Isn't She Lovely

Switching Over~

2011-06-26T16:31:00.000-04:00

It is official~

I am switching over to Everything Beautiful

and will hide Isn't She Lovely July 1st.

That means...

I need my followers to go to

Everything Beautiful

and click the Follower button~

I have placed it at the top of sidebar for easy access.

If you are not a follower yet...

PLEASE go to

Everything Beautiful

and click the Follower button~

I have placed it at the top of sidebar for easy access.

Why should you click the Follower button?

I will be choosing a Follower winner

via random number generator

on July 1st for a Sew Shay camera strap

made with the fabric of your choice.

Why else should you click the Follower button?

It would just make me happy!

SO~ NO more posts here.
You must switch over to get the Ankerich news
as of today. :)
New blog~
Everything Beautiful
@ everythingbeautifulshay.blogspot.com.

Thank you ALL so much!!!

School Home~

2011-06-25T22:28:00.004-04:00

All of a sudden, SJ has taken a big interest in doing school.

Yesterday she said, "Mom, I want to do school home."

aka~ Home School

I pulled out a few mazes and she worked for a long time on them.

She couldn't wait for her Baba to get home to see her work.

She has a very long attention span and will work as long as I am willing.

Today she worked a good 45 minutes tracing letters and names

I wrote with a highlighter.

She's very diligent and learning SO fast!!!

So proud of my baby! :)

Need a Will Fix?

2011-06-24T21:12:00.004-04:00

Facebook is a wonderful thing at times~

especially when a family posts that they are about to fly

to China for their little girl @ Philip Hayden Foundation

where Will lives.

Yep, that happened and I immediately sent Gayle a message

that our Will was there.

Asked her to blow him a kiss while she was there.

Well, she did WAY more than that!!!

You guessed it~ PICTURES!!!!! YAY!!!

Gayle actually sat on the floor and played with our baby~

This is what Gayle shared~

Quite honestly...the pictures we took of him are not the best...we were trying to be discreet as the ayis were there and Sara said that they do not yet know about Will being adopted and we couldn't talk about it or make it obvious.

I have sent this picture separately because it is my favorite...i didn't notice the sweat coming down on his face, or I would have wiped it for him! He is such a sweet little boy with a quiet disposition, but slowly we 'made friends' and he was happy to play blocks with me/us. I was showing him how to blow his tower over and he loved that! This picture is of him holding up his tower...this was his 'proud little smile' as he held it for the picture. I truly cannot wait to follow your journey of bringing him home...i am excited to watch him bloom and open up as he is loved on by your amazing family!!

Thank you SO much Gayle for loving on our son

and giving us this precious glimpse of him!!!

More pics of Will's house and PHF to come. :)

My Blog Changes Yet Again...

2011-06-23T09:43:00.002-04:00

I have really struggled since seeing Will that our blog name had to change~

thus Embracing Love Everyday.

Didn't LOVE it and continued to search.

I have had my bible for about 11 years and it is MARKED up

with notes from sermons, bible studies, and just God speaking...

I sat last night and this morning pouring over all the underlined scriptures

to see if one would speak to me.

I FOUND it in Ecclesiastes 3!

Ecclesiastes 3:11

"He has made everything beautiful in its time.

He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;

yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

This scripture speaks volumes to my heart right now.

Seems so perfect to find this Word at this particular time in our lives~

25 years of marriage and searching for what God has for us now.

NIV explains "we can never be satisfied with earthly pleasures and pursuits.

Because we were created in God's image~

1. we have a spiritual thirst,

2. we have eternal value, and

3. nothing but the eternal God can truly satisfy us.

He has built in us a restless yearning for the kind of perfect world

that can only be found in His perfect rule.

He has given us a glimpse of the perfection of His creation.

But it is only a glimpse;

we cannot see into the future or comprehend everything.

So we must trust Him now and do His work on earth."

My blog is a way of documenting "everything beautiful in its time"

and all that encompasses in our family.

In the next weeks,

I want to switch over to a new blogger location

meaning my blogger address would have to change.

everythingbeautifulshay.blogspot.com

Wondering what to do?????

In the meantime,

hope you like the new look~

The title is here to stay~

the header may change.

Happy Thursday!!!

A Little Rosie News...

2011-06-22T19:32:00.003-04:00

Haven't spotlighted Rosie lately...

She got 7 inches cut off her hair~ VERY cute~

She made varsity football cheer leading this year

and has had camp all this week~

She also has a summer job keeping my nephew's boys

but since she had camp this week, they stayed with us.

We swam every morning and the fav~ Popsicles!

A cute one of SJ~

Rosie also kept the littles last night

while we went out for our anniversary.

Here they are watching us drive away~

I tried to persuade Scott we didn't need to spend the money on dinner

but he said, "It's our 25th anniversary~

there are just some things you HAVE to do!"

Rosie shot these photos of us before we left.

I love this B&W one~

We had a great dinner away reminiscing over the first 25 years

and praying over the next 25-50 years. :)

We're shooting for our 75th anniversary!!!

Think I'll still be blogging??? LOL

The passage read at our wedding~

Ruth 1:16-17

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

Black and White Wednesday~

Wild Olive Tees Adoption Fundraising Program

2011-06-22T15:16:00.002-04:00

We are excited to announce we are one of the featured families @ Wild Olive Tees.

There are eleven featured tees for you to choose from.

Click HERE to visit~

When purchasing a tee, you will need to add our Family Code~

ANKERICH0611

for us to receive credit for the sale.

Please note the family code will not reduce the price of the tee

but will give us credit for your purchase.

If we sell up to 49 tees, we get $7.50 per shirt

and if we sell 50 or more, we get $10.00 per shirt!

SO hoping you will love the shirts and buy away!!!

The Silver Lining~ 25th Anniversary

2011-06-21T14:06:00.003-04:00

On the first day of summer and the longest day of the year,

I get to celebrate 25 years of loving my precious husband!

Today is our 25th silver wedding anniversary

and I sit thinking, reminiscing, and being thankful for silver linings...

In the song Josh sang Sunday, some of the lyrics say~

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think its more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining~

We have had some of the sweetest moments in our marriage

(births and adoptions)

and some of the saddest as well

(deaths and moves)...

all working together to make us who and where we are.

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do.

Scott and I are celebrating by being at home doing the normal things of life.

He is working in his home office.

I am taking care of children and doing house chores.

The thing that makes our marriage so strong

is not putting huge expectations on the other person.

We always thought we'd go away for an extravagant vacation to Hawaii

but instead we are home living life anticipating

our 'vacation' to China coming later in the year. :)

Sad? NO~ exactly where God would have us be!!!

Thought I would share a few of the silver lining moments in our last 25 years.

Our very first picture ever taken together in 1983~

Dated 3 years of my college years~

Got engaged in November of 1985~

My engagement announcement photo.

Rehearsal Dinner photo~

Married June 21, 1986~

Honeymoon bound~

Had our first baby, Savannah in 1989~

Amelia came in 1992~

Rosie was born in 1995~

Sarah Lenox and Parker were born and in Jesus' arms on their birthdays.

