Santa Rosa Beach 2011

This year at the beach was much different than previous years for obvious reasons. Definitely busier, but much more fun. :)

Eli karate chopped or kicked every single wave that washed up. We couldn't keep him out of the water.

Ben built sandcastles the whole time. He'd get his feet wet and jump the waves, but he loved playing in the sand.

Jack went in between the water and the sand. The red flag and jellyfish kept us out of the water a little, but we're glad all three boys are beach bums like their parents.

Waiting. Patiently. And other stuff.

This week, hopefully, we'll hear about a court date for the boys. We keep thinking that it may be today. So, maybe today, we'll hear something. :) We're still thinking about names. We think we have the top two candidates, but are open to suggestions.

In other news, and I will probably jump from subject to subject quickly and randomly, Jack moved into his new room Friday. It's not completely finished yet. Pictures to come very soon though. We had a great night of praise last night which focused on Redemption. In a few days, I'll post a link and you can watch it on the church's website. We're so glad that God has us serving at Sevier Heights. Hopefully many more years to come. Our annual beach trip is coming up! One of our FAVORITE times of the year! Charleigh, who was an itty-bitty 2 week old last year, will be running, eating sand, and splashing in the waves. Can't wait!!! Avery will make her grand appearance this year. I have a feeling she will be a beach bum! It will be so hard to leave these little girls after spending a week with them. Whew.

I was writing Jack's Bible verses on his dry erase board to learn this week, and one of the verses was the same as last year. I remember this particular verse because he could never say it right. The verse is from James 2:10. It says, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." It was slightly shortened last year though. I believe when he got into his class and said the verse, it went something like this, "Whoever fumbles the ball gets just one point." Not even close. Funny though. We'll try harder to learn it word for word this year.

Back to adoption stuff for just a second, we have a friend from college who has also decided to adopt from Ethiopia. We've only kept in touch through facebook, but now since they've decided to adopt, it's kept us in closer touch, which I am so thankful for. If you get a second, you should read Kelly's blog.

I guess that's all for now. Have a great fall day!

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Referring to the annual beach trip, of course. And here are a few reasons why...

1.) Seeing some of my favorite people all week (especially the one in this picture.)
2.) The extra bit of energy from doing absolutely nothing.
3.) Eating cookies for breakfast.
4.) Applying sunscreen anyway you want because you won't see another person on the beach.
5.) Seeing the new additions for the first time.

6.) Wearing whatever if you please, even if that includes a fruity-licious hat.
7.) Blending in the the sand on day 1. Blending in with my bathing suit on day 5.

Last week

We took a flying trip to Pensacola last week... headed down Tuesday night and left Saturday morning, which only left us about 3 play days. We packed in the fun though. We went to the beach, ate yummy seafood, fished in PawPaw's boat, saw Big Mama's 6th graders perform an opera, and had a day-long shopping event with my mom. I would post pictures of all these fabulous events, but just realized I didn't even take my camera out of my car. Not even once. I think my mom took pictures, so I'll post hers when I get them. Did I mention that we suffered a slight sunburn? I don't know what we were thinking. We HATE to wear sunscreen. Not anything specifically about sunscreen. Just lotion in general. Oh my. Oh my. Never again. The only thing that helped? The seafood nachos, shrimp, fish, and oyster po-boy that followed soon afterwards at Flounders. Yum. :)