Fall!

Welcome fall - although we love summers around here.  This fall has brought busy schedules.  Reese decided not to play football, but is staying busy playing tennis with Jerry and Hanna.  Hanna is cheering for 2/3 tackle and she loves it!  Always has the biggest smile and smallest voice! Brooks is running cross country for South and is doing very well.  He's 2nd on the varsity team and earned 2nd team all conference the other night.  He really wanted 1st team, but had a side cramp the whole race.  We're still working on the adoption of Chazz, but more about that on the other blog.  I got a new camera lens for my birthday and I'm having fun learning more about it.  Jerry is enjoying having time to work with Hanna and Reese on tennis.  They practice several times each week.  He loves watching them improve.
It's hard to believe, but Brooks is just about to turn 15!  wow!  He can't wait to get his learners permit and start driving.  He'll get to help drive to Florida this Christmas and that is both scary and exciting.  Reese is 11 and has me as his teacher, again!  It's fun getting to be with him.  He's a hard worker and smiles all the time.  Hanna is in 2nd grade, loves school, and being with her friends.  She can't wait to go to China to eat the good food and get her brother - although she really wants a sister! :)  We are about to celebrate our 5th "Gotcha Day" on Brooks's birthday.

 

Five years ago

Hard to believe, but five years ago I went to a class for teaching. When I got home, there was a new monthly listing of kids from our agency.  I requested to see the file of one particularly cute little girl.  I fell in love, but I did every month.  I went out to get Jerry, much like every month.  Fully expecting him to say no, much like every month, he didn't. This time he said show me more.  Then show me more.  Then much to my surprise he said wow!  This is our Hanna!  What do we do next!  The way it worked back then was we had to put our names in to be matched with her.  Boy, it was a long 6 days of waiting!  Then my phone rang during Kung Fu Panda and changed our life forever!  Hanna is such a blessing. She truly is awesome.  She loves to read (and is really good at it), write, color, draw, play tennis.  I could go on and on.  Can't believe how much she's grown.  Thank you God for letting me be her mom!

 

 

 

 

 

Spring is here

Ahh, we survived winter!  Even though it is rainy now, we've managed to survive the snow and freezing temperatures. The kids are growing so quickly and as I told Hanna, I don't want to miss it or forget it!

 Reese is now 11 and enjoys playing basketball and baseball.  He's undecided again about football this fall.  He's in the 5th grade.

 Hanna is 7 and loves everything about school.  She is reading chapter books and practices cartwheels all the time.  She wants to be a cheerleader this fall.  She's in 1st grade.

 Brooks is 14 and is our runner and swimmer.  He was a freestyle sprinter and is now a distance runner.  He's deciding between cross country and soccer in the fall.  He'll soon be a freshman!

Happy Spring!

Rough vacation...but someone had to do it!

Ah...Florida!  There is nothing like it in December.  It is our favorite spot on Earth for Christmas.  It was gorgeous again this year.  We got to stay for 2 weeks and had beautiful weather.  It was in the 70's and 80's everyday - sunny skies, blue water, white sand, perfect.  It was rough, but someone had to do it!   We are so thankful to God for allowing us to go most years.  It gives us a chance to be together as a family - reconnect so to speak - and truly enjoy the the holiday season and our Savior's birthday.

Our family wishes you the best 2013 - and we pray that God will bless you all year.