Piano Recital

 These two had their very first piano recital last night.

These two amaze me.  

Her beauty takes my breath away and brings me to tears. 

Sorry for the blur (phone photos in a darkish room) but just look at the pride on her face. 

This young man has an ear on him, music is his thing and I couldn't be prouder.

Darling, sweet girl. With oh so much wild.

They each played two songs, along with 15 other kids.  It was so so sweet. 

They introduced each song then played their little hearts out.  

Waiting her turn, looking down at it all.  I melted.  This little face, not even a year ago had not enough food to grow, no clothes to call her own, no family to love her.

Now she is fiercely loved, protected with a full belly and a beautiful dress.  Playing piano on a lovely baby grand.  Dreams do come true . . . at least for me they do.

USA Adoption Day

We all raised our right hand and promised to tell the truth.  

I tell you this adoption stuff ain't easy but it is beyond BEAUTIFUL.   If you are on the fence, I beg you to get off and take the next step.  I absolutely love and cherish this crazy road we are on.  

Gotcha Baby!

6 years ago!!

This precious baby girl was given to me.  What a gift she is to our family.

Some don't celebrate Gotcha day and I don't blame them.  Our gift of this precious girl comes from pain and hurt for another mother, her mother somewhere out there.  It comes from an incredible loss a loss that I will never know.

We choose to celebrate because we have to much to be grateful for.   Thank you Jesus for my Naomi.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 to my man.  

I couldn't imagine spending my life with anyone else.    Grateful to tackle life's challenges and celebrate life's rewards with this fabulous man.

6 years ago

My sister, dad and I boarded an airplane.  Many hours later we landed in Beijing China.  

What a journey it was.  I am forever changed.  

Surgery 11-11-14

Apparently the procedure that my girl had done is rarely done anymore.  She had a Maxillary setback or as we like to call it the "lump" that her front teeth are in set up and back.  That entails some bone cutting and resetting.  OUCH!  

Before

The bribery gifts that this brave girl earned. 

 Lego time! 

SCORE!!!  one of the sweet nurses delivered this AWESOME Hello Kitty blankey 

Seriously this girl is SO BRAVE!  Braver than I could ever be.  She is back to school this week, minus recess and PE.

I am excited to see how it looks once the swelling is gone and she is willing to open her mouth wide enough for me to see in.

I made her laugh tonight which in-turn made her cry because smiling hurts too much.

The Pumpkin Farm

Another first!  This beauty came home at NINE years old.   I LOVE that there are still many first.  

Petting bunnies

Sweet baby cows

Duck races

Wheelbarrow rides 

 He is a teenage boy for sure.  I had to sneak photo's of this guy.  

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these babies of mine! 

 My darling baby girl!  

 She has a beautiful smile but in this photo I see the softness of her face.  It shows progress, comfort and belonging.  

Punk!  oh how I love this little punk.  

 A little sister needs a strong big brother to carry her pumpkin. 

This girl takes my breath away.

I still need to pinch myself  . . . this girl is my daughter!  Thank you Jesus!

What a day

This girl gave me the scare of my life.  .  . 

Backing up.

I picked this peanut up from school yesterday, she walked over with a glum look on her sweet little face then grabbed onto me and burst into tears.  "My tummy hurts"  she said through sobs.

We get home and do a little snuggle time.  She seems a little hot so a check her temp and its only 100 not biggie.  

Fast forward a couple hours I check temp again 100.

We decided it is move night.  Naomi is snuggled with her head on my lap.

Next thing I know she is having a SEIZURE!!  Holy crap!!!  I have never seen this.  I called  nine one one.  Get this, there was a message saying "due to high call volumes your call will be answered in the order it was received"  or something like that.  I actually checked my phone to make sure I had the right number. 

The rest of the night was a blur.  

4-5 engines infront of our house, my first ambulance ride, 104 temp, big sisters screaming in fear for her little sister, big brother stepping up to help and love.  

I went to DARK places, the darkest of places.

Hubby is out of town and let me tell you the village that we have is AMAZING!! Neighbors and family came to help and love on my kids.  I am so grateful.  

My girl is now sleeping in my bed . . . still keeping a close watch.  

First Day of School

September 3, 2014

Zach is now a freshman in HIGHSCHOOL.  How in the HELL did that happen????

Nathaniel is the top dog at school in 5th grade

My baby girl is in 1st grade

My newbie is rockin the 3rd grade

Heart Sisters

Hope to be back to posting . . .  fingers crossed.

8th Grade Graduation

I can't wait to see what you do in High School.

So very proud of my young man.

Yes!

A year ago today we said Yes!

So grateful for my friends that encouraged me to be brave and love this precious little girl.  

Thanking God for my sweet Evie!