Thankful Thursday - The Weekend Edition

This week I am doing a weekend edition to my Thankful Thursday posts. I was having technical difficulties and wasn't able to post for several days. I have a lot to be thankful for once again.

This weekend I am thankful for:


~The time spent with family in Georgia! Precious memories were made!

The cousins..

Brianna, Michaela, Claire and MalloryWayne, Teresa, Michaela and Mallory..

On the bridge at Tallulah Gorge..

Michaela and Claire..

Gary and I, Wayne and Teresa..

Our gang..waiting for Caleb!

~The miracle of life growing within my niece! We can't wait to meet little Noah and love on him!

Mallory, Alisha and baby, and Michaela!

Turner and Alisha..

~The tree that was planted in memory of Gary's mom, Evalyn.

~The kids got to play outside at the end of November in gorgeous weather. Claire played in the leaves for the first time. Just didn't have leaves like that in Texas!

Claire and her new friend Max!

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for:

~A husband that takes the time to be invested in the lives of our kids. Last weekend, he took the boys on an 8 mile hike around beautiful Lake Martin. This weekend, he and Nicholas are going on a church retreat. Precious time spent making lasting memories! (Of course, the girls enjoyed our day shopping!)

My hikers..

~The beauty of nature. The guys saw it first hand hiking.

They saw this across the trail..I'm glad they saw it before they walked into it!

~The fun of taking the kids to get their photo taken. We got some really great shots! I am thankful for photogenic kids! :) I know I am a little biased but this is my thankful Thursday post!

~Finally, I am thankful for the first picture of my 5 kids together!

I am blessed indeed! What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday, I am thankful for the phone call we received from our adoption agency saying that they were sending us our acceptance paperwork! That's right, Caleb is our son! We are so excited and can't wait to get him home. We now are waiting on immigration to approve us so we can get his visa to come home. Many of you know, that November is National Adoption Month and I am thankful that this November we found out officially that our 2nd adoption will be happening soon! I am thankful that Caleb's days as an orphan are coming to an end. He has a family and he is loved! So without further ado, I introduce you to Caleb!

Isn't he just the cutest? He just turned 2 in August and although he looks chubby he only weighs 22 pounds and is about 32 inches tall! I hope the clothes we already got for him aren't too big on him! We are fortunate that we have more pictures of him as an infant and toddler. I will share those with you too later on! God is good, the child He chose for us is coming home soon!

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful that we are getting closer to bringing Caleb home!!! Our home study is done and our paperwork has gone to immigration. I am anxiously awaiting a phone call saying that the home study has been approved, then we can start our countdown to Caleb! Believe me, as soon as I can I will be posting pictures of our precious boy!

Thankful Thursday

This thankful Thursday I am going to give you an update on Miss Claire. I am thankful everyday that God picked her out for our family. I am a blessed mom indeed with all 4 of my treasures.

I am thankful for:

~The International Adoption Clinic that we have connected with here in Alabama. We took Claire there on Monday and it was comforting to hear from the "experts" that Claire is doing very well considering her rough start in the orphanage. I am so thankful that our daughter's heart is healing and she is making great strides.

~The Hear Center in Birmingham. We have been amazed with the way Claire is tolerating her cochlear implant processor so much better since going to the Hear Center. One day she even told me thank you when I put it on her! That was definitely a first.

~Claire is talking more and more! She is starting to imitate animals sounds. She can imitate a cow, a dog, a duck, and a cat. She is also starting to ask where sounds are coming from. She is also starting to distinguish our voices! She says the sweetest prayers. The kids take turns praying at meal time and so Claire wants to take a turn to. Well, she prays her prayer with such intensity. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit translates prayers! I'm sure she is giving God an earful! Sometimes after speaking her prayer she will then sign her prayer!

~Claire is continuing to learn more and more signs. She has been teaching the kids at AWANA how to do the verses for Cubbies in sign language. Have I mentioned how smart this girl is?!

~Claire lives life with such gusto! This girl of ours brings such joy to all who are around her. You can't be around her long without breaking into a big smile. I'm so thankful that I am her mom!

Claire after her basketball game..Claire living life with gusto...
Brianna and Claire at the Fall Fest at church..

Claire and Hunter..the cutest ladybug and ninja...Claire enjoying the rides at the Fall Fest..

What are you thankful for this Thursday?

Thankful Thursday

This thankful Thursday I am thankful for:

~You guessed it - SLEEP! I've shared before how Claire has really struggled with sleeping especially since the move. Well, we have had a breakthrough!! We started about 3 weeks ago really working on getting her to fall asleep in her own room. We would put her to bed and tell her we would be back in 5 minutes to check on her. After 5 minutes, if she was still upset or awake we would go in rub her back, give her another kiss and tell her we will be back in 5 minutes. The first night we tried it this went on for 1 1/2 hours before she finally gave into sleep. The next night, only 45 minutes. The next night, only 15 minutes. Well, this week when we tell her it is time she happily walks into her room and gets in bed and goes right to sleep. One night she even told us she was going to bed and she got in bed by herself!! Now, she still isn't sleeping through the night but we are making progress in the right direction!!

~Football season! Yes, I love football. This is my favorite time of year! Nothing beats watching a football game in crisp, cool fall weather! I love that Claire loves football too. We drove by a stadium one night and the lights were on and she asked if we could go in and sit! That's my girl! I just have to mention that my Denver Broncos are 6-0 right now!!

Here, Claire is cheering for the Huskers. Go Big Red!

~Uncle Wayne! I am thankful that we live for the first time close to family and we get to spend time with them over long weekends. Claire loves her Uncle Wayne and it has been fun to watch her become close to all of the Georgia gang!

What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

~Homeschool volleyball! I am so thankful that we found a homeschool volleyball team for Brianna. This team was just awesome to watch. They always had the best attitude and could smile and laugh even after just losing the game. Many parents and coaches from the other teams always commented on their attitude. I think that is a testimony to these girls that they always let their light shine for Christ.

What are you thankful for this week?

Wordless Wednesday!