Visiting California

Brian and I took Emily and Lauren to San Diego to meet our new niece Aviana. She was a week old when we first met her. She is darling! We are so excited for Jon and Christina and their precious daughter. We had a great time hanging with our older girls. We took a boat out in the bay and saw dolphins. It was a blast!

Review of 2009

I can't believe that September is just around the corner. I decided to begin capturing our memories from this year so far in a family movie. Hope you enjoy!

A little behind

Okay so I finally put our 2008 pictures into a movie. Here it is just a year and half late.

First day of school

I just realized that I need to take another picture of Lauren as her first school day picture didn't really turn out. But here are the other 3 all ready for school. Emily is in kindergarten at Circle. Kiley is in the 3 year old class and Kate is in the 2 year old class at Willow Creek. They are growing so fast!

A time to reflect

Today I came up to the beach all alone. It's not something I normally do. Usually there is a row of children following in my footsteps. But not today. Brian has all the girls and is taking them to a fun hotel for the night while I get out of town and have some quiet. What a fun Dad!

It's amazing what a few good hours of rest and silence will do for my heart and soul. I have some dear friends coming later today for the rest of the weekend so the silence will soon be filled with laughter. But in the mean time I'm taking the opportunity to rest in silence, think and write. I realized I get weary from meeting the needs of children so many hours in the day that when I have a few hours of silence I can be a better wife, mother and friend. So thankful today for all the sounds of 4 little children and the amazing, dedicated, love of a godly man. I'm blessed!

Puppy Love

I've been asking for a puppy now for a little while. I think Brian was afraid I might start asking to adopt again if I didn't have a puppy soon so he finally gave into my request. He didn't fully realize all it would entail. Just a short flight for him to go to Seattle to pick up the puppy and bring her home. Not because you can't find a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle) in Florida. You just can't find the one I REALLY want in Florida. So my accommodating, darling husband flew to Seattle and came back the next day with my sweet puppy Lexi. She is wonderful and the girls just adore her. We are truly in puppy love.

Kiley's 6 Month Pictures

I can't believe it has been 6 months since I met Kiley in Ethiopia for the first time. It blows my mind to think how much our darling little girl has changed. She is fluent in english and she makes me smile with the brightness in her eyes. Her eyes was the thing that captured my heart last September when I first saw her picture. I already can't imagine our lives without her. She is such an important part of our family. We love her deeply and are so thankful every time we stop to think of her journey to our family. Happy 6 month gotcha day Kiley Joy. We love you!