Pumpkin patch

This week we got to go to the pumpkin patch with the Pierce family(the family that lived across the street from us before we moved). We have gone with them for the past three years and its always such fun!! We like this particular pumpkin patch because there is a train ride before going into the pumpkin patch where all the pumpkins and games are. Amy P. and I were discussing how neat it was that we've been there together for three years and each year something significant was happening with our adoption with Adiah. The first year while we were out there our family coordinator called me on my cell phone to tell me that my 10 months of paper chasing had come to an end and that she was mailing all of our documents to China that Friday. The 2nd year we went we had just received the referral for Adiah just a few days prior to our pumpkin patch trip. We took her picture with us and posed it on the pumpkins and hay stacks. You can see that post here. And this year Adiah was actually with us. It is so neat to have a friend who followed that journey with us like she did. Thank you Pierce family for making it so special for us!!
Top: Camden, Ridge, Cullen
Bottom: Natalie, Adiah, Emily, and Kenna

My kooky kids!!

Nat on the pumpkins...

Ridge...

Emily...



Adiah...so excited!!

Finding herself a nice big pumpkin...

"This one MaMa!"
Unfortunately we can't put pumpkins out on our porch anymore so we didn't buy any. The raccoons seem to think I've left a treat for them.........NOT COOL!!!!

Happy Birthday, Brian!!!

I meant to do this yesterday but the day got away from me! Yesterday was my sweet husband's 35th birthday! I like to say his age because I'm older than him and for a couple of months we get to be the same age!! Brian is one of the most thoughtful, compassionate, caring men I have ever known. He is a good husband, daddy, friend, and son. But more importantly than all of that, He loves the Lord. He works hard for his family. But honestly desires to be with us at the end of each day. He loves to roll around on the ground with the kids or teach them things. Even when he is tired he is outside playing or inside just listening to us. He inspires me! Happy Birthday Brian!! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

And another one because I love this kid!!!

Don't you just love his smile? He is such a sweet boy!

Photos that made me laugh

Enjoy!

October....really?

I seriously can't believe it is October already!! Today was an odd day where we were all actually home at the same time. Enjoying each other. As a family. Nothing to do. Its just craziness I tell you! Actually, Brian is sort of sick so you can be praying for him. But it didn't stop us (too much) from doing some things we've been waiting for a free moment to do. The kids saved up their money (and we helped a tiny bit) to buy a couple of four wheelers!! We have been blessed with some land to ride on so they've been chomping at the bit to do this. So today we set out to find some relatively cheap ATV's. We were successful and were able to come home and ride around our property. Our neighbors, the Childress(is it 's or s'? I never know.) also have 2 little girls and some 4 wheelers. We spent the evening riding around our 2 yards and letting the parent's visit. Except for a little girl who refused to fall asleep in the car and seriously needs to go to bed...now!! So I'm just going to add some pictures for you to see of our day today. Have a great Sunday!!


Emily coming down the driveway...

Em's on the pink camo 4-wheeler

Nat on the green camo 4-wheeler(notice the helmets...its our rule. You ride...you wear!)

Taking a picture of the neighbors and Brian from our driveway


Miss Adiah from a couple of days ago. Eating her cheese nips on Brian's office chair. Can't beat a little comfort!
Ridge really did exist today! He just was busy planting his apple seeds from his apple the other day hoping to grow a tree! Too cute!!!

One year ago today...

One year ago today our lives changed forever. It was 1:15pm on October 5th when we got the call that would bring us one step closer to our sweet baby girl. That was the day when our agency called us and said they had a little girl for us! And even though it would be 5 1/2 more months before we would hold her in our arms she became very real to us that day. We began praying for her more specifically and could see her sweet face as we did it. The journey to her was long and difficult and it sometimes made me question if I really did hear from the Lord on this. But oh how it was worth it! Thank you, Father, for the memory of that dayand for bringing her to our family! It brought tears to my eyes as I went back and looked at the official email that had all of Xi Meng Liang's(soon to be Adiah Hope Woods) information and pictures in it. Adiah has changed us forever. She has taught us to trust and love in ways we never knew we could. She is a complete joy! Happy Referral Day, Adiah!
(I should go get Miss Priss. As I type this I hear her in her crib just "talking" away. Music to my ears!)
Here is the picture we saw that day and the only ones we had until March 17, 2008!!





