Adoption Update!

Go to our family blog to read the latest on our adoption, BIG NEWS today!

http://childersadoption.blogspot.com/2012/02/first-big-step-completed.html

Cousins, Blue Bell, and Memaw

After visiting with Justin's family, the kids and I headed to visit mine. Our first few days, when Justin was with us, we spent some time with my folks and my Memaw. We did our late Christmas with my brother and his family, which was great, as usual! We then headed to see Justin's family until he flew back home.

It is always so fun to watch the girls and Noah play together. With Brooklynn and Karis being the same age, and Madison being almost 13 (ahhh!) Noah loves all the girl attention, especially playing with Madi. She is so good with him, a very sweet cousin! The cousins did a lot of playing, and Madi and I got a chance to do some peppering (a volleyball warm up drill). One morning, I stayed at my parents with all the kids, and Madi and I played for about two hours on and off. I felt my age the next morning when my tail bone was so soar I could hardly walk; I forgot I wasn't 23 anymore!

I think riding the four wheeler is the kids favorite thing, especially now that Madi can drive them.

Noah, Brooklynn, and Karis sitting on Papa John's tractor!

I don't know why I never have pictures of my folks or brother and sister in law. I think I get too caught up in the moment and forget to take pictures. We, or maybe I should say I, ate lots of Blue Bell!

On another note, my Memaw, my dad's mom, is not doing very well. She was in the hospital most of our visit, and now she is home with my parents. She is almost 93 years old and has lived a faithful God-honoring life. She is a faithful prayer warrior, and I pray that I will leave a legacy like she has when I am gone. I love you Memaw and thank you for always pointing me to our Savior, trusting in His plan.

Some Holden Love!

Our trip to Texas started off our new year in a wonderful way. We finally got to meet baby Holden, the kids first boy cousin and our only nephew! The visit was filled with many memories, but this first picture captures all our feelings toward this new miracle!

Karis kissing Holden sums it all up!

The very proud Mama, Courtney, and her sweet little man!

Mamou and all the grand kids!

Karis enjoyed lots of holding and feeding Holden! She was so sweet with him. She would have been a wonderful big helper if we would have had another baby! I can't wait to see how God will use her with her new adopted brother, no matter what age he is!

Noah liked looking at and watching Holden, and he did hold him a little.

One afternoon, Grammy and Pop Pop took all of us to a children's museum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The place reminded us a lot of our own Imagination Station here. There was plenty of fun to be had and lots of science to learn and explore.

We formed our own Childers' band (minus Mommy):

Daddy and Noah on the drums,

and Karis as the lead singer!

Karis and Noah built their own BIG Lego house!

Of course, we ate tons of good food, spent lots of time visiting Grammy and Pop Pop, Mamou, and Aunt Courtney and Holden. I think for Noah, the best part of the trip was riding down the block in Grammy's new Finn McMissile car that Pop Pop gave her.

The Lord has blessed us with great families, and we were so excited to join in the joy of a new nephew and cousin. We love you Holden!

Christmas in February, What!

Blogging, what is that? Sometimes I wonder why I even try to come up with excuses for not being more frequent in my blogs, but the truth is that lately I just haven't wanted to. So, with a new year already into February, I will give a short recap of our Christmas. The kids and I keep to many traditions, and one of these is baking my Mom's Christmas cookies. This year we invited our dear friend, Mrs. Nancy to come and help.

Nancy was a great sport and help. We so enjoyed having her here to share in our fun cookie baking. Thanks Nancy!

Karis and I also got to enjoy a much anticipated girls day out, with our friends, Tess and Carly Powell, to see Dare to Dream on Ice, presented by Disney. It was a fabulous performance It included a short version of The Prince and the Frog, Cinderella, and Tangled. I was wowed out to say the least. It was the first time either of us had been to anything like it. We loved it, and then enjoyed some more girl fun eating lunch out and making a trip to Trader Joe's with the Powell's.

Karis and me before our girls day out!

One of our other favorite traditions is decorating for Christmas. Karis got to put the star on top of the tree this year.

We had a quiet, fun, memorable Christmas this year, enjoying each other and celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Noah's 4th Birthday

For the first time, we were in North Carolina on Noah's birthday. We decided to throw him a party inviting our church family and some of his friends from the YMCA. I am sure it will only take you one guess to know the theme of his party: CARS, of course, not just any cars though, he was very specific about which cars he wanted on his cake. Instead of being my creative self this year, I decided to just decorate his cake and put some cars on top.

Along with the CARS, Noah wanted a 4 candle. He was very adamant about it.

We had his party at the park down the road, and it was a little chilly. The kids and adults seemed to have a good time, especially when Justin pulled out some games for them to play.

Noah eating his cake, wearing his CARS shirt!

It is hard to believe that my baby boy is four. He has such a sweet spirit, still loves to sit with Mommy, and talks, talk, talks. (I don't know where he gets that from, probably from his daddy!!!) His smile lightens up the room, and his laughter is so contagious. He spouts off scenes from the Cars movies and likes being any number of superheroes: Spiderman, Captain America, Green Lantern, and Iron Man. I cannot wait to see all God has in store for him and for us as he grows up. He is a precious gift!

November Rewind

November went by way too fast. A few weeks after my parents came for a visit, Grammy and Pop Pop came. It was a wonderful weekend with them, doing all sorts of shopping, eating at Olive Garden, going to the Whirlgig Festival, watching some of the kids favorite movies, and having lunch after church with our church family.

The kids loved having them all to themselves, showing off their toys and playing with them. Thanks so much for coming! We had a great time!

Noah, Pop Pop, Karis, and Grammy

We did our third annual Thanksgiving tree this year. It always makes me smile to hear what the kids are thankful for, and it encourages us to be truly access our hearts to see if we are thankful for all things.

We spent Thanksgiving with one of our dear church families, the Reigels. It was so inspiring to see a family sit at a HUGE table spread with way too much good food, smiling and talking to each other. It was an experience, one our family will never forget! Thank you Reigel family for making us feel like family and so loved.

And the Journey Begins...

I am so excited to announce that we are now in the first stages of the adoption process with America World Adoption. We have been accepted into the Ethiopia Adoption Program and are right now filling out tons of paperwork to bring our new addition home in the "distant" future! The adoption process is long when doing it internationally, but we know that God's timing is best. Please be in prayer for us as we embark on this wonderful journey of unknowns, patience, and mounds of paperwork.

To say I am excited is an understatement. Justin and I have talked about adopting since before we were even married. You can follow along with us as we go through this journey with our family blog: http://childersadoption.blogspot.com .