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)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
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!
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!
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
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!!!!
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!!!!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Road Trip
Last weekend Jon, Aliya, Greg, Megan and I all headed to Alliance Ohio for a family wedding reception. My cousin Randi got married back in March in FL and was having a reception for their friends and family here in OH who couldn't make it down for the wedding!! It was Joel's 1st tournament game, so he wasn't able to go with us. I am so thankful that we bought the van last year, everyone had plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the 3 hour and 50 minute drive up. We left mid morning on Saturday, dropped Joel off at his grandpa's on the way and were back on the road after a quick lunch break. We made it to the hotel with about an hour to relax before we had to start getting ready for the reception. Aunt Kim and Grandma Caryl also made the trip from FL and Kris came from WCH. We had so much fun catching up with Kim and Grandma. It is my hope that Aliya will get to know them both more than just seeing them every few years. (they will be back up in Sept for another wedding!!!!!!) Here's a few shots from the reception. Aliya looked adorable in her white dress with daisy's stitched on it and pig tails with big yellow balls (the dress was an Easter gift from Grandma Sylvia and Papaw Tom!)
Self photo of me and my girl on the way to the county club
If Aliya licked one rock, she licked them all...
The reception didn't start until 5:30p and after being in the van all day, Aliya was ready for some snuggles with daddy!
On the dance floor
Cousin Randi and her parents (Aunt Karen and Uncle Wally) and new hubby Robb!
Posing at the wall, but no smiles. She was hungry and ready to eat!
Randi and Robb, beautiful couple (Jon took the pictures!)
We left long before the reception was over (grandma outlasted us on the dance floor!) and heading back to the hotel. I was sure Aliya would sleep on the way back, but sure enough, she didn't. As we entered the hotel and passed the pool she got so excited and started yelling, "pool, wawa" It was late, but I couldn't disappoint her, so we got our suits on and swam for about 20 minutes (please don't mind the mascara running down my face and snot coming out of her nose!)
After breakfast at the hotel we packed up and headed over to Aunt Jennie's for lunch. It was nice to just relax and visit without all the people around! Aliya fell asleep in daddy's arms (didn't get a picture of it, darn it!) We stayed about 2 hours before heading out again.I asked Jon to take my camera around and get pictures of everyone, here's a few!
Aunt Karen
Kris trying to keep her new tan going (she and dad just got back from a cruse celebrating their 25th anniversary!)
Greg and Megan
Grandma
Aunt Kim
On the way home we stopped at Wendy's for our "father's day" treats then everyone crashed (except for Jon, he was driving)
Me...
What I saw looking to the back of the van
And my hubby (notice the drink and the phone???)
This was a great trip! And surprisingly enough, I was only half blood related to one person there, Greg. I am so blessed that my "step family" is my family. Aunt Kim is Aunt Kim and Grandma is Grandma. For those of you in a step family situation you can relate I'm sure. But I am so beyond loved by them (and the love is mutual) that there is no step about it.
Self photo of me and my girl on the way to the county club
If Aliya licked one rock, she licked them all...
The reception didn't start until 5:30p and after being in the van all day, Aliya was ready for some snuggles with daddy!
On the dance floor
Cousin Randi and her parents (Aunt Karen and Uncle Wally) and new hubby Robb!
Posing at the wall, but no smiles. She was hungry and ready to eat!
Randi and Robb, beautiful couple (Jon took the pictures!)
We left long before the reception was over (grandma outlasted us on the dance floor!) and heading back to the hotel. I was sure Aliya would sleep on the way back, but sure enough, she didn't. As we entered the hotel and passed the pool she got so excited and started yelling, "pool, wawa" It was late, but I couldn't disappoint her, so we got our suits on and swam for about 20 minutes (please don't mind the mascara running down my face and snot coming out of her nose!)
After breakfast at the hotel we packed up and headed over to Aunt Jennie's for lunch. It was nice to just relax and visit without all the people around! Aliya fell asleep in daddy's arms (didn't get a picture of it, darn it!) We stayed about 2 hours before heading out again.I asked Jon to take my camera around and get pictures of everyone, here's a few!
Aunt Karen
Kris trying to keep her new tan going (she and dad just got back from a cruse celebrating their 25th anniversary!)
Greg and Megan
Grandma
Aunt Kim
On the way home we stopped at Wendy's for our "father's day" treats then everyone crashed (except for Jon, he was driving)
Me...
What I saw looking to the back of the van
And my hubby (notice the drink and the phone???)
This was a great trip! And surprisingly enough, I was only half blood related to one person there, Greg. I am so blessed that my "step family" is my family. Aunt Kim is Aunt Kim and Grandma is Grandma. For those of you in a step family situation you can relate I'm sure. But I am so beyond loved by them (and the love is mutual) that there is no step about it.
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