Friday, February 10, 2012

Adoption Update!

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

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

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.


Tuesday, February 07, 2012

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!


Saturday, February 04, 2012

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.