaz and there is a very good chance that today will be the day she holds Leyton for the first time. See!? The prayers did work!!! I have included a link to their website below if you want to have a peak.I have other friends lined up to go as well, so we need to keep the prayers and good thoughts going. Can you believe, me? the non-religious person is sending all of these prayers out. There is something to be said for the power of positive thinking. Thanks to everyone who dedicates a moment or two of their day to help these miracles happen. My next friend waiting is TERRY, so please add her to your thoughts today. She is waiting for two little boys.Well, I hate to cut this short, but Karleigh is finishing her spinach nuggets, yes, gross! but she likes them so dont tell her!!!Colene

May 29 So much news this week! Tina got travel dates!! She will be leaving

June 12th to meet her son Leyton!! I will post a link to her site shortly in case you want to follow along. Next up as far as big news goes...Karleigh said I LOVE YOU, granted it was Iwovwoo, BUT...I knew what she meant. I tell them both everyday, all day long....I just cant help myself, I have to admit, I do shower them with kisses and hugs when I can too. Not only did she tell me, but she has told gramma too! What a great feeling. McCale shows his affection by frequent hugs and luvvins when he is circling the living room or dancing to the Wiggles. We are all getting fluent in wiggle lingo, and songs. Our favorites are Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy and Hot Potato. Karleigh does appropriate hand movements to these songs and Mc sings his heart out while beating his chest and running around the living room. How in the world did I ever get this lucky????? We have had some major accomplishments over the past couple of weeks, it has become apparent when McCale wants a drink - he will either say "Juice" or go to his high chair. Karleigh does the same and also tells us when she wants a gahkah, (cracker, couldnt you tell?????) My gosh, I never expected them to be asking for things so soon. They are very bright. All I need to do is say "Tubby" and they are running for the hall to go upstairs, we love the tubby. We love bubbles, we love throwing things in the tubby, out of the tubby and standing - even though we are not supposed to. No's are coming more often lately, and thanks to Karleigh we get to hear the word frequently as well. NO, no, NOOO, nnnno, nooooo, any variety. And they say two is a rough age?? My goodness. The food intake has slowed down, not sure why, but they seem to be more particular about food, favoring pasta, bread and a little more difficult when it comes to veggies. Doc said we need to offer the food they like the least first, hmmmm...this is hard when the food they like the least is flipped over the high chair into the willing jowels of a shepard mix and a very overweight beagle. Ahh..the days of spoonfeeding and formula are gone. Onto bigger and better!! I have been giving them spoons to use during the meals that are followed by tubby, Im proud to say, when the proper end is used for food service, we have been having good luck. When the food is on one end and the handle is in the mouth, well...we have another story. The good news is, I cannot think of a single thing that could be cuter than a McCale covered in blueberry yogurt from the eyebrow down, and from the eyebrow through the scalp, mashed potatoes. Come on now, if you are the least bit creative, you have to get a chuckle out of this too. My little angels, my sticky, gooy, lwovwoo angels. Time to head for bed, they are sleeping now like two peas in a pod. Charging the batteries for another adventuresome day. Thanks for checking in. More to come!' Colene and crew May 21 Hello Everyone, what a fantastic couple of weeks we have had. We enjoyed a birthday party for Stephanie at the Bellis house in Howell. Karleigh tried her first dip in the pool and seemed to take to it well, no kicking or screaming. She went in about chest high for a few minutes, the pool was heated to about 90 degrees so she thought she was in the worlds biggest tubbie!! Mc on the other hand watched from the sideline in the safe arms of his daddy. I think he will definately like the water, but when he can go in on his own terms. We are looking forward to a summer of swimming and splashing with their cousins! More to come Im sure about these kinds of adventures. The big news for this week is the utterance of the words, I love you - by Miss Karleigh....it was more like, I wahwoo, but she was definatly returning my compliment when I told her that I loved her. She said it bunches of times, sometimes