Amy's Blog....

lately...

2012-01-30T20:57:00.003-06:00

sticker princesses have been at work.

my sweet and wonderful bestie came for the weekend!

we explored my favorite places, including tea time at Mama Carmen's!

we like pretending hadleigh is our baby

sweet lena is no longer half way around the world like in this picture, but probably less than 4 miles down the road from where i sit and type this. such an answered prayer. you can keep up with this sweet, beautiful girl and her family here and here. i love anything written by either of her parents.

and last but not least, my sweet, beautiful, "kindred spirit" friend abby and her husband are adopting! i feel like i could type a lot on this subject so for tonight i'll just share a favorite picture and the link to her story. it's a beautiful story. join me in praying over their family and little girl. our God is SO good.

Breckenridge!

2012-01-15T18:19:00.003-06:00

We are home from a week in Breckenridge! We had fun, I forget just how big the mountains are! It's crazy. I went skiing 4/5 days we were there and loved it.

My airplane photography...and my last glimpse of flat land for the week.

We stayed at a house outside of town and the elevation at our house was around 12,000 feet, the oxygen was scarce. I was winded every time I went up or down the stairs. I also have a chronic cough that's been hanging around for 2 months, so that didn't help! The people we rented the house from our huge Razorback fans and we enjoyed our stay in their beautiful home!

our room. my mission every morning was to make sure every blind was open so we could enjoy the views. God sure made beautiful mountains.

everyone enjoyed the hot tub, well except me. i of course forgot my bathing suit, and getting out there in regular clothing did not sound appealing.

getting ready for his days of skiing! Riley spent two days at ski school and that's just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. the silver helmet helped us spot him out of the other little munchkin skiers. well, that and safety first...had to protect his little noggin.

going up the mountain. the first part of the week they were making snow, but luckily on wednesday we got a day full of snow, and it was beautiful! and made skiing so much more fun!

b and his brother!

handsome skiers!

we spent a lot of time playing. i am very good at barrel of monkey's we found out!

this boy is a mess.

sweet lena beth

this is me on the snowy day, it was cold! and i was wearing chad's old goggles and had around 35% vision. after i wore them he told me he wore them duck hunting years ago and they got really scratched up...i'd rather have 35% vision in the antique goggles than drop money on new ones for one day! i also questioned why exactly he owned pink ski goggles....

hanging with sweet girl.

playing in the living room. b's mom fell the first day we were in breckenridge at our house and ended up having surgery monday night, she broke both bones in her lower leg. it was a mess, but she's making it and made it home with no problems!

pa, lena beth and our friend the newly acquired walker.

the snow baby and her dad.

I never got brave enough to go up farther than the greens, but in my mind I skied a blue. In my mind.... I did wander away from my well known route down one day and came to a really steep part that landed me on my rear. Luckily my hero B was skiing behind me watching and came down to help me up. He also made me go back and ski it a couple of days later to "conquer the hill." I didn't want to, but I did, and I made it down with out falling. Yay! i told them i need professional help before skiing anything more challenging. maybe next time!

I had an experience with a Blue Lagoon Crepe from this place, and it was Breckenridge at it's best. Freezing cold with odd but friendly people every where and a long wait! The locals took me in and let me stand around the fire with them while I waited on one of the best things I have ever eaten. i'm sure B wasn't surprised to find me with my new group of friends around the fire. ha. The crepe was nutella, blueberries, bailey's, and something else...I forget. I would try to imitate it but I know my crepe making skills would be no where as good.

B and Lena B!

we also ate local at the Whale's Tail and then went to Bubba Gump's one night. other nights we cooked at home and enjoyed the views and not being out in the cold! i love the mountains and skiing, and I can't wait to go back!!!

2011....

2012-01-01T22:27:00.001-06:00

was a very good year! i am thankful. b and I were surrounded by family, friends and new babies! we took a family vacation with my brother and sis in law in summer that was super fun. i've had lots of laughs and some cries this year! i have been humbled and amazed to watch God work here and across the world. my involvement with TEAMWorks Ukraine has truly been life changing, and for that I am so thankful. thankful my world has been rocked. once your eyes see the need, you can not turn back. thankful i have had the privilege of holding and touching the least of these.

unfortunately, i can't mention 2011 with out remembering a great loss. two weeks ago i watched helplessly as my best friend's heart broke when she lost her lifelong & childhood best friend mica very unexpectedly. we cried and looked for comfort in the arms of our Jesus. it served as a reminder to treat others with kindness and love and to remember that you just never know what someone is dealing with on the inside.

my year in some pictures....
January 2011:: Sugar Bowl trip

February:: celebrating Valentine's day Chick-Fil-A Style!

March:: Our youngest niece Lena Beth was born!

and this sweet baby Mac!

April:: night at concert at George's!

and I was obsessed with the Royal Wedding! her style was perfection in my eyes!

May:: two more friends had sweet babies...Lucas and Parker!

trying to teach Hadleigh early to love hats....

June:: Family vacation-cruise!

July:: playing with Lena Beth and Riley

and we spent a weekend landscaping our house on the hottest weekend of the year, naturally!
before...

and after...

celebrating my 28th birthday!

August:: we had a golf tournament fundraiser for TEAMWorks trips to Guatemala and Ukraine! we were blessed by raising a good portion of money and helping to fun two successful trips!

we went to see a fun concert in a dirt field in oklahoma! my parents really did raise me on country music and dirt roads! ha.

mama carmen's coffee shop and i began our love affair this summer. and it's by far one of my favorite places...i go way more than I should.

September:: my two nieces in one place...i loved it!

razorback game with chad and liz!

October:: was SO full of good things...
sweet girl turned 3

i got to enjoy these delicious Ukrainian made cappuccino's for 2 weeks...

and i spent 10 wonderful days working with children in ukraine. when can i go back? now please.

November::

we went to a Nick and Jarah's wedding!

and celebrated thanksgiving!

December::

I ran the fayetteville half marathon!

and we were proud!

and then heaven got an angel! if you know me very well, then you know of my friend Mariellen and how much I love her! and i loved mica because mariellen loved her so much. they were literally two halves, and I of course spent time with Mica, but also felt that I knew her so well from listening to mariellen talk about her sweet friend for years. and i also loved her because she was sweet, beautiful, funny and super fun!

I have no doubt that the friends and family will help create a lasting legacy in Mica's honor of loving life and animals. can't wait to see the beautiful things that will come from this pain.

clockwise from top: rachel, Mica B, Mariellen and myself! we'll miss you so much sweet girl!

we had Christmas at my mom's...

Christmas at my dad's!

2011 was a good year, and I am excited for 2012! Happy New Year!

13.1

2011-12-11T16:30:00.000-06:00

This morning the gals and I ran the Fayetteville Half Marathon! I NEVER thought I would run 13.1 miles, but I did it...and it was fun! It definitely took it out of me, after a quick lunch with my Dad and Kay we ran by WalMart (mistake!) and then I have been laying around since.

Julie, myself and Linda!

Linda, me, Julie and Kim!

Flowers from B!

I hope to have some more action pictures a friend took during the race! Can't wait!

Thanksgiving

2011-12-05T20:38:00.000-06:00

i was feeling very thankful at thanksgiving, and i still am. thankful for so much. having more than i need. my family, friends, career, and especially my trip to ukraine. i am so thankful and humbled God allowed me to serve and love his children across the world. missing it daily, and praying my eyes are opened to the needs right in front of me here at home. thank you God for all of my blessings!

Food shot...my aunt's hot rolls...are. the. best.

some of the great-grandkids!

some of the grandkids and great's....missing a few.

my cousin's wife and daughter...who knew he would have such a beautiful wife and daughter! :)

Bryan and I!

my ma!

ma, lorie and i...

playing in the yard after lunch!

Save the trees.

2011-11-15T20:51:00.000-06:00

Winter is coming and my trees from the back porch will be wintering at Farmington High School. They were suppose to survive down to 20 degrees, but after this past winter...we decided they needed a warmer place if they were going to make it to spring. We also moved them on the windiest day of the year. Good times.

a beautiful weekend...in Ukraine!

2011-11-14T19:33:00.001-06:00

friday afternoon of week one came around, and all the sudden my travel friends were leaving me! i started feeling sad around lunch knowing that they were leaving, and the next thing I knew they were in a van, and i was standing beside the van on the side of the road in ukraine waving goodbye and crying.

i tried to make myself stop quickly because i didn't want my friends to think i wasn't excited to spend the weekend with them, because i was, but turning off the tears for me is sometimes difficult. i was also just smidge nervous about being "alone" for the weekend. even though i knew i was in great hands, i was sad to see my comfort zone drive away. :) i was just really sad our first week was over, sad for matt and ginny to be leaving their sweet little girl, sad for abby to be leaving me. hi, my name is amy and i'm an emotional wreck.

i spent the weekend with my friends olga and alex, and they were so kind to me and made me feel so at home in their apartment. i am so grateful! we enjoyed tea and snacks and sitting around their kitchen table talking and hanging out in our comfy clothes. alex is also a really great cook, and he made lots of yummy meals all weekend. we had lots of conversations about word pronunciations, culture, geography, food, travel and movies. they also have the sweetest pup, rocky, and i enjoyed him so much! i also had a chance to use their "washing machine of electric" and get all my clothes fresh and clean for round 2. i love the way things translate some times.

my ukrainian friends alex and vova suggested that we visit a monastery about 50 kilometers away from kramatorsk. they said it was beautiful and that people come from all over the country to see it. i agreed and we headed out saturday morning around 10:00am. it was a beautiful drive and i was so glad we went! i got to see the country side, a national park, ukraine hay bales, and enjoy my friends company!

that was one big statue!

my sweet friend!

vova is on top of the world! :)

so am i! :)

paparazzi gets a taste of his own medicine! :)

pictures!

tour group.

women had to have their heads covered as well as a skirt to go into the monastery, like my gear?

i think he's telling me about the chickens, and i was telling him how i really don't like birds, of any kind!

i kept telling them i felt like my grandma. Babushka Amy and Babushka Alice.

sunday we got up and got ready to pick up the girls and mike from the airport. We headed that way around 1:30PM and they arrived and got through customs around 5:00PM. While waiting in the airport I got to people watch and drink a latte from a vending machine. Fun stuff.

