Jossalyn and Mercy

God definitely played a BIG part in how these two little girls (and their mama's) came to know each other! I was approached numerous times by friends and strangers who told me my daughter looked like a baby named Mercy (who was also adopted....from Florida....in the beginning of 2011). So, after pondering how on earth could there possibly be another baby as cute as mine, I knew I had to find this little girl! After a few fb messages, texts, and phone calls, (with Mercy's mom, Misty) we had our first playdate....and then some!

Mercy and Joss sharing their love for snacks!

Mercy and Joss sharing their love for EACH OTHER! Awww!

Mercy and Joss practicing for future coffee dates, (if they're anything like their mamas!)

It just doesn't get any cuter than this!

Here we are with our wonderful blessings from the Lord!

Children are a gift of the Lord (Psalm 127:3)

A little of this and a little of that!

We are so incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful group of homeschool friends to spend time with. We certainly wouldn't want our kids to be UNSOCIALIZED now would we....;)
Last week we went to the home of a sweet homeschool family from our church. The boys had a BLAST! They have a perfect driveway for riding bikes and scooters! There were legos and cars galore inside! The weather was great! Oh! And dessert! I can't forget to mention the yummy treats! The other moms there even convinced me to sneak away for a solo trip to the fabric store! Can we say GREAT day?!?!


Everyone posed for a quick picture before saying our goodbyes! The kiddos were NOT happy about that!


This was a little earlier when the boys were racing up and down the driveway!


This week we took our first (but definitely not last) trip to ArtQuest! The kids loved it! They are all so creative and love to make things so this was right up their alley! We can't wait to go back!

They painted some abstract art for our playroom!


Jaxon and his buddy, Siler molding clay.


Camron and Caden cutting and gluing!

Jossalyn is 1!

I cannot believe that baby girl is 1! This past year has been a wonderful whirlwind! On this day last year, we had no idea we would be getting a phone call telling us our daughter had been born and we could come and get her. How blessed we have been! Joss is (and has been) strictly walking for a while. She loves to smile when you tell her to say "cheeeeese" (she knows how we roll). She says quite a few words and attempts to repeat most anything we say! She signs milk, more, and all done fluently. I am amazed each day at how smart she is!

Her party was a "Winter One-derland". When I had a second....ok, a millisecond to stop at the party and look around, I was in complete awe at the people who came to celebrate her. Our family and friends have been brought so much joy over the past year! We are so grateful to all of you for your continuous love and prayers!

Here is Joss with her awesome cake! She really enjoyed the snowflakes as you can see!

Here's a little bit of our "one-derland"!

The cake was almost as tall as she was! It was delish!

See, I told ya!

We had a great time opening all her presents! She loved the paper and bags while I admired the goodies!

She got a lot of fun toys and some super cute clothes!

We got her this sweet baby doll and a mini bottle. As you can see, she likes the bottle better than the baby!

We went to Longhorn for lunch after church today to celebrate her again! Of course the birthday dessert of choice is a chocolate stampede! Joss had some icecream! She was REALLY happy about it! Here she is saying "cheeeeeese" with an adorable icecream face!

Our sweet, pooped, birthday girl!

2012

It seems that at the turn of every new year, there are so many resolutions, so many decisions, so many convictions. Often people have a word or a verse for the year. As 2011 came to an end and 2012 began, I didn't think I was going to have either. No reason, I just didn't want to fish for one and didn't feel like the Lord had given me one. I guess that's where patience pays off. No one said you had to have your word ready as the ball dropped on New Years Eve! God began pricking my heart over the past 2 days and my word came to me loud and clear.....

INVEST: to contribute effort to something: to contribute time, energy, or effort to an activity, project, or undertaking in the expectation of a benefit

I often struggle with this. I want so badly to be in God's will with my time that I often end up biting off more than I can chew. A friend said it wonderfully yesterday. She said " God will grace you with the wisdom to get it all done and be productive at the same time. That's His job. Our job is to make time for Him and the rest will fall into place...."

So, this year my conviction turned decision turned resolution is to invest. Invest me....where HE wants me!

They say it's your birthday.....

Me and my sweet boys on my birthday! Joss was snoozing so she missed the photo op!
I had a great time shopping with Mom the morning of my birthday. Then we met everyone at Longhorn for lunch. That afternoon I was able to relax for a little while before taking the princess to the dr. Double ear infections! Boo!

Daddy-O and all our loves on his birthday!

Daddy-O played golf with his bestie (lol) the morning of his birthday. We went to dinner at Ham's then came home and watched a movie together.

Christmas with my side of the family

On Christmas Day afternoon, we go back to Durham to spend a few hours at my grandparents house. We have lots of people in their house and it always brings such joy to my heart! There are 7 great-grandchildren...4 of which belong to us!

Here the boys are showing off their gift from Grandma and Papa.

Oh look, someone snapped a picture of me...and given the fact I hadn't just rolled out of bed, I thought it was okay to post it ;).

I love this picture. They both look so happy!

I guess the only way to get a picture of Papa is to take a picture of him taking a picture! He is always behind the camera!

On to Nana and Poppi's house! Camron and Caden wait patiently while watching an "old timey" movie with Poppi. This is something all 3 boys really enjoy! (Watching the old movies that is. I certainly don't mean waiting!)

They were so excited to get "The Millennium Falcon"!

Poppi and Nana holding their gifts from us.

Daddy-O and Camron were worn slap out! We love spending time with all of our family at Christmas but man, oh man does it make us tired!

We pray that each of you had a blessed Christmas with your families as well!

Merry Christmas!

We were ALL up bright and early Christmas morning! Joss and Jax are our early risers so they made sure the rest of us were up as well!

Once everyone got downstairs and took a peak at what was there, we all sat down and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus led by Jaxon. We usually make a cake but didn't this year. I love that my children are at a point where they see the true meaning of Christmas. Yes, they enjoy getting presents but they enjoy giving even more. I over heard them talking on numerous occasions this year to eachother as well as to others saying the best present they ever got was Jesus. Amen, boys, Amen!

Jaxon opening his present from Camron and Caden. They all did such a good job keeping eachothers gifts secret. And they were SO proud of their purchases!

Joss on her "push-cart" for the first time!

Camron and Caden opening their gifts from eachother! How funny that they got eachother the same thing but in a different color?!

Daddy-O got a new flashlight. He is ALWAYS looking for a flashlight so this was a great gift for him!

The boys each got a set of Wikki Stix. They had a blast creating with those while the sausage balls were in the oven!

Yes, I was there and even had my picture made as I opened presents BUT I am also the one that chooses the pictures for this blog...and I choose to not show those!

Merry Christmas to All! May you all remember that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!