You have to get by these 3 first if you broke into our home

Our guard dogs, Sadie, Emma and Willy. This is how I find them taking naps sometimes when the front door is open.

Willy is the old man of the group at 12 yrs ...We actually delivered him along with 12 other puppies. We had the momma for just a week . She belonged to another man who could only have one dog in his apartment ...He was recently divorced. The momma had been brought to the vet where our daughter, Laura Jeane worked at to get her spayed...She was too far along and we stepped in to have her stay during her whelping and raising the pups till they were 8 wks. old. Willy was the alpha male of the litter...but now he is deaf and aging quickly. The last 2 winters we think he might not make it thru but always seems to. He has seen alot of children come into our family.

This is Sadie and Emma our pups...2 yr old. If you remember we got them for the kids at Christmas....It was a great decision and we certainly love our dogs. 

They would protect the kids for sure but they are as gentle as a baby with the kids.

They have something to tell you :)

Have you ever seen anything cuter ? Our twins, Jesse and Judah are starting to wear underwear during the day. They are doing pretty well too. Of course they go a zillion times because they are rewarded with an M & M. Two and a half yrs old and we are proud of their effort....of course this was all started because their favorite little person in the whole world - Mady has been on this potty training journey as well.

Some of the things we have been doing around here....

These were the cups I bought for Selah and Sari's party...we will use them many times for lots of celebrations.

This was the bird's nest treat we made last week when we studied birds....

I love the colors of this pic of the girls decorated table.

Joseph turned 23...Love this guy so much. He is out eat with us at the Outback...He loves his steak.

They could not believe Joseph was that " old " :) 

My two sweethearts with their precious smiles.....

My beautiful girls enjoying their b-day celebration

I love these girls and watching them feel our love and joy because of who they are ...created by the Lord in another mother's womb but given to us deep into our hearts....Happy Birthday Selah and Sari.

Guess who turned 30 ?

This was part of the group who was over or home celebrating Abraham turning 30 and Caleb turning 14. They had their b-days the week before but, they wanted to celebrate together...So last wknd. we had a joint party. It was the ever requested Dirt dessert and then I also made Banana Pudding.

Anyone else's family wrestle when they get together ? It is one of the kids favorite things to do at the moment...I even got down ( no pics though). 

Just plan old fun celebrating the life of these 2 guys in our family. Abraham was our first adopted child.  He came from Mexico when he was around the age of 2. He had been abandoned at an orphanage when he was about 3 months old. We gave him his birth date and have watched him grow from a toddler into an older man . I can't believe it has been that long ago when we first stepped into our journey of adoption. We have been adopting now for over 26 yrs with a time doing foster to adopt in the US. He is quite an amazing yg. man who loves music and really loves music and did I say - he loves music :) He plays a piano by ear and has perfect pitch and , he can plan any instrument . I have even seen him play a full size harp and did I mention he is blind. I was only 27 yrs old when we brought him home...3 yrs younger than he is now. He was raised with our original group of bio. kids - 6 kids in that group. He has welcomed many children since his adoption and is a great big brother.

Caleb has been home since 2008. He loves sports and is a very good student. He is found often by my side and even though he has this tough demeanor he is quite the softie at heart. I am proud of both of my boys and feel blessed to have them in my life.

They had fun even if they looked like they killed something with the color they created

This am Jesse and Judah created by finger painting. They had a blast doing it. You can tell to0 which one was the most comfortable with messy hands and making a picture ( mess ) . It was also hard for some of the others not to get in there and play. I guess we will have to have a bigger art time with finger painting.

Do you know what this little pow wow is about ?

I can not tell you how much seeing these kids sitting around planning their birthday makes me. They came home tonite from choir practice and I shared that on Friday was Sari's and Selah's b-day. This will be the first time Sari will celebrate her day of birth ever. She and Selah are turning 8. Last year was Selah's first b-day celebration. Can you imagine what that is like to have a day to celebrate your life and who you are for the first time ever ? They both are beyond excited...of course the others have told me their ideas for their parties ( even though they are many months away).

The smile on the face of a child who knows they are special, loved and wanted is priceless.....