Say Cheese!!!

I was trying to teach Adiah to say "cheese" for the camera. I put my camera down, gave a big smile and tilted my head to the side. This is her imitation of me. CHEESE!!

Who Is This Child?

So tonight I was giving little Miss Priss a bath and I realized halfway through it that she was enjoying it! The entire thing! Just a few weeks ago it was as if I was sticking needles in her eyes. Now...well....I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. P.S. Ridge really enjoyed helping me with her bath. He loves to make her laugh!!

Are you happy, people?

I've had some people comment that my blogging is slowing down. I have only one thing to say to that....you're right(she says sheepishly). I will say that my computer was gone from this house for over a week. Its back now. Better than ever. Will my blogging increase? I do not know but I will try!! People, I said I'll TRY!! Actually, I'm happy that you all want to keep up with our family!! Thank you for checking in on us! Ok, here is a cute little picture of Adiah in her sweet pinafore that Ms. Chanda gave her. TOO cute! I'll probably be ordering more of these. Thank you, Chanda!! And Adiah's new "obsession" is the oh so beloved Elmo. She gets so excited when she sees anything that has him on there. In Target yesterday we were on the book aisle and there was a book with a stuffed Elmo toy that came with it. Well the child began shaking with excitement. Really. So of course...she got it!! We LOVE Elmo!!


Isn't it cute!!

Big step to get over.

Daddy and Adiah time!

Emily reading the book that came with the toy. Gotta love big sisters!!

Some outside fun!!

Friday was a gorgeous day here so we took advantage of the evening! Adiah is beginning to like being outside a little more everyday. The grass just bothers her though. So its a huge deal that I got her to sit in the stuff! We've had a pretty good week this past week. The kids are SO ready for school to be over. I find it harder and harder to get them to get up in the mornings now. I remember this from last year. But just 6 more weeks of school...I can hardly believe it! Last Sunday we went out to Midlothian to help Sara and Matt with some computer stuff for their trip to China. In case I haven't mentioned it they leave on Thursday to go pick up my new niece from China!! I'm so pumped! Their blog is here but they will mainly be posting here during their trip. I think they'll do videos on their family blog. Anyway, I would love it if you would join me in praying for them and this new life they are beginning! Their daughter, Hannah, has a heart condition and they won't know the full extent of it until they are home. They are also leaving their other 2 children here while they go and pick up Hannah. There is a very large group of adoptive families going with them so keep them all in your prayers. For their health, travel, and their new babies. We can't wait for Hannah to come home!! Anyway, here are some pictures from the week. I threw one in of my stinkin' cute husband too!!



I love that little backside!!

Trying to get a toy without touching the grass. Sister, you are gonna HAVE to get over that!!

Just cuteness....

Emily took Adiah and Noah on a ride around the driveway. Looks like they were talking about something important. You know, cousin stuff.

Like I said....stinkin' cute.

Lots of changes on the horizon...

Thanks for all of your support and prayers for me when I was sick! After I posted the last entry about the iv fluids and all that I did NOT get better. Acutally I stayed sick until that Friday when it was determined that I probably didn't have a virus and needed to get on an antibiotic. I think I picked up something in China besides Adiah!!! By the next day I was doing much better and so life goes on! I'm now able to eat normal foods and I can't tell you how happy I am about that!! Now that we're home from China I wanted to let you know some big news! We will be moving in June!! We weren't actually looking for a house just yet. We were thinking that we'd wait just a little longer and maybe begin looking or thinking about it in August. WELL...at Christmas time when we were all out at my parent's new place (which happens to be about 1 mile from my sister's house-you can read that post here) my brother in law, Matt, said "Hey, I drive by this house everyday on my way to work and its for sale. You should look at it". Well, my parents didn't have internet up so we googled it on our iPhone and found some pictures of it. We both really liked it but didn't think the time was right. Matt went ahead and drove us by it that evening. The sun was going down and there wasn't much light but what we could see of it we loved. Fast forward 6 days...we made an appt. with a realtor and went on a tour of it. Still not really thinking that the time was right. Of course, we both really loved it!! But we didn't really do anything about it because we were waiting to hear from the Lord on it. We prayed and thought....and about a month later put an offer on it. We did a little back and forth tweaking on an offer and finally agreed on one. So all of that to say.......we're moving to Midlothian in June!! Its exciting because ever since Brian and I got married (almost 14 years ago! Can you believe THAT?) we've moved cities every 3 years. With military, med school, residency...everything was temporary. Now we've found a place that I can literally picture my kids bringing their kids to for a visit someday. Its a dream and a TOTAL gift from the Lord. We even have some land! 3 acres! The kids are extremely excited to all have their own rooms AND an upstairs. How much better can it be for a kid? They are a little sad about leaving their friends here and their school. So am I! This has been a really good place for us to live the past 4 years. We've made some wonderful friends here that I know will continue once we've moved.(that was for you, Amy P.!!) And this is the place where our lives changed forever! Brian's accident was the beginning of a long but beautiful road where the Lord molded and changed us into different people. For that....I will forever be thankful. Sounds weird to say that you're thankful for a car accident! But we are. And we are excited about all that the Lord has for us during this next season in our lives. Anyway, just wanted you all to know! Have a blessed week. I'll be back soon with pictures.

Natalie's Party

I'm alive!!! First off let me say I'm so sorry for my lack of posts! In the middle of the night on Sunday I came down with a horrid stomach bug. I mean...it kicked my tail. I thought I was over it on Tuesday but I was wrong. I was back in bed all day yesterday. I finally got hooked up to an I.V. last night and got 4 bags of fluids and now I'm doing much better! Now I need to spend lots of good time with my kids because I've literally been a zombie since Sunday. Okay...wanted to do a quick post and tell about Natalie's birthday party. Friday night we went out with Brian's side of the family to celebrate Miss Natie Bug's birthday. We went to Incredible's Pizza(is that right, Gina?) and had a great time. Adiah even enjoyed it for the most part. She had fun showing off her walking and flirting skills. After a while though it became too much and she had a little melt down. And then on Saturday I took Natalie, Emily and 2 of Natalie's friends, Hampton and Amber to the American Girl Bistro. The food was great and Natalie bought out the store with her gift certificate, money from friends, and mom and dad's contribution for her gift. I think they all had a good time and acted like quite the ladies!


All the cousins on Friday night. There are 7 now! Holy Cow!!

The girls stop and pose for me in front of the American Girl store. Hampton, Natalie, Emily, and Amber.

Eating with their dolls

Natalie and Julie

Of course, a birthday isn't a birthday unless Natalie sings to herself. Gotta love that kid!

Natalie's Birthday

Hey guys! I've been posting on Adiah's blog and decided its time to come back over here for a visit. Today my Natalie turns 9! Her last single digit birthday! I truly can't believe how fast this last year has gone. Natalie has really come into her own this year. She has always been a funny, sweet, loving girl but now its different. There is a maturing that has gone on and she is at a completely different level. This year she was on team in gymnastics and the confidence it gave her is amazing. I've seen that confidence spill over into other areas of her life too. Natalie is a good friend to everyone in her life. She is a great big sister too! She keeps things very interesting in our family with her silliness and drama! I wouldn't want it any other way. Natie Bug, Happy Birthday, sweet girl! Your dad and I are SO proud of you and who you are becoming.



Natalie, age 3
age 7
age 8, at a meet
This past Christmas-I found her asleep like this

Sweet, sweet Natie Bug. Happy Birthday my 9 year old!!