So Glad I Didn't Miss This!

We are still adjusting to being a large family. But I must admit I feel a balance I haven't felt since we brought Kate home. We get some looks when we go out but generally I think people can't figure out if they are all my children so we haven't had a lot of comments from folks.

I think back to the days when I had decided I would never marry and never have children... just dogs. Then I look at my family and I think... Look what I would have missed. I'm a blessed Mom and I'm so thankful today for all the Lord has done in my family.

Every time I look at Kiley I think "I'm so glad we didn't miss this." There were times when fear was on the verge of over taking me to think why would we want more children? But every one of my girls is a gift and I'm so glad we didn't miss out.

I took all the girls to see my Nana (their great grandmother) on Friday. It was the first time she met Kiley. She loved her from the moment she saw her.

Here are a few other pictures of us hanging out together as a BIG family. : )

What about the hair?

We have been home with Kiley a little over 2 weeks now. Hard to believe how quickly time passes. She continues to transition so well into our family. Everyone here just LOVES her. I must admit my house is much louder but there is even more joy in our home. I still fall into bed most every night exhausted but so thankful for the children the Lord has entrusted to my care.

Many of you want to know about the hair. So I thought I would pass along some pictures. We are still learning how to style it but I must say it is beautiful. I still haven't gotten very good with the braids. We have a woman from Ethiopia coming over today to do hair. I'm so excited!!!! Hoping to learn some more good tips.

Kiley will sit for hours... and let me do her hair. She is so content. Which makes it a joy to do her hair.

Lots of Valentine Love

February is in full swing. Every year Brian takes the girls all dressed up in their new dresses to the Father- Daughter Valentine Dance. They just LOVE it. It's a special night and they count the days until they get to go dance with their Dad.
This year was a bit overwhelming for Brian. We had been home 1 week with Kiley. So he wasn't sure how well he could dance with a 2,3,5, and 8 year old at the same time. So reluctantly I agreed to go. My contribution to the dance begins with finding fancy dresses for all the girls and then getting them ALL ready by myself because they all want to SURPRISE Dad. He may have actually convinced them of this in order to get out of helping get 4 girls ready. : )
This year it took almost 2 hours to do make up, hair and get them dressed. WHEW! But I must say they looked beautiful and I was so proud to go with them and show them off. Thought you would like to see some pictures.

So amazing!!!!!

Lauren and I were sitting doing Bible today for school. I must admit we are a bit behind on the Bible curriculum I have and she was reading to me. When all of a sudden I was shocked by what I heard. This was the verse she was reading. It is talking about Abraham and Sarah when they are getting their new names. Lauren looked at me and said "Wow, Mom that is just like you."

"As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai. Her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her." (Genesis 17:15-16)

I couldn't believe it. I was named Sarah 31 years ago. Even then the Lord knew I would be a mother of nations. It just brought tears to my eyes. I'm doing exactly what the Lord created me to do. It was a huge confirmation for me today and I'm humbled by the ways the Lord shows us his favor. And thankful especially today for the name I've been given.

Kiley Joy

I know many of you have been waiting to hear from us. We are honored and blessed to be the parents of Kiley Joy. She truly lives up to her name as there is always a smile on her face. From the moment we met her she has been affectionate, very loving, obedient and so kind.

We arrived at the Orlando airport Saturday morning at 9:30AM. My parents, siblings, their significant others and of course the girls were there waiting for us. It was a joyous reunion. Kiley gave everyone hugs and kisses and melted my parents hearts immediately with her affection. Thought you would like to see a few pictures.

We are still figuring things out of course. The only time we have made her cry was when we said no to her (we didn't understand what she was saying) and she had to go to the bathroom. OOOPSSS!!! Our mistake. We quickly figured out the problem and she was happy again. She is such a brave little girl. She follows us wherever we go and is sure of our relationship.

Food is a big thing we are working out right now. Things like strawberries make her gag and she loves hot sauce. She had a doctor's appointment on Monday and her pediatrician says she looks great. Still gotta do some blood work and shots : (

She loves her sisters. She laid her head on Lauren's lap last night and watched Hannah Montana. She likes to watch TV as she has never seen it before and she likes to ride the tricycle outside. She will copy everything we say if we ask her to and her diction is incredible. She speaks so clearly even though she doesn't understand the meaning of the words yet. I'm amazed at how they soak up everything.