Then God began speaking to us about adoption.

In 2006, God sent us to China for EllaKate~

2010 God sent us back for ShayleeJoy~

This year we celebrated the marriage of Josh and Savannah~

becoming a bigger family with 5 daughters and one son~

and have SO much to look forward to...

sweet Will!!!

I am SO thankful God has allowed us silver linings over the last 25 years

and know He is just getting started!

The next 25 will be the best to come I am sure!!!

SO what are we doing to celebrate?

Living life at Lakeshore Drive with the blessings God has given us~

can't think of anything better!!!

James 1:17~

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

For This Child I Prayed~

2011-06-20T23:25:00.005-04:00

1 Samuel 1:27

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him.

Sunday was a day we will never forget...

ShayleeJoy JingJing was dedicated to the Lord!

The Burgess family shared about their work @ university in China

and the love they poured on the people in Putian City SWI.

The morning began with two littles loving on their baba!!!

SJ's first Father's Day with her forever baba~

Our house was full of love this weekend and

we loved loving on the Burgess family

who was here to speak in our church

and be a part of JingJing's dedication service.

The service was perfect

with the Burgesses speaking, Jing's dedication,

and Josh singing J's song!

We were SO blessed to have family and friends

here to help us celebrate.

A friend with a Putian City son was here all the way from Nashville

and it was SO sweet to spend time getting closer and sharing~

Thank you Heather and Zion for driving so far

and for the precious frame you gave Jing!

Jing loved Ms. Sheryl reading her books~

Besides our two huge families,

we were surrounded by other adoptive families~

the moms and their babies...

The Brooks Family~

The Warwick Family~

We were also loved on by family~

and John Daniel~

This is such a sweet photo of Lydia and Jing.

Lydia loved on Jing when she was still in the orphanage~

she said she would run into the baby room,

scoop her out of the corner and take her outside

where she would sing and dance and pray for her~

Oh Lydia~ how I love you so!!!

Rosie and Sammy~

A cute set of twins~ LOL

After a day of amazing JOY,

it was time to say goodbyes and see you soons~

The sweet thing is we will see the Burgesses again

when we travel to get Will.

They live about 45 min away from where we will stay

so it will be the sweetest thing to be together again soon!

And the MOST bittersweet part of the day

was watching two cars with half my children go driving out of the drive~

Josh and Savannah headed home

and Amelia headed to college.

Scott and I had once again had a VERY emotional Sunday

similar to the one we had the day after the wedding~

change is so hard yet so necessary.

Wouldn't change a thing!!!

Because I am very blessed~

Psalm 45:11~

Let the King be enthralled by your beauty;
honor Him, for He is your Lord.

A Sweet Father's Day~

2011-06-20T09:05:00.004-04:00

We had a very sweet Father's Day

(dedicating Jing!)

and celebrating with a house full of love!

What could be sweeter than a dad with his beautiful daughters?

First year for SJ with a forever baba!

A dad with his beautiful daughters and one son?

How about next Father's Day with two sons?!?!

Last year for Will not having a forever baba!!!

(Sent to me by Jennifer along with the video!)

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,

and the hearts of the children to their fathers … Malachi 4:6a (NIV)

How Do You Spell D.A.D.?

The time we have with our children is a gift from God.

Depend on God!

Always love them!

Devote your time!

(Rick Warren)

JingJing Love~

2011-06-19T22:09:00.002-04:00

We saw JingJing for the first time in Feb 2010,

accepted her referral,

and sometime in July, I received an email from Lydia Burgess

describing the love she had for little JingJing.

At the time, it was exactly what I needed to continue the wait

for our precious baby!

Then in March, we were able to meet the Burgess family

and spend time listening to their life in China.

They described their day to day life teaching in the university

and the time spent at Putian City SWI.

It just blessed us beyond belief that they had loved on JJ

before we ever knew her!

We were able to choose a weekend for them to come for a visit

and this just happened to be it!

It was SO close to being perfect~

we were just missing Cathy and Joanna!

Our weekend included...

face to face love~

a little swimming~

sister time~

just hanging out~

rides in the boat~

a little computer time~

being together~

one on one time~

family~

How do you even put into words what they have done for JJ?

My heart is SO full for the Burgesses~

they are one of the most precious families we know

and will always be a huge part of JJ's story.

They were here for her dedication service today

and I will post about that tomorrow. :)

Would you like to SEE Will?

2011-06-18T15:54:00.001-04:00

Jennifer says~

A little long (and slow in some places), but as his Mama, I'm sure you'll enjoy. He thought it was quite a fun game to pull the stopper out of the ball and then have me blow it back up again :)

A Little Good Will this Morning~

2011-06-18T08:17:00.002-04:00

Annie posted these adorable photos of Will.

He loves being outside and playing on the playground!

Annie said Will would put sand in his bucket

and just laugh and laugh!

Is this not the sweetest face???

Sara giving Will a little tickle~

And then Popsicle time!!! :)

I just can't put into words how amazing it is

to see sweet Will through the eyes of Annie!!!

SO thankful!!!

Move In Day

2011-06-17T22:59:00.003-04:00

Today we moved Amelia to college for the summer.

She will be taking one class and getting college basics under control

so that when fall comes,

she will be completely comfortable with the whole college scene.

She is rooming with her best friend from middle school~

We just took the bare necessities~

Bed made and ready~

The moving crew~

And why were these two so happy?

Because they both went back home with their families

for the weekend...

Happy Father's Day!!!

Pool, Ladybugs, and Will~

2011-06-16T22:47:00.004-04:00

EK invited some of her friends over after Bible School today.

They enjoyed a picnic lunch~

SJ constantly says, "I want to do my 'wimmin' lessons"

and ready to shed her swimmy.

Having the time of their lives~

Josh gave EK a ladybug land kit for Christmas

and we finally got around to ordering them.

They came in the mail today and everyone thought it was SO cool!

They came in a canister ~

They needed water~

EK said, "This is SO exciting!"

Careful observation~

AND a few new pics of Will...

doing puzzles at preschool~

playing in the sand~

and eating~

and eating!

All in all, it was a wonderful day!!!

This and That~

2011-06-15T14:14:00.002-04:00

Today I woke to another photo of sweet Will @ preschool.

He was so diligently working on his finger painting~

and while EK was @ bible school,

SJ asked if she could paint not knowing I had a pic of Will painting too~

Don't you think they favor each other???

Bible School is going great!

EK says she loves it every day.

Today as we walked away SJ asked if she could go to her Bible School~

I said next year when she was 4 she could go...

she wrapped her arms around my leg and said,

"Yay! I LOVE you mama!"

When we get home,

it is time for lunch and today after EK was done

I looked over to her bar chair and this is what I saw~

Poor baby curled up sound asleep on that hard chair...

What in the world will she do when she has to make it all day @ K?

Definitely think naps will be a necessity. :)

Another SF Friend

2011-06-14T11:18:00.003-04:00

A while back I commented on a FB post of Jennifer

and saw that she would be at SF along the same time as Annie.

