SMILE

Go ahead and just try not to smile back :).This my friends is what I call

The JOY of Adoption!

Grandma's Goodies

Grandma Sandy came through AGAIN this year. She delivered all the kids' school supplies over this weekend. As you can see, Ian was thrilled to receive his very own bag of goodies for school. All the littles are excited for school this year! Now the bigs on the other hand...well

Let the countdown begin. Only 14 more sleeps!!

The Mouse House

Or as Ian refers to ChuckeCheese "the big Kitty", proved for some air conditioned fun on Saturday. Ian was in heaven with all the games only costing one token. Since he can't read yet, he is always trying to figure out how many quarters to put in those stupid machines at other restaurants. Needless to say he was happy to find out only one per game.

Really trying hard to teach Ian about money. It is obviously something he never had to learn in the orphanage. Ian now gets an allowance, and trust me he is the first one awake on chore day ready to earn his money! Wish all my kids had the same attitude about chores-lol

Earrings Finally

Look who finally scored some new earrings. Elise wanted to get her ears pierced for NO more diapers!! She looks so stinkin adorable :)

Summer Reading

We made a trip to the library the other day. (Kim pick yourself up off the floor).  The girls picked out a whole pile of books in an attempt to keep them busy during the heat of the days.  

Now the big trick for me is remembering to return them and not to lose any between now and then ;)

Friends Rock

We traveled across town today to get to hang out with one of our digit friends. So neat that our families met 5 years ago when we were waiting to go get Shelby. Faith an Gracie played together like long lost best friends. All my kids really enjoyed the afternoon getting to hang out with this crew. Thanks Ellen for a fun day!

Big Kids

 

Where did my little babies go?!?

Tricked Out Travis

Came home to this the other day, just in time for our dentist appointment. Only my Travis...

Movie Time

Ian went to the big screen for the first time. What's not to love about all you can eat popcorn? Haha, he did well especially considering it was a movie all in English ;)

Awesome Austin

Thinking it is pretty safe to say that the kids enjoyed hanging with their cousin Austin at White Water. He and his teenager self might of even had a bit of fun too :)

Big Bowler

We took the kids bowling this weekend. Pretty sure Ian enjoyed his first bowling experience! Love seeing the JOY in his face at some of the most simplest things in life :)

Circus Act

Boys will be boys!

3 Year Old Available

I have lots of info on this little guy if you think he might be yours. His special need has been repaired: bladder estrophy. He is sponsored by Love Without Boundaries. Are you his mommy?!?!

Party Pics

A big thank you to everyone who came out (and Ellen who almost made it) to help celebrate Faith's birthday. She had the BEST time celebrating with all her friends.

Five Yes Five

Look who finally turned five years old today.

She hasn't stopped smiling all day!

5 yes 5

Lordy Lordy

Look who is forty! I get to spend my birthday with this crazy herd on my special day. Feeling blessed and old ;)

Dentist Day

At the dentist this afternoon with all six kiddos going in for cleanings and check ups. Yeah, I know you want to be me today ;)

This is Ian's first visit, so I hope they don't scare him to death. So far, so good as I was peeking in during his exam. Hope we leave with all good reports. Not likely, but a girl can dream right?!?

Watery Fun

We have really gotten good use out if our White Water passes this year. This week I took 8 kids with me to the park, as Caleb and Travis each took a friend. The big boys go off on their own for the most part. Ian gets to go with the big boys on occasion as well to do some of the slides.

We hang out a lot in the lazy river and the wave pool. Ian likes for us to hang out in the kids sections, so we do that too. We always pack our afternoon "snack" and head out to the van around 4 to eat. I really wish the park stayed open longer than 7pm. But I guess it works since we still don't ever seem to get to sleep until about 10:30pm on our WWater days.

Only one more month of summer for the kids...

Buggy Boy

Ian had his first ride in Papa's dune buggy. Big hit of course! Now if Papa could only figure out how to get all six if my kiddos crammed in there ;)

BTW this buggy is older than me. I have been in this buggy since infancy. They used to put me in the floor board to nap during those mountain buggy rides. Haha, and considering I will be the big 4...0 (gasp) on Saturday, that means this buggy is OLD. Yet still fun and exciting, just like me :)

Skate Night...Again

Against my better judgement, we are here once again for Monday Madness at the skating rink. Me with 7 kids (1 isn't mine don't worry) on skates...oh my!

Anyhow the reason for my post is to say that I can't believe my baby is old enough to participate in the "teenager only" skate sessions. I think I might just cry :(

Oh and can you tell what Ian thinks about skating?!?!

Busy Bees

We have had a busy week visiting with my brother and his family. Miss them already. We sent them off in an airplane yesterday (right after their obligatory Atlanta Varsity lunch), and hated to see them go :(

So we spent today at the pool drowning our sorrows away-lol. Hope you all had a fabulous weekend and that you were able to hug someone you love!!

Answered Prayers

My mother has had one dream for a very long time....all her children and grandchildren to be together. This weekend that lifelong dream came true! I can only imagine what an emotional journey this visit has been for her.

Having our brother now a part of our lives has been such a blessing. Truly a miracle that we found each other in time to get to know each other. We are so very blessed to get to enjoy our families coming together.

Never underestimate the power of a mother's prayer!!