Operation Christmas Child - 2009

 

What a great privilege for our children to get to show love to children all around the world with a simple little shoe box full of gifts!

Meeting Baby Christian

 

Mom, Sis & I got to meet Baby Christian! He is so BIG!! And ADORABLE! Loved kissing his sweet cheeks!

Halloween & Carvin' Punkins

 

Had our annual trip to "Trick or Treat" and eat pizza with the Farley Family!

Fall Festival - 2009

 

We LOVE the Fall Festival at our church! Each year LOTS of people volunteer to make this a special event for the community! The kiddos always have so much fun!

Not So Scary Halloween @ Disney World

 

We decided to go to the "Not So Scary Halloween Party" this year at Disney! It was soooo much fun! I was a little scared with it being late at night and trying to keep up with a 2 year old but it turned our fabulous!! We got a little bear harness for Myli and she loved it! We were able to relax and enjoy the evening! It was one of the best trips we've had at Disney. Not crowded! We went on the Buzz Lightyear ride 4 times in a row with no wait!! WOOHOO! Myliah's first trip to Disney & it was awesome!!!

BOYS TRIP - Miami Dolphin Game

 

See the smile on Blake's face? It didn't leave for weeks after he and Dad went to this game! Luckily, the Dolphins were on this night and won the game! Blake's first ever NFL game and he eats, drinks, sleeps, and talks non-stop Miami Dolphins! Who could ask for more!

Sophi's 7th Birthday

 

Can't believe our Taiwan Princess is already 7!! We love you Sophi!!!

Labor Day - Disney Resort

 

Had a great time @ Disney's All-Star Resort! Each one of our children picked a friend to join us for the weekend! It was GREAT!!

Care Package for Tommy!

Found out that Uncle David, Aunt Karen & Katherine are driving up to visit Nat at BU! They offered to take a care package to Tommy for us...along with a few items he forgot! He has been away for about a month and it has been quite the adjustment for ALL of us! The house is definitely not the same and MUCH too quiet! Tommy has a way of making chaos out of calm! We miss that here!!! He is also having a tough time adjusting to being away from all of his family and friends! He is very excited to see familiar faces though!! The kids worked all day baking Tommy's favorite cookies and making cards for him! Hope it brings a smile to his face!!

I DID IT!

So much has been going on this year that I sadly fell way behind on keeping up with the family blog! I love keeping the blog and find it very therapeutic, even if no one is interested! So.......I have been on a mission lately working like a mad woman to update it. There are a couple more posts that I am working on but for the most part, it is caught up FINALLY!

My sweet friend Kari told me how to make collages and that is the only thing that made this possible! It's kind of boring with having collages for each post but so much faster and when you are nine months behind, I'll take it!

JUST CLICK ON ANY OF THE COLLAGES AND THEY WILL GO FULL SCREEN SO YOU CAN VIEW THE PICTURES A LOT EASIER!

I LOVE MY FAMILY!!

Tommy's Going Away/Graduation Party

How sad it is to think that I do not have ONE picture of this party!! I was too busy making sure food was replenished and our guests were ok!

Thank you to all who came out to show your love for Tommy! We are so greatful to have friends and family like you!

Tommy will be leaving to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in a few short days! My momma heart is breaking but I know this is what he was called to do so I have to remain strong and believe that God will watch over him when I can't!
This is what we work so hard for and then when the time comes, it is most difficult to simply say good-bye. I am struggling but know in the end, God will provide the strength I need to understand His plan!

We love you Tommy and wish you all the best!! We are so proud of you and know that you will be strong and keep the faith!!

Family Vacay At Disney Resort!

 

 

We have visited the ALL-STAR MUSIC DISNEY RESORT for the past two Summers and have had a great time! They have so many activities for the kiddos from morning until night including family movie at the pool each evening! Myli is such a daredevil and the first night fell off the step in the pool and scared us to death! Well, we thought she "fell" off the step! Mark kept trying to take her out with him to float around the pool and she wanted nothing to do with that. I looked at him and said, "You know what she wants right?" and sure enough, I took her, turned her towards daddy and she took right off SWIMMING! Full on face under water and everything! She didn't stop for days! She woke up saying "wimming" and went to sleep saying the same! It was great to see the difference between this Summer and last! She just floated around last year taking it all in and this year she was part of the action! So cool! Tommy & Taylor tanned and napped a lot and Blake, Sophi and Josiah (Blake's friend) played until they couldn't play anymore each day! This was our last vacation before Tommy left for college. It was bittersweet! Vacations with a big family are so much work but oh so awesome!!

Myli Swimming!!

 

Here she is in action!

Meeting The David's!

 

When we started the adoption process for Ethiopia our agency had a Yahoo Group set up for families in the program. We shared the journey with so many families and over time grew to think of these people as our extended family! We shared our ups and downs, prayed for one another, and celebrated each small step along the way! A sweet couple named Caleb & Becca received their referral before us and as we followed (ok, stalked) their blog of their trip to Ethiopia to their beautiful daughter Sakari, we always thought it would be great if we could meet up with some of the families one day.
Well, as luck would have it...the David's were vacationing in Orlando the same time we were this Summer and we were able to work schedules out to finally meet up! They are a precious family and it was great to finally meet them in person and of course share in some yummy Ethiopian food at The Nile! The girls were so cute together!

Myli's 2nd Birthday!

 

 

SHE'S 2!!!! We had a great time celebrating Myli's birthday with a few of her little friends!
WE LOVE YOU BABY GIRL!!!

Myli's New Hiding Place!

 

Just sayin'...if you can't find Myli.....look in the dryer!! This is now her favorite place to play! Oh and you might want to check for anything that comes up missing there too!

Re-Adoption Day!!

 

We are proud to announce that Myliah Nael Frehiwot is now an American Citizen! As you can see, she quickly took over and made a new friend! She sat on the Judge's lap the entire time, played with the gavel, and answered all of the questions she was asked! She pointed out and said each person's name in the room as asked by Judge Rainwater! ADORABLE!! Now all we have left paperwork wise to complete her adoption (other than post placement reports for the next 16 years)is to apply for her COC - Certificate Of Citizenship and a SS#!!

Just in case you are wondering about her name....we decided as a family to use part of Myliah's twin brother's name which is Nathnael as her middle name
(Nael - pronounced Ny-el)and then her 2nd middle name Frehiwot is her Ethiopian name. Nathnael passed away shortly after they were found and brought to the orphanage of malnourishment.

PS - Tommy & Taylor were at M-Fuge Youth Camp, that's why they are not in the pictures!

BEACH DAY!!!

 

Blake's 12th Birthday!

 

 

TOMMY'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION!!!!

 

WOOOO-HOOOO!! HE DID IT!! Crazy to think that I have a son old enough to graduate!!
Tommy, we are so proud of all of your accomplishments!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS, WE LOVE YOU!!!

Senior Prom 2009

 

HOW SWEET ARE THEY!!

Senior Wrestling Recognition Night

 

Day At The Beach

 

 

We LOVE the beach!