TGIF

So Very Sad

Yet SO very true...

Happy Autumn Moon

Today is the official day of the Autumn Moon Chinese holiday.  We spent the weekend celebrating with our friends on Friday and Saturday night.  Here is wiki's info on Autumn Moon.  It was fun making laterns and eating moon cakes with all of our adoption folks.  I stole some of Lisa's photos to show off my girls, thanks Lisa ;)

 

One of a Kind

Oh this boy of mine :)

My Big Girl

Come a long way baby!

Six Today

Happy happy birthday my Shelby baby!!

Humor

Not sure why I find this SO hilarious, but I do :)  Had to share...

Kids Matter

Read this on my Purpose Driven email, it was worth sharing...

As adults, we tend to focus on what we can teach children. But what about what they can teach you? Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). You need children in your life. They help you grow.

You can’t be all that God wants you to be without children. It’s not possible. Children teach you how to be unselfish. It’s hard to be selfish when you have children who depend upon you.

You don’t need to be a parent to have kids in your life, though. Your community has plenty of children who need a caring adult in their lives. Be a Big Brother or Big Sister. Get involved in the children’s ministry or youth ministry at your church. There’ll never be a time in your life when you don’t need to have kids around.

You’ll make a difference in the lives of kids when you do.

And they’ll make a difference in your life, too.

After the Airport

Just read a great post over here.  It is worth the read for sure.  The paperwork, the process, the preparations are only the beginning.  Real life starts right "after the airport"!

Cheeeeeeessse

The B Word

Considering CJ's new career change, plus the addition of another youngin, our household has started using the B word a lot these days. I know everyone cringes everytime you hear it, yet it is a fact of life...

B.U.D.G.E.T

Yes, I know you even felt the twinge just reading it. No one wants to talk about it, but alas we must. So CJ and I have started attending a Dave Ramsey class to help us get motivated. We hope to one day say the B word without cringing or squinting or squirming everytime we speak of it ;)

Spruced Up the Blog

I took up my fellow orphan advocate, Jen, on her special offer to spruce up my blog.  I know I should have done it a long time ago, but you know I am just lazy like that.  So when the chance came to get it done without any hassles, AND I get to help her bring her new little one home, well here you go!

Thanks Jen, it looks great!  Hop on over to her blog and take her up on her special deal :)

Inspiration

Hard at Work

Checking out the Fish

At Bass Pro Shop today

Straight Towing Rocks

Yummy

Proverbs 24:12

“Once our eyes are opened, we can’t pretend we don’t know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act.” Proverbs 24:12

Watermelon Princess

My little Leesy Loo scored her very own melon from the neighbor's garden today :)

Enjoying Life

This is the beauty of CJ's new career path...

Spending time with his family!!!

Caleb got to go fishing not once, but twice this week :)

Orphan Sunday

Now is the time to get on your church's calendar for this year's Orphan Sunday.  It is officially on November 6, 2011, but of course anytime your church can get you a spot to talk about orphans-take them up on it!  If you don't ask, they won't know about this wonderful opportunity.  Go to www.orphansunday.org and send this link to them so they can get all the FREE resources available.

Shriners Rocked

Headed home!

Peek

A

Boo

Giggles

We made it to Greenville. Let me just say for the record, ONE child is SO easy!! No excuses for all you onesies out there not to adopt ;)

First Day of School

Lots of firsts today for the kiddos. First day of middle school, 3rd grade, Kindergarten, and Pre-K. Everyone had a great day!!

Decade of Carol

Here is The infamous Ms. Carol with the girls on her last day at our house. Ms.Carol has been babysitting my kiddos for the past ten years. She is moving on to new adventures just as my kids are. Guess now the kids will h ave to start blaming the cat for all the mishaps in the house from now on ;)

Fuddruckers Fun

Straight Towing

It’s official!!  CJ’s just clocked out on his last day at Averitt Express.  CJ has decided to start his own towing/wrecker business.  We are hoping this new career change will provide him with some valuable time for his family, along with a good way to provide for his family. 

So please add Straight Towing to your phone/cell address book for future references or recommendations to your friends and family.  770-591-0557

I promise Straight Towing will treat you right J  Thanks for your support!!

Things To Come

Just like with my Shelby, one of Elise's greatest "special needs" is going to be her emotional need.
Pop over here to read a great post about another little one with a little hand like my baby girl.  I can picture these same scenarios in our near future.  I imagine we will work through them day by day, instance by instance, but mainly we will work through them TOGETHER as a family.  So happy that Elise will grow up with the support she deserves. 

Every child deserves a family

Birthday Girl

Here are some of the party pics from Elise's birthday bash. We kept it low key (well low key for a family of 7!) since this was her first birthday home.  She really enjoyed the party and was her easy going, fun-loving self just going with the flow.  Boy do I love this little treasure :)

Elise has officially been accepted to Shriner's in Greenville.  She and I will be traveling for her consult on August 16-17.  This will be our 3rd medical opinion on our available options for her little hand.  After this consult, then the BIG decision will be made as to how we proceed.  The big decision has to be made by CJ and I, and it will affect her forever.  So any extra prayers as we make this life decision for our girl are extremely appreciated!!

Drivers Ed

Summer Fun

Free

Boating with Papaw

Flying High with Daddy

Gift of a Grandma

Grandma Sandy dropped off her annual tradition of buying ALL the kids' school supplies! What an awesome gift that she brings the kids every year before school starts. The girls were very excited to open their big bags of goodies. School starts in only one more week. Thanks Grandma for getting them off to a good start!!

Six Flags

CJ and I spent the day with the bigs yesterday at an amusement park. We all had a great time despite the heat. Mainly we enjoyed the time together. The boys are growing up oh so fast.

I know the day will come when they would rather go to the dentist than to hang out with their OLD mom and dad. But for now, they still enjoy us, even if we do get a bit woozy on all the rides :)

The Originals

TWO Years Old Today

This is a perfect example of God's love...my very special 2 year old!  Happy Birthday baby girl!!

The Family Bed

This is how my bed usually looks by 7am every morning (well with me in it too barely hanging in the side). I know it doesn't look too roomy or comfortable, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! Wonder if they make a Super Sized King?