Happy Birthday Ethan

I know, this is a late post.   But trust me, Ethan was celebrated and spoiled.  Life is just so busy to keep up with two blogs and 6 kids.  :-)

Thursday was his 4th birthday. He woke up to everyone singing Happy Birthday to him.  He was so happy. He loved that it was finally his birthday.

Bill & I planned on taking just him to Busch Gardens since everyone else was in school. As we were on our way, the skies looked like rain. So we decided to run into Target to find a "Woody" cowboy hat.  A friend gave us a Woody costume but it was missing a hat. Ethan was happy.  Because he wanted the hat.  Well, Target did not have it so we drove to the mall. Ethan rode the carousel with me and loved it. Big smiles.

Then we went to Build A Bear where he chose his own bear (no more playing with his sisters) and picked a Buzz Lightyear outfit for his bear.

Then to the Disney Store where we found Woody's hat. And it was 40% off. Made me happy. :-)

Then Chick Fil A for lunch. And since he ate most of his lunch, he got ice cream. He was so happy.

He could not wait to come home and have cupcakes for his birthday. We sang to him and he blew out his candle.  Unfortunately Tiff had a football game so she was not home.

Friday when everyone woke up we did presents.  There was no school on Friday. He had so much fun opening his gifts.

I can't believe our little man is 4 years old.  He's changing and his speech is blossoming. He is non-stop talk.

Happy Birthday Ethan. We love you!

Birthday Celebrations!

We've been busy here.  Lots of stuff going on with 6 kids.  But one thing we have been doing is celebrating mine & Abby's birthday's.  My birthday was August 28th and Abby's was yesterday, Sept 5.  Abby turned 9.  NINE!!! How did that happen???  I turned....well I'm not embarrassed to say it....I turned the BIG 4-0.  Again, HOW DID THAT HAPPEN????  I honestly have not had any issues with turning 40. Until I see the number written down.  Then it freaks me out, just a little. LOL

I'm so thankful that we could celebrate together, with our entire family.  Here are some photos.

Happy Birthday Miss Abby.  We are so blessed to call you our daughter.  You are our first adoption and because of you, we have added more children to our family.  You are an amazing little girl. You are growing into a wonderful young lady.  I am so excited to see how God is forming you. We love you Miss Abster!

Friends Forever!

Yesterday we were blessed to be able to visit with our dearest friends, The Clark Family.  They are in FL for vacation and made a pitstop to see us.  We had such a great day.  They spent about 5 hours with us yesterday. The kids got along.  They picked up right where they left off in May when we visited them in Maryland.  I think the kids swam for 4 hours.  I don't know, but it felt like a long time.  So many giggles and laughs.  Tropical Storm Isaac did not put a damper on our plans.  The kids swam in the rain.  And they LOVED every minute of it.

Here are some photos of the day.  When we met Dawn & Dale 8 1/2 years ago, Tiff was the only child between our two families.  Now, between our two families have 11 kids.  The miracle of adoption.

Abby & Jadyn were Baptized Today!

We are SO happy for Abby & Jadyn.  Jadyn asked Jesus in her heart last summer (2011) during VBS.  She was afraid of being baptized.  Sometime this summer, she said she felt comfortable now and wanted to be baptized.  So we went and talked with Pastor Tony.  As we were talking to him Abby was listening.  Pastor Tony asked if Abby wanted to ask Jesus in her heart. She said "no, she's not ready".  Even though Abby knew all of the answers, I asked her if she had more questions. She said "No, I understand, I'm just shy and did not want to ask Jesus in my heart in front of anyone."  So we went into our playroom, just Abby & I and she prayed to ask Jesus in her heart.

Our church was doing their 2nd Annual Beach Baptism's today. Abby & Jadyn told us in July that they wanted to do this.  So today, we drove to Apollo Beach area with 48 other members of our church.  This was the largest Baptism at one time in our church history I believe. Of course we were praying that Tropical Storm Isaac would stay away long enough for us to have the baptism's. And thankfully the storm did stay away.

I'm so thankful that my sister & her family came and stayed to watch the baptism's.  It meant so much to the girls and to me. I wish my brother, his wife & my parents could have been there.  But they are all in TN right now.

The girls were 2nd to last.  We had to walk out into the bay because of low tide.  They were nervous.  But when it was their time, they chose the pastor they wanted to baptize them and walked right to them.  Jadyn went first. She chose Pastor Tony (our Children's Pastor).  Abby went 2nd and she chose Pastor Daniel (our Youth Pastor).  I am so proud of them and I'm so glad we were able to be there today.

Here are some photos of the day. I took 175 photos. Wow!  I will not post that many. LOL  OH, and my awesome sister made a cake for the girls.  Their request, strawberry cake with pink frosting with a green cross.

I'm so thankful for the miracle of adoption. Because without adoption, my girls would have NEVER heard the name of Jesus. And they would not have had the opportunity to ask Him into their hearts.