my little bugga...

That’s what I call Annie Rice. She is such a JOY and BLESSING to our family! We went for a walk the other night and I told Kaz, it seems like every day I’m happier and happier. 

She is doing so well. She started eating REAL FOOD 2 weeks ago and now eats everything we give her! This is a huge answer to pray. For about 5-6 weeks, her diet consisted of just cheerios, yogurt, and fiber one cereal. Now she eats anything we give her and loves mandarin oranges and lucky charms[although that is a special treat:)].

One of the main concerns with the developmental pediatrician is her learning motor skills backwards. That was a concern when we got her and it’s still a concern now. Both Kaz and I are starting to see what that means. DON’T GET ME WRONG, I’m NOT AT ALL concerned with her development because she has been progressing TREMENDOUSLY! BUT we can see what the doctor means in small things...For example, she has learned how to sit up on her own in the crib. She can sit up on her own if you place her that way, BUT she struggles to sit up on her own even though she crawls but more so scoots everywhere. The crib is the only place as of now that she can sit up, BUT once she does she doesn’t know how to lay back down. It’s the weirdest thing. She try’s so hard to lay down but just can’t so we go in and lay her back down. I know all these small things will come and for now I’M SO HAPPY she is learning to sit up, scooting, etc. She has come SO FAR since we’ve gotten her. 

She has recently become very attached to us but more so me. It makes Kaz jealous and I keep telling him to let me enjoy this time because one day it will be all about him and nothing to do with mum! She is such a happy baby and the nursery workers at church call her happy Annie...Well, up until Sunday. Sunday and then again this morning at MOPS she cried so much when I dropped her off. Both times after picking her up the nursery workers told me she sat in their laps with her head on their chest the whole time. I feel so bad, BUT it also makes me SO HAPPY because she is attached to us now! Because of everything that has happened, my biggest fear is her feeling like we left her. That’s a fear I have to work through daily, but every night when I put her to bed I tell her over and over I’ll be here in the morning when she wakes up. 

She has started giving the BIGGEST HUGS and it melts my heart. 

She recently learned how to say pup pup and it’s so sweet:) She’s our little angel from heaven and my heart is just so full of thankfulness. 

our final visit...

We just finished up with our final visit from our social worker today! WHICH MEANS, that our court hearing is next Friday!!! It happened really fast. We weren't expecting it until December! The court date will mark the "final step" in little Annie Rice's adoption story! We are so thankful!

labor day...

We are back from our 5th annual labor day trip with the Newman's and Burns to Lake Lure, NC! We had a blast but I have been exhausted the last few days! Every year gets crazier and crazier! This year we had 3 toddlers and 1 newborn, so as you can expect it was a little hectic. Our favorite time of day was 1pm when all the kiddos went down for naps and we could sit back and prop our feet up for a few hours of quietness!

The house was absolutely amazing! It was 3 stories so we each had our own level. 

We had a great time together and the kids loved playing with each other! It's such a special trip because we have all been friends for so long. I hope that we are still going on this annual labor day trip in 20 more years! 

One thing is for sure, we don't ever go hungry! I'm actually quiet embarrassed to say this BUT the ADULTS went through 2 rolls of family size cookie dough and 1 tub of cookie dough within 2 days! We calculated just the tub alone and it was 213g of fat and 4880 calories! That was just some of the dessert we had! Needless to say, we all committed to going on diets once we got home!

My favorite night was our last night there. We played Smart A and Cranium. It was a BLAST! We literally were crying we were laughing so hard! Our group picture this year was a little different...It shows you what our weekend was all about....being together, comfy clothes, crazy kids, and trying to take the picture ourselves because we didn't all venture out the house together. I LOVE IT!

Below are a few pictures from our trip!

my favorite trip every year....

It's that time again...FOR our 5th annual labor day trip! We are going to the mountains again! I've been so excited about this trip for weeks! We always have so much fun with the Newman's and the Burns! 

This was our picture from last year BUT we have 2 new additions this year!!!!

 Little Chase and....

 Annie Rice!

After the mountains, me and Annie Rice are heading to the beach for a few days with the Howells! So, I'm on vacation for the next week AND I'M so EXCITED!

a very special lady...

Kaz's grandmother recently passed away. She was such a special woman who loved God more than anyone else. She was 93 years old. She had 7 children, and watched 6 of them pass away. Through all the trials, her faith remained so strong, and she made sure to tell everyone she saw about the Lord. I truly enjoyed every time I got to see her, but my favorite time was 3 weeks ago when she got to meet Annie Rice for the first time. It's a visit that we will always cherish. She had been praying for little Annie for many months, and was so happy to meet her! 

