Chattanooga Zoo with 2nd Grade

Today we went on a Field Trip with Christopher's Class at School. It was a fun day. The Chattanooga Zoo is a LOT smaller than the Nashville Zoo, but it was still a fun day with friends. Here are some pictures from the day:

I thought this monkey statue was so cute...the momma with it's baby

Buddies....Christopher, Noah, Trae & Jackson
Petting the Guinea Pig...also got to pet a dove and a turtle
Learning Lots from the Zoo Staff
Here they are...the 1st & 2nd Grade Monkeys

Spirit Week at SBA....Redneck/Cowboy Day

Last week was Spirit Week for the kids at school. They had Twin Day(dress like your friend), 80's Day, Redneck/Cowboy Day, and School Colors Day. My kids opted out of the first two...but enjoyed participating in the last two days. I was very proud of Christopher for going through with it...he usually panics at the last minute and doesn't want to do it. But I think just watching everyone for the first 2 days, he got excited about participating.


Caroline wanted all the cowboy gear she could get...while Christopher was a little more conservative, and could be totally normal with removing the bandana & the cowboy hat at any given moment. Very funny personalities!!

Vacation Pics in Virginia, Annapolis & DC

Our first stop....Lynchburg, VA. We spent the day celebrating Christopher's
7th birthday (in May) with our extended family (Christopher's birthfamily). We went out to dinner, then the next day went to the pool and had a cookout and bday party for Christopher. Lot's of fun and presents all around! We always love spending time with family!


Then, we stopped in Staunton, VA to visit our good friends from college...Jimmy & Renee, and their 3 kiddos. We haven't seen them in 4 years...it was great catching up and spending a little time with them before heading to Annapolis!


Then we headed for Annapolis, MD for 4 days to spend with my family...mom, aunt rita, katie & her crew, and jessica. We spent the time there relaxing (as much as possible)...we did some fishing in the inlet behind the house, we toured the Naval Academy and downtown Annapolis, and visiting Daddy T's graveside in Arlington Cemetary in DC.








Then we moved into Washington DC to do a little more touring, swimming at the house, and we were joined by Nathan, Shannon & the boys. We also had the opportunity to honor Talmadge by placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the 1 year anniversary of his homegoing. It was a special time and we also got to go under the tomb in the barracks to see where Daddy T served while he was at the Tomb.

First Day of School

Yep, that's right....the kids started school last Wednesday. Christopher is a big 2nd grader and Caroline is off to K-4. They were so excited for their first day!! Christopher woke up at 6:00...we didn't have to be at school until 9 for their first day, so I put him in our bed so he would go back to sleep. And Caroline woke up at 7:30. Wade was helping her get dressed and I overheard her to say "I am so excited, I have been waiting for this day ALL of MY LIFE!!!" Here are some pics of the cute little guys...

The Wait

WAIT

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried.
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the master so gently said, “Child, you must wait!"

"Wait?” you say, "Wait!" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!"
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By FAITH I have asked, and am claiming your word.

"My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to WAIT?
I'm needing a "yes", a go ahead sign
Or even a "no", to which I can resign.

"And Lord, you promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed then to kneel and his eyes wept with mine,
And he tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heaves, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.
All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want...but you wouldn't know
ME.

You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint;
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint;
You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;
You'd not know the joy of resting in me
When darkness and silence were all you could see.

You'd never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of my spirit descends like a dove;
You'd know that I give and save...for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of my heart.

The glow of my comfort late into the night.
The faith that I give when you walk without sight,
The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.

You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that "My grace is sufficient for thee"
Yes, your dreams for your loved ones overnight would
come true, but oh, the LOSS!
If I lost what I'm doing in you!

"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
THAT THE GREATEST OF GIFTS
IS TO GET TO KNOW ME.
And though oft may my answers seem terribly late,
My wisest of answers is still but to WAIT."

—Author Unknown


I read this poem on the FLS blog (our adoption agency) and oh, how I remember these feelings. But I have experienced many other types of waiting besides our infertility and adoption days....and by drawing close to the Lord was the only answer for peace during the wait! God bless!!

Vacation in Annapolis and DC

Well, we just returned from our summer vacation and it does feel good to be home!! We made our way up to Annapolis, MD and on our way up stopped to see Christopher's birthfamily in Lynchburg, VA. We had a great time with them and they threw a 7th birthday party for Christopher (as they do every year). Then we headed about an hour up the road to Staunton, VA to visit our good friends from college, Jimmy & Renee and their 3 kids. That was a great visit...it had been 4 years since we had seen them, and their twin boys have grown about a foot and they have a little girl (age 3) that is full of energy!! We spend 4 days in Annapolis, MD with my mom, aunt, sister & her family, and Jessica. We did some fishing, toured Annapolis, and tried to relax a little. Then we moved to DC for 4 days where we did some touring of DC, visited Daddy T's resting place at Arlington Cemetary, and this house had a pool...so we did lots of swimming (which was perfect for 100 degree weather). We also had a very special opportunity to place a wreath in memory of Daddy T at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the 1 year anniversary of his passing, July 18th. This was very emotional and difficult, but honoring to him at the same time. We toured the barracks below the tomb and the kids got to ask some of the guards lots of questions about their job.
I do have lots of pictures of this eventful week....however, as I was packing the car, the irrigation system at the rental house kicked on and guess what it sprayed...my laptop!!! It will not even turn on...and my dinosaur of a home computer does not have the ability to upload pictures from my camera. So, until I find a solution, this will have to do. I am very anxious to share the pictures, especially from laying the wreath...so I will post those as soon as I am able. Maybe from my mom's computer, I think she is making a quick visit this weekend. Hope you all have had a great summer...what have you been up to?