I really wish I had a picture of their faces as they came through customs one by one, after 26 hours of travel with tons of suitcases and equipment...their expressions were priceless. Glad i have a mental picture. :) i'm sure my face wasn't much better the week before but it was interesting being on the waiting end not the traveling end. so fun! :)

that evening we went to the store and got to be the grocery store leader, and we bought more cheese, crackers, sausage, cokes, water, chocolate and cookies, and supplies for a new week. i was so excited to see the gals and mike! So thankful for all the safe travels and blessing our group received during our time in Ukraine.

ukraine: later part of week 1...

2011-11-02T20:22:00.000-05:00

wednesday morning we arrived and went straight to group 4. we got a chance to work with sweet lena, and we both really enjoyed our time with her.

we went back to the isolation area and slowly worked up to getting this sweet girl out of her bed and sitting. she warmed up to us and we had such a special day with her. we got lots of time to just hold and play with her during our day, and we both loved it.

just checking things out....

aww, ok, i think i like these girls....

we took her from her area to the gym and enjoyed getting to see her take in some new surroundings and enjoy music and snuggling with us! :)

we brought a cake for lunch with the director, alex went shopping for it..and it was a winner!!

hot tea, cake and lots of yummy goodies for lunch time break.

in the afternoon we got to see this little guy and abby did lots of education on motor development for the ladies in his room. it went really well.

this cutie is in that same room....

i loved getting her to smile...she was so cuddly.

ok, ok...we will do more work with her..not just hold her ;)

that evening some friends invited us to dinner at their parents apartment. his momma made us a traditional ukrainian meal of borsch and potato dumplings...and lots of yummy sides.

a group picture from week one!

more of this sweet girl and her momma, beautiful stuff...

we left this walker the year before, and he was barely able to take a step...he was doing so good in it and walking all around the room!

i just liked this picture with every one standing around, because it was common for this many people to be hanging out in a room...and little guy just holding his toy in the middle of the room :)

getting our game plan together for this sweet little one...

ahh, out of that bed!

crinkly book toy

ahhhhh.....sitting up!

after lunch we went to a local parent run organization for children with special needs. we spent the afternoon there and saw many of the children we saw last year! i kept telling our translators "tell them I remember them from last year!"

waiting outside

it was a group effort to get us ready....

paper-palooza

our first sweet girl, she was so timid! but decided she liked us! :) we found that many of the children were very scared of us, afraid that what we would do would hurt. i think many of them have had painful experiences. we did our best to let them know we would not hurt them and most of them warmed up to us quickly. it wasn't always the case though, and sometimes...no matter what you do...kids just cry!

demonstration! :)

we saw this girl last year as well, and could tell some major improvements in her behavior. her mother asked lots of good questions and we got to do several examples of how we would do therapy here with her. she is so cute, and moves a lot apparently, since most of the pictures i have of her, she is a blur...:)

i had to load this picture because, number 1, i have crazy eyes, number two "sah-ba-kah" meaning dog is probably on my top 5 list of most popular russian words of the two weeks...and i'm holding the sahbakah picture card! :)

checking out those arms...

ohhh sweet girl.

one of the little guys wasn't sure about us, so abby did his stretching demonstrations on me...and apparently i'm a little on the tight side as well.

on another note a mom and her son came that we saw last year. The mom had the little boy's feet stuffed in the same braces and shoes we had given him last year. it was so heart breaking because she couldn't get any more, and knew she would have to wait until we came back. those braces are vital to his walking. i can't imagine wanting some thing so important for your child, and not having access to get it! once again, what TEAMWorks is all about....

oh, good stuff...

familiar faces from our week, so nice to spend time and get to know these ladies.

i truly feel like the effectiveness of TEAMWorks Ukraine rests on the growth of relationships with the people we work with there. i feel like these relationships were definitely fostered during our time there and i look forward to watching them grow more in the future. and every time i look back at these pictures my heart gets really full.

travel to Ukraine and the first days....

2011-10-29T20:27:00.003-05:00

Abby, Matt, Ginny and I traveled over the weekend of October 8th to Ukraine. days before we left carmen got sick and was unable to travel (she's well now) and Abby stepped up. carmen is a fellow speechie, and abby is an occupational therapist. i was heart broken that carmen could not come, because working together at the orphanage is something we have talked about doing for so long. but, i know God always knows what He is doing, and His plan is not my plan. He knew we would need abby that first week. abby was beyond a blessing to me and to all the children we saw. we stayed up talking at night like girls at a slumber party. her heart is beautiful. so many of the kids have physical concerns that she was wonderful at addressing. carmen and i would have been fine, but our time there would not have been as effective with just two speechies. i have no doubt that carmen and i will be in ukraine together in the future, and feel very thankful that the trip went so well, even with the last minute shuffle.

We went from fay to houston to newark to munich to donetsk, ukraine! God blessed us with travel grace, and for that I am beyond thankful. it was a whirlwind of travel and i enjoyed my time with my travel partners. they each have beautiful hearts and love for children with special needs. proud to know them all. we each traveled with two suitcases each full of supplies for the next 2 weeks, some stuff they were taking for sweet lena, some walkers, a wheel chair, and adapted stroller. all of this successfully made it to ukraine, praise the Lord!

and i mean look at them, how could it not be fun!?

hello germany!

breakfast in germany!

i have love in my heart for lufthansa airlines, mainly because of the warm towels and bailey's on the long flight and that "Pick Up" bar on the right...it was amazing! :)

when we landed in ukraine, i remember thinking, wow, I am here again! I was so excited. well, inside i was excited, my exterior might have been a bit sleepy upon arrival. but that didn't last long. we were immediately greeted by our ukrainian friends Olga, Alex, Vova, and a handful of others. it was my first time to drive from donetsk to kramatorsk in the day light and was so excited to look around and see the sights. the leaves there were beautiful.

this is the donetsk airport, they are building a new terminal. come on euro cup 2012! :)
more on this later. i will say the kiev airport now has a TGIFriday's, and that's the big time. i didn't see that last year.

we arrived at hotel kramatorsk and unloaded and walked down to the grocery store to buy some snacks for dinner. we discovered lots of yummy bread, cheese and chocolate. and really, what more could you need?

on a funny note, my sweet Abby has food allergies so she packed a lot of snacks, and it was a common thing to watch her eat packaged salmon at all hours of the day. and i think God put us together because He knew i don't care what time of day food comes. burritos for breakfast? yes. salmon for breakfast? sure, go ahead, doesn't bother me!! :)

here we are unpacking and working. i remember ginny taking this picture and me saying that abby is really the one doing the important stuff, and i'm screwing the batteries into an animal puzzle. ha! all small things come together for the big, right? and it's a very speechie thing to do.

view from hotel room!

the first morning at the orphanage we met in the directors office, after some time they asked if we were ready to go to group 4 where Lena was, where matt and ginny would meet their girl. wow. God is amazing. i remember looking at ginny's face and thinking she is exhibiting such good self control! to be this close and not to just run straight to her. i had a desire to run up the stairs two at a time...so i am sure i can not imagine how hard it must have been to be as patient as they both were. even though they would both tell me not to say this, i will say it anyway....they are wonderful!

walking down the hall to group 4!

here she is, and she is beautiful. and theirs. i love it.

after our time in group 4 we ventured down to group 11 and worked with these two sweeties.

sweet stuff...

a view from the front....

doing some speech, picture cards at work. :)

we have loved this little guy the past several years.....he's a wild little guy and so much fun!

i love their coffee SO much it's ridiculous. i want one, right now. their choice of magazines & television in the coffee shop is another story though....but the coffee makes it worth it.

this little guy "george" was so cute and snuggly

playing

more time in group 4, and me with the "pom-pom"...it was a running joke after 2 weeks. the kids loved it, i could say "pom pom" to them because there was not an exact translation in russian....and all of our ukrainian friends would walk up to me randomly and say "pom pom" ha!

see little vanya likes it....

oh the boys that we love....

this little guy melted my heart, praying for him. made really sweet little sounds and smiled while we talked to him and held him. due to his diagnosis he doesn't get out of his bed much, and we were allowed to get him out several times and take him to the mat in the floor. so sweet holding him.

just hanging out with this wild man.

it takes two sometimes...

beautiful

we toured the isolation and quarantine areas and met up with this sweet girl. we met her last year, and she is heavy on my heart. praying that she is well and in a room surrounded by other kids.

this post is definitely a running stream of thoughts...but had to get them on here before i forget. more to come later.
i am so humbled that i have had the opportunity twice to meet and hold and love so many children. i can't express how grateful i am.
please join us in praying over these children. God knows them and loves them.

Home.

2011-10-26T19:17:00.001-05:00

Ukraine trip 2011 has come and gone. It was beautiful, and so many other things. It was a wonderful two weeks, it felt really long and really short at the same time. My heart is heavy. I am thankful. I am glad to be home and want to go back.

There were tears and laughs, and ups and downs. I loved it. I have a Ukrainian "family," and I tried to embrace my time there, definitely more so than I did last year, including eating a tongue and mushroom salad, better known as "meat salad" and my fair share of lard in various forms. I have been deemed a "Ukrainian Girl," so it's official.

My new motto: when given the chance, eat the fat sandwich.

We loved on kids, served families, and strengthened relationships. I got to see parents meet their child for the first time. I got to hold and love kids. I am so thankful to know that He created each of them and I am thankful to know they are His children, every single one of them.

