Spring break & Easter pics!

Missed another FFF this week, but we were out of town. It was Hannah's spring break, so we took a mini trip to Atlanta! It was a wonderful trip, and a great little break from Richmond, and from what I hear, all the rain that we got while we were gone!

We left late Wednesday, and stopped over in Calhoun-about 45 minutes north of Atlanta, and went for some yummy dinner at the Cracker Barrel-our favorite travel restraunt! Thursday, we went shopping in the morning at the outlets, and then to the Georgia Aquarium in the afternoon! It was HUGE-the tanks were ENORMOUS!!! Everyone had a good time-Caleb was excited at first, then scared of the fish!

Friday, we went to Fayetteville, where we had our pictures taken at an amazing photographer's studio! I met this photographer, Rainy Chastine, on the internet at an adoption support website. We were both in process to adopt from Russia. I always knew after getting to know her online, and seeing her website that we would one day take our family there to have our pictures taken! I have to say, that she exceeded my expectations! We had an amazing experience, and she was even more wonderful in person! If you are ever in Fayetteville, or live closeby and need a GREAT photographer, check her website out and give her a call! http://www.imagesbyrainy.com/

Here are a few of the Easter pics I promised!! We were not together at Easter, as Bus and I had taken a quick trip to Florida, but, I made for a quick mock "Easter morning"photo session on a much warmer day!

Quick pic of Florida-it was soooooo nice......

and here are the Easter pics of my little cuties.....

FFF March 28, 2008-Eyes

Yes, the eyes have it! Ha ha! They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul-well, they are certainly the first thing that I notice about a person. I really think you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their eyes. My kids have very distinct eyes, as you can see in the following pictures!

Hannah's eyes say that she is determined. They are beautiful and light up when she smiles, and fit her personality very well! A friend once described Hannah as Passionate about life, and I would have to say that this is truly her!!

Maya's eyes are beautiful and sparkly-there is a lot of smiles in her eyes!

Caleb's eyes are incredibly expressive-as they tell so many stories and emotions!! He had just woken up from a nap in the picture below, and he was so very sleepy.

Sofia's eyes are also very expressive and full of life! She is our little stinker, and she can win you over with one glance!

Have a great weekend!!

It has been awhile....

Since I have posted. Life has been flying by 100 miles an hour! I have missed the last couple of FFFs, but plan to be back on board again this Friday!



We celebrated Miss Hannah's 10th birthday the weekend of the 15th with a tie dye party here at the house, with her friends, and then a family party on the 16th! It was a busy, but fun weekend, and then came Miss Hannahbelle's actual birthday the 18th! My baby is a decade old! I can't get over how grown up she is!! It seems like yesterday I was holding her in my arms for the first time! Oh, what memories!! Here is a few pictures to browse, when you have time!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

The day after her birthday, Bus and I dropped off the kiddos at their grandparent's houses, Caleb and Sofia at Nana and Papa's, and Maya and Hannah at Grandma and Grandpa's, and I accompanied Bus on a business trip to Florida!! It was a wonderful little break for Mommy, and a great time for me to rejuvenate!! I came home ready to be Super mom again! Ha ha! Thanks Soooooooooooooo much Grandma, Grandpa, Nana and Papa!! Not only did Mommy have a good time, but they kids had a blast, and were happy to see each other again!! :o) Can't beat that, can we?

I will have to post some pics of the kids in their Easter outfits when I get a chance! Bus and I were on the road home, so, they got to go to church with their grandparents-but, now that the weather looks like it might change for the better, I will take them outside and get a picture of them!

Well, I have been working on Hannah's little collage all morning, and have lots of laundry and dishes calling my name, as well as I was suppose to go to the grocery...oops....oh, well, I will dig something up for lunch and dinner!!

Have a good week, and I'll be posting again Friday!

FFF March 7, 2008

Sorry I missed last Friday on the FFF wave, but, we were taking time to celebrate my sweet little Caleb's Forever Family day! He has been home for 2 years, now! I am blown away, every time I think this-TWO YEARS??!!

One year ago, our lives were very different, as we were waiting to hear the wonderful words that we were out of PGN for both Maya, and Sofia! It was just Mommy and Daddy, & Hannah and Caleb! I can't even remember how easy that had to have been! Now, there is NEVER a dull moment in our house! ha ha Bob(the lab) wasn't even a part of our family a year ago!!!

It was very warm last year!

We pulled the bubbles

out of the cabinet

and played with them outside!!