Two Family Reunions & a Root Canal

Sounds enjoyable, huh!! Well, we were off to Murfreesboro for a long weekend. We had the Cooper Family Reunion (my Granny Lou's Family) on Saturday. Granny Lou passed away last August, so this was our first reunion without her. She missed it last year too since she was so sick. The Cooper Family had 13 children which leads to uncountable cousins, 2nd cousins, etc. We had a great turn out and enjoyed meeting new people and reuniting with ones that we already new.
Here is a picture of my Granny Lou & Papa Harris when they were newly married

Aunt Lorene, the last of the 13 Cooper Children

Then we headed down to Pulaski for a Family Reunion with the Williams Family. This is Wade's mom's family. It was very fun, and the kids had lots of fun with the other kids. I don't have pictures because I left my camera in M'boro. But it is beautiful countryside, on a small horse farm and lots of outdoor things to do. The kids enjoyed spending the night with Nana and are looking forward to going back soon.
Then we headed back to Murfreesboro. I had to have my first root canal today...it wasn't so bad, but not a great ending to a great weekend. We got back home tonight and it does feel good to be home!! A night of watching Star Wars VI on the couch with my family.

Cookie gets a Makeover

We took Cookie to get groomed today...and she came home scalped!!!

It was pretty shocking when I went in to pick her up. I think the lady could see the shock on my face...or maybe it was the "gasp...oh my goodness!!" that gave it away. I really had to look close to make sure that they had given me the right dog back. Here is what Cookie looks like on a normal day:

Quite a difference, huh!!! Anyway, we are getting used to it as the afternoon has gone on. And now, I'm actually starting to think she looks a little better. I just really liked the shaggy...."swiffer" look :)

Father & Daughter Banquet

Wade took Caroline to her first Father/Daughter dinner last night with our church. She was so excited...so I helped her get ready. She picked out her own dress and hairbow. I helped her curl her hair and put a little make-up on her. She was thrilled to have a "date" with daddy!!!
Happy Father's Day to Wade and to my Dad...and all of the dad's out there. You are all a blessing to us moms and daughters!!! This day makes us take time to think of all the things that you guys do for us. It also helps me to remember special father-figures in our lives. This is our first Father's Day with out my step-dad, Talmadge. He was a very special man and influence in my life. I was blessed to have him as a friend and mentor in my life.
I hope that you all have a GREAT Father's Day and enjoy the family that God gave you!!!

Catching Up!!

Hey Friends!! Well, we have been enjoying summer so far!! I have been really bad about having my camera with me...so I don't have any pictures to update you with this time. But here are the highlights:
~Wade & I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary on May 31st. We spent the day by taking the kids to Lake Winnie...it's an amusement park in Chattanooga. We had a fun time and is definately something that we will do again. Then, just the 2 of us went to dinner together at The Chop House. It was good to have some alone time :) and dinner was delicious!!
~we joined the Y for the summer, so me and the kids go to the pool a couple of times a week. They have enjoyed doing that and are starting to turn into Gingerbread people with their tans.
~I am now the the church secretary at our church!?!? Isn't that so funny!! First of all...I have never been a secretary before, and 2nd...we are new here!! But the door opened, and I'm just doing what I feel like the Lord wants me to do. I started helping out as a volunteer in the office back in January...then with our church transition, I would work while Caroline was in preschool for 1/2 days. Then, they asked me if I would continue working during the summer as part-time staff...so, me & the kids go to work at the church office a couple of days a week. There are other kids there, the school secretary has 4 kids and the assoc. pastor has 3 kids...so, when they are there, they have a blast playing together...riding bikes, scooters & playing on the playground and hide-n-seek in the empty school. So that has been a new and adventurous thing for us.
~Next up...we get to have a few days in Murfreesboro to spend time with family and we are trying to finalize our vacation plans to go to DC in July with my whole family.
Hope you all are off to a good summer...have a great day!!

School is Out for the Summer!

Well, school is out...I have to admit, my first emotion was panic!!! But I worked through that and am now excited to spend the summer with my kids and enjoy them as much as I can. They are only young once...and although some of the days seem long...they will pass, and I will treasure these memories that we can make together. So last week we had the end-of-the-year festivities...Christopher got a "B Honor Roll" certificate for making all A's & B's this year. And Caroline participated in the Kindergarten Graduation by singing with her preschool class.
Here is Caroline with her K-3 teacher, Mrs. Jessica

And Christopher proudly holding his Certificate

Both Christopher & Caroline have transitioned very well to living here in Cleveland and making friends with their school mates. We are very proud of our little guys!
Kick off to Summer 2010...stay tuned!!

Christopher's 7th Birthday

I can't believe that I haven't posted this yet. Christopher turned the big "7" on May 4th. Wade and I brought pizza, cookie cake, and drinks for his class to celebrate during lunch at school. They had a lot of fun!!
Here's the Birthday Boy

And his cake request: a cookie cake from Walmart. I miss my cake friends in Murfreesboro....Lynze & Aunt Janice, birthdays are just not the same without your cakes!!!

All of Christopher's buddies at school

The 1st & 2nd grade classes celebrated with Christopher!

Then....the next day Memommy came to visit Christopher for his birthday and stayed for a few days. She took him to Walmart and let him pick out his birthday present. He picked a very cool Lego Star Wars that has like 8 or 900 pieces...

They worked tirelessly to put this thing together and got most of it done. It is still not complete...but will be a good summer project :)

Happy Birthday to my big boy!!! I love you very much!