Wild Week!!

Our church calls VBS, Wild Week, and it is always AMAZING!  I was thrilled to realize that Landrie is old enough this year to do a mini Wild Week while I volunteer!

It's a pirate theme (complete with a huge pirate ship out front and sand on the floor of the lobby!) and Landrie couldn't wait to dress up!  The only red thing I had was some left over polka dot fabric, so we weren't real scary pirates. :)  

Last night, Tatem and Landrie wanted me to paint their nails and toes, then add a coat of glitter polish too.  Tatem loved matching Landrie, and it was the first thing she showed me when she woke up this morning.  Then she said, "WeeRee toes?"  (That's what she calls Landrie. :)  ) Every time I turn around, I think the age we are in is the best one, but it just keeps getting more fun to be a mamma to these girlies!!

Gotcha Day Celebration!

I can hardly believe that it's been 3 years since Landrie's adoption was finalized!  If you are new to adoption stuff, some families like to celebrate the anniversary of the day their little one's adoption was finalized, or their "GOTCHA DAY!!"  We knew from the start that we wanted more than one child, so we decided to make our annual celebration a family day!  We celebrate what God has done in making our family!

Since I'm feeling nostalgic, here's a little walk down memory lane!

April 27, 2010

We went back to Wichita Falls and stood before a judge, promising to love and parent Landrie FOREVER!!  Her last name was changed to "Long," and soon after we got her second birth certificate (she has two) with our names listed as her parents and her new last name!

A few weeks later we celebrated with a huge GOTCHA DAY bash with Landrie's baby friend, Isaac, whose adoption was finalized the same week as Landrie's!  The two are still just as in love with each other today as they were in these pictures, and I love that their friendship carries the additional bond of both being adopted. :)  Landrie's birth mom, Brianna was there for the celebration, which was only fitting, because without her, there would be no celebration!!

April 27, 2011

We celebrated with a family day at the zoo!  Landrie still fit into her sweet dress, so of course she wore it!

April 27, 2012

We headed back to the zoo, but this year as a family of FOUR!  

(Tatem was crashed out in her Moby Wrap. :) )

That brings us to this year!!  This April, we were knee deep in Mark's school (every Friday night and all day Saturdays) and since he's doing his internship, he doesn't have any vacation days yet.  We thought about what a 3 year old and 1 year old would like just as much as the zoo...ICE CREAM!!

April 27, 2013

We went to one of those places where you can choose as many flavors and toppings as you want.  Tatem was way too into her ice cream to smile. :)

Oh, how we love this baby girl!!!  God has taught us SO much and opened our hearts and minds in so many ways through the beauty of adoption!  

He has given us a family far better than anything I could have ever imagined!!  His plans are so perfect, even when they don't seem that way at first.  

We can't wait to celebrate Gotcha Days with our family FOREVER!!  

PRE Newborn Pics:)

In all the excitement of finding out we are having a GIRL, I never posted pictures of her!  Yup.  She's still just "her," but we are working in a name!

Here, Baby Girl's back is to you, her leg is in the air on the left, her arm and fist is in the air in the middle, and her head is on the right!

This is her beautiful profile, with her little hand up over her eyes!