Soul Surfer

Bucky and I went on a date last night and yes it did include a trip to Lowes. What date as a married couple would be complete without a trip there? But we also went and saw the new movie Soul Surfer. It was awesome! I really like how the movie brought out that when you are facing circumstances in your life where you can't see God's reason why, it is not time to wallow in your pity party. Instead, start serving other people. Start feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and caring for the orphan and widowed. I also liked that her dad, played by Dennis Quaid and her youth minister, played by Carrie Underwood did not try to answer all Bethany's questions of why, but instead told her to simply trust. Trust in the God who created her.

Joy In The Simple Things

Today I have been overwhelmed by God's mercy in my life. He has chosen to bless me with these precious boys despite my unworthiness. I get the enormous privilege of being their mother and spending my days raising and teaching them to be men of honor, honesty, and integrity...to be men of God. They are precious to me and I can't imagine where my time would be better focused than spending my days pointing them to Christ.

Sasha made the littles paper airplanes the other day and they have played and played with those things. It just reminds me how they don't need the latest and greatest toy. Just give them a paper airplane and send them outside.

You can see the airplane flying at the top of the picture.

Oh gosh, he is so handsome and has the best smile.

One of Sasha's spelling words today was "glare". I believe he's got that one down.

Brennan throwing his airplane!

I had to take some pictures of God's beautiful creation that is popping up all over our yard.

The pool looks so inviting. But don't be fooled, it is ice cold.

Easter Sunday and Baby Girls Birthday

After church we had the Snooks and Sarah Brown over for lunch and an Easter egg hunt. The food was delicious, the company was awesome and the Easter egg hunt was a blast. Having girls in my home makes me so excited to have my own daughter(s). Hannah is so feminine and dainty and Emily has one of those funny, silly, crazy personalities.

Our little girl in China turns one today. Oh how we hope and pray we are her forever family. We enjoyed cupcakes in honor of her today. Whether or not she is ours, we love her and want to be sure someone is celebrating her precious life today. Happy Birthday baby girl!

I found one!

Checking out all the Easter egg loot. He obviously already found the ring pop.

Soccer Game #2

Yesterday was Xan and Brennan's 2nd soccer game. Xan scored his first goal! He was sooo excited and me and Bucky were so proud. In upward, the teams play 4 on 4 and, I believe, in 4 minute intervals. Brennan and Xan were in the game and the ball rolled out of bounds. I began scanning the field to find Brennan because he is normally running around, but not actually "playing" the game. I could not find him so I scanned the field again, and again....no Brennan. I yelled at Bucky, "where is Brennan?" Bucky scanned the field...no Brennan. I was beginning to panic when I heard a ladies voice from behind, "Julie!". I turned around, found the voice, and the lady pointed at one of the other soccer games going on. There was Brennan right in the middle of another's team game. That little fella just blesses my heart!

Yes, that is my child licking his snot!

Xan jumping up and down right after he scored his goal. So precious!

Adoption Udate

We received the tracking numbers for our homestudy today. That means it is on its way to the Department of Social Services to be reviewed and approved. It typically takes 3 to 4 weeks to get approved. After DSS has approved our file, they will mail it to Immigration.

Xan and Brennan's First Soccer Game

Saturday was a wet, windy and rainy day so the littles had their game tonight. It went exactly how I thought it would. Xan was focused, determined and a good team player. Brennan played in the dirt, tipped the goal over and was mainly interested in the sports drink I brought him. They both made me very proud!

This is Xan's game face...focused and determined.

Brennan had the stretching part down.

Makin' sure mama gets his picture.

Xan's Gotcha Day Part Two

These pictures are not very good quality because I left my good camera at home. But, we took Xan to his first baseball game last night. The Greenville Drive won 3-0. We had excellent seats right behind home plate. Xan had so much fun. We got to ride a trolley from our parking spot to the field, which he thought was awesome. Then we got to our seats right as the game was beginning and he ate a hot dog, sprite, and doritos. Then, Papa surprised us with blue cotton candy. We all had so much fun celebrating this special day.

Xan was literraly overflowing with excitement. On the way to the stadium, not 10 seconds would pass before he would begin talking again. And you will be able to see by the following pictures that he talked through the whole game. So precious and a priceless memory for us all!

This is his interpretation of the umpire saying, "STRIKE!"

Xan's Gotcha Day Part One

This is what Xan wanted for his Gotcha Day instead of a cake or cupcakes.

There is nothing like a hot Krispy Kreme doughnut. YUMMY!

My deep thinker. He is probably remembering something that happened three years ago. His memory is incredible.

Brennan...he can't eat anything without having it smeared from ear to ear. Precious!

This is Xan's response when he found out he was going to his first real baseball game tonight. The Greenville Drive will be playing the Charleston RiverDogs.

Our trip to the beach....I mean the heated pool

The High Schoolers at our church had their spring retreat this past weekend and me and the boys decided to go too. The house that we stayed in was only a mile or two up the beach from the church group, so we got to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner with Papa (Bucky). The retreat ended on Sunday and after the chaperones and teenagers left, Bucky joined us at our beach house and we stayed through Tuesday.

The Atlantic Ocean was far too cold to enjoy, so we spent most of our time at the indoor, heated pool.

Xan thought that jumping over Papa would be fun. By the look on his face I think it was.

All my beloveds :-)

Brennan is my adrenaline junky. He loves when his Papa hurls him into the air.

Sasha loves to wrestle with his Papa and I am happy when he gets to because that means I don't have to constantly remind him that I don't want to wrestle and play rough. This child is a "Papa hog". I am constantly saying, "ok, it's my turn to sit by Papa."

Soccer Begins!

Xan and Brennan had their first Upward soccer practice this evening. Trying to teach 3 - 5 year olds how to play soccer is like trying to herd cats. It was precious!

Papa aka Coach Bucky

The Little Spartans