some misc. pics from the last few weeks

Bad Blogger

It's been a while. There is so much I missed blogging last month (Allie Day, Jeff's b'day, Ryan's b'day-13!!!, Christmas....). I'll get to it but for now just wanted to update a little. Brady FINALLY had his appointment with the surgeon today. It was originally scheduled for December 18th but his doctor was sick so it was moved to January 3 but the doctor was called into emergency surgery. I took him in today and he was treated like royalty. They really love him at that office. It looks like Brady's surgery will be March 10. They had said mid February but Allie's birthday is March 8 and AnnaClaire's is March 9. I didn't want them to get all the presents and Brady to not even be able to eat cake. I asked about mid March and the doctor said that would be fine. The big boys are out for spring break the week of the 10th so it will be a great time for the surgery.

I encourage you to check out my friend Tonya's blog. You may remember that we waited together through 2 adoptions and we were in China together when she adopted Ayla and we adopted Brady. Her precious Ayla had surgery in December and they discovered that she has cancer. Tonya is a picture of strength and faith. I wish I could be more like her. Anyway, she's updating frequently and I know that she appreciates prayers.

That's all for now:) It's good to be back.

AnnaClaire Day!

Today is a special day. Many years ago on December 5th, my dad asked my mom to marry him. She said yes:) The next December 5th, my parents found out that they were expecting a little blessing...me! Two years ago today, Jeff, Cameron, Allie and I walked into the Civil Affairs office in Nanchang and met our very own little ray of sunshine. We didn't expect the babies to be waiting for us when we got there, but when we walked in there they were. I picked out AnnaClaire immediately. Unfortunately, Jeff had the video camera and was taping another child he thought was AnnaClaire. LOL (I can laugh about it now!) When they called our name to go and get her she was bucking back and forth and grinning ear to ear. I thought that surely there was something wrong with her. What baby would be so happy to meet strangers for the first time? That would be our AnnaClaire! Bless her sweet heart, she was the stinkiest, dirtiest little thing and didn't have any teeth or any hair. On the way back to the hotel from the CA office, she would stood on our laps and jumped (while we held her around the chest, she could barely sit unassisted-such a difference from Allie when we got her). Little ACE radiated pure joy. God has blessed us greatly with each of our children; they all have their own special gifts, talents and place in our family. AnnaClaire is our sunshine. Our road to AnnaClaire was a bumpy one but God always knows what He is doing. AnnaClaire can turn a bad day into a great day with her smile. Thank you Lord for entrusting this sweet angel to our family. We know we are blessed!

After 30+ years, my dream is finally coming true!

I am...ahem...I mean ALLIE and ANNACLAIRE are getting a Barbie Dream House for Christmas. I am drooling over it already. And it comes fully furnished! Is it Christmas yet? Truthfully though, all those years of buying boy toys when the big guys were little and wanting so badly to buy some girly stuff too...well, I am finding that I am enjoying buying for Brady more than anyone else this Christmas. Boy stuff is so COOL!

We are having some issues getting our Christmas picture. Allie fell off the couch face first a few weeks ago and had a giant goose egg on her forehead which turned into 2 black eyes. Beautiful. As that started to heal, she turned up with a big bruise on her cheek. No one knows where that came from. Then at the end of the week, it was finally faint enough to take the picture. WELL (and I know you know where this is headed), yesterday Brady and AnnaClaire were playing with some tea pitchers in the kitchen and I heard a 'bump' and Brady started to cry. Not his 'I'm a little hurt and I need some comfort' type of cry, but the 'I am in PAIN' cry. I go over to him and scoop him up and he has a goose egg on the side of his head near his eye that had already turned bright blue. Today it is even more awful looking. I was thinking we might still be able to salvage the Christmas pics and planned to take them tonight...ha ha. You think I would know better by now. Today Brady was running through the kitchen, fell face forward on the hardwoods and now has a lovely busted and swollen lip to go with his other boo boo. Did someone say Mother of the Year??? Where can I accept my award?

Paula Deen's Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake

Several people have asked for this recipe so here you go...

Crust:
1 package yellow cake mix
1 egg
1 stick butter, melted

Mix and press into buttered 13x9 inch pan.


Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 stick butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar (I use only 3/4 of this amount)
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice


Mix filling ingredients and pour over crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Center should be gooey. Do not overbake.

Portraits By Allie

Allie wants a pink camera for Christmas. If she can take a picture this well I think she should have one! Although she apparently forgot to tell the little ones to say 'cheese'. What sourpusses!

Happy Thanksgiving...a bit late

hmmm...does it seem that someone is missing?
here he is!

my haggard crew;)

If only they were wearing green and red...

this could be our Christmas card photo! LOL

Could you say no to this face???

Conference with Allie's preschool teacher & other misc stuff

As soon as I was seated, Miss Amy says 'she's a pistol'. LOL She also said that she was like a little adult and that of all the kids in the class Allie was the most 'her own person'. She also said Allie was a peach, a joy and a treasure. I told her that we agree:)

You know you might have a problem with shopping when...a UPS truck passes you on the interstate and your 4 year old says, 'that guy comes to our house too'.


So much has happened lately...Allie got her Certificate of Citizenship, we had Brady's 6 month PP appointment, Jeff got his new car, Jeff quit the bank, we had some girls from the World Children's Choir stay with us for a few nights, Brandon got a haircut, Brandon finally decided he was ready to get his driver's permit, Ryan has become a sports fanatic and Brady's decided that we might be an okay family.

I don't want to brag...

but I think he's rather handsome;)

Last year's Christmas pic

A visit with MeeAll & Popaw (and Tonka)

 

 

 

 

Misc Pics

 

 

 

 

Yum...candy!

 

Look what I found!

I was cleaning off my desk and found this picture from Christmas 2004 (back when 4 kids seemed like a lot!). Check out Allie's cheeks!

Happy Halloween!!!

a dose of reality

People have asked how I got all three still and looking at the camera at the same time. All I can tell you is that it was a MIRACLE! LOL Here's a more accurate shot...



More Halloween pics to come...