she tags the beginning on to the end - like, IwahwooI! She does the same when she tells us what the kitty says, meowme! meowme!meow! Just about melts my heart from my chest. Both kids join in on chanting for daddy when they come down from their afternoon nap....DaDEE,DaDEE, DaDEE.....not to be confused with whooose-your-daddy?whose-your-daddy during last years baseball playoffs. They really get excited when he comes home. Our evening ritual has become much more active lately as we try to burn off the last bits of their steam, we play the Wiggles CD, dance and sing..ofcourse the hoopdedo polka is one of the favorites and we polka around the family room until Mommy is huffing and puffing and has a mean burn on her shoulder and bicep. I have lost 10 pounds since being home, not close to what should be, but I do believe you will be seeing the hoopdedoo at some of the finer fitness gyms throughout the nation soon. Its truly a fitness phenominon. Between this and McCale climbing on the coffee table to a full stand, dancing - or hanging from his highchair table by his fingers and pulling his feet off the ground, we spend alot of time dashing back and forth saving him from near misses and practising the art of distraction and introducing the word NO. We are pleased to tell you that each time we tell Mc NO, Karleigh mimics it like a little parrot, just in case he didnt hear us. Both of their vocabularies are really picking up. Karleigh repeats nearly everything, McCale is starting to repeat as well. He is a great listener and will often blurt out what we had been teaching them an hour or so later, then he squeels with delight. Can it possibly get any better?? A trip to the store this week proved to be difficult as the two little indians were hooting and hollering down every aisle, laughing, raspberry-ing their hands and trying to touch EVERYTHING> This is starting to become more challenging, but fun. We all laughed and sang E-I-E-I-OHHHHH shamelessly through the frozen food section, its great because their cuteness distracts everyone from my out of tune singing. Where is gramma Belli when you need her???? Speaking of Grandparents, we enjoyed another GREAT day at the part this week with Dad and Mary. The kids took to the playground and McCale really enjoyed being allowed to climb up and down. Karleigh was a princess sliding down a small slide and allowing Pappy to air lift her to the top, again and again!!! Gramma A. is coming home from Fla. next week, the kids cant wait to see her, Im sure she is in for a royal welcome. Im interested to see if she thinks they have changed or grown. After a month away it mignt be easier to see. I know they are changing by the day and when I compare the pictures from just a few months ago, I see a huge difference!!!! I will be changing the pictures on the link to Karleigh and McCale photos so you can see for yourself. I had better get a couple of chores done before they wake up. For those of you asking, Tina has a target date of June 10th to leave for Kazakhstan and will be keeping a journal if you want to follow along, let me know. I know this has been a long haul for her waiting alot longer than planned, Im wishing her all the best to hang in there just a little longer. Your prayers are appreciated for her. Thanks everyone! Colene

May 11 Hello! What a nice week we have had. Everyone is feeling great, the sun is shining and finally it seems spring has sprung. We had a wonderful mothers day celebration over the weekend with Jeff's parents and Eugene, Ann Marie and the kids. We had a simple bbq at the house, it was very laid back and we just enjoyed each other. Karleigh and McCale were running all about having a high ole' time. Sunday was a day just for me though. I slept in late and was suprised by Toby Keith concert tickets and a warm welcome from all when I finally got myself out of bed. The day itself was a very reflective and thought provoking, my thankfulness for the gifts I have received and how my life has changed for the better overwhelmed me. It was only one year ago that I was suffering daily, waiting and wondering, the pain was excrutiating and now, the reward. I can breath easy and thank my lucky stars for the two little ones that have brightened so many lives. About those little ones....my goodness, Im now in official high speed mode. They are into EVERYTHING. Karleigh gets a kick out of mimicing NO, NONONONO - and laughs. McCale on the other hand has really started up his singing career...with soft balads of E-I-E-I- OOO...in the softest and sing songiest voice you have heard. PRECIOUS!! For the first time this week they both sang together while playing - MY HEART!!! McCale crooning away, Karleigh digging deep within her chest to gurgle out the words - what a riot!!! They were both smiling until she got the ball he wanted, then it was a tug of war and the words changed to something more like (#$&(#&$(#& but oh well, it was cute while it lasted. Kisses have been the theme this week for Karleigh - she will stop her play, come over and kiss me on the cheek or head. She still insists on kissing feet and the dogs faces too, this she learned from me and its cute to see it imitated, but for sanitary reasons we are trying to keep the kissing to the cheeks and head. McCale has been a constant chatterbox and on the move, circling the living room, around the pole, into the kitchen around the island and back. Everyother circle he stops by to give me a hug, rest his head and stick his thumb in his mouth. I just love all of the affection!!!! Jeff has been getting his fair share of luvvins too, each night we "wrastle" on the floor with lots of grins and giggles. If I have said it once in this journal, I have said it a zillion times.....STOP LOOKING..this is the meaning of life!!!!!! Thanks for checking in. Im thinking of you all who are waiting your turn or considering adoption, its worth its weight in gold...the return is 10 fold. Hang on. Colene


May 2 Wow, I cannot believe its May 2nd already. Where is the time going? Karleigh is walking now, about 12-15 steps at a time. They are careful, cautious steps, but she is getting by. She really hates the thought of falling and if she gets shaky she lowers herself to the floor. The kids have been feeling well and have been out an about with visits to their cousins, and to see grand-pappy Aug and Grandma and Pop-pop Belli. Gramma Aug is out on an RV adventure and will be gone for a month. The kids are really enjoying the family visits and are comfortable with everyone, this gives Jeff and I a break sometimes. They are starting to extend their morning naps and take a quick snooze in the late afternoon. Im not sure which I like better the extended or two shorter breaks. Guess I really dont have a choice in the matter, so why ponder?? Today Karleigh learned the word Kiwi, by pointing to it in her book. She must really love it, as she then leaned over to give it a kiss. After she demonstrates this cuteness she coyly gives me a grin, I just love that. She is still absorbing nearly a word a day, its amazing. McCale on the other hand is stretching his abilities physically, by trying to hang from the high chair tray by his finger tips and screeeech for the juice sippy. This stunt can only be outdone by the "foot over the toybasket" trick, sometimes the little guy gets hung up and needs to be rescued...only to do it all over again. They are really all over the place, McCale can scoot into the laundry room from 100 yards in a second flat. Before I can get my arms out of the dryer he is eating two hunks of kibble and has flipped the water - on himself no doubt. He is in and out of the "safe" cabinets in the kitchen and will chase the cat right up to and in her cat door. All of thise happens ofcourse while Karleigh wants to be held or finds herself stuck bent over headfirst on their push along toy. We have had a few bumps and bruises so far, but I fear the worst is yet to come. They are fearless and fast, Im doing my best and trying to enjoy it all at the same time. I cant complain one little bit, I love every minute!!! The two little bugs are sleeping now, so I think I will try and get a few things done, especially those in and about the laundry room, so until next week - take care! PS...Tina did not get her travel dates yet. UP the prayers please!! Colene April 22 This weeks post is dedicated to a good friend Tina. She is a waiting adoptive parent who has met her angel Leyton and is waiting for travel dates to meet him and bring him home. Tina has shared stories with me of their desire to have birthday parties, with petting zoos, decorations and friends to share their happiness with. She too, spends time looking at little socks and staring into an empty crib while she wonders where he is and what he is doing. As she is waiting, she see's other families finding their children and leaving to get them. There is no ryhme or reason why, its just the way it is. The adoption process as a whole is a huge roller coaster ride, no ride is the same and some rides are quick, some short - it is emotional, it is painful but the best part of all for everyone is the end result. I wish there was a way to ease her pain, give her hope and make it BE REAL. When I say BE REAL I understand the meaning, but defining it is hard. I think only once the