3 amazing years

I think I might try to resurrect this old dusty blog. Maybe. Or this might be my only blog post this year. We shall see.

Yesterday marked 3 years that Mercy have been home. How in the world is that even possible? It seems just like yesterday that I was in Ethiopia. All the sights and sounds and smells are all so fresh in my memory. I miss it. Don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those who was ready to go back the moment I stepped off the plane. While I did leave a piece of my heart there I needed time to process all that I saw and all that my heart felt while I was there. While my heart is forever connected it wasn't an easy trip for me (that's putting it mildly) but I DO want to go back. I want the rest of my family to be there with me next time.

Mercy and I spend some time yesterday looking back at pictures and videos of her in Ethiopia and of her when she first came home. She's changed sooo much. It's hard to believe she was ever such a tiny little baby. She's such a active, sassy toddler these days. She NEVER stops talking...EVER.

Today Mercy and her brother wanted to have a picnic in the backyard. What a perfect way to celebrate FAMILY! As we were all laying on a blanket in the backyard I tried to burn every one of the memories into my brain forever. I never want to forget these little moments that make life so amazing. Canaan flying around the backyard with buzz lightyear in his batman PJ's and Mercy right behind him with Woody while they both sing to the top of their lungs. Sun beaming down, beautiful dogwood trees, the dog laying beside me, kids laughing, wind blowing, eating peaches right out of the can. God never let me forget these moments. Never let me forget how blessed I am. How special my life is. That even in the midst of chaos I have soooo much happiness. My heart sings Your goodness.

Mercy's birthday

Yesterday was Mercy's 3rd birthday. Hard to believe she's already 3. I wish I could press the pause button on life. Everything is going way to fast. My "baby" is getting big. For her birthday breakfast she wanted Hello Kitty pancakes.

That afternoon we just hung out together as a family. Nothing special but a great day. The birthday girl wanted pasta and breadsticks for dinner. Then it was time for cake and presents. She wanted a hello kitty cake and I made a sad attempt at it. Who cares...Mercy loved it.

Happy Birthday, Mercy! We love you so much!

So how much did she cost?

2 years!

It's hard to believe it's been 2 years ago since I held Mercy in my arms for the first time. I will never forget that moment as long as I live. As soon as I reached for her she leaned into my chest and I began to breathe her in and look over her sweet body from head to toe. The same way I did with both my bio babes the first time they were placed into my arms. It's mommy intinct..the way God created us to be. The moment when she reached up and touched my face...ahhh, I was her mommy and she was mine.




What an amazing 2 years it has been.

Had to share this great adoption fundraiser

As most of you know I LOVE Matilda Jane clothing for miss Mercy. It's a funky little clothing line that I adore. A family adopting from China is having a raffle to raise money to bring home their daughter Keliah home. The prize is a Matilda Jane gift card! How cool is that! go check out their blog and buy a few tickets!

Fundraiser Blog

Christmas catchup

I need to get better about updating my blog but most of the people who read it are on FB so they already know what's going on with our lives. It's just life as usual here. Christmas was wonderful. Probably one of my favorite Christmas' ever. Nothing really special happened but it just felt perfect. A white Christmas for the first time that I can remember and 3 sweet kids who I love more that life. It was so much fun to curl up on the couch with all my loves and watch movies with snow falling and a fire in the fire place. There was very little rushing around from one house to the next to see all the family this year. We spent all of Christmas day in our PJ's and we all loved every minute of it.

Canaan's favorite gift....buzz lightyear wings

My 3 and their cousins

The kids with their grandparents (Sean's parents)

Canaan & cousin Andrew

My rock star

Addison Christmas Caroling at the Veterans Home with her classmates

Christmas Caroling

Sean & I before going to a Christmas party with friends

Our Christmas tree with all our special ornaments. The ones the kids have made me.

Addison baking cookies for Santa

Mercy gift from Nanny & PawPaw

Nanny and some of her grandchildren...isn't my sweet baby niece so cute.

My sister, Lisa's kids were sick and couldn't come to mom & dads so we opened presents on Christmas Eve over skype

Aunt Diane and Mercy.

Addison was pretty excited about this gift don't ya think? Her own digital camera

Canaan got a batcave...he loves it.
Santa brought Addison a necklace
Santa brought Canaan his beloved ironman glove

our WHITE Christmas

Mercy playing with her presents

It wouldn't be Christmas if Mercy didn't eat Santas cookies

Checking out her stocking

how about pictures....

Guess who's potty trained?

YAY! I couldn't be more excited to get Mercy potty trained and out of diapers. As most of you know I cloth diaper and I'm OVER washing diapers. She's a potty training pro. She decided she wanted big girl panties so we got her some and she never looked back. As a prize for learning to go potty like a big girl we got her a new baby doll. Here's Mercy and her new BFF Senia.

Chattin' with Mercy

wow...where did the past 5 months go?

I didn't mean to fall off the face of the blogging world but somehow I did. Life has been super duper busy just being mama to 3 fabulous kidlets.

I decided about 3 months ago to quit my job of 15 years and just be a mama to my babies. It's been so rewarding. My cup truly runneth over. No, it's not always sunshine and lollipops. There are plenty of times when I'm up to my eye balls in poop and temper tantrums but honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Mercy has changes so much in the past few months. Her personality has changed so much. She's fun and spunky. She's quite sassy as well. She's testing boundaries alot lately. She's a little different than my other two in that she can throw some really ugly tantrums. WHOA! Sister will throw herself on the floor and kick and scream. Yikes. I am not that mom that I use to say "control your child" yikes! We're working through it and teaching her how to use her words to tell us what she wants and needs rather than throwing a fit. We'll get there...eventually.

She's so super smart too. She talks soo much. She can carry on a full conversation with you. It's so cute. She loves playing with her brother and sister and they all get along so well for the most part. They have their moments but they do love playing together.

It's summer break so Addie is out of school. We've been to the beach for vacation and spent alot of time at the pool. All 3 kiddos love to swim. Great summer so far.

I feel a little caught up now and hopefully it won't be 5 months between blog posts again.

Mercy feeding her babies

1st Christmas home & playin' catch up

Wow. Seeing Christmas through Mercy's eyes was absolutely amazing. She loved all the Christmas lights and getting to visit family. She LOVED opening presents. I wasn't to sure how she would do with that but it didn't take her long to get the hang of it and to start tearing into wrapping paper like a pro. We really took the time to soak in her 1st Christmas WITH US.













Also, some big changes are happening in our family. After being a workin' mom for 10 years I'm going to be staying home. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm excited to spend more time with my kids. They are growing up SO fast and I'm missing so much. I've been with my company for 15 years but things just aren't the same anymore so I decided to take a buyout and focus more on my family for a while.

Mercy is doing so GREAT. She's really adjusting well. She's such a good sleeper and eater. It's been so cool to watch her develop her own little personality. She's a little bit sassy but very sweet. She had her first time out the other day. She didn't like that AT ALL. She's learning quickly that hitting our brother doesn't go over well in this house. :) She's finally started talking...ALOT! Favorite thing to say, No ma'am mama. It sounds so cute coming out of her little mouth. She's starting using the big girl potty a little bit too. Could I be so lucky to have an early potty trainer?! Please Lord let it be!! :)

I'm hoping to resurrect this dead blog so keep checking back. :)