Our Peeps!

Thank you Bestul Photography for taking our family pics in downtown Wilmington.  You made it FUN for us!   Blog readers, please "like" Bestul Photography on Facebook and book your photo shoot today!

Here is just a little update on all of our lil peeps!

Where has the time gone?  Sophie is my first baby and she is almost 12!  She is creative and beautiful.  She is humble so sometimes we wonder if she realizes the extent of her talent, love and kindness but the rest of us see it!  

Annabelle just turned 10 this month.  This special girl loves to read and works hard.  She is such a big helper and one of the most loyal people I know.  She loves and she loves hard.  

Ava is 8 and a total goof.  She snuggles like nobody's business.  The first thing she does in the morning is give out "Ava love" in the form of hugs and kisses.  This girl is pure sparkle.  

Jack calls Pearl, "Pearly Squirrel" but the rest of us call her "monkey" because she is always doing gymnastics (self taught) around our house.  Pearl is 6 years old and has the cutest dimples in the world.  Just sayin'.

Joseph Pierre!  Another bright ray to our lives!  Joseph turned 3 this month and has the best laugh of anyone I know.  He is growing leaps and bounds...and the rest of us are growing right along with him.

Jude is the baby of the family, but never tell him that!  He is 2 years old and cracks us up all day long.  He is mischievous and non-stop on the go and has everyone wrapped around his finger.   

Just the Two of Us...

Our dear friends at Bestul Photography, were super kind to take pics of our crazy crew. These are the type of friends we have.  Totally cool, totally generous.

Today I am going to share just one picture with you.  It happens to be my least fave pic of me.  This has NOTHING to do with Bestul Photography (they are amazing!) and EVERYTHING to do with Jack and Susie.  Thirty minutes before pics, Jack and I were driving in two separate cars, going two separate directions.  Not on purpose but because of lack of communication.  This is our REAL life. It's blessed, it's hectic, it's amazing but sometimes it is down right crazy.

Finally we meet up, probably definitely driving faster than we should be, the children are getting dressed in the car and no hair was brushed and makeup applied.  Surely we were going to be an hour late.  My dress was two sizes too small (so thankful for the flare) and I raised my voice more than I should have BUT this is us.

But even though I really wish these sleepless nights didn't show up in the bags under my eyes, these smiles are genuine.  Because I really love my life.

I totally have the best husband in the world.  Yeah, yeah, I know everyone says that but I really do.  He is loving, forgiving and thoughtful and helps out like no other man I know.

After the photo shoot I told some girlfriends about this picture and how I actually hid it from my timeline when Bestul Photography posted it on Facebook.  I was embarrassed by how tired I looked in it.  As I am telling my girlfriends this, they tell me Jack just made it his profile pic.  I want his password ASAP so I can erase it.  I yell down to him and ask him why on earth he put THIS particular pic on his profile and he says, "because you're hot!"  This is my man.  He doesn't see the wrinkles, the tired eyes and the lack of hair and makeup.  He even forgives my lack of communication.  I adore this guy.

Games, Raffles, Art, Music and More!

Saturday night was so much fun!  A HUGE thank you to those who organized the event.  A lot of prep work goes into facilitating a fundraiser and clearly those who planned this event are on top of their game!  Many people we never met before donated prizes and cakes and goodies.  We are so appreciative for support from new and old friends.  It was also a special blessing to hear beautiful music at the concert.   Thank you, Lord for willing people who have a desire to use their gifts and talents to help others.

Birthdays, Firsts and So Much More!

This week we will celebrate Joseph's third birthday, as well as our "three months home" anniversary!

This week was full of FIRSTS.

For the first time, Joseph held a Mum-Mum in his hand.  He also licked it.

For the first time, Joseph licked a Goldfish at church in his hand until it became mush.

For the first time, Joseph stayed in the nursery at church for the entire service.  With mama.  :)

For the first time, Joseph slept in a pack-n-play in our room.

For the first time, Joseph clapped consistently because he was happy.

For the first time, Joseph underwent anesthesia and had a complete eye exam by an ophthalmologist, cornea surgeon and retina surgeon.


How is Joseph handling all of his firsts?

Some firsts are awkward and make Joseph feel uncertain.  That's when he listens to our comforting voices, which make him feel safe.  He hears our tone and finds comfort in our words.  Other firsts can be scary which is an opportunity for Joseph to reach out to us and feel us and use touch to learn that we are here and we love him.  The best firsts to witness are those which excite Joseph!  He throws his arms around and enjoys hearing all of our reactions to his laughter and joy!

Oh, we are so thankful for these opportunities to witness such growth and joy in our three year old boy!