I told her about Will and hoped she would meet him.

Yesterday, I got a message from her that she had in fact met him

and completely fallen in love with him.

She said she actually has to sensor how many pics she posts of him

because people will know who her "favorites" are. :)

She sent me three pictures right away~

and wrote~

"Sharon - your new little guy is wonderful...and quite welcoming! Like Annie, when I walk in the house, he takes my hand, walks me over to the floor, has me sit, and plops himself down on my lap. Yesterday when we were outside, he was having such a great time and thoroughly enjoying his melon treat. I find myself having to sensor and not post all of the pictures of him because then it becomes obvious that he is one of my favorites :) What a blessing!"

She also sent me these three as well~

She wrote~

"Perry being a goof...would've been better caught in video. Joy decided that Perry wasn't eating fast enough so first she spoon fed him and then held the dish of soup up so that he could drink it."

Then today I received word from Sara @ SF

that Will started preschool this week.

I am SO interested to see what he is learning

but these photos are just precious!!!

Playing with duplos!

Sara wrote~

"Will just started the preschool today and he seems to love it!!!"

Sitting in his chair looking so handsome!

LOVE the backpack~

Won't he and SJ LOVE doing school together???

New Item for Will's Auction~

2011-06-14T10:51:00.001-04:00

Esther Beth Moore Bible Study Set

A Joyful Heart to Will

A BIG Day for 2 Littles

2011-06-13T22:10:00.003-04:00

~ EK went to Bible School and LOVED it~

On Saturday, Scott jumped in the pool to cool off

and before we knew it, SJ had jumped right beside him

without her swimmy (she had no idea she didn't have it on).

I freaked just a smidge and Scott grabbed her right away.

I knew right then it was time she had lessons.

So today Amelia asked SJ if she wanted to do swimming lessons.

SJ said YES!

And just look what happened in the first 5 minutes~ not kidding!

She is natural fish!!!

Since way before the wedding,

EK has had about 5 loose teeth

and just in the last 2 weeks 2 permanent teeth have grown in

behind the two front bottom ones.

One was barely hanging on and Scott said it was time for it to come out.

He grabbed some floss and I my camera~

And you may remember,

EK is very afraid of the tooth fairy

(don't know why)

SO, our elf Hermie is coming to drop off the money...

not in the house but in her carseat in the car.

We have had this planned for a very long time.

Wonder what will be in that little pocket in the morning. :)

Weekend Recap

2011-06-13T20:38:00.002-04:00

We had a great weekend!

Really the first chance to get out on the lake in a while.

Saturday evening we went out for a dinner picnic~

until a little storm blew over~

We made it home just in time!

On Sunday, after church, we headed to the lake again.

This time the littles begged Amelia

to ride the tube with them,

SJ's first ride ever~

and EK rode by herself for the first time ever~

We were so proud of her!!!

It was also the first time EK&SJ had helped Dad wash the car~

Although there was WAY more playing in the bubble bucket

than washing the car. :)

A very fun weekend!

Ride 'em Cowboy~ Will

2011-06-12T22:45:00.002-04:00

Annie posted these sweet pics of Will and his best friend Grayson~

A few days ago when I was in House of Peace, I took out the rocking horse there for Perry and Grayson to play with. They had so much fun and (for the most part!) took turns with it very well! Perry laughed really hard when I'd whinny like a horse as he was riding. Maybe cow-poking is in his future!

I'd say he's going to LOVE the horses

right across the street as much as EK&SJ!!! Yay!!!

Will's New Clothes

2011-06-11T21:03:00.003-04:00

When I found out Annie was going to SF

to spend time teaching and would be seeing Will,

I had to send him something.

I didn't want it to be too personal so soon

like a photo book or anything.

I had a pair of blue crocs that EK had worn

and decided to send them.

Annie also took him some clothes

and from her post, you can see they were both a little big.

He is much smaller than I thought.

This is what Annie had to say~

Perry receiving the clothes from me and crocs from his family that I brought. He and his housemates were playing outside when I came with the stuff and the ayis immediately took him to the corner of the sidewalk and started dressing him in it. He was very excited to try on the crocs and took his sandals off right away to put them on. Everything was a little big on him, but he'll grow into it eventually! It was so much fun to bless him with these little gifts! <3

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Sweet Will (from Annie)

2011-06-11T09:50:00.003-04:00

Our son Will is called Perry @ Shepherd's Field.

Annie has been his sponsor and is there teaching for the next few weeks.

She has blessed me every day or so with emails

about what she is learning about Perry/Will.

On June 2, I got an email from her that said...

"As for his personality, he is a total sweetheart. He's not *real* good at sharing his toys, but I'm sure his two new big sisses will fix that! He's not one of the "yelling, jumping, wild" kids :), but also not too shy or quiet. He came right up to me the first day and started playing, slowing coming closer until he was on my lap. :) He babbles and talks to me a lot, but of course I don't know what he's saying... :(. He smiles all the time and LOVES to pose for pictures so he was meant to be your son for sure! He loves to be tickled and will laugh and giggle very easily!"

On June 3~

"I saw him today and found out that his bandage on Children's Day was from falling against something and getting a cut. He had three stitches but the bandaid was off today and it looked fine. We read books for a little bit and he loved that. Then we played with the clear lego buckets, putting them on and off our heads and laughing. He is so much fun!"

On June 9~

"I saw him twice today for about 1-2 hours each time and we had a ton of fun. He recognizes me now and comes running whenever he sees me, which completely melts my heart :). In the morning we played outside for awhile with two of his ayis and housemates Josh and Melissa. He mainly was driving one of the big toy cars around, turning the steering wheel really fast and then pushing the horn and repeating "beep beep!" after me. :) He loves to look at the pictures I take of him on my camera and always points to himself when he sees himself on the camera. :) When it was time to go inside, he took my hand and led me into the house where we sat down and played some more. He loves legos (the big kind) and built a really big car today for me to take a picture of. :) After my classes were over I went back to House of Peace and hung out with him and the other kids again. He sat in my lap for most of the time, playing legos, climbing all over me, and laughing when I tickled him. He is so much fun to spend time with and his smile is the very cutest thing in the whole world. I LOVE how his eyes completely disappear when he laughs...it is precious. :) And his cheeks are SO kissable... <3 In short, I've completely fallen in love with your little man and can't WAIT for you to see him in person!! Hopefully very soon!"

Then Yesterday,

Annie posted 4 times about Will!!!

I could scarcely take it all in.

I am going to post each one separately

and today I start with...

Perry Part 2~

Reading books...he was so careful turning the pages and examining how each pop-up worked

(even though most of them were ripped out!)

