Tuesday, July 28, 2009

1 year!

We had our court date one year ago today to finalize Aliya's adoption!!! As I sit here this morning I remember that day like it was yesterday! God has been so faithful this year and Aliya is the love of my life! I am blessed that she calls me mommy!

(I'm not sure how to add the link to the post from a year ago, but if you have time, go back and check it out, July 28, 2008)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Grandma and Grandpa H visit

Jon's folks have been up from FL for 2 weeks now, and of course I didn't get my camera out until the last day of their visit.











The last 3 pictures were from Holly's (Jon's sister) wedding reception/family reunion. Aliya beaded herself and walked around with what I called her "Mr.T starter set". she also ate more sand than played with, but she had a blast!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Too cute for words!

This was Aliya on Sunday after church. My mom picked up the shoes at a local consignment store and I had the perfect hand-me-down pants to match! Aliya calls her barrettes her "pretty". She does an okay job keeping them in her hair, but we'll keep putting them in with the hopes that she'll get used to them one day and leave them alone!






Aliya had her first official play date Saturday night with Gage. (you'll have to excuse the order of these pictures, they are backwards!) Aliya is only 6 days older than Gage, but he is about 2" taller and 5 pounds heavier! He is so smart and we absolutely loved having him over. It is my hope that these two kiddos will grow up being great friends!

Here they are getting ready for bed (Aliya yelling "night")


Aliya is showing Gage how to "jum" (jump) at first she wasn't sure if she liked him sitting on her "Jum Jum" but she quickly got over that and laughed and clapped as he jumped!


After dinner we went for a walk, Aliya wanted to take her baby for a walk in her stroller, little did she know Gage would be doing the pushing!


They are just too cute together!


This one was taken while we were waiting for Gage to come. I asked Aliya if she was excited for her friend to come and she yelled, "YEAH"!!!!



Aliya was home sick Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. She cut two teeth last week and I think it was just too much for her little body. (two more are on the way, so I hope we don't have another round of sickness soon) I stayed home with her Wednesday and Jon stayed home with her Thursday and Friday while I was out of town. I found these two pictures on my camera when I got back into town Friday afternoon... They were just too precious not to share!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

"CHEEEEEEESE"

A week late on these pictures, but too cute not to share...




Thursday, July 2, 2009

Sweet Tea

Last Sunday Aliya and I went to London Ohio to visit my dad's church. He was preaching that day and I always enjoy listening to him. Dad didn't know we were coming, so it was a great surprise! We attended the Contemporary Service along with Kris, Sheri, Greg, Megan, Uncle Keith and Grandma H, as well as two friends of Dad and Kris'. Aliya shocked me by staying in the nursery the ENTIRE service (when I asked her if she would do that for me this weekend at our church she said "yeah" but we'll see...) it was great to worship to songs we sing at the Vineyard!!! Lutheran's raising their hands in praise, who'da thought!?!?

After service we went to Perkin's for lunch, we ended up being split up because the wait for that many people at one table was forever, but we did get back to back booths, so that was nice. Aliya's food was ordered first because she was beyond hungry by this point. And of course by the time we got our food she was done eating and ready to play...so Sheri sat her next to her and tried to color with her and keep her entertained. It worked for a few minutes at least.

Here they are (Aliya trying to eat the crayon)


After Aliya realized she wasn't going to be able to eat the crayon she asked Sheri for a sip of her sweet tea. Now, Aliya loves iced tea, but I had no idea how much...


this was cute! (notice how much tea is in the glass)



She just kept drinking...and drinking...and drinking! "DONE" She yelled!



After giving Sheri "the look" and signing please as hard as she could, Sheri gave in and gave her a refill.


After almost finishing off Sheri's second glass of tea Aliya became the Perkin's Greeter. She said Hi and waved at everyone that went by. She gave high fives to people and even "hit the rock" with a few of them. It was hysterical! After lunch we all loaded back into the van and hit the road. I thought she'd fall asleep right away, YEAH RIGHT! Finally after 30 minutes of her nonstop "talking" she fell asleep.

It was a great day!!!!