The $5 Christmas...So Fun!

Starting in October, the kids started diligently praying to be able to adopt a little girl whose face we had just been drawn too. It looked like for a long time that wouldn't be a reality, but we secretly hoped it would be! All three of them agreed that they would just ask Santa to bring her for them instead of receiving any gifts (that melts the heart of this mother, just so you know.) Every year, our kids are allowed to ask for three things, they open three gifts just like Jesus got three gifts from the wise men. This really helps me to keep Christmas focused on the right thing instead of the wrong thing. So this year, when we realized that adopting Hope could be a reality, the kids instantly were willing to give up Christmas and donate any money that would have been spent to bringing her home. However, still wanting to do something, but realizing that the budget is tight, I decided we should do $5 gifts. They had so much fun shopping for things they might want that cost $5. I was so proud of them for their choices as each one of them picked something that they will truly love and value. I have never seen this much anticipation as they had about seeing what $5 gifts they got. We had so much fun, and I am proud that my kids were just simply grateful to be getting anything at all! They know that the true miracle of this Christmas is that they will get to share their lives with another sister. They have been warned that by adding another sister, they will have to do without some wants, but their hearts are so big, that the desire to give is greater than the desire to have! I love my family!

We are expecting....a little girl

I am so excited to finally be able to announce that we are adopting a precious little girl from China. We think her name will be Hope Lina. She is five years old, and currently resides in a Social Welfare Institute. She seems to have a fun hearted little personality. I have been overwhelmed the last month trying to get all the paperwork in order, but all the hard work was rewarded this morning when the Chinese government issued us a preapproval to be able to adopt her. Unfortunately, we still have a long wait ahead of us. We hope to be able to travel for her sometime this fall. Please pray that all our paperwork will be processed quickly, and that this precious little one will be safe and well cared for til our arrival. We look forward to going on this journey again as we first hand know the blessings that are in store.

Halloween

The kids have to dress up as book characters for school. Noelle knew right away that she wanted to be Pippy Longstocking. Hunter wanted to be Stick Kid, but unfortunately I couldn't find the book any where. He loves Where's Waldo, so I suggested that. We couldn't find the striped shirt, so I striped on real quick with red duct tape. He looked perfect. His costume was a big hit a school especially with the older kids. It was so good for Hunter to have one of the best costumes. He was really holding his head up high when I was at the school later in the afternoon. I bet next year there will be alot of Waldo's running around. LeeLee loves Tink, and she knew she wanted to be her. That worked out well since Noelle was Tink several years ago. They trick or treated at Tita's house. That's where the picture of the three of them was taken.

Generations Halloween

This year we had some major conflicts with our annual pumpkin carve, so it was a little turnout. I love watching the college students compete with each other. Thanks BDot and Tracey for being our judges!

Sea World

This was the day for all Noelle's dreams to come true! She loves penguins in a big way and I worked out a suprise for her to be able to go in the penguin exhibit and pet real live penguins. She was so excited. I don't think I have ever seen a smile like these from Noelle. We all loved seeing Shamu! It brought out the kid in all of us! Hunter was ready to go fishing!

Disney

We spent 10 days in Orlando. I have so many pictures, so I will just post a few! They got over 50 character signatures. They had a great time trying to find the pressed penny machines too. We only did two character meals, and carried in our food the rest of the time. It was a fun time, and I look forward to going back someday.

Braces are Off!

Noelle got her braces off. Her orthodontist gave her a bag full of all the things she couldn't have while she had her braces on.

Lizzie's Wedding

One of my best friends from High School got married. I love Liz and hope to spend some more time with her soon!

LeeLee

I do LeeLee's annual pictures when the kids go to school. She is so much fun to take pictures of! There are so many I liked, so I'm just putting a few.

First Day of School

Hunter went to 1st and Noelle to 3rd. We were blessed to get two great teachers again. Noelle got the same teacher we had for 1st, and she is great! It was an answer to a year long prayer for Noelle! Can you believe from their sizes that there is two and a half years between them? Hunter is a giant!

A Weekend to Remember!!

