Celebrating Two Years Together!!

Our adoption group spent last Sunday afternoon celebrating our two year anniversary with a picnic at our nearby National Park. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed being together. It hard to believe that two years have passed since our first trip to China. As we sat together we talked about how our lives had changed. People may think we are crazy and we are..... crazy about all of these special blessings!! Here's Emanuiel, always the little helper, pulling chairs and blankets to our picnic spot.

Notice how all of the men are seated while the ladies get everything ready!! Seriously, they were busy watching the children.

Good food and good company!!

The little ones took turns pulling, pushing and climbing in and out of the wagons.

Getting ready for a ride.

Do you mind if I sit in your lap???

Taking a water break...............

and acting silly!!!!

I had to grab one of them quick to get a picture. Emanuiel was over loving on the other girls!

Here we are at the end of our picnic about to pack up and go home. Land was with us for a little while and then he went over to a friend's house. Anna Kayla and Greg were busy and couldn't join us and Cooper's family also couldn't be with us. We missed them but we know we all will be together again very soon.

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

Lord thank you for giving us a reason to celebrate with these wonderful families.

All the ends of the world

Shall remember and turn to the Lord,

And all the families of the nations

Shall worship before You.

Psalm 22:27

Robin

In The Valley at Clemson

The first weekend in April Land and his dad spent the day at Clemson along with a lot of other fans meeting the coaches and players. They had a great time. Land is a big Clemson fan and loves to attend their football camp in the summer. Here he is on the field about to meet some of the players.

I'm sure he's probably imagining what it would be like to play here one day!

Waiting to talk with Dabo.

Running down the hill onto the field.

Just enjoying hanging out together.

I am so blessed that I have a sweet husband that takes the time to do special things with each of our children.

It reminds me of how our Heavenly Father longs to spend time with us each day.

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

Enjoy time spent with Him.

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

Psalm 103:13

Robin

Our Beach Fun!!!

We were very fortunate to have been invited to the beach to stay with some of our good friends over spring break. It was Emanuiel's first trip to the ocean and even though he wasn't sure where we were going he was very excited. We all were!!! Here he is with his toes in the sand headed in the direction of the water. It didn't take long before he fell in, quite by accident I am sure!!!

Our two little ones loving the sand and shore.

Here's Emanuiel, giving our our hostess, Bekah Grace, some sweet loving!!!

Here he is pretending to take the girls for a spin on the golf cart! Can you imagine when this little guy really starts driving one day!!!

Posing with dad in the sand.

Now it's mom's turn!!!

Getting ready to brave the icy waters of the deep!!!

The big guys, the cold water didn't bother them at all!!

Our ocean explorer with his find!!!

Too cool for words!!

Clara Beth is very carefully standing up little sticks in the sand.

Gazing at the beauty of the beach and hoping to go back very soon!!!

Words can not describe how much fun we had!!! Thanks to Bubba we probably all gained about 10 pounds. She kept our tummies full and Pop and Grandmother kept the children entertained!!

It's so wonderful to have friends that treat you like family!!!

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

Psalms 148:7 NIV
Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths.

Where ever you are, praise Him!

Robin

Answered Prayers

Two years ago on April the18th , the most precious little girl was placed in my arms. I had waited for this moment for over two years and couldn't believe it when it finally happened. I had played out the scene over and over in my mind so many times but nothing compared with actually holding this sweet angel and feeling her face next to mine. She didn't cry and showed no fear, it was as if she had also been waiting for this moment too.

Within minutes she was laughing and playing with us and it's been that way ever since.

Here's our sweet angel playing in the waves with her daddy and...........

blowing bubbles on the beach with me over our spring break.

There were lots of times of uncertainty during our long wait and one thing that I had to keep reminding myself was that God's timing was and is always perfect. I also had to remember that His delay is not His denial, it's just all part of His plan. I hope that this will bring some comfort to those who are still waiting. It is so worth every second that you wait.

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

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.

1 Samuel 1:27

Robin

Celebrating Easter

Our Easter celebration started early Saturday morning with an Easter Egg hunt at church. The little ones were excited as we loaded up the car with our baskets in hand. Emanuiel knew we were about to do something fun, he just didn't know what it was yet...........

It didn't take him long to fill his basket. He ran from place to place tossing eggs here, there, and everywhere in his wake.

Clara Beth, on the other hand, was the more reluctant hunter. She slowly and carefully placed the eggs in her basket.

Then we headed back home to prepare for the gathering at our house on Sunday. We hosted about 35 friends and family members.

On Sunday morning we awoke to a visit from the Easter Bunny!! After checking out each item in the Easter baskets we all got ready for church.

This is the best picture we could get after Emanuiel took a tumble on the sidewalk and got boo boos on both knees!!

Easter egg colored band-aids and some special love from Mei Mei made it all better. Once we were home from church we awaited the arrival of all of our guests!!!

Special Easter decorations were everywhere. These little Easter Lilies are Clara Beth's sweet little hands. She made these at Mrs. Dawn's house.

Here's one of our little Easter Bunnies entertaining our guests!!!

Okay mommy, where's our lunch!!! I hope all of you had a very blessed Easter at your house too!

It's spring break around here and I have to go and pack. We are off to the beach this afternoon to spend time with good friends. We can't wait to get our toes in the sand. It's Emanuiel's first trip to the beach! He is so excited!!!

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

Job 9:8 NIV
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

We can't wait to bask in the sunshine and share in God's wonder at the beach!!!

Robin

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Impossible for me not say something!!!

My two little ones sharing some love and time outside together.

Until next time.....................We are getting ready to host Easter lunch at our house and, like always, there is much to do!!!!

Romans 12:10 NIV
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Robin

Birthday Bash in the Barn!!!

WOW, what a weekend we have had!!! I think we may have just had one of the best birthday parties ever!!! Even in the torrential down pours! Yes, we got about 3 inches of rain in about two hours, both of which took place during our party!!! No matter, it didn't dampen our spirits in the least. We didn't get the pony rides out side instead we got us a birthday bash in the barn!!! There was a rabbit to pet and hold, goats to feed, dogs and cats to watch and a great ole' big horse all saddled up to sit on! What more could a four year old cowboy "wanna be" want??? He even got to sit in a wagon to open his presents! Take a look at all of the fun we had........

Here's Emanuiel helping make sure all of the party supplies are loaded up and ready to go!

Putting out the juice boxes for all the thirsty cowboys and cowgirls.

Whooooooooo "pardner" better steer clear of the rabbit!!!

Chow time in the barn.

Hold on Missy, this here is a big ole' horse we're on! For the record, Clara Beth would have no part of climbing up on this horse's back!!

Everyone LOVED feeding the baby goats.

Here's Emanuiel sitting in the wooden wagon opening his new book bag from his sissy, Anna Kayla. He can't wait to take it to school. He's been practicing walking around the house with it and his new lunch box.

Having a laugh on the wagon!

All partied out on the way home..................

with sweet dreams of a GREAT Birthday in the Barn!!! It may have been pouring rain outside but inside that barn it was filled with sunny smiles!!!

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

Genesis 8:2 NIV
Now the springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky.

Yes, the rain finally stopped but not until Sunday, here's looking forward to a week of sunshine ahead.

Robin