Daddy's Little Helper

Caroline loves to help her daddy by pushing the push-mower.

That's right Sister...make sure he does it right :)

Christmas in March

We had lots of visitors this weekend. I didn't take as many pictures as I would've liked to...it's a little hectic with kiddos running around everywhere!!
On Wednesday, Katie, Tripp & Benjamin were able to come visit us at our new house for the first time. We had a great time. They spent the night and stayed all day on Thursday and then made the trek home on Thursday night. The kids were excited to have some of their cousins here and I was so glad to get to spend some time with them.
Then Mom, Aunt Rita & Herbert came to town for a Horse Show and they stayed with us on Friday night and Saturday (after the horse show). It is always nice to have mom here and a special treat for Aunt Rita & Herbert to get to come too.
And I'm sure you are wondering why this post is called "Christmas in March"...we had a special visit from our family/friends in Virginia, Christopher's birthfamily. We usually see them all in December, but it just didn't work out this year...but they were able to make it this weekend. So we met Joyce, her husband and 2 kids for dinner on Friday night and had a nice time together. Then they and her parents & sister came over to visit for a while. We got to meet her new arrival...baby Aneya...here are the kids holding her for the first time.
This is big brother Rupert holding Aneya, he just turned 5 this month.

Here is Christopher holding baby girl

And Caroline practicing on a REAL baby!!!

On Saturday morning, we all met for breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then came back to our house for "Christmas". We spent the day playing outside and catching up...since it had almost been a year since the last time that we got to spend time with them. The kids....Christopher, Caroline & Rupert seriously had Christmas all over again!!! Here are a few pics...I didn't get a group picture...maybe I'll remember to do that when we see them this summer. Here are the kids getting their gifts ready to open, Aunt Rita and Jennifer (Joyce's sister) are helping out.




We are so thankful that we have such a great relationship with this family and we all feel that God has put us together as a family for Christopher.

Hope y'all have a great week, we are looking forward to some sunshine and warm weather!!

Caroline loves her Puppy!!!

Caroline loves Cookie!!! Wade was home for lunch the other day and said "you need to go upstairs and look at your daughter"...so I thought, I'd better grab the camera as I was heading upstairs. This is what i came in to:

She had the puppy in the high chair with a bandana tied around her neck and trying to put a hat on her!

The funny part is that Cookie loves Caroline just as much!! She just sat there in the high chair...sitting flat on her bottom with her back legs sticking out and her front legs sitting on the tabletop of the high chair. She is a glutton for punishment, I think!! They are hilarious!!
Here is Cookie after her grooming the other day...all ready for St. Patty's Day!!

Her bows do not last long...she can't stand them and figures out a way to get them out almost immediately.

New Blog on my blog list

Hey just wanted to let you all know that I have added a blog to my blog list. Our adoption agency has recently started to blog. They will often post when they have baby placements and exciting news going on. It is a blessing to see when God puts a new family together and thought you might want to check in on them from time to time.
Have a Blessed Friday!

Chattanooga Aquarium

On Thursday, Christopher's 1st Grade class took a field trip to the Chattanooga Aquarium. We had so much fun!! If you haven't been, it is definately worth the trip...especially the Imax 3-D theater.
My "group" to keep up with was Christopher & Jackson...they were hilarious!!! These boys are just all about rough-n-tumble and having fun.

Here are some of the 1st graders petting stingrays. I actually did pet one...pretty slimy, but cool. Christopher wouldn't do it!!

Next up was the Butterfly Room...I'm sure it is called something fancier than that, but that's basically what it was. And it was pretty cool, but sweltering hot since we were dressed warm. After that...on to see the penguins...I must say that they are so cute!!! I wanted to hold one!!! They swim around, and the jump straight up out of the water onto a rock (hilarious to watch), and then they just stand there with their arms out because apparently they get hot and that is how they cool off. These hilarious little birds can swim 20 miles an hour and we had a "Lunch & Learn" about penguins and I will say that I am quite impressed with this creature!!


Here's the question for the day....
"How many 1st graders can you fit in the tube inside a crab-tank?"
The answer....
I don't know....there were so many of them in there, they were crammed and didn't seem to mind it. Except Christopher did come out saying the he thought someone had passed gas in there cause it stunk!!! That just made me laugh!!!

Now on to the IMax theater...too cool!!! A must visit!! Here are Christopher & Andy showing off their cool 3-D glasses.

Here are the 1st grade boys:
Tyler, Jackson, Andy, Christopher, Noah, & Trey

Now...time to go home...the busride home was entertaining. These boys decided to wave at everyone and try to get the truckers to honk. They were pretty successful...too cute!

