Summer Time

and the livin' is easy.  Ok, I know it was cheesy, but I couldn't resist! : )  Summer used to be my least favorite time of the year.  I really don't enjoy hot weather and much prefer to bundle up with a blanket, a fire and a cup of hot chocolate!  However, with little people running all around, I've discovered that summer is a lot of fun for them, and for me!  We've had so much fun doing all kinds of outside activities (not really including this last week of the heat wave!).

Little miss likes outside, but we're still working on all of our tricks inside, like sitting up and figuring out these toys! 

We went to pick blueberries in Darlington, and as you can imagine there was a lot of this . . .

and this . . .

and this . . .

There were some very satisfied little boys walking around those bushes.

A lot of silly, clean fun after splashing all morning in the pool

Jumping "all together" as it's called in our house, is way more fun!  What you don't see in this picture, is the little fish that this boy has become.  He can jump off the side of the pool, turn and swim to the side all without any help!  When he decides he's going to do something, there's no stopping him!

This guy likes the pool and the water, but he's just as content to sit and have a snack . . . or two or three. : )

We've also had fun inside at some cool places like Edventure.  My camera died, so I didn't get many pictures, but we had a blast!  We probably could have stayed another hour or two, so I think another visit and a membership will be in order for a birthday!

Snack is always more fun when it's outside at the picnic table!

And of course, what's summer without a popsicle?!

Thanks to Grandma, we've made our own posicles almost every day with these fun twist pops!

And pretty much any time of year is good for some bubbles!

What about you?  Have you enjoyed your summer as much as we have? 

Awesome Adoption Giveaway!

Hey y'all! Some friends of ours are trying to raise money for their second adoption and as part of this process they are hosting a great giveaway on their blog. If you're interested in their story, you can read more about it here. Go check out an awesome giveaway and support this sweet family and help them bring home their baby!

Moments like these

Recently we've had a few frustrating days in our house.  As parents, you're going to have them, probably every day!  I've struggled the past few days with how I'm handling things and just wanting to find a way to "fix" it all.

But then, I layed in bed with you tonight and you asked me to "tell me a story about when you were little" and we layed nearly nose to nose while you hung on every word.  You smiled so big I thought it might get stuck, and asked for another as soon as I was done.

And, you sweet girl, snuggled with me and I kissed your cheeks again and again.  I mean, how could you not want to kiss THOSE cheeks??

And in the car, I listened as you and brother sang, Matthew 19:14 from the Hide 'em in Your Heart CD.  Your sweet little voice could be heard above the chatter of everyone else.

and that's when I realized it's moments like these that I love being your mom.  I needed that little encouragement and a reminder that you are each on loan, my gifts from the Lord.  

Time Flies

When you're having fun, so they say, but I wish time would slow down just a bit! I can't believe my sweet, baby girl is 6 months old. I feel like it was just a few weeks ago that we brought her home from the hospital! I remember feeling like time was speeding along with Sawyer, and even more so with Jack but with number three it seems to be going by at warp speed! So, even though I'm an ultra schedule momma, and love to get my kids in bed early, I've learned the joy of keeping her up a little later for some extra snuggles. I can't get these days back and I'm going to enjoy every minute while I can my little, blue-eyed love.

You are definitely a happy girl, once you warm up to people. You're becoming a bit of a Momma's girl, but I won't complain!

You can make some funny faces my dear, but they're always super cute!

You've only grown to love those brothers more and more, and the same is true of them. They love to make you laugh and smile and are the first to let me know when you're not happy.

They also think all the new skills you've learned are things they need to copy too.

The three little amigos!

You weren't a huge fan of cereal the first go round, but you've warmed up to it nicely, thanks to your friends Ms. Apple and Mr. Banana. : )

You're not a huge fan of the flash on the camera

But you eventually warm up to it!

You're becoming more curious by the day, and I think you might be a little extrovert like your brother. You're not a huge fan of being left alone and Sawyer, since he feels your pain, is the first to run back to keep you company.

So here's to hoping that the next six months go as slow as molasses in January! I'd like to keep my baby girl for a wee bit longer. ; )

Celebrating Us

On Sunday Ian and I celebrated 7 years of marriage. Since a lot of things aren't open or close early on Sundays, we went out on Friday to celebrate. We had a nice relaxing dinner, got coffee and had hours of uninterrupted conversation, which was just we wanted and needed. Every year Ian has tried to be creative and get me something to do with the symbolic gift for that year. Did you know that year 7 was wool and copper?? He searched and found the cutest little copper tin and a pair of wool socks. : ) Super sweet if you know my icy cold toes and love for storage bins. Ok, some people may roll their eyes at the thought of those things actually being a good gift for your anniversary, but after having been together for 12 years he knows what I like and what he's good at buying. : )

Well, in honor of these 7 years here are, in no particular order, 7 things I love about my hubby!

