This is blog was created to share some tidbits of our daily lives

and advocate on behalf of the 143 million orphans around the world!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

On the mend...I hope!

It's been a long time! My entire family was sick...one after another! We've been through the ringer, but we're hopefully, FINALLY on the mend! Shew! God is good! Between ballgames, school, sickness, and a baby in the house, I rarely have time to do anything especially check blogs and update mine! Sorry! But I am going to try to post when I can! Little Lola Joy is 8 months and 3 weeks old. She is still doing so amazingly well. She is still bringing so much JOY to everyone she meets. She is now waving and waves and says "HEY" to everyone she meets...with a HUGE smile on her face, of course. If you say, "How big is Lola?" We say, " THIS BIG" and she puts her hands up over her head. She says "Mama" finally!!! She has pulled up on her toy basket as well as in her bed. She is a little dancer! Anytime she hears music she is movin' her little body to the beat! She loves ALL foods and would give up her bottle if we'd let her! She goes NUTS when she sees her bubba's after school. We race out of my vehicle into the house, wash our hands, and RUN to see our sweetie pie. We push and shove to see who can get to her first and by the time she hears us she is squealing with delight!! We are so blessed with three INCREDIBLE children! God is so good!!! So here are some pics!
Here are the kiddos at the Apple Barn in Gatlinburg!
I loved this fun pic of Daddy and his little monkeys!

How blessed am I???


Lola Joy had her first sucker!
I thought this was the funniest pic! I look in my rear view mirror and this is what I find!
Gotta love boys!!!!!!
Take care and have a blessed Thanksgiving!
We have sooo much to be thankful for!!!





Sunday, September 27, 2009

Family night fun

Lola Joy LOVES to look at books and to be read to! Can't have family night without some serious wrestling with Daddy.
These faces crack me up!!!
Lola and her big bro. (with slobber running down his shirt and he doesn't care!)
Lola and her bigger bro! So sweet!


Can you say precious!?? God is so good!
The 3 Musketeers!
What a fun night.
Counting my blessings this day!







Monday, September 7, 2009

Labor Day Weekend Fun

We decided to allow the boys to have a friend over to spend the night over the Holiday weekend. We rarely get to do this as Doug's work schedule is crazy, but we took advantage of this opportunity and had a blast!!!
The boys planned to play Flag Football. It was a blast watching them!
Team Red!Team Yellow

I love this pic of Doug! He really gets into it! lol! Baby, you've still got it!

Game on!





I love their faces in this pic! Keegan and Cole are smiling, and Bryson is serious!

This boy can kick it!
What a crew!

Later we headed down back for S'mores!

Even Lola Joy was there. No S'mores for you yet!
Fun at home!
I almost waited too long to get this one. Looks like Bry might drop at any moment! oops!

My sweeties!!!
Mommy's little helper!
We had SUCH an enjoyable weekend! It was SOO nice to have an extra day off with my kiddos and spend some quality time with my family. What a blessing they are to me.
God Bless!





Friday, September 4, 2009

6 months old and Home 2 months!!!

Lola Joy Kalkidan Stanley is 6 months old and has been home for two months. This morning, we went out for a little photo shoot. I am NOT a photographer, but had fun shooting this little princess.
This was a funny pic. Our neighbors kitty, Frosty, came to love on Lola.
Lola fell backwards and I loved this shot!!:)


I am getting good at sitting up now!




Again, she plopped backwards and I stole a pic!
She was being so serious!

Love those eyes!




Angel baby!

There's a smile!
You've got the CUTEST little baby face!
Lola Joy is the most precious little girl. For a little girl who was quite wobbly when we got her, she has made great strides! She is meeting her developmental milestones and is learning new things with each new day. Lola is rolling both ways, and rolls across the floor! lol! She is sitting up, saying "Da Da", eating rice cereal and pears. She smiles, she laughs, she loves! She is truly a gift from God. Our lives are enriched and full of JOY each day by her. God is SOOO good. She is adored by her sweet big brothers! They love her more than I could have ever prayed for or imagined. It's so amazing how God can work such a miracle. We are overwhelmed by emotion and blessed by the Call from God to be Lola Joy's forever family. Thank you God for this INDESCRIBABLE gift! We love you Lolee!!!!!


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Playdate to meet our new friend Bella!

What a personality! This is one fun girl!! Lola finished her bottle, so, Bella thought she'd see what all the fuss was about. Lol!

Amy and LJ making a silly face!

Bella having fun with Emy!




Lola, Amy, and Bella...I wonder what they're thinking!

Shelby got home from pre-k ready to play!
Fun with Keenan on the couch!


Heather feeding Lola Joy and filling us in on how things are going.
Sweet Bella and Me!
It was an amazing day with great friends!
We are so happy God has knitted this beautiful family together.