Silly Sisters!!!

Jorja is unhappy with the length of her hair
so...
I guess she convinced Jailyn to add some pony tails!



All is good
As long as they don't find the scissors!


I guess Jorja decided she was going to do a color job
on Jailyn and had to wear her gloves!


Jailyn then decided to help me out and get
the laundry out of the dryer


And she has now learned that some times
it pays!

Memorial Box Monday

I really don't have a "Memorial Box" like my bloggy friend Linny has,
but I do see God at work in our lives and I do sit back, reflect and
continually thank my God for who he is and
how he makes all things work together!

December 26,2007 we received the call from Karla at Lifeline,
we had been on a wait list for Jorja.
Christmas day was so hard not knowing if God was going to send us down this path,
even though it was everything we wanted!
We had to continue to trust him to close and open doors as He unveiled His plan.
That morning I asked Bryan to please call Karla and see if she knew anything.
Knowing Karla would not be in the office the day after Christmas we thought we would at least leave a message so she knew we were serious. :)
My Mom and Papa Paul were visiting and we went out for a quick errand, while Bryan made the phone call.
I didn't make it out of the neighborhood and Bryan was calling my cell phone...
Karla had stopped by the office just as Bryan was calling...
coincidence? - I don't think so!!
The previous family to look over her records had prayed and prayed over Jorja's photo and file - but they were just not at peace that this was their little girl.
We told Karla to considered her MATCHED! and that began our journey to Jorja!
(FYI - the other family has since found their little treasure!)

December 26, 2008 Bryan and I boarded the plane on our way to China and to our little girl!

December 29, 2008 This this little girl walked into our live and grabbed a hold of our hearts!

She is growing into such a beautiful little girl!
Both inside and outside!
She is learing her ABC's and how to count!
She loves Calender Time, song time and story time.
She loves swimming in the pool or bath tub!
She love just being with her family!

She loves to match outfits with Jailyn,
She loves to do crafts with Kenzie,
She loves to play soccer with Conner,
and she loves to ride on Brady's tall shoulders!

She loves doing anything and with the family!
She loves having a family!

And a silly photo!

Thanks and Praise be to God for bringing this precious little girl into our family!

Ethiopia!!!

We are so excited!!!
Our adoption agency, Lifeline Children Services,
just opened up their Ethiopia program!!!
Now Lifeline works with:
Domestic adoptions and
China,
Ukraine,
Peru,
Uganda
and
Ethiopia!
The Lord is at work!!!

New look!

Conner has a new look!
Still cute but he's not too happy about his new glasses!

Hopefully, he will adjust to them quickly!
He really only needs them for reading.

He has also begun Vision Therapy.

This Therapy is to help train his eyes communicate
with his brain quicker.
He is expected to do therapy 10 minutes a day,
5 days a week,
for 3 months.
Thankfully, he can do this at home and
we don't have to go to a Dr's office
every day!
We are praying this helps give him the
edge that he needs to help him be
more successful!

Many Faces

Our ladies...


Our sweeties...


Our Rock Star...

What fun we have with Jorja's long hair!

Only 4 more weeks!

I can't believe in about 4 weeks I will be putting my babies on a plane to Guatemala!
The only time they have ever flown was with either myself or Dad.
The only times I have left them, besides going to China has been dropping them off at church camp!
I still get teary eyed on the first day of school.
Now I am sending them off to Guatemala!
What am I thinking????

I am thinking...
this is an incredible opportunity for them.
this is will change their outlook on life.
this will better understand themselves and others.
this will help them better understand God's love for them and for others.
this will help them be more compassionate to others.
I am sure that God will be working in all of us while they serve in Guatemala.
and I know there are incredible lessons that God has not revealed to us yet.

Please remember to pray for our family while we prepare for this trip.
Please pray as Brady and Kenzie are in Guatemala,
that God will use them to encourage the missionaries and children they will
be serving.

As we are still needing financial assistance, please feel free to email me
separately, if you would like to help.

soccermom@tx.rr.com


Missionaries Sam and Michelle with their "kids"
"I will not leave you as orphans." John 14:18

5 months

Can't believe that it has been 5 months since Jorja has been home!
Some days feels like we have known her forever and other days it feels like
just yesterday that she came home.

Jorja has accepted all of us and is trusting all of us really well.
She is very attached to Mommy! And is always excited to run errands with Mom!
She loves to be on the go - which is a must in this family!
Jorja loves...
the pool,
Barney and Elmo,
stuffed animals,
lemonade,
playing hide and seek,
singing,
coloring,
her Crocs,
her flip-flops,
dresses!!
playing dress-up,
asking "why",
noodles,
doritos,
hugs and kisses!!
The simple things of Life!

We are all excited to enjoy the relaxation of the summer together!

Here's a photo from 5 months ago...


And today...

White Trash

What do you do when you are
locked out of your house
... you have been watching soccer games all day

... and you are hot and sticky

... and there are six men on your house
putting on a new roof?


We go to our neighborhood pool
and
swim in our panties!

Jailyn had a wonderful time!
This was not a good idea to give her!

Jorja thought we were insane!
But enjoyed the fun when
Jailyn was laughing and playing!

I promise Kenzie and I just
put our feet in the water!
We kept our clothes on!

Oh, the things I allow now that I have 5 kids!
I would never had allowed this with only 3 kids!