Madeline turns THREE!!!!!

Wow! Maddie went to bed on Thursday night and woke up the next morning and said I am a big girl now, "I am Three". She said to us "Look how much I have grown." I have never seen her so excited about anything as she was this year for her birthday. More than ever she wanted to get bigger. We had a birthday party for her a Chuck E Cheese it was only suppose to be for 1.5 hours but it lasted 4 plus hours. Yes, I had seen enough of the mouse. The kids had a great time. I came home and took a nap :) After the party was over she was already to plan her next party with all her friends and invite them into her castle. She does have the greatest imagination.

Audrey gets braces

We are all so excited Audrey received a scholarship for braces. She looks so cute, we joke with her that we can see her in the dark because she got neon green and pink bands. Maddie is envious and wants us to take her to get braces. We tell her she will have plenty of time to grow up. Audrey has grown up so much in the past past 2 years since we met her, she is no longer a little girl but now a beautiful young lady. She is such a blessing in our lives and Maddie just adores her (big sister).

3 Months

Another milestone has been reached. I cant believe it has been 3 months already. The time seems to be flying bye. I know I will not be saying this when we get close to referral but for now the time can keep chugging along. We are praying for a speed-up in the referral process the last few months has not set a good precedence for future referral predictions. I sure hope CCAA has something up their sleeve with the new policy coming out regarding more orphanages participating and guidelines for paper ready babies changing by province.

Father's Day

We had a nice relaxing day. We all went to church in the morning and came home and made a big brunch for Steve. The girls played video games most of the day while dad watched Nascar. Later that day Audrey decided she would take a dip in the pool fully clothed (she had a little help I pushed her.. hehe) Next Maddie went in fully clothed they had a blast swimming with their clothes on. Needless to say we did not want to take Audrey home. Maddie already missed her before we got out of the driveway.

Friends

Abagail and Maddie (my pirate smile)


I am the Queen

Dress up time! Maddie's friend Abagail spends as much time in dress-up clothes and tiaras as Maddie. Say Cheese :) It was not hard getting the two of them to pose together they love playing together. The hardest part is getting them out of the dresses to play outside and eat. We are trying to get Abagail and Maddie into the same ballet school.

Mesue and Papa

My parents came to visit for a few days and we a good time. Maddie clung to her Mesue they painted a craft together. Mom made her the most beautiful little desk. Swapped scrapping supplies and worked with the quilt. They gave Maddie and Kinsey 15 squishes she was very excited. Not much excitement, we took it easy, as I have been for the past several week. Lots of eating. Boy I need a diet. That little voice in my head from the latest doctor visits keeps saying you need to loose, you need to loose! Someone please shut that voice up.

The visit was cut shorter than we wanted it I had to fly to Miami Sunday, I was not up to it yet but off I went. Mom and dad dumped me at the airport and the fun (ha ha) was about to begin. As unprepared as I was I was off and I do mean unprepared I prepared for my presentation on the way and that night.

Meet a Ballerina

We went meet and great a ballerina that was part organized by local ballet schools and several moms with in our local TFWAC organization. All the girls had a blast. Yan Chen is from China and she came to the states (California)to study ballet when she was just a young teen. She loved it so much she knew she was going to come back she did not know how but she was. She has been here studying, dancing (world renown) and is now teaching in Orlando. She took questions from the girls and Maddie piped right up and asked her if she ever played "Cinderella" and she told her yes and Maddie just fell in love with her from that point on which lead into a discussion on her outfits she wore.

Besides signing autographs for each of the girls she also gave them a few pointers in dance. Everyone had a great time. Mom and dad were visiting and they could not believe her enthusiasm. Now they know why she runs around in ballet outfits all the time.

My first autograph I even got one for my baby sister!

These are a few pictures from our collection that shows how much Maddie has grown in the last two years since we received her referral picture which are the first 2. I love these photos most were taken by a close friend of the family, Cindy Strickland who is a professional photographer her in Tallahassee and she has taken fantastic pictures of Maddie. Actual we are due in a couple of weeks for our 3 year pictures. Where does the time go!

Memorial Day Weekend

Ben


Audrey, Maddie and myself went down to my parents in Sarasota for a 4 day weekend to see the latest addition to our family (baby Alyssa). We left on Thursday after Audrey's 8th grade graduation (we are so proud of her Maddie cheered for her big sis as she walked to get her certificate). Steve and I could not be more proud of her if she was our own daughter she is truly an exceptional child. Then the road trip began after we dropped off Steve it was a girls weekend.

We had family dinners, pool party and lots for good family time. I think all's we did was eat and chase kids. It is amazing just a few years ago there were no children and then KABOOM there are 6. Maddie is in love with her Uncle Rich (my younger brother) she can't stop talking about him. Everything is Uncle Rich and next is her baby lyssa. She asked me if we can get one of those babies. We laughed and said soon you will have a baby sister but not quite that small.

Alyssa is truly gorgeous thank the good Lord she looks like my sister.