Busy Little Bee's

Sorry...no pics this time. We have had lots going on, just haven't taken any pictures lately. We have had a couple of visits from my mom in the past week...she took a little vacay down to visit her brother/sister-in-law and sister/bro-in-law in Florida and stopped for an overnight stay on her way down and on her way back up. So that was very nice...and Christopher asked is she was coming back next week :) They love having visitors!!! We have also signed Christopher up for spring baseball, so that should be gearing up soon. He played last year at FRBC and LOVED it...that has been the only sport so far that he has cared anything about. He is a little nervous since we don't know many people, but we did get him on a team with one of his buddies from church/school...so I think that will help. Our church here is in major transition, so please pray for Shenandoah Baptist Church. Our Asst Pastor resigned 2 weeks ago, and now our pastor this past Sunday...so just pray that the Lord will lead our deacons to find the right person for these positions. And pray for us...as this is an unexpected transition on top of lots of other transitions. I am going to be working in the church office a little more just to help fill the gaps and do things that need to be done. Also, pray for RU....we had just started a couple of weeks ago, so we are not sure if we should continue this or put the brakes on until everything settles down. I think Wade will talk to one of the deacons about that this week to make a decision. And Thursday, I am going on a field trip with Christopher & his class to the Chattanooga Aquarium...so we are looking forward to that!! I'll post pics of that when we get back.
Make it a Great Day!

Getting Back to "House Stuff"...Dining Room

Yay....my light fixture is finally here!!! The previous owners of our house used the front room as a formal living room, so they had a ceiling fan with no light kit on it. We made the room our dining room and have been eating with table lamps on the table since we have been here. I finally found a light fixture that I liked and ordered it, then it turned out to be on back-order for 4 weeks. So we have been waiting patiently...and it is finally here!! Here are pics of our dining room:



I'm still working on a few projects...I'll keep updating as we get more done.

Valentine's Parties

Today was a busy little day here in Cleveland...I spent the morning working in our church office as a volunteer. I was able to sneak back into Caroline's Classroom during their Valentine's Party. They were having a good time; eating pizza, cupcakes, and swapping cards. This is the 3 and 4 year olds combined...


Caroline was playing "cool" and totally rolled her eyes at me...I felt like I had dropped in on my 13 year old!!! So, now I know why my mom always said..."don't you roll your eyes at me!" You would think that a 4 year old would be happy to see her mommy at her party, but I guess not. All of the other kids were smiling for the pictures and Caroline had her back to me. I had to pretend like there was a puppy in the room just to get her face in the pictures!!! Oh my goodness, this is going to be a LONG road :)
Then I finished up in the office, ran home to let Cookie out and make some Garlic Toast to take back to the school for the Helping Hands Minisry (a ministry that helps shut-ins and older people). On the way back to the school it started to snow flurry just a bit....no big deal, right? We assembled about 20 Valentine Dinner Platters for them and a few ladies took them out to deliver. Then on to Christopher's Valentine Party at 1:40. These kids are so full of Life!! This is the 1st and 2nd grade classes:

3 Buddies: Jackson, Christopher & Noah

As I am scooping out the ice cream, my phone rings and it is the School All-Call calling to inform me that school is letting out at 2:00 because of snow. I was feeling sorry for these poor kids because they have endured school all day long just to have their Valentine Party cut short due to snow...you can't dampen out their spirits...they shoveled in their ice cream, cookies, and cokes...emptied their lockers and headed out. Happy to get out of school an hour early. So I stuck around to help clean up and was going to drop my friends kids off at her house to save her a trip and this is what I came out to.....SNOW BALL FIGHT, EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF!!!

Having too much fun!!

Jackson, on defense

Can you believe this snowball?!?

These kids are ruthless...did it matter that I was an adult that they barely know???? NO!!! They were chasing me around the car, and anything else I could hide behind!! I know I got hit at least 10 times!!! I didn't throw any, but they were coming out from everywhere pegging me every chance they got!!! Even the principal sought cover! Too much fun...and now we are home in our warm house with whiny kids hyped up on valentine candy. Happy Valentine's Day!

MeMommy came to Cleveland!

This weekend was a great weekend, mainly because Memommy was able to come visit for a couple of days. She came on Thursday afternoon and was able to stay until Saturday afternoon. The time went by so fast!!! Thursday afternoon we just hung out at home. The kids were so excited to spend time with her.

(Christopher hanging out with Cookie...who has gained up to 5-1/2 lbs now!)
Friday...we had a wild hair...and went shopping at Cato for like 3 hours!!! It was fun, and mom got a new wardrobe :) She has dropped a couple of sizes and needed some things that fit better, and she hit the jackpot at Cato...I got a couple of much needed skirts, as well. Friday afternoon we were pooped from our excursion, and it was our first night for RU. So mom decided to stay home with Caroline and me/Wade/&Christopher headed for RU and it was a great night....21 on the first night!! We were excited! Most of those were workers (which is a HUGE blessing), we had a couple of new people, and then 7 from the Girls' Haven here came (and the couple of them that I talked to loved it, so maybe they'll get to come again). We came home from RU to Caroline having a new haircut...it is adorable and she loves it!



