back at it!

It's been a long time since I've posted on my blog...

and ohhhh how I miss it!! 

Not sure if you miss my posts but I miss this type of scrapbooking! 

In the past few years as a family we have experienced a roller coaster life  -

so many ups and so many downs!!

But through it all we it all we have 

helped each other through our struggles,

respect each others pasts,

continue in honesty 

and grow closer as a family.  

(even if we are a little chaotic!)

Family is everything!!!

So, let me introduce or re-introduce you to my family!!! 

We, Bryan and I, have been married almost 29 years!

(July 27th is our anniversary!)

We have three biological kids!

Amazing kids who have grown into incredible adults!

Brady, Kenzie and Conner

Brady is married to our sweet Terrinika,

and have two beautiful kiddos - Hakia and King!

And are expecting their third precious treasure, Bella Mae! 

We are blessed with 8 children through international adoption. 

(China and Ethiopia)

Jorja, Donovan, Jailyn, Elijah, Hagan, Laynee, Griggs and Miles.

(photo includes our grands)

and our precious treasure, Ivory Marie, who never made it home to us but 

 has been walking with Jesus for almost 2 years.

We are passionate for the orphan, and for special needs children and adults.

We are learning how to navigate through the broken world of mental health, but will do what we can do for our son.  

Welcome to our world! 

Christmas Eve Eve!

With kids getting older and building their own holiday traditions 

we are so thankful for this time 

on Christmas Eve Eve!!

Brady, Terrinika, Hakia and King came over to 

celebrate Brady's 24th birthday and Christmas!!

Jailyn is getting good at running family games!!!

Brothers in serious conversation that 

didn't end in an argument! 

Christmas miracle!!! 

(my Christmas lights didn't make it through the season! 

Mantel lights out and strips of lights out on the tree! 

Whatever!!) 

I love my grands!!!

I can't believe I didn't get a photo of Terrinika! 

Stole this one - 

cause Girl, you are beautiful! 

Inside and out!! 

or  my beautiful Kenzie!!! 

(stole this photo too!!

Hey, it's my blog I can do what I want!! Haha!!)

Our Big Announcement!!

October 28, 2016

The day our first born became a husband!

Brady and his finance, Terrinika,

surprised us with news that they were going to get married 

sooner then planned! 

We are very excited to announce the beautiful union of 

Brady Alexander 

and 

Terrinika Michelle

Wow!!!! 

They kinda look a like!

My baby!!! 

Haika and King - aren't they angels!!

Our new grand babies!

(ages 6 and 5)

Our daughter-in-love, Terrinika Michelle 

and her babies!

Off to get married!!

And this is about where I started to cry! 

 FYI - It's really hard to take photos while crying!

I think Terrinika was about to cry too.

Judge Paul Raleeh was amazing! 

He shared with them how marriage is not

about finding the right person 

but being the right person!

Marriage is not taken lightly 

and is work to be done together.

He then prayed over them!

And Brady prayed over their marriage too! 

(I may have gone into the ugly cry at this moment!

Proud momma

and feeling Truly Blessed!)

the ring...

the kiss...

and it's official!! 

Introducing Brady and Terrinika Anderson

and family!!! 

Brady, Terrinika, Hakia and King

We are all excited to be one BIG family!! 

Legal!

How did this happen?

My Christmas baby turned 21!!!

 How did this happen?

I will not blink again - 21 years flies by!!

Family Day!

One of my goals last September when I started my new business 

with Plexus -

was that I would be able to treat the entire family to 

a day a near by water park!

And guess where we went a few days ago!!!

the entire family was there!!!

even our "honorary son" Alex!

Dad was able to take the day off,

which made it extra special!

I think this face says it all!!!

And to see this boy,

run around the kids area,

without a care in the world!!!!

I love to see him be independent!!!!

Needless to say,

this boy was in heaven!!

Barely stopping to eat lunch -

Elijah had the best day e.v.e.r.!!!

Have I ever told you how much he loves water! 

haha!! 

Dad loves water parks too! 

(Mom not so much - but I was happy to stay in the kid area and 

hang out with Elijah, Hagan and Griggs!)

Jailyn is finally 48'ish inches tall 

and able to ride some rides!!!

Ohhhh happy day!!!

Dad and Jailyn

Jorja and Kenzie

Brady and Alex spent most of their day in the Lazy River!

Needless to say -

Brady got more sun that he had expected -

especially on his feet. 

Ooooouuuucccchhh!!

Captured this beauty,

when she was running from one slide to another!

Sweet girl,

helped momma with the younger kids! 

It's been a long, emotional summer for this girlie -

but she is getting back to her sweet, spunky self!!

And these two are inseperable!

Ohhhh how are they going to be a part from each other 

when Kenzie leaves this next week for college. 

sniff! sniff!!

We all had smiles on our faces all day!!! 

We needed this!!!

The key...

After 20+ years of taking photos with my kiddo's -

I finally found what worked to get a photo

of everyone looking at the camera!!! 

I promised them a trip to the neighborhood pool,

if everyone smiled nicely!!!

And it worked!! 

Can't wait for our newest family member to be in the photo!!

Incredibly blessed am I!!!

Now that's better...

Two events recently happened,

that makes my life soooo much easier!!! 

1)  Brady bought his first car!

We were amazed at how well he took care of everything...

found the car,

took it to a mechanic,

got the loan...

everything! 

My boy is all grown up!

2) Kenzie got her license!!!

Ohhhh yes!!!! 

Way to go Kenzie!!! 

This makes my life so much easier!!! 

At least for one semester,

I don't have to do high school drop off and pick up!

Big Bro!

Big bro's are the best!

Especially when they

read the Bible 

to their little bro!

Back to school!

Can't believe summer of 2012 is gone :(

but,

it is good to be back to a schedule and back to learning!

Well, a few of us are ready to be back to school!

Kenzie - 

excited for her Jr. year!

(she dropped the crutches for the photo opt -

but the cast - still there! 

and there for 3 more weeks!)

Conner J -

Big Man on Campus! 

8th grade! 

Last year in Middle School! 

Jorja 

Taking 2nd grade by storm!

Donovan 

First grade - watch out! 

Jailyn Hope 

First grade -

my she looks all grown up! :(

Elijah is the most excited to get back to school!

He LOVEs his pre-school!

Brady seemed to escape photos this morning -

don't worry -I'll get him!

Just cause he's in college he thinks he doesn't get his photo done-

haha!

I'll catch you buddy!