Arkansas Visit

Since we have back to back home games in Fayetteville, Natalie and I decided to spend the week in between with my folks! Now that I am not working, I can do that. Love that freedom!  So far the weather has been just great, so I'm glad we have been here to enjoy it.  Monday was rainy so we stayed indoors. But that wasn't a problem because Mimi was ready for Natalie........

with a kitchen!

 This is Natalie's newest craze. She loves to play kitchen. We have a mini one that was given to us (Thanks, Meghan!) and she just loves it. Don't tell her but Santa will be leaving her a big one this Christmas morning. Hopefully one similar to this, but used and cheaper!

Tuesday cleared up so Poppi, Natalie and I spent some time on the big red truck! Mimi had to work unfortunately=/

One of my favorite views: The view headed to my parents' house. My second favorite view is the one topping the hill to Fayetteville and seeing the campus laid out on top of the hill. Ahhh love it!

Natalie enjoyed her ride and kept asking Poppi to go in the water again. I guess she liked the splashing, squishy sound!

 

Our next venture for the day was visiting Mimi at work so all her coworkers could meet Natalie. They hear about her all the time so they were all so sweet to let us interrupt their work day. Natalie of course was mute nearly the entire 30 minutes we were there. And for all of us that spend any amount of time around her know this is a miracle and bad timing. ha! She was a bit overwhelmed at all the oogling faces in front of her. She did just wake up from a nap. We then headed off to a local park to enjoy the beautiful weather.

 

Perfect picture

 

A perfect end to a perfect day.

 

 

 

 

Family Fun Day

Saturday we went to the Dallas. Zoo for a family day of fun. Most of our weekends lately have been busy busy, or we have been cooped up inside, and I was dying to get out just the three of us to do something different. So we did! And thanks to some sweet Birmingham friends, we got to go for FREE! That's great for our budget=) We headed straight to the Children's area and Natalie wanted to ride the pony. We were expecting her to freak out as soon as we tried to put her on the pony but we were pleasantly surprised that our $2 was not wasted! She loved it and kept asking to go 'gin, daddy.'  Her Poppi would be proud that she loved the horses!

 

We took a minute to let her wade in the water. That is just the neatest thing they have there. I need to remember to bring her a change of clothes next time so she can get as wet as she wants!

We were pleasantly surprised again when she wasn't afraid to go in with the goats. She just walked up to them and started patting them. The only time she got a little shaken was when she was petting one and another one was playing around and bumped Nat with his booty. If Brian hadn't been there it would have knocked her down! He caught her but she was a little shaken for a bit. One goat was fired up and ready to fight/play. She kept rearing up and head-butting the others. There was a group of them having a pow-wow (bottom left).

 

We only stayed about 4 hours which suited us and Natalie just fine. We missed the entire second half of the zoo but there is always next time! Since we didn't pay for the tickets we were ok with this. As you can see, she was tuckered out!

 

 

And the WINNER is.....

Thank you all so much for leaving your names and your thoughtful comments. I am thankful that we are able to share our story with so many.  I am also thankful for those who care so much to faithfully follow our journey! I hope God speaks to each and every one of you in some way through our journey. Whether it be a call to adopt, to support someone who is, to start your own ministry, to pray for those who are adopting, fostering, or going through the struggle of infertility, or just to learn more about the orphan crisis. And without further adieu......

The WINNER IS..........................WENDY!!

Wendy- If you will FB me your address I am sending you a copy of this book, and another little treat.  Thank you for taking the time to read our story.  This is one of our favorite adoption books given to us.

 

My challenge is that you will do one of three things with the book:

1) Give it to a family that you know has adopted that may not have this book already,

2) Give this to someone that you know is struggling with infertility, and share my blog with them, OR

3)Keep this book for your own family to educate your children about adoption (chances are they will come in contact with someone in their life that is adopted or was an orphan)

 

 

For any readers out there that didn't give me your name I would still love to know who you are even in my little giveaway is over!=)

 

Let the Ministry Begin!

We have been given the thumbs up for an Orphan Ministry at our church!! God is so good! We should be meeting with about 4 other couples (2 I haven't ever met) in the next week or so to get the ball rolling! I'm so excited!

As I was reading in my latest book, Adopted for Life (thank you, Susan for sharing), I came across this thought:
"This adoption could very well be a catalyst to create a more adoption friendly environment in your church and neightborhood."
God is doing that now!  I'm so thankful I get to be a part of this!  If so many can follow our journey, and see that God is GOOD, maybe, just maybe others will reach out to give these babies a home, too.  Maybe that's you.......

After all, how can you resist a face like this?







In an effort to see who my audience is, please LEAVE A COMMENT with your name. I'm thinking about doing a little contest to celebrate all my supporters.  By Friday evening, I will randomly draw a name and let you know if you are the lucky winner. I'm sure the prize will have something to do with ADOPTION. Or maybe RAZORBACKS.  Or some other fun TREAT. The possibilities are endless. So go ahead and leave your name!

Tailgatin' Fun

If you know me, and you know my family, then you know we are pretty hard core Hog Fans! It helps that it is also my Alumni where I have SO many wonderful memories. I loved every bit of college life and would go back in a heartbeat. When I'm back on campus I feel like I fit right in.  That is, until I realize I am a good 10-12 years older than most of them passing me by! How did that happen?!
Anyway, as long as we can afford it (and that is becoming questionable), we will return for the football games. So here are some pics to enjoy from the tailgating. We're going to sign mom up!

We had a lot of fun playing football in the yard of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry building. This is where we always park. It's close, it's easy, and it has an air-conditioned building and bathrooms if we should need it. Plus, it's where we spent a great deal of time while in college. Again, memories!
While we were playing football, some college students discovered some baby bunnies running amuck. It was quite entertaining watching these youngsters get so excited over baby bunnies.

Natalie was dying to hold and touch the bunnies but we wouldn't let her. After repeatedly telling her no, a young man held it up for her and Audrey to pet, to which they did, of course. To his defense he never heard us say no, and he was only being kind. I was annoyed a bit but just washed her hands quickly afterwards. She was thrilled!

Here are a few shots of us hanging out.

But the best photo by far is this one! The one on the left!