Natalie's awards

Last night was Natalie's gymnastics awards banquet. Up until yesterday morning she just wasn't sure if she even wanted to go. Alot of the girls on her team have either quit or moved to other gyms. I believe there are only 4 remaining girls from level 4 still on this team. Natalie didn't know if any of her friends would be there but we finally decided to just go. Brian had to work late so he didn't get to join us but heard ALL about it when we got home. Natalie received the standard "just because you were on team" trophy which she was thrilled with. She then went on to receive a "buttercup" award for always having a hug for her coaches and teammates. She really is a great hugger. She promptly ate that award since it WAS a peanut butter cup. And then she was very shocked when she received the MOST IMPROVED award for her level. Isn't that awesome??? I believe I have said that all year long. I can't believe how far she has come in one year!! Way to go, Nat!! We are so proud of you and how hard you work. Even when you could be doing something fun at home you never complain about going to the gym. You are an inspiration to me!! And you are such a good friend to your teammates. We love you so much!!

*We are moving in about a week and a half. She will be changing gyms and she starts there the day after we move. She will now be on level 5! I can't wait to see what she learns this next year!!!


Sweet Natie Bug!

Posing with one of the coaches, JJ, as she received her Most Improved award!

Nat with both of her trophy's

Poor boy...stuck in a room full of female gymnasts...didn't know how good he had it!!


Miss Adiah enjoyed running around and screaming at inappropriate times (like during a sappy slide show, for example)

And this is what I look down and see under the desk after doing all of those posts....One *sick and tired of waiting on me so I'll lie down with the dog* girl. My poor child...I'm going to go feed her now.

Emily's birthday....a little early

On Friday night we celebrated Emily's birthday (a little early because we're moving) with one of her friends from school. She chose to go to Kill'n Time, a pottery painting place, with Rebecca. They got to pick out WHATEVER they wanted to paint since there was only the one friend. They both picked out chip and dip bowls(a bit random but I'm not sayin' anything!) and took 2 HOURS to paint those suckers. We then went to the restaurant of choice, On The Border, where they proceeded to eat everything in the restaurant! Just playin'! But we did have a great time and look forward to celebrating her real birthday next month!!


Emily and Rebecca....probably ordering ONE more cherry sprite...

Natalie, Rebecca, and Em

Little Miss Priss just walking around outside while waiting on our table. Sweet little backside...

She loves drinking out of straws!! Such a big girl!

Silly cheese picture

Welcome Home Hannah(and Sara and Matt)!!

So right after field day we ran to the airport to greet Sara, Matt, and Hannah home from China! We were so excited and there was a big group(mainly Matt's side of the family) there to welcome them home. My parents were in Africa so me, Brian, the kids, Gina, and her kids represented this side. There were lots of tears shed and many memories made. However, Hannah was really sick and Sara and Matt were a bit overwhelmed and preoccupied with her health more than anything else. They stayed home for about a day and a half before they realized she needed to go to the hospital. After a 5 day stay they got to bring her home and begin trying to adjust to life with 3 kids and one of them having a heart condition.

The young part of our welcoming committee! Anxious cousins and siblings ready with their signs.

Sara with tears of joy streaming down her face. She was doing the *Little House on the Prairie* run to get to her kids!

Matt with Hannah trying to hug his other kids.

Adiah and Hannah meet for the first time. We think Hannah really wanted to take Adiah's Cheerios but whatever!

An exhausted Sara and her girls.

Field Day

The next day was field day at school for all of the kids. I had a realization that this was probably Emily's last field day. Emily will be going to middle school next year and I don't think they do this. Anyway, it was a beautifully HOT day and they had such a good time with all of their friends. When I was a little girl field day was track and field events. Not anymore!! This was like a carnival...a very organized carnival!! Even Adiah got in on the action and had lots of people stop by the stroller for a little *meet and greet*. She loved it! They got to enjoy field day until about 2:30 when I took them home to get ready to go to the airport to meet their new cousin Hannah! Stay tuned for the next post....


Ridge- trying to take out one of his teachers in the dunking booth!!

Emily and her sweet friend, Rebecca! BFF's!!

Natie Bug and Adiah- she loved showing off her little sister!

Playing football with the boys! She loves doing anything *sport*!

Not EVEN sure whats happening here. I just thought it was funny!!

Catch up time...

You know how sometimes you WANT to sit down and blog but either don't have the time or SO much time has passed you don't know where to begin? Well....that's me. I'm sorry for the lack of posts lately but the thought of sitting down and starting from like 2 weeks ago seems very daunting. So these might be quick little posts to catch up to date but here we go. On May 15th Ridgedon was in the first grade play at school. The theme was 3 of a kind. Ridge was asked to be one of the 3 wise men. He did so good and once again I found myself thinking about how time flies by so fast and here my baby is finishing up 1st grade!! Ridge took the job as a wise man very serious and spent lots of time practicing his lines. He did a super job!!


