A weekend we will never forget!

2 weekends ago Lydia's birth family came and spent the entire weekend at our house!  And boy did we have fun!  I can't even express how blessed we are to have such a special relationship with them.  If you would have told me 4 years ago when we started the adoption journey we would have not only 1 but 2 open adoptions...I would have laughed and say"No way."  See when we started the process one of the things I was crazy  nervous about was having an open adoption.  As with most things I'm nervous or uncertain about, I prayed like crazy for God to prepare my heart for whatever relationship he had in store for us and our birth families.  Well he certainly prepared my heart and I couldn't imagine life without them! 

THANK YOU JESUS!

Our weekend was filled with eating hot dogs at the Red hawks game, nearly sweating to death at the same baseball game, a early morning trip to the zoo, lots of time in the back yard, posing for pictures to amuse me, and much much more!  Enjoy all the pictures

 Our 1st stop at the zoo, the rhinos

 Taking a little break from the heat to say cheese!

 Two cool dudes! With a lazy gorilla in the back ground

 our weekend was filled with more hugs than we could count!

 waiting patiently for the sea lion show at the zoo!

 how many kids can you fit in a blow up pool!  Hoping next summer we will have a real pool to splash around in

 Despite the heat, the water was COLD!

 All the kids LOVE John's bacon!  We ate 2 lbs of peppered crunchy bacon :)

 Antonio got his 1st taste of country livin by mowing the front yard.  Boy do I wish he lived closer

 Such cuties

 Turner and Zacharia thought they needed a turn on the lawn mower too!

 This little guy is the biggest flirt...even though he acts like he doesn't like my kisses, he secretly does!

 This jeep provided hours of entertainment

 Watch out world, a crazy driver is on the loose

 So blessed my mom was able to come and enjoy the weekend with us!  She too fell in love with our family

 I LOVE this picture....such love and contentment

 Once again, it's a joke trying to get everyone to look at the camera at the same time.  Maybe one of these days I can capture it :)

 Silly boys

We are already planning for a camp out in the fall when the weather is a bit cooler!

4th of July FUN with WONDERFUL friends!

We headed to the cabin for a long 4th of July weekend with some dear friends- the Romes!

We had such a delightful time- it's almost a little scary how much our 2 families are alike and we have only been friends for 6 months!  Love that God brought our families together- they have truly been a big blessing!

 Sister loved the flower garden's at the Cresent Hotel in Eureka Springs

 On Thursday we rented a boat and had so much fun!  We spent the day riding the tube, enjoying the cool breeze of the water, and even taking a little nap :)

 So this is how you keep 4  kids entertained at a fancy Sunday brunch!

 Love spending time as a family of four!

 On Friday, we braved the 100+ degree heat and treated the kids to a day at Silver Dollar City.  To say we had fun would be an understatement-the kids had a BLAST! Keri and I liked the water rapid ride the best!!  Was a nice way to cool off at the end of the day.

 The sweet little girls were so patient since they couldn't ride all the rides with the big boys!  I love this picture-it pretty much sums up how much fun we had - so much they needed a break!

 Rippit Rippit

 Lydia did get to ride a few rides with us and she loved it!

 And Turner....well he was all grins! I think this boy is going to be a roller coaster maniac in a few years

 Nothing like a giant swing ride to kick of the day!

 Proud to wear her red, white, & blue

 These boys are the bestest of friends and even refer to one another as brothers often.  They will kick and hit one second and then the next second be loving on one another....typical brothers :) 

 In addition to spending a day on the lake and at Silver Dollar City, we went to the pool and the park

 and boy do they like to act silly together!

 Cheese!

Fireworks were also a highlight of the trip!  Especially sparklers- which we enjoyed 3 of the 4 nights!

Love making new memories with new friends!!! 

Beatin the Heat of Summer Days

Our summer is off to a fabulous start!!  We are doing our best to beat the heat and stay cool all while having a BLAST!!

 Turner and his best friend, Keegan, have had lots and lots of fun so far!  Enjoying green ice cream with winter mask is at the top of their list

 We had a wonderful Father's Day loving on our amazing daddy!

 So blessed God chose John for my wonderful husband and the kids' daddy! 

 He got lots and lots of kisses from his love bugs

 Sweetness

 Ice cold milk and juice always quench their thirst!  Cheers!

 We play outside just about every single morning and evening! The kids are both supporting beatiful golden brown tans-this mommy is jealous!!

 Our little trickster!

 and silly goose!

 Jordan has been able to spend lots of time with us since he's out of school for the summer!  I love how he drew a picture of our family and included himself! 

 Love those sweet brown eyes and big bright smiles!

 Turner's Pirate day at school

Ahoy matey!!

Looking forward to a fun filled weekend with Lydia's birth family this weekend