Halloween 2010

Braylen dressed as a Tap Dancer and Alea as a Queen. Alea was a little nervous about others seeing her in her dress, but she was so proud to be Queen. Braylen had fun tapping away!!! This day will always hold a memory for me. On this day in 2006, we got a call that about changed our lives forever. Ted from Home of God's Love called saying that Alea's birthmother wanted to keep her and we may not get to adopt her. It was such an emotional time for us. We loved this little girl and desperately wanted her in our forever family. Thank God, a few weeks later her mother gave us the most special gift ever! We are forever grateful to you, birthmother for loving her enough to let us raise her as our own!!! It's a bittersweet day for us indeed!

Braylen Turns 8

On October 7th we celebrated Braylen's 8th birthday. She took fall leave and acorn sugar cookies to school and then when she got home, she opened her presents from Alea, Brittany, Uncle Curt, and Aunt Amber and us. Then we headed to Outback Steakhouse for dinner! She loves their mac and cheese and they even gave her a free sundae to celebrate! I cannot believe my baby is 8 years old!!! I am so lucky to have her as a daughter and we love her so very much!!!

Braylen's 8th Birthday Party

Today we celebrated Braylen's 8th Birthday with family. We had a zoo theme and a campfire! It was a fun laid back evening!! Braylen had so much fun playing with her cousins and roasting marshmallows on the fire :) Thank you to everyone who took time to come and spend some time with Braylen and us!! We love you all :)

Alea's First Day of Preschool

Today was Alea's first day of Preschool! I cannot believe my baby is old enough to be in preschool! She had a great first day. The teachers said she talked, laughed and had a great time! They video taped her because they thought we would never believe them when they told us she talked to them! Way to go, Alea!!! God has been so good to us!!!

B's First Gotcha Day!!

Saturday, Sept. 11th we will celebrate one year of B in our family! We celebrated on Monday by going to her favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse. Here are some snapshots of the night!

We love our B...what a blessing she has been to our family. We pray she always seeks Christ and follows in His ways!!

First Night of Awana

Last Wednesday was the first night of Awana this year. Braylen begins her third year as a Spark and her 5th year of Awana! Seriously, where has the time gone???? Alea was very excited that this year she gets to join big sis! She began her first year of Cubbies! They both had a great time! We love our Calvary Baptist extended family! Thank you so much for offering this ministry for our little ones!!

Waiting on Daddy

Last night Daddy was on the phone and Alea wanted him to rock her. I told her to quit crying and lay in bed and I'd have daddy come in as soon as he could. When we went in to check on her, this is how we found her! In the rocking chair with bear, pillow and blanket fast asleep....I guess Daddy took too long! He still picked her up and rocked her and put her in bed! What a sweet baby girl we have!!

Back to School Open House

Last night we were able to go to the school, meet the teacher, drop off supplies and eat ice cream with friends. It was fun to be able to see Bray's classroom before the big day! Here are snapshots of the night!!

First Day of School

Today I sent my two oldest kiddos off to school...way too early in the year! It's HOT out, they should be home still, but had to send them. They both left with smiles on their faces as B starts

her SENIOR year and Braylen her 2nd grade year!!! Alea wants "somebody to play with!" She already has cried for her sissy!!! Guess it's time for some mommy and le le time!!!

Brittany Had a Little Lamb.....or 2!!

This was Brittany's first year in 4-H. She made Brad proud and took sheep to the fair! Yesterday was the Sheep show. She did a great job showing!

Rides at the Fair

This is Fair Week! After watching Brittany show her sheep and checking out Braylen's mini 4-H project, no bake cookies and Brittany's photography and vet science projects, Mamaw and Papaw took the girls through the animal barns and then bought them so me tickets to ride rides!! They were sooooooo excited about the riding part :) Thanks Mamaw and Papaw!!!!