I was reminded of what is important, and what isn't.

I got into the states and had a message to report to jury duty first thing Monday morning at 8:45. I did a weird laughing and crying thing when i listened to the message sunday at the chicago airport. I drug myself to jury duty monday morning, still carrying my ukrainian adventure fanny pack. just a fun tidbit. and come to find out, it was a murder trial. When they said murder trial, I immediately teared up...I have been reminded so many times these past two weeks of the value of a life. Every life. And thankfully, it turns out, I was dismissed for "knowing of" one of the attorney's on the case. Thank God from whom all blessings flow!! I ran out of the washington county courthouse, by Mama Carmen's for an almond latte (which tasted very different after 2 weeks of delicious ukraine cappuccino's) and headed to work. I was thankful to go to work and see MY kids at TEAM.

I have so much to share, so i just loaded some pictures that caught my eye today...from week #1. I plan on adding some every couple of days while things are fresh in my mind.

i saw some beautiful views....

i got to spend time with wonderful people...especially my dear Abby. and she has the best facial expressions ever, and it makes me love her even more.

one of the sweetest moments i have ever had the privilege to see in my life....so appreciative i got to spend time with them and their sweet girl.

it was a perfect fall in Ukraine. It's my favorite season and I got to enjoy it in two different countries. you can't beat that.

i got to snuggle sweet, sweet babies. my desire to snuggle often made doing my job of speech therapy a little more difficult. i am glad.

i got to teach and be taught. i learned SO much this trip. i love that.

i have so many beautiful pictures. my ukrainian friend Alex took some great pictures with my camera.
i am forever grateful!

i saw stuff that made my heart ache.

i got to watch things come to life and my heart was full.

i ate wonderful food.

as mentioned earlier, i ate unusual things, and loved them!
exhibit A. fruit/crab/mayo salad on the left....

we got to enjoy the company of the people around us, and slow down enough to get to know them better...mainly over hot tea and food.

an ukrainian accordion player made me very happy....

Can't wait to post more later.

Ukraine, tomorrow.

2011-10-07T22:29:00.000-05:00

We leave tomorrow. After a quick shuffle, bag packing and lots of love from our friends and family to get us all together, we are almost off! Abby and I will work for a week at the orphanage we went to last year. Our hope is to establish a therapy routine, engage the children, and LOVE them!

My sweet Carmen is still not feeling great, and is super, super heart broken about not going on the trip, but resting up and feeling better is #1 priority. I'll miss you Missa Carmen.

We will be traveling with the Mooney's who will meet their daughter for the first time. What a special trip.

I am always reminded at how God is completely in control, and I should stop trying to figure things out...or worry about them.

Prayers that children are loved, hearts are changed, Jesus is shown through us...and for safe and smooth travels for our groups.

Follow TEAMWorks Ukraine here! (click on the blog link)

Had's 3!

2011-10-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

Happy 3rd Birthday HJL!

2008

2009

2010

2011

Your Ahmi loves you! :)

TEAMWorks Ukraine Trip 2011

2011-09-14T21:01:00.007-05:00

So excited. SO, SO, SO excited.

We have been talking Ukraine the past several months, making plans, picking dates, getting together the group. I was on the fence about this year, couldn't decide if I should go...or sit this one out. I prayed about it, asked B to pray about it, talked it over...and basically wore myself out thinking!

And then, I woke up one morning, and my first thought was just "yes, send me, I'll go!" I had that thought, felt good about it, and then back came all the doubts and reasons why I shouldn't.

Is this the right timing? Am I the best person to go? What about other plans? There are other people, with more experience, they would do better than I would! It's so much work! It's such a long trip! There's so many unknowns. It's hard. Blah, blah, blah.

I let all those questions and doubts come in and leave me restless for a couple of weeks....all while praying for clarity about my decision, and for God's will to be done. And then one morning, listening to a song on the radio (that's when I do my thinking...and sometimes my crying) I knew, yes, send me. I'll go!

God has His hands on all of the children we will meet, on our plans, and His guidance on our work and our group. This work has brought me to have a love for these children, and a desire to help! And really, it's not about me. It's about serving Him, and being his hands and feet. It's about hope for these children and families. It's about helping form a network of support systems to allow people to raise their children, who are ALL fearfully, and wonderfully made!

I would have laughed in your face if you would have told me 10 years ago, I would be about to travel on my second mission trip to Eastern Europe. Laughed! (I use the 10 year mark, because while I am traveling, we will have my 10 year high school reunion, how did that happen?!?! Gotta love those Alma Airedales!) Not that I wouldn't have thought then that it was good work...cause I would have, but I would have thought that other people go and do that stuff. Not me. Those other people!

I feel Him softening my heart all the time. I know this because I pray that it's softened, and because I can burst into tears at any given moment. Letting yourself experience need and hurt and pain is hard and uncomfortable.

And the way the trip works is "we go to help" but really, we are the ones who are helped. Funny how that works out.

On another funny note, when I told my partner in crime, Carmen out of the blue one day at work awhile back that I was in for traveling again this year.....she cried, in a happy way. And then we hugged, and I laughed because she was crying, and then I cried a little too (notice the crying pattern). Last year while in Ukraine, Carmen and I said so many times how we wanted to work in the orphanage and really show them what we do. We will be going the week before the group to assess the kids, set up a speech schedule, and do what we do, all day for 5 days! A special prayer request is that during our time of working in the orphanage that we are able to form good relationships with the staff, show improvement with all of the sweet kids we get to work with, take the right materials, and most importantly share our faith and Jesus' love while we work.

Join us in praying over our trip. Praying that lives are changed, people are touched, children are loved, and our work helps raise the status of all the children we meet.

PS Every day (well, when I can...is more like it) I am practicing Russian Rosetta Stone, so far my favorite word is "Yablakah" which means apple. I don't know why, I just like it. :) www.teamworksukraine.com

Love.

2011-09-12T20:43:00.000-05:00

My heart gets bigger with every day I love these three.

HJL's 3 year old pictures.....I love being her "Ahmi"...

Our 4 year old handsome fella....

LB being the super cute baby she is....

Nieces and nephews are THE BEST! :)

Happy Weekend

2011-09-10T15:39:00.002-05:00

Wooooooo PIG SOOIE!

2011-09-05T17:27:00.000-05:00

the day in pictures! Go Hogs!

tailgating!

parking deck

at the game

family pic!

99 Balloons Golf Tournament for TEAMWorks! :)

2011-08-24T19:49:00.000-05:00

Privyet! (My version of hello in Russian) actually, when I say it sounds more like "Preeeveeyet y'all"

We are in the throws of planning and preparing for two groups to travel to Guatemala in September, and Ukraine in October. Ukraine in October, is kinda like Paris in fall, right? :) I will be a happy traveler on the Ukraine trip. Ukraine is where the heart is.

Keep TEAMWorks mission and plans in your prayers. More on that later.

Back to the golf tournament.
It was a SUCCESS. I had reasonable hopes for the amount of money we would raise. But God sure multiplies and exceeds my expectations. We had a very hot, but fun day! And so many people came, gave their time, played golf...and worked together to raise money for children around the world.

registration ladies!

some golfers i love. my bro and cousin.

silent auction!

registration

it's a hard job sitting at hole 6 watching for someone to make a hole in 1.

it got easier with the delivery of peanut butter crackers and diet cokes.

bryan and adam out and about on the golf cart delivering the crackers and coke.

caleb

joe

john billington

b will

lena, christie and amanda!

kati is standing exactly where she was when that golf ball came over the trees and landed 5 feet from her :)

has anyone ever seen a cart full of bananas and beer driven by a pregnant lady with two wild passengers? you saw it here first folks.

cute trey bug and his dad!

lunch under the trees!

the winners!

random summer pictures..

2011-08-14T19:40:00.000-05:00

i am loving mornings at Mama Carmen's this summer. i am so productive with a almond latte and a corner table! and i apparently like to take pictures of my coffee before i drink it...

the hats of summer 2011...i have gotten my money out of these $12 purchases!

looking at plants in front of my house, instead of weeds....the butterflies aren't bad either, and now that we have had rain this week, they are doing even better!

desserts, really into desserts...but really, this is a year round thing.

my new keurig with all of it's fanciness...and gloria jean's hazelnut coffee brewing in it...

TEAMWorks Ukraine/Guatemala plans...and fundraising golf tournament....it's not too late to sign up!

Go here to register!!

loving time with my sweet girl, getting her nails painted at the glitter box. she was so good, and sat very still while they were painted and dried. love her soooooo much.

summer concert...George Jones...it was funny stuff, brings an interesting crowd.

i can't help that my dad raised me listening to old country music....

and if you're at a george jones concert...you eat chicken wings...

fun summer night!

afternoons at the lake, or as we joke, the redneck yacht club. :)

Happy summer!

it's an oldie...

2011-07-31T17:21:00.000-05:00

we spent a good portion of saturday helping my dad and kay unpack in their new house in the fort. unpacking inside when it's 105 is much better than the actual move in. it was a fun day...and i came home with this family treasure, passed down from my great grandmother hazel love. i straightened it up, ~~flipped through the page~~s turned the pages very carefully and read the names, and looked at all of the pictures...

i think the covers are made from wood.....they are very thick...i'm no book historian, but i am impressed.

lots of traces of tape on the binding...

i love all the detail, and pictures through out...

penmanship from the late 1800's is beautiful....a lost art for sure.

a fun surprise, a colored page!

the binding is broken, but i've tied her up....

with my reused pottery barn ribbon that came in handy....

i am looking forward to a snow day this winter, when i'm trapped in my house with nothing but time, so i can sit down for a couple of hours and do some more work on the pages, and reading....

i really love books, so to have this family bible that is over 130 years old, makes me SO happy.

