Talk about a Quick Trip...

My girls are quite the students. They really exceed my expectations at every turn. They are smarter than I can possibly understand. They have such tender, compassionate hearts. They are wonderful students and friends. I am inspired by them daily. It is becoming more and more of a reality that they will soon leave home and start the next portion of their lives. That thought reaches up and catches me off guard often these days.

The girls have been working so hard, the school work load, taking up a new sport, developing friendships, and trying to enjoy a little fun. The way things have been going, not much time for fun. So I decided to surprise them. When I picked them up from school on Friday, I told them the big surprise.

We made a quick trip to OKC for the Taylor Swift concert. It was a last minute purchase of a sold out concert. We literally sat in the very TOP row. I don't think a single seat was vacant. It was wonderful. The concert was fabulous. The time with my girls, even more fabulous!

We stayed at a hotel downtown, went to see the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial, something I have wanted to do for so long. It was very moving. I didn't realize that my girls had not learned about this tragedy before our trip. It seems like it was just yesterday. The memorial was special.

I hope that this weekend is one that my girls will remember for many years to come.

I am so blessed to be their mom...

Great things... pictures, no words

Best friends

There is just something about having a great friend. Someone who really "gets you." It is the way they know what you are gonna say or do before you even know it yourself. It is knowing that someone looks forward to seeing you and spending time with you.

A best friend is hard to find. That makes it even more special when you find one. And if for some reason, you can't talk to your best friend, it feels like part of you is missing. Almost as if things can't really happen in your life if you can't share them with your best friend.

Twins have such a great deal.... from the moment of conception, they are hanging out with their best friend. The connection that they have, being with their best friend all the time. Every birthday, every first day of school, every bedtime, every first that comes.... they have each other. But the challenging part is finding other people to be their friend. It seems that people find it hard to be close friends with twins. I am guilt of it as a mom, its ok for one friend to come over, but not two at the same time.... Anyway... my twins have been blessed with a best friend. Kayla loves them. They are three peas in a pod. For many Halloweens they have all three dressed up together as the same thing. They spend many nights together on the phone, on skype (even though they live 7 miles apart), and sleepovers. These girls love one another.

When I see the way they laugh together, appreciate the likes and quirks of one another, and share dreams together, I am so grateful to God for blessing my girls with the friendship they have with Kayla. I call her my " almost daughter" because that is what she is to us. We love her and appreciate her friendship to our girls.

So what about you? Have you experienced the highs of time with a best friend? What about the lows? Maybe you should give them a call?

Run for the Sand!

We recently took the time to try something new. Our family took an extra long weekend and went to the beach on an April weekend. Usually we go to the beach in the summer, but this was a nice change of pace. We were really excited to attend Sandfest for the first time ever. I don't think we were prepared for the changes that Port A has gone through since we were last there. So many more things there now. I heard reports that 100,000 people would be on the beach for Sandfest. Another plus, my sister and her family were there vacationing on the island with her in laws. That was such an added treat. My niece was very excited to participate in the sand castle competition this year. It was great to see her build her seashell village. She even won second place and received a trophy. The kids all enjoyed the jumbo corn dogs for sale on the beach. The live music was perfect for the little ACE, he was a dancing fool. It was fantastic to see my sister and how great she looks as the baby boy grows inside of her. We are excited to meet him this summer. Another thing about this trip that was new for us, wildflowers.... we never time a road trip well. Usually the wildflowers are not quite ready or have already peaked. They were wonderful. The sandcastles were truly remarkable. It was a nice weekend.

It doesn't matter how old the boy is... he still tortures the seagulls.

The sandcastle queen herself.

Just a portion of the winning sea shell village.

Nothing better than a jumbo corn dog!

My sister and her family

If I could bottle the joy.... my kids love the beach. Windy, cool, sunny and dry.... never matters.

Our arrival was a surprise to B. she was so happy to see her cousins.

Wildflowers...

The best of both... wildflowers and the beach.....

I hate to say goodbye. But I was so glad to get an unexpected visit with her.

These girls are too pretty.

There's a break in the weather....

I am so ready for summer. The relaxed pace, the warm sunshine, the cookouts and water toys are all a part of my favorite time of the year. The snow has been nice, but clearly I live in Texas for a reason. Anyway... the girls were feeling like a new profile photo for face book, so away we went.

I am always amazed at how beautiful my daughters are. I am sure you will agree....

Adoption made me proud

Well, It happened. My little guy turned 10 today. I can hardly believe he is ten years old. When we saw his sweet face... that quiet little two year old boy.... was small and fragile. His eyes were full of stories, and his mouth held only a few words. We honestly wondered if he was human.... because he was absolutely perfect. The first two years of his life were full of circumstances and situations that no child should ever have to experience. The lessons that he learned in those two years left scars that may never heal. Hard to believe that experiences that a child has before they are three years old have such an impact on their life, but sometimes it happens that way.

I have always been inspired by adoption. I know it is a story that weaves in and out of the lives of many people I know, and those that I don't know at all. Each story different in its own way. Our story is perhaps like many others. Complications with the delivery of my twin girls, five years earlier, resulted in a hysterectomy. I was blessed to escape the operating room alive. And as the time approached for the twins to start school..... the yearning took hold. I needed, I wanted, I longed for another child. I prayed and prayed and cried and begged God to bless us with a son. We fostered seven boys over the course of three years, all in hopes of adopting a son or two. The joy as each child entered our home, paired with the devastation of their departure was almost enough to destroy me. When we received the phone call about our boy... I couldn't allow myself to accept that what I had prayed for was about to happen.

This boy, was mine. This boy, was the one I prayed for. God had heard. God had answered my prayer. When we stood in that courtroom to finalize the adoption, I felt a peace. This amazing boy, was mine.

Things do not come easy for my boy. He struggles in school and still bears some of the "scars" from those two years before I saw his face. But I can say this. The old soul, the little "jesus" that I see in his eyes..... has the power to teach me.

God's provision

God's timing

God always hears me

every word we say to one another matters

contentment is possible

Adoption changed my life. Adoption gave me my boy.

The boy he is today....

is a great picture of the man he will be tomorrow.

And my heart is proud.

I love you son.

Happy Birthday.

Everyone loves Christmas Pictures

I can hardly believe how fast little ones grow. Kate and Will have certainly changed since last year.....