Sunday Snapshot {Katie & the Littles}

Who is Katie???

She practically has Hero Status at our house!

Katie is our oldest son's girlfriend.
She is home for a few weeks.
She just earned her Masters in Spanish Literature  and related studies.
She will be pursuing her Doctorate this fall....she is one smart cookie, I tell ya!!!


We all love Katie....especially the Littles!!!
Avery just met her for the first time....and was smitten!
Can't say that I blame her....
Considering all the fun they have together!

Katie reads to Shea & Avery....a lot!

Colors with Shea before church. (Thank you Katie!)

But going to the park....
Well, that is always a winner!!!!

Oh, how Shea loves to blow bubbles!!

And, Katie indulged her!!

Apparently, Avery would rather swing!!!

However, she did need Katie's help.......

Of course, Shea could do it herself.......

It is always fun when Katie comes to visit.

Hey, Katie...
When are you coming back???


 Join the fun and check out Stefanie's Sunday Snapshot!

 (Just click below.)

Wild Olive Tees Rock!!!

 The ladies at Wild Olive Tees have done it again!!

 They have come up with a super-fantastic idea....if I do say so myself!!

 Look at this new tee shirt.

It rocks!!!

 On the back it says the following:

Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
 Isaiah 1:17

 Not only is it super-adorable, but.....here is the really great part....

Well, I'll just let them say it.....

"Wild Olive adoption tees have been created as a means to help families fund raise for their impending adoption. Our goal is to partner with families in need to gain support from friends and family to offset the cost of their adoption, and in turn, help bring children home to their forever families!" (from Wild Olive Tees)

The family I am 'partnering' with is in the process of bringing home two boys from China!!!!
Go on over to her blog.....get to know Sonia and her crew.....
She is funny, articulate, and she is going to be a mother of  6 boys!!!
Wow!!

So........
If you are interested in this fundraiser and wanting to get a super-cool tee shirt as well...
Click here!
Oh yeah....to support this family simply type the code MARTADOPT when ordering.  You will need to type in this code twice.  First in the Coupon Code/Family Code section and then in the Comment Section when checking out.



 Get 'your verse on' people!!!!





I have already ordered mine....
And, just to let you know....
Wild Olive Tees has just 'released' a brand new tee shirt.....
I love it!  (I am sure I will be ordering that one as well!)
You gotta go check it out!!!

Underfoot {Literally!}....What a blessing!!!

My Littles always seem to be underfoot!!

Sometimes....they are really under my foot!!!

I am not complaining....

I am embracing!!!

First of all, these two are just so stinkin' cute...if I say so myself!!!

Secondly, they will not always want to be with.me.constantly!!

And again, I am not complaining...

I am loving it!!!

Soon....very soon, Shea & Avery will be wanting their 'own space'..
They will be playing with friends....
They will be in middle-school....participating in activities that will allow them independence from me...
They will be in high school....driving..(yikes, I will never get use to that idea!)
....going to the mall with their friends
....hanging out with friends for hours and hours and hours
....maybe dating...gulp....!
Then....they will go away to college....really big gulp!!
And finally, beginning a life of their own...perhaps....getting married.....WOW!!!

Until this all happens, I very happily welcome their presence!!!!

Yes, they are my little shadows....
But, not for long!


Trust me.....(sigh!)

Just to let y'all know...
They like to play under my computer desk...
Where I do all my...ummm, very important work!

Sunday Snapshot: {Saying good-bye....to Scott}

It's never easy......

Especially when you have to say good-bye to your big brother!
Especially when he is moving 8 hours away!!!

We knew it was coming......

We all knew he had to leave....
We all knew he was about to begin a new chapter in his life....
We are all very excited for him....and Stephanie....my future DIL!!  Have I told y'all how much I love this girl!!????

Still, it is hard to say good-bye!

Scott has been Shea's hero and friend and big-brother for the past three years.
She adores him!
And he feel the same towards her!

And this little peanut......

Well, she has fallen head over heels in love with him!!!

He actually moved out two weeks ago.......

 I just needed to wait and compose myself before I could actually post about it!
(I know, what a big baby I am!!!)

Oh, how I miss this son of mine.....




He always knows just how to make me laugh!
He is a pretty funny guy!

He is a good son. A really good son!!!

He is going to be a fantastic husband!!!

He is getting married in two weeks!!!!

He is beginning a journey of a life time!!

This is what we do...
We parents...
We love our kids to pieces, we teach them the ways of the Lord., we raise them to become respectable adults, and then....
they get to  live their own lives!!!
This is what we do!!!
Sigh!



Today also  just happens to be Scott's birthday...his 'Golden' birthday!!

Happy 23rd Birthday!!!

You are so loved, my son!!!

Whose little legs are these????

The other day while Faith and I were in the kitchen ( a place where I am at very often), we heard a little giggle....

It was soft.....
It was sweet....

We knew it was an 'Avery Giggle'.....

We looked down the hallway and this is what we saw:

Silly girl!

Apparently Avery 'found' a new place to play!

Why are stairs so much fun to play on???? Or for that matter pantries?????

Her giggles pleaded for us to 'play along'.....

"Whose little legs are these?"

More giggles!

"Such cute little legs!"

Still more giggles!!

"Could these legs belong to Avery???"

Full blown out laughter!

Faith and I also participated in 'full blown laughter'!

How could we not???

Wordless Wednesday {Gotta color on the kitchen floor...}

Sunday Snapshot: {A Baptism!}

Last Sunday, Avery was baptized!

She was a tad bit nervous and really confused.
I mean, she just recently told me that she likes church  and isn't afraid to go anymore.  And now we are telling her that she is going to be baptized....at church.... in front of everyone!
Shea tried to explain to Avery what it meant to be baptized.

"Avery, you just get some water *put* on your head.
Don't worry, Mom will hold you.
Pastor Joel is nice. He puts the water on you head, then he says some words....and then you get the Spirit.  Right, Mom?"

Well, yeah....kind of!


Pastor Joel (and his wife) came over to our house on Saturday afternoon to talk to Avery about her baptism. And to help her feel more comfortable and at ease with him!

 I think it really did help!!!

Needless to say, Avery's baptism was beautiful.
She was calm and happy.
Pastor Joel was eloquent.
My little girl received the gift of baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit!
The congregation applauded, and Avery smiled at them in return with confidence and joy!
One certain Momma's heart swelled with love and gratitude....while trying to hold back her tears!

We had family and friends {who traveled from far & near}to our home after the service to help us celebrate this most happy occasion.

Avery {patiently} waiting for our guests to arrive....

Shea feeling somewhat jealous.....reluctantly agreed to this picture!

Daddy sporting the 'special occasion' jacket!

Avery's sponsors, who all traveled several hours to be a part of her special day!

A few family photos.....

because these opportunities are very rare these days!!!!

Delight yourself in the Lord,
and He will give you the desires of your heart!

Psalm 37:4