Ohhh sweet honey and the bee!

2011-07-20T22:02:00.001-05:00

I love my job and the hilarious things kids say. One of my favorite sayings, taken from an 8-year-old fella last year is "Oh sweet honey and the bee!"

You can use it two ways.
1. "OH sweet honey and the bee!" - meaning- "good grief" or "that's ridiculous!" or "UGH!"
2. "Ohhhh sweet honey and the bee!" -meaning- "YAY!" or "Finally!" or "hip-hip-hooray!"

This week I have been saying "Ohhhhh sweet honey and the bee" because we are got our landscaping done!! I am SO excited about it finally being completed, it was a crazy project!

We have been in our house for a year and three months. We have quite a large area that has needed serious help. It's so bad, that I mowed the flower beds because there was so much grass growing in them! It's a bit embarrassing, but we've had lots of parties, get togethers, a baby shower, and family and friends in and out of here anyway! If your friends can't love you with bad landscaping, well then, they aren't really friends! :)

To begin our landscaping journey we needed a french drain, and that was completed a couple of weeks ago. Friday afternoon a dump truck brought a load of top soil, Nate Lopez (our landscape architect and friend) brought a trailer full of plants, trees, bushes, and my brother picked up a ton of landscaping rocks.

I took some before pictures:

notice the extra lovely strip of dirt from digging the french drain line

sad looking, pretty much non-existant flower beds

so here we go......

landscaping under the full moon!

working hard!

my red bud tree going in! yay!

progress....

i have "butterfly bushes" and we had tons of butterflies immediately, i love them!

much better!

my new hobby now is watering the flowers, i feel like my mother. " I gotta go out and water my plants...." :)

Doing landscaping in mid-July wasn't the smartest thing ever, but it's done, so we are happy!

our weekend with riley and little lena beth!

2011-07-10T16:26:00.000-05:00

we spent the weekend in Searcy with two of our favorite little ones!

our little niece lena beth is smiling, and laughing, and turning into one fun little baby!

riley is wild, has more energy than you can imagine, and i am pretty sure he'll have a good run at being a football player, 'cause the boy is solid, and will run into you at full speed for a hug, and then smile about it! i told him to be easy on me, i'm obviously not as tough as he is! :)

sweet stuff!

blue eyes, i love them!

playing

i love this one!

i like how she's looking at the camera in this one. forgive my photo editing inconsistency, i'm too lazy to go back and save them all the same way! :)

my sweet boy, who gives the best hugs, and will tell you so!

silly boy!

Fourth of July Weekend, in pictures!

2011-07-10T15:58:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday America, I sure love you!

Photo from www.searchenginewatch.com

dessert kabobs i made for our day at Joe and Liz's!

Joe and HJL on the giant couch.

my girl

had and her momma doing sparklers!

fun!

i've never been a big fan of being any where near fireworks. I remember going to buy them with my mom and dad, and asking "this one's not loud, is it?!"

If it was loud, i didn't want to buy it!

afternoon at the lake with my carmen and adam!

my second themed dessert, cupcakes to take to our friends. white cake with cookie dough filling, and chocolate icing!

baby parker and her momma watching some fireworks!

hard to tell with this sad iphone 3 picture, but it's 3 grown men, trying to get the army parachute man off the electricity line. one of them, might or might not be my husband.

we had a fun weekend, surrounded by lots of friends and family. and you can't beat that!

our week at sea!

2011-06-29T21:04:00.000-05:00

It honestly started off a little bumpy, I woke up the morning of the cruise with a stomach bug, which continued through the day, and then when we arrived to board the ship, I took the car to the parking garage to park it and had trouble locating my other half in a sea of fellow cruisers (all while he was juggling our carry-ons and 2 cases of diet sprites, and when I finally found him, he was a bit grumpy, and literally pouring in sweat, so sweaty in fact that he looked like he jumped into a bathtub with his clothes on!), not to mention 100 degree heat and insane humidity, and then the third day at sea was huge waves, and I had motion sickness!
But, I will say, after all that passed, we had a VERY good trip! :)

Day before our trip in the big easy, at Pat O'Brien's!:

Day 1: Fun Day at Sea, it was formal night and the Love's and Smith's got all dressed up for dinner!

Joe and Liz

my love

love my sis-in-law!

my bro!

the whole gang up top at sunset!

Day 2: another not so fun day at sea, complete with swaying and big waves

(we'll just have to use our imagination, I took NO pictures this day)

Picture waves, and me looking sick.

Day 3: Belize! Elizabeth and I did a snorkel excursion, Belize has the second biggest barrier reef in the world, besides the great barrier reef (so, we read) it was beautiful! I have only snorkeled a couple of times before, and neither time was this pretty! We saw tons of colorful fish, coral and even a manatee swam right underneath us (during which I smiled really big, broke the seal on my mask and took in water...just my style!) and while we snorkeling I kept thinking about how amazing God is, the creator of every living thing! He made lots of pretty stuff, especially in the ocean!

Heading out!

very glad to be off that boat after the swaying day before

ready to roll!

after snorkeling was a couple of hours at private island

you better belize it! :)

loving our island, the boys missed out!

bye-bye island!

Day 4 Roatan, Honduras! We booked a zip lining adventure and beach break, I thought I would be super scared about zip lining, and considered not going, but everyone else in our gang was going so I decided to quit being a chicken and just do it! The van ride to the zip lining was a lot scarier than the actual adventure!

The port!

Everyone in the beautiful yellow helmets!

All ready!

i kept a good eye on them while they strapped me in, making sure they were paying good attention! :)

those are tops of the tree's below the platform! :)

all of the men who worked there went down first, and there was one at each of the 11 platforms to swap you from one cable to the next! if you didn't pull yourself up enough, they would just use their knee to give you a boost! a little surprising the first time! :)

ready to zip, 18-30 feet above the ground!

tabyana beach break!

my favorite time of day, dinner!

my special drink i found, a tiramisu martini!

hilarious, the things you can do on a cruise..wear matching sequined tanks to dance in...we might or might not have led a conga line on the top deck at the dance party!

Day 5: Cozumel! We did a beach break, and a little shopping.

It also rained off and on several times while we were at the beach, and I stayed huddled under an umbrella with our stuff much of the time! :)

our second formal night on the cruise, the boys were way over pictures by this point in the game.

Day 6 day at sea relaxing, the ride home was very smooth (thank goodness!) and we just laid out and read, and relaxed!

last night on the ship!

windy!

drink server from dinner, he was hilarious!

when we told him about seeing the manatee while snorkeling in his accent he said

"Uh what is this? It is an ugly animal, no?"

we laughed all week about the way he said it!

"A vacation is anticipated with pleasure, experienced with discomfort, and remembered with nostalgia. ~Author Unknown"

And here is Hadleigh having some fun at her aunt deb's house, while getting to hang out with mamaw while we were vacationing! she loved it when her momma and daddy got home, and she got to hear about the big boat her mom went on! :)

a bruised head board, and other summer fun!

2011-06-26T21:29:00.000-05:00

1. We went on vacation, it was so fun! More pictures coming later from our adventure at sea!

2. I got to see my sweet friend Jeane (I had major dress envy, she always dresses SO cute!) at our friend's wedding!

3. S. ~~Clinton~~ Stanton, Jeane and myself at Leslie's wedding, so fun to catch up with these girls!

4. Leslie and her hubby dancing at the reception, beautiful!

5. Upside down picture of the girl who calls her forehead her headboard, more on that later.

6. Hide and seek is a fun game, especially when the hider yells out where she is when you ask! :)

7. Picture of Joe and Grandad taken by Hadleigh, her new hobby is photography.

8. Our matching hats, oh how I love this girl.

9. Haddie takes a picture of Ahmi, and it turned out very centered, and once again I am impressed with her 2 1/2 year old photography skills.

10. A bonus with no picture (thank goodness!). Hadleigh and I got to spend a lot of time together this week, and we went to the school playground Thursday evening. I was walking on the jungle gym and talking to her about being careful, when I walked right into an over hang, and almost knocked myself out. My injury was right across my forehead, and Hadleigh said and I quote:

"Ahmi! Did you hit your headboard?!?"

Umm, yes I did, and then instead of crying, I was laughing because she says headboard. So she kissed my headboard, and told me it would be all better, and it was!

memorial day weekend with Baby Mac and Mariellen!

2011-05-30T20:54:00.000-05:00

i road tripped over to the big city of bolivar, tennessee this weekend to meet up with the sweetest little boy and see his momma! we had so much fun just relaxing, playing with mac and hanging out! i sure love my friend, her family and our time together! here's a few of my favorite pictures from the weekend!

smiling!

going for a walk!

having a skinny girl and using the self timer to take a pic!

mac and i had so much fun sitting and playing while his momma got ready!

love them and the good news is they are moving to houston this summer. i am so excited because we will be within driving distance, and can find some good meeting half way spots so i can see them more! :)

and my heart was full....

2011-05-18T20:31:00.002-05:00

We had our TEAM Talent Art Gallery on Monday. All of the kids were so excited and proud of their art! And I was SO proud of our little artists and their hard work from the past several months. I help with the younger group, and we had such a fun time. We learned how to give compliments, touch thing we didn't like (like glue and paint :), share, request things, follow directions, clean up, and make some beautiful art! :) I am so thankful to be a tiny part of these kids lives!

Getting ready for the crowds!

Whitney rocked everything about the gallery! She loves these kids and art!

some cute little artists with their work behind them!

we used several Eric Carle books for inspiration, and they were so fun!

the following are self portraits! and they all look amazingly like their painter:

"In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf..."

ms. kasey and I!

handsome trey! :)

MC is growing up, pretty girl!

mother's day weekend!