Perry's room...his bed is the one with the teddy bear on it :)

Putting the lego bucket on his head...a favorite pastime! :)

Perry and the camera strap his mommy made for me...awww... <3

Nearly every day at some point I find myself traipsing over to the House of Peace to cuddle with my adorable sponsor baby, Perry! He is so squeezable and his laugh always makes my heart feel ten times bigger. He's starting to recognize me now and come up to me right when I enter his house, ready for playtime or a little tickle. It is so amazing to know that he has a family coming for him very soon and I feel keenly the privilege it is to love on him and minister Chr1st's love to him in their place while they are waiting to come to him. Enjoy these pics, Ankerich family! Your guy will be even more adorable and wonderful when you see him in person! :)

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25: 35-40

Cousins

2011-06-10T23:14:00.003-04:00

Scott is the youngest of his three siblings

and has many cousins.

Two of them were visiting this week

and we had them over for dinner last night.

We walked out to show them our backyard

and took a group photo of them.

Today EK and SJ's cousins Max and Adelyn

came over for swim.

Here they are playing beside the pool.

EK has been a little sickly all week

and I took her to the dr yesterday because she had ran a fever for 3 days.

She had a sinus infection~

today I walked into the family room

and found her curled into a ball sound asleep.

Believe me...

that definitely means she is sick.

She never sleeps during the day otherwise~

SO happy for the weekend!!!

A Joyful Heart for Will Adoption Blog

2011-06-09T14:58:00.003-04:00

When I posted on Monday Will is Real,

I had several donation offers for an auction blog.

I have spent the better part of today

revamping ShayleeJoy's Joyful Heart auction blog

to make it Will's.

I am excited to reveal

A Joyful Heart to Will Adoption Blog

is up and ready for donations.

When you click to our website,

you will see our button and code in the sidebar.

We would LOVE for you to get the code

and add our button to your blog sidebar.

We would also appreciate any FB posts or Twitter tweets.

Any way you can spread the word will make the auction

more successful and known.

If you have an item to be auctioned,

please email me @ shayankerich@gmail.com.

I was so excited to have been on FB just a little while ago

and saw a new photo of Will!

Who cares that his eyes are closed...

isn't he still adorable!!!

(In the red, white, and blue striped shirt)

Savannah & Josh's Wedding Slideshow

2011-06-08T21:50:00.001-04:00

Savannah received a wonderful wedding day slideshow!

It is wonderful and she is so excited to share it with everyone!

For any photography needs be sure to contact MyLife Photography!

Catherine is fabulous and helped make our special day very memorable.

God is REAL too!

2011-06-07T23:34:00.003-04:00

I want to thank each of you for your comments,

emails, suggestions, and gifts over the last 24 hours.

Let me share just a little of what God has done!

As soon as I posted last night,

I had two donations immediately equaling $125

and you know why that is amazing?

We had to mail our dossier documents to Houston today

and guess how much we needed??? Exactly $125!!!

God is REAL and SO good!!!

Then today I worked on preparing a packet to be sent to our agency

so our dossier can be sent to China hopefully by next Friday.

Again we needed $2300, $480, and $80.

I had the $2300 in my adoption account for this reason

and had no idea where the rest would come from.

I was going to wait about mailing until we could figure it out~

all of a sudden I heard my phone ding

and looked to see a $500 donation!!!

Why am I surprised???

God is REAL and providing right when we need it!!!

I've had so many great suggestions today of ways to raise funds

and hoping to get an auction going in the next few days.

We still have international travel fees, in China travel fees,

and the orphanage fee to raise.

I am SO excited to see how God is going to bless.

To HIM be all the glory and blessing

in the miracles that are blooming!!!

May He bless you all!!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

The Bravest 3 Year Old I Know!

2011-06-07T22:49:00.004-04:00

While we were at the beach,

Amelia was able to help SJ start jumping from the side of the pool.

She LOVES going under and will say again about a million times.

Today she was out in the pool with Amelia

and guess what she began doing???

Jumping off the diving board!!!

Slow motion shots...

SO SO SO proud of our second little fish!!! :)

Will is Real!

2011-06-06T21:11:00.006-04:00

I have written this post in my heart and head about a million times

but something different comes out each time.

How do you come out and say we NEED help

except to just come right out and say it.

I wrote two posts about how Will came to be our son

HERE and HERE.

We were not looking for him

and really thought when we came home with SJ

we were done.

God had different plans!!!

Even though God chose us to be Will's family,

there were and are many reasons why we could have said no...

why in the world's view it didn't make sense to adopt again~

Mainly

there is no extra money with two adoptions

and a major heart surgery/dental surgery.

Many people would say that should tell you something right there

but how do you tell God no?

We couldn't!

And we couldn't live knowing we had a son in China

and left him there.

We have to go get him~ we LOVE him!!!

All we know is that Will is Real
and he is waiting on us to come get him FOREVER!!!
I know and believe it is God's will
with every fiber of my being!!!
This little precious boy needs his Forever Family
and we need him!

SO we are asking for help...

1. Please pray for us and the provision we need to get to China!

2. Please place an order and allow me to sew for you!

3. Maybe you don't feel the call to go and adopt but want to help us,

we would appreciate a donation by clicking our Donate button!

4. Maybe you have an item you would be willing to donate to us

to sell on Craig's List or in a yard sale.

5. Maybe you have ideas for fundraising we haven't thought of~

we are at a loss for ways to raise provisions.

Won't you pray about a way you can help???

I remember when we finally accepted this call for Will,

Scott said it will take a God sized miracle for us to adopt him.

Won't you be a part of this miracle???

We know God has called us to this mission

and we are committed with our whole heart!!!

It our prayer that God bless you all

with every good and perfect gift from above!!!

(James 1:17)

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to His power that is at work within us,

to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

for ever and ever! Amen.

Adoption Update~

While away on vacation,

our I797 came SO

I made it to a notary, county clerk of court, and secretary of state

all today to have our documents certified.

Tomorrow I will send them off to Houston to be authenticated

and then hopefully to China very soon for a new Log In Date.

Then the real wait begins~ probably 3 months...

thinking we will travel sometime in October~

hopefully by Will's birthday on Oct 17!!!

Two Words~

2011-06-05T22:34:00.002-04:00

Back together!!!

at a wedding no less!!!

SO happy!!!

Beach Photos~

2011-06-04T22:48:00.003-04:00

After dinner last night,

the girls wanted to take photos on the beach.

I was SO happy!!!

The first thing they did was hop on the lifeguard chair

and guess what red words were painted right under Brooke's legs?

Yes... KEEP OFF!

The girls~

The Bigs~

Everyone had someone...

Amelia and Brooke~

Rosie and Leah~

EK and SJ~

Me and Scott~

Family~

Sisters~

The perfect ending to a perfect week~

SO thankful for our week away!!! :)

Things I LOVE about the Beach

2011-06-03T17:45:00.002-04:00

I wanted to share a few of my favorite things

I LOVE about being on the beach...

A precious husband that wanted us to get away so bad,

he was able to get another family to switch their week so we could come.