I ALWAYS loved seeing Kaz hold her hands. I have taken pictures of them holding hands at every visit we have ever had with her. It was so special to me. 

Her funeral was nothing but a celebration, because we all know exactly where she is....the only place she has wanted to be in a long time! What an incredible example she set....She was a very special lady and will be greatly missed.

 Annie Rice loved sitting her in wheel chair...

 Matias and Annie Rice played on her bed with all the pillows!

He IS faithful...

This past weekend we celebrated babies AND the Lord’s continued faithfulness. Below are my 2 cousins, Jessica and Tyler. Both of these women struggled with infertility at the same time that I did. We had many conversations, text, and emails encouraging one another in this process. We all wanted the same thing for each other...a baby or babies! It brings such JOY to my heart to see the Lord answering our prayers for each other. 

Tyler had twins at the beginning of the year, we got Annie Rice in June, and Jessica is due in October! We celebrated at Jessica’s baby shower and the twins dedication!

I hope this brings encouragement to you, but especially to all you waiting moms. I say waiting moms because I know in my heart you are already moms...Just waiting for that special baby to enter your family! I can honestly say the Lord HAD/HAS BIGGER PLANS for us than I ever could have asked or imagined. I remember and can even picture me and Kaz holding our hands out in church each week while the pastor read Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do more than we ask or imagine...

We held out our hands KNOWING He would do great things, BUT I never imagined they would be as great as they are. HE is so faithful, and my heart grows more and more thankful everyday. 

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the Lord and HE will give you the desires of your heart. 

so special...

Kaz's cousin wrote this beautiful poem about Kaz's mom Anne, and Annie Rice. I have cried every time I read it. It's so special.

How you came to be with us

Is no mystery at all

For the day before you graced this earth

A new angel came to call

Her stride was full of grace

She stood so tall and sure

Yet humble in His presence

She joined the heavenly chorus

Her voice so strong and clear

Unmistakable the sound...

Of angels triumphant tears.

She praised God for his glory

For all those she holds dear

For this incredible journey that is this life

No matter the pain or fear

She thanked Him for the hard times

For the precious moments so sweet

For all that she learned here

Especially for Cy, Kaz, and Pete.

It was the middle of this celebration

That to the heavenly nursery she went

Praising God and thanking Him

As His ear she bent

"there is a special couple

Waiting down below

Hearts full of love

For a baby they've yet to know

I see little Annie there

And I know she needs them too

Tomorrow is her birthday

They will love her through and through"

God smiled and took her hand

And said , "I've heard their prayers,

Now come with me, the time has come,

Please wait in this rocking chair."

For moments or hours

It's really hard to say

But your grandmother rocked you

On your very special day.

How you came to be with us is no mystery at all.

For the day before you graced this earth,

A new angel came to call.

By: Anna Crowley Redding

catching up...

whew...It has been a busy busy week, with another busy one coming up! It seems like I have been on the road non-stop! I’ll try and catch you up to speed:)

Thursday, I had to go to Charlotte for a whirlwind day of pictures, which meant Annie Rice had to stay with a babysitter[aka Aunt Brittainy]. I prayed and hoped that she would do ok and I’m told she did. I got a few pictures throughout the day, but this one was my favorite! Annie Rice has recently started cuddling to her blanket. She LOVES it and it makes my heart so happy!

She also learned how to say Bye Bye or sometimes BaBa. In the last 2 weeks she has almost completely stopped saying Mum, and says DaDa all the time in all different voices! Her favorite is whispering it! She found a new favorite toy: the toothbrush:)

 this picture just about made me cry! so sweet...

On Friday night, she went to her first football game! She had a great time especially with cousin Ethan! 

On Saturday, we went back to Charlotte for a busy weekend of baby celebrations! It was such a fun weekend but when we got home last night, I was absolutely exhausted! We got to spend a lot of time with family, which is always so nice! 

Last week, I started trying to plan outfits for this past weekend because I knew I would need two really nice dresses. I have a favorite dress that I haven’t worn in about 3 years. It’s a blue and white seersucker dress from Banana Republic! I decided to try it on last week and couldn’t believe my eyes! Needless to say, I wore it this past weekend:)

These are pictures from the last time I wore this dress...

[engagement]

 [easter]

this past weekend...

I have a lot of unpacking to do, then more re-packing to do, BUT we have a very fun weekend ahead!