Braden's idea of Heaven

Braden is in hog heaven in this picture. He is a watermelon freak! He begged me to cut up this half of the watermelon all afternoon, and finally when he got frustrated, he asked if he could go out and eat it with a spoon. So here he is, eating to his heart's content. He did admit, a little while ago, that his stomach is upset from so much watermelon. Don't even think that will stop him from going out there again later. ;)

Can It Really be 20 Years?

Yes, hard to believe, but it has been 20 years since this group of girls have sported these great 80's fashions and big hair!! The six of us were inseparable in high school, and again last night at our reunion. The reunion itself, was pretty corny. That is to be expected, though, when you graduate from a small Christian school with a class of 32!! Still, it was nice to catch up with everyone. Two of these girls and their husbands stayed with us last night, so we got very little sleep (so worth it). Enjoy the before and after pics!

What a Week!

We took the BR Rays to see the TB Rays last weekend! It was a great week. We went to two baseball games, and the boys got to tour the clubhouse, the dads got to take BP with the big leaguers and they got to hang out in the dugout before the game started. It was an experience very few boys get to have, and they were eating it up (so were the dads!)

Here is the team on the Rays bench. So cool!!

In front of the dugout


Braden and Cole were trying out the big league catcher's gear. Richard said they got in trouble right after this for touching it ;)

Meeting Smashmouth. The boys didn't have a clue who he was (neither did I), but it was still cool.


In the clubhouse by all the lockers. Russ is the dad with them. He used to play for the Rays a few years ago. (That's how the boys got to do all this)

Our family.


Girls night out. A few of us moms skipped the last game and went out to dinner instead. We had a really good time.

A few families stayed a few extra days and went to Busch Gardens and Disney's Blizzard Beach. I'll do a post about that next.

I am amazed at how much laundry I have, three really big suitcases full! I guess our vacations are usually at the beach where we have a washer and dryer. I am gradually working through it all.

I have my 20 year class reunion tomorrow!!! I can't even believe it has been that long since I was in high school. There have been lots of old and embarrassing pictures circulating on facebook, but that has been alot of fun. I am really looking forward to it. I have a couple of my best girlfriends and their husbands staying with us tomorrow night. It should be a blast, but I have SO much to do!!!!

I am bringing my camera to the reunion, so I'll share pics later.

Have a great day!!!!

What to Do?

Thank you all for your sweet and encouraging comments. You have reminded me why I love blogging so much. I have taken your suggestions to heart and feel like I, at least, have a starting point. I will keep you updated.

Richard and I brought the Special Needs application with us as we drove to get the boys last week. Our goal: to go over the list of needs and decide which needs we were willing to accept and which ones we aren't. The answer: I DON'T KNOW!! It is very difficult to look at a list of disorders and disabilities and know what you can and can't handle. Add to that, the fact that until you actually get to China and get your girl, you never know the severity of that need. It is very unnerving to me. I am supposed to be researching all the different needs, and know that this is important, but also know that the range of each is great. I have seen so many wonderful stories of children who come home with very little effects of any special need at all. I have also seen stories of children whose needs were much greater than the families realized. I know God already knows who our little girl is, but I still need to check the right boxes so I can find her!! Help!!!

Cade Has a Camera...and He's Not Afraid to Use it!!!

These are some random pictures I uploaded from Cade's camera this weekend. He got the camera for his birthday and absolutely LOVES it. He takes pictures of everything. Of course, his favorite subject is himself! He has to make sure that hair is looking just right.

This is the only picture Cade didn't take himself (obviously). It was such a momentous occasion, though, I had to add it...and he was the only one with a camera ;). For years and years, we have gone to the same amusement park in Gulf Shores to ride the "Woody" go carts. We started doing this before Bryce was old enough to ride by himself, so we had to make sure we had enough adults to drive all three of them. Well, those days are over. They are now all officially tall enough to drive their own cart! He had an absolute blast (except when Bryce turned him sideways). I need to put a post together with all the go cart pictures from the years. I didn't even take my camera last time because all the pictures look the same. Good thing Cade had his!

My adorable niece. We kept her for a day about a month ago. The boys couldn't get enough of her. They fought over who she was smiling at. While we were driving, Cade would take her picture over and over. Isn't she adorable? She is so tiny and has the biggest eyes you've ever seen. (Her nick name is Bugsy :)

And here's the brother. Rylan is a wild man and gives my boys a run for their money every time we see him. He is absolutely hysterical!

I have washed all the clothes and have them folded on the coffee table. We don't fly out until Friday, but I'm going to pack the boys today so they don't wear the clothes I want to bring for them. It actually looks like it might rain today!! Do you know how long it's been since we've had rain? Way too long. Everything is drying up! It would be nice to have a rainy day for a change.

Hope you all have a great week! I'm going to try to hit all my favorite blogs this week!

Happy 4th of July

We went to the club pool yesterday for a 4th of July celebration. We were mostly there with all the seniors who danced the night away. It was pretty funny, actually. We had a good time, though. My camera batteries totally died after about 5 pictures so this is what I have.

The boys have been gone for a little while. They spent a few days with my in-laws in Houston this past week. We got them back Friday, and I'm happy to have them home. I don't quite know what to do without them. Richard and I went out to eat every night and my stomach still hasn't completely recovered from all the rich, creamy food. (Guess I should have ordered something a little lighter!)

We are getting ready for a big trip at the end of the week. We are headed to Tampa to see the Rays play baseball. (If you noticed, Braden and Cade's little league teams are the Rays) Braden's 10 year old team is going together and will be able to meet the team and get lots of autographs. We have been looking forward to this all summer and can't wait. Hopefully I will have lots of awesome photos when we get back.