Spring Break 2015

Last minute spring break trip to the mountains with the kiddos and friends. We had a great trip. Didn't get pictures of the bonfire or the Blue Ridge stop. All 7 kids were amazing. Tiredness has set in, but it is well worth it for all the fun we had and memories we made. Neat to have "big" kids that can hang with with us while we hike, shop, eat out and have lots of adventures, Well except for carrying Miles up and down 425 steps to see a waterfall. Such a blessing to have a sweet friend who will drag her kids with me on all this crazy stuff I find to do on the Internet. Lots of memories made. I've always dreamed of doing this kind of stuff with my kiddos.

Easter 2015

Easter service at Beulah Villa Rica. Eli and Aunt Lauren joined us along with Grandpa Steve and Grandmama Mary.  

What a Difference 5 Years Makes!

Came across this picture the other day and it almost made me cry, oh the innocence! This was at Lauren and Tully's wedding.  If my memory serves me correct, I think this was 2009 and the kids were 3, 5 and 8.  Ethan is the same age in this picture as Miles is now.  5 1/2 years later and we are in a whole different phase of life. We were just getting a taste of school, homework, busy schedules and full calendars. Now we are a family of 6 instead of 5 and sometimes I feel like if I add one more activity on my iPhone calendar it might explode! Life is so different now, but it is so neat how each phase we venture into with the kiddos becomes my new favorite phase.  

How different we look 5 years later!!  So glad God slowly reveals His plan for us and doesn't show it to us all at once.  I don't exactly know what we will look like in the next 5 years.  If I have done the math, it will include driving, high school and all sorts of other "firsts" that make heart race just thinking of them.  I know God knows exactly what that will look like for us, and He will give us grace as we go.  I love you guys, and regardless of what the next phase brings, that will never change!

One Year Home

Dec 28th 2013, we stepped off the plane with our son Miles.  I cannot express on paper the journey that we have been through with Miles this year.  It has not been just Miles journey, it has been a journey for the whole family.  All I do know after a year is that God is faithful, God is sovereign, and God is with us!  Never have I felt the Lord's presence as I have felt it this year with Miles.  We are flying past all these milestones as we are deep in the middle of life. I can't even get a clear reflection of this year because of all the changes that have happened and that are happening! Within just a few weeks we zoomed past Miles gotcha day, Miles first Christmas home, the first year of Miles being home, and Saturday he turns 5.

  My brain cannot even slow down long enough to reflect on this first year and all the milestones we have reached.  I have wanted to write this deep and moving blog post about Miles and how he has changed our family in the last year.  Everytime I try and write, I just get swallowed up with emotion and feel so humbled that God would allow us to be on this journey.  I love this child more than I could ever have imagined. He brings so much joy to our home and has completely changed who we all are as a family. I have seen my older children grow this year I ways that cannot be taught. I have seen them be completely selfless as they show love to their brother. I have seen Miles teach them about differences and to be proud of it. I watch as all the kids just naturally play together, learning from each other, teaching each other what family is all about

. This year has not been without its challenges and difficulties. Some days I am so over my head and am lacking in the experience and expertise that I need. I am definitely learning that I cannot do this in my own power. It is only one day, one moment, one decision at a time, seeking Gods guidance and wisdom as I hope to somehow point my children to a God that has all the answers. He knows all of my children inside and out. He created them and wants what is best for them.  As I think back about out first year home with Miles, as precious as it has been to us, I am kind of glad we are one year in. He has developed such a closeness and comfort with all of us. He is fine to stay with family as long as his siblings are with him. He snuggles up to his Baba to take a nap and looks as if he has been doing it his whole life. He likes his Mama's cooking and has developed some favorites. Home is familiar , language is familiar, church is familiar. It was a long road a lot of work on my sweet boys part to finally get to "familiar".  It is so nice to watch him be comfortable, confident, and happy in his surrondings.  