Four amazing and beautiful teenagers

that had a ball all week and loved just hanging out together~

Watching EK build castle after castle with such care~

A little 3 year old just home 9 months

already jumping off the side of the pool by herself

and says, "Again!!!"~

A patient Rosie that took her sisters to the pool when they asked~

A fun Amelia that took her sisters in the ocean when they asked~

A cooler full of drinks and snacks~

Beach chairs on the water's edge~

My chair and bag...

where I spent a lot of my time reading my Kindle~

Two little sisters that loved digging holes and burying their feet~

Sand toys~

A lemonade girl that sold delicious treats~

Adorable sandy cheeks~

Looking and watching that miracle called the ocean~

Gasping at all the beautiful treasures two littles found~

And just plain down time to enjoy our sweet children~

The only thing I didn't like about this week...

Josh and Savannah were not with us.

Just getting home from a long honeymoon kept Josh from being off again

BUT we will see them Sunday and I can't wait!!!

We head home tomorrow refreshed

and ready to enjoy the rest of our summer!!!

A Sweet EK Story

2011-06-02T22:02:00.002-04:00

There has been a very smart and beautiful labradoodle

on the beach all week

and EK was infatuated with it until yesterday...

All of sudden she is in my lap sobbing

and then she made me cry~

Amelia was upset too.

It took a little while to figure out what was wrong.

She finally cried out, "I miss Fisher!".

The only way to calm her down was to take her for a walk~

get her away from the labradoodle.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Today the littles asked me when we were going home.

I told them day after tomorrow.

EK was VERY happy

and SJ was VERY sad.

EK wants to see her dog

and SJ wants to live in this beach house forever. :)

Sweet Annie~ w/ update

2011-06-01T22:18:00.003-04:00

It happened again today...

I checked my computer for blog updates

before going back to the beach after lunch

and saw a PRECIOUS post on Annie's blog

about Perry/Will!!!

She wrote,

"Since I know his mama is waiting with bated breath for more pics, here's a boat load from the past few days. I am loving my sponsor baby! He is so sweet and his smile is the cutest thing in the world! Enjoy these, Sharon! I am giving him plenty of hugs and love for you! <3"

21 to be exact!!!

Oh Will~

you are SO very precious

and we are so in love with you!!!

Love Annie~

she is giving you my love while she is there!!!

*This morning I had an email from Annie

with some answers to a few questions I had...*

As for his personality, he is a total sweetheart. He's not *real* good at sharing his toys, but I'm sure his two new big sisses will fix that! He's not one of the "yelling, jumping, wild" kids :), but also not too shy or quiet. He came right up to me the first day and started playing, slowing coming closer until he was on my lap. :) He babbles and talks to me a lot, but of course I don't know what he's saying... :(. He smiles all the time and LOVES to pose for pictures so he was meant to be your son for sure! He loves to be tickled and will laugh and giggle very easily!

B&W Wednesday @ the Beach

2011-06-01T09:43:00.003-04:00

There is just something about the beach and black & white photos...

here are a few I converted and LOVE them!!!

Check out Lisa's blog for more B&W Wed! :)

The Big Girls~

2011-05-31T21:39:00.003-04:00

Amelia and Rosemary both brought friends with them to the beach~

Brooke and Leah.

What have they been up to?

Lots of laying out on the beach~

Helping EK ride her boogie board~

Making SJ a mermaid~

Playing ball~

Flipping~

Dressing up at night~

So we could go out to eat~

Or do a little outlet shopping~

Or make a stop at the hot sign~

No matter what they are doing~

you can be sure there is plenty of laughing going on...

They are having a ball too!!!

The College Girls~

The Sophomores ~

The Sisters~

They LOVE the beach!!!

BIG Surprise!

2011-05-31T12:50:00.004-04:00

I usually haven't opened my computer in the middle of the day

while here on vacation

but for some reason I did today and boy am I GLAD!!!

Why?

Annie made it to China and posted about it!!!

Who's Annie?

A precious girl who has sponsored Will while @ Shepherd's Field.

What's the BIG surprise?

Photos of Will (Perry)!!!

Annie and Will~

Will and a friend~

I am thrilled to know Annie is @ Shepherd's Field

touching and loving on our baby in person!!!

Completely takes my breath away!!!

God is SO good!!!

I am SO thankful!!!

l always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus.

1 Cor 1:4

EK @ the Beach

2011-05-30T22:25:00.002-04:00

EK has been to the beach

and absolutely LOVES it.

As soon as we made it to the condo,

she took SJ right to the glass door to show her the ocean.

I really believe SJ is so comfortable because EK is comfortable.

As soon as we are up each morning,

they begin asking when we will head to the beach.

We try to hold them off until around 9:30.

From the minute EK is out there,

she is on the move.

Searching for treasures~

Building and digging~

Swimming in the ocean and the pool~

And riding the waves on her boogie board~

Being outside all day,

is EK's dream life~

SO thankful to be here living her dream this week!!!

SJ's First Day...

2011-05-29T22:13:00.004-04:00

on the beach was the BEST way

to celebrate her nine months Forever~

seems like forever ago that she became our Forever daughter,

as if we have always had her.

We are SO thankful to be on vacation this week!!!

There is no way we could be taking this trip

had it not been for two very special people.

Scott's mom and dad made a very sweet decision

to purchase a condo in Surfside/Garden City~Myrtle Beach, SC

and because of their generosity,

all four children get a week at the beach free!!!

They would be SO happy that precious SJ

was able to step out on the beach today

and run toward the water for the first time ever!!!

She was not the least bit apprehensive ~

It was the cutest thing to see her holding out her arms

trying to keep her balance standing in the water~

She absolutely LOVED the water!~

At one point,

I looked up to see her walking toward the water

with a boogie board...

as if she knew what to do~

After watching EK for a minute,

she was ready to try it herself~

And not to worry,

she LOVES the sand just as much as she loves the water~

It was a wonderful day for all of us~

more about EK and the bigs later this week. :)

Adoption Update~

We are SO excited that a family has been at Shepherd's Field

over the weekend

and she told me in her post today~

"Sharon & Angie…saw your sweet angels…will share more with you when we return!"

Now that took my breath away~

someone actually saw our son and has news to share.

WOW, thank you Jesus!!!

SO EXCITED!!! :)

AND~

Annie, Will's sponsor, flew to China yesterday

and will be there for about 6 weeks or so

to teach English and play with the children @ Shepherd's Field.

She is planning to send us photos while she is there!!!

SO THANKFUL that we will see him again soon!!! :)

Graduation 2011~ Amelia

2011-05-28T12:00:00.001-04:00

Friday was a very big day for Amelia and our family~

her High School Graduation Day!

Weather was a concern but by early afternoon

all was well and graduation was to commence on the football field.

We had a family celebration before complete

with an ice cream cake from DQ.

We even sang Happy Graduation to her and John Daniel! :)

Last time out the door as a high schooler~

Amelia had quite the cheering section~

The field looked great!

She was SO happy and had fun the whole time~

We were SO proud to see her walk and receive her diploma~

Afterwards, it was photo time with all her wonderful friends!

She couldn't have asked for a sweeter group~

Family Photos~

And what topped the evening off perfectly?

A photo and hug from two of her favorite people!!!~

Coach Burch~tennis...

and Mrs. Ayers~ art teacher!...

It was the best of evenings~

perfect weather,

perfect length,

and perfect seniors!

