Beach Day!

We had such a fun day at a nearby lake this past week, 

and I love when I can pull out my nice camera and get some 

sweet photos of the kids!! 

Photos of the family in our little yard 

throughout the Coronovirus season is getting old!

My creativity is running low!! LOL!

Since Texas allows us,

we got to be with my daughter in law and grands!! 

Ohhh happy day!! 

Baby girl is 7 months old now!! And oohhh so beautiful!

A day of adventure,

exploring,

smiles,

facing and conquering fears,

and not one argument!!! 

Notice the mermaid look!!!  

Silly kids!!

Best day!!! 

So what we all needed!!

And of course some gymnastics photos!! 

Mountains to climb (literally)

Well, maybe not mountains 

but they did climb!!

Shhhhhh! Don’t tell Laynee but according to her 

medical records in China and the US- 

she is not supposed to be able to do this!! 

Shhhhh!!!

And climbed!! 

I just love when I look over and the bigs are helping 

the littles! 

Kenzie was the only one who really knew what she was doing! 

And climbed some more!  

Don’t tell Hagan but with his back surgeries he 

shouldn’t be able to do this either!! 

Go Jorja!! 

Miles got up twice! 

An amazing accomplishment for my baby!! 

He was so scared but was willing to give it a try! 

And he rocked it!! "Rocked"it - Ha!Ha!) 

This is family!

Jailyn using her muscles in different ways than she does at gymnastics!

She sure enjoyed ringing the bell at the top! ha!ha!

Donovan just doesn't stop!

He's so pretty! 

Griggs will not be our done!! 

Even though finger grip is not one of his strong points,

he did amazing!  

And boy did his thighs hurt later! 

We definitely got our money's worth as all 4 littles were able
to climb, as young first timers, for $5!!

What a fun day building memories!!!
(FYI - Elijah was at school and Conner was studying for his M-CAT)

Dream Car

I can still remember the first time I rode in a 12 passenger van!

It was so cool!!

How much fun could be had 

in a vehicle that big!

I love road trips,

and I love driving!

But how much better with a big ole' van

to hold my big ole' dream family!

Well, after 25 years of marriage,

our dreams have grown together!

(Though I do see why Bryan likes his 2 passenger 

pick up truck! 

It's pretty quiet in there!)

A few weeks before we left for China

Bryan called to check on our "new" van to see when 

it would be delivered! 

We had ordered it months ago!

Needless to say, 

the dealer told him that there had been some mistake 

and the van had never been ordered.

Ummmmmmm -

we kinda need at least 8 buckles for in the back of a vehicle!

Our SUV only had 6!

Ummmmmmm -

what are we going to do?

After 6 other adoptions and 

our recent flooding drama -

we just laughed.

God knows our needs and He knows these kiddos need to be home.

HE's got it covered!

We'll just wait for him to reveal it to us! 

Bryan made some calls to other dealers and found out

that not only one big ole' van was on it's way

to our next of the woods -

but THREE!!!

That's right - we could take our pick!!

See, God is so good!! 

So, this past Saturday,

we picked up our new vehicle!

Technically, it doesn't fit all of our family -

but seeing that Brady and Kenzie are in college and

very rarely ride with us -

we are good. 

The kids love it,

and so do momma and baba!!!

and it's not too hard to drive -

though I am thankful for the handicapped parking! hee!hee!

 for now the kids chose their seats - 

momma will be making assigned seats in a week or so. 

You can barely see my Griggsy and Elijah!

Miles is happy - just giving one of his goofy faces!! 

And entertaining Miss. Lainey!

The big kids are normally buckled! Just stood up for the photo!

Party goers in our van!!! 

Coming home from Kids Praise Camp!! 

And a shout out to the job I have enjoyed for the past 22 months!

Bryan is not stressed about this car payment,

because it is easily paid with my Plexus pay check! 

Cause God is sooooooooo good!!!!  

Our new family motto: 

Have van will travel!!! 

Be warned we may show up when you least expect it!

Spring Break 2015

After snow/ice days weeks before -

I, personally, wasn't ready for Spring Break...

but the kids were!!

We had a nice time at home just hanging out and 

doing a few things around town!

Here's just a snippet of what we were able to do!

Jailyn attended the local SPCA camp!

(Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

She loved every minute of it!!

And we were strong - and don't have a new puppy!

Though it is hard to say "no"!

Jailyn wants to be a foster momma - 

maybe one day,

but right now, I'm not ready for that,

but I love her heart!!

We went to see Paddington with our friends Jackie and Joshua.

and lunch too!

What a great movie!!

Jailyn was at her camp,

and disappointed that she missed the movie - 

but reassured when I told her that we would 

by it when it comes out in DVD!

Even Conner had noting but good things to say about the movie,

and he is our movie critic!

Elijah was doing so well that he was rewarded with his own 

play date with his buddy Joshua!

I love these two!!!

Donovan and Jorja love art!

We were able to get them into an art class!

They sure loved it and are very proud of their work!

Great job Donovan and Jorja!!!

Between rain days, we were able 

to get in a park day with friends!

We love our park days!!!

Jailyn has been wanting to go ice skating -

and was able to go with some gym friends!

Happy Birthday to our friend J!

one of the best things about our gymnastics team -

is the sweet friendships they have all made!

S was a good skater and helped Jailyn!

It was so sweet to see these two sweet girls!

Along with making many, many creatures and projects 

from old boxes and construction paper -

Hagan and Elijah's favorite thing to do 

we all had a great 

 Spring Break!

We are incredibly blessed

and thankful to all of my Plexus business,

without Plexus we would have been stuck at home -

not being able to afford any of these fun things!

Incredibly grateful that Plexus supplements

make me healthy -

but the business opportunity allows me to afford to 

to give my kiddos things that I couldn't otherwise!!

Incredibly blessed! 

1. 
   

Snow ice-cream!

You can say I am genius!!

Or 

You can see me for who I really am -

a busy momma who totally forgot that I saved some 

snow in the freezer to 

make Snow Ice Cream...

either way - 

it worked great!!

Just when the kids are disappointed that 

the snow is all gone...

Mom pulled out the big guns!!!

sure made my kiddos feel better when their snowman when from this...

to this...

Like any one who has tried Plexus supplements - 

you loose your head over these products and 

can't keep it to yourself,

and of course, look at our snowman waist!!

Skinny Snowman now!! 

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!!