Tag Team Parenting at it's best!

This wasn't the first time, 

and won't be the last, I'm sure! 

But to parent our kids for their individual needs  -

sometimes it means that Bryan and I go our different directions!! 

During the day Dad took us to a Car Show  -
a very, very hot Car Show!
 and some goofing off along the way!

Three little monkeys!!

This was Griggs' favorite!!

Hagan was getting over heated!!
Thankfully Big Brother is always willing to help him out!!


Mom bribed everyone with the promise of yummy popsicles if they had good attitudes!!

We love this shop downtown!!

After a relaxed dinner at home,

 Bryan took Conner, Donovan and Jorja to an FC Dallas soccer game! 

With fireworks!!
2-0 WIN for FC Dallas!!!
Whoop! Whoop!!

I took Jailyn, Elijah, Hagan, Laynee, Griggs and Miles to see a movie!! 

I wanted to see Toy Story 4, but they choose Secret Life of Pets!

and NO fireworks!!

and a some what normal bed time!

Some of our kids can enjoy fireworks up close,

and some can enjoy them from a far,

and some ... just the thought of fireworks causes incredible anxiety!!

Some of our kids can handle crowds, 

and some need small events,

and some need silence to be able to regulate themselves.

We're just a family trying to allow some kids to have bigger experiences and 

allow all of our kids to feel safe in their environment!

And though I had more kids with me,
I had some one the easiest! haha!
And definitely the ones who like taking selfies with momma!!

Fun and good memories were had by all!!
Isn't that what freedom is all about!! 

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! 

Sigma Theta Tau International

Last night we were able to celebrate Kenzie at her

Sigma Theta Tau 

Si Iota Chapter

Induction Ceremony! 

Wow!!!! 

Top 35% of her class!!

Kenzie has worked so hard in nursing school!

Though I think some of her work just comes naturally!! 

 (So happy Conner was able to join us!!

He's a busy college kid too but he always takes time for his sister!)

Nursing is a gift and Kenzie was definitely blessed with this gift!! 

Balancing science and compassion 

comes easy to Kenzie!! 

Kenzie and Camden! 

Aren't they cute!! 

Love ya Cam!

Sooooo proud of you Kenzie!!! 

Ephesians 4:10

"God has made us what we are.

In Christ, Jesus, God made us new people so that we would do good works.

God had planned in advance those good works for us.

He had planned for us to live our lives doing them."

 (ICB)

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!!)

Eighteen

18

Eighteen

Seriously???

How did this happen! 

My baby turned 18 yesterday! 

I am amazed at what a good guy,

our Conner has become!

And I can't believe my baby is 

graduating high school in a few months!! 

Really? 

How did this happen? 

Conner doesn't think I'll cry when he leaves 

for college...

He may change his thoughts when graduation comes along!

Spring Photos!

Last week the kids schools had spring photo day.

I am just too cheap to buy those photos!

Maybe I'm actually being a good steward of our funds...

yes, we'll say that!! 

Over the past few days I was able to get some 

much more fun 

spring photos -

and I didn't have to spend 

maga bucks to get not very good photos.

We sure don't see real snow very often in Texas - 

and after an ice storm earlier in the week,

we were so very excited to get a few inches of 

real snow!!!!

Conner wasn't too into photos,

but at least the kids got him out to help them 

build their snowman!

 Love the snowman's mohawk!!!

We really had given up hope on getting real snow this year!!

What a fun surprised!!! 

Christmas vacation 2014

It's been a loooong, loooong time since we have taken a family vacation!

One with a real hotel and everything!

But it was in order this year! 

We all needed some time out of the house and spending time

having fun together!

While in the middle of an adoption it is hard to justify spending money -

but you have to enjoy life as a family,

that is extremely important too,

especially when you are adding two more. 

Everyone needs to know they are special!

So, we drove 5 hours to Sea World San Antonio!

Can you tell who was in charge!!!

Jorja, Donovan and Elijah went on their very first roller coaster!

(along with Dad, Kenzie and Conner) 

While Mom, Jailyn, Hagan and Griggs enjoyed a more mellow exploration...

photos inside a snow globe!

Hagan started a "snowball" fight!

Little stinker!

We all enjoyed the shows and learned so much!

Jailyn is soooo confused now -

she wanted to be a veterinarian,

but now is thinking maybe a marine biologist.

The kids enjoyed more rides,

some enjoyed them more then others! haha!

Elijah really enjoyed this one!

And even mom went on a ride!

What was I thinking - 40 degrees and we go on the water ride! What????

Mom, Dad, Jorja, Elijah and Jailyn went on this one.

Needless to say, 

Elijah and Jailyn freaked out on the first incline.

Along with the young teen sitting next to me

who was riding alone. 

So we were trying to comfort them,

knowing that none of us could get off.

Donovan had chickened out at the last minute -

but decided to get wet too!

 The next day we went to the Alamo and hung out at the River Walk.

It was so pretty! 

Every one enjoyed the boat ride along the river!

(I was unable to take any photo...

but that is another post).

Our last day, 

as we headed home we 

Dad, Kenzie, Conner, Donovan and Jorja went to explore 

some caverns.

Since, Hagan and Griggs would not be able to walk the caverns

we decided to split up -

I took Jailyn, Elijah, Hagan and Griggs to the Wildlife Ranch 

and see some more animals!!

We loved driving through the grounds and having the animals come see us!

Some got a little too close for comfort!

Again, 

Jailyn was in heaven!!! 

 We all had a great time!

Unfortunately, Brady works retail and couldn't come with us. :( 

We can't wait for our next family vacation

that will include Brady, Laynee and Miles!!