We couldn't he happier to have her home in record time. From the moment we saw her picture and decided to adopt to the day we flew home to Orlando was 4 months and 3 days. Unbelievable!!!! We are blessed. We are so excited to introduce her to all of you. We hope to have an open house in the next few weeks so you can meet her.

Thank you for your prayers for us and Kiley. We have been united with a child that is going to make an impact for the Lord and you helped pray her home. We so appreciate and love that! She was in a Christian orphanage and so all the songs she sings are about Jesus. She even knows Oh How I Love Jesus in English. It made me cry when I heard all 3 older girls singing that song in the car on the way home from the airport. Wow! I can't even describe the emotions Brian and I are working through of feeling blessed by the Lord. I feel His favor and glory in a new way today. Our daughter is home and I feel peace and JOY!

Now a family of 6

We are back in the states!!!! Last Saturday we left home sweet home to travel to Ethiopia to pick up our sweet daughter Kiley. We arrived early Monday morning and Monday afternoon Pochi the orphanage director brought Kiley to our hotel. We couldn't have prepared for such wonderful moment. She hugged and kissed us and has not been sad since. She smiles all the time and is the most content little girl I've ever seen.
On Tuesday we went to the US embassy and were in and out in less than 30 minutes. They told us her visa would be ready on Wednesday, a day earlier than we expected. So we changed our flights and came home on Thursday. We landed in DC last night after 24 hours of traveling. Kiley was so good. She was like a pro traveler. She slept and watched Dora and played with playdoh.
We will fly home to Orlando in the morning and we are so excited to introduce her to our family. We miss our other children so much and know they are ready to meet Kiley.
I undid all her braids this morning and she sat for over an hour as I pulled and tugged on her head. She copies almost everything we say and I'm amazed at how quickly and clearly she is speaking.
Thank you for all your prayers. We have bonded beautifully and she loves us which was one of my biggest fears. We are rejoicing that the Lord would bless us with another child. We get lots of looks and a lot of smiles as people see how loving and sweet she is. She is happy to be our daughter and we are delighted to be her parents.

So behind... welcome 2009

Uggg... I can't believe how far behind I am on this blog thing. Thinking the 3 kids, home schooling, toddler, and adopting thing is starting to get to me. And I've got another little one coming home. WOW! Okay so here is all the latest news in case you haven't heard.

KILEY PASSED COURT IN ETHIOPIA!!!!! Got a call on December 31 that Kiley's case went to court a day earlier than we expected. We were the only one of 4 cases that passed court that day. We are so happy! It made for a very special time bringing in the new year. So thankful for the Lord's provision and protection. Now up to the latest news. We are making travel plans right now. Just trying to confirm the dates with the travel agent. Looks like we will be flying out on Saturday January 31 and flying back into Orlando Saturday Feb 7th. Hoping to go to the embassy on Feb. 3rd. Got all my shots today. : ( I have a lot more sympathy for my children.

The girls are back into full swing here. We had a great Christmas. Brian's Mom and Dad came to visit from Ohio. They were here 3.5 weeks and the girls LOVED it! We are so thankful to be surrounded by such amazing family.

The girls all got Sea World passes for Christmas this year. So on Friday we all went for the day. It was a great time.... except the kiddie rides. Yes I did say kiddie rides. I think it all started because in December Emily and I went to Busch Gardens with the rest of my extended family. Very cool time... we got to hand feed giraffes. ANYWAY! She wanted to ride a roller coaster. Because she had been on thunder mountain she thought she could handle anything. So there is only 1 roller coaster that you can ride being her height at Busch Gardens. Well let's just say SCARY!!!!!! Seriously this roller coaster did a downward spiral and went upside down. Not exactly 5 year old friendly. So back to the Sea World story. She pretty much will never trust me again because I put her on the scary ride. But her big sister wanted to try this ride that goes up and down. They both got on and buckled in. By the end both were screaming crying and wanted the lady to TURN IT OFF! Oh my... okay no more kiddie rides. But we did enjoy the animals VERY much.

Emily learned to ride her bike without training wheels this week. She loves being independent and like her big sister. I love these girls! They make me laugh and they are such fun kids to be around.

The last of the big news was yes I did turn 31. Still can't believe it. Brian surprised me with a weekend get away to the Ritz Carlton in South Beach. Oh the wonderful perks of having a sister work for Marriott. We ate dinner at Smith and Wollensky on the water for our 12 year anniversary. Then went to the old Versace mansion for drinks. Beautiful! Such wonderful memories with my sweet hubby.

Okay I think that is all the updated news. Hope to do a better job in the near future. Chow!