Not only was it warm enough for bubbles,

but it was a great excuse to eat a popcicle outside!!!

Don't let Hannah's shirt fool ya!

She would never sell her little brother, but sisters? Hmmmm...

*****Have a great Friday, and keep warm my friends!!!*****

Today is a VERY Special day!!

Today is Caleb's 2nd Forever Family Day! It seems like yesterday that we saw his little picture for the first time! I remember sharing the pictures with everyone I encountered! Then in November of 2005 we went to Guatemala to visit Caleb, at just 3 months old! He was just amazing, and we all fell madly in love with him! It broke our hearts to leave him behind, but returned in February to bring him home! And life has never been the same! Ha ha! We are so happy that God chose him to be a part of our family! It seems as though he has always been with us, and I am sure that our lives would just not be the same without him! He has grown into such an amazing toddler! He lights up our day with his smiles and hugs. He loves to watch tv, loves his naps, and loves to play outside!! He adores Thomas the Train, and sleeps with a hard plastic train every night! His smiles melt our hearts, and bring joy to our day!

Here is a photo collage that I made in smilebox. I have been working on a video, but it doesn't seem to be working right now, so when I get it fixed, I'll post it! Be sure to look how big my big guy has gotten!!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Then and now FFF

I am so excited for Sarah's suggestion to do a then and now FFF! I have been going through a lot of pics lately, as Bus has been scanning some of our old pictures into our computer, and so I can finally do a then and now of Miss Hannah, too!

I love to look at pics of our kids and see how much they have grown and changed!!

Here is Hannah at 2 days old!

Here is Hannah today, before school!

Here is Maya at referral, in July of 2006 at 22 months old!

Here is one from the other day! She is beautiful, and LOVES to have her picture taken!

Here is one of Caleb's referral pictures-he was just a couple days old!

Here is one from the other day! Caleb is a charmer, and such a stinker!!

Here is Sofia's referral picture that we received in November of 2006-she was just a couple of weeks old!

Here is Sofia from Valentine's day-she has changed so much!! Look at that little personality-or should I say BIG personality?!?

Have a wonderful Friday, and depending where you are-Keep warm!!

**Hey-if you are somewhere warm-enjoy the weather for me-I am freezing!!!!!!!

FFF February 15, 2008

With Caleb's 2nd Forever Family day coming up, I have been going through a lot of pictures of Caleb to make a video-hence, here is a picture of when he was a tiny little guy in Guatemala in November of 2005, and then one of him not long home-sleeping! Look at those little lips!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!

Make a free ecard - it's easy!

Messy face FFF

Ok, so, after I have made some enemies by tagging them-please forgive me....I ran through some pics to post a messy FFF!  

Here is Miss Sofia back when she was eating baby food!  She loved to eat then, and loves to eat now!   Here is my messy girl! Ha ha!

Tagged?!!! O.k., I'll play along!(Sorry to all those I had to tag to keep the game going....:o(

Ok, so I have to admit-I sighed when I saw that I had been tagged.  I think maybe because I thought it would be too much work?!  Well, it wasn't, but I am hoping my linked people won't Hate me!!? Sorry if you do-it is just for fun! ;o)

This is Tag, You're It...blogger style...

There are 5 rules to being tagged:

1. The rules are to link the person who sent this and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share 7 strange/weird facts about yourself.
4. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and link their blog.
5. Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I've been tagged by , Becky T.
www.tabithasjourney.blogspot.com

1. Although people thing I am very outgoing, I am actually quite shy!(Who knew??)

2. I am very anal-very particular about some things and terrible about others!(laundry for example-I like it to be clean, but HATE to wash and fold!!)

3.  Although I LOVE being a Mom, there are days I wish I could be on a deserted island soaking in the sun and sand!(OK, so this is not too weird?)

4. I hate when people drop by my house without calling!! Why? Well, my house is always a complete mess-no matter how hard I clean it!!

5. I hate cold weather, but I don't really like HOT weather?? 

6. I once hit a police car with my car.(OOPS!!)

7. I love to eat ice!!  I carry a cup around with me and crunch on ice all day long!  It drives Bus crazy!! :o)


OK, I tagged 5 people but I'm not listing links, I'll just put names:

http://ourguatemalanbaby.blogspot.com

http://fox-familyx4.blogspot.com

http://triptoemily.blogspot.com

http://waitingforsophie.blogspot.com

I love Shana's photography!!  She is FABULOUS!!

http://ajourneytoourdaughter.blogspot.com

What a beauitful blog! :)

FFF-February 1, 2008

Wow-look at that-February 1st!!!! Oh, my gosh-2008 is flying by!! I have been looking through my picture archives, and found this weeks Favorite fotos Friday! I have to post the lot of them, because they were so funny! These are from this past Halloween!