1- I love that I always get a kiss before he leaves (even if it's 4 am) and a kiss when he gets home! It's a simple thing, but it says, "I still love you and you're special to me!".

2- I love how he loves our babies and how much they love him! It's like a party when Daddy comes home. He plays all sorts of games and funny things, but one of my favorites as of late is story time in the bathtub. He gives the boys their bath and after they get clean he uses their bath toys to tell stories. They usually involve a hippo and an elephant. : )

3- I love the way I can look back over the last 7, really the last 12 years, and see how the Lord has worked in his heart and life to cause growth. Recently, I've seen a man who never thought he was called to do anything overseas, being pulled and tugged towards an unlikely country and trying to figure out what his role should be in seeing the gospel spread to all nations. Awesomeness that only the Lord can do!

4- I love that we're a little old couple together. : ) A friend of mine says periodically that I'm "a little old lady in my heart". Well, it's pretty true of me and of Ian too and I wouldn't change a thing. (Ok, he's a little old man, not a lady, but you get the point, right?)

5- I love that he is so intelligent. He's always handy to have around during trivia games. : ) Ian would never boast about it though, which makes it all the more endearing.

6- I love that our interests are so different. The Lord has definitely used our differences to balance us as a couple and stretch us personally.

7- I love that he loves to laugh, even at himself from time to time (like when his wife convinces him that someone stole our van. : )

There are plenty of other things that I love about my hubby, but for now I'll leave it at that. Happy anniversary, Hubs and I can't wait for many more to come!!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to two of the best Dad's anyone could ever ask for!  Hubby, you're such an awesome dad to our three kiddos.  They love you so much and it's obvious to anyone that spends even a few minutes with all of you.  You wrestle, snuggle and everything in between.  You work hard for us and pray diligently for our sweet babies.  I love you and feel so blessed to have you as my partner and the Godly leader of our home.  We love you!

There's something special between a Daddy and his girl, at least this girl and her Daddy.  I've always been a bit of a Daddy's girl.  Don't get me wrong, my Mom is one of my best friends, but as any daughter knows, there's something different with your Daddy.  Growing up, I saw a real life example of a Godly leader played out in front of me day in and day out.  He was never perfect, and was the first to tell you that, but used those imperfections to teach us and help us learn from his mistakes.  While he may be a little more tender hearted when it comes to his grands, I say he's still the same lovingly, consistent dad I had growing up.  The Lord continues to use him (and my mom) to teach me things, and I hope that doesn't stop!  I love you, Daddy!

Like Me!

I've discovered that parenting is a road you walk down and sometimes you feel like you're in the dark.  You've asked for help and read the books and, well, the light you've been given still doesn't seem to help you miss those pot holes!  Sometimes, the road seems to turn and bend and you just didn't see it coming.  A few days ago, was one of those days.  I've heard other adoptive parents talk about it, and I knew the day would come, I just didn't realize it would be this particular day.  A few days ago, we had a friend over for dinner.  They have a little boy that Sawyer has seen on numerous occasions.  Well, on this day, as soon as Sawyer caught sight of baby Marcus coming out of the car seat he said, "Oh my gosh (don't worry we dealt with that later : )!  Mommy, he looks like me!!!!"  I just stopped and looked at him!  Up until this point he has seemed oblivious to this fact.  He then went on to talk about his hair and his skin and how he and Marcus were both chocolate. : )  The next morning, he was sitting in bed with Libby and me, looked down and said, "Oh my goodness!  Mommy Wibby looks like Jackers!"  Since then, it's come up in conversation almost every day!  There's never been any sadness about it, just stating facts. 

There's a part of me that wishes he could go on with life and never notice.  I know there is a very real possibility that at some point in his life his story may cause him sadness and as his mom I wish I could keep it from happening.  We will always do our best to help him see that there are many kids and families that are "like him".  I'm so thankful for the famillies that God has brought into our lives who have already adopted and those to come.  I will try my best to help all of my children see that they are special just the way God made them and that He doesn't do anything by accident.  As much as I want him to feel secure in who he is and the family God's placed him in, his real need is another adoption!  So while I will pray and try to help him feel secure, I'll be praying harder for him to see his sin and need to become a son of the King.  It's then and only then that he'll find true security and identity . . . and more people "like him".