Couldn't ask for anything more!!

SO proud of our amazing daughter Amelia!!!

Amelia...

2011-05-27T13:11:00.003-04:00

Through her years in School.

Tonight my second baby graduates...

to say, "Oh it's your second" is such an absurd comment~

no matter your first, second or last,

moms and dads are all struggling with allowing this precious one

to fly from the nest toward their next dream.

We all know it is inevitable but just so emotional.

The past month has really been a whirlwind of changes

with 2 graduations and the wedding~

the ultimate test of embracing the moment.

As I have spent this week reflecting

on the past 13 years of Amelia's life,

I can say without a doubt she has gained an excellent education

and has become an amazing young woman.

This will be a rather long post of photos

but if you will allow,

I want to take you back...

Through Amelia's years in school~

Kindergarten~

What a sweet face!

First Grade~

She loved Square Dance Day!

Second Grade~

Field Day was always her favorite day of the year!

Third Grade~

Already showing her artistic side!

Fourth Grade~

She had the spirit!

Fifth Grade~

She was an amazing gymnast!

Sixth Grade~

Seventh Grade~

Won the art contest!

Eighth Grade~

As soon as she left school each day,

she was in the gym 4-5 hours.

Ninth Grade~

Moved to Hartwell and picked up a tennis racket for the first time!

First day of high school~ Jessie drove her!

Tenth Grade~

Loved tennis even more!

Eleventh Grade~

AND

Twelfth Grade~

Our beautiful Senior!!!

Dear Amelia~

There are no words to express my heart.

To be honest,

I really can't even go there right now.

You are everything we could have wanted in a daughter

and SO much more.

You are thoughtful, caring, loving, helpful, hard working,

diligent, smart, artistic, honest, funny, happy, and believer!

God went BIG when He brought you into the world.

We are SO proud of you now as you graduate high school

and look forward to the blessings God is going to give you

as you chase your dreams!!!

"The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
~ Numbers 6:24-26

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
~ Rascal Flatts

Graduation Party

2011-05-26T23:14:00.003-04:00

When Savannah graduated,

we hosted a great party for her with family and friends invited.

We knew we wanted to do the same for Amelia

and decided it would be fun to have lots of senior friends/families

together for one big party.

Tonight was that night and was SO fun!!!

Everyone began arriving around 6~

Scott and his brother Larry grilled 100 burgers and 100 hotdogs~

My partner in crime, Cyrise...

thank you for everything you did to make this a great party~

John Daniel's dad and principal of the high school

said the blessing~

and everyone began making plates~

Others swam~

We had a great crowd~

Jing just took it all in~

EK and SJ loved playing with Aspen~

There was plenty of great food~

Then the bottom fell out

and everyone ran for cover~

Amelia and her beautiful friends~

Forever!

We pray God's richest blessings on each of the amazing seniors!!!

Today was their last day of high school~

Seniors don't have to go tomorrow.

They all went to the movies tonight

and the girls are coming back here to spend the night together.

Having the time of their lives!!!

Graduation tomorrow evening @ 8. (sigh)

The Box

2011-05-25T21:54:00.002-04:00

Not long ago,

I was at my mom's and noticed a beautiful toy box.

I made a comment how beautiful it was

and it wasn't long after...

She and Daddy gave us this~

What makes it so special?

The cedar it is made from was cut by my daddy on his farm

and taken to a friend of his who makes boxes.

I LOVE it!!!

Another reason I love it is...

when this little one plays like this~

I can let go of my once OCD toy clean up

and just throw it all in the Toy Box!!!

Why did I think organizing each kind of toy in a basket

was necessary???

There is no need...

This beautiful Toy Box has freed us from clean up CRAZINESS!!!

Thank you mama and daddy!!!

Adoption Update~

Today we buckled up

and drove to Kinko's

to make copies of our dossier~

so that when we come home

from our vacation next weekend,

everything will be in place to get our dossier to China!

New Family Photo

2011-05-24T23:33:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, we all traveled to Marietta

for Caitlin's wedding and Savannah was matron of honor.

I was determined to get new family photos

with Savannah and Josh~

The Newlyweds~

Our precious children~

We couldn't be happier~

to see our precious baby this week~

and since I had new photos of everyone,

I decided to give the blog an update.

Wish I could figure out how to add paper to the side...

please let me know if you can help. :)

The Baby~

2011-05-23T22:38:00.003-04:00

Today I awoke to a message

that I had been tagged in two photos...

my heart leaped out of my chest!!!

Could it be new glimpses of our baby???

YES!!!

Learned two new things about him...

1. He likes books~

2. His eyes disappear when he smiles

just like Jing's do~

OK... one more~

He gets cuter and cuter every time I see him!!!

SO SO thankful to know he is well and happy.

God is good!!!

Progress with the adoption process...

We had our fingerprints taken on April 28th

but received notice that Amelia's did not take.

We took her back last Tuesday and it is all good now.

We have been approved and waiting for the official document.

Getting it done.

Baccalaureate~

2011-05-22T22:48:00.002-04:00

After a relaxing afternoon by the pool,

(SO great to have Josh and Sav home this weekend!)

Amelia and her friends were both blessed and challenged

at their Baccalaureate Service tonight.

We enjoyed wonderful speakers

and a 2011 senior slideshow...

LOVED watching for Mill. :)

Sweet friends~

Nicole, Sarah, Amelia, Brooke

Mad face~

Excited face~

Scared face~

Amelia and John Daniel~

Rosie and Emily~

Little sisters~

So amazing to think Amelia has just one week

left in high school~

God has blessed her beyond measure

and we are SO proud of her!!!

Time with Tia

2011-05-21T21:20:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we enjoyed a play date

with friends we hadn't seen since we stepped off the plane

in Greenville from China with SJ.

Ellie and Tia were there to meet us that night

and we were happy to see them again.

The girls didn't miss a beat...

they were off playing in no time flat~

Tia and EK wanted mostly to be outside...

Because of two little puppies~

Two of them...

one for Tia and one for EK~

SJ was WAY more interested in watering

all Ms. Ellie's flowers~

At one point,

we could hear Tia and EK giggling but didn't know why.

Thought they were hiding from SJ

but come to find out,

they were hiding two puppies in Tia's closet dressing them up. LOL

They should have been in trouble

but what did Ellie and I do???

Grabbed

our cameras! :)

Thank you Ellie and Tia~

we had a great time!!!

Showtime~

2011-05-20T22:29:00.004-04:00

Amelia has always LOVED PE at school~

pretty much wanted it every semester she was in school.

One of the favorites in high school is Showtime

and this week her class traveled to several schools

to perform their 'show'.

The littles and I went to North Hart to watch

and it was fantastic!

Here are a few photos...

(Maybe a video later...)

Littles SO happy to see their Mimi~

Getting ready to perform for the school~

Good job Amelia~

Drew LOVES to aggravate EK

so this was a photo taken as a truce~

Part of the team~

Seniors~

A GREAT show!

