A few that didn't make the cut....

The following photos didn't make the cut when we were composing our Christmas card this year. We had so many cute pictures and unfortunately, we could only choose three. Sooooooo, I thought I'd share a few additional pics of my little lump of sugar!!Have a happy Monday!! ((HUGS))

**UPDATE** - We hope Lilli will get her cast off on Thursday! At that time... the enactment of "Operation Elbow Pad" will begin! :o)

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Today, I am thankful for YOU!

Many blessings...

from our family to yours!

XOXOXO

Let the paperwork begin...

Danny and I began working on the NCDSS application and home study packet for a domestic adoption on Saturday. Danny's cousin Mary came over for a little while to help with Lilli, so we could focus on the packet. I remember most of the questions we were asked when we applied for China, but for some reason, now that I have had the experience of being a Mommy to Lilli, my thought process has changed. Many of the questions were harder to answer than before. You'd think it'd be easier, but it wasn't!!We only got half of it done. Our goal was to have everything turned in by Monday... now with the work week beginning, as well as Thanksgiving ahead, it'll be next Monday! It's all good though. We're absolutely positive that God is leading us down this path again. Children are a true gift from God and our lives were forever changed when we met our sweet Lilli. She's such a blessing! PRAISE HIM!!
We know we could love and provide for many more children... so, this may not be our last rodeo! Yeee-haw! :o)
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!! ((HUGS))

Wordless Wednesday

Everytime you smile at someone,

it is an action of love,

a gift to that person,
a beautiful thing.
~Mother Teresa

She's absolutely ROTTEN!!

Like most young parents, our evenings are jammed packed with dinner, bathtime, cuddling and lots of reading before bedtime.... then after reading comes major procrastination!!Lilli has gotten really good at it too!! She has EVERY excuse in the book, whether it's going to the bathroom (for the thousandth time) or needing a glass of water. You name it, she's done it! Unfortunately, we're guilty of playing along.
Last night, our bedtime conversation went a little something like this...
Lilli: MaMa, I NEED stickah (sticker)!
Me: Lilli, Why do you NEED a sticker?
Lilli: Cuzzzzzzz.
Me: Because why?
Lilli: Cuzzzzzzz stickah make me happy and, and, and (she does this when she's excited) and when Lilli get stickah she sleep.
Me: Lilli sleeps when she gets a sticker, because she's happy??
Lilli: (Head nods yes) Cuzzzz me happy!...and yes, Lilli got a sticker! SURPRISED??
Hope everyone has a blessed Tuesday!!! ((HUGS))

Thankful Thursday... Getting along just fine!

This photo came to me by route of Danny's cousin Mary.... Lilli's "My Mary" or "Aunt Mary" that works at Lilli's school. From time to time, she'll send me photos during the day. Honestly, they are like receiving a bouquet of roses midway thru my work day, bringing such a smile to my face! Thank you Mary!
Lilli is doing really well with her cast. For that I am truly thankful!! We head back to the doctor on Monday for another x-ray. The doctor didn't really say (or I didn't hear him say) how long the cast will be on. I think about 4 weeks, based on what folks have told me. My sweet girl hasn't had to alter her daily activities, so we will certainly survive. Thanks for all the prayers y'all! I could feel them blanketing us! ((HUGS))

RESILIENCE!!!!

The day after Lilli fractured her elbow, we had a birthday party to attend for my best friend's son Samuel. Lilli had been talking about going to Samuel's party at the "Jumpin' Monkey" all week, so I knew there would be a great deal of disappoinment if we didn't go.
At first she was timid... but then my "fearless child" decided that NOTHING was going to stop her from having fun! I could not believe it! We had a great time and Lilli did just fine. I was much more worried about the other children getting in her way... that cast packs a punch! WOW!!We're getting along fine on our end with the Lilli's cast. Finding clothes that fit over the cast has been the biggest hurdle... well, that and keeping it dry in the bathtub.
The memories of Friday are still causing Mommy nightmares... but I've come to the realization that THIS is what being a MOMMY is all about... AND I had better GET USED TO IT... especially with my sweet, accident prone child! :o)Hope everyone had a blessed weekend... ((HUGS))

OUCHIE!!

Lilli fractured her elbow yesterday at school. She fell off a riding toy on the playground. What is it with THAT playground?? :-( Oh, the drama... I NEVER want to go thru that again. She's doing well now... just a bit sore and having a hard time adjusting to the cast. Mommy "blinged it out" for her with some metallic heart shaped stickers.She thinks it's a BIG bandaid... and y'all know her obsession with bandaids!! Unfortunately, she can't remove this bandaid, so she's a little frustrated.Prayers for her patience and quickly healing are requested!! ((HUGS))

A Whole Lotta' Halloween...

I have been so bad about posting to the blog lately. It seems as though bathtime, cooking dinner, bedtime stories... and Facebook all consume my life at night. Therefore, I'm not getting my posts done as I typically do. SHAME ON ME! I promise, I will try to do better!!
Wanted to share the pictures from the past Halloween weekend. Saturday, Snow White visited her Grandma & Great-Grandmother... Danny's Mom & Grandma Lillie. They gave Lilli soooo much candy! (It's been hidden, don't cha' know!?!!)

...and then headed over to Nana & Papa's house (my Mom and Dad)Lilli and Nana had a great time dancing and twirling together. (pause the music at the bottom of the screen and press play)

Later at home, Lilli enjoyed passing out popcorn balls, pretzels and pencils to all the trick-or-treaters!

Lilli did go around the neighborhood with her Daddy for a little while, but really wanted to be the one to pass out the treats! She thinks thats so much fun!!Our neighborhood was a buzz with TONS of trick-or-treaters. You should have seen the array of costumes! I think we had just over 150. I ran out of goodies in less than 2 hours and had to quickly run to the pantry & pull out microwavable popcorn "singles" to give out. Then it was lights out!

Hope everyone had a wonderful, fun-filled Halloween! ((HUGS))