Happy Birthday Jack and Grace

Jack and Grace share the same birthday as my daddy. I love it because I remember how happy my daddy was to find out that they were going to share the special day with him. Jack and Grace celebrated their birthday by going out to dinner with friends and family. We were not able to go with the rest of the crew so we offered to take them out tonight. Mema and Delores decided to go with us since they weren't able to go Monday either. Turns out there was quite a crowd. We had a great time and enjoyed celebrating two special little kids!

Papaw-such a special man! Always has a smile and always so sweet!

enjoying Papaw's pickle

the birthday girl and Bubba

the birthday boy

Claudia-precious lady! always happy, alwalys smiling!

so much fun to spend time with Papaw and Claudia only wished they lived closer!

Happy Birthday Daddy

Dear Daddy,
It's hard to believe that this is the 5th year we will celebrate September 27th without you... It's amazing how quickly time passes these days. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish you were here... to see us now... to celebrate life... to give advice. But I find peace and comfort in knowing you are free from pain and enjoying the life we are promised.

About a week ago, I came across a poem that Mrs. Virginia sent me shortly after your passing. I thought it was a great way to summarize our life now.

If tomorrow starts without me...

If tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see, If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today, while thinking of the many things, we didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, that an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand, and said my place was ready, in Heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind, all those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye, for all my life, I always thought, I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for, so much left yet to do, it seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, just even for a little while, I'd say good bye and kiss you, and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized, that this could never be, for emptiness and memories would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, from his great golden throne, He said "This is eternity, and all I've promised you." Today your life on earth is past, but here life starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day's the same way, there's no longing for the past. You have been so faithful, so trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things, you knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven, and now at last you're free so won't you come and take my hand, and share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart!

Happy Birthday Daddy! I love you bunches!

Shutterfly fun

(taken by Erin, our instructor)

Today was SO..MUCH..FUN!!! A group of girls from college got together to learn how to use our really nice cameras... the ones we bought so we could take really nice pictures... Our instructor Erin did a fabulous job! We had a lot of fun, now I just have to keep working. The hardest part is that I have to take it off AUTO and use MANUAL!!!!

our instructor

1st picture using new info

fun with Angie

working on the blur... pretty good I think

Sleep over with Catherine

Last night Caroline's friend Catherine spent the night with us. We went to the Greek Festival, Andy's favorite, and had so much fun. The food was yummy as always!!!! The girls had a fun evening and slept well. Can't wait for our next sleep over!

go Catherine!

Caroline thinking she might want to climb...
ok... maybe not!

2 curly head cuties at breakfast!!!

Lunch date

My Aunt Etoile (daddy's sister) is in town taking care of her two grandchildren for the next two weeks. So we thought it would be fun to have her over for lunch. Caroline loved it! She asked "E Tall" to read, cook and play catch. I think she enjoyed having someone other than mommy to play with... We hope Aunt Etoile will be able to come back next week too!

Everything to Me

I spent many years praying for a precious baby of my own. After many months that turned into years without any results, it began to consume me. It's all I thought about, all I wanted! I didn't want to see God's plan, I wanted God to see mine! After all, I know best right!! (just kidding)

God had an amazing plan for us! One morning I was praying, asking God to allow me to become a mother and the next morning, I was asking God to protect my baby and his/her birth mother (B)! A few days later we met this amazing woman who was carrying our baby girl! We instantly established a special relationship and created a bond that many don't understand. B will always be a special part of our family even though it looks very different now.

Caroline knows B loves her very much, so much that she allowed her to live with mommy, daddy and Lucy. She truly gave Caroline everything. Shortly after Caroline's birth, someone sent this to us. I came across it today and it reminded me of the special gift God gave us when He sent B and her precious baby to us 2 1/2 years ago... It reminded me of what it must have been like for her to carry our angel for 38 weeks and leave the hospital without her. Ultimately, it reminded me of just how blessed we are because of her unselfish love for Caroline. She chose to give Caroline a gift that no one else on earth could give... the gift of life!

The song above "Everything to Me" is written by Mark Schultz who was adopted. He dedicated this song to his birth mother. He shares what a true gift life really is. If you have a minute, click on the white link above. (Pause my music in the green box) I have included the lynics to this amazing song below. I hope to one day share it with B.

I must have felt your tears
When they took me from your arms
I'm sure I must have heard you say goodbye
Lonely and afraid had you made a big mistake
Could an ocean even hold the tears you cried
But you had dreams for me
You wanted the best for me
And you made the only choice you could that night

[Chorus]
You gave life to me
A brand new world to see
Like playing baseball in the yard with dad at night
Mom reading Goodnight Moon
And praying in my room
So if you worry if your choice was right
You gave me up but you gave everything to me

And if I saw you on the street
Would you know that it was me
And would your eyes be blue or green like mine
Would we share a warm embrace
Would you know me in your heart
Or would you smile and let me walk on by
Knowing you had dreams for me
You wanted the best for me
And I hope that you'd be proud of who I am

[Chorus]
You gave life to me
A chance to find my dreams
And a chance to fall in love
You should have seen her shining face
On our wedding day
Oh is this the dream you had in mind
When you gave me up
You gave everything to me

And when I see you there
Watching from heaven's gates
Into your arms I'm gonna run
And when you look in my eyes
You can see my whole life
See who I was
And who I've become

Tuesday's at home

We love quiet mornings at home...

