Special Delivery

This is the conversation I overheard from Hunter and his cousin Nash. Hunter: "Nash, did you know that we are getting a baby sister from China?" Nash: "Yeah, but when is she going to be here?" Hunter: "We don't know, but when she is ready we get to go on an airplane to China to get her." Nash: (after a little thought and in all seriousness) "Why don't you just ask if they can mail her?"

The second day of school....

Today was Brylie's second day of preschool. Her first day had went wonderfully and she couldn't wait to go back. When I picked her up today I excitedly asked her how her day went and she sadly replied, "I had some fun, but I had to hold my eye closed for a long time because tears were trying to come out because I missed you so much."

Favorite Photo Friday

This is Gage and Brylie's secret hideout in the closet.

Found a contest

I found a cool contest that I thought you all might enjoy. I LOVE scrapbooking and would LOVE to win this contest! If you are a scrapbooker and would like to win an abundance of supplies, click on the link on my sidebar.

First day of school pictures

My babies went off to school today. Hunter was more than ready, Brylie was a little apprehensive, and me, I have been holding back tears all morning!

It's all about the backpacks!

Mommy with her school kids!

Brylie standing outside her classroom.

Hunter is ready to go in to Kindergarten.

Brylie with her preschool teacher.

Hunter with his teacher.

Girl's Getaway Pictures

Well we had a WONDERFUL time, to say the least! I am sharing the pictures and Heidi, the writer, is in charge of putting the memories into a clever little story. From rain storms, to mice in the van, to very few English speaking servers, to getting lost in the woods, to lots and lots of laughs, this was definitely a trip to remember!

I'm off....

I'm off to spend the long weekend with my two best friends from high school, Heidi Jo and Carrie. We have been having babies for the last 7 years and haven't had the opportunity to spend more than a couple hours together since then! Between the three of us, the youngest baby is now 1 1/2 and can manage without mommy for a few days. The daddies are on duty and have fun things planned while the mommies are away. This girls getaway will involve food, fun, and lots of visiting. The three of us were inseparable all through Jr. high and high school and still have that close bond today. Oh, and we will be celebrating Heidi Jo's 30th birthday. She is the baby of our bunch! I will take pictures and share of our adventures next week! Have a wonderful weekend!

Pretty cool......

On Friday we got this cool globe at Aunt Kristi's rummage sale and the kids were SO excited to be able to find China and see how far it is away from us. Well, at bedtime when it was time for prayers Hunter grabbed the globe and put his hand over China while he prayed for his baby sister. (yeah, it was a tear jerker I tell ya!) His prayer went like this: "Dear God, please be with our baby sister in China, keep her healthy and protect her from the wind storms, amen." Brylie looked at him and said, "why did you pray about wind storms?" and Hunter said "I don't know, it just came in my mind." This is where the cool part comes in....earlier that day I was reading some information on the internet about China and read that parts of China are under a Typhoon threat. I could hardly believe my ears when I heard him pray for her protection from this typhoon! I explained to Hunter and Brylie what was happening in China and told Hunter that God had spoke to his heart and that is why he knew that he needed to pray for the "wind storms". He didn't understand it all but I was so choked up I could hardly talk. Isn't it amazing how God can use the smallest of His people to pray for some mighty big things!

A weekend photo

We all got a good laugh when Gage came out wearing Mr. Potato Head's glasses!

All School Reunion

Last weekend Robb and I attended his all school reunion. Of course we hesitated when we got the invitation months ago, wasn't it just the "old" people that took advantage of 'all school reunions'? Well, we called some friends to see if they were interested in going and once we knew that there would be a group of people our age there, we sent in our RSVP along with our money and put it on the calendar. We actually were really looking forward to it. It turned out to be a fun night of visiting and catching up with kids that Robb went to school with and also some teachers that he had. There was a great range of ages there, graduates from 1973-2000, which I thought was very impressive. Many of the alumni shared their favorite memories at Hamlin High.

Those there from the class of '94.

Brian, Dwayne and Robb were best friends all through school and continue to be great friends today.

Some kids never grow up! :)

Robb's sisters, Cindy and Kristi, were festive in their old Hamlin High gear.

Frazzled Farm wife was there. (she wanted me to tell you that all of those beers weren't hers.....yeah right Chris :) Amy (Life in the Country) and her husband Trevor, looking beautiful as always.

Favorite Photo Friday

The kids and I recently went to visit my 89 year old grandma in the nursing home. She loves to see the kids and always gives them lots of hugs. Hunter and Brylie usually serenade her with a tune or two and Gage just makes her laugh with his silliness! My grandma used to be one of the hardest working people I know. All of my memories of her as a child are of her moving 90 miles an hour getting everything done, rarely taking a break. It is hard to see her confined to a wheel chair. When I asked her how she was doing she replied with, "fine, but I have buttitis from too much sitting!" I guess she hasn't lost her sense of humor!

