Catching up

So life has gotten in the way yet again and I haven't been able to keep up with a lot of things...blogging is one of them. And since I keep this blog in hopes of having it made into a book for my kids one day it is important for me to catch up!!!

Lyla Grace had her school Christmas pageant. She was an angel and took the performance very seriously :) Love hearing her sing about Jesus...melts my heart!!!

We went camping with the Wright's at Disney's Ft. Wilderness campground. The kids LOVE it!!

 Carter and Mason 

 Our 10 person tent

 Mason roasting marshmallows with Chip & Dale

Group pic with the kids chowing down on some Smores

We celebrated Mason's 7th birthday. We went to the mall for lunch and some playtime at Pottery Barn Kids (for some reason they think that is the coolest thing to do??). I was able to capture a picture with all 3 kids looking at the camera...rare moment!!

 That night we went to the Armstrong's for a wonderful dinner and some cupcakes!

 Kendall, Lyla Grace & Brooke

Garrett, Jonas & Tate

Then it was off to Nashville for some Christmas fun!!! 

 Yes everyone is looking at the camera...AMAZING!!

 Cookie decorating with Nanna (a Christmas tradition)

 Christmas morning

 Tate loved his new cars

 Hard to get the cousins to pose...too excited about Wii Star Wars game

The girls :)

One of the best things about going home to Nashville is catching up with my girlfriends. We have been friends since elementary school and this was the first time in years we have all been together at the same time with all of our kids. Among the 5 of us we have 10 kids (only 9 pictured missing sweet Ada).

Jamie, Tanil, me, Courtney & Steph

It is hard to believe that we have been friends for almost 30 years...crazy!!!

My most favorite place to be in Nashville is Radnor Lake. I have so many good memories hiking with my mom growing up. The kids love exploring so we met my brother's family for a cold windy day.

 watching the waterfall

skipping rocks

Love this picture...so hard to get all of the cousins together!!! Makes me excited to think the next time we are all together Ada will be with us!!!!

12 years of bliss

Today Clay and I have been married 12 years!! I'm so in love with this man!! God has blessed our family with a wonderful leader, father, husband and friend!!! Thanks Clay for being the man of my dreams!!!! To celebrate our family we spent the day at Sea World with the kids...awesome day!!!

 Petting the stingrays

 riding the carousel 

 Tate passed out in the stroller

Missing Ada

We just received new pics of Ada today. It has been 5 weeks since we were with her in Ethiopia and she has changed so much. My heart is aching everyday that passes without her. Please pray that our agency will submit her paperwork to the US Embassy SOON!! Pray the US Embassy will approve our case in a timely manner. We want to bring her home!!!!!!!!! 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28



Laser Boy

Clay gathered up a few of Mason's buddies and their dads to play laser tag for his 7th birthday. The kids had a blast running around and "shooting". I think the dads had fun too :) So glad Mason was able to celebrate since it is always hard to pull a party together this close to Christmas.

Thankful!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend in Ozark with Clay's family. My dad joined us for dinner which made it even more special!!

 The Cooks!!

 Paw Paw and Lyla Grace

 Grandmama and Isa

 Turkey Bowl

 Will & Clay being reminded how old they are :)

The boys

Our turkey turns 2

Tate's birthday was on Thanksgiving this year so we were able to celebrate with Clay's family in Alabama. Clay's aunt made an amazing birthday cake with his 3 favorite things...an Auburn truck filled with letter cookies splashing in a puddle.

Tate is such a blessing to our family. His sweet snuggly spunky always moving and enthusiastic personality makes being his mom AMAZING and WONDERFUL!!! I love this little boy and so thankful for him!!!!