plain and simple

a quick surprise trip

The kids and I drove down to Florida the last weekend of June to surprise my mom.  She was visiting my aunt and uncle and grandfather for my grandfathers 88th birthday and somehow, my aunt Linda convinced me (ok it wasn't hard!) to come spend the night at the beach with them and then head back to her house for the rest of the weekend.  We all had a great time- the beach was gorgeous (of course!) and it was so much fun seeing everyone!  Brian had to stay at home to work :(  but next month we are all going down to spend a whole week at the beach with my aunt and uncle-yay!!

some guys let Deck "use" their skim board- he loved it!

 

so cute!

my mom and aunt linda

this pic of my mom cracks me up- being attacked by sea gulls!  I am terrified of them and she is having a great time :)

my pretty girl

I thought these next two pics were cool- I told the kids to jump!

love sunsets (thanks mom for making us get up to actually see it!)

back at my aunts house..my mom watching the video of when the kids surprised her at the beach- it was awesome!

she loves her babies!

uncle steve and aunt linda

 

aunt linda and me

everyone after the birthday party for my Daddy (grandfather)

love this picture of me and my mommy!

camping in the summer (it was hot!)

We decided to go camping with some friends last weekend- remind me not to go again in the middle of summer in Atlanta!  We were supposed to stay two nights, but decided after the first night to head home after dinner/campfire/s'mores on the second night.  I think everyone was happy to be in their own beds!  yeah, look how sweaty and hot and gross I look- I think we will wait until fall to go again though we really had a good time- we love camping in this spot, it is close to home and just beautiful!  (oops, forgot to take any scenery photos, oh well!)

some simple fun

Playing in the backyard with the sprinkler :-)

yesterday morning

I woke up yesterday morning and decided to read a chapter or so before I got up (ahhh the luxury of summer!).  The kids came in, saw me, grabbed their books and hopped right in and we all read for a bit- it was great.  I love that Aislin and Declan love books and love to read like I do- it is so cool.  And yes, I sleep with a down comforter EVEN in the summer- it drives Brian crazy!

Nothing new with the courts/adoption- just trying to wait patiently (haha, so not me!).  It has been 4 weeks since this all has happened and I am on a roller coaster- my emotions are crazy and I have a hard time controlling them.  Thank goodness Brian is around to keep me partly level!  Hope this all resolves soon- our sweet girl is just waiting for us over there and I am waiting for her here.

she makes me happy :-)

My sweet new niece, Harper, was born today - yay!  These are photos of her just a few minutes old-  this is my little sis Laurell and her husband, Jeremy ... Harper is their first girl (they have three boys!), so we are all excited to have a new sweet baby girl in the family!  

we should be on a plane today

What a bummer- today was the day we were supposed to be leaving (if we passed court).. we had our tickets on hold and had to cancel them.  I'm definitely in a funky mood this weekend- knowing that we should be in Ethiopia picking up our sweet baby but instead we are in limbo.  We know nothing more about the courts in Ethiopia- the judges have not made a decision yet and still are not hearing Addis abandoned children cases.  I feel scared and angry and out of control- I just hate feeling like this!  Each week I hope to hear some news- it has been two weeks so far with nothing.  This weekend, I am trying to focus on the kids and Brian... summer has started and I want to enjoy it :-)  I am just going to try to stay positive (which is hard!) and start to plan the summer.

If I had a million dollars

I would take Aislin and Declan to Ethiopia for the summer.. believe me, I already asked Brian if we could go  :-)  

looks like we will have some baby lizards soon

Aislin took this photo last weekend... the lizards are everywhere around the house (outside, thank goodness!)

No news about court- BLAH!!!!!

so

No news on what is going to happen with court yet for us or for all the other families that are trying to adopt abandoned children from Addis.  We are hopeful that things will get resolved soon.  I have been trying to find stuff to do, stay positive and use family and friends for support :-)

I thought I would start a new quilt - definitely gives me something to do during the late hours that I can't sleep!  I am doing a sweet little braid quilt with this cutie Hello Betty fabric from Moda in a little honey bun that I got on sale (I just could not resist!).

no good news

Our case was not even heard in court today and we have no idea when or if it will be.  A lot of stuff happened that I just don't feel like explaining now (maybe tomorrow) - we are just going to try to get through this weekend and love on Aislin and Declan.