child in put in your hands can you truly identify with this feeling/emotion or whatever the heck it is. I will tell you adoptive families in wait, yearn for this feeling, know the hole that needs to be filled and find it hard to visualize or realize that the end result WILL be a CHILD, in your arms, there to love and return the hugs and kisses. When the time is right. When you are at the mercy of others for this need to be met, you have to believe, trust and hope that whats meant to be will be. AGAIN SO MUCH EASIER SAID THAN DONE. Now, Im not trying to be a tear jerker but gosh darnit, I remember all too well these wishes and dreams. Tina has been a constant source of support and friendship celebrating the milestones of Karleigh and McCale, being happy for us when inside it must be just burning the "REAL" hole. I know her turn is coming, it will be here soon. I know that she will be united with her son and everything will be just perfect. I hope she can find the strength to make it through each day, and just when her patience has been tested to the end....he will be home. Tina, we are all saying prayers for you tonight that the phone will ring, you will get your travel dates, you will know when you will hold him. When the dates come, the time passes quickly. You are just about to the top of the largest hill on the coaster, tighten the knuckles, bear down and get ready cuz the best is yet to come. Your friend, Colene


April 13 Hello! We are back in the sick bay again. I have been assured that the colds, sniffles and tummy aches are all to be expected in the first year so not to worry. Having sick little ones just hampers about any othe plan you could make - no complaints here, just trying to explain why the posts are less frequent lately. There have been so many milestones in the past few weeks. Ofcourse McCale is just about jogging all over the place and Karleigh doing a fast crawl or pushing along the walking toy right behind him - chatting all the way. I have to share a couple small events as they have touched my heart deeply and I want to have them documented forever!! I received my first, bonafide, stop playing and hug mom "hug" from Karleigh. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world. We were on the floor playing (Kar/Mic/Mom) and she put down her block, got up, gave me a hug with her head resting on my chest and went "mmmmpfht" like I do when I hug her, she then returned to playing. I still get foggy thinking of it. Next, a tale of our little MIC - what a sensitive little guy. When the kids cry (not the I just banged my head cry - but the wahh,,Im getting tired,,wahhh, just make me happy cry) I will strum their lips and make the Blub-blub-blub sound usually resulting in a smile, if not a smirk. I guess he thinks this is expected or comforting, because I was holding Karleigh wiping away tears from a spill on the floor, when he crawled over and strummed her lips trying to sooth her. Again, my heart....it just swells. Finally, I wanted to share a story about them playing together. Just about everyone we come in contact with asks if they play together? Do they communicate among themselves? Are they in the same room? YES< YES< YES...and just the other day Karleigh had a round donut shaped material stacking ring in her hand, McCale wanted it...badly. She stuck the ring in her mouth and crawled for all she was worth across the floor. He was on her tail and gaining when she would change directions or stop to move it to the hand that was out of reach. This game continued to each corner of the room, Karleigh laughing and McCale snorting and following along. The little guy was not going to give in for 'nuthin'. They went around the back of the couch, where low and behold...another toy laid that was of interest to McCale. Finally, finding some peace he began to play quietly with the toy, giving up the pursuit of the unreachable ring. Well Miss "thing" couldnt have this, she pulled the ring out of her mouth, sat up next to him and bopped him in the head with it. He turned, remembered the ring, she popped it back in her mouth and off they went again. Ahh..the joys of sharing and siblings. What could be coming next??? They have been just soaking every thing up, they are repeating words and Karleigh knows where her nose is as well as anyone else who may get their nose close enough to her goop covered hands. She will "sit" on command and will even say the word, sound a little more like..."shite" than sit, but its still cute. The pediatrician gave them glowing reviews on their progress and mentioned karleighs speach and understanding is extraordinary. Talk about puffing up a moms chest! Im