He is in the burgandy robe on the top row....

Speaking *slowly and clearly* into the microphone. We practiced this alot....

Really getting into it here

Something about "just like me". I'm such a good mom! I can remember so well!!

Prayer Request

I'm linking you to my sister's blog so you can read the prayer request. Pray, my friends!!!! THank you!!

http://www.faithfulsteps.blogspot.com/

Just because....

I know it wasn't intentional but I thought this picture turned out super cute. We were working on "cheese" again laying on the floor in the office. I just want to eat her up!!! And I wish I would have had my camera available tonight because she did some serious lovin' on her brother. He was laying in the floor watching Idol with the rest of the family and she went over to him and laid her head on his chest. I was happily surprised to see him stroking her back. Emily, Natalie, and I all did a collective sigh.....

Doctor's Visit

Wanted to let you all know about the dr's appt yesterday. Okay...are you ready for this.....in 5 weeks....Adiah has gained 1 1/4 lbs and has grown 1 inch!!! Can you believe that? Her head circumference is up 1/2 inch which is good too. Her hair is growing like a weed and I've noticed underneath her old hair lots of new hair is growing in too. Wow, its amazing what good nutrition will do!! She didn't have to get as many shots as we were thinking because it turns out she got a few immunizations in China. And apparently she had chicken pox at one time because she never got the shot but is immune to it. So basically she got 4 shots yesterday (poor baby!) and the pediatric adoption dr. said he doesn't need to see us again. Just need to get set up with a new pediatrician when we get moved and finish up her shots there. I was preparing myself to stay up alot last night with a cranky baby but she slept all the way through the night. Don't know if I've mentioned before but I can't get any type of medicine down her throat. She promptly spits it all back out. She's a pro at that!! But I disguised a little Motrin in some yogurt and she ate it up. I'm SOOO sneaky!! Anyway, just wanted to let you all know what I found out yesterday. Praise Jesus for all of that! Also, if you could pray for my sister, Sara. I talked to her yesterday and she is feeling under the weather. Running a fever and has a sore throat. I know she wants to feel better for her trip home which is the DAY AFTER TOMORROW!!! Hallelujah!! Off to take kids to school in the massive down pour!!!!

Not much going on....

Just wanted to check in with everyone....maybe post a few pictures from the week. First of all, for those who know that my sister, Sara, is in China right now, she and the rest of the group are fine. They were not affected by the earthquake but there are thousands who were. Please pray for the people in China who lost loved ones and now have to put their lives back together. Also, please pray that Sara and the gang arrive home safely. They will arrive back in Dallas on Friday afternoon, thank you, Jesus!! Tomorrow I "get" to take Adiah for her first shots. We did blood work about a month ago to see what all she has had. So that should be fun! We are quickly winding down the school year and I had the realization yesterday that we move in 1 month!!! Crazy!! Praise the Lord that we are having a moving company come in to pack and move us! Again...thank you Jesus! This past Saturday I got the privilege of helping throw my friend, Britney, a baby shower. It was SUCH fun and she really had a fabulous turn out! Thank you, Molly for letting us use your wonderful new home! Okay, on to some pictures....


Last week, right as we were walking home from school, the skies opened up and it rained like there was no tomorrow. My cutie patootie little boy standing in the rain!!

Busted!! I found my youngest daughter trying to climb up into this chair the other day. You really can't turn your back for a second!!!

Success! I took a picture before I promptly took her down and told her "no ma'am".

Last night Adiah crashed on the couch next to me. Photo op!!

Yummy mess!!

This morning I let Adiah "go at it" with the yogurt. This is first attempt at feeding herself the messy stuff! She really enjoyed it and didn't have any problems with grabbing my shirt and hair when I picked her up to go clean her off. Oh well!! And just for fun I'm adding a picture of my new niece. Don't you just love that hair? I can't wait to see her in person!!! Aunt Amy Plain loves her!!








Hannah LuYing Moreland

They have her!!!

While we were sleeping last night, Sara and Matt got Hannah! Go check out there travel website! She's beautiful!!! Praise God for my new niece! Please pray for her heart...Sara says you can feel her murmor through her chest. Ok...go check her out....HERE

From my son. And I quote...

Just a little post about something Ridge said to me this afternoon. He's 7. He was going through his back pack getting out his Friday folder and he pulled out his library book. This conversation followed:

Ridge: Mom, I didn't bring home a regular book today. I brought home this research kind of book. Its about George Washington. (all of this said with such excitement!)

Me: wow(or something like that)

Ridge: Mom, you have GOT to read this book.

Me: why?

Ridge: Because you need to know more than you do about George Washington. I can tell you that much right now.

Me: ****silent stare****

Now, here's what I'd like to know. Do I have something written across my forehead that says "I know nothing about George Washington"?


If you need me tonight I'll be laying in bed reading all about our first President.


(I'll show him....;)