The Most Beautiful Bride I Have Ever Seen

My beautiful daughter, Taylor married Kostya on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 in Yevpatoriya, Ukraine. 

 I honestly have never seen a more BEAUTIFUL BRIDE!!!

I am so proud of Taylor and so excited that Kostya is my new son!!!!

We look forward to seeing them this summer when we travel for Lyla's adoption!!!!

I am Forever Blessed to Be her Mom!!!!

Missing 1 Sweet Girl

As we wait for our travel date I continue to picture Lyla with her siblings. 

 I see her right between Belle and Sara, don't you?

She will make sure of it!!!!

Sara (aka: SG) will make sure that her big sister Belle doesn't miss out on anything ever.  This was our conversation just an hour ago.

Sara:  Mom, Belle wants to ride the four wheeler
Me:  Honey, she can't yet
Sara:  Sure she can Mom

Then this conversation,

Sara:  Mom, I think she wants to drive
Me:  SG she can't drive yet
Sara:  Sure she can Mom

You are right SG - She SURE CAN!!!!!!!

WE LOVE THE POOL!!!!!

This last picture just cracks me up.  Belle was not happy that Gav was sitting next to her in the wagon.  Then she realized he was smiling and she gave him that look.  With her little hand on his shoulder reminding him that she is not happy with his choice of seat.  I LOVE IT!!!!  Our Belle has an attitude and she so is not afraid to show it.  Then you have Gav who could care less if she is upset with him or not.  These two are something else.

Confession:  I am going CRAZY waiting for a travel date.  For real - it's a tad painful.  I thought the third time around would be so much easier with waiting.  NOPE - I WAS SO WRONG!!!!  It is killing me!!!  I am constantly stressing about Lyla's health.  I would leave right now if someone gave me the go ahead.  I keep reminding myself that she has survived when many thought she wouldn't.  She is obviously a FIGHTER in every sense of the word.  I can't help but thinking of her all alone in that closet of a room just LAYING there, LAYING there and LAYING there.

Would you please send up a PRAYER for LYLA???  I would be so grateful!!!!!  Thank you!!!!!

Stay Strong Beautiful Princess!!! 

Soon you will be swimming!!!!

and

maybe even fighting over a seat in a wagon!!!!

I LOVE YOU LYLA!!!!!!  

I Have To Share This Amazing Book

The Adventures Of Billy Chicken Toes & The Wolf

This is such a TERRIFIC BOOK!!!

Your child is the illustrator!!!!

I can NOT wait to receive the books I ordered!!!!

Such an Amazing idea - Such a Fantastic Keepsake!!! 

LOVE IT!!!  

Once upon a time, a young barnyard chick named Billy Chicken Toes is shooed out of the hen house to make room for the new hatchlings.

Told to stay close by, Billy’s curiosity leads him far from the farm, where he tumbles down a dark rabbit hole. There he encounters one adventure after another. He meets a wolf who tricks Billy into leading the hungry critter back to Billy’s hen house.

Billy discovers that even a little chick like himself can possess courage far beyond his small size. Will he discover the truth about the wolf and the threat he poses before it’s too late, or will curiosity kill the chick? Find out in The Adventures of Billy Chicken Toes & the Wolf: Add Your Own Art Children’s Books.

I bought my books from the Official Authors Website:  http://sbpra.com/JeanneeDeWolfe/

Also available on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Billy-Chicken-Toes-Wolf/dp/1612049214/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339800490&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Adventures+of+Billy+Chicken+Toes+%26+the+Wolf

Only $11.97 for the softcover book!!

Not only do we absolutely LOVE this book that we had the privilege to read before it was out for sale, we LOVE the AUTHOR!!!  Ms. Jeannee'  DeWolfe is Owen's wonderful bus driver.  She has been a life saver this year for us.  That is a FACT!!  Owen has a very hard time with change of routine.  So Jeannee' always makes me aware if she will not be driving so we can make alternate plans for Owen.  We are so GRATEFUL to her!!!  Owen just LOVES her and he can't wait for his book to come in the mail!!

Six out of Ten of us

A very nice soccer Mom offered to take our picture today at practice.  It's not often that Dave and I are in a picture together with the kids so this was an Awesome opportunity.  Of course we are missing Tay, Conor & Nick but it is my GOAL to have a picture of all of us taken when Lyla and Tay are home!!!  For now I will so take Six out of Ten of us!!!

Flag Day

Bellie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bellie just took a STEP - Unassisted!!!!!   I can't even believe it!!!!  She stood up in front of me and took a step forward - right to me!!!!!  OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!

GO BELLIE GO!!!!!!!!!!  

Crying Mess Of Excitement Right Here!!!!!!


So I decided to stand her up so she could lean against the front door!!!
LOOK!!!!!!

Gav is coaching her!!!


I only had my phone handy to take a picture!!  Plus I am so excited I can't even think right now!!!
Oh Boy - GOD IS GOOD!!!!!


All I can think is how the director asked us:
"Why do you want to adopt a child that can't even hold up her head"

First Soccer Practice

 For Owen, Gavin & Sara!!!!

I watch these crazy kids run around and I just can't even BELIEVE how VERY BLESSED I AM!!!

 I am pretty sure Gav thinks the definition of soccer is having Dad chase him all around a very large field!!

 Owen & Sara did so well listening and following directions!!!  

Gav - Um, not so much!!!!

 Dave: 

 "Okay Gav - That is your Coach and you have to listen and follow his direction"

Gav: 

 "Sure Dad - what ever you say"

So when the coach says 

"everyone come get a ball"

and

Gavin runs out to the middle of the field

I'm thinking we are starting to make some real good direction following progress

Belle is trying to figure out what the heck Gavin is doing!!!

 Go Sara - Go Sara - GO!!!!!

 Owen being a veteran player was trying to give his sister some tips!!!!

 Sara said: 

 "Oh No Owen - I so got this"

 Gav needed a little help with kicking!!!

 Owen moved the ball like a CHAMP!!!!

 Oh How I Love This Boy!!!!!

 Look -  another Beautiful Boy that I Love FIERCELY!!!!!

Even if he is a little NAUGHTY!!!!

 Need a break Gav?

 Running!!!  

Not for the ball!!  

Not for a drill!!! 

 But for a DRINK!!!!!

Having his Dad chase him is very tiring and very dehydrating

Gavin was relieved someone had enough intelligence to bring beverages to this "Soccer" thing

After quenching his thirst he signed "all done" and jumped in the stroller!

Apparently the 1 hour soccer practice didn't apply to him

He signed up for the 15 minute practice!!

 Love this Picture so Very Much!!!!!

 So apparently we didn't feed these two well enough before leaving for practice!!

Poor children had nothing to eat but their own little fingers!!!

 Then we ended the day on the swings!!!

 With Smiles that can LIGHT UP The darkest of places!!!

 That warm their Mommy's heart like nothing else CAN!!!!

And remind me that I get to do it all over again Tomorrow!!!!

Beyond Blessed to Be a Part Of This!!!!