And here she is now! Sweet Adiah!

Trip to the River

My Mother in Law reminded me that I haven't blogged about our trip to the river with them! And since I have been notorious lately for saying I'm going to blog about something and not doing it I thought I'd get right on that before I forget!! We had a really great time a couple of weeks ago when we joined my mother in law(Carol) and Bill along with Gina, Jason, and cousins out on the lake! It was really the last weekend that would have been comfortable as far as the water temperature was concerned to go. The kids went at the beginning of the summer with them as well but that was the week before the wedding we hosted here at the house and we had JUST moved into our new home! Craziness!! We all had a great time boating and swimming and just being together! Like Gina said its rare that ALL of us are together at one time except for maybe holidays. With Brian being on call or some sporting event for the kids its just hard. Bill TRIED to throw me off of the tube but he couldn't shake this mighty woman! (Lets not talk about the fact that it was a little kid float and seriously...no one could fall out of that thing!!) The girls had a great time giving each other mud makeovers and the boys had fun exploring in the river. We left for the lake right after the 10k so I didn't have my camera. Every single picture here was stolen from Gina and Brooklyn's blog! Thanks guys!


Daddy and Adiah-she was fighting a nap here, I think!

The cousins!!

Sweet little bathing suit!

Ridge and Nathan swimming and exploring

Loading up to head to the water

Cookie face!!!

Two posts in one day...Hold on to your pants!!!

We got a new friend for Tucker on Tuesday! I grew up with Westies(West Highland White Terrier) and have always wanted another one. Well Sara and I decided to take a little road trip on Tuesday when we found two sisters that were still available about an hour-ish away. Sara got one and I got the other. There is a terribly funny(not the ha-ha kind of funny) story that goes along with getting these little cuties but I may let Sara tell it. If she doesn't want to then I'll be back to tell it. Check her blog here to see if she does. Anyway she is 15 weeks old and kind of scraggly looking but really cute! Tucker loves her unless she is trying to get his food and then he lets her know who's boss! We could not agree on a name for her. I thought of some really cute ones but NO! Mom's opinion doesn't count I guess. So since Westies are scottish dogs and since my maiden name is scottish (McRae) we decided to name her Mackie Rae. We'll call her Mackie for short.


These were the girls before bringing them home. I honestly don't know which is which. Maybe Mackie is on the right...I don't know.

Sitting in our front yard. She goes CRAZY in that grass!

Seeing what Tucker is up to

Going crazy in that grass!!

Mom's 60th birthday bash

Last weekend we had the privilege of throwing my mom a 60th birthday party at my house! A couple of months ago my dad asked my sister and I to help him plan a birthday party for my mom. It was such fun!!! We invited family and friends to come and had Owen Temple play for the party. We catered Macaroni Grill and had the tables and chairs set up outside so we could listen to Owen serenade us. He was really great!! We then went inside and showed a video that my sister made of pictures from my mom's life. Family and friends contributed by sending Sara pictures a few weeks back to be included in the video. Thank you to all who came and made my mom's birthday super special!! Happy Birthday, Mom!!

P.S. I took some of these pictures from my sister's blog. I didn't get too many with my own camera.

Present time, Present time, Open the present and see whats inside! (don't act like you don't know what that song is from!)

My mom visiting with her friends that drove from Denton to celebrate with her.

This little fella showed up and decided to join the party. He actually "sang" along when we sang my mom the birthday song. It was so funny we did it twice just to hear him.

The birthday girl and Dad.

Brian chatting with my Uncle Stan(my dad's brother), Aunt Lana(Stan's wife), and Aunt Beth(my dad's sister).
This is where the food was served from. Its a little cabana like area. Notice all the children hanging out in that area!!

The table and chairs set up on the other side of the fence around our immediate back yard.

My brother, Rob, Mom, Hollyn, Emily, and Natalie and if you look real close...little Hannah's head back there.

Owen Temple!! He's the one on the right. Don't know what the other guys name is. We can just call him 2nd guitar player.