Pool Time

We are loving our pool!! The kids are having so much fun in it! What a blessing. Here are just a few quick shots taken a few weeks ago.

It's the perfect size for us!


Joel showing off some swimming moves


I love this one!


Aliya has gotten so brave! She was pretty scared the first few times, but now she climbs the ladder and jumps off, all on her own! She now swims with her face down in the water!


Trying to get a good action shot of Joel jumping in, it turned into more of a belly flop! OUCH!

Cornrows

I am trying my hand cornrowing... It's not going too bad, I just can't part straight!! (I'm not sure I will ever be able to do that) Joel's Aunt Stephanie gave Aliya some really cool beads that snap shut. I was able to switch out the beads without having to take her hair down.

This is what I did first...


This is what it turned into the next morning. The outfit Aliya chose for the day didn't match the bead from the night before! No worries, they were super simple to switch out!








This was Aliya's 4th of July look!!



I bought some new beads today and some snaps arrived in the mail from a dear blog friend (Thanks Debbie)! Aliya was very excited to try them out. Since I did her hair in piggy back braids into pig tails last night, we just braided and beaded the pig tails! Of course, I didn't get a picture yet, but hopefully will soon!!

(Sorry for the poor quality of the pictures, they were taken on a disposable camera)

Then And Now

2008


2009


2010

Special Delivery

About a month ago Aliya received a very special package in the mail from her Grandma Sylvia and Papaw Tom. Sorry it's taken me so long to post these!! She looks absolutely adorable in her outfit and matching shoes!








Thanks Grandma and Papaw!!

Weekend visit with Grandma and Grandpa W.

Mom and Mike came into town Saturday morning for Joel's game! The kids love it when they come! They stayed the night and went to church with us this morning then to lunch, then onto Joel's game. Below are a few pictures from their visit. (these photos are out of order, sorry)

Aliya wearing her new princess sunglasses. Sadly they actually fit better upside-down, she has the smallest nose in the world.



Joel relaxing Saturday night in our "new" pool! We were super blessed by friends for their hand-me-down gift!!!



More swimming



I love Aliya's face in this one, she LOVES the water!



She loves it!



Smiles after another victory! Joel got the game ball and found out he made the All Star *A* Team!


With dad


Posing with her portable potty seat. No nasty porta-potty seat for our little one.


Sleepy girl


Target practice in the garage

Email Returned!! Sucess!!!!

I was beginning to think I wasn't going to hear back from Adoptive Families magazine...I had emailed two different contacts and until this morning heard nothing!! Below is the email I found in my inbox this morning!!!!!!!! It's really sad, but I actually teared up a little bit!


Dear Ms. B,
We would be pleased to offer your OBGYN a free subscription to Adoptive Families magazine. Please email the name, mailing address, and phone number and we will get it under way.

Thank you for your support of Adoptive Families!

Warm regards,
Paula Grande for Marie Kiernan
New Hope Media, LLC
39 West 37th St, 15th Fl
New York, NY 10018
p:646-366-0830 f:646-366-0842
www.additudemag.com
www.adoptivefamilies.com

Happy Birthday Grandma H.

Yesterday would have been my Grandma H's birthday. After dinner Aliya and I ran to Cub Foods and she helped pick out a yummy cupcake to take to grandma's grave site. Aliya has been with me both times I have visited grandma's grave since her passing. I told her that today is GG's birthday and we were going to sing Happy Birthday to her. Now, since grandma passed I've told her that GG (great grandma) is with Jesus, so I think I completely threw her for a loop when I said we were going to go sing to her.

Once at the cemetery we walked around trying to find grandma's stone. The last time we were there they hadn't laid the sod yet, so her plot was very easy to find, this time, not so much! We walked right by it three times before I finally had to call Jon AND my Uncle to ask for help locating her spot. Aliya walked around yelling, "Dammaw, are you?" it was super cute! Once we found it we each took a seat on the grass and I lit the candle. Aliya and I sang three rounds of "Happy Birthday" and Aliya blew the candle out all three times. I cried as we sang.

We left the cupcake and candle by her name. I hope to make this an annual trip...I want Aliya to remember her GG so badly it hurts. I miss her so much.

Happy Birthday Grandma! We love you and miss you!!!