Wordless Wednesday

Happy Easter 2011

  

To say our family had the perfect Easter is an understatement!  First and foremost we are thankful that Christ loved us enough to be nailed to a cross and die for our sins and then to rise again three days later! 

As many of you know we moved home, to northern Indiana over spring break.  We are residing back in the home that we built and later leased out when we moved to central Indiana.  We have had many updates done to the house prior to moving in and though we plan to sell and build again within the next two years, I must say it feels awesome to be back where our heart is:)

Last year as we just returned from China with our bundle of joy and we were trying to still figure out our days and nights, this year was extra special as we were able to enjoy the Easter season with all of our family, including our little princess!

Sunday morning the kids all opened their Easter baskets and enjoyed it.  As we will be heading to the beach for vacation later this year the three older ones received certificates they can cash in as vacation gets closer ~ they love this as it gives them spending money of their own while they are on vacation.  Gabriella enjoyed her Easter basket as well as a new bike the Easter bunny heard she needed:)  The best part of our morning was attending church with some dear friends who are like family to us and celebrating Christs' resurrection!  The peace, joy and happiness that we all felt that morning in church was truly indescribable!  After church we attended brunch at a new club that we have joined.  Jordan made eight trips up to the buffet, lets say he finally has the appetite of a growing teenage boy!  The rest of our family enjoyed it as well...it was fun meeting new families and spending time together:) 

The afternoon ended with an Easter egg hunt...let's just say that our baby girl can hold her own when it comes to competition; she won the event for collecting the most Easter eggs and also won both of the prizes for her age group!  The evening was spent grilling out, relaxing and enjoying hearing the laughter and giggles from our children and the neighborhood kiddos that spent the evening with us; life is very good and we truly feel blessed beyond measure!

I'm sooooo excited!!!!

I have always enjoyed photography and taking pictures however with the business of life, work, grad school, four children who keep us hopping I can honestly say I haven't really had the time to work on a hobby that I enjoy.  Sooo, my wonderful hubby is giving me an early birthday present and I am signing up to take photography classes with Lisa!  Feel free to go over to her blog and look at all the amazing pictures she has taken...this lady is incredible ~ not just in her photography skills but her heart for the orphans still in China is amazing.  Part of the proceeds of the classes she is offering will be sent to

which she created to help those left behind in China.  A few of my blogging friends have been blessed to take Lisa's classes in the past and their photos are amazing!  My friend Denise, who encouraged me greatly during our adoption process, has even created a photography business where she does amazing work with the skills she has learned!  Click on her name and check out her photos!

I'm taking the classes on line which intimated me a little at first however I realized if I could complete graduate school on line I could probably pull off a five week photography class on line too:)  I begin Lisa's class in May and I can't wait to share some photos with you during my time that I'm in class!

Praying you all have a blessed week!

Almost Wordless Wednesday...

We're HOME!!!!!

My Girl...

Thirteen months ago this precious baby girl was placed in our arms.  We had waited years, prayed countless prayers and hoped that who ever God had chosen to be our daughter that she would be able to bond with us and fit into our family well.

I have to say that God didn't just answer our prayers, He went above and beyond with the gift of Gabriella!  After being blessed with three wonderful boys I wondered how life may be with a daughter.  Amazing...wonderful...exciting...and yes, she is a mommy's girl!!! 

I love seeing her smile when she wakes up each morning and most days the first words out of her mouth are "I love you mommy". I love the fact that she can "run the house" at the ripe old age of 3!  I love when I walk in the door she says "Mommy your home, I missed you" and puts her little arms around my neck and hugs me with everything she has in her and we both squeal with excitement when we see each other.  She lets me do her hair.  She likes to do my hair.  She loves getting dressed up including dresses, jewelry, tights, hair accessories and a purse to match!  She LOVES shoes and really cute ones at that...she is her mommy's girl in this area for sure! She dances and twirls through the house as she does her ballet dancing.  Gabriella loves cooking, shopping, going for walks and playing.  Pedicures and manicures aren't optional. She loves to "match" mommy; in clothes, shoes, and even the other day she brought up hair color...someone may be getting some low lights very soon:)  What I love most about my daughter is her heart.  Gabriella's heart is loving, caring and sensitive to others and their feelings while at the same time being confident in herself and who she is. 

God didn't just bless me with a daughter, He blessed me with my girl and I love her with everything I have within me.  Thank you God for such an amazing, beautiful and perfect baby girl!