Adoption Encouragement

Jon and I have a desire to one day adopt. We want to give a home and forever family to a child who needs one. There are children all over the world in need of loving families to take them in. It is our hope and prayer that we will be able to proceed with adoption sometime in the not so distant future.
The cost of adoption and often the waiting period for placement of children can be discouraging. We would love to adopt from China, but with the high cost and long wait period we have been open to other options. I was reading a friend's blog, Momfessions, and came across an encouraging story about adoption. This family has been waiting for 32 months to bring their little Abigail home from China. Their story is one of trust and waiting on the Lord. It encouraged me to be patient and also to TRUST the Lord that in His time, He will work out our desire to adopt according to His plan.
Melissa and her family look forward to bringing their little girl home. She is selling name signs to raise money for Abigail's adoption. Check out her story and even the chance to win one of her signs when you visit Momfessions!

Looking Back...

Having just celebrated the birthdays of both of our kids, I've been thinking about life as I know it now...as a Mom. I'm blessed beyond measure to have the precious children that I do and I thank the Lord for allowing me to be their Mom.

Ava is now three and such a little lady. I feel like she is all grown up. She loves to play with her baby dolls, carry purses, use chapslips (chapstick), help with her brother, play outside and go to gymnastics. She loves our church and playing with her friends. I've enjoyed watching her form friendships and interact with other kids. For no reason at all she will look at me and say "I love you." This melts my heart! We certainly have our moments...she is very independent and strong willed, which can sometimes be challenging. She is my little girl though and I love everything about her. I praise God for giving her to me and choosing me to be the Mommy of my precious little Ava!

Emet's first year went by so fast. I feel like I blinked and he went from being in a hospital bassinet to pulling up and walking along our furniture! (Hopefully he will walk on his own before too much longer!) It has been amazing to watch him day in and day out become the little boy that he is. He has quite the personality these days...and is very much attached to Mommy! He is into playing with, and throwing balls. He also loves cars and trucks, anything he can push along the floor seems to work. Right before naptime and bedtime he snuggles on my shoulder...I wish I could pause those moments and make them last just a little while longer. His smile can light up a room (even without any teeth...we are still waiting on his first tooth). I love my little boy and can't imagine life without him!

"Children are a heritage from the Lord." Psalm 127:3

I count it an honor to be a Mom and don't take for granted the lives of the precious children the Lord has entrusted to me. It is through the strength the Lord gives me that I am able to be the Mommy that I am. Without Him, I would not be able to love and mother my kids as I should!

On a side note...Ava has been working on writing her name for quite some time. Check out what she can do!

I've been wanting to organize our toys and redo our playroom. This is a start! Ava got the kitchen for her birthday and I bought the shelf and baskets off of craigslist for only $30!!! What a deal!!!

Happy Birthday Emet!

Happy Birthday Emet! Our little boy is one today! What a great day it was. We had a fun trip to Wake Forest this morning. We played with the Richesons and had a picnic in the park. After nap time this afternoon, Emet went to see Miss Jill for his first haircut. I made spaghetti for dinner and Emet opened his gifts from Mommy, Daddy and Ava...then we topped the day off with a cookie cake!

It is hard to believe a year ago I was in the hospital and Emet had just been born. His first year has flown by and he has been a constant joy and delight in my life. He is a sweet, good natured little boy. Looking back on his first year, I am thankful for the blessing God has given me in my son!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy! Mommy loves you!

12 Months Old...One Year!

Ava and Isaac at our park picnic!

Caleb and Emet

Mommy and Emet

On the Playground

In the chair and ready for his haircut!

Snip, Snip, Snip

All done...doesn't he look handsome?

So Sweet!

Emet and Ava playing with his new grill!

Happy Birthday!

(I don't think he likes candles!)

Backyard Birthday Bash!

We now have a 1 year old son and a 3 year old daughter...seems crazy! They have grown so fast and having just celebrated their birthdays has reminded me to make sure I treasure each and every moment with my precious children!

Saturday (May 2) was Ava's third birthday. We celebrated her birthday and Emet's with a backyard bash! We had a cookout in our backyard with friends and family. Everyone had a blast...the kids especially. We are thankful for great friends and family and what they mean to us and our kids. It was a blessing to have so many people we love and care about share in the joy of our kids' birthdays with us. A big thanks to my Mom...she almost single handily ran our kitchen and was in control of making sure everyone ate and had something to drink! (Jon ran the grill and my dad helped too...but Mom worked like crazy.) Thanks to her, everyone ate and I was able to relax and enjoy the party! Mom, you are the best!

Of course, there are tons of pictures...lots here and this isn't all of them!

Ava and Emet ready for their birthday breakfast!

Happy Birthday Ava...a new kitchen set!

(I think I am as excited about this as she is!)

A new bike...she did a great job riding!

Eli on the Gator

Kellie, Me and Ava

Kellie is one of my best friends from college. Eli is her little boy. Ava is only 3 weeks older than Eli...we enjoyed being pregnant together, along with our other best friend Leigh Ann. Leigh Ann and Davis couldn't make it this weekend because she was very pregnant! Walker was born yesterday! We missed them but are excited to meet little Walker!

Jon, Ava, Me and Emet

Wagon Ride

Granna, Emet, Pops and Ava

Papa, Emet, Nana and Ava

"KK, KK, KK, KK, KK, KK"

Classic...KK is a wonderful lady from our church and Ava's old Sunday school teacher. ALL the kids at church LOVE KK. As soon as Ava saw KK coming in she began jumping up and down and yelling "KK" at the top of her lungs...Kellie caught it on camera!

(Thanks Kel for being the party photographer!)

Cordi, Faith and Cameron

Isaac and Kayleigh on the Gator

Cake and Candles

Emet loved his cupcake!

Love this Ava look!

She (as always) enjoyed her cake too!

Emet with his gifts...

and Ava with hers!

Too cute...Caleb in the lego wagon!

Emet is ready to cheer on the Mountaineers!

Thanks Nana and Papa for the jersey!

Dinner with the Bonnett Family

Our friends the Bonnetts moved to New York last May. They came into town for a wedding that Kenneth will be doing this weekend. What a blessing it was to get to spend the evening with them. We had dinner at Texas Roadhouse and then a photo shoot behind the restaurant! I was reminded tonight how much I miss my friend Kristen. She was the first friend I made when we moved to Seminary and I am so thankful for her. I wouldn't have adjusted to life in Seminary as we knew it without her and her friendship! Kenneth and Kristen's kids have always been special to us. It was a joy to see them too! Hayley and Elijah have grown so much...Ava had a blast with them. The Cox family joined us for dinner also and their son Owen is just precious. Emet enjoyed dinner as usual, but was a little scared of the Happy Birthday song they sang to Ava and Kristen! (Ava and Kristen share the same birthday!)

Elijah, Hayley and Ava

Elijah, Emet, Ava, Hayley and Owen

"Bubby" (as Elijah is often called) and Emet

Bubby and Emet again!

Ava, Hayley and Owen

Kristen and Ava

Hayley, Kristen, Elijah, Kenneth, Shannon, Jeremy and Owen

The Bonnett Family

I miss them so much!

Spring Fling

The Academy had their annual Spring Fling today...what a fun time! Horse rides, inflatable slides, a bounce house, snow cones, a strong man, crafts, fun with friends and so much more! Did I mention it was 90 degrees here today? The kids were coated in sunscreen!

Ava's first ride (ever) on a horse!

Caleb

Addi on the slide...

and Ava too!

My favorite photo from the afternoon!

Piper

Strong Man...5x World Champion

(You saw it right...he is bending a frying pan!)

Tootsie Pop

Cupcake face!