2011-05-08T21:26:00.000-05:00

we FINALLY headed to out of town this weekend to spend time with b's family and to meet our new little niece! riley kept us all entertained, and I enjoyed sitting around holding lena beth!

not a great picture with the shadow, i didn't take many pictures...because my hands were full holding this sweet baby!

riley and his sherbert!

and to all you momma's out there (especially mine), Happy Mother's Day! Being a momma looks like hard work! :)

more iphone pics....

2011-05-01T16:46:00.000-05:00

our friends greg and jami found peeps 90% off, and brought B a giant bag. they are his favorite, it was quite funny. we also discovered that the bunny peeps are the best deal because you get a few more grams worth of peeps for your money.

not even 5 minutes later Carmen sent me this picture of Adam, saying something like "these are for bryan" i think the word is out that he loves peeps.

continuing with the candy theme, this is the candy dish at my work with a friendly reminder from the exercise captain! made me laugh! on another note, i am working out twice a week with shelby, as pictured above (or as I call him when he's not around, the shelb-ster), and it's a pretty crazy work out for me, but i am liking it even though it involves push ups, jumping, plank, and a bunch of other ugly words!

had's aunt katie got married last night, she was one of the three flower girls...so cute!

had and mamaw!

11 babies in a row!

we fed and put all 10 of them to bed, and then hadleigh pretended she was a baby complete with a pacifier! silly goose.

fairy tale!

2011-05-01T16:10:00.001-05:00

My favorite movie as a little girl was Cinderella....so naturally I LOVED the upcoming Royal wedding hoop-lah! Lace, hats, big hats, carriages, fancy stuff, a love story....all completely up my alley! I had butterflies in my stomach when I woke up and turned the TV on!

I set my alarm early on Friday morning, and got up and just stood in the extra bedroom and watched them go from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace....and waited excitedly for the kiss on the balcony! B wasn't nearly as interested in the wedding, so I decided not to blare the TV in our bedroom. I got so excited when I turned the TV on that morning, I just stood in the middle of the room watching, and I never sat down....I think I might have clapped when I saw her.

I wasn't up in time to watch the ceremony live (with DVR, there was no need to miss that much sleep...even though there was a bit of a misunderstanding with setting my DVR), my main concern was to see THE DRESS....I can't say enough how much I loved it! Since they were riding in the carriage during my first glimpse, I could only see the top of the dress, and her veil...and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the lace, tiara, and veil. I felt like she wore the dress, rather than the dress wearing her....

It was so classic, and timeless, and flattering, and not to mention she really did look like a princess! Your wedding day is nerve wracking anyway, and to know the world is watching you, and you are marrying a prince, I just couldn't believe how composed she looked! What a lady, it seemed like she was born to have this role! There was not one thing I disliked about it...and it doesn't hurt that she's naturally gorgeous, and looked so happy....plus she's got a handsome prince! :)

When they arrived to get out of the carriage, it looked like Prince William let out a deep breath, like wow.

Timeless!

He Lives!

2011-04-24T17:56:00.000-05:00

Easter weekend in NWA can be summed up with a couple of words....wet/rainy! Seriously! I had big plans for sunshine and time outside, but that's OK, we had a cozy Easter inside, complete with an egg hunt!

I serve a risen Saviour; He's in the world today.

I know that He is living, whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He's always near.

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,

And though my heart grows weary I never will despair.

I know that He is leading, thro' all the stormy blast;

The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian! Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.

He Lives!

Happy Easter!

Love this.

2011-04-23T11:22:00.000-05:00

I think it was Thursday night, I was watching American Idol with B, and out came Katie Perry and Kanye singing some song about aliens....and I can't remember exactly if I said it out loud or not, but I had the strong desire to rip the TV off the wall...ugh.

But now, I am so happy that I didn't because I got to see this last night!

http://youtu.be/pLLMzr3PFgk

Miracle League-Spring!

2011-04-22T22:10:00.000-05:00

We kicked off our spring season of Miracle League this past weekend! I took absolutely no pictures, due to the fact my hands were too cold to work my camera early in the morning, and then I went straight from frozen to sweating, and was too tired to take pictures! Ha! So, I borrowed these....(Thanks Christie!)

Miracle League mascot and our fun balloons!

Batter up!

Bryan getting his work out with this fun little guy!

Singing at the end of the game, "take me out to the ball game!"

home plate!

Carmen and her sweet little guy!

and finally the sun shines!

I LOVE Miracle League!

hogeye relay and my coffee.....

2011-04-10T21:27:00.000-05:00

Today B ran in the Hogeye Marathon relay...and I watched, and had a coffee incident.

I took him to the square around 7:15am this morning, took a stroll around and then went by Common Grounds for a carmel nut latte (i felt this was deserved, 7:15am on a Sunday morning) on my way to the relay point at Sam's Club so I could wait for him to come running in, nearly 6 miles later.

While I was waiting, our friend came that was on Bryan's relay team so I decided to get out and stand out by the road to watch for him, and take some pictures. You know, help out with the cheering and taking of pictures.

So i was jostling my coffee, cell phone and camera as I got out of my car. I stood up, put the coffee on top of my car and locked the door. I then realized my sun roof was open, so I unlocked my car, sat down and punched the close button on the sunroof (see where this was going)....somehow when the sun roof started to close, it knocked my coffee over, and i looked up and my coffee cup was upside down over my head, wedged between the closing window and my car, and was pouring all over me and my car. I think the coffee cup must have rolled around for a second before coming to a stop between the car and sunroof window, and coffee was pouring on me a few seconds before I realized what was happening....the processing time on this one really got me.

First of all, a carmel nut latte is seriously sweet and sticky. Secondly, it was topped with whip cream and caramel. I was wearing a navy dress with a white cardigan, my white cardigan was completely brown. I then used it as a towel to try and mop up the mess. And I still have it in my hair. I would really love to know what the people around me were thinking/saying as I started screaming as coffee poured all over my head in my car through my sunroof.....probably saying "how'd she manage that?!?" But if there is a way for something ridiculous to happen, I'll find it.

Bryan did great, his team made great time, and the first thing I said to him after, "way to go!" was "we have a problem in the car....with my coffee." He wasn't surprised.

And that's all I have for today folks, stay tuned in.

it was so nice outside this morning, it almost made me want to go for a run.

here he comes!

waiting for the relay!

the chip swap, and he's off!

one year ago today....

2011-04-10T17:24:00.001-05:00

We were on an airplane, flying over the big pond towards eastern europe! Crazy how fast a year passes. The trip definitely stretched me in lots of ways....ways that were good and ways that were very uncomfortable on lots of levels.

I am sure many of these pictures have been seen by the 10 people that look at my blog,

but I never get tired of looking at them...so, sorry.

Over the past year many of the children we met have been or are in the process of being adopted....but there are many more still waiting. I love reading and listening to these stories of children coming home! It always amazes me how God works it out for a family thousands of miles away to find their son or daughter in a crib around the world.

He really does have the whole world, in his hands. :)

"The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker." -Helen Keller

"You live among the least of these 

The weary and the weak.....

And it would be a tragedy 

For me to turn away 

All my needs, You have supplied 

When I was dead You gave me life ...

How could I not give it away so freely?

And I’ll… Follow You into the homes of the broken 

Follow You into the world 

Meet the needs for the poor and the needy

God  Follow You into the world...

Use my hands, use my feet

 To make Your kingdom come 

To the corners of the earth

 Until Your work is done.... 

Faith without works is dead 

On the cross Your blood was shed

 So how could we not give it away so freely..."

Can't wait for future plans for TEAMworks Ukraine.

the weekend wrap up...

2011-03-26T23:29:00.000-05:00

It's been a busy couple of weekends, and we have enjoyed them! My cousin got married, I helped throw a baby shower for my friend Lindsey, we celebrated my brother's birthday...and had lots of fun!

Hadleigh and Liz at my cousin's wedding!

My Ma and I at the reception!

the newlyweds!

Lindsey's baby shower!

i just had to toss this one in here, maybe i am going to become a food photographer! :)

Momma to be Lindsey!

cute stuff for baby lukie!

Hadleigh and Ahmi in our matching "woo pig sooie" pajamas!

my latest LB picture....sweet girl!

Friday morning before work, I met up with some friends at my new very favorite place Mama Carmen's Coffee Shop. We had about an hour and a half to talk and catch up, and it went by SO fast. You can't beat coffee (really good coffee), supporting orphans, and catching up with sweet friends all at once! Last week when I was in there, I bought the cutest necklace...they have all kinds of good stuff in there!

http://mamacarmen.com/

Sweet little Mac is here! :)

2011-03-22T09:01:00.000-05:00

I am just busting with happiness looking at these pictures of my sweet friend and her new baby! I am also a little sad, because due to all those silly miles that separate us, it will be awhile before I meet him. But, no worries, because I will be updated with pictures frequently! :)

Mac and his momma!

And sleepin' Mac!

New little babies always remind me how great our God is!

I am so happy for their new little family of 3!

And I really can't wait to meet him and kiss those sweet cheeks, Mac, your Auntie Amy loves you!

The artist....

2011-03-15T08:49:00.000-05:00

Haddie and I had spa morning Saturday, while Mamaw cooked us breakfast. The plan was for me to paint her nails and MINE, but she insisted that she needed to "Paint Ahmi's finger-toes"

Well, of course you can.

She did my fingernails and toenails, or most of my foot. Then moved on to Mamaw's afterwards.

Here's us showing off her work.

She was very concentrated during the painting and really did some good work for a 2 1/2 year old! :)

In light of everything going on in the world right now, I am especially thankful for the security of knowing Jesus as my Savior, and knowing He is always with me, no matter what is going on in the world around us. I pray all the time that this sweet little girl,
and others will grow up to do amazing things for God.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Random iPhone Picture Post...

