Dance! Dance! Dance!

When Jorja and Jailyn woke up
Saturday morning and
the first thing they noticed were their new
tutu's!

And all day...

they waited...

and waited...

until it was time to dance!!

And they danced!

and danced!!

Until our friends rockin' band finished
their set!
Sometime After, y'all rock!!!

(and Mimi, just to break your heart -
at bedtime I asked Jailyn if she had fun -
she responded,
"I wish Mimi could have seen me dance!"
Out of the mouths of babes!!!)

Christmas letters.. HELP!

I love receiving Christmas letters!
I love hearing parents brag on their kids
who have accomplished so much in the
previous year!
I love receiving photos of growing families!
I love hearing from people that I haven't heard
from since last years Christmas card.

Kenzie and I even made a new card
holder to display our received cards
in a very predominate place!

But,

I confess...

I hate writing our letters!

Seems I have made a reputation for myself.
I'm not one who enjoys just writing a simple letter
about our past years vacations and such...
I.have.to. do something creative...

but I am running out of ideas!

I have already gone through 2 ideas this year
and am still not happy with the end results.

If you have any suggestions, please help me!
True, I'm not totally creative on my own -
I am not too ashamed to copy!
I'd perfer to say that you will be
inspiring me!

Thanks for your inspirations!

Oh my dear!!!

While Kenzie and I went running errands yesterday.

No, didn't participate in "Black Friday" -

we didn't even get going until 10:30am.

Or major objectives were to get much needed haircuts

and Kenzie had to finish her

latest painting project at our

local pottery painting store.

We also had to stop by Target

and Walmart for a few things -

while out we add a stop for lunch

and to Kohl's and a quick run to Loews.

And more Christmas projects dancing

through our heads.

Well, I guess we took to long because

when we had gotten home,

this is the welcome we received...

Bryan and Brady were busy getting

Christmas decor boxes down from the attic,

Bryan decided this was the day

we would clean out the attic!

Though I do love these days that come too few

and far between when my hubby is

willing to throw something away...

but really today?

So Kenzie and I dug in to 23 totes/boxes

of children's clothing!

While Jorja's head was about to explode

from over stimulation of

soooooo many clothes!

Jorja was a willing participate when

asked to try some clothes on -

Jailyn took a bit more encouragement.

But, when Kenzie said the words,

"Fashion Show"

The girls giggles got louder and louder!

They were very modest changing in the bathroom

and coming out with some

of their outfits.

Trying on clothes way past their bed time!

Enjoy!

We love hand-me overs!!!

We also had to take some time

to show the girls Kenzie's

portrait album to proof to them

that Kenzie once worn most

of these clothes.

And we were able to condense the

23 totes/boxes into

14!!!

I hope my hubby is happy!

I know I am!

Now I can fit more things up there! :)

(Brady's not happy that he has to help Dad put them all back up.

Builds character boy!)

Now... off the the Christmas decorations!

Wish I was going too!

My dear, bloggy friend is on her way...
On her way to meet her little boy for the first time!

Another little boy who will know...

what it feels like to have a family,

who will be held at night during a storm.

Who will be given meals three times a day.

Who will not know what hunger feels like again.

Who will be taught right from wrong.

Who will learn to read.

Who will learn to love others and
himself.

Shonni - We are praying for you as you travel to
Keshawn!

And can't wait to see your precious
boy in your arms.

Trick or Treat and "Happy Thanksgiving"

Yesterday we were able to help deliver Thanksgiving Baskets,
filled with fixin's for Thanksgiving Dinner
to an area in our town that struggles financially.

A story of amazing coincidence
My friend, Christina, organized this outreach,
our small church was able to put together 17 baskets!
(I love our small church!)
First plans for the baskets fell through but
Christina was able to reach out to another
community and they were over
joyed to receive these baskets.

They recently had new residents move in -

and they were short 17 baskets!

Coincidence????
I don't think so!

Teenage story!

Brady and his friend, Alex, who had spent the night.
Also saw some friends, A and B from school,
who were not with any other group but were
helping the community managers pass out baskets.

One the way home Brady and Alex told me that
A and B are from another area of town
that is also struggling financially.

What amazing kids!
They need help -
but they are also willing to help others!

Now for the cute story!
Getting every up early on a vacation day was not joyful!
But, after giving out a few baskets -
joy was in abundance!

Jorja was skipping down the streets while holding my hand...
I asked her if this was as fun as Trick or Treating?
She said,
"Yes, Trick or Treating I get cenny (candy)...
But...
today, I say "Happy Thanksgiving,
God Bless you!
This is fun!!!"

Ohhhh! I can't wait to go caroling with this girl!

Happy Thanksgiving to y'all!

Why wouldn't I?

My friend, Lucy, shared this video today! I just had to share it too!
At our church this month we have weekly been sharing the miracle of adoption and asking people to really pray about where God wants them to be in the life of an orphan.
I wish we had seen this video earlier to be able to show it this month for National Adoption Awareness month.
I love this song!
And now I have an answer for Jorja when she asks me "why did I fly to China to
go get her?"

(okay, I also have to celebrate! This is the first you tube video that I have been able to embed on my blog! Yeah! I love simple tutorals!

I love this!

and this...

ohhh my ....

and this...