AUGUST

August is the month that completes summer, the end of wheat harvest, the birthday of my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and grandpa, HOT, HOT, HOT, school supply shopping, the State Fair, family vacations, HUMID, HUMID, HUMID, the end of life for my potted flowers, the first day of school, Heidi Jo's 30th birthday, our girls weekend getaway, VBS at church, the anticipation of Fall, the fight to keep the grass green, beautiful late night sunsets, the countdown to corn and bean harvest, the prayer for good rains to finish out the crops, the disbelief that summer has come to an end, the month of lasts and firsts.

AMEN!

Our nephew Booker is spending the week with us and last night his bedtime prayers went like this, "Dear God, please learn Gagey to not poopy in his pants anymore. Amen."

I'M BACK!

Hello everyone! I am doing MUCH BETTER this week. Hunter successfully finished his t-ball season with some SUPER wins. He really wishes the season would go on FOREVER! Wheat harvest is going GREAT and should be done tomorrow. YEAH! The wheat looks WONDERFUL and the price is TERRIFIC! Praise God! Our home inspection went REALLY WELL. Our social worker, Alicia, is really great and the whole process turned out to be very non-threatening, much to my worries! Hunter and Brylie did a GOOD JOB on their interview and kept Alicia smiling the whole time. She had to take them into another room to do their interview so I was a little nervous about some of their responses but she said they did a wonderful job and it is obvious they are both looking forward to the arrival of their little sister from China. We are one step CLOSER to our little girl! This week is much more laid back. We have our nephew Booker staying with us for the week while his parents and sisters are at Bible Camp. He's been a little sad missing his family, but is having a FUN time playing with the kids. He is such a GOOD boy and it is a JOY having him around. Anyway, nothing too exciting to post about today, just wanted to give you an update and thank you all for your well wishes during my crazy week last week. Can you believe tomorrow is AUGUST?!?!

Blogging Break......

Yes, it's true...I NEED a blogging break this week! For some reason this week is jam packed and I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Hunter has 3 t-ball games, Robb is starting wheat harvest, and our Social Worker is coming on Friday morning to do a thorough inspection of our home for our adoption paperwork. I am least excited about the house inspection! She also has to interview Hunter and Brylie about the adoption, this should be interesting! Anyway, I will fill you all in on how it goes and will continue to keep up with your posts. Have a GREAT week!

Favorite Photos Friday

"Oh, I LOVE chocolate cake!"

Legacy of An Adopted Child

Once there were two women who never knew each other. One you do not remember, the other you call mother. Two different lives shaped to make you one. One became your guiding star, the other became your sun. The first one gave you life and the second taught you to live it. The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it. One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name. One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim. One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears. One made an adoption plan, that was all she could do. The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you. Now, which of these two women are you the product of? Both, my darling, both, just two different types of love.

(I apologize for not having the author for this beautiful piece.)

Can you feel the love?

Yesterday morning as I was just about to step into the shower, Brylie comes walking into the bathroom and in her sweet, little voice says, "Mom, you sure have big buns!".

BIRTHDAY FUN!

The weekend was full of Birthday Fun! Hunter turned 6 and celebrated with his first ever friends party on Saturday at Tun O Fun and a family party at the Zoo on Sunday. Hunter and 7 of his closest friends played in the over-sized play area, won tickets with the games, pick out some really cool prizes and enjoyed cupcakes together. I sent 7 sweaty boys back home with their parents and took my 3 tired kids with me. It was a success! On Sunday we celebrated with my family at the Zoo. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed our time of food, fellowship, and FUN!

Six Years Old!

It was October of 2000 when we found out we were expecting our first child. This child had been prayed for for many years and we were thrilled! I was in my second year of teaching and those first months were tough because I was SO tired all the time. Luckily my "morning" sickness started at about 4:30 pm everyday, so I was able to get my work done and be home by the time the nauseousness started for the night. It was pretty miserable for the first 4 months and then I felt WONDERFUL and enjoyed the rest of my pregnancy. My actual due date was July 24th so when I woke up at 2:30 am on July 14th with contractions I could hardly believe it. Robb and I were so excited we were giddy! We waited until about 7:00 am to go into the hospital and sure enough today was the day! About 5 and 1/2 hours later little Hunter Ron entered the world at 6lbs 13 oz. Of course we thought he was beautiful and I was completely in love with this little person. Now at 6 years old Hunter is a very smart, imaginative, creative, loves the Lord kind of guy! If you know Hunter he asks A LOT of questions and is really concerned about everything! Looking past the aggressive all-boy behaviors, he has a very tender heart and really wants to make the world a better place. He is the boy who vows to visit his mom EVERY day when he is a man. I love my first born son and couldn't be more proud of him! Happy Birthday Hunter! (I will post birthday party pictures tomorrow)