2011-03-05T16:54:00.000-06:00

I take LOTS of pictures with my phone, I love funny stuff, random pictures and sweet little moments I might forget about...so out comes the "Amy iPhone" as one of my kids at work once named it. I need the new iPhone with it's fancy clear pictures one of these days, but for now these will work...

Riley and B at Pa and SuSu's, we got to help babysit, and I took this with my real camera, but had to toss this one in here!

The monkey hanging upside down while playing!

I had a class in Fort Smith this week, so I got to slumber party with Hadleigh, read books AND take her to school. On the way to school we sang songs, and then we said a prayer for her day at school. After I prayed, she said "Ahmi, say it again!"

So, I did...while choking back tears....what a sweet little time together.

After a long day of losing bets, I made friends with the older man at the "voting" window at Oaklawn. On the last race, I think he was starting to feel bad for me, so he gave me a kiss for good luck. I didn't win, but the chocolate was good...and we thought it was funny.

At Christmas, my Granny brought me a ton of books that I had when I was little at her house. I kept a few here at the house for when the niece (nieces, now) and nephew are here, and took the rest to work. There is one called "Up in the Attic" and my Granny said she didn't like to read that one, because every time I read it, I wanted to go up in her attic. Funny stuff.

During our weekend with Riley, it was hug Aunt Amy as tight as you can, and plant the biggest kiss on her face 100xs a night and then run circles until you want to come back and do it again. I loved every minute of it, and I would take a 100 hugs and kisses from this little boy every day! Everyone was laughing, and we definitely decided he will grow up to be a lover! :)

This giant wall of hair was what stood in front of me pretty much during the ENTIRE pep rally before the Sugar Bowl. I love big hair, I love my hair to be big, but I don't like the tall woman standing in front of me to have hair so tall you can't see around it. I had to capture the wall of hair.

Pirate night at rEcess. The kids loved it, and I did too! The pirate had a ladle for a hand, so that made for some funny stuff. Kids were loved, families were served, and there was lots of laughing. Definitely a win/win for everyone involved!

rEcess

During my childhood Neuro class on Wednesday, we covered OCD. I realize that true OCD, is not funny, but very debilitating for someone who has it. But we joke about B's OCD tendencies, and my definite lack of them, so I texted him a picture of the list just to tell him I was learning to understand his compulsions a little better. :)

Happy Weekend!!

Welcome Baby Bunny!

2011-03-03T20:53:00.000-06:00

Here's our newest family member, our niece Baby Bunny (aka Lena Beth). It's still a mystery on why Riley started calling her Baby Bunny, but I LOVE that sweet nickname. She was born early yesterday morning, and it was a complete surprise to wake up to that good news!

We are excited to meet her soon, and have loved looking at pictures of her sweet little face.

Here come the babies!

2011-02-27T20:42:00.001-06:00

Just to be clear, not our babies!! :)

This spring is a big time for babies with my friends and family. My friend Brandi had her sweet little fella last week, Baby Sabin, and B and I went to meet him this weekend. He was cute and tiny, looks just like his daddy, and smelled wonderful. I LOVE smelling babies. I might have smelled him a good ten times while I was holding him!

Baby Sabin

Big Sis Annalyse (who I was holding like a baby just yesterday) and Sabin. Just a side note, Annalyse had a wardrobe change 3 times while we were at her house. She is all decked out in her fancy dress for this picture. Notice in the next picture, she has changed again! :)

Baby Sabin, Brandi, myself and Annalyse!

The boys! That's as close as B would get to that tiny baby!

We are also expecting a new niece, Baby Bunny (as Riley has named her) next month, along with 3 of my other friends having babies between next month and May (Baby Boy Mac, Baby Boy Lucas, and Baby Girl Parker)! It's quite crazy, but I love it! And I really love holding those sweet smelling babies.

V-Day @ Chick-Fil-A

2011-02-16T19:13:00.000-06:00

B and I have started a tradition of going to Chick-Fil-A on Valentine's Day, this year made the 3rd year for us! They always do something special, and this year there were table clothes, balloons, people from NWA Healthy Marriages (complete with a paper with conversation topics for you to discuss during your meal, to improve your marriage), and complimentary dessert! We enjoyed our meal, listened to live music, and each got a yummy dessert.

The chick-fil-a decor! :)

Nothing says romantic, like Chick-Fil-A

Ice "dream" cone...

I am always a bit of a cynic towards Valentine's Day, something about it irritates me, those feelings could have been intensified by that trip to Wal-Mart the morning of Valentine's Day (mistake), or how flowers are marked up double, or that I always eat too much junk, or maybe I'm permanently scarred from those nights I sat in my dorm room while everyone else was out on a Valentine's Day date (ha!), but I couldn't help but smiling at Chick-Fil-A, it was sweet to be sitting there, all surrounded by balloons, my sweet husband, and fried chicken (not in that particular order).

And I mean, who wouldn't love Valentine's Day, when you are sitting across the table from this face.

"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...." Galatians 5:22-23

I love every word in those verses, and getting along in life (and marriage) is much easier when they are all exercised on a regular basis.

The continued snow documentary........

2011-02-09T13:35:00.000-06:00

I half way expected to wake up this morning and everything be fine, and head to work....But instead this is what we've got:

15 inches in the yard.

and here's my snow drift! :)

It's somewhere around 30 inches it was hard to measure by myself.....

Happy Snow Day!

Our very own Arkansas Winter Wonderland!

2011-02-02T20:17:00.000-06:00

With the spare time I have had on my hands, I took some snow progression pictures! I have blogged, read, watched TV, cleaned my house, done some work stuff, and tomorrow I AM going to work. I made it to Orange Mango on the square this evening for some yogurt, it was slippery...but do-able.

7:30 Tuesday morning

8:30 Tuesday Morning

10:30 Tuesday morning

Wednesday during my cleaning spree with my shutters open!

I love how snow quiets the world down (well for the people who are at home..not on the roads) I've had a nice couple of days, and I'm ready to get back to my schedule now.

Concert!

2011-02-01T21:09:00.001-06:00

I am SO excited, this weekend we are going to see George Jones in concert. I am thankful this crazy blizzard came now, so hopefully we can make it to our destination! I have been wanting to see him in concert for years, and I felt like the clock was ticking on the chance to see him, since he's been around quite awhile! Several years ago, one of my friends asked me "Who's that old man you listen to?" It was so funny! I grew up listening to old country, so I can easily say I didn't have a chance not to love it. My dad and I danced to George at my wedding "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes...." He's probably also the main person to blame for my love of old country music!

I have been practicing my singing in my car, so I will be in tip top shape to sing along at the concert!

Mariellen's Pictures!

2011-01-30T18:41:00.000-06:00

I took a few pictures for Mariellen this weekend before her baby shower in Tennessee. I LOVE taking pictures, and every time I get a chance to do it...makes me want to take more! Also, it's an easy job with someone like Mariellen who looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL, 8 months pregnant with her little fella.

I'm definitely for hire, if anyone wants some pictures taken, by a non-professional, who just LOVES to do it...I'm your girl!

I have to point out, that her leggings are leopard print, not fish net. HAHA.

A whirlwind of Ukraine related blog posts!

2011-01-30T18:22:00.000-06:00

Reading about the work in Ukraine from my friends makes my heart happy. It's funny that 8 months later, they are getting the ball rolling on blogging about our trip. I also love to read about the trip from the perspective of others.....I think if we all piece together our memories, it makes for a more complete story. Maybe I'll get back to Ukraine blogging, (I'm on Wednesday) but until then, enjoy these:
Carmen's Blog
Kati's Blog

"The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker." -Helen Keller

A quiet day....

2011-01-20T18:59:00.001-06:00

Usually when the weather is wintery it makes my phone really busy. Confirming appointments, moving appointments, canceling appointments...but today since there was just so much snow coming down this morning....it made the decision really easy, and thanks to text messaging/email and some on the ball parents, my day was wiped out pretty quickly. I would rather work, but if I'm not going to...I want to know first thing, so I don't spend all day about to go to work, and then not going...

I got up this morning, worked out (I later made and ate strawberry bread...so that cancels the work out...out!), cleaned, straightened, watched TV, turned the TV off, sat in the quiet and then drank more coffee. I normally don't love silence, I like a little background noise, but today with the snow....it was nice to just sit for a few minutes in complete QUIET. I should probably do it more.

I braved a wal-mart trip. The wal-mart trip was awesome, I waited until the roads were just slushy enough, and wal-mart was NOT busy at all. I snagged some things for my wedding scrap book and a few more pictures I printed for it. One of my sweet friends at work got me the scrapbook as a wedding gift, and I knew I would get around to it one of these days. I drug all my pictures and supplies out last night, on the chance I would have time to work on it today, and I did! I got two whole pages, sort of done. I want to add a little more info to them, but I will probably have to wait until I'm in my Carmen's major scrap book room to get the finishing touches on. I don't have the fancy tools like she does! :)

By late afternoon, I felt like a kid....wanting someone to come over and play. Stomping around in the snow and attempting scrap-booking would be more fun with company. B had to go to work, like many people....so I was the queen of the castle....but the queen got lonely by around 3:00 this afternoon! :)

Happy snow day!

First Snow of 2011!

2011-01-11T16:33:00.000-06:00

We got our first snow since we have been in our new house this week. I ran outside this morning, while I was attempting to get my schedule together for the day, and snapped a picture! I LOVE snow, but we needed a bit more to make it look really pretty! I'm sure I'll get my wish before winter is over. It's always a bit annoying when there's just enough to cancel school, but not enough to justify staying home all day! Happy semi-snow day! :)

Girl's Baking Night

2011-01-09T16:32:00.000-06:00

We had a baking night the week before Christmas! We listened to Christmas music, ate pizza, and had lots of fun! Our line up was Carmen's Cranberry Pistachio Cookies, Kati's Snickerdoodle's, and I made good ole' chocolate chip cookies! We also made oreo balls, puppy chow, and dipped ritz cracker and peanut butter sandwiches!

