100% COWGIRL

These pictures were taken by my BFF, Heather.

Hannah put on this hat and these shades,today.
A step out of character for her. Coming into her own.
We are watching our girly- girl turn into a cowboy.
Never thought it would happen.
She has fooled us all!



Heather knows my children so well that she is able
to see them the way I see them,when she is behind the lens.

Rachel's first solo. Uncle Rick and a few others had to
bribe her. But she loved it after she climbed into the saddle.


Mary is watching every move the horses make.
She takes everything in.
Waiting her turn. Does not miss a thing!

Beautiful Souls.

We Are Blessed.

Thanks, Heather.

Peace.

If Children Live With......By Dorothy Law Nolte

If Children Live With Approval,
They Learn To Like Themselves



When asked what they want for their children, most
parents answer," I want them to be happy."

Although liking oneself does not always lead to happiness,
it does seem to be essential ingredient.

Children who like themselves seem to be more confident
without being egotistical.

They develope warmer and more stable relationships, and as adults,
are more likely to have children who like themselves.

We make it easier for our children to gain approval, when we have
realistic expectations of them, when we are firm but flexible,
and when we create with them a family setting in which their
contributions are respected and integrated into family life.

In such a supportive and nurturing environment, they are free to
blossom into their own best selves, and are given a very important
gift: The knowledge that they are loved and valued for their
own special talents.

This understanding provides them with the best basis for growing
into adults with a healthy respect for their own worthiness.

This is a great book.

Children Learn What They Live Parenting to Insire Values
Dorothy Law Nolte

Check it out.

Peace.

Change In Plans

We are changing adoption programs.

We have spoken with our Taiwan agency
and asked to be taken off of the waiting list.

We are going back to China.

We are going to use the same agency that we used
when we adopted Mary Elizabeth.

We are very excited.

We have to go through the whole "paperchase" thing
and jump through a few hoops, but it will be worth it.

We truly believe that this is God's plan for our family.

We will keep you posted!

Peace.

Mary's China Memory Book

Mary Elizabeth LOVES her China pictures!

We have them in these really cool albums that
we purchased from China Sprout.(site found in MaMa MoJo links)

She looks at them so much, the pages were starting to tear.



So, I went to Kodak Gallery and put the pictures in
a photo book for her.

She loves it!

She has total access to it.



She crawls on the bed and goes through naming everyone.

She knows the names of the other families, their children,
our Chinese friends and the cities that we were in.



She points to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall
and says,"Look,mama. China!".

I love to watch her study each page.

I wonder what she is thinking?


Very Cool Kid!

Peace.

Great Story!

About 3 weeks ago, one of our kittens,Tom ,
decided to take a ride in the back of our truck
AND jump out of the truck onto Hwy 45.

I turned around and looked for him for
almost an hour(During a Tornado Warning!)
and could not find him.

He was Hannah's cat, so of course, she freaked out.

So I go back and look for him, AGAIN.
Still in the rain. Tornado STILL coming.

No cat!



2 days ago, Stacy found an add in the paper,
"Kitten found around Hwy 45."
We called, went to check, it was him.

He's glad to be home.

Hannah took these pictures. She insisted Tom get
some "blog time".

Peace.

Caleb's First Rodeo

First Rodeo!

What's next ? Driver's License and girlfriends?!



Eden and Caleb have worked really hard the last 3 months.

About to see if it pays off!






Warming up the horses with his friend, Drew.



Caleb on Jay Bar Tad, one of the horses his PawPaw Doc

purchased.



Dakota rode him. Caleb has him.

Next year, Hannah will get him.



Riding THAT horse has been a blessing to our boy.

He misses his PawPaw.






Happy to be here? YES!






Looks the part, Doesn't he?






This one is a little dark, but if you look REAL

closely, you can see him. :)







Eden scored a 65. 3rd in her class.



Caleb scored a 68. The guy who won it scored a 69!

It was Caleb's friend, Drew!( Uncle Rick trains him,too. BTW)

That made it a good thing!



2nd is WONDERFUL for a first time out.



All of the kids had a great show.



A ton of friends and family came to cheer them on,

Caleb was happy,Uncle Rick was proud,

and PawPaw Doc was watching from Heaven

with a BIG smile on his face.



It was a good day.



Peace.

More Rodeo Pics....

Mary watching "CaBub".

Daddy enjoying the show!

Aunt Genia!

Hannah, John Cross, & Ray-Ray!

Think Rachel's had her picture taken before?

The "Miss America" smile!

Sam(Eden's mom) & Rose Mary.

T., Rob(A.K.A. Captain Danger)& Katie

Fun!

Peace.