We had a lazy Saturday morning, with a pancake breakfast, and then mom headed home around 2:30.

(yes, that is Caroline eating a dry pancake...no butter or syrup!!)
So, we are all sad...even Wade said that he hated to see mom go...living away is a huge adjustment, but makes the time together much appreciated!! Hope y'all have a great weekend.
PS~ My mom was supposed to be flying up to DC on Monday with Katie, but they won't be going since there is about 30" of snow on the ground...so please pray for her, because I know that she is disappointed about that. And she's not sure when she will be able to go. She has not been able to go back since Talmadge's burial in October because of snow...she was planning to go in January but they had a snow storm...it finally melted and now this one. So, maybe on spring break !?!?, I hope! It would help her to be able to go soon.

The Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears
of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket andthey saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.


I got this email today and it brought tears to my eyes...because the message is that you CAN be that sure of your eternity! The Bible says in I John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life..." Because of this and other Scriptures in the Bible, we can KNOW where we will spend eternity. Also, this email made me cry and smile because of the life-testimonies of my stepdad, Talmadge, and grandmother, Granny Lou, I can know that they are spending eternity with their Heavenly Father...and don't you know that their "forks" are abundantly filled!!!!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

This was the view outside my door this afternoon...I didn't venture out into the snow at all...it was so frigid!!! Once I was in, I was in!!! The kids bundled up and went out to play. Christopher built a 10" snowman and wanted to bring it in so "it wouldn't melt"!! I cracked up and told him that it would definately melt if he brought it in...leave it outside! Christopher's school let out today at 1:00 and it wasn't snowing yet...so we went to Walmart to pick up some necessities...in the 10minutes from school to Walmart, it went from just cold and overcast to snow blowing sideways. We still went in, got our stuff, and when we came out, the parking lot was slushy and all of the cars and landscape was covered in snow. The snow came so fast! We are up to about 3" right now, with more to come.
We were scheduled to start a new RU chapter tonight at our new church here. We had our training session last night. But, with the weather, Wade and our pastor decided to cancel it and start next Friday. So.....I guess this will be our last Friday off for a while!
Enjoy your snow!!!
~ps~Kelly, this is what it looked like when I was on the phone with you!!!

Favorite Snapshots 2009, Part 3---Summer Edition

Christopher on Papa Jack's boat...we had a great day visiting with Papa Jack, Granny Jo, Carli & Cameron while they were camping at the lake.

Trip to Virginia to see family....all boys here too!!! Sorry Caroline :) She has a hard time finding girls to play with!
(Matthew, Ethan, Rupert, Christopher & Caroline)

Our Family Vacation to Hilton Head Island....a trip to remember!!!
We all went out for dinner together

Christopher spent lots of time on his bike and learned lots of cool tricks...we were all amazed..he is only 6!!

Daddy T spent lots of time on his bike too...he was so cute riding with the boys to the country store and just taking a ride by himself. I love this picture of him!! Not many people got to see him like this, but this is the Daddy T that we all knew and loved so much!!

Daddy & Caroline have a "moment" on the beach

The "biggest sandcastle ever"!!! This is what happens when you get a CPA out of the office for a week and put him with 7 & 8 year olds...good job Uncle Nate!!

The boys bringing in more water for the sand castle...Nathan is a delegator too :)

Back to School!!

Daddy T took the 3 big boys fishing in the pond....me, mom & Caroline tagged along too. This is such a good memory for the boys of a special day with Daddy T.

Mom made "Super Hero" capes for the boys....they had a blast!

The kids playing in the field at Memommy's & Daddy T's house....running & climbing on the hay bales.


And....My Favorite Pic of 2009....

This is Daddy T when he was repairing a fence the day that the kids were playing in the field. I love this picture!!! I think it was the last picture taken of him and it was about 2 weeks before he left this world to meet his Heavenly Father. He lived a full life up to his last moment, which we are so thankful for. This picture tells a lot about him to me....he was a hardworker and he had a certain way that he liked to do things. He is actually grinning in the picture, because I was "interviewing" him about fencing and thought that was too funny, he had a funny sense of humor. The DNJ had just been there that morning to interview him about his military service for the July 4th paper...so I was just posing as a DNJ reporter. We had lots of fun times like this together...just aggravating and laughing, and enjoying each other.
This concludes my Favorite Snapshots of 2009...I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did...this was a memorable year...one that I will never forget!!