Summer, Summer! Where have you gone?

I know I have a TON of catching up to do from this summer - and I apologize. When my mom asked me today if I was ever going to do anything on this blog again, I figured I should get busy.

We started off the summer in Missouri for Edie's graduation! We are so proud of her! And she's going to keep going! We spent some good time with all the family even though it was a short visit.
Ava joined us at the zoo one day. Mabry did everything she did, including walk all over the place and climb stairs for the first time.
Spent. I wish you could see her entire outfit from this day...

Jeremiah was a part of Ben and Courtney Boyd's wedding and Mabry had a blast playing in all the flowers and dancing in the bubblesthe zoo again
We also made a few trips to the lake. This might be my favorite picture of them - I can't get over the hairdos :)
As you can see from the very top of the blog we spent a ton of time in the water this summer and Mabry loves it!
Jeremiah and I had a nice little get away to Austin, (Thanks Kristin!) where we stayed at Barton Creek Resort. Ty and Natalie met us one night for stuffed avocados - to. die. for.
We also had to say "see ya later" to our friends the Peabody's this summer. Good thing they are only 86 miles away though :) Love you guys!


Next up was our visit to East Texas. We stayed with our friends the Boddy's for a weekend (and this was the only picture somehow), and loved getting to hang out with them again.
Oops, back up to Makali's birthday party....
Mabry had to help her open all the presents, but this one was definitely her favorite. Maybe she'll take after her Momma!
Ok, back to East Texas. Mabry and I spent the next few days with Granny and Grandpa, and Mamma. This is a pretty accurate picture of what went on the whole time...:)
So sweet. I'll cherish this forever.
Lake again. That's Reid Pinson falling off the tube. Reid Pinson. Falling off.
And that wraps up most of our summer. I'm sure there are a few I left out and you can find more on facebook.

Currently Mabry is potting training...enough said....

I'm almost 25 weeks along and Collier is doing great! Growing growing! Dancing on my bladder.

Oh yeah - we got a new(er) car this week too! So don't look for me in old blue anymore. It's for sale by the way. I will now be rocking a different mom car - a red expedition with tan on the bottom. It's pretty sweet.

Lucia

Ok friends, this is probably the boldest post I've posted in a long time, maybe ever.

This is Lucia. She is at Canaan Orphanage in Haiti and we believe she belongs in our family.

Please please pray fervently with us for God to be in the details. That's all I will say for now. He has a plan for her.

::This is a blog post from some friends of ours who are caring for her::


Today is a special day for us as we celebrate Lucia’s 7 month birthday! This precious child is such a blessing to us here at Canaan. Everybody loves her huge smile and joyful giggle!! Marcus and I couldn’t have a more blessed time with her! I wanted to give you all a little update on her!

She sits up on her own - a little wobbly, but she’s getting the hang of it.

Rolling over is old time news....she rolls with the best of them, getting too fast for us, we really have to watch where we lay her!

Big news!! She’s getting two new bottom teeth coming in! In Creole, “L’ap fe dan”! Along with that comes diarrhea and little fevers or outbursts of tears, but she’s a trooper!

She loves to mimic her ‘bodily functional noises’ and is getting quite good at it!

She likes carrots - avocados are on the menu next for this upcoming week!!

Honestly today don’t have her exact weight, but a couple weeks ago she was at 13.6 pounds. I’d say she’s at a good 14 - 14.5 pounds now!!! She’s becoming our little chunker!! :) In fact, take a look at the two pics below. The first one taken March 17 and the second one taken today!!

Please keep praying for this precious baby girl! And us too at Canaan as we are seeking God’s wisdom and direction for her life!

Introducing...

Baby #2 is coming in December....again!

My First Ponytail

She looked a whole year older, but pretty stinkin cute!

Easter

Thank goodness it wasn't freezing this year on Easter!
I think we were actually sweating.

The kids had a blast hunting eggs in Keitha's backyard, but we missed the California crew!

This year was extra special too because Steve and Jennifer, Stephanie and Natalie came to stay with us. And we got to scare off, I mean meet Ross, Steph's "friend". I think he's still around....



Mabry really liked taking things out of her basket....not quite the concept of hunting we were hoping for.
the Greats-

cousin love
The little kids always get a head start
but don't think Jax holds back one bit!




Get it Mabry! Hurry!
the audience


not really into this family picture stuff
the tates + rossy



Jesus lives!

Haiti Update

Well, there isn't a whole lot of news...sorry to disappoint. However, I'm happy to say that some new adoptions are beginning to be processed!

So, will you please continue to pray for our next steps. We know that God has the little boy or girl picked out for us already and we are praying for him or her diligently. We just ask for you to join us in praying for her health, safety, and that she is being loved. We are currently in contact with GLA about adopting with them.

Also, a photographer friend of mine that I met at For the Love Workshop has new marketing idea to raise money for our adoption!! Can you believe it! It will be awhile before it happens, but I was so humbled tonight to hear her idea and feel the love of Christ through her. She is being the church.

Next post: Easter!

Haiti

Well the guys have made it! They arrived in Haiti yesterday morning and were picked up by Elsie, who lives at Canaan. They drove around PAP for awhile and then headed to the orphanage with the 2nd group from the airport.

We want to say a HUGE THANKS to all of you who contributed financially or bought supplies for them to take. We are SO blessed by the community of believers we are a part of. Thank you for following the Lord's leading. Keep praying!

"Defend the cause of the fatherless..." Is. 1:17

Jeremiah and Chris did not get to visit GLA yesterday because they have a no visitor policy on Sundays, which we respected. Praying for another chance, but we have an email address for Dixie, the director and have been in contact with her.

*this JUST in* from Jeremiah:
Having a great day. We've been packing food to give away at a village near Port tomorrow. Planning to visit GLA tomorrow also.

Yea!

Mabry and I have been hanging out with Sarah and Brex this while the hubbies are gone. The kids are having fun, but not quite sure how to play TOGETHER. Brex is very active and ambitious while Mabry is quite cautious. Someone must have told her she's made of porcelin (i don't even know don't even know how to spell that - don't judge) because she thinks she breaks everytime she falls or he touches her! Cute, but not cute. This morning Brex really wanted to use her as a chair, but she wasn't so into that game. He thought it was a great idea. We were too slow with the camera....dang it.

This is the after photo....

I'll post more fun pictures from the week when get home.

until then....