Enjoying Summer and waiting

It is hard to believe July is here. Time seems to flying by. We have not heard anything about Elle. Each list that comes out is made up of 95% boys or girls with moderate to severe needs. It is getting VERY discouraging.  I know GOD has a plan but I can't help but feel like something/someone is missing from our family.

 The girls on 4th of July. Our town has an awesome family friendly, alcohol free event all day with fireworks to top the night off.

 Lize eating yet another treat. She had nose surgery 5 weeks ago. There is still swelling but she is VERY content with the results. We are happy she feels so "pretty".

                                                                   Willy!

                                                                 He's always a hoot!

 We went swimming with our friend Alivia. She is always excited to play with girls since she has 4 brothers.

                                                           Lize lost her 1st tooth

 We surprised the 2 older boys with a trip to California. It was a quick, busy 5 days with 1200 miles of driving (but worth every mile).

                                     Zach and Will at Alcatraz with Golden gate bridge behind.

                                                    We celebrated 22 years of marriage!

                                                            Zach on Malibu Beach

                                                               My boys

                                            Lauguna Beach-my favorite place on the plant!!

                                                                            Willy

                                                   Silly kiddos at our by-weekly Bible study

                                                    Zach in his serious pose. He is finding out a lot about working this summer. Working at papa murphy's, hay baling & working out on the lake

May already....

Life keeps plugging along. It's crazy how the days sometimes drag on but the weeks fly by. I am anxiously awaiting for summer break. I have still been working more than I would like but atleast the people I work with are pretty awesome.

 Will, Sofia and Lize at hotel pool. One of the perks of James travel is free nights for us.

 They crack me up. This is how they are with each other 95% of the time.

 Trish sent me a care package for Elle, who we are still waiting to find out who she is.

 The woods by are house are always a fun place to wonder around at.

                                                                     Sofia!!

                                                      Rare picture of the pre teen

Lizebele only falls asleep when she stops to sit still. She is a fireball of energy!

 We are still here. Waiting for a match for Elle is getting hard. We have been busy just as we like it. I have been covering for another physical therapist while the kiddos are in school. I have not worked full time for over 15 years. I have got to say besides the extra money for Elle's adoption...I would rather be home full time. We went to the Shrine circus.

 The kids loved it. The look of amazement on their faces was priceless.

 Sofi usually is extreamly reserved but she enjoyed it too.

 We have had dress up play dates

 Went ice scating again and again

 Zach made it to the state powerlifting meet

 We have had more snow than we expected but enjoyed it all the same.

We are praying we get matched for Elle the end of April. Otherwise it will go into the end of June at the earliest for the next set of kiddos. There are alot of changes coming for Chinese adoptions....

While we wait!

Little out of order (just like me)! While we wait for Elle....We went to Long Island Mississippi.

 

 Zach got his liscense. He is strongly enjoying his new freedom! He is having fun running errands to.

                                                                 Zach turned 17

                                                  Lize's beach portrait!

                                                 Zach qualified for state at powerlifting!

                                                   Went to New Orleans

                                                  Carriage ride

                                                 City Park New Orleans

                                                  Cozumel Mexico

                                                more Cozumel!

Waiting fun...

 

 

 As we wait for a log in date to China we have been having some fun.

                                          Sofia in the snow hills by our subdivision

                                     Ice skating. Lize my no fears gal refused to use the "baby walker"

                                        Sofia said "fine I'll be a baby then"

                                      Visiting in South Carolina with our bestest friends.

                                     Lize and Hannah

                                   Trish my closest, dearest friend.

                                   Taylor and Sofi

                           Will and Hailey. This tough lil cookie has been battling Cancer for over a year.

Tis the season...

December as always, is a magical busy month. We are days from hearing "Dossier to China" so I am happy for the many activities. We have had parties, Christmas programs, family get togethers, concerts, gift exchanges, drives looking for lights, cookie baking and lots of mischief from Lucy (our elf on the shelf). Having kids makes everything more magical!!

 

                                       Will at his band concert.

                                      Sofia in her "Holiday" concert.

                                    Lize too

                                   Lucy our elf

                                    The girlies. The girls got bears from Aunt Brenda and Lize hasn't put it down since she got it. Aunt Brenda has an amazing gift of making people (ecspecially kids) feel like they are important and matter in a way that can only be a gift from GOD.

Cute aren't they?!

                                      James, his mom and brother.

                                                   Girls with Aunt Barbie (daddy's sister)

This picture sums up Lize and her joyful personality. Ohh how I can't wait for another sweet Asian lil lady.