just so proud of them and all they both can do. McCale is so active, agile and motivated and Karleigh is very observant and attentive. Its really amazing how they are so different, yet so much the same. We are looking forward to the summer, the days have started to become brighter and warmer. Our walks outside are priceless and we are so lucky to have a small park only a few doors down for the kids. They love to swing and ride on a lap down the slide. This is just a tiny taste of all the good things to come!! We cannot wait to go to the zoo with Olivia and get to meet some of the children that were adopted over the past year and their parents. We also have a close circle of friends who all have children within one year of Karleigh and McCale, how wonderful it will be to see them grow up together. More adventures are sure to come! Thank you for checking in . We wish you all the best!! We hope Jeanette had a great trip and that travel dates come soon for TINA!!! Love and Special Karleigh HUGS! Colene April 1 Jeff was away this week and so I have to apologize for the late post. The kids have been keeping us hopping. Since our last post McCale has graduated from 3-5 steps to 30 and over, it was that fast. He is fearless and started off by walking between the two of us, his last couple of steps a giggling dive, now he travels by foot about 30% of the time, toddling and waving the whole while. He has made turns and can change direction, especially when in hot pursuit of the cat who is not nearly as excited about his walking as the rest of us are. Until this morning Karleigh was just as happy playing with flash cards and pushing around the cart w/ wheels. She pulled herself up on the recliner and steadily took 8 steps toward me. These were very tiny steps, but her weight shifted and feet came off the ground as she moved forward, soooo we are counting them!!! Jeff got back from the store and she took five more!! It was definately a morning for celebration! The look on their faces as they accomplish such a huge feat is priceless, nearly as thrilled and as proud as ours. They are both on whole milk now and enjoy their bottles all by themselves in their high chairs, they are eating only finger foods now with some applesauce. They do take their juice from sippy cups, but Im too heartbroken to abandone the bottles just yet for milk. I have been letting them try and feed themselves and they really get a kick out of it. There is only one issue - the dogs hover around their chairs like sharks and McCale has taken a liking to tossing bits and pieces overboard after he is done eating. We are working on discouraging this behavior, despite its ulimate cuteness, on both McCales part and the dogs. Each day they seem to change, get more responsive, joke and interact with us. The face game is still very popular with McCale as he snorts and laughs when the exchange of snort is returned. Karleigh is very talkative and has shown a keen interest in Music, she bops up and down on her knees and waives her arms in the air. She also has a straight arm clap that is dang priceless. We typically limit her musical selection to easy listening, her nursery tapes, the wiggles and Alan jackson until the other day when the Fresh Prince of BellAire came on TV, which starts with a RAP about how the prince came from Philly to California to live the good life. Holy FLY GIRL my Karleigh can shake her bootie!!! She was in full blown boogie motion, clapping, bopping and hootin all at one time. A girl after my own heart. Its just so amazing, each day is something new, the smiles in the morning and the giggles during lunch, and the BIG PROUD steps. Life is good. Take care! Until next time!!!! Colene March 20 Holy cow we have alot to Post first off - McCale turned 1! Our little boy is growing up fast. In addition to this milestone he has been consistently taking steps, 3-5 by himself and standing on his own for nearly a minute while in place. He is very active and still very smiley and happy! He and I (Colene) enjoy mornings making faces at each other, we have a variety of sound effects too. My favorite face includes a snorting sound with squinty eyes and a squishy nose. Not only will he do this for me on command, he will instigate the "face game" by crawling toward me full speed ahead, snorting, squishing and squinting all the while. He will also do fish face with a pop of the lips - the second of my favorites. He is simply a joy. I have said it once, but will say it again, I just look at them, one by one and enjoy them with all my heart with a sudden burst of love and happiness when I recall that I have TWO children that double the joy. How can a