A Little of This and a Little of That

You do whatever it takes sometimes to get these little ones upstairs and ready for bed!
The fun of being a big sister- having a little sister that lets you put 50 bows in her hair
Drew takes his girls out often on dates. He took Kalie out to dinner.
We hope our children always remember the little things like spontaneous late night trips to Krispy Kreme!

Just Horsen' Around

Suzy: "will you please come a little closer- my neck won't quite stretch that far!"
Karlee: "Here Suzy- eat away!
Suzy: "Kate- there is no way I can get that hay." Kate: "Suzy- this is as good as it gets!"

We love to visit the horses. Suzy has become my fave- and I am trying to get her to learn who I am. Usually, she won't pay much attention to me when the girls are around because she loves to watch them- or maybe she does it for her own safety- who knows?!? Thanks Anita for letting us spoil them with all that extra hay and apples!

Blogging Sometimes Doesn't Make Sense

I do not know why this picture flipped- i even tried rotating it and it still comes out on this sideways- so just turn your head really far to the side- because there is a story about this. This is my great uncle Carson- who is an identical twin of my grandfather! My grandpa died a few years ago when Kalie was almost 2. Carson and two of my cousins came down to visit this week. Kate went right to him on our 2nd visit with them. Then Karlee wanted him to hold her too so he just carried them both around. I wish I could put into words what this did to my heart when I looked up and saw this sight.

Happy Birthday Drew!

Drew skiing- he even slalomed!! WAY TO GO!
I did a little water skiing too.
Eloise and Kalie- isn't this a cute picture?!?
Eloise and Kalie on the tube. This was Eloise's first time and she gave it a thumbs up!
Jason, Shelley and Mallory on the tube- we DID take Jason and Shelley on a few runs by themselves- its a miracle they still call us friends! ha!
Karlee and her upside down "Unglasses"
After an afternoon of tubing, we look a little wild...
Kate had to help drive the boat
The funny faces of.... Kate
and the sweet ones of Mallory
and more funny faces of Karlee
sweet Kate
Mallory and Karlee blowing bubbles.
Mallory's first time as well. She agreed to go with me and Karlee. She kept screaming "Go ME!"
Lilly ENJOYED her cake and ice cream!

Drew's one hour closer to going SOLO- one day I will have my own private pilot!

We celebrated Drew's birthday this weekend at the lake. We spent the night out there and had a blast! Our friends, Jason, Shelley and Mallory came down too. We skied, tubed and rode the boat. Shelley and I took a huge spill on the tube- oh-oops- I mean we MEANT to go skimming across the water at a fast rate of speed.... Shelley is an AWESOME skiier. Drew got to ski on one ski and this was my first time to waterski and I loved it! Karlee kept screaming Go, My Ski-Mommy Go! So, I have been renamed after this weekend and plan to get a tatoo with that on it- JUST KIDDING! Kalie did great tubing and jumped off the pier for the first time. WAY TO GO! And of course she had a blast with Eloise as well. Karlee and Kate tubed as well and had so much fun playing in the water. Kate also celebrated Drew's birthday by busting her lip AGAIN on the boat and puking on the boat! Note to self: Don't ever feed her cheese and applejuice when she is hot. We then came back to the park and celebrated with our families with cake and ice cream. It was a great way to celebrate someone as AWESOME as DREW!! I love you! Happy Birthday!

Karlee Begins Pre-School!!!!

Yesterday we had a date to get her school supplies and of course we had to have a cookies-n-cream milkshake. Karlee wanted to "drink it in the car and listen to Artic Edge"- this year's vbs song for those of you wondering.... I cannot describe the volume level of her voice as we walked through Target- to say she was excited is a definite under-estimate!!
Karlee is ready for school- she has her backpack and her lunchbox and her new outfit on!

Walking into school. Kate and Daddy join us of course!In her room- she is READY!

OH the excitement in our home yesterday and this morning as Karlee prepared to start pre-school for the first time. We had prayed and prayed over starting her this year or waiting. She was asking to go to school like her sister and when I met the teachers, I knew this was the year! Karlee was SO ready. Her friend Hudson from church is in her class so she was good to go. The other day, I said, Karlee, you aren't going to cry are you? She said NOOOO. I said, because you know mommy will be back. She said YEAH MOMMY!! And then with that cute little grin she said, Mommy, I 'cited! We knew she would do great. And great she did. She told me about singing songs, and eating (very important in Karlee's book) and how she chewed with her mouth closed. They played and she met new friends- I asked her new friend's name and she said somebody. ha! Well, maybe we will get the name on day 2. She goes two days a week and is loving it! I didn't cry when I left her, however, as I drove home, tears of absolute gratitude did flow as I thought back to almost 20 months ago to the day- to the scared, confused, lost and hopeless little girl that joined our family. And now, here she is starting preschool, so confident in who she is and who her family is. And she knows mommy and daddy will be back and she knows she IS Karlee Jamieson! WOW!! For those of you who know the struggles, THAT is HUGE!! Thank you GOD!!

Fun Pictures

Making cookies- we had to do something fun when Kalie went back to school! We missed her!