Amelia's New Room

2011-05-19T13:55:00.004-04:00

A week from tomorrow Amelia will graduate from high school~

(graduation announcement)

WOW... talk about where did the time go?

On Sunday, she was recognized at our church

and as we were eating lunch,

she decided she wanted to paint her new bedroom.

SO she and her dad went to Home Depot

and came home with a gallon of Wisteria paint...

and she went to work...

a little wanna-be helper~

went from yuck yellow to wonderful wisteria~

took her all of 2 hours...

Why the move?

This was Savannah's room while she was in college

so now that Amelia is going...

she goes into the Savannah's room

and Rosie moves into Amelia's room

and EK/SJ move into Rosie's room

and Will moves into EK/SJ's room.

Fruit basket turnover!!!

SO FUN!!!

Adopting a Boy

2011-05-19T13:44:00.001-04:00

Wordless B&W Wednesday

2011-05-18T12:16:00.005-04:00

They're Home!!!

2011-05-17T23:09:00.002-04:00

Today was a major day for us...

we were notified the day before the wedding

that Amelia's fingerprints did not take

and we would have to take her back.

So we headed back downtown this morning

and walked right in 4 days early to get them done again.

Hoping to have approval very soon!

Then we were off to Savannah and Josh's apartment

to unload a carload of wedding gifts,

run to the grocery store for them,

and just hang out waiting for them to get home.

It was actually a rough trip...

~ Savannah's phone went missing

~ Late leaving Hawaii and missed connection @ LAX

~ Made it to Atlanta but missing luggage...

SO we were REALLY happy when they walked through the door~

A daddy SO thankful to hold his daughter again~

Oldest and youngest...

Savannah said SJ had grown~

There was so much to talk about~

and gifts to receive~

My 6 precious children back together!!!~

AND a momma and daughter reunited!!!

We can talk all we want now that

They're Home!!! YAY!!!

EllaKate~ (lots of words today)

2011-05-16T09:26:00.004-04:00

I have put this post off because it makes it just SO much more real.

SO real that EllaKate will be starting K in the fall

@ North Hart Elementary~

Something that I never thought she would do...

I've kind of been a little joke here because

when EK was 3, I took her to register for preschool

but never took her in the fall~ just couldn't let her go yet.

Then when she was four,

I actually let her go for almost two months

and just couldn't be away from her and pulled her out again.

Just couldn't let her go yet.

I guess since bringing SJ home

God has been working in my heart to prepare me

for His decision about EK and school.

Really had not given it much thought~

just thought I would be homeschooling her and that was that.

A precious friend even offered to let me borrow her curriculum

for a year before we chose our own.

Scott tried several times to talk to me about it but I wasn't listening.

In the last few months,

I have caught glimpses of how much EK has matured

and how much SJ needs me for comfort and security.

Then in the fall, we will add Will to the mix of attachment and bonding.

School is not a new thing for us.

I taught K, 1, and 2 for 18 years before bringing EK home

then God changed my heart from teaching to being home in 2006.

SO why the big deal???

I was always THERE with the big girls,

seeing them throughout the day,

talking with their teachers,

and knowing the inside scoop of all that was going on.

Now I will drop her off,

watch her walk in on her own,

go home and pray her through the day,

and come back to scoop her back into the security of her family each day.

A big step of faith for both of us!!!

SO Friday, I took EK to register and she is SO excited!!!

Everyday since she has said,

"I really wish I could start to school right now!".

That makes my heart feel good~

she's ready even if I'm not. LOL

Praying already for her year ahead

and all the sweet teachers/people who will touch her life.

Jeremiah 29:11

“

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
”

2011 Tennis Banquet/Awards Day

2011-05-15T21:13:00.003-04:00

Last Monday evening, Amelia and Rosemary

had their tennis banquet.

It was a wonderful evening of celebrating

their great accomplishments...

This was Rosemary's first year on the high school team

and she received a team award

along with 4 other freshman friends~

Rosemary and Betsy~

This was Amelia's fourth year on the team

and as a graduating senior,

she was awarded several great things~

Coach Burch had such sweet things to say about her~

Senior girls with the coach~

Captain pin~

All the awards she received~

Thought this plaque was especially nice

recording all her HS sports accomplishments~

One of the sweetest things Amelia said about her coach~

"He's my hero"...

that's the best compliment I can think of~

Beautiful girls~

Couldn't be more proud of our senior!

Later on in the week on Thursday morning,

Scott and I attended the HS awards banquet.

Amelia and Brooke~

Rosemary received the Highest GPA in College Prep World History~

Rosemary and Emily~

Hard to believe Amelia is coming to the end of her senior year

and Rosemary her freshman year~

time sure flies!!!

SO SO SO proud of our sweet girls!!!

Are You Wondering...

2011-05-14T12:11:00.003-04:00

About the honeymoon couple?

To say I have lived to see a pic, talk on the phone, or read a text

over this past week is an understatement...

Savannah and Josh have been SO gracious to share their life

with us over the last week.

Nothing major, just a snip-it here and one there

adding up to a lot of happiness for this momma!

I have been happy they haven't shared too much

and enjoyed the week just being a newly married couple!

Here are a few photos Josh took with his phone

and sent to us~

The first day Savannah sent this photo of the pool~

Taken the second day while on a morning beach walk~

A Luau they enjoyed and had the best seats~

Josh said he was with the most beautiful girl there~

Breakfast at the Ritz overlooking the pool~

and finally the honeymoon couple!

SO happy~

They went snorkeling one morning

and took a sunset sail cruise one evening

along with a menagerie of other things.

She has sounded so happy and excited every time we have talked~

really can't believe she is there

and can't wait to go back someday. :)

Dreams come true!!!

Mother's Day

2011-05-13T12:54:00.004-04:00

Mother's Day was wonderful and bittersweet all tied together

with smiles and tears...

Wonderful and smiles because I have SO many blessings~

Last year with no ShayleeJoy

to this year with her forever momma!!!

My precious family minus Savannah, Josh, and Will.

My sweet ones right here around me~

The love of my life that swept me away 25 years ago~

Craziness that goes on even in the midst...

and gives me joy~

My mom (SO amazing), dad and siblings~

My sister and her family~

My brother and his family~

ALL the children in our family with Will on the way~

Sweet, sweet Addie who was dedicated this Mother's Day~

And mostly for the privilege to be a mom~

to my married daughter and her new husband...

to my two beautiful teenage daughters,

to my two adorable Chinese daughters,

and to a little Chinese son far away on this Mother's Day...

sure to be in my arms this time next year!!!

My heart is so full...

of all that's wonderful and smiles

as well as bittersweet and tears.

Nothing could have prepared us for what we would feel

the day after the wedding but know for sure,

no matter how hard it was to let her go,

Our dreams came true when she gave her heart to the very one

we prayed for so long...

the one that now holds her heart in his,

the one that we dearly love just like our own~ Our BIG son!!! :)

So you see,

"Real tears are not those that fall from the eyes and cover the face,

but those that fall from the heart and cover the soul."

~ Unknown

My soul is covered and I am oh so thankful for every smile and every tear...

if not for both, there would be no love.

