No family pics yet, but here are some snapshots...

Outfit designed by Summerlyn...

Outfit designed by Mama!

The Devo look..... the kids don't understand when we say this!
"Devo... who... what?"

Ready for pictures... well he looked good but was a complete stinker

when picture time came! I hope we at least got 1 good one of all of us!

Holding a Oleander Wasp Caterpillar

Enjoying a visit from cousins EmmaLyn & Ian who are 6 months older.

Elefun... not so fun after hours of playing!

(Uncle Robert pictured here)

Not sure what to make of the cousins in the tub too.

It's been 8 months already!

Yesterday Nolan celebrated 8 months home. It's been an interesting week and a half, he has hit a rough patch, but after 8 months I have come to know the signs. First, he starts having trouble going to sleep at nap time and at night. He doesn't cry he just stays awake talking, but I believe that he is avoiding sleep out of some type of insecurity or fear. Next the testing begins, it's almost if he's asking, "if I'm naughty, will they still love me/keep me? If I have an accident in my pants, will they still love me/keep me? If I hit, if I refuse to obey, if I am unbearably cranky & difficult.... and so on. In general during this time he is cranky for no apparent reason (which abnormal for him).

I am so thankful that God has allowed me to catch on to this pattern. When I recognize the symptoms, I have to remind myself again that it has been only 8 months, even though it seems like forever to us (in a good way). When these spells reappear, I go back to using the hip hammock for Mommy time and I am always amazed at how he positively & quickly responds.

Tomorrow we have our first "official" family photos with the whole family. I will be sure to post some soon.

Singing Jesus Loves Me....

October has been busy so far!

Here's a few pics of all that has been going on:

Nolan & his buddy, Lincoln taking in the world from their favorite spot.

Summerlyn & Mimi went to see The Blue Man group for their Bdays. Although they could not describe the experience, they both loved it!

L& S playing making mud while Dad & Mom got away to the beach for a few days.

Hooray for Papa & Mimi coming to give us some much needed R&R!

We were able to sneak away to the beach for a few days, admittedly, I was concerned about how Nolan would do, but he was thrilled to have his Mimi here. She caters to the "little emperor" in him and they both love every minute of it!

Summerlyn requested a room makeover for her 8th Bday.

Here are a few pics of the finished results.

Whew, am I glad that project is over! It was supposed to be simple -Ha Ha!

The Bday girl with what Nolan calls the "Happy" cake.

We enjoyed a day at the beach.
(Yep, N needs a haircut!)



N chasing seagulls.




Lorelei says she can put sunscreen on herself now!


Soccer season is in full swing, keeping Milton busy coaching &

Landon busy playing.

Belated Post.... Nolan's been home 6 Months now!

I've been cleaning out the dress up clothes. This elephant has been around since Landon was 2 or 3 and every once in awhile they all squeeze into it. No one has ever worn it out of the house... there is just something about it that bothers me..... ;-)

I see a Firefighter Calendar in his future!

I am so proud of Landon, Summerlyn, and Lorelei;
even after 6 months they still happily help Nolan
whenever he needs it (most of the time).

All together!

To my adoptive Mom friends, I know you can fully understand the feeling of seeing all your kids together in one pic- all feels right with the world when they are all under one roof.

To my faithful blog follower friends- thanks for checking in! I am trying to update somewhat regularly. We are all doing well. Nolan is growing & changing and most importantly, laughing, playing, and loving. When I sit back and thing about all that has happened in his little life in 6 short months, I am amazed by his resiliency and strength. He's is such a gift, bringing joy and adding more fun to this crazy, busy, abundantly full life God has blessed us with.

Family in China Needs Prayer

A family from our first agency, America World, arrived to find their daughter extremely sick, possibly dying, in a hospital in China. To read more of their story you can visit their blog at:
http://roomforatleastonemore.blogspot.com/

Bedtime Fun!

This is the 1st time I've added video... I have no idea how to turn it so bear with me!

As you can see, Nolan knows how cute he is and tries to use it to his every advantage! This is just before bedtime tonight, (he looks tired right!!)playing around with S & LC.

He is still stubborn, still thinks obedience is optional, and is still 2! But for every challenge, thankfully there are so many things that make us laugh. He's a clown for sure. For example I went in to get him up a couple of mornings ago and he said, "Hey Baby!" just like a construction worker trying to pick up chicks! I laughed so hard! So now it's a big joke in the family and he knows it will bring a big laugh so he says it over and over! Enjoy!