3 weeks and counting at the farm

Ok so what's been going on since gotcha day on July 12th you might ask...well we went over to our wonderful friends and travel companions the McKeeby's house just after that to celebrate with them and our social worker Amanda and her family. It was a special time to visit and let the kids play...and hard to leave I might add.


Elizabeth helped Shelby get "dressed for dinner"...doesn't she look fabulous!

This group shot didn't work out just as we would've liked...Sam really wanted to play on the swing/slide set.

Then after my last day of work on the 15th we headed off for our first solo trip. We started by stopping in Knoxville for a visit with the Sipes. It was such a good time. Tiffany took us to see the campus and wow it has changed so much. We ate at Calhouns on the river..yum, yum and then to play in the fountains...no bathing suit required.


I would like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Connor Sipe...oh wait am I getting ahead of myself...look how cute they are though!!

We had fun playing on the tee...she needs a little work but her grandpa would've been proud of the effort!!

These were before church...she shocked me and went to the nursery with Connor...who knows when that will happen again...


Then we were off to North Carolina to see the Primms and Wards. It was a fun time. We went swimming, to the science museum, and had lots of good quality visiting time. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me or out enough but here are a few cute ones of Shelby and Avery!


When we got home we had a week to finish the house and it was time to load the pods. We wrapped that up and then we packed up to stay at Aunt Lauri's for a few nights before pulling out. Connor got his horse out to get her ready for the farm.

Fun in the sprinkler with Connor!


This is a painting of Shelby that is in the big open room at her new school. The artist said he aged her to about 5 so we will have to see if this is how she turns out. She is still adjusting to school...she really misses Ms.Dyeanne and all her friends...she still asks for Eddie, Maddie, Carson, Regan, Jeremiah, Clark, Rayce, and Ethan lots!!!

The house is started. We have plumbing lines in place and hope to have the foundation poured soon. Pictures to come! I'm still looking for a job...looks like I will have to take a break from my love of oncology for awhile so wish me luck. We are looking forward to Shelby's 3rd birthday on September 14th so look for those pictures too! Our next adventure will be to Phoenix in October to visit with our travel group from China. I know there will be 5 families there counting us so we are super excited...and I've never been there. Much love to all especially in Nashville we miss you bunches!!!

1 year ago today!!

Do you remember this from 1 year ago today...


Well here we are today...stretched out in mama's bed and wearing gram's bra while running and singing!


These are a few from a visit to the zoo with Aunt Lauri, Jacob, and Connor on Saturday. It was hot but it was fun!!

Happy 4th all!!

We started out the 4th by packing up a bedroom...Shelby had the most fun of that deal I think! Then it was off to church. I was so glad this outfit Judi gave us last year still fit...my little patriotic beauty!!!

We were all off on Monday and had to get started early...we had a 2nd showing of the house from 10 til 11 so we headed to the park. Swinging is always a favorite.

That is until the sun gets in our eyes...she was asking for an umbrella to shade her eyes...Ms. Elsie our guide in China would have loved this...lots of umbrellas are used in China to protect you from the sun and heat!

This is a joy of basically being potty trained...when you gotta go you gotta go!! Mom took her to the park on Friday and that was the 1st time this happened. She wasn't sure about not having toilet paper but mom showed her how to shake it off! Well we went on Saturday and guess what...you got it a repeat performance and then again today. Somehow I think she is gonna fit in just fine at the farm...I knew she was related to cousin Walker...he has loved to go outside for as long as I can remember!

Her OCD came out on this tower...she had to pick up every piece of bark and clean it off.

Climbing up the slide...I thought it would take her awhile to figure this fun trick out.

My little dare devil. She started up this one and mom said she can do it. Well needless to say my heart is still skipping beats...all I could see was her crashing to the ground!

We finished today off at celebrating mom's birthday by going to lunch with Mary Ellen and then swimming at her pool. As you can see below swimming makes horsies very thirsty so Shelby was helping him get a drink.

Blessed Sunday, exciting Monday!

Shelby was baptized yesterday and it was a wonderful day! It was VBS Sunday and it was the perfect ending to a wonderful week. Shelby was sure tired by Friday but she enjoyed VBS so much...thanks Ms. Connie for letting us sneak in!!!

The Jordan crew!!!

The Harnist family!!!


The Happy Glenskis!!!


Tonight we said goodbye to Ms.Amanda our social worker...it was our last offical follow up visit. We won't say goodbye for long...we will be seeing her in a couple of weeks to play. I give her high praise! She listened and supported me during many ups and downs on my journey to motherhood and for that I am thankful for her compassionate ear!!

Bitter sweet weekend...

This weekend we took an overnight trip to Paris Landing State Park. Shelby did great on the ride thanks to her book Ham Bone book Grandma gave her and her new Care Bears DVD (mommy got to sit up front the whole trip).


We arrived at the park and met up with the Wardskis to have a picnic lunch. Aunt Nikki & Kenzie came back from the bathroom with a frog. Shelby and Daxton thought he was pretty cool...Amanda did not!



Then it was off to the pool...please don't look at the grown ups in swim suits to long! Shelby loved the kiddie pool-being able to walk with freedom like a big girl was pretty cool!




Now to the bitter sweet part of our weekend. It was time to go see the bench. For those of you who don't know about the bench it was made in memory of firefighters and friends who had a love for golf but have left ahead of those of us still here. It's something we've been meaning to do but haven't until now. I'm so glad we went together even though for a few moments as we were getting ready to leave it felt like we had lost our daddies, husbands, and pa pas all over again! My daddy is blind Frank and Opie was Nikki and Amanda's. They were the best of friends and thanks to the luck of the draw in softball a 100 years ago our families were joined. The golf course was kind enough to let us use 4 carts and we were off to the 4th hole. This was their favorite golf spot ever and that I got to see and enjoy it is truly a blessing for me as I prepare to leave Tennessee. I got to be a part of something that made my daddy so happy. He would probably say being with family, the beach, and the 4th hole at Paris Landing made his life happy and complete!



You can see why they loved this hole...an amazing view indeed!!




The back of the bench is also significant. On the right is a part of a firetruck. The left is my daddy's putter known as black beauty. It was made by Opie for my dad. He was legally blind and didn't have peripheral vision and black beauty made it so he could put straight ahead...you can imagine how his golf game improved! You should know that these 2 items were not only placed for the memories but they also double as drink holders...use your imagination for exactly what drinks with that motley crew they hold! Cheers everyone-bottoms up!










Love this moment between Ms.Diane and my girl!

We finished off with dinner at the lodge and I just loved Daxton going all cave man with his baked potato...such a cutie!


These are a few from the other night. My girl loves sweats...ice cream and whip cream are at the top of her list. She wasted no time getting over to Gram to steal a bite. I got her her own bowl and keep hearing "one more squirt please"