{ Merry Christmas! }

Merry Christmas friends and family! Hope your morning was full of happiness, wrapping paper mayhem, and good memories!

{ Waiting....}

Some waiting more patiently than others.

Just a few more hours until Santa comes!

Night night sweet kids!

{ Tis the season }

CHEESER!!!

He always wants the camera.

Dress up with sis (he really liked it despite the look on his face).

{ Who loves CVS? }

I DO!! Today was a super sale! Over $200 in free stuff. It pushed my year to date savings over $5,500. Paige was super happy with the nail polish and I was pumped about new eye shadow! I might go back tomorrow and do just a bit more. I'm excited about next week and the diaper deal I have cooked up.

Crazy hu?

{ Chef Davis }

{ Hey Family }

Walgreens is doing a free 8x10 when you use the code FREEGIFT at checkout. Perfect for the pictures we just had done!

Mom, that means go to walgreens.com upload your favorite family picture then have it printed at your local store. Call me if you need help.

It expires on 12/20!

Love you all!

{ Outtakes, my favorite!}

A bit blurry, but cute none the less!

She's a good addition to our family!

Cousin love the Arkansas way!

Jeanne has the best laugh!

{Thanksgiving}

What a beautiful family!

I love my mama! And she loves me because I make her hair color look natural!

Such a sweet couple!

A rare moment of all 4 girls together.

{Play time}

These two love to play together and Paige treats Bizi like her life size baby doll. I think he likes it quite a bit!

{Look what buba taught me}

{More Karate}

This is Dave getting his butt kicked. Ok, really they are demo-ing some Karate thing, but I think it's funny!

{ Karate Kid, sorta }

This video is of Dave & Davis' teacher breaking 2 boards after jumping over 3 people. This man is in his mid 60's and can kick some serious butt!

The video below is of Davis doing his Kata.

{ Yes, we are still alive! }

I have been without a computer for a bit, but we are back up and running now!

This is going to be a great month! Thanksgiving means heading back to Hot Springs to see family!

I'll be back to post pictures soon!

{ Knock Knock Night }

We had tons of fun getting dressed up for church tonight. I'll have more pictures soon of the boys.

I was dressed as a freaky hairdresser. Just in case you had to ask!

{ Mean People Suck }

Once upon a time I had the above phrase proudly displayed on the back of my full sized Chevy Blazer.

Today I was reminded that the above statement is true.

Somewhere in between checking out from Party Galaxy and attempting to check out at Old Navy, my wallet was stolen.

Nothing quite like the panic, tight chested, can't breathe feeling when you were just moments ago, pumped at buying a new tank top for $1.97.

Pity the fool that stole the wallet since I had already been to the mall and the cash was gone.

What they do have is my drivers license, debit card, Sam's card, Kohl's card, and a handful of random points cards to places like Ulta and PetCo.

All the good cards have been canceled and tomorrow I'll head to the DMV to smile pretty for a new licence.

It's so violating and just plain icky to think that someone has my personal information and my stuff.

Why is it that even at the ripe ole age of 30, all I want to do is stomp my foot and yell "gimmeitbackthat'smine!"?

{ Silly stuff }

"Paige, take a pretty picture with mama..."

"Come on....just one pretty smile.."

"Fine, I'll just kiss your sweet head."
"When you can't beat them...join them!"
"Fine Paige, one more picture."

{ Gotcha Day! }

Our first glimpse of each other. Don't you love the Jesus statue blessing us in the background?

Today is one year! One year in our family, one year away from the orphanage. Praise God!!

I swear he's happy here even though he never says cheese. He's just so intent on grabbing the camera and running away.
Thank you to every one who has come along beside us this year and supported our family. We are greatful beyond words for your love, time and prayers.

Ok, Davis made him laugh! Or maybe he's screaming for me to put him down. Whatever.

{ One year ago today...}

We flew Ethiopian Air all day and all night with very little sleep due to excitement!

{ One year ago today }

We kissed our two oldest kids goodby, sent them to school and jumped on a plane headed to Washington D.C.

{ A tough month }

One year ago this month we made our journey to Rwanda. I expected to feel overjoyed that we had made it a year. Or at least to feel settled in our new life as a family of five. Instead, I feel an overwhelming sadness. It has gripped me so tightly the last few weeks that there are moments it's hard to breathe.


I try hard to stuff down my emotions, to not be overly dramatic about sad issues. But I keep telling myself, what I saw is worth crying over. The children I turned my back on and walked away from are worth crying over. The birth mother who's story we will never know, is worth crying over. But what mom of 3 has time to have a good, ugly cry? So bottled up it stays.


The 21st is Bizi's Gotcha Day. The first day that he was no longer just a picture on the fridge, no longer an orphan. I still remember with heart wrenching clarity the moment the nun brought him to us. He was not afraid, just curious. Dave hogged him WAY to long before handing him to me (we have video to prove it!). Finally, the son that I had cried over, prayed for and waited on was here in my arms. There was no fairy dust or swelling music, but it was more perfect than Hollywood could ever create.

Often I think of returning to Rwanda. There is a need deep in me to do more. I honestly don't feel like I have done anything to help the people. Let's go and build schools for the orphans that will never be adopted. Let's go spend a day rocking babies that don't ever feel the arms of a mama when they cry. Let's just GO. I guess I should just add one letter, let goD. Let God handle the questions with no earthy answers. Let God take the pain in my heart and use it for good. Let God have all the glory for the miracle of adoption.

Thank you, Lord for never letting my life be boring. For letting me experience unbelievable highs, and gut wrenching lows. Most of all, thank you for my children.

{Where are the pictures of Bizi?}

Here he is!

No, Bizi you can't have the camera.
Check out that pouty lip!
Can you tell he is getting close to 2?

Temper, Temper.

{ Mo' money }

This week pushed me over the $4,000.00 mark! I have saved over 4K at CVS since Feb. of this year. Can I get a what-what?!

Also, I stocked up on the Kashi deal at Target. My pantry is busting at the seams!

Everyone is getting cereal for Christmas. And maybe some nail polish.

{ My Man }

I love this man!

Isn't he hott in that bad boy kinda way?!

Then again, he's also uber goofy!
Thanks for a hot date Dave-O. I love ya!

{ Another big day }

Don't tell my dad, but Paige got her ears pierced today! (I wasn't allowed to have mine done 'til I was 10!)
Here she is getting her last minute pep talk from daddy.

They did them both at the same time. Don't you just love the flower studs she picked!?

I love her face in this picture. A little happy, a little stunned.
Happy girl with pierced ears!

I swear if she starts asking to wear thongs next week I'll croak.

{ Home again, Home again, Jiggity Jog }

Are we the coolest kids on the block or the worst parents ever, to let our kids ride home on a motorcycle?

I vote coolest! Duh. The kids beg for it and Daddy is happy to escort them back and forth.

Besides, how cute is that?

{ Goodbye Summer }

Hello School!

Lord please protect my sweet children as they are out in the world with out me. Keep their hearts pure and focused on you. Please let the adults around them have their best interest in mind. In all things let us glorify you. Amen.