May 9th

The date of May 9th is a big one in our family. Five years ago May 9th we found out we were pregnant. For those of you who know us well, you know this was nothing short of a miracle. After 2 1/2 years of fertility treatments, we had decided we were done. We found out in April that year that our 2nd IVF treatment had failed, and we said good-bye to our fertility center. So, one month later, when there were two lines on a pregnancy test- we were beyond shocked. 9 months later we had our miracle son- Brett.

This is one of my favorite pictures of you Brett. Covered with mud and oreo crumbs from your t-ball game- you are all-boy and I love it!!

Jan. 4th, 2007

Then, three years later- on the very same date- May 9th- we got an email that would change our life forever. An email saying that we had been approved to review the file of Hua La Yu- our Kate. You were just 8 months younger than your brother and had had open heart surgery- something we knew very little about. After numerous phone calls to doctors and a lot of prayer, we accepted your referral and started making plans to bring you home. The four months between seeing your picture for the first time and holding you in my arms for the first time were the longest four months of my life- but they were so worth it. God knew we needed you- and we are so grateful that He chose us to be your family.

2011

2010

Happy Mothers Day

I could not be any more blessed than to have these two to call me "Mommy". I am so thankful that God trusted me to be their mom. It is hard to believe that there will be three precious faces in these photos next year. Just six more weeks and I will be a mom to three. Not too many years ago I wondered if I would be a mom at all- and now- well my heart is so full.

Happy Mothers Day to you all- and especially to the most amazing, loving, sacrificial, fun, godly, compassionate, unselfish and incredible mom I have ever met- my sweet mom!

Soccer

Both Brett and Kate are playing soccer for the first time this year. Kate originally said she did not want to play, but then changed her mind. I, thinking this would be the only time they would get to play on the same team together, went back and signed her up. When the schedules came out I found out that they got put on separate teams. Kate is on the 3 year old team and Brett is on the 4 year old team. It really is better for both of them, but I was sad that they didn't get to play together. And now, between gymnastics, tball, and 2 different soccer schedules, we stay very busy! I have to admit, though, that I love it!!!

My soccer studs

Brett- with his signiture "tongue out" pose

Getting instructions from coach Luke

Brett with his buddies Mary Joy and Sam

Brett and TJ- TJ is waiting on his little sister to come home from China!!

Defense

Got it!!

Brett's first goal!!!!! (sorry I cut off the actual goal)

Kate scoring a goal during practice- think she is excited?

Taking a break

Check out how big the shorts and socks are on her :)

Go Little Rascals

Running down the field

Happy girl! At least during practice- once the game started she stood on the field and cried- the WHOLE game. After the promise of a bag of chips she did much better in her next game- and by her third game she actually scored a goal!!

Taking it down for another goal!! Brett scored 2 goals his first game, 2 his second game, and 1 his third game.

Kicking it in!

Love this picture and the next one- look at the little boy in blue next to Brett- they collided in the picture above- and in the picture below he is on the ground and Brett is scoring a goal!!

Gotta love the tongue- he only does this when he is playing sports

Ma and Kate

Brian told someone that the only reason Kate was playing soccer was so I could get some pictures. Well- I think it was well worth it- she is adorable if I do say so myself!

Kick it!

Playing some defense with her buddy Harper- two little girls from her class at school are on her team.

Please don't hit me!

Kate scores her first goal!!!!

Kate with her buddy Sam

Brett with his buddy John Hayden

Daddy-Daughter Date Night

Brian took Kate to the Daddy-Daughter date night at Chick-fil-A a few weeks ago and they had the best time. She knew exactly what she wanted to wear for her daddy- her "blue dress". I went into her room, opened her closet, and said "What blue dress?" - to which she quickly ran to her dress up trunk, pulled out her princess dress and said "This one!" So, guess what she wore on her date- yep- a princess dress! She was so excited. Brian said when they got to Chick-fil-A she got out of the car and said, "I love you Daddy- thank you so much for taking me on this date!" Those of you who know my sweet husband well, and who know how long it took for Kate to really trust him, know that he was crying all the way into the restaurant after that remark.

Rock Ranch

I have A LOT of catching up to do- and I do mean A LOT! Thought I would start with this one from my birthday in November. If you read this blog at all you know that I love the Rock Ranch. So, for my birthday we rented a wagon there (see below) and spent the night! The kids (and I) were so excited!! Mom and Dad planned all the delicious meals, and we sat back and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. The first few pictures are of another trip to The Rock Ranch that we took earlier in the fall. The bottom ones are from my birthday weekend.

Brett driving Kate around- 12 more years and he will really be doing this!

Kate trying to drive Brett around. She crashed about 1 second after she started driving every time. Maybe we will wait until she is 20 to let her get her license!

Riding the ponies

Sliding down the tunnel- a favorite for both of them. We did this over, and over, and over again.

They have the cutest little "Tiny Town" there with kid-sized playhouses resembling everything from a bank, to a school house, to a church. Here is Brett making me an ice cream cone at the bakery.

Kate handing out money at the bank

Fireman Brett

Brett playing in the corn house

Mr. Truett Cathy was there that day so we got to get a family picture with him- such a treat!

My boys

Wrestle time with Daddy

Riding the cow cars- hey Kate

Trying to catch a fish. This sweet man got them all set up and Brett got his line caught in a tree. He walked over to the man, tapped him on the shoulder, and said, "Um, excuse me sir, we have a small problem."- I laughed so hard.

Kate trying to pick up a pumpkin

My sweet boy

For those of you who know me well- here is my traditional cookie cake

Bedtime story by flashlight by the campfire

Our wagon where we got to sleep

Kate and Ma trying to stay warm

Brett peeking at us from under his sleeping bag- when we went to bed it was freezing- and I do mean freezing- the temp. in my car said it was 29 degrees!!!- Brett says, "Um, I don't think this was a very wise idea"

See- told you it was freezing- look at all the ice crystals on the napkins

Snack time with Daddy

Daddy Bob making us some hot chocolate

The inside of our wagon

Pumping water- the kids thought this was wonderful

The view

Ma taking Brett and Kate exploring

My sweet husband and me

Uncle Rob showing Brett and Kate the cows up close

Getting a ride on Uncle Rob's shoulders