Showing off the cookies!

Puppy chow!!

Filling the tins!

SO good!

Group picture!

The finished product!!

We did all this after work, so we were a bit tired by around 9:00pm. Next year our plan is to try and do it the weekend before, so we won't be so exhausted!

WOOOO PIG SOOIE!

2011-01-06T20:24:00.000-06:00

Even though it wasn't a victory, it was still awesome to be at the Sugar Bowl, and if fan support and the number of times people randomly started "calling the hogs" determined the win, we would have won!

Top 10 from 2010

2010-12-30T22:17:00.000-06:00

Here's 10 of my favorite pictures from 2010!

Playing in the snow!

A random stop in Australia.

Loving my friends in New York City!

A fun summer afternoon on Beaver Lake!

My toes in the sand!

(and what beautiful toes they are!:)

My friend Mike and I batting at Miracle League!

Ma, myself, Mom and Hadleigh June on the front porch!

Two of the LOVES of my life!

Bryan and I at the Bellagio for our anniversary weekend!

Sweet time with my bestie. It's hard being so far apart.

2010 has been a year of learning, seeing, and doing! I'm learning how to be a wife, how to be a better friend, a better listener....and how to hold my tongue. I fail miserably frequently. I've also seen and experienced things this year that have changed my life. I have held, hugged and loved on children....from my niece and nephew here in Arkansas, to children in orphanages half way around the world. I have seen "need" and I have seen "excess" this year.

I have bought a house, circled the globe, vacationed, visited friends, laughed...and cried along the way!

I really, really love New Year's! It's such an exciting time to make plans for a fresh year. And I love any holiday that involves champagne. I also love a NEW planner (yes, the paper kind you use a pencil with....) and a new calendar hung on my wall! So clean and new. It's right up there with new school supplies, which also make me very happy.

I can't wait to see what 2011 brings.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

Princess Shoes....

2010-12-26T21:54:00.001-06:00

It was a great Christmas weekend. Lots of family, eating, and relaxing. And did I mention, eating?

On another note...Santa knows me too well. I was very excited about my new sparkly shoes. Someone else also really liked them, and she got her own pair of princess shoes for Christmas from her Aunt Katie.

And here she is showing Papa and Grandad the princess shoes. I love Grandad and Papa's expressions. Pretty priceless.

I told Had today, to make sure her foot grew to a size 9, because she was in line to inherit my shoe collection when I'm too old to wear them.... :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

2010-12-23T19:50:00.000-06:00

Christmas fun in pictures! More to come...

Hadleigh and I in front of my crazy pile of glitter tree! :) I've given up on her looking at the camera most of the time...she's too busy.

I LOVE having a house full of friends! I'm blessed with lots of good ones!

Bryan and I, and I am sporting my "carrot top" earrings, a special gift made for me by my friend Greg!

Jami, Monica, Lindsey and Shawn!

My Carmen, myself and Kate-o!

My sweet friend Jarah!

Myself, Kati and Whitney at the Bullington's...

TEAM party!

I LOVE these ladies!

Having fun and being silly at the TEAM party!

Amanda, myself, Kelly, Whitney and Kati!

Cuddling on the couch at Mamaw's with the pups and my girls! :)

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, and takes time to slow down and remember Jesus, and the miracle of his birth. This Christmas season I have read and heard several things about the shepherds. I have never really given them TOO much thought, they were just out in their fields, watching their flocks...and then an angel came and gave them the good news of the Savior's birth! But I've really been thinking about what it must have been like for them, going to see Jesus, and then spreading the word about Jesus' birth. They weren't religious leaders, or mighty influential people....they worked in the fields. And God picked them to tell first. I love that he picked the common, lowly people in society's eyes, to tell about the birth of Jesus. A great reminder of no matter what your position or place in this world, you can do mighty things through Him.

Approaching Christmas!

2010-11-30T07:30:00.000-06:00

A good reminder from my devotional this morning as we go into this holiday season....

Dear Lord, give me Your eyes to see and Your ears to hear the needs of those around me; not just at Christmas, but always. I long to share Your passion for the poor and the needy. Help me remember true wealth is not measured by the size of my bank account, but by the size of my heart.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reading Books!

2010-11-23T08:22:00.000-06:00

Hadleigh and I read lots of books last night before bed. She picked to read "A Christmas Story" and "Goodnight New York City" over and over again. The Christmas story book was Joe and I's when we were little and I bought Hadleigh the Goodnight NYC book before she was even born! I wanted her to learn to love NYC at an early age! Both of these are good picks to read repeatedly in my opinion! :)

While we were reading A Christmas Story, every time we would get to the part about Joseph and Mary, she would say "Joseph, like my daddy!" Since her daddy has the same name! It was too cute. Then we would get to the page with the wise men, and she would say "Wise men give baby Jesus presents!" I loved every minute of reading with her!

We also practiced identifying the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in the NYC book. She'll be all ready for her first big apple trip with her Aunt Ahmi. :)

A Ukraine post....

2010-11-18T21:21:00.001-06:00

And a call to prayer. Several of the children our group met while working in Ukraine in April are in the process of being adopted...and SO CLOSE to having a family. It's SO exciting! Everyone of them deserves a home.

The challenges that go along with this whole adoption process is how LONG it takes to complete the paperwork, raise the money, complete a home study, a dossier...etc. I am sure I don't even know the half of what it takes, but I know plenty of people working hard, jumping through hoops to get their paperwork done, so THEIR child will be home with their family...and out of an orphanage crib.

Apparently Ukraine is voting this month sometime on whether or not to continue to allow adoptions to take place. This would mean that the parents in the process of bringing their child home would no longer be allowed to complete their adoption (from my understanding). And this....completely.... Breaks. My. Heart.

You can read more about it here and here.

Adoption seems like an emotional roller coaster as it is, so I can't imagine what they are all going through knowing this vote could stop this journey, and leave their child in a crib halfway around with world.

I don't understand the reasoning behind all of this...or the "ins and outs" of it for that matter. I just know that I follow several blogs of adoptive parents, and lots of Ukrainian kids. I've held many of these kids with my own two arms...and I can NOT imagine them losing their chance to have a mom and dad...a family....a home...and all that LOVE.

Pray that the God will soften the hearts of the people voting on this decision in Ukraine, and that Ukrainian adoptions stay open...so all of these kids will find their way home.

ESFJ

2010-11-17T20:37:00.000-06:00

I saw a link on a blog I read to a short version of the Myers-Briggs personality test. I took the test it in college as part of a class, and I was the exact same as I was tonight.....ESFJ (Extraverted-Sensing-Feeling-Judging). B took the test several years ago, I can't remember his exact results, but I am sure they would be opposite of mine. And we laughed at his results, because a few of his personality descriptions were exact things I had said to him before.

It's interesting to look at the types of personalities people have, and how they perceive things/react to things. Here's the link to the short version of the Myers-Briggs

Here's the short description of an ESFJ...it's a long description, and of course I only copied and pasted the first several paragraphs. They were they said most of the good things, with all personality types, there are definite downfalls...I left those out! I want to hear what my friends are....let me know! :)

The Caregiver

As an ESFJ, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit in with your personal value system. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion.
ESFJs are people persons - they love people. They are warmly interested in others. They use their Sensing and Judging characteristics to gather specific, detailed information about others, and turn this information into supportive judgments. They want to like people, and have a special skill at bringing out the best in others. They are extremely good at reading others, and understanding their point of view. The ESFJ's strong desire to be liked and for everything to be pleasant makes them highly supportive of others. People like to be around ESFJs, because the ESFJ has a special gift of invariably making people feel good about themselves.
The ESFJ takes their responsibilities very seriously, and is very dependable. They value security and stability, and have a strong focus on the details of life. They see before others do what needs to be done, and do whatever it takes to make sure that it gets done. They enjoy these types of tasks, and are extremely good at them.

ESFJs are warm and energetic. They need approval from others to feel good about themselves. They are hurt by indifference and don't understand unkindness. They are very giving people, who get a lot of their personal satisfaction from the happiness of others.
They want to be appreciated for who they are, and what they give. They're very sensitive to others, and freely give practical care. ESFJs are such caring individuals, that they sometimes have a hard time seeing or accepting a difficult truth about someone they care about.
With Extraverted Feeling dominating their personality, ESFJs are focused on reading other people. They have a strong need to be liked, and to be in control. They are extremely good at reading others, and often change their own manner to be more pleasing to whoever they're with at the moment.
ESFJs respect and believe in the laws and rules of authority, and believe that others should do so as well. They're traditional, and prefer to do things in the established way, rather than venturing into unchartered territory. Their need for security drives their ready acceptance and adherence to the policies of the established system. This tendency may cause them to sometimes blindly accept rules without questioning or understanding them.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-11-14T15:09:00.000-06:00

I found this recipe on another blog, and it looked so good....I had to try it. I am the only pumpkin fan in my household of two, so I pawned some of them off on a friend and my mom. I accidentally forgot the egg (oops) in the first batch...and they even turned out ok...so, I added the egg and finished baking the rest of them. I can't decide if I'm forgetful...or distracted.

On another note, on Friday I was driving to see a kiddo at a local school and I somehow managed to swallow my gum...and then choke on it. And then when I got to the school, I had to navigate 3 steps in the hallway, and one minute I was marching along...the next minute I was being helped up off the floor. I called husband, and he didn't sound shocked at all that I had swallowed my gum, and then tripped and fell down all within 15 minutes. I called my aunt, who shares my gracefulness and we had a good laugh.

If I had a cooking show, the title might be something like...."What will she forget today?" or "The forgetful cook who falls!" It's a good thing I can laugh at myself...

