"So promise me you'll never forget...that you aren't an accident or an incident...you are a gift to the world, a divine work of art, signed by God. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth...Flooded by emotion, overcome by pride, the Starmaker turns to us, one by one, and says, 'You are my child. I love you dearly.'" Max Lucado, God Thinks You're Wonderful







Tuesday, December 28, 2010

What you really want

Baby girl got her ears pierced! We go to court next week to finalize!! Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Owen's best bud at school, Stone


She is such a happy and easy baby! Can't believe she is 6 months old!!! Crazy! She is eating baby food, trying to crawl and walk, loves to jump and talk and cuddle!

Best attempt at a family pic on Christmas!

My daddy with Emery!




The girls sure do enjoy one another...can't wait til Emme is a little older and they can really play


I love these action pics...this is really how life is around here!

She is beyond words. This girl cracks me up and keeps me on my toes. Sadie Skielar...you have a way of making your daddy and I laugh constantly.

Can't stop kissing those cheeks, or those thighs...well pretty much all of her!

We love to bake and make a mess then as we are cleaning and vacuuming...we might get a little crazy with the vacuum and let it do our hair. Sadie wants nothing to do with this game. She thinks we are nuts.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Black Baby White Hands

If you haven't read this...please do.

Even if you are not or will not adopt transracially, please read it!

I felt extremely well educated and prepared about transracial adoption through our incredible agency.

This book has rocked my world in so many ways.

I could go on and on.

I have learned I have said the wrong things already to my kids. **sigh**

I have learned that this is so much bigger than I ever could wrap my head and heart around.

It has shown me that, yet again, my God is the only one that can carry our children through this journey...and He's CHOSEN Blake and I to walk this with them.


I am so thankful this book has given me such priceless insight into a world that is often not spoken about.

I beg you, if you have a relationship with my children, please read this. Please.
I wish I had read it sooner.





Friday, December 17, 2010

Her First Performance

Oh my word...these 4 make me burst with pride. I am that goofy, embarrassing, over-the-top proud mom and you can hear me laughing on the video. Sorry...just adore this gal.

Unfortunately Cooper didn't really want to be seen much. He said he liked watching his friends sing and that's why he wasn't facing the crowd. Makes sense.

Hope you enjoy!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Keeping it Simple

There are so many things I feel the need to say, or fill you in on. Not sure why, but what I really can't shake today is the spirit in the air of Christmas. In our house, and my heart...its thick. And I love it. So I just want to share some lyrics of one of my new favorite Christmas songs by Francesca Battistelli called You're Here: (thanks to my daddy for sharing it with me)

You’re here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator
You could’ve left us on our own, but you’re here… you’re here

Someday I’m gonna look back on this
The night that God became a baby boy
Someday You're gonna go home again,
But You leave your spirit and flood the world with joy

You’ll be here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior,
King and Creator
You could’ve left me on my own, but you’re here…
You’re here
Hallelujah… You’re here… Hallelujah... You’re here

Let us never forget that He didn't have to come

And that He is always here. We can hold Him near and stare into His face.

May we feel Him and His JOY that He floods the world with!
Family pictures on my side of the family, for the first time in 5 years! Last time we took these there were 4 grandkids...now there are 11!!!
Someone likes the tree!

She also like to stand up to play


Don't they look so big?

Cooper's 4th bday party. I was so proud of this guy. We had arranged for a moon bounce to be set up after church for his party. The guy called during church and said it was too windy to set it up. He was such a trooper and of course was sad, but had a great attitude and we made the best of our party. SO thankful we got a pinata at least!

Papa Max loving on Emery at the party. We had her baby dedication at church that morning. What a wonderful day!!!
Happy birthday big guy! I can't believe you are 4!



decorating the tree!

The girls with Pops on Thanksgiving!



Cooper's actual birthday! We had lots of lil celebrations for this guy!

Earlier that day we went to the zoo and the boys found a great pile of leaves to jump in. Forget the animals there, we bring our own!

Matching jammies pic! Thanks Gigi for finding new pjs for the kids!


Sadie is TOTALLY into her dolls. She takes at least one with her everywhere. It's so cute, she changes their diapers and does pretty much everything I am doing at the moment with Emery.

Emery gives the best kisses! And Cooper LOVES them the most out of all of the kids. He doesn't get grossed out by her slobber and open mouth! Oh man, I love my life!
Huge smile! She loves to swing, but loves her siblings even more.
Blake informing me that we have too many kids and he can't even see the book to read! HILARIOUS! Of course I took a picture of it instead of helping ;)

Awww, that's better! Notice Owen's face...wonder what's going on in his head.

Our family pic! I love how the boys are holding each other.

Halloween pics, this one looks like he is flying!

We went on a hayride with my family...so fun!

Cutest superman ever!
Sadie was a fairy! She was so cute!

Last but not least, Emery was a sweet pea!

Sadie has some freakishly strong upper arm muscles...
Happy birthday to Blake!

The 4 of us went to the OU game for his birthday.