"LOOK" at these! Ha ha!

Crazy eyed Caleb!!

Monster Eyed Maya!

Hairy Eyed Hannah!

Have a Fabulous Friday, and a wonderful week!

FFF January 25, 2008

Wow, I had to do a double take when I was typing in the date above!!  The first month of 2008 is almost already gone!! I have not been real good about taking pictures this year, and actually have to admit that out of 3 cameras, there is not one with a charged battery!! I am making a resolution to do better on this, starting tomorrow! ;o)

"Hip Hop Maya"

My  FFF is a pic of Miss Maya running around in a hat she found of Caleb's!  Yes, I should have had her do the crossed arm pose, and added a little bit of chains, but, she has too cute of a smile for all that nonsense! This little one LOVES to wear hats, and bows in her hair!!  How lucky am I??! :o) Hannah was pulling hair bows out as soon as she could reach them, and forget a hat!  I think their sister, Sofia is going to be the same way-no bows/hats that is! 

Have an awesome Friday, and weekend, and keep WARM!!!!

Wacky Wednesday!

Ok, so there is the wordless Wednesday, and then there is the "Wacky Wednesday"!  I couldn't not say anything with this picture!  Ha ha!  Here is a picture of Miss Maya and Bus, about a year ago, when we when to visit the girls! This is such a fun picture-not to mention, so many of you think Bus is such a Macho Man!  Hee hee!  He is all mush when it comes to his girls!! ;o) Love ya, honey!!

Thanks to Nikki at Blogs for a Cause for STYLIZING my Blog!!!

With much work and effort, Nikki has created a fun place for me to continue to record the daily antics of my crazy and funloving little family!!  Thanks Nikki-I know I was a pain in your tushy!!

Sabra ;o)

Favorite Friday Fotos-Bob

"Bob"

In March of last year we adopted our little furry friend, Bob-o.k., so he is not really that little, weighing in at around 100 lbs!

  

You see, Hannah and Bus really wanted a yellow lab, and so being the softie that I am, I searched the internet over for a rescued lab!  We went to see a few labs, in a town close by, but they were not right for our family.  You see, we were looking for a laid back lab that would allow for our pack of children to love all over him! So, after a little more research, we found ourselves driving to Rising Sun, Indiana, to a dog pound, where we all fell in love with the sweetest, most docile, gentle giant, named Bob.  

Who knew what an incredible part of our family he would turn out to be??!  

A forum friend of mine recently lost one of her furbabies, and I can tell you from experience what a horrific experience it is to lose the unconditional love of a pet.  So, my FFFs this week is dedicated to Bob, one of our faithful, loving furbabies, who was created to be a part of our family.

He loves to play horse/or dead, however you view it!

He makes for a great pillow...

and a wonderful bed!

He loves me the most!  :o)

& I love him!!

He is the great protector, full of reassurance and love.

We love you, Bob-you big ol' Ox!

**A note from Mom-

"Do you know how many times a week I tell Caleb to get off of Bob???!"

One warm, windy, January day...

Although it is not the summer, we had a great time playing in the yard yesterday, even with all the wind! It made us long for the lazy days of summer, and all the warmth that goes along with it! There were too many fun pictures for me to chose just a few-if you have a couple of minutes, enjoy the pictures of our day out in the wind!

*There is music with this video ;o)

Fun kid videos!

Here is a funny video of Miss Sofia!

Here is a video of Miss Maya-learning to count, and some of her abcs!!

Here is silly Caleb!! The video is not so good, but, listen to the singer!

First FFF of 2008

Looking back through 2007, I realized that Miss Maya's 6 month anniversary home with us was last month! It is so hard to believe that she has been home with us for 6 months already! It seems like yesterday we were in Guatemala picking her up! Her adoption was the longest one we had, with many ups and downs! We thought we would never have her home, at times, and were happy to finally receive the news that she would be coming home to join our family in June of 2007! What a great addition she has made to our family! Her heart is sweet and so loving!

Here are a few of my favorite pics from when we first met her, that are already on our blog, but I just adore the spirit and look on her face!!

Have a fabulous Friday!! :O)