taking off....

In a few short hours we will be taking off....

We are headed to sea with Mickey and Minnie...

See you next week!!!

Reflecting times....

I am a very busy mom, so I don't have much alone time (completely alone, with NOTHING to do)....but when I do, I often find myself reflecting on my life!

I have so much to be grateful for, and as we continue to go through this adoption process, I am reminded daily, how God has blessed our family.  I do not want to make this post too 'heavy'...I like to keep my blog 'light and sweet,' so I will try to make what I want to say fun...

While in the car, (and for most who know me, I spend a lot of time in the car with my kiddos) the song "Marry Me" by Train as been on the radio A LOT....

So, of course, I always think about Ryan....and wonder, how many people would truly want to marry their spouse again- knowing everything their life had instore for them????

Well, I would...Forever isn't long enough for me!!!

Ryan has encouraged me (probably without knowing) to be ME, to find who I really am....he inspires me everyday and I LOVE him more than words.  My drive to be the best in life (a great mom, a devoted wife, a true and honest daughter, sister, and friend) is because I crave his praise and love!!!  

So, while reflecting on how much our life has changed in the past years, I answered my question....

YES, I would marry Ryan ALL OVER AGAIN!!!

He makes my heart full...

Find your passion.....and MAKE a DIFFERENCE!!!

This morning I am overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude....

I live an amazing life!

It is filled with the goods of LIFE...

It is filled with LOVE....

And,

It is filled with LAUGHTER...

Find YOUR passion and bring something special to others....

This person dreamed BIG and is making a BIG difference....

Just think of what you can do...

to make this WORLD a better place...

Broke a BOARD!!!!!!

Tae Kwon Do....

WOW!

Garyn loves it....

and,

He is really good too!

He is Focused....

and,

Respects the instruction...

But most of all,

He is learning the skills....

Tonight, with an audience, (his Mamaw and Papaw were there to witness...)

He broke his first board.

The Master picked Garyn to come to the front of the class and demonstrate how to break a board with his fist....

He was very serious, "Yes, Sir," followed his Master's instructions...

and sure enough,

He broke the board....

FIRST TRY!!!

He was so very proud of himself....

Yet,

 he made sure he didn't boast...

He also earn his blue tip tonight for his face block and punch...

This kid is moving on up....

I am one PROUD 'Amaye' (mom in Amharic)

Adoption News....

Yesterday, Ryan and I completed our second homestudy meeting.

These were individual interviews....

YAY!!!!!

Another step closer to meeting our baby!!!!!! 

Tough Cookie!

Why do these things always tend to happen when I am alone???

Last night, teeth were brushed, hands were washed, both had went potty, last step... was to put Gigi's jammies on...and it was BEDTIME!!

Well, how quickly our night changed....

Gigi and Garyn were teasing each other and running around...

Mommy, of course, said to STOP because someone was going to get hurt.

Garyn quickly looked at me and told me I never let them have fun....

Well, (not that I enjoy saying this...BUT) Mommy was RIGHT!!!!

Gigi was running and fell right smack on the antique ink jug in the hallway...

I was SO afraid to look!!!!!

I thought FOR SURE I would have a hand full of teeth, or a black eye and blood....

Well, blood there was...a lot of blood!

Thankfully, she only hit her chin and her teeth seem to be okay....

However, the chin would need attention...

So, I called my neighbors because I was by myself...

they ran over, helped with Gigi and Garyn...

Michelle drove me to the hospital with Gigi and Randy watched Garyn...

Gigi was such a tough cookie!!

They numbed her chin and glued it together!!!

Thank goodness for NO stitches!!!

Remembering the Warmth....

today it's freezing and snowing....

it's gloomy and sloppy...

it caused an adoption meeting to be cancelled....

so to help lift my spirits.....

I turn to warm memories...