waiting.

I haven't blogged a whole lot just because there isn't a whole lot going on that I can blog about, picture-wise.  I have a new roommate.  :)  She is three and is Catrina's new little foster daughter.  She is adorable.  We have also had an older girl staying at the house as well for a few days.  She is precious too.  And so strong. Both their stories just break your heart and make you just want to protect them from the life that has been theirs so far. It makes me so annoyed that their parents have had the privilege of having two such beautiful daughters...and I am still waiting.  :-p  But I am enjoying loving on them while they are here.

I'm still waiting for Him to show me the job He has for me next.  I still keep seeing the time 12:34 off and on and it is always a reminder that He is still here; even in my waiting He has a plan. 

On Saturday we headed to one of my favorite playgrounds since it was such a gorgeous day, so I will leave you with a few pictures from there.  :)

This is Lauren's best friend, Hope.  Hi Hope!  :)  Welcome to my blog.  :) 

7!!

Somehow, my spunky Little Miss Giggles just turned 7 today!!  (Ok, make that yesterday since it's after midnight as I'm posting this...oops.)  She had her birthday party this past Saturday at Bounce USA (soo cool!) and I loved getting to see my kids!

My snuggle bug.  :)  He gave me hugs and squeezes every time he ran by me.  And wanted to sit RIGHT next to me when it was time to eat.

So many fun things to play on here!!

Isn't she just beautiful??

LMG has lots of new little friends...this is one of them.  :)

She is waay into Hello Kitty these days.

Ohmygoodness I just love him so much!!

We also thought it was funny that we had two long tables placed end to end to spread out on...and when it was time to eat, all the kids sat on ONE side of the tables all in a row! Ha.

LMG, you are too stinkin' cute with those front teeth coming in!  :)

Lol!!  This picture makes me laugh.  

"Look!  It's icing lipstick!!"

She got just a few presents.....

This one was way cool.  

LMG, I missed being with you today after being with you on every birthday since you were two years old.  I hope you had a most fabulously fantastic day!!  I love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MISS GIGGLES!!

littlest monkey

My friend, Jing is from China and a couple years ago, married her husband and moved to a new country all in the same big leap.  She speaks excellent English, although she doesn't think she does.  :)  She make the absolute best Chinese dumplings EVER!  I think they are most definitely one of my all time favorite foods.  Yum.  She is quiet and sweet and so very kind. My kids think she is just awesome.  :)

And she and her husband just had their first baby on Saturday!  He wasn't due for another month but apparently was in a rush to get here.  :)  Leah and I took her a few essentials (since she hasn't even gotten to have a baby shower yet! It was supposed to be this coming weekend!) at the hospital Saturday evening.  They came home yesterday and then Ye left to drive down to Atlanta to pick up her parents who are coming for a visit to see their grandbaby.  I had the oh-so-rough job of hanging out with Jing and baby for the afternoon/evening while Ye was gone...so of course both days...I took pictures.  :)

Tiniest baby I have ever held!!

(Ok, so the foot picture was actually taken by Leah on my camera and edited by me.  I was too busy snuggling him at the moment...!)  :)

Ready to see his coming-home outfit???

Eeps!!! So cute!!  :)

I tried to take a few more later in the day yesterday, but this is the only full-length basket pic that turned out semi ok (and it's not the best), because... 

...Benjamin was HIGHLY insulted.  :}  I told him eventually he will just get used to it.  He'll see me a lot...and the majority of the time I very well may have a camera in front of my face!  :)

(Oh, and can I just say that he has the CUTEST cry ever?! Oh my goodness.  He has this little hoarse voice that just melts you!)

I did manage to get one or two pretty good close ups though.  :)
(Rebekah...I thought about you a lot while I was taking these pictures...)

Congratulations, Jing and Ye!  We all knew you would make great parents...and you already are proving us right!  Enjoy your sweet boy - and having your parents here for a while!  :)

madison nicole

 Madison is Shannon's baby girl.  She decided to arrive ONE DAY after I left for camp in July which meant that I didn't get to see her in person until two weeks later!  Little stinker!  lol  :)  But really it was a good thing that I had her to look forward to since I was dreading the few weeks after camp and saying goodbye to my kids.  I might not have come home if she hadn't been waiting for me!  :}

It took a little while with all my moving, etc. to get over for an actual new born photo shoot but here are  a few for you.  The first three were taken a week or two before the rest.

Don't mess with Madison.  :)

 

Being a baby model is hard work. She was ready to be snuggled.  Oh, and this little pink dress is a dress Shannon wore when she was a baby! :)