Soccer Champs 3 years in a row....hoping for a 4th Championship in 2023!

 

Sweet Allison's Wedding Day

 

Our dear Sweet Allison got married in 2021! She has been the girls babysitter through her high school

and college days. She loves Jesus and has poured so much into our girls!

We are incredibly grateful for her life and love and all she has given.

Our girls adore her, to say the least. They hav looked up to her and anxiously anticipated 

each time with Allison!

Christmas was a little different in 2021!

We praise God that He touched PaPa Nicely this past fall, he spent over a 100 days hospitalized and in rehab. He suffered from COVID, pneumonia and COPD. 

He arrived home just a week before Christmas and all hands needed to be on deck. Therefore, we took food and presents and spent Christmas morning at PaPa and GG's home rather than having them at our house as usual. We serve one another, its what we do to honor our parents and care for those in need.

Our girls didn't miss a beat and were happy to continue serving PaPa and GG during Christmas. I love their hearts and the love they continue to give to all. Notice one picture below, the girls and cousins set up a Hot Cocoa bar outside of PaPa an GG's house for all their 55+ neighbors. It was very well received and put smile on their faces to love on our girls and cousins.

 

I'm JUST OK today...

 I’m kinda OK today, I just registered my big girl for HIGH SCHOOL!!

Thankfully, I know where the time has gone. I’ve been privileged to watch her grow into a beautiful young lady that loves well! I’ll be forever cheering her on and trusting the Lord to guide her path!

Her passions and aspirations are BIG, every bit of her desires to be a Pediatrician. Don't let her beauty full you, she's an avid hunter and field dressing is her favorite. At a young age she wanted Daddy to bring home the deer heart and liver for observation. She loves her piano and plays in the Worship Team, she's my right hand and the best helper at home. I'm so proud of this sweet soul !

AHG, School, Music & All the Things 2021-2022

 Our school year is off to a great start! We decided to home school again this year based on the mask mandate. Our girls are thriving and enjoying the peace if affords. H is taking a Writing Class and E is taking a Reading Class on Tuesday and Thursdays. It allows me to continue working while I school them each morning. Seventy five percent of the time I'm at home and walking them through their days. The other twenty five percent Rick tag teams with me! So thankful for his constant help!    Each one takes music lessons each week and have an hour each day for practicing. I love how they practice so much more than the morning hour and love playing together! They've lead worship at church and enjoy playing for friends. I believe theses middle school years of having them home is a true to gift to me! So much is changing in their lives and bodies that Im thankful to walk them through this season. We don't know what next year holds, so right now I'll savor each day and love being their teacher, too!

E is now in 6th grade!

H is now in 8th grade!

Samson is so happy to have them home again!

Veterans Day Parade!

We supported our local Veterans by attending their parade, reading history at

the local Confederate Cemetery where we have five Generals buried.

Then to visit our favorite Veteran. Ricks dad spent 106 days in the hospital then 

to rehab after battling Covid, Pneumonia and COPD. He's 83, God touched him and has

allowed him to come home to us. We are so thankful!

We love Trick or Treating with friends!

The girls are involve din American Heritage Girls and LOVE IT!

This year they've earned several badges. H has done Archery, Family Helper and 

Outdoor Skills. E also completed Archery, Crafts and Soccer.

I'm so excited they love this Troop and are growing tremendously!

Homeschooling allows us beautiful morning hikes, walks

and other adventures throughout the week.

I love that their home to help in serving our church family. Its so much fun putting meals together for 

sick families and when babies are born.

We Honor You....

 To our "First Mommy's", we honor you today and give thanks for your blessing of life, care and nurturing. Our girls give their all, learn well, love deeply and are super talented young women. 

You're on our hearts often, but more so today than any other day. Our girls lives began with you and you continue to hold a special place in our lives to this day.

As the girls grow, they know of our love and appreciation for you. They know we honor you and speak highly of you for the good decisions you made. The decisions that have blessed our family so!

We pray your Mother's Day was special, rest filled and when you see this your heart is comforted knowing  our girls are thriving!

We pray blessings upon your today and everyday!

Knee Deep into Adoption Education.....20 hours Mind You!

 Hey friends!!! We're here, still working on Education. Last evening we learned of a term and tried to understand the details surrounding a Conspicuous Adoption.

A conspicuous family is a fancy term used in adoption circles for a family that does not pass in society as biologically related because the adopted child is of a different race as the adoptive parents.

Currently, not all can tell that we are an adoptive family as some of our features favor one another. Not that we planned it that way, we trust that God had our family in His plan all along.

There is a high likelihood that we could be a conspicuous adoptive family very soon. We've check "YES" to a race other than our own and mixed race of different cultures. 

We realize there will be intrusive questions, well meaning at times, but all the likely intrusive. Don't get me started on THE MANY intrusive questions we received while going through infertility. Seriously, we can laugh about it now but if I ever told you your jaw is certain to be left behind!

Therefore, when ask those intrusive questions, don't be surprised if you get one of three answers:

1. a snarly remark
2. a "protective of my child" answer if ask in front of them or 
3. I may be in the mood to give you an informational answer that helps you and my children so one no longer makes a ridiculous assumption or hurtful comment again in the presence of a ONCE adopted child. That's right...it's not an ongoing thing. They were adopted and are defined by the promises of God(just like your children). They're not defined by their adopted status. For instance, you don't introduce your kids as "This is _________, my biological child! or This is my friend so and so, these are her biological children!" RIGHT??!!!!

This leads me to say, I have two precious girls! Both loving and kind, talented musicians, smart, helpful at home, eager to learn and make their difference in the world. Two girls that are learning to love God with their lives and they DEEPLY love people. They have hearts to give and would eagerly want to share whatever they have with one in need. Again, two girls defined by the promises of God like any other child, person etc. Two girls, so very dear to my heart that I would do anything to protect them with my LIFE and LOVE!

"You have a beautiful family, I'd love to know more of your story!" I received this statement one time and instantly thought this came from a respectful person who truly cared and was curious about adoption. It also gave me the opportunity to share what I was comfortable sharing. Believe you me, there have been those times I want to say "thats none of your business or do you hear how ridiculous you sound in asking that question?" It happens!

Think about that these details before you encounter an adoptive family or families that were formed differently than your family. Wouldn't our world be a better place if we treated ALL families with love, respect and consideration regardless of how a family is formed? Remember your parents old saying "think before you speak?" It's a great rule of thumb with anything we voice(believe me, I know and have been guilty of NOT doing so all too often).

Family and friends, THANK YOU for continuing the journey with us! We are encouraged daily by your prayers and kindness. We've received several hundred dollars since I posted last, I know you're sacrificing for us. Your generosity means the world to us as we press on in hopes of getting to our BOYS, SONS, BROTHERS etc.....very soon!!!!