Happy 8th Hunter!

For Hunter's birthday, we headed down to the beach.  One of our favorite places, and his too.  He woke up to a nice surprise of something he had been begging for for months.  So it was a good start to his day.

I was very limited on cake decorating supplies, and since the beach we frequent is way off the beaten path, getting stuff was not really possible.  So, he had the plainest birthday cake I have ever made.  He of course was thrilled and just happy to be celebrating.

He wanted to spend his morning with me trying to catch turtles.  We were successful and caught a total of four.  No harm was done to any of them, and we were quick to get them back to their environment.  For him, it was a perfect day.  I love how simple things make him so incredibly happy!

The end of two 7 year olds

While everyone thinks that LeeLee and Hope are twins, Hope and Hunter are actually closer in age.  They are both 7.  Hard to believe when you look at the size difference, but they are only a little under 9 months apart in age.

This is my last week of having two seven year olds.  My babies are all growing up so fast!

Rosa Parks

The forth graders have to do an end of the year project called The Wax Museum.  They do research on a famous Alabamian, write a report, then dress like them.  They all stand in frozen in the cafeteria, then when people stop in front of them, they give their presentation.

When Noelle came home and told us she was going to be Rosa Parks, we all got a good chuckle thinking about our red haired, pale skinned, and freckle faced daughter playing the role of Rosa Parks. But, she pulled it off well.  Well enough to make a 100.  

Some More Pieces to the Past

 You all may remember that while waiting for Hope, I had a little obsession with the Chinese internet.  I searched for hours finding lots of pictures of Hope.  Since being home, she has been able to confirm that all the pictures are indeed of her and her friends.  Last week I decided to search again just to see if there was anything else out there of her.  I found the picture above.  This is a picture of her half the sky preschool class.  It was taken in March of 2010.  She is in the back left corner.  She actually brought his little flag with her in her box of crafts.  I also love this picture because some of her best friends are in it.  The little guy in the red jacket is her very best friend.  I have been advocating for him since our return from China, and I am so happy to say that he has a family.  They are great Christian family, and he will be close.  I can't wait for them to meet up on this side of the world.  The cutie in the front with the grey jacket is getting his new family next week.  We are in contact with them, and hopefully will be able to meet up with them.  She also has another sweet little friend who isn't pictured here, but she will be coming home to Alabama!!  What I find so amazing is that each of these three families are all Christian families that all want to preserve the special connection that these kids have.  This is exactly what I have prayed for.

I would have given anything to find this picture while I was waiting.  This picture was taken in June before we picked her up in September.  The lady she is kissing is just a visitor to Baotou.  They were there to celebrate Children's Day.  These volunteers had come in to do crafts with the children.  I am so thankful for each little piece of her past that I can find.

They Come and They Go!

This beautiful young lady is Lindsey. Lindsey joined my college girls Bible study a few years ago. It didn't take us long before our whole family was in love with Lindsey. As the kids fell in love with her they replaced her name with their affectionate nickname of Little Z. This is the sweet letter I received from her.

Jenna, Paul, Noelle, Hunter, Lee Lee, and Hope- This is a personal invite to my nursing school pinning. It is on Sunday May 8 at 3pm at Auburn United Methodist Church. It is basically a tradition in the nursing world and to us it is kind of a big deal. Sort of like a life milestone, sign of accomplishment, etc. I could not have gotten through nursing school without your family. Your prayers, desserts, dinners, guidance, support, and listening ears have been more than I could have ever asked for. Not to mention yall coined me the best nickname ever, "Little Z." You are my family away from home and I stinkin' love yall! If you cannot make it please don't worry! I think it is mother's day so I will completely understand, but just know that I would love to see my "family" at this special occasion.~Little Z

So, I was pleased to spend my mother's day watching our precious Little Z be pinned by Auburn University as a nurse! We are so proud of her. The hardest part about working with these precious college students is letting them go. We will miss Lindsey's smiling face, her funny stories, and watching her heart fall in love with our Lord more and more every day. We love you Little Z, and our home is always your home!

I Forgot the Eggs!

I love watching Hope's firsts!! She was so cute trying to figure out why on earth we were dying eggs. She loved doing it, even though she never really caught onto the fact that you needed to be gentle with the eggs. I think she only ended up with one egg which wasn't cracked. Noelle took the longest because she took decorating and dying them very seriously. Her artistic talents always amaze me! She is a girl after my own heart. After all the eggs were dry, we set out front for the Easter Egg Hunt. We explained to Hope in great detail what she needed to do. She was so excited. I was so proud of her for getting it! She had fun and did really well.

LeeLee on the other hand didn't have much luck in her hunting, so this is the pitiful face she was making.

Hunter finished first, but only because he cheated and grabbed a few that were supposed to be for the little girls. We later did a do over, and everyone was all smiles the second go round.

We ended the night by making resurrection rolls. It was so cute when I was asking them questions about Jesus death and resurrection. Hope would raise her hands and give the most interesting unbiblical details I have ever heard. I don't quite think she has been able to put it all together yet, because when her roll cooked and she broke it open she was greatly distressed the her "Jesus" was no longer there.

Now This is Who They Really Are!

I keep going back and forth on which one I like best. They are both by far my all time favorite pictures of my kids. So, when you come to my house, it isn't those pretty pictures below that you will see framed, it is these. These make me smile, these remind me of how truly blessed I am. These capture each one in such a perfect little moment of time, that somehow reflects every bit of who they really are. These are the children that I am proud to claim. Thank you Lord that you didn't give me picture perfect children, you gave me these precious, imperfect children, and I love them so.