Aren't they just beautiful?
Amy at Ethiopia or Bust
is having a Give Away!
And this necklace of Ethiopia is the prize!

Go to her blog to see how you
can enter the Give Away!

Honey, if I don't win -
I will NEED one for Christmas!

We can purchase one here!

Oh man!!!

I love this one!

"What about your bio kids?"

When asked how adopting Jailyn and Jorja
has effected our bio kids -
I must say...

our family has become a closer family unit.
The big kids are busy with their activities and
having the little girls really helps keep us grounded.

We find time for coloring,
reading bed time stories,
and doing
chalk drawings on the drive way.


I am a very proud mama when the big kids
take opportunities to teach the younger kids.

Brady is teaching the girls how to spell
in sign language!
Kenzie teaches them while drawing and coloring.
Conner teaches them the rules of the house,
and why they cannot run away from momma
in the parking lot.


It is amazing how they have treated Jailyn and Jorja
just like their sisters that they have known forever!
Maybe the wait period is a good thing for our big kids!


What most excites me is...

when the big kids talk about how many kids they
will have when they grow up -

they always say,
"I want X number of adopted kids,
and X number of biological kids."
(in that order)

What I learn from my kids... Conner J

As parents we are supposed to be the
ones that teach our kids.

But,

oh how they teach me...

Conner J continues to teach me...

Many times we do need to look at things as
black and white,
right and wrong,
sometimes there is no gray area!

Get your emotions out!
Talk about it!
Have a hissy fit if need be!
Just get it out!
Keeping it bottled up inside is not a good thing!

Love my mommy!
Take time to cuddle with my family!
(okay, so we define "cuddle" a little different)

Enjoy the little things life has to offer!

Enjoy a good book at bed time.
(even if it does get you to stay up later then your supposed too.)

Look out for the underdog!

Be willing to grow and learn!

Want to be a better person!

Jailyn'ism

"Can I have a treat?"
(she is referring to trick or treat candy)

"No, you haven't eaten your lunch yet!"

With a big pouty lip!
"You're going to make me cry."

oh she is learning to work it!!
which older kiddo do you think
she gets this from?

Are you done?

This is another common question that we receive
from friends, family, strangers...

"Are you done?"

I guess I respond to this question differently
then it was intended.

Once your heart has been touched,
you have loved,
you have sought out
the heart of the orphan -
how can I ever be done!

Will we adopt again?
That is up to the Lord!
Yes,
we are planning to adopt again! :)

When?
That is up to God!

Are you working towards another adoption?
Yes, if we want God to use us -
we can't just sit back and take it easy.
We must be taking action to be His vessel.

I don't want to be a dusty,
old vessel sitting on a shelf,
next to a dusty, old book
and neither being used.

Tonight we are having a FUNd raiser
for families at our church
who are in different stage of
the adoption process.
We belong to a very small church -
about 100 people
(including kids)
There are now 6 families who are
following God's command
to care for the orphans.
6 (or more) kiddos will have
forever families!
I get chills just typing those words!

If you are local and would like to join us
as we raise FUNd's for these beautiful families,
and you too can learn more about adoption.
Please email me and I will give you the information.

soccermom@tx.rr.com

What I learn from my kids

As parents we are supposed to be the ones that teach our kids.

But,

oh how they teach me...

Brady continues to teach me too...

love unconditionally,

to be happy,

to laugh,

(okay, so he went through a stage where he didn't

want to smile for the camera!)

to share my feelings,

to stand for my convictions,

to hug special people in my life,

to rely on God and allow Him to do as

He will with me.

Love you kiddo!

I'm tired...

I want to sit.

I want to veg.

I want to stop.

I want to be a hermit.

I want to be silent.

God wants me to get up!

God wants me to be involved!

God wants me to go!

God wants me out and about!

God wants me to speak with His love!

Even though days seem hard,

there is nothing compared to

the love and strength of my God!

I will do as He asks!

I will get up and mother my kids!

Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go

and when he is old he will not turn from it."

I will be involved in my church and our adoption ministry!

Hebrews 10:25, "Let us not give up meeting together,

as some in the habit of doing, but let us

encourage one another..."

I will GO and be the voice of 143,000,000 orphans!

Proverbs 31:8, "Speak up for those who cannot

speak for themselves."

I will share His love with everyone I see!

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he

gave his one and only Son, that whoever

believes in him shall not perish

but have eternal life."

Another First for Jorja!

Jorja was excited, nervous, serious, silly...

and now...

she is feeling very feminine!

Jailyn got a haircut too!

They are both very happy with their new haircuts!

Trick or Treating!

Jailyn has been telling Jorja all about Halloween for months!

Jorja was amazed when Jailyn told her that they get lots of candy!

She of course wasn't totally sure if she should believe or not!

It just sounds too good to be true!

The girls were excited to pick out their own costumes.

Jailyn wanted to be a monkey again!

and Jorja wanted to be a butterfly.

Though the dress she chose from their dress up box wasn't much

of a butterfly costume - it did have wings.

So all was good!

Conner and Kenzie love to go out with their friends!

Unfortunately, Kenzie was sick all day,

pulled it together for an hour - and had fun with her brother and friends!

ACT II

Daddy came back with the girls for a potty break...

and the girls decided they needed a

costume change!