Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Wow, it's just so amazing to think that last year at this time Matt and I were sitting in Children's hospital with Ana after she'd just had her second hour long seizure. We didn't know what we were getting into or what the future would bring. Matt and I wouldn't have guessed that it would of brought a new son into our lives!! Adoption was so far from our minds last Thanksgiving. It's amazing how quickly God can turn things around.
I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving:

• A God that loves me and chooses to use me for His glory
  
• A wonderful, kind, and loving husband that I LOVE being with
• Three amazing, funny, adorable children
• Fulfilling dreams I barely dared to dream
• Great supportive friends
• A caring family
• Enough food to eat each day
• Cars that start in the morning
• The courage to take chances
• Diet Pepsi
• Fingerprints all over my front window
• Listening to music
• The freedom to be me

Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday Night Fun!

Just thought I'd share what we like to do on a Friday night. Can you tell we have little kids and don't get out much?!?!?!?!




Seriously the kids ran around with bags on their heads for like 20 minutes straight!! It doesn't get better than this.

Christmas Gift Ideas.....

Christmas will be here soon so I thought I'd help some of you with your shopping. Here are a few great websites that not only will find you a great Christmas present for someone, but will also help someone else in the process. What could be greater than that!!!
Happy Shopping!!!!

http://www.mayantraditions.com

Some great Guatemala made items. Of course, it's fair trade! If you are unfamiliar with fair trade there is a link of the left hand side of this website that explains it.

http://shop.thechildhealthsite.com

This is a great website. Lots of great gifts to choose from that are fair trade! Also if you click on Gifts That Give you have the opportunity to help specific needs to be met such as sending a child to school, giving shoes, giving clean water, and supplying bed nets.

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces

This website has lots to offer. Too many to explain. I recommend checking it out! And yes, again there are more fair trade items available.

AHOPE

If you find yourself with some extra time, please check out this orphanage called AHOPE. It is for children living with HIV in Ethiopia. I really wanted to visit this orphanage while I was in Ethiopia, but didn't have time. That will be something I'll have to make sure to do the next time I go to Ethiopia.

http://ahopeforchildren.org/

Happy Birthday Carter!

It's hard to believe that 7 years ago today I became a Mom for the first time. These last 7 years have gone by so quickly. I love being a Mom to Carter. He's such a loving, kind, compassionate, smart, funny, and cute boy!

Seriously there is no way to explain how wonderful and unique Carter is, you just have to know him!! I like to joke that I could make an entire blog just about Carter. Full of all the jokes, ideas, and crazy moments he has in life!

Matt and I feel honored that God chose us to be Carter's Dad and Mom!

1st Haircut!!!

Durant had his first haircut in the United States today!! He was very brave and he sat very well once Mommy held him. Now he looks more like a 2 1/2 year old! What a cutie!!

I also had a mini lesson in how to care for African hair. Turns out I wasn't doing that great of a job at it... oops sorry Durant. I'll get better.

Fun in the house and outside!

Having three kids is awesome! We have so much fun together.
I love running around in the backyard or just playing around in the house!! Here are some pictures of the fun things we get to do together....








Playing play-doh has become a new favorite thing to do....