I forgot how cute footed pj's were

precious little girl
reading to her baby doll precious little toes, her favorite flip flops dess up (aka dress up)

ready not only for the rain but just in case there is a flood, she has her floaties

panties over the diaper....

time is flying by... :-(

working out the kinks

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new job! I love my precious little 4 year olds, all 9 of them. The environment is wonderful! I feel like I am treated like an adult and it's ok to step out of the box. The staff is extremely friendly and very cooperative. They are also very understanding of having a two year old in our morning meeting. I knew that it would be "interesting" having Caroline with me. However, I didn't really plan for how it would really look. I didn't think about her playing with center materials before class started or at the end of the day when I was cleaning up. I didn't think about the lack of planning time at school. Or what it would be like to try to make copies with her on my hip...

However, we are working out the kinks and it is a sweet time! I love watching her with her friends. I love watching her interact with the other teachers. Most of all, I love that the playground is right outside my room!!

Playdate with Tyler

Today Caroline, GG and I had a girls afternoon. Andy went to the Carolina game with his buddy John. We worked around the house and got a few things accomplished. This afternoon my friend Jill (John's wife) and her little boy Tyler came over to visit. The kids had a blast!!!! It's so much fun to watch them together!

Tyler: Let's measure your foot to see if they will fit

Tyler: I think they are too small

Tyler: Caroline, push harder!!

Aunt Jill reading

love that she had to get her bag to play... reminds me of Sophia on the Golden Girls

Tyler come get me

changed directions

Tyler: That's clever Caroline

my little monkey

getting some good lovin!

Friday Night Football!!!

We are really enjoying Friday night football. Caroline actually made it through half time and into the 3rd quarter before we had to leave. She loved the band and actually high fived a time or two. Maybe next time we might actually make it to the 4th quarter... The only problem... Caroline thinks the Bruin is a puppy. I guess we can work on that one next year!

The outfit(s) of the day

Today I went through Caroline's closet changing out seasonal stuff. She enjoyed helping me by modeling what fits and what does not...

bathing suit cover up, slippers and mittens...

it's a little easier without the mitten

notice sunglasses in both hands

Wednesday whatnot's

Miss Priss is ready for school! (Her juice is in her pocket book)

It's super doubles this week at Harris Teeter-YEAH!!!!

• 2 (64 loads each) bottles of Tide
• 3 cans of Campbell's soup in hand
• 2 bags of cheese
• 3 things of Sure deodorant
• 1 package of Dannon smoothies
• 3 packs of Trident gum
• 1 dozen organic, cage free egg
• 1 bottle of Excedrin
• 1 large bottle of Gain dish soap
• 1 can of Lysol for school

Total-$77.16

Coupons-$42.85

Total Paid-$34.31

2 year check up

We are very thankful that today was the first visit with our pediatrician since Caroline's 18 month check up! Everything looks great and she is right on track. She weighs 30 pounds and is in the 90th percentile. She is 36 1/2 inches tall and is off the chart! We are very thankful that all is well!

I thought I would jot down a few of her ways...

• she says about anything she wants to
• her favorite phrase "I DO IT!"
• she loves dressing up
• she loves Lucy
• she loves riding in her stroller
• she can identify most animals and their sound
• she can put her shoes on by herself
• she loves school
• she loves reading
• she loves to rock on mommy's shoulders before bed
• she LOVES Dora and Blue's Clues
• we love her little personality

A typical day at home!

so sweet

"dressed up"
cooking

never know what the day will hold...

Birthday Donations

This year in lieu of gifts for Caroline, we asked for donations for a local thrift store. A few months ago, Andy was watching the city council meeting and saw a sweet lady asking for help. We did some research to see what she was really about. She and her husband started a homeless shelter several years ago. Last year they opened a thrift store. They hope that the money earned in the store will help with the cost of the shelter. They also have people from their shelter work at the store to help train them for future jobs.

Today we got to meet our sweet, dear friend, her daughter and some of her staff. I must admit, I was very much OUT of my comfort zone. But you know what I LOVED most of all, watching my baby girl. She wasn't out of her comfort zone one bit, she was totally and completely happy! She smiled and played with everyone. She didn't have the world's view of these individuals... What a challenge to me to love, to accept and have compassion for these individuals as friends just like my 2 year old!!!!!

Thank you to everyone who helped us! Our sweet friend was very appreciative! She thanked Jesus for you and said you helped her pay her water bill this month!

Sunday morning in the kitchen

Caroline truly loves her new kitchen! I got out of the shower this morning to find Caroline and GG cooking!