Merry Christmas!

Last night we were getting ready for bed. Both kids were so excited. We read "The Night Before Christmas" and then the store of Jesus' Birth from Luke. We prayed for our family which we miss so much and wish we were with this year. Nana, Papa and Uncle John we really miss you and wish we could have made it home. I hope you know how much we love you and hope you have a Merry Christmas.

Both the kids said good bye to Buddy and his new friend (Shayla got him as a gift at her dance class.) They were both very sorry that Buddy was leaving but hoped he has a good time at his home until next year.

The stockings were hung and we were ready for bed!

This morning was met with wonder and excitement. Such a blessed time for me to see their excitement and joy.

 I was very surprised at how excited Rudy was. He was jumping and playing with his new toy. The kids got a kick at how happy he was. Below even our cat C.J. was excited about his new toy. C.J. wasn't sure what to do with a toy but he's been playing with it most of the morning.

 Both kids approved of their presents and were very happy. They have not stopped playing all morning. I think they be busy for awhile. We all feel very blessed but really miss our family this year.

I think this was Shayla's favorite present. She played with it first. Thank you Lisa for letting me know about this. She loves it. And also thank you for my presents. The kids were so excited for me to open them.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Actually these are from Christmas Eve Eve! I hope we've started a Christmas tradition to visit the Billy Graham Library before Christmas each year. The kids had a great time and really enjoyed the Library. We arrived just before it got really crowded and none of the Christmas activities had started. When we finished the live Nativity was going and the kids were so excited.

After we had dinner and Christmas with our close friends. The kids had a great time and are so excited for today and tomorrow.

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Happy Birthday Shayla

Shayla turned 8 years old today. It was a wild and crazy day and we didn't have much  time to celebrate. Hopefully we will have a party in a couple of weeks. I am so blessed and thankful to be her mom. I hope she has a great year being eight! More details of her special day at another time. This momma is tired!!!

2010 Pictures

I never seem to have time to post pictures these days. Today I had the day off and one of our activities was cancelled so I thought it would be a good idea to post some of our 2010 pictures that never made the blog.

The first collage is from our trip to Myrtle Beach for Shayla's cheerleading competition. Her team had a great season and they again went out and hit two great routines. The next best part of the weekend was the beach. It was a little cold but they didn't mind. You can tell from the smiles on their faces that it didn't matter what the temperature was.

Easter 2010

Every year we have an indoor "Golden Egg Hunt." I (Easter Bunny Helper) hide clues all over the house and they have a great time finding eggs and finish up with the Golden Egg. This year we did everything around the Easter Story and it turned out great. This is the second year we got to have an Easter Egg hunt outside with Nathan's best friend. It was a great day and I am very Thankful to God for blessing us and for allowing us to share in His Son's Sacrifice and Resurrection Day.

 This summer was very low key. We spent time at the "Y" swimming and hanging out at home. Shayla fractured her ankle in June and we had to keep her off of it for six weeks. She is all better now but it was a long six weeks trying to keep her from jumping and tumbling around. Nathan's Cub Scout Pack had an awesome family camping trip and later in the summer a rocket launch. We really enjoy our great Pack and Scouting family. On the 4th we had dinner with friends and Nathan went downtown with them to watch the fireworks. Shayla and I spent the evening at home. Shayla is still not very fond of the loud booms and at the time could not walk on her ankle. We had some "Pet Friendly" fireworks we shot off and then turned in early.

This is a collection of pictures from Shayla's cheerleading career. She started cheering when she was four years old. She is now in her fourth year and really enjoys spending time with friends and tumbling all over the place.

Happy Halloween! 2011

We had a great evening for Trick or Treating. This year Nathan decided to be Ash Ketchum from Pokemon and Shayla wanted to be a Pirate. They both were very cute. Nathan went with friends to go around the neighborhood. He came back with more candy this year than ever. Shayla hung back with me. She made it to more house's than ever. You can see from the picture of her running down the drive way that she had a great time. Both said it was the best year ever. Hope everyone had a great Halloween!!!

First Day of School

Ready for the first day of school.

I've really have to get the Blog updated and try to get back into some pattern of posting pictures and events. It seems I always go to face book and check other blogs and forget about my own.

Our first day of school started well. The kids got up and were great in the morning. We got out the door at the planned time. Then everything fell apart. Shayla's bus was late and with the way their start times are this year I have no time to wait or Nathan will be late to school. So I decided to take him and then drive her. Both of them ended up being a little late but for the first day it seemed. fine. We'll try something different tomorrow.

Prayers Answered!!!!

God has answered the prayers of this sweet family. They now have permission to go and get - Gregory Kirill!!!

You can follow their story - http://oureyesopened.blogspot.com/

Sorry for being gone for so long. I lost my cable to load pictures to my computer. We've been crazy busy with all the end of the year activities. We're doing great!!! Survived our first year of EOG's. Nathan was worried about EOG's but after the week was over decided extra recess and no homework was a great trade for having to take test all day. Shayla moved up a level this coming season in cheerleading and will be on a Youth Level 3 team. She is very excited. I'm ready for summer to be here.

HELP BRING KIRILL HOME!!!

Grab This Button

Please follow this link and pray for this family. Their adoption of Kirill was rejected due to Kirill  having Downs Syndrome. This was the only reason given. The judge feels it would be better for Kirill to live in an institution than with a family. Please read their story and share it with anyone who will pray and or can help them bring Kirill home.


You can follow their story - http://oureyesopened.blogspot.com/

Happy New Year! It is the year of the Rabbit!

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè



Gung Hay Fat Choy!







Happy Chinese New Year! From our Family to Yours!

Basketball and Snow Day!!!

Nathan had his first basketball game on Saturday and had a great time. He was not sure which way to go part of the time but figured it out before long and did really well for his first game. His team is the Lakers and they won. 
Sunday night into Monday we had our first snow of 2011. Snow is not very common in the south so it was a big deal. The kids had a great time making snow angels, sledding and having snowball fights.
It looks like they are going to miss two days of school since it has snowed most of the day today.