To Pack or Not to Pack...

After spending a week in NC trying to get the house ready to move into, we are now back home in VA and faced with the daunting task of beginning to pack. So, instead of facing reality, I'll post cute pictures Lia instead.

I walked around the corner the other day to find this...brings new meaning to the phrase "packing ammunition." She loves those guns.

Barbies? Nah. She's rather play laser tag.

Wish I had this one on video. She waited at the corner, scanned the area, and then bolted around the wall just like they do on TV.

OK, enough cuteness. Back to reality.

Like Mother Like Daughter?

Michael called me into the room the other night by saying, "Mom, come here, you've got to see Lia. She's wearing your glasses and typing on the computer. She looks like...she looks like you!"

I came around the corner to see little Miss imitator doing what she sees me do everyday (and doing quite a believable job of it too).

We all got a kick out of watching her "type." Hope you do too :)

Happy Birthday, Alex

Today was spent celebrating the birthday of one very special little boy. It's hard to believe that four years ago, we held this little guy in our arms for the first time.

Every day with Alex is an adventure and I couldn't imagine life any other way.

At Bob Evans for lunch. Lia is obviously over the picture taking by this point. "Whatever Mom...where's my pancake?"

But she loved the balloons.

Alex enjoyed every minute of his special day. He even wanted to model his new outfit. You can't teach that GQ thing. You either got it or you don't.

His sisters co-directed his birthday party which was fun for him and a huge help to me.

What better way to spend a day than hanging out with Jake Justice...

Rescue Heroes are the best...thank you e-Bay.

Outside the restaurant....shortly before instilling fear and trembling in the wait staff upon our arrival.

My favorite Alex quote of the week was when he asked us if he came in a box when we got him.

A little puzzled we said, "No, you weren't in a box. Why do you ask?"

"Because I was a present," he responded.

Yes, you were little man. A present straight from the greatest Giver of gifts there is.

And we are forever grateful.

Three Little Words...

Lia has always been a big imitator when it comes to actions and now the same can be said of her with language. Much to my delight, she began repeating the phrase "I love you" every time I said it to her today (and even some on her own).

This isn't her best work (she'd already said it about a dozen times before I got the camera out) but it's worth it just to hear her sweet little voice.

Don't you love her "look?" Bet I'll be seeing that face again many more times over the next oh, ten to twenty years :)

The Many Faces of Lia

She may be tiny, and on the quiet side (except when saying "good-bye"), but oh is she complex. Here are a few examples:

Hip-hop star (with attitude, of course)

Playful pirate

Fashionista (accessorizing with a bag of Kix)

Daddy's girl

And just plain cute :)

Story Time

To the Rescue

This morning after breakfast Alex said, "Mommy...my arm hurts. I fink I need to watch a show."

He proceeded to show me his reduced range of motion complete with wincing and perfected pouty face.

His logic may be questionable but his timing was impeccable.

Still working on my first cup of cofffee, I was in a weakened state and easily overcome by his prowess.

Once again, it was up to Billy Blazes and Jake Justice to save the morning.

What would we do without our Rescue Heroes?

The Shirt Says It All

* Note: Could also be translated as "tiny with a 'tude."

Whirlwind Weekend

After a quick stop in NC to see our soon-to-be new home, we headed to Nana and Grandaddy's for the weekend.

Group shot...not too bad considering the meltdown that was brewing

Alex enjoyed the pool...and the power pink water wings made him almost invincible

With great humility, Lauren dubbed herself the "bubble queen"

and Lia "the bubble princess"

leaving Alex to claim the role of "bubble jester"

Ready for swim team 2013...what she lacks in skill, she makes up for in attitude

The big event of the day was a visit by the newest family member baby Greyson.

He was quite a popular (and cute) attraction.

We soon discovered that Lia loves babies.

And remote control cars.

She's feeling the need for speed.

Greyson's big brother Brady enjoyed the trucks...

...and the pool...

..while Alex enjoys some sidewalk art


and they all enjoyed watching the bats at night with Uncle Chris

...and by the end of the weekend, Grandaddy finally got some Lia time.

Boo-hoo...

...Daddy's traveling for work AGAIN!

How It All Began...

It's hard to believe that it was exactly four years ago on this day, 7/5/2005, that Scott and I sat down to watch a video that was included in the information packet sent to us by an adoption agency. We had just spent a couple of weeks praying about adoption and whether or not the Lord was calling us to it.

We both had the desire for more children but expanding our family biologically was difficult if not impossible by this point. We didn't want our decision to be a reactionary one, but one that was carved out for us by the Lord as he closed certain doors and opened others along our journey.

So after putting the kids to bed that night four years ago, we watched the story of Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife as they traveled to China to adopt their first (and then second, and then third) daughter. By the end of the DVD there was no question as to what we were going to do. We were ready to jump on a plane that night and go.

But things in China don't move that fast. There's this little thing called paperwork that needs to be completed. So that is what I dove into the next morning. I had to first apply to our agency to see if we would be accepted as a prospective adoptive family.

This is where it gets good.

Before I even had my address filled in on the application (that would be line 2), I stepped into the kitchen to hear a message being left on my answering machine. Before the message was finished, a call was coming in. And on the computer, an email had just arrived. All about a young mother who was looking for a Christian family who might be interested in adopting her baby.

Interesting. It was just last night that we felt the confirmation to pursue adoption. And it would be at least a year (or more) before we would be matched with a child. And you see, I was going to China. There was a sweet little girl over there just waiting for her forever family to come and bring her home.

Somewhat dumbfounded by the circumstances, I called Scott at work to let him know what I had been told. And my non-risk taking, don't-go-looking-for trouble husband said exactly what I never expected him to say: "I think you should call and get more information."

What??

So I hestiantly picked up the phone (all the while continuing to think, "this is great and all but I'm going to China!")

Turns out the birthmom (who lived on the other side of the country) just happened to be in our state visiting with her grandfather and just happened to be visiting our little town that day and would we like to meet with her?

This is where we'll hit the brakes, I thought. So I called Scott again, confident that this would be getting too close for comfort.

"Sure", he said. "Let's go meet her." I about dropped the phone.

So that afternoon, all of us (kids included) drove across town to meet with this very sweet young girl (who was 8 months pregnant) and her believing grandfather. We really liked her and she must have like us because she felt comfortable placing her baby in our family.

We then spent the next 2 to 3 weeks running around like crazy proving that we weren't convicted criminals and that (except for the stress put on us by this process) we were in relatively good health.

To make a long and wonderful story short, 17 days later (17 DAYS!!!) we were at the hospital when Alex was born and the next day he was in our home to stay. It was amazing.

And so is that little boy that we brought home. He has a birthday coming up so I'll save that day to brag on him.

Today, I just wanted to stop and remember what God did in changing our hearts, in calming our fears, and in giving us courage to move forward in something that was loaded with uncertainty.

And I'm so glad He did. Because there is one thing that is certain about all of this.

Without Alex,

life sure would be

a lot duller.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy fourth everyone....and happy birthday America!

Making the Most of Cool Summer Days

Usually by the time July 4th rolls around, it is so ridiculously hot, all we want to do is live at the pool or inside with the air conditioning cranked up.

But since this summer has lent itself to some unusually (but much appreciated) cooler weather, we've been taking things outside a bit more.

Tonight, the kids and Scott started off with a little soccer (while I gladly played the role of photographer). We then ended the night with a few innings of family wiffle ball where the girls completely trounced the boys.

Let the games begin.

He shoots, he scores!

Everyone gets in on the action.

Going, going, gone!

Our littlest slugger always has time for the media....cheese!

Sweet victory!