Bad Blogger!!

I admit I've been a very bad blogger lately. I apologize for not keeping our family blog updated but it's been really difficult to find some "me" time lately. By the time I'm done with homework, baths and dinner it's usually really too late to sit and type about anything. Anyhow here's an update of what our family has been up to:

The girls and I went and visited Aunt Jill for three days in October. Anaya got to meet all the kids and I finally met Gabriel (Oh my goodness what a gorgeous child)!!!

Alexis turned 11 on October 27th.

We have a new puppy, he's a tiny Maltese 12 weeks old and his name is Casper.

Anaya's re-adoption or "domestication of foreign adoption" was completed on November 5th!!! She's officially Anaya and she's officially 10!!!!

Julian has grown about 2 inches in less than six months. He's two years old and is 37 1/2 inches tall and weighs a whooping 38.5 lbs!

J.R. started the Voluntary Pre Kindergarten program, which means he goes to school from 9:00 am and finishes at 12:00 noon. He's working on learning how to write his name!

The kids all took swimming lessons and now all know how to swim, yes, this includes Julian and J.R. Julian is an awesome swimmer, the boy has a mean front stroke! It's really funny to watch him swim, he's super strong and hardly kicks his feet, his upper body just propels him... It's the cutest thing to watch.

Well, that kinda brings everyone up on what's going on... We are very happy that Anaya has blended so well with the family and hasn't had any issues adjusting to us. We are all in awe of how she's done. She's almost at grade level and is enjoying everything moment of everyday!

I promise to post some pictures sometime next week. I even have a cute little video of Julian and J.R. swimming!

School Update

My very courageous daughter has made it through her fourth day of school. This child does not cease to amaze me in so many ways. She went to school on Monday with her uniform shirt nicely pressed (as she requested) she brushed her hair just so making sure all her curls were perfectly placed. I took her into the school's administrative office meet with the student counselor and proceeded to her classroom. She was as nervous as a ten year old who is entering unchartered waters would be.

We entered her 3rd grade classroom while the class was in the middle of "circle time". The counselor opened the door and the room became very quiet. The counselor announced her arrival, the teacher welcomed Anaya and Anaya proceeded to say "hello everyone". She is amazing!!!!

Today was her fourth day of school and her second week with a private tutor. She LOVES school, her teacher and her new friends. She floats around the house singing and dancing. Yesterday, she asked me if I had any cards... I didn't understand what she meant by cards so I asked her what she meant. She asked for a card so she could give it to her teacher and write some things she was feeling. (Can you say AMAZING CHILD???) I had several blank greeting cards and gave her one. She wrote IN ENGLISH to her teacher, she thanked her for being so nice to her and said she was lucky to have her as her first American teacher.

I'm in awe of what God has given our family. Yes, there are some challenges we are working on helping her with. But, overall, everything seems to be falling into place.

I just want everyone out there to know that adopting an older child does have its challenges but the rewards are so much greater than the challenges! I really never thought that her transition would happen so smoothly. I encourage anyone thinking of adopting an older child to really consider it. These children deserve forever families that will love them unconditionally.

NYC

We had an amazing weekend with the girls in NYC. We met up with one of Anaya's closest friends from Layla House. Her name is Beza and she's been home with her family for a year now. This precious young lady is not only beautiful but sweet and kind. It made my weekend to see how much they loved each other. They had not seen each other since Beza left last year. I don't think they thought they would ever see each other again, but they will be able to see each other at least once or twice a year. Beza's grandmother lives very close to us and they visit her during the holidays. Seeing the girls enjoy each other's company was just fantastic. We meet up at the condo then had lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen and on to Dillan's Candy Shop. They truly had a wonderful time.

The next day we went to see the Lion King on Broadway. We took the girls to Time Square and visited that amazing Toys R Us with a great big ferris wheel smack in the center of it. After the play we took them to dinner.

We had a wonderful trip but the best and most memorable part was spending time with Beza and her amazing family. Thanks guys for meeting up with us it was great to meet you!

Pictures Of Our Family

I have lots to be thankful for. But, I must say, that God had truly blessed me with my family and friends. I have so much to share. I'll start off by posting pictures of our newest family member Miss Anaya, she turned ten years old on the 19th and we celebrated her birthday at Disney World.

Here are some pictures of our wonderful four days.

OUR FAMILY IS COMPLETE!

I'm sorry I've been such a horrible blogger. I opened the blog up once again to all readers. We are done, finished, completed, terminado with our Ethiopian adoption and our beautiful daughter is ours and she's HOME.

I returned on from Ethiopia on August 29th and spent a total of six days there. I'm happy to say that Anaya is doing fabulously. She is adjusting very well. We just celebrated her 10th birthday on the 19th!!

I'll go ahead and start blogging continually and keeping our family blog as up to date as possible. Anaya is now legally our daughter so there is no need for our blog to be private any longer!!!! I will be catching up on pictures of our beautiful children.

I'm going to work on a new header adding our daughter Anaya to it!!!!!

Ethiopia Is Knocking On My Door!!!

I haven't been able to update our blog lately. We have been extremely busy. We're having our flooring redone and had to find alternative accommodations until the project is completed. Try juggling this and preparing for a major life changing trip. Can you say "TOTAL CRAZINESS?"

We have managed to collect a ton of donations I'd say about 300 lbs of school supplies, feminine hygiene products, deodorants, hair accessories, coloring books, crayons, craft kits, candy and baby formula.

We were able to pack most of it into our five checked bags. We're going to carry our clothes and Letarik's clothes in our carry on baggage in order to take as much of the supplies as possible to the orphans. The rest of it will be shipped to our agency upon my return.

I'm excited, nervous and anxious. I have a list of 35 families that have requested pictures and videos of their children at the orphanage. I'm taking two cameras and my brand new HD video camera. I'm planning on taking lots of pictures and footage.

Please pray for our trip to be a safe one. The next time I post I will have my beautiful daughter HOME.

Happy 4th Birthday To My Big Boy!!!!

I still remember the day they placed my son J.R. into my arms for the very first time. He was 10 months old and all of 12 lbs, shaved head, big ears wearing a "South Beach" tshirt, blue pants and sneakers two sizes too small (basically newborn shoes). I remember thinking "oh my gosh" this baby looks nothing like the pictures I was given, but he looked at me the very first time, studied my face and just smiled. I knew then we would have a very special bond and I was so right. I posted our first picture together and one taken today!

My son is now four years old has been home three and a half years and weighs 34 lbs. He's happy, healthy, tender, caring, smart and well I can go on forever. He is one special little boy with a really big heart. I can't describe how much I love him, there are just no words to explain how I feel. I can just thank the Lord above that He chose us to be his parents. Thank you my dear God for giving me this very special gift.

He wanted Alexis (our 10 year old) to bake his cake and so she did! LOL... When he blew out his candle he wished for "snow"??? Yeah, in Florida no less... LOL... Well, maybe he'll get his wish when we take him back to North Carolina for a visit in the winter!

Anyhow here are some pictures of my beautiful child...