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 1/2 cp flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cp butter
1/4 cp butter flavored shortening
1/2 cp white sugar
1/2 cp brown sugar
1 can pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 pkg milk chocolate chips

Measure and combine dry ingredients, minus sugars. Cream butter, shortening and
sugars. Add pumpkin, vanilla, egg and mix. Add dry mixture and chocolate.
Bake for 11 mins @ 350.

"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower."

2010-10-31T19:19:00.000-05:00

I love this time of year, like really, really love it! Pumpkins, mums, boots, fall leaves, kids in Halloween costumes, frost and football season all make me very, very happy!

I always want it to last a little longer than it does.

But it's easier to let go of knowing that the holidays are coming soon after! We have enjoyed the weather, football, tailgating and being settled in our house. We have lots of projects we want to do still, but nothing that can't wait a little longer. Here's a few pictures from the past several weekends!

Our porch! My mums aren't that great looking, but they have been through rounds of being watered, and then forgotten. That's the kind of gardener I am...:)

A craft I did at work with some of my kiddos...we had fun picking the leaves...which ALL came from the same tree- using describing words, talking about seasons of the year, and parts of a tree! I loved how colorful the leaves were...probably more than my kids did.

Hadleigh and I relaxing while tailgating!

Myself, Carmen and Kara wearing our matching Halloween shirts! :)

Uncle Bryan and Riley relaxing a couple of weekend ago when he was here!

Carmel apple that Riley and I made when he and Hadleigh were here! Notice the snazzy Toy Story plate! :)

Haddie and Mamaw!

Sunrise this week as I was leaving for work.

GIANT pumpkin at Bellagio! I LOVED this.

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an

oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."

One year!

2010-10-19T20:27:00.000-05:00

Bryan and I celebrated our one year anniversary this past weekend. We had a weekend in Little Rock planned, and at the last minute Bryan booked a trip to Vegas. SURPRISE! I'm not great with big surprises, but I recovered and we had such a fun weekend. We ran into some of our friends in the parking lot of the airport (gotta love a small airport)...and found out they were going to Vegas as well. So it was nice to have them to hang out with, especially during the almost 9 hours we waited on an airplane that worked. (I really feel like I have met my quota for amount of time spent in an airport this year) And, don't get me wrong, I'm glad we flew in one with all the equipment working properly...but sending a new plane a little earlier in the day would have been good. Just in case you want to know, it was Allegiant airlines...not that I'm upset with them or anything.....

In a year, we have definitely both learned more about ourselves and each other. Sharing a checking account with someone just adds a whole new element to a relationship! :) And just when I think I am getting him figured out, he'll throw me for a loop. But isn't that what marriage is all about, spending a lifetime figuring each other out?

And now that we have been married a year, I am POSITIVE it won't be as easy to avoid the "when are you having kids?" question. When you haven't even been married a year, there's not nearly as much pressure. And my current answer is: we don't know yet.....when we feel led that it's the right time for us to add to our family, Lord willing, we will. But, at this moment we are content with our foot loose and fancy free lifestyle. It seems that every season in life, comes and goes so quickly, I want to enjoy this one while we can.

We do have one pet, The Goldfish. The Goldfish been around since my college days. He had a sister, but she passed on. Yes, he survived a month in my apartment on a 10 day feeder. Yes, he survived a move across the state in a tupperware container. And yes, he's the most low maintenance/low cost pet you can possibly have!

And speaking of pets, we have had a little stray pup running around our neighborhood....he's tiny and apparently spent the night on our porch behind my mums and pumpkins. Sad stuff. I am going to put a blanket out tonight and some food and see if he turns up in the morning. We have discussed getting a dog, but we are gone SO much....we would either drive my mother nuts or have a GIANT bill at the dog boarders. So we'll see what happens in the dog department this next year. If one lands on our porch, I guess we'll know our answer. We both love dogs, but Bryan is allergic...so it will have to be just the right dog for us.

We can't wait to see what the next year brings! I am so thankful to have such a good husband.

I know a few of you are wondering if we survived! Good news.....

2010-10-10T21:27:00.000-05:00

We did, and I lived to blog about it. :) Bryan and I kept Riley AND Hadleigh this weekend! We had SO much fun! We did have some help from my mom, Hadleigh stayed the night at her house...we thought she would sleep better that way. So we dropped her off before bed, and picked her up the next morning.

We have been talking about getting Riley and Hadleigh on the same weekend for quite some time now. Bryan had to work out of town this past week, and was going to be passing by Searcy on his way home on Friday afternoon...so it turned into the perfect opportunity to pick up Riley. I went and picked my Haddie up from daycare Friday afternoon, and the fun began!

I will proudly say that everyone had fun, slept, ate pretty well, took a nap on Saturday afternoon...and had no major injuries! That's all an Aunt and Uncle can hope for! :) We managed to blow bubbles, go to Chuck E Cheese, Braum's, Miracle League, Pumpkin Patch, Chick-Fil-A, Shogun's and Orange Mango! Yes, we had ice cream both Friday and Saturday night. Riley likes orange ice cream, Hadleigh likes "mink" (pink) ice cream. Her aunt Ahmi likes "mink ice cream" too so that worked out well. Here are some picture from our weekend!

Bubbles in the driveway! This is a great picture of Riley....running. Because that's what he does best!

She loved the bubbles!

Slide at Chuck E. Cheese

She really liked the "moneys" you put into the machines! Not really the game so much...

Renalli's pumpkin patch in Tontitown! It was great, and we were the ONLY people there!

Funny face she is making.

He organized all the pumpkins for them into piles by size and color.

The quote for this picture is "I get three pumpkins because I'm three, and Hadleigh gets two pumpkins because she is two." Well, of course! :)

Her two pumpkins!

Ghosts!

They didn't really want pictures, they just wanted to run around.

And pull the wagon!

Little Miss and her pumpkin, that she traded in for two small pumpkins!

Cuteness!

Going to pay for our pumpkins!

Waiting while "Uncle By-an" paid.

Ahh, home snuggled in watching Toy Story before a good nap on Saturday afternoon!

Playing musical chopsticks at Shogun's!

We liked the soup!

And we had some hand holding! :)

We sure love these two kids! They are such sweet, funny, good kids! So proud to be their Aunt and Uncle!

Hadleigh's Two!

2010-10-03T20:34:00.000-05:00

Here's our birthday pics!

October 2008

October 2009

October 2010

My sweet girl turned two yesterday! Her "wooo pig sooie" birthday party was this afternoon and Bryan and I drove down this morning to see the birthday girl and spend some time with her before the partying this afternoon.

She had a big crowd coming to her party, so we gave her our gifts early. We got her some new boots and a jewelry box with her name on it, she loved it. She would open the lid and watch the ballerina spin and listen to the music repeatedly. It was so cute! We then of course had to load it up with her necklaces, pink ring and silly bands! She needed to get a good nap in before the party so we laid down in her new "big girl bed" and read "The Little Engine that Could" (twice) before she took her nap. I loved having some quiet snuggle time with my girl.

jewelry box! aka "haddie's box"

going to put our new jewelry box in her room

hadleigh and her mamaw and mimi!

This was Hadleigh's "smash cake" I made for her...the hog was centered...but it got hot and slid to the edge while we were in the car. oops.

had and grandad

had and her papa

Granny and Hadleigh

the biggest hog cake I have ever seen!

she "oooh" and "awwed" over every single thing she got. so sweet!

eating her cake!

I loved this...

2010-09-30T19:54:00.000-05:00

Rescuing Yulia....

2010-09-26T08:09:00.000-05:00

The same blog that helped Yuri and Wade get adopted is now campaigning to save this little sweet heart. I feel like I have a pretty good idea of the 5 people who look at my blog :)...but just in case God sends the right person, randomly along, to my page I couldn't help but pass this information along.
We met Yulia while in Ukraine in April, and she was one of the kids we scooped out of their beds to just hold for a few minutes. You can read more about this sweetie and how we can help raise the MONEY that it will cost to adopt this sweet girl here! She is one that will face moving to an institution, and it's almost certain she won't last long there. That's a hard sentence to type, but a true sentence.

Couldn't help but add the picture we have of her. Makes it seem very real knowing that we have seen her with our own two eyes!

On a good note....They have already raised around $15,000 of the $25,000 needed for someone to go and bring her home! That's pretty amazing, and nice to know that her family will have the financial burden lifted so they can focus on just bringing Yulia home home! I love, love, love seeing people work so hard to bring kids to families and homes that are all the way around the world. It's a comforting thought to know that God knows every single child in every single bed bed, in every single orphanage around the world. I am happy that I can do just one small, tiny, tiny, tiny thing by posting her information on the blog. Please join me in praying for Yulia and her journey to finding a family.

Sunday Afternoon Fun!

2010-09-23T20:51:00.000-05:00

We went and rode 4-wheelers Sunday afternoon. We started at my Ma's and then ventured over to check out JB/BW's hunting spots. They hunt very near my Grandparent's farm. It was nice to spend an afternoon outside! It was a little hot, but still very fun. I loved riding 4wheelers and being at my Ma and Papa's while I was growing up, it's so nice to spend time there. We packed a cooler with some leftover pizza and waters and ate in the great outdoors. It took about 10 minutes of riding before we stopped and Bryan ate the first piece of pizza. I had an encounter with seed ticks and Kati came inches from stepping on a snake....it was about all the excitement we could stand.

Loading up and heading out!

Bryan and I

Bullington's!

Two of the best parts of the day I didn't take a picture of. The first was, Kati hopping down the trail behind the 4-wheeler in rubber knee high boots and her helmet. She really looked like a space alien. It makes me laugh just thinking about it. And I love anything that makes me laugh repeatedly when I think about it! :) The second was ending the afternoon with homemade apple cobbler at my Ma's. I hope to be half the cook/baker she and the other ladies in my family are!