Pumpkin Patch Fun!

Over the weekend we were finally able to go to the pumpkin patch! We usually like to go earlier in the month of October to beat the crowds and be able to enjoy our pumpkins longer but this year it was a struggle! Between lots of things, mainly football and cheer, we have been super busy!

Last year when we went to the patch we had just been matched with Mia and all of us kept saying how "this time next year" she would be with us. So, to be able to take her this year was exciting! She wasn't sure about it at first, she still doesn't love crowds, but she warmed up quickly and had lots of fun!

We have been going to Griffin Farms since it opened several years ago and we love it there! They try to add to it and better it each year and they are doing a wonderful job! LOVE IT!

 Paw Paw was actually in town so he joined us!

 Reece had a loose tooth for several weeks before we went. Well, she was eating French fries while we were there and her tooth came out! Only in this family do you lose a tooth at the pumpkin patch!

 It was a fun day!

Happy Birthday Griffin!

On Saturday our Griffin turned 15! I can't believe time has flown by so fast. Sheesh. We celebrated on Saturday with lots and lots of friends and family. We had a big bonfire and hung out, watched the game, made hot dogs and smores and ate cake! It was a fun night!

And then today this happened...

Anyone want to tell me how I have a kid old enough to drive??? 

 Only one picture to share from the party because teenagers don't have time for grown ups! haha!

Happy Birthday Griff! I'm so excited to have my own personal chauffeur!

Mia's Birthday Party!

We hosted Mia's birthday party the night before her birthday! Mia loves to sing, dance, swim and EAT so we had a Trolls themed swimming party! We ate pizza, swam, ate cake, opened presents and I cried like a baby when we sang, "Happy Birthday"! We had an extra candle on the cake to remember her birth mom and when I lit it I knew it was over for me, I couldn't help but cry! LOTS of family and friends came so it made my heart happy to see how many people love our girl!

We made it a point to celebrate Mia all weekend. However, on her actual birthday it proved to be one of the hardest days we have had with her. It was a rough day. BUT, we still went to eat Mexican because that's her favorite and she had a cheese dip all to herself. Amen. The next day we did even more celebrating and went to Disney on Ice! So fun! I think overall the birthday girl had an awesome weekend!

These pictures are in random order because Mia is currently in my lap getting blood so not much room to maneuver here! haha!

Happy Birthday Mia!

Three years ago today in a beautiful city across the world in Nanning, China a little girl was born! Her birth momma tried as hard as she could to care for her for nine short months.  She knew the baby needed medical care that was almost impossible in China. She did the best thing she could have done for her and left her in a place where she would be found quickly with a note that had the baby's birthday on it.

9/23/14

Three years ago right now the Lord started stirring up something in my heart that I didn't even know was there. First, he broke my heart for the orphan. As much as I love kids this wasn't very hard to do. But THEN he took me from, "I don't want any more kids, four is plenty" to "Someone is missing in this house, in this family and we have to find her NOW". He also made sure my husband would be on board the very first time I brought up adoption because He knew I couldn't handle it if he wasn't.

Is that not amazing? Little did I know that when she was born, He started working on me to prepare for her.

Happy Birthday to you, Mia Faith! I love you forever!

Nine Months with Mia!

Nine months ago today we got our Mia!

Right now we're getting blood. We went four weeks between transfusions again but this time her blood count was way lower than we'd like. We are going to try one more time and if she's low again, it's back to every three weeks for little missy!

It's going to be a super long day for us. We got here at 7:30am and it's currently 12:00pm. We JUST got her blood started and it's going to take 5 hours. She was ready to leave an hour ago. Yikes!

I mentioned last month that she started school. Yea, that didn't go well at all. She did a lot of crying. I did a lot of stressing. Doctor's did a lot of trying to tell us what and how to do it. In the end, I listened to my mommy instinct and guess what?! Mommy instinct was right, again! About a week or so ago she quit crying. Now, she waves bye to me and shoves me out the door! haha!

Mia still loves the food. I've decided that's never changing. She has started drinking milk, finally!

I haven't said it officially on here but she's a daddy's girl! Those two have it real bad for each other! She loves me but he's her jam! And, that's ok!

That's about all I have to report on Mia this month. She's really just been a busy little bee keeping up with all her sibs and their after school activities. Speaking of, Reece is cheering this year and Mia LOVES watching her and doing the cheers with the big girls! :)