Nashville, TN

YeeHaa, Nashville Country. This is the home we rented:) j.k. We spent a couple days just getting away in Nashville, TN. It was nice to not have to do anything, and we didn't do a whole lot. The first day we stayed around the resort, played at the pools and just relaxed. The second day we spent most of it at the Hermitage, President Andrew Jackson's Estate. At over 1100 acres it is really something to see, has great history about slavery and Jackson himself. Graci loved it, she is like her mother a history fan. Maddux could take it or leave it, but he did enjoy the Horses for a Hayride around the property. The only downfall was a gloomy rainy day that did "rain on the parade" a little. All in all, it's always nice to get away.

American Girl

For Graci's sixth birthday Mommy, Maw Maw, and Grandama took a trip to the American Girl Store. There was so much to do. We shopped ALOT, we ate in the cafe with Elizabeth (her doll she got for her fifth birthday) and Rebecca (the sixth birthday doll). There was a three course meal that was pretty yummy but Graci's favorite part was getting her very own ice tea and the card game on the table.

Elizabeth spent the afternoon at the beauty salon getting all dolled up (hahaha) while Graci chose her other doll.

Standing in front of the display case for Elizabeth and Felicity in all their different get-ups. The store was truly amazing, definitly something to see. Graci was a little overwhelmed but all in all she had an unforgetable time!

Sooooooooooooooooooo close!

We are taking the last of our papers to the secretary of state sometime this week. By Thursday we are hoping to be taking everything for our dossier to Childrens Hope, if so we will officially be on the waiting list for children in three weeks!!!

What did I get?

The kids 4th and 6th birthday party. I tried my hand at making balloon animals, which I was horrible at so we made lots of fish and hats. Jim and I got the kids mp3 players which they opened before all the guests arrived.

Cerrano's

Fun at the Cerrano's house, water time at the park, and playing on the new playground daddy and Uncle Joe Joe built over the weekend.

VBS

Maddux being ready for bed

Graci sitting by her family area for vbs

Trish and I vbs parents night

Just a quick update

We are getting closer! I am hoping we get our I600A back in the next week or so. We are only one referral letter and 2 passport pictures short of having everything else ready for it's long journey to Ethiopia! We are getting EVERYTHING notarized Tuesday (thanks Ash!). Once this packet is sent off the wait is in full swing! My hope is to have our babies home by next Christmas, we'll see!

I miss cookie!!

Maddux's present from grandma, grandpa and Aunt Gina
Ice cream cake and candles, doesn't get much better
Elizabeth and Graci with their new scooter!

Maddux's birthday morning cinnamon rolls!

Today it all started! Our crazy July birthday week! Maddux turned four today and Graci's birthday is just around the corner (Tuesday). They have both already had an action packed weekend and it is only Friday. Thursday was a movie with MawMaw and PawPaw. That evening Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Gina arrived. Today was birthday cinnamon rolls, complete with candles. This afternoon went on a little sight seeing tour of Augusta, opened presents and had ice cream cake for dinner!
Maddux's first birthday present this year was one he picked out all by himself. His first choice was a turtle, which did not pan out, so his next choice was his very own fish tank! MawMaw and PawPaw bought him 6 fish and a fish tank with all the fixin's. He had them all named by bedtime last night, several crazy names, my favorite though, the spotted fish named Cookie. He layed down to go to sleep and started to cry, when asked what was wrong, he cried "I miss Cookie!". He got up and said one last goodnight to Cookie, stood there for a moment, put his hand on the glass and said "I love you fishies". So needless to say after that I was praying all of the fish made it til morning in their new home. So far so good, the tank it quite cloudy though and Jim thinks it is because their are too many fish in a very small tank. To avoid breaking by birthday boys heart, Daddy has gone out for a late night trip to Wally World to buy another tank to fit all of them safely. He is so great.