Karlee's first dress up "by herself" outfit. A cow-bug????Getting together with old friends- Misty and Beth agree that we will always remain friends as we know too much about each other! Shhhh......
Its' true- Amy is officially in the dorms as a college student. We moved her in this weekend. Actually, Drew, Kalie, Karlee, Kate and I went over AFTER the hard part was done! ha! She is loving it and her roommate has been her best friend since they were 2!! They were in preschool together! Laura is so special and these two are going to have an awesome freshman year!

Kalie is in 3rd Grade!!

Today was the first day of school! Kalie was so excited as she began 3rd grade this year. Her school is such a fun place to be, although I will miss her during the days, I know she is happy and learning so much. Ms. Murphy is going to be wonderful and Kalie is looking forward to an excellent year!

New York City!!!

Yes, you read that right! Since Amy graduated from high school this year, she had approached mom and dad about going to New York as her senior trip. And she threw our names in there too. So, seeing as how Andrea and I take our sister duties so seriously, we agreed to tag along and go to New York with Amy. (yes, I know, someone has to do it... ha!) So, Andrea, Amy and I went to New York City for the weekend. It was the first "Sisters Trip" and we all agreed that it needed to become a tradition. We saw Mamma Mia (which was fabulous), ate at a Churrascaria (a Brazilian dining experience which was delicious), shopped, saw Ground Zero and China Town. I cannot begin to describe the emotions or the power of Ground Zero. There is a revered silence around that area that was simply humbling. It really took us a while to move on with our weekend after being there. However, when you put the 3 of us together...well, lets just say that we laughed basically the whole weekend and the stories are just too numerous to share. I also had to promise that some of the pictures would NOT go on the blog! ha! The girls did GREAT here- my husband is so awesome! They went to the park, had a picnic, played and went to Chuck E Cheese. I got to talk to them several times and Kate would always say HEY!! in her little cute tone. Karlee and Kalie were always full of stories as well which let me know they were all doing great! We were glad to all be back together this afternoon. But, it was fun to have some time simply as sisters. I love you Andrea and Amy or should I say Brooklyn and Wash-Basin Woman??? LOL!!
The 3 of us in Chinatown.
About the see Mamma Mia! It was GREAT!Do YOU have the room key????????????? Ground Zero- the "cross" beams- SO powerful
The latest models for Chanel
Eating at the Brazilian restaurant- our matre-d. He was so impressed that we knew Guarana- a Brazilian drink
When we lived in Pennsylvania, we would always get Italian Water Ice and soft pretzels. They were awesome and when we found the stands we HAD to have some!

Fun at Spring Park

on the train
kate has really gotten close to kalie- she has learned how awesome she is!

We went to Spring Park this evening for a picnic and play! We rode the train and the girls and Drew rode the carousel. We played on the playground and then watched the light show. It was so much fun. We all danced and acted goofy while the music was playing.

Lily Grace Green is HOME!

Lily Grace Green and Her Mommy!
Kalie and Ashleigh waiting for Lily Grace to come home!
Sarah and Kate- walking back to the car...

Okay- WOW what a day of celebration! Let me start from a few months back. Last November we had an adoption fair and this couple and their son came up from Athens, interested in adopting. We talked and I introduced them to Lifeline. They immediately began pursung their little girl from China. And, we immediately hit it off as friends! Now, the night before the fair and the morning of, my family was "attacked"- Kalie got croop, Karlee got a kidney infection with fever of almost 105*, my neice came down with something and was hospitalized and my sister had a wreck. I remember telling my mom that God obviously had a plan and the devil was fighting it tooth and nail. I longed for the day that we would see the fruit of that labor and I could not wait to meet the little girl that was to find her family- I knew God had big plans for her life. Well, on January 9, Lifeline called us and told us about the new waiting child list- this was the list that our daughter Kate was on. Also on this list, were two other girls- now known as Sarah Ann Morgan and Lily Grace Green. These 3 treasures were meant to be in families who were all great friends! So, tonight, these three little ones are HOME and we look forward to the friendships that will develop!
We rode to the airport this evening with the Morgans to see them come home. They looked great- what a gift seeing Lily Grace hugging on her mommy although afraid of what all was happening. And I don't know that I have seen a more proud papa and big brother in a long time!
Jerry, Connie, Austin and Lily Grace Green- we PRAISE GOD with you. We celebrate with you and we worship the Miracle Worker we serve with you!!
We love you all!

More Fun with Friends

Our friends from Ky (actually now from Nashville!) came to visit us for a couple of days. Mallory and Karlee are big buddies and had a great time together. Here are a few pics from the week. Of course, the mommies had fun too staying up late and chatting! Kate is ALL girl- sunglasses, purses and shoes are HER THING!

Sweet sisters!
Shelley made moving to Louisville for one year TOTALLY worth it! She is awesome!
Drew and Karlee riding the lawn mower
Mallory and Karlee- so silly!
Karlee is hanging upside down- no, she did not just stick her hand in a light socket!
Karlee and Mallory riding the jeep
Yes, Andrea got a ride too!