Goodbye 2nd Grade!

Everytime Iris Anne finishes a grade at school I just can't believe it. 1st grade got here so fast, then 2nd, and now 3rd grade...well it just doesn't seem like she should be that big. Once again she had a wonderful year at BBS! Ms. Hall was great and Iris had so many good friends that she enjoyed seeing each day at school. It's so nice when they can't wait to get to school to learn and spend time with their friends!

We are very proud of you Iris Anne....I'm just so sad that you will be a 3rd grader!

We love you!!!

My Baby Graduates...Kindergarten!

The kids have so much fun at the end of the school year! There are so many fun activites they get to participate in at school...like Water Day! For me May is a sad month...it means Iris and Asa are finishing another year of school! Although I am happy they are growing up...I am also very sad! I can't believe my baby Asa graduated from Kindergarten..it seems like yesterday he was crawling around the house! I am so proud of him...it's amazing how much he has learned this year! He made so many good friends and they had a blast together. Mrs. Ateca was a wonderful teacher...she made this such a great year for Asa and he just loved her!

Congratulations Asa...we love you sooooooooooo much! I can't believe you are going to be a 1st Grader!

Fun Times!

Just wanted to post some fun pictures from soccer and gymnastics! It's all about getting that TROPHY!!!

A Mother's Prayer Answered!

I'm sure most everyone grew up knowing that when you go through a tunnel you make a wish. My kids love doing this! When I was younger I remember all the fun wishes I would make. One day Iris Anne asked me did those wishes really come true. I explained to her that it was possible...but I told her that after I had her and Asa it really started being a time for me to say a little prayer for my children...for their salvation. So when Iris was saved last year I told her how my prayer I said going through those tunnels was answered. I am so blessed to say that last night my prayer was once again answered...Asa asked Jesus into his heart. He is only 6 but lately he has been asking a lot of questions. Kelly and I told him he needed to talk to the preacher because we really wanted to make sure he understood. Last night at church he went in to talk to him all by himself...the preacher said he knew exactly what was going on and was very ready! I can't tell you the joy I felt! As a mother this is all I ever wanted for my kids and I am so thankful for this wonderful answered prayer!!!

Another Step Closer!

Today Kelly and I went to Atlanta to be fingerprinted...for the third time...for immigration! This is our final step before completing our dossier to send to Ethiopia! Some days it feels like we have been going through this adoption process for years...but I know when we bring our child home to be with us it will all be worth it!

Field Day 2011

I can't believe it's already time for another Field Day! Iris Anne says this is the "FUNNEST" day of the year! At BBS the kids don't participate until kindergarten so this year Asa got to join in all the fun. They had a blast and Kelly and I loved seeing all the kids having such a great time together!

So Blessed To Be a "MAMA"!!!

I love Mother's Day! We don't do store bought gifts on Mother's Day...Kelly and the kids always wash my car..which I love...and I get to enjoy all the little gifts and cards the kids have made for me at school and church. Just spending the day at home with my family is my favorite thing to do!

The preacher gave a great sermon at church today. It's always nice to hear about what the Bible says about being a mother. Today he talked about our responsibilities to our children. Not only do we need to feed and clothe our children and supply their basic needs...it is also our responsibility to lead them to Christ. He even said that he felt like more moms in our church had led their children to be saved than all of his sermons put together. Being a mom is the hardest job in the world...but when you think about the responsibility of leading them to know Jesus....there is no harder or more important job! After having my kids I realized very quickly that "Mama" is who they want more than anyone and sometimes "Mama" is the only one who can make things better or make them feel safe and happy. Don't get me wrong my kids love their Daddy...but there will always be that bond a mother has to her children. The preacher talked about how we need to teach our children to know that the One they can always depend on in the good and bad in life is God. Friends and family might not always be there so they need to know that there is someone who they can count on at all times...He will never leave you. There is nothing that can't be comforted by Jesus.

I grew up in church but that wasn't enough to save me. I truly believe that going to church without having Christ in all other areas of your life just won't work. And also having God is all areas of your life but no church doesn't work either. We need that fellowship with a church family so that we can grow and learn with others...God wants that. I can't tell you what having a loving church family has done to change my life. He also doesn't want us to sit in church every time the doors are open and then go out into our daily lives without taking Him with us. Kelly and I try so hard to pray with Iris and Asa as much as possible and teach them God's word when we can...we just want to bring God into every situation...even the simple things we experience every day. We want them to know that having a close relationship with God is just a part of life.

I may not always be around when my kids need me so I want them to know that God will listen and take care of them no matter what. If there is anything I want to accomplish as a mother it would be to lead my children to Christ...it is my responsibility!

The only sad part about today is that I did believe I would have become a mother for the third time before this Mother's Day...I can't wait until we have our adopted child here so I can be a mother to them!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms out there!