Memorial Day Weekend

Eli and Ava are best buds. Eli really takes care of Ava and Ava adores him as she follows his every move. (She is even wearing his undies over her diaper in this picture!) We had my sister and her family, as well as my mom and dad up for Memorial Day. We had lots of fun playing with water toys...and the rice box here.

Ava being Ava.

Twins

Uncle Phil...airborne

Gracie hanging out with her best friend from school!

We celebrated Grace's 1/2 birthday on the 19th. (Since this picture...she lost tooth number 6. She looks like a jack-o-lantern.)

Our Weekend!

We went to Canton this weekend to celebrate Papa's Big 60th Birthday. Eli also had a game and Ava experiemented with some mascara.

Brian giving Eli some "pointers"

We celebrated with a donut this morning for Papa and sang Happy Birthday to him!

Happy Graduation Eli James!

Mr. Eli graduated Friday night from preschool. He had a busy couple of weeks preparing for the big Graduation Event. All week he was very anxious and asked me "How Many Days?"..."How Many Minutes?"..."How Many Seconds?". In the first picture, he was nervous and all looked good. He just may join the group and sing. Take a close look at the group...then, look to the right. Eli and I sat here while he sang the songs to me in between tears of fear.

Here is my little man after the ceremony. He is a lot less tense.

Mommy, Daddy, and Mr. Eli.

Eli is excited about Kindergarten and did very well at registration. We are praying Kindergarten helps him with his shyness and anxiety. We are so proud of him...and I'll hold his hand as long as he needs me too. I can't believe my little man will be going to school all day. I'll really miss him.

Surprise Party, Dog Park, Gardening, Oh My!

What a wonderful Mother's Day for me. The day started with Grace staring over me as I woke up. I heard her jump out of her bed like it was Christmas. I kept pretending to sleep as she stared at me and hugged me and tried to wake me. When I awoke, she was so excited to give me her gifts she made at school. Eli also made me gifts, which included a package of breakfast to be eaten in bed. He was adamant about this part! The day continued with some planting of flowers and a tree for each kiddo to name and call their own. After watching Marley and Me last night, I have a new found understanding of our crazy dog, Toby. I cried so hard at the end of the movie!!! To celebrate Toby, Eli and Grace took Toby to the dog park to run. You'll see some pictures of him running and then grabbing a drink because he was so worn out (Awesome!). When I returned from outside, the kids surprised me with candle-lit brownies and a Mother's Day song to the tune of Happy Birthday. The kids were planning it all day...too cute. They wrapped gifts for me and made me homemade cards. They even hung signs on the wall. (Don't mind my robe in the picture...I took an early "Mother's Day" shower to relax...at my hubbies request. Daddy and the kids made my dad very special!

Today, I think of all of my kids and Silas' birth mommy. I know I haven't met Silas yet, nor do I know anything about him. However, I know his little heart is beating somewhere, whether it be in utero or in the wonderful land he was born in. Today, I give Si's birth mommy and extra prayer...and I thank her for sharing her son with me. I love you Gracie, Elijah, Ava, and Silas.

Grace's Book Report

Grace's 1st Grade class put on a great show for us Wednesday. Each student gave a book report in costume. It was too cute! Grace read a chapter book called "Patches". Of course, it was about animals. Grace loves her furry friends. Below you can see her dressed as "Patches" the cat. She stood up in front of all of the moms and dads, and even ended the show with a "solo" as she called it. We were told this was a pretty big deal.

Great Job Gracie!

Don't forget our sale, and...

pray for no RAIN!