One year has not come easy, we have all worked hard to get to this place and we still have still have so much work to do. So thankful that we are all in this together.  Happy one year home, Miles. I love you and am so blessed to be your Mama.

Christmas 2014

Christmas 2014 Got here fast and flew by.  Last year we were in China and kind of "missed Christmas"  It really put a new perspective on things for me.  We just ran out of time and didn't to purchase all the gifts we usually purchase.  We didn't attend work parties, sunday school parties, friend parties, etc.  We were in China with Miles and were even separated from our kids Christmas morning and didn't get to do "Santa" with them. Although I missed that time terribly and wished more than anything on Christmas to be all together, we still had the reason for the season.  Perhaps last year we felt the joy of Christ's birth on Christmas all the more because HE is all we had.  We had plenty of time to worship, be thankful, and to reflect on Christ, the perfect gift.  Being gone last Christmas made this Christmas all the more special.  As crazy and busy as this season was, I tried to reflect on the important things about Christmas and the most important thing, Christ's birth.

The grandkids on Christmas Eve.  Wow!  Watching these kids grow and know that times are changing.  Trying to enjoy every minute of it while it lasts.

Ethan, Syd, Miah, and Miles around the tree before they went to bed on Christmas eve.  Wearing their Christmas PJ's

A very sleepy Miles on Christmas morning.

Zach partaking in his usual role of toy assembly on Christmas morning

\

Miah trying out her Karaoke Machine.  I think it was a favorite

Mom and Miles enjoying some nice weather Christmas day.  It was one of the only days it didn't rain the whole Christmas break.

Sydney passing out presents at Grandmas on Christmas night

Ethan playing a video game he got for Christmas.  This year was full of airsoft equipment!  Even thought this picture shows him on the couch, I am proud to say he was outside playing by 9am.  

Thirteen, How did you get here so fast?

Sydney!  Oh wow, thirteen years old. Are you sure we are ready for this.  You get to be my first and I am sure I will do all the wrong stuff and say all the wrong things, but somehow, we will make it through, and despite me, you are and will continue to be an amazing young woman who makes me proud everyday.  When I think back about this year and the so many things that have happened in your life, I am amazed at how you have handled yourself.  You graciously accepted a new brother into our family. You set the example to your younger siblings in your unconditional love for him.  You had an awful accident and went through surgery and months of physical therapy.  I saw you doing cartwheels yesterday and am so thankful for God's healing of your leg.  That was not an easy time for you, but I saw God making you stronger through it.  You reluctantly did the swim team this summer because I wanted you too and found out that you are an awesone swimmer!  You participated in your school's drama production and rose to the challenge.  You amaze me!  You learned all your lines and did a fantastic job!!!  I am so proud of you for trying new things and stretching yourself beyond your comfort zone.  Most importantly, I see you living out your faith in your life.  You always seek to do the right thing and set a good example. Already at 13, I see you making hard choices and being true to yourself despite what might be popular at the time.  You know who you are and are content to be with people who love you and care about you and do not seek to gain approval of others because of their status or popularity.  It takes some people a lifetime to learn that.  I love you sweet girl!!  Happy 13th Birthday.




Sydney as the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Zoombie Land

Photo Update

Everytime I do this I realize how much I want to write and remember.  There is a whole story behind each of these pictures.

Ethan and Miles enjoying their ice cream.  Two happy boys!

Miah is quite the patient teacher.  I knew she would be a "little mother" to Miles, and I think she really enjoys that role.  These two are closest in age and they have a very special bond.

Sydney is getting so big.  I know have a teenager! How did that happen?  She is such a good girl, with a good head on her shoulders and a sweet group of friends.

Quick picture at Chick fil a on our road trip to TX.  We had a great time. hope to do a long blog post on that soon!!!

Road trip

TEXAS !

Some much needed girl time!

We have had so many huge milestones so close together, I almost cannot catch my breath.  I don't want to miss a single one!