Well, it is obvious to me when I look back at my pictures from the last year, that a big chunk of time is missing. I missed out on blogging, partly because I didn't feel like it, and partly because I didn't have time. As most of you know, I lost my daddy in July of this year. Things really started going down hill slowly from Christmas on. I realized what was happening and began spending more and more time with my dad. I made sure the kids got to spend as much time as possible with their Papa too. Hunter and Papa have always had a special bond. One that you can't just create, but one that just is because they are just connected in a way that I will never understand. My dad and I, though I was his daughter, didn't have the bond that he and Hunter had. Hunter would by pass any body to get to his Papa. They loved the same things, camping, fishing, hunting, and creating interesting things from everyday stuff. I remember having to sit Hunter down to explain to him that Papa wouldn't be with us much longer and the cry that came from him was unbearable for my heart to hear. My personality tends to come across as that of a rock, which I was trying to be, but I melted. We literally spent almost everyday of our summer traveling back and forth to see my dad. We were blessed that he became so funny before he passed away. The constant laughing at him made things easier, and some of the phrases he said are phrases that we commonly use in our house still today. My favorite of those phrases was when my dad had not been allowed to eat anything, and for days had been asking for McDonald's then Long John Silvers. I talked with his doctor, and the doctor agreed dad could have Long John Silvers. I was able to get a hold of mom so she picked it up on her way to the hospital. Dad was going nuts waiting for his fish. Paul said "When it gets here I might have to get a bite!" At the time dad had a hard time talking, but he clearly said "You touch, and you die!" We all started laughing so hard!! When someone wants to really protect their food around here they say it just like daddy did that day. Even though we had some fun times listening to dad, the truth is it was hard on all of us! When he passed away, we followed his wishes and had him cremated. We didn't want a traditional funeral because truth is my dad was never a very traditional man. Instead we found an amazing lodge up in the mountains of North Carolina. We gathered just his closest family and friends and had a weekend to remember. When I got to the lodge, I thought wow, Dad would love this! I can't help but look at the picture of Hunter with the fishing pole and know that as much as he loves his dad, it's Papa he would rather be fishing with. He caught the biggest bass that weekend, and I know my Dad, his Papa had to be smiling! We were blessed to be able to spend a weekend together remembering my dad, who was a very special Papa!

Big Grasshopper

Hunter loves these big grasshoppers that live at Papa and Tita's house.

Easter

I love Easter, it is by far my favorite Holiday! I made the girls outfits using some clearance curtains from Dillards. They got lots of compliments in them which made me smile since I only had $20 total invested in them. I'm not sure I'll be able to top these!

Snow in Auburn!!

This is a very rare occurance, so we have to enjoy it! You'll notice I think that we didn't even take time to get out of pj's because we knew the snow wouldn't last long.

Daddy Daughter Dance

I realize these are out of order, Sorry!!!! Paul ventured out to take Eleenah with them this year to the dance. He said she was out of control, but they had fun any way! You can tell LeeLee has a little attitude!

How to shop with 3 Kids!

Lucky for me, Paul had the cart with the food! It is much easier just to contain LeeLee, especially when it is sample day at Sam's Club.

It's hard to let go!

I love the youth! I get super attached, but these two have really been amazing! Sara has been at my house once a week for several years teaching Noelle and babysitting. Kira planted my flower gardens, and just is a neat young lady. Lucky for me, they are both headed to Auburn University! Sara made the AU majorettes as a freshman, and Kira will be part of my generations family, but I don't get to have them every Sunday! I have seriously thought about following these two to the college department.

Noelle's Art

Noelle was honored to have her art featured in an art show. They had a little reception for the artists. Paul loved her artwork so much that I am thinking about having it framed for him for Christmas.

LeeLee's Dog

LeeLee got a pet of her own (well, she thinks she did!) I fell in love with this little yorkiepoo at our local shelter. I thought she looked like a miniture Rags! She is my little baby! I love this little one. Full grown she weighs 7lbs. She is my constant companion, and a great play toy for Rags. The shelter named her for us, she came with the name LuLu.

Noelle's Party

Noelle had an ice skating/slumber party. She and I made all of the girls some penguin shirts and delivered them the night before. At school they had already given them the name Penguin Patrol. We picked them up and headed to Montgomery and ice skated. Then we headed back home and had a slumber party. It was so much fun! She has such a sweet little group of best friends.

Cruise

In December we went on a cruise to Mexico to go and visit a very special friend. Yazmin is one of the sweetest people I have ever met! We took Christmas with us to give to her and her daughter. Yazmin said all the Iquanas were sleeping so Hunter caught a turtle! He is so properly named!