Playing in the leaves

There is something about a pile of leaves .. you just cannot walk by, you have to jump in!  Last night was warm and the leaves were crisp and dry, it was the perfect night to do a little leaf pile jumping!

Hanna

My not so willing subject for my photography class.  She has at least been willing to go with me (with the promise of Starbucks at the end, ha) - the boys hide ...

My little pumpkin

Happy fall to you all!

Gotcha - one year anniversary of our forever family day!

The first moment with Eli

First time dad held Eli

Trying to inch over - he stayed pretty close to the director

One year ago today Matt and I arrived at the civil affairs office in Changsha, Hunan to sign our official adoption papers, holding a small, quiet baby boy in my arms.  He did not resist when the orphanage director took him from me, he did not cry when they left him again, he did not cling to me for comfort when we walked to our van - he just was. 



Today that same little boy resists when someone wants to take him from my arms, (well except for Grandma but that is to be expected, ha) he clings to me with his arms and legs when I hold him and his little body presses against me, content.  He finds comfort and safety in our touch and knows to find us if he needs us.  He grabs my face and holds my gaze as he talks, he wraps his little arms around my neck tightly and kisses me.  He knows he has brothers and sisters and grandparents and friends.  He knows love, he receives love and he gives love.  He is full of joy.



Sweet Eli,
We knew the moment we saw your face you were our son and knew our family would not be complete without you.  We imagined you playing with your siblings and we dreamed about the man you would become.  We waited what seemed like forever to hold you safe in our arms, to tell you we love you.  The day we met you I will never forget - I stepped off the elevator and there you were, you were so small and quiet and distant.  I look at you today so full of life and joy, how distant a memory that little boy seems. Today you are our little charmer, ha, you have your siblings (and dad and I too) wrapped around your little fingers.  You have taught us all so much in 12 short months.  We are so blessed to be called your mom & dad.    Eli we love you forever and always! 

 one year post placement picture

Sweet Eli at Disney - he can put away some serious food and just look at that little smirk - he is a character! :0

Vacation fun

These photos are so completely out of order, sorry.  This new blogger
photo upload system and I are having "issues", ha! 


This is what you do if you are 8, on a cruise ship that cannot port because of the BIG ole waves rocking the boat. (more on that later).  Spencer riding the elevator in the atrium ... Matt is taking the picture while  holding ON and looking a bit green ..ack.


Okay notice the BARE pool deck???  Yes, it was 52 degrees in the Caribbean, who knew, the boat was still just a rockin and my kiddos wanted to swim .... crazy girls. :)

This is how Claire and Matt travel.... zzzzzz.  Claire was very excited to see Buzz LightYear, not so much with his ride, ha.

   My girls on the tea cup ride .. I wasn't asked to ride because I would make them go slow

Sea World - loved it!  Notice my soaking wet (sideways) boys.  I think they rode Journey to Atlantis 8 times ...

These are so out of order, argh ... Claire, Hanna and I met our friends Scott, Laurie and Allison for breakfast at Cinderella's castle, so fun.  The girls go their pictures taken, the food was great, the company wonderful and best of all we got to meet Snow White, Jasmine, Aurora and Belle ... it is magical. :)

Kickin back at Sea World - it was so fun to "see" this through the kids' eyes .. they loved the shows!  Below is Claire and Allison at Disney.  Loudenbacks we hope you guys had a great time.  See you soon.

Spencer strikin a pose with the Red Power Ranger at Hollywood Studios.  Is he cool or what!

Ice ... that is how  a 2 year old enjoys Disney, ha, Eli played with ice in his stroller tray all day long.  It is the simple things.  He did put down his ice long enough to pose with Handy Manny at Playhouse Disney!  He ran right up there - I think he wanted to hug him but didn't. 

Seriously can anyone help me with this new upload!!!!!  This is how you keep a toddler busy when you can't use ice ..stickers, ha! He played with them all the way to the boat - he was well decorated when we arrived.

Grandma and the kids getting ready to board the ship ... and then of course the life oat safety drill - lifejackets and all.  Truth be told, I thought this information was going to have to be put to practice at one point during the cruise ...

Hanna and my mom watching the only visible land fade into the distance ... you  can't see my mom's worried expression - eek!  Tyler golfed on the ship (and ATE).  All of us on main street.  Hanna and Spencer in the pool on the ship before it got cold. :)

  I just had to add this .. yes, that is my husband and yes, he is strange and yes, I do love him anyway!

Then we met our friends Pete, Kim and Hannah Joy at Downtown Disney for dinner - Spencer had a GREAT time as the chef prepared his dinner special.  This was a special treat for him since he rarely gets to eat off the menu.  The kids at Sea World (sorry these are all over) feeding and petting dolphins!  It was awesome!!!!

Hanna and Hannah Joy and above my crooked girl ...

Kids in the Bahamas enjoying the island and Claire on the ship and a shot from the ship looking back at the island - so neat. Just a side note when we woke up that morning we realized the captain had BACKED the ship into port, BACKED in, good gracious!

Pete, Kim and Hannah Joy, we had a great time  Can't wait to see you guys again soon! 

Okay I give up on this post.  I will try again later with another ...

Have a blessed day!

Happy Birthday Spencer

Happy 8th birthday Spencer.  I cannot believe it's been eight years ago that I held you for the first time.  Even as a newborn you were peaceful and always happy.  You are still my peaceful content young man.  We are proud of you and so very blessed to be your parents.


Here are eight things about my young man you might not know

1. He laughs all the time and is rarely mad.  He has always been a very peaceful person
2. He likes to play basketball
3. He dreams of being a professional Ninja
4. He is a voracious reader and his spelling words at school are ones I have to look up, ha!
5. Most people would describe him as a wise spirit
6. He is a wonderful big brother to Claire and Eli
7. He loves to snuggle and tells me all the time how much he loves me
8. He, like his older siblings and father, loves roller coasters - eek

Arrrgh, modern technology!  I have pictures from his birthday but cannot find them on my computer - so this is one of his this past weekend as he "posed" for my photography class.  Doesn't he look thrilled, ha!  He was a good sport about it ...

Thanks MaryAnn for spell checking, ha, I think I got them all fixed! :0

Our new "pets"

Watching her new friends frolic about

carefully feeding them being sure not to let any loose in the house, eek

Hello little friend

wonder and amazement

preparing their food - sugar water, yum

Claire loves butterflies, so a few weeks ago we ordered a butterfly kit. We carefully tended to the larvae, moved their cute little chrysalids to the safety of the butterfly house and just today discovered that while we slept - they emerged as beautiful painted lady butterflies - oh so cool. Claire has named them; Allie, Allison, Amy, Claire and Heather. She is busy drawing pictures for them and already trying to convince me not to release them. She will miss them very much she says .... stay tuned the butterflies should be experiencing the wide open spaces in a few days. If you haven't ever done this little experiment, you should, it was fun! You can check here for other kits.

On another note - if you haven't checked out Operation Giggle go look. Sherri has a true servants heart. If you want to see the little sweetie we are sending Christmas gifts to look here, she has a special place in my heart as her needs are very similar Eli's. We are praying she is matched with a family very soon. But in the meantime we are thrilled we get to bless her this holiday! Please go check out the link - I would love for them to be overwhelmed with sponsors and donations for these precious kids.

Have a blessed day