Monday, May 31, 2010

Happy Memorial Day to everyone




Giving my mom a smooch!!!











Riding my pony!!!












Just looking cute!!!
Hope everyone is enjoying this holiday weekend. We are for sure! We have done ALOT of yard work, cooked alot of food that we still need to work on eating, and just kind of kicked back and did what the mood struck us to do. Jennifer has enjoyed having a 3 day weekend and wish that happened every weekend! Ha! Don't we all?!?!?!


We would like to thank our service men who have served our country and are currently serving our country that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have each and every day. If not for them, life as we know it would not exist.


Here are some pics of the newest US citizen in our family. She is very patriotic today in her red, white and blue dress!!!! Enjoy.......



Sunday, May 30, 2010

Fun photos




Excuse me, can you tell me what time dinner is? I'll make sure I have my feet off the table by then.














Saturday nite, my mom is cooking dinner-WHAT? My mom never cooks, I better sit down and watch all the action.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

How do you like me now????







Hi guys, this is Elizabeth. My mom and dad have been busy working in the yard today and I decided to just chill out in my pool and watch them work. Here are some pictures of me enjoying myself.....................isn't this the life??!!








Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Take a look at me now




All tuckered out after being sick for the last 3 days
Girls afternoon watching movies







My first swimming lesson
Practicing eating with a spoon and the yogurt was yummy!!!!!





My first time out-had to happen sometime?!?!??!

Friday, May 21, 2010

What a difference a year makes!!!

One year ago today we received the most wonderful phone call in the world, telling us that we had a daughter waiting for us in China!!!! I can still remember that day like it was moments ago and wish we could relive that moment over and over again. But you know what-having Elizabeth here in the flesh is WAY more fun than a phone call! After waiting what seemed like an eternity, finally our dreams for a family had come true. Alot has changed in the last 12 months, for sure, but we are so blessed to have such a wonderful child like Elizabeth in our lives. She is so loveable, fiercely independent, creative, playful, spicy, and never stops moving, but she is ours and sooooooo worth that 3 year 9 month wait.



This is the first photo we saw of our girl

One year later-sitting forward facing for the first time on the way to swimming lessons!!!
Having a snack before swim class and showing off my new
bathing suit that Grams and Grandaddy sent me.
Until next time................................

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day




I know it is far away but look closely-the dog, Elizabeth and myself all sitting in the swing together. Kind of homey don't you think???
Our little rock star!!!
Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there! It has been a long time coming, but, finally I get to celebrate a Mother's Day with my own child. It was about 2 weeks after Mother's day last year that we received our referral for Elizabeth and then as you all know, we left for China to meet her on July 15th. So in every way this is my first Mother's Day, and it has been a great weekend to celebrate.
We spent the day at the beach again yesterday, and Patrick even accompanied us!!! That is a feat within itself as he pretty much despises the beach. I think he wanted to see for himself how much Elizabeth really enjoys herself when she is at the beach. She just loves the water, loves to dig in the sand, wave and say Bye Bye to everyone. He really enjoyed watching her, as I did. Then we chilled out for the afternoon in Ormond, then had an early dinner, then came home. We ended up being gone from 9:30 am until 8:30 pm! Guess we were having fun, huh??
Then today at 6:55 am, my girl came to wake me up and wish me a Happy Mother's Day, with kisses and crawling all over me in the bed. She gave me a 1 hour massage gift certificate and a beautiful card. We have just kind of been chilling out around the house today. Nice to not have to go anywhere, or do anything. Just sit back and enjoy the many blessings we have right here in good ol' Deltona, Florida. Just being together today is gift enough!
We are making plans for a reunion with our China travel group and hope to meet up in Gatlinburg, TN in July. Stay posted for the pics when that happens!! Almost one whole year since we all traveled together. Our girls are going to look very different that is for sure!!
Elizabeth starts swimming lessons tomorrow. I think it is really more like an introduction to water in general, but a much needed class in Florida. As much as she loves the beach, she has never been a big fan of the pool, so it is time to get used to that too. We are around pools all the time here and she needs to learn how to be safe.
Only 3 more weeks left of "school" as well. We will be finishing up our "pre" preschool class that gets the kids ready for the real thing in the fall. Patrick has been going most weeks with her, but I have been fortunate enough to arrange my schedule to be able to attend about 4 classes too. It is a great environment and she really enjoys herself and has a great group of kids in her class. We think all but 2 of the kids will be in the same preschool class in the fall, the other 2 will move up to the 3 year old class. So Elizabeth will have been around and know 3 of the kids when she starts class in August.
That about sums up our life for now. Hopefully I'll remember to get some pictures of swim class and post them here later in the week.
Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Here are a few more recent photos

Here are a few pics for your enjoyment!!!!





Yes, I do get up in this chair all by myself














Ladybug riding her ladybug wheelybug

















Catching a ride on Grandaddy's shoulders













"Helping" Granddaddy fix the curtain rod




















Hanging on to Grandaddy's leg-just in case













This is what I get to do when my grandparents watch me-jump on the bed!!!!!






Saturday, May 1, 2010

A Day at the Beach

Hello to all. Spring has sprung in Florida, thank the Good Lord!!! It is our first 90 degree weekend day in over 6 months and of course, where else do you spend the day when it is 90 degrees out???? At the beach!!

Elizabeth loves the beach still. This is the first time we have been able to get to the beach since last September. So this morning we packed up the car, drove the 40 minutes to the beach, unloaded and walked onto the sand. Immediately our girl was bending over to touch the sand and wanted to get as close to the water as she could. She dug in the sand, walked in the water, got knocked over by a wave and took a mouthful of water, but stood up laughing and ready for it to happen again. She was in heaven!!!

She is now thoroughly exhausted, back at home and taking a nap as a post this blog. Enjoy the pictures


Until next time...................