Tyler's PreK Graduation and Program

I can't believe my baby boy graduated from PreK yesterday. He is an official kindergartener now he says. Today we're going to cut off his long cute bowl hair cut and get him a big boy hair cut. He's been begging me forever to get his hair cut like Austin's and I said he could when he became a kindergartener and his teacher's told him yesterday that he was now, so off we go. I'm attaching some video's and pictures from his program. He had the longest line in the whole show, he said," Sit back in your seats, we're ready to go. Strike up the band, get on with the show." He did such a great job. I'm so proud of him and the sweet boy that he is. He is my little sunshine, always smiling and trying to make everyboday laugh. If he can be on stage and making people smile, then he's happy. Congratulations sweet TyTy, you fill Mommy's heart with joy.
His Best Friend

His Pictures on the Program Slideshow

His Precious Teachers

Getting his PreK Diploma

His Laua Party

I Love the Mornings

I love the mornings, and I definintely did not use to be a morning person, but this is what I get to wake up to every day. These smiling precious faces are the joy of my life and I thank God for them. Austin is always the first one up. Getting him up and ready for school has never been a problem. He wakes up in the happiest mood every day, refreshed and ready to go. His spirit gets me up and going. Tyler is my sleeper. He doesn't start school until 9am so some mornings he's still asleep after Austin's already gone. He's the one I do have to wake up, but when I do he opens his eyes with the sweetest softest smile and quiet "good morning Mommy." And my sweet baby girl Nicole wakes up with such joy. When I walk in the room she smiles the biggest smile and sometimes laughs with excitement. When I walk to her crib, she lifts her sweet arms and kicks her legs with joy when I pick her up. She is another little Austin, waking up in the best mood. Good sleep must help, she sleeps from 8pm to 7am. And, thank goodness for the baby monitor. She hardly makes a peep when she wakes up. She just plays with her lovey or fingers until I come in. When the boys were little they didn't have the video ones just the audio, but they would talk and talk. She's so quiet, I'd never know she was awake if I didn't have the video. Baby things get cooler, every year.

Mother's Day 2010 - A Dream Fulfilled

Two years ago, Mother's Day 2008, Eddie gave me the most thoughtful Mother's Day gift. He knew I had wanted to adopt for a while and through that time he was praying about it and searching within himself if that was something he really wanted to do. I collect Willow Tree figurines and on that Mother's Day he gave me a figurine with a Mommy, Daddy and little girl and told me that day that he too felt as strongly as I did about adding a child to our family through adoption and that he was ready to get started on the process. I will never forget the tears of joy I cried that day. Fast foward two years and that figurine has come to life. I use to always say things like, "It would be so great if she were home for Christmas or maybe she'll be home by Easter" but having her home for Mother's Day couldn't have been more perfect. It's full circle from where we started. I'm so thankful God opened our hearts to this journey. I absolutely can not imagine our life without her, she has added such joy and love to our family. It's been so fun to see Tyler as a big brother and Austin as such a sweetheart with a little sister. And Eddie, oh my, what a little precious girl can do to such a big strong man. He is a big marshmellow when it comes to his little girl. I love what she has brought out in him. He was the most amazing Dad before, but seeing him with her, I can hardly put into words. People use to always tell us that we were doing such a wonderful thing adopting and giving a child a life and home. It couldn't be more opposite, she has already given us so much more and we're only four weeks in. We still have a lifetime of blessings to come. Thank you God for this wonderful Mother's Day and for our little angel that could have only been sent directly from You.

Nicole's First Pool Party

The heat has officially arrived in Houston, reaching into the 90's last week. We kicked off the hot weather with a neighborhood pool party. Nicole loved being in the water, she laughed and splashed and was upset when we had to get out. She'll be a little fish like her big brothers in no time. Tyler stayed in the pool all day, only coming out long enough to eat. He was one big raisin at the end of the day, he reminded me of his Aunt April.