I wouldn't change a thing!!!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. . .And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - excerpts from 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

The Reception

2011-05-12T22:37:00.001-04:00

Once the wedding started,

I wasn't able to get any photos...

it was time to just be in the moment!

An amazingly surreal moment I might say~

to see this precious couple come together in Christ...

Scott and I had no tears throughout the whole day

(that all changed Sunday:)

due mainly to the busyness of the day

and just how FUN it was to be with family and friends at our house. :)

And to see the fruition of all the work

we had put into our home and yard!

The following shots were shared with me by Jennifer,

Josh and Savannah's sister-in-law.

The Reception began with the parents and wedding party being introduced

then Josh and Savannah headed to the dance floor for their first dance

and to give us all the biggest surprise of the evening...

Their sweet friends Brian and Maggie spent a couple of hours one night

teaching them some dance steps

and J&S practiced about a month for their big debut~ This Crazy Life...

It was FANTASTIC!!!

The Video!!!

Josh's roommate Jim and his band played

and they were amazing!!!

Everyone LOVED dancing~ especially the kids!

The tables looked beautiful~

J&S left around 10 while we all waved sparklers in celebration!

We were thankful to have John Daniel and Drew here

driving golf carts and moving chairs~

got a sweet pic of him and Amelia...

This was a cute pic to end the night...

a bobby pin train~

Amelia had about 50 in her hair...

I think we finally hit the pillow about 1am~

once we knew J&S were safe and sound @ the Westin.

They left Atlanta Sunday around 3p, for Maui

and are having the time of their lives!

SO thankful their dream continues to unfold~ SO happy for them!!!

SO Gorgeous~

2011-05-11T15:16:00.001-04:00

The images on Catherine's blog

{My Life Photography}

are Gorgeous~

You have to go see!!! :)

Last Moments Before the Wedding

2011-05-10T22:15:00.005-04:00

While Catherine shot the groom's side photos,

we had some down time before the wedding began.

My two sisters~ Marcia and Amy...

Memommy and SJ got Adelyn to sleep~

Max had a snack~

Savannah was SO calm and happy~

She had a seat on the floor in my room...

she and Josh never saw each other the whole day~

We took the chance to get a few more photos~

Just plain adorable!!!~

Another sweet thing about having the wedding at home

was all the sweet people that came back to see everyone...

didn't get pics of everyone but got this one of Pam~

About 5:50, we all lined up for the big processional~

butterflies in my stomach and SO happy for this dream to come true!!!

Outside Wedding Photo Shoot

2011-05-10T15:53:00.003-04:00

We have lived in our house almost three years this summer,

lived across the street from a fence and field,

and never thought of shooting photos there...

guess where Catherine took the wedding party to shoot?

The field!!!

It was beautiful!!!

I tried to stay our of Catherine's (the pro!) way

so took photos from the background~

SJ was SO happy to finally have her white dress on...

EK loved her's too but not so happy about the tall grass~

We followed Savannah around~

Sam helped SO much~

When we were all finished,

we headed back across the street so the boys could have a turn.

LOVE this photo of Amelia and Rosie holding Savannah's dress!!!

We did get a few family shots as well~

Love how Max just took it all in~

Just SO beautiful and happy!!!~

The Boys~

I love the photos I shot SO

I know I will LOVE the ones Catherine shot!!!

Can't wait!!!

Getting Ready for the Wedding

2011-05-09T10:25:00.003-04:00

For ten months, we spent endless hours

talking, planning, praying, and dreaming of this day.

None of it equaled what it turned out to be...

Truly one of the Greatest days of my life!!!

Savannah and Baileigh were up before seven

and SO very excited!!!

My biggest job for the day was ironing

the wedding dress and flower girl dresses~

Scott still had SO much to do and headed out early~

he actually dug up a stump

and planted a 'Parker' tree in it's place.

Will be SO sweet to always remember it was planted

on Savannah's wedding day!

Our wedding planner arrived around 10 to work on the arbor

and tables...

We were expecting Lori, my hairdresser and her sister @ 11

so we all got dressed and enjoyed breakfast/coffee.

Loved how all the girls wanted to be together~

they hung out in the tub. :)

Even the littles got in on the fun~

Hair ready and waiting on make up lady~ Sarah Scroggs~

My sister, Marcia who kept coming by to check on us

and run errands for anything we needed!

Couldn't have made it without you!!!

Thank you SO much!!!

You may think this is crazy

but I think it really hit me that this was really happening

when our photographer walked in~

Catherine Park @ MyLife Photography.

She was the very first detail we decided on

and everything else just came as a result!

She was fabulous the whole eight hours she and her assistant were here!!!

She began shooting the girls as they gathered in our bedroom~

the bride's room...

I thought and said over and over

how wonderful it was to have the wedding at our home~

there is just nothing like it...

so personal~

so special~

so sweet~

so beautiful~

The perfect place for family and friends to come back

and visit before the big event~

So far the day was absolutely perfect~

glorious weather

excited bride and bridesmaids

everyone on time

details being checked off

and no tears. :)

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The Wedding~ Sneak Peak...

2011-05-08T22:58:00.003-04:00

I know you are dying to see a few wedding photos

so I'm posting just a few to tide you over until I can tell

the whole story.

I will spend this next week giving you a little piece at a time.

My beautiful Savannah~

The Gorgeous Bridesmaids~

Pure Beauty~

I could hardly believe it was really happening!!!

Dad either~

Our family~

I can't even use words to say how perfect this day was~

from the moment we all woke up

to the moment when they drove away.

A perfect wedding for our first daughter!!!

You can also check My Life Photography in the next days

for images shot by our photographer Catherine!

And add it on Facebook...

It's been a very long and emotional day

so I'm headed to bed and will share more tomorrow!!!

Rehearsal Dinner

2011-05-08T17:37:00.003-04:00

We enjoyed a wonderful Rehearsal Dinner @ Cateechee Golf Club

hosted by Josh's parents, Ben and Barbara Dove.

The food was delicious and toasts SO sweet!!!

Josh's dad, Ben and Jason...

Josh's roommate, Jim played and sang for us~

Does she look happy or what???

Tables full of love for the special couple~

The happy couple~

Party was so fun,

it wore SJ out!~

My beautiful girls~

And when the evening was late,

the bridesmaids came back to our house

for a slumber party! :)

A very sweet night and so excited about the wedding!!!

The Rehearsal~

2011-05-07T12:37:00.003-04:00

Was just perfect.

Everyone arrived right on time

and we all practiced exactly what we were to do.

A few photos to enjoy~

The crowd~

Bridesmaids, except Jennifer~

Tony with Scott's sisters, Jan and Susan~

The beautiful bride~

The handsome groom~

The Bridesmaids~

The Groomsmen~

The Flower Girls~

Me and Jingy~

My sister Marcia holding Adelyn and Sam holding Max~

Amy and Jingy~

Josh's parents, Ben and Barbara

with the ring bearers, William and Daniel~

Me and my mom~

The Father of the Bride!

All done!!!