Thursday, December 16, 2010

We wish you ......














































a Merry, Merry Christmas !! The kids and I have been out of school all week for nasty weather and for the first time in many Christmases... I am almost finished shopping... and actually have gifts wrapped and under our tree. :) It's been so wonderful being on their schedule this year. Andy Stacy http://www.andystacyphotography.com/ came to our house a few weeks ago and took some amazing pictures of our family! He is a super person and photographer.. be sure to check out his website.




We look forward to hearing from you, our friends and family, and wish each of you a blessed Holiday Season!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Home Improvement part I
























































Okay... so ... for almost a year now we've had this hickory wide plank hard wood sitting in boxes on our side porch. I was certain that even though they had been safe under our porch...out of the weather... they would still have acquired some type of damage sitting out for so long......but....not so !! The hubs and his Dad spent two days laying this floor down in our kitchen and laundry room and ...oh.. I just absolutely LOVE it!!! I love the rustic look of the wood!




The kids are really excited and ready for Christmas! Ella had fun helping me get the tree decorated and has loved helping wrap a few presents! Ella & I stood in line for about 20 minutes last week to visit with Santa.....she was so excited and would shout at him "Santa, Santa..I'm almost there.." Once we finally made our way to his chair.... she froze. She did sit on his lap .... but she would not crack a smile...nor would she even look at him. They wouldn't allow parents to have cameras (they were taking the pictures for you to buy..) but I just couldn't bring myself to spend $20 on a picture!! We may try again later this week! Enjoy the pictures and stay tuned for some great family Christmas pictures taken by a new photographer in town!!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

summer fun and time for school!






















Summer is coming to a close and school begins in only 22 hours!! This year the kids are excited that I will now be on 'their' schedule. I am now teaching first year LPN's and the CNA classes for a local community college and the county schools! I'm excited ! We enjoyed a summer vacation at Hilton Head Island the middle of June and it brought back so many good memories of summer vacations there with my family when I was a youngster. Happy Back to School days!

Monday, May 31, 2010

Inching closer .....





































It's hard to believe that one year ago this past weekend we lost my Dad in an airplane accident. For 12 months we have made arrangements to fly in an airplane and have his ashes spread over a beautiful mountain side in East Tennessee (Roan Mountain). For as long as my brother and I can remember... this was his request. After numerous attempts at planning this... and because the weather would never co-operate, we decided to spread his ashes by foot and it was even more special because all of our family; his family, was able to be there and participate as well. It's been a hard 12 months, and while we are still closing some opened doors (That's a whole different post.. but one that I plan to share in the hopefully near future...) related to his death....we are inching closer to some closure.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

This 'n That.....







I never dreamed that 3 months would ever pass by without a post on our blog... but life has been so busy for us and I've contemplated just deleting the blog... but I just can't bring myself to do it. This blog was creating initially as way to journal our adoption journey and has now become a way for me to journal our daily lives as a family of five. So with that said, the blog shall live on !!



I have taken a new job as a nursing instructor working with Junior and Senior girls enrolled in CNA and LPN classes through a dual enrollment program with a community college and the county schools. I have LOVED it ! I am still working for the dermatology group though.. two days a week... so it's just been crazy. The boys have started spring baseball and they are now playing on two separate teams for the first time ever ! ugggh !!! I think this is good for them though ...just to be separated athletically for awhile . Ella is just not even the same little girl she was 6 months ago.... She's talking up a storm.... LOVES to sing.... enjoys going to pre-school / daycare during the week. She can count to 14, knows her ABC's, knows many nursery rhyme songs, can dress herself, is using the potty (sporadically ... but still going !) and loves looking at books and being read to. She is struggling with her colors for some reason.... only knows the color green... but we're working on that as well !




Life is busy.... but Life is good !! 'Till next time......

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Happy New Year !!


Hope everyone has a peaceful new year !!!!