person be so very lucky? We thank the heavens above for these gifts. I dont think there is a thing in the world that could come close to making us this happy. With the children have come many added bonus'of seeing our parents enjoy them, our neices adore them and the close knit bond that has been formed with our siblings adding a whole new facet to our lives. All of the words like, Enrichment, Fullfilment and Completeness have become so much more meaningful. Its like when you realize what the words of the songs from the radio you sang as a child REALLY meant.....A whole new perspective on life. Who would have thought that adding two children could change life in so many ways? I guess Im preaching to the choir to many of you, and for those waiting, Im so very happy that you are on this path. Don't give up. If you want it bad enough, no matter what it is, there are ways to find it. I guess you all have been getting your fair share of "sappiness" from me lately, so I will try and give you more facts, less "world according to Colene"....Here goes.... We enjoyed a wonderful day with Samantha last week as she was confirmed. I was honored and thrilled to have been selected as her sponsor. She is such a beautiful young girl, inside and out and I hold her in the highest regard. We had a beautiful day, albeit a tad chilly, and enjoyed each others company during the ceremony. This young woman, who was a girl but a minute ago is really blossoming into thoughtful and caring person. Im so proud to be a part of her life. After the ceremony we enjoyed an awesome dinner out at a local italian bistro, YUMMMY! I have missed going out and having a really good glass of wine while gorging myself on a fresh pasta dish! Life is good!!! We celebrated McCales birthday on the same day with Samantha making the occasion extra special for us all. He was a bit tired and wanted DAda...he just LOVES his daddy! He was a snuggle bunny who needed the extra attention which Jeff gave him wholeheartedly. I think all in all, it was a special birthday for him and we were very lucky to be surrounded with friends and family. Later in the week we decided to visit Uncle Lance and Aunt Nancy in Virginia. We had been trying to plan a trip since January and it just had not been working. Stuffy noses and snow had been the culprit. We saw a window and jumped through it early in the week deciding to pack up and go. My mother came along with me and the children and we headed out on our road trip. It was a smooth ride down with only a few peeps from the kids, Karleigh was entertaining us with her endless chatter. Im not sure what she said, but I do know it was very important. So important as a matter of fact, she emphasized it with many raspberries blown into the palm of her hand and just a few in mid air with a burst of fine mist and cracker crumbs spraying anyone in arms reach. We all shared alot of giggles and hugs too. Lance and Nancy seem to be doing very well. They have a lovely apartment in a charming colonial type village. They gave us a southern style welcome with shrimp, crab (for mom and I) and BEYOUEES!! (for K&M) as a welcoming treat and provided very nice accomodations with fresh flowers in the bedroom and all. We very much enjoyed the trip, the driving tour of DC (while the kids snoozed) and an awesome Sushi buffet (just a few of the highlights). Lance and Nancy always provide an entertaining visit, those two could have fun in brown bag!!! The kids loved to see them and are warming up to them. They also continued to bond with grandma and are just desparately in love with her.... We are so lucky to have Lance-n-Nance coming up our way for Easter next week, Im sure they will continue to bond in the coming days. This is so very important to all of us. Lance is in the Military and is due to possibly relocate this summer. We want to take advantage of him being so close and we look forward to the next visit, perhaps with grand pappy!! The kids were so tuckered from the trip, they slept til about 8am this morning. They are now napping and we are nearing 3 hours, I am starting to hear little noises from in there so I'll call it a day for now. I hope I'm not too early on wishing a dear friend of mine congratulations on her referral, she knows who she is. I will provide more details later when she goes public. With Love, Colene


IMPORTANT - WE MAY BE CHANGING INTERNET SERVICE AND THE WEBSITE MAY BE MOVING, MORE UPDATES ON THIS TO COME. WE ARE HOPING FOR SOME OVERLAP TO REDIRECT VISITORS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN CONTINUE TO FOLLOW ALONG, PLEASE EMAIL ME SO I CAN BE SURE TO ADD YOU TO A MAILING LIST WITH MORE DETAILS.