11 Things We've Learned, Part 2

This post is continued from the last post entitled 11 Things We've Learned. I'm sure this will be an ever-growing list...

1. Dinner, play outside, shower and in bed QUICKLY before they ask for 2nd dinner.

2. Boy #3 likes to pick up spiders. Step on them before he sees them.

3. Coffee stains baby teeth.

4. When boys do really dangerous stunts, like ride their bikes down the big hill with their feet propped up on the handle bars, don't look.

5. Anything can be turned into a weapon. Legos, spoons, a PB&J...

6. Karate and any other rough play must be done without a shirt.

7. Starting the day asking for wisdom and safety along with gratefulness is a good combination.

8. The smell that you can't locate is coming from sweaty Keens. Trust me.

9. Don't break up the wrestling until someone starts bleeding.

10. The bathroom can be flooded in a matter of 5 minutes. One little boy, two plugged sinks, and a bunch of dirty toys apparently needing a bath.

11. The big black streak that shows up on the side of your WHITE car from a scooter handle comes off with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

One Year Ago

One year ago today, we received an unexpected phone call followed by an email. Our dossier had just left the U.S. only weeks prior to this phone call. But God's timing is perfect, and in His perfect timing, we received these pictures...

And we fell in love.

We studied these pictures and prayed for these boys over and over.

And so many of you did too.

"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—

this is God whose dwelling place is holy.

God places the lonely in families;

He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy."

Psalm 68:5-6

First Day of Mother's Day Out

Aren't they just the cutest? And they can't wait to go back. Everyday they ask if it's a school day. So sweet.

Yet so mischievous. ;)

First Day of 2nd Grade

Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday, we were walking in to Mother's Day Out saying, "No hitting, no biting, no pushing and say nice words, and please don't say Son of a Nutcracker." (Apparently he was listening to Elf more than we thought:)

Summertime

Here are just a few pictures of our summer adventures, mostly to Pensacola. We swam, played, rode horses, watched fireworks, celebrated birthdays, cruised with dolphins, swam some more, laid around on the beach, ate popsicles, took naps, and loved on grandparents (I didn't know if three little boys would even come home with us.)

Swimming in Nana & Poppy's pool

Annual 4th of July neighborhood party

My birthday present wrapped in pink cupcake paper secured TIGHTLY with camo duct tape.

Family picture on my birthday

Farm day at Green Cedars Farm with family friends and farmers Pam and Roger and the lovely Laurel.

Jack could stay on a horse all day. He loved it!

Fearless

So stinkin' cute

Watching from the sidelines with my FAVORITE almost 2 year old baby girl in one hand and my benadryl in the other. :)

Dolphin cruise

Farm pictures taken by the talented Michael Newman,

husband of the lovely Laurel. :)