Mischievous Little Thing

Today was such a fun day and we didn't even leave the house. We have been so busy running around it was nice to be home and boy did she get around. She had a ball with her basket of diapers and then her first spaghetti dinner. These pictures are priceless!

Grandparent Visits

Over the past few weeks the grandparents have been coming in to meet their sweet grandbaby. It made me cry everytime each one of them held her to see and know the abundance of love outpouring for this little angel. There are so many people that love and adore her. I am so happy for her and this wonderful new life. I am so grateful to be a part of it, thank you God!

We're Home!!

We are so thankful to be home!! Having all three of my babies in my arms at the same time was better than I could have ever imagined. The boys were so excited!! They have been so great with her, so many hugs and kisses and Austin is just in love with her. He wants to hold her all the time and Ty is being absolutely Ty, trying to make her laugh every chance he gets, our little comedian. God has blessed us with miracles every step of the way up until the moment we were able to board that plane Thursday, with 16,000 flights being canceled we were definitely worried, but again He provided the way home. Seeing this little angel with her new family and the joy and happiness coming from her, it breaks my heart to think joining these Russian children with loving American families could possibly stop, it just can't. My journey continues to be one of prayer for all of you waiting to bring your children home. The positive outcomes so outway the negative ones. I can't imagine what her life or ours would have been like without each other. I'm praying for you all.

One More Day

Now I can say we're counting down the hours, not days until we are home. We spent the day at the Kremlin and Red Square again. We were there almost all day and she did so great. Even though the stroller and pack-n-play were bulky and a pain, they were so worth it. The stroller has been a life saver and allowed us to really get out and about. We've also had the most amazing weather, sunshine everyday. Eddie hasn't worn a coat the whole time we've been here. It's been great for sight seeing. We hadn't done hardly any souvenir shopping so today was our last chance. We got some really cool hats for the boys. We also found her an authentic Russian dress, a spoon to start her collection, a Faberge Egg jewelry box, and a Nesting Doll, of course. While in Kaliningrad we got her a pretty little dragonfly necklace with four amber stones in it, the four different colors of amber. Kaliningrad produces 90% of the worlds amber because it is right on the Baltic Sea, there is amber everywhere. I bought myself a green amber stone ring and pendant to always remember the special place where she was born. Tonight we'll stay in the hotel for dinner and call it an early night. The packing is almost done and we are ready to be on that plane. 17 hours till boarding!

US Embassy Today

We went to the US Embassy today to get Nicole's American Visa. Oh how we have been waiting for this day. Needless to say, it's been crazy being over here in the midst of everything that is going on. The news is awful here on Russian television and I can completely understand their anger at this woman and her unforgivable decision. I just pray they don't stop everything due to this terrible case. It breaks my heart to think what this women in Tennesse could have done to waiting families and waiting children, and all the lives she could have ruined with her selfish acts. My heart goes out to the families waiting for their court date. I will be praying for you all. From what I have learned while we've been here, court is still taking place. Adoptions have not been suspended on a whole, but some sort of treaty between the two countries needs to be signed. We know our region has put into place more requirements and restrictions.

Despite all the stares and looks we've been getting, we're still getting out and making the most of our time in Moscow. We've been here since Friday and it really is amazing!! St. Basil's, Red Square and The Kremlin are sights I will never forget. We had a lot of time to sight see, but I am so ready to get home. We saw 5 other families at the embassy today, 4 boys and 2 girls total. The woman at the embassy was so happy to see all of these famiies. She asked us to please fulfill our requirements and keep up our post placement reports because they wanted to see this room filled with adoptive parents for many years to come. It was nice to be there and feel such support. We could come home tomorrow, but of course Wednesday is the only day of the week that Singapore doesn't fly to Houston so we have to stay until Thursday. I miss my boys so much. I can't wait to come through that kitchen door and have all three of my children in my arms at the same time. The journey we all take to make this a reality is not easy, it takes your whole heart, body, mind and soul. I will continue to pray for you all that have worked so hard to bring your babies home, God has and will work miracles.