Want to come shopping with me?

I"m not too hard to shop with....even though my mommy did have to leave wal-mart early last night. We waited in the car while daddy finished shopping. I thought it was fun screaming and whining all through the store. I guess that's not so fun for my mommy and daddy. They said I was " sturbing all the people" (whatever that means)

I was better at Sams today. I only threw one container of strawberries all over the floor. heh heh!! And I only spit one food sample into mommys hand when she didn't have a napkin. I was a good helper today. I watched my mommy smelling the pineapple and cantelopes before she chose the best one, so I figured I could help her by insisting she let me smell everything she put into the cart. She thought that was a good idea, and let me smell everything! Isn't she nice? My mommy said if I was good, we would get lunch when we were done. So I was real good. I love to share lunch with my mommy. We shared pizza today, and it's really funny when my mommy cuts up bites for me then I insist on eating hers. I just wanted to share my little bites with her. And since I was so good to get lunch, I knew it would be ok when we were done with lunch to throw a little hissy fit about getting back into that shopping cart. Here's a little tip - if you make your legs as stiff as you can, she can't get them back through the holes where you're supposed to sit! heh heh.

So, like I was saying...anyone want to come shopping with me next time? It'll be a real good time, I promise! :)

By the way, does anyone know what my mommy means when she says "it's a good thing she's so cute?" hmmm.......

Happy Anniversary!

6 moves, 3 kids, 2 guinea pigs, 1 cat and 14 years later....I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Addie and Ella...

Ella is our neighbor. She lives just 2 houses down from us, and she is only 2 months older than Addie. They are the best of friends.....and they are also helping each other learn how to "share"! yikes!! Aren't they so cute together? We're so glad to have them as neighbors!!

Happy Mothers Day!!

To all the beautiful women and moms in my life, Happy Mother's Day to you! Today is always a little bittersweet for me, as my mom isn't here to celebrate with. But I thank God for the years He gave me with her, and I thank Him for the joy of being a mom myself now. How I love being a mom! I always wanted a lot of kids.....and I think to some people having 3 kids is a lot. I could always go for a couple more! :) (but my practical side says probably not) But to Alyssa, Riley and Addie.....you are My Blessings and I thank God for you and the joy you each bring to me. This is my sister and her family. Lisa, I am SO thankful for you! And you are one of the best moms I know. I hope I do half as good a job with my kids as you are doing with Luke and Brooke! Love you!!

Soccer.....

Our saturdays in the spring and fall are filled with soccer. For that matter, our weeknights are filled with soccer, too. It is a busy time in our house, but we love it! It has been so fun to see how much the kids have improved over the years. Next year Alyssa will be able to try out for her Jr. High team at school. Both kids have asked to try out for travel teams, and both kids have been asked to try out for travel teams. But Russ and I have always felt pretty strongly that our Sundays are reserved for church and family. And since travel teams play every Sunday, we have never let them try out.....But even playing on rec leagues, it's been amazing to see the skills both kids have gained, and we are so proud of them....

here's a few pictures of our Saturday morning soccer......

Alyssa played goalie this morning, her least favorite position!

Riley broke away and (can I brag a little?!)....he scored!! And the best part about early morning soccer games? The donuts after, of course!!

My baby girl.....

It feels like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant with her.......now she is 12 going on.....20?

A few random things....

Here is a little of what we've been up to lately...... This is Addie and Phoebe. My best friend from college, Kate, is Phoebe's mama! Kate and I have been through a lot together. We have laughed and cried, shopped (lots!), eaten lots of meals(and chocolate!) together, visited each other all over the country, talked, e-mailed, and basically shared our lives for the past 14plus years. Never in my wildest dreams would either of us have guessed that we would be adopting little girls within a year of each other, and living 30 minutes away from each other, too! What a bonus. I'm SO thankful for Kate and her family. And we love SeeBee like crazy! Oh yeah, and we like brown and pink clothes, too! :) Riley fishes pretty much every day now. In between skateboarding, rollerblading, soccer and baseball, that is.......this boy does. not. stop. EVER!

Addie likes us to hang out in her playset with her. She has the best daddy in the world, and he hangs out with her every chance he gets. I love him! My friend Despy and I worked on our dossiers for China together. She just got back a few months ago with her new daughter, Tianna. Isn't she beautiful? I LOVE her big eyes!!

Addie reading to Tianna. They sat still for about 3 seconds the whole time we were visiting, I was just lucky to have my camera ready! (notice the book is upside down that Addie is reading). I love this picture!

A little more outside time...... And finally, we got to meet our newest little friend "baby Aidan". He is SO sweet! AND, he will be getting a big sister (or brother) from China, too! We're not sure when, but we can't wait!! So that's a little of what we've been up to. I am going to Indiana this weekend for a retreat with my China team. I"m so excited to meet everyone in person, and talk more about our trip. 5 more weeks, and I"ll be in China!!