And their off.....

I am more than excited for my friends, the Gilberts, who are on their way to the airport as I write this post! Where are they going? Well, Uganda, of course!!! They are finally boarding a plane to meet their baby girl, "MJ", short for her real name that I will reveal once she is apart of their family...you have to protect that sort of thing for the sake of the adoption. The Gilberts, have two children ages 6 and 9 who will also be traveling and staying the duration of the time in Uganda, until they are able to bring MJ home. Thankfully, their grandmother is bravely going along to help and just be apart of the amazing African experience.

The Gilberts joined the adoption journey only two weeks after God led us to start our process back in November 2009, but after moving to a new house and a couple other set backs, they are finally going to meet their baby girl! I have so enjoyed being apart of this journey for the last several months since we have been home from Africa...I have loved getting to share what I know of Uganda and help them prepare for the unknown. Being in Uganda feels more familiar to me versus the Gilberts walking blindly into this foreign country. But, hopefully they feel a little bit more prepared by us paving the way for them! I know it has blessed me to have the opportunity to relive it all over again.

So many emotions are  brought to the forefront of my mind as they depart on this amazing adventure to experience the miracle of adoption and meet their daughter for the first time, who was meant to be in their family from the beginning of time! Ohooo...thinking about it gives me chills! God is so good! Three weeks ago when they found out they had a court date, I felt like I was going to Uganda all over again....I am just so excited for their family! I will try to keep you vaughly updated on their adventures while they are there, but once they are home, I will be free to share more!

Please pray the Ugandan Judge will grant them favor to bring "MJ" into their family and they will arrive back in Atlanta in a timely fashion, hopefully not more than a month. And pray for patience as they experience the slow paced life of Ugandan culture which can often drive Americans batty. And pray that their hearts would turn to the Lord even when they are tired physically and emotionally, because jet lag, a foreign country with crazy drivers, strange food, with sinners involved... will cause our hearts to doubt his love for us.

w can't wait to see all that the Lord has instore for this amazing family!!! And who knows maybe one day "MJ" and Charles Tucker will get married...Just say'n..   

Love you Gilberts!!!          

The babies first day of preschool!

Yesterday was the big day for both Charles Tucker and Mary Taylor going to preschool for the first time...ever! I was so thrilled that God provided a way for us to afford preschool in Atlanta, it can be pricey, especially for two. Not only is it inexpensive, but they will learn about Jesus, I will get to help in the classroom some, and it is cheap therapy for this mama! It is a cooperative preschool that was started by a mom who wanted an affordable way for moms to have a break and allow their children a time to play and learn the bible. So to say the least, I was thrilled about this opportunity which just fell into my lap. So neat to see God provide.

This past weekend we celebrated Henry and my birthday with a Star Wars party on Saturday, and dinner that night with most of my family who were in town. So to say the least, we were tired come Monday morning. So as I ran around frantically trying to get everyone dressed and fed and out the door, I kept telling Henry he could not be tardy or he would have to go to the principle's office, so he was racing around helping me get everyone ready...kind of. But, we managed to hop in the car right as the clock turned 8:00 a.m., meaning Henry was late. When I told him he was late, he burst into tears. Poor guy! I quickly reasured him it really was no big deal to be late once or twice, here and there. He seemed to calm down after that and besides, I decided to let him just come to preschool with us first. He definitely liked that idea. And it just seemed easier than getting all three kids out of the car to walk half a mile to the school to check him in. (the parking lot is quite small, so you have to park on the street.)

But, before we left, we snapped some pictures, which is probably why we were late in the first place! Opps... Oh, well, it's just kindergarten!

 Charles Tucker, age 2 3/4ths, going to preschool...sweet boy!

And precious Mary Taylor, age 2 1/2, going to preschool in her cute little apple dress! She was showing everyone her new attire....

Have to do a super hero pose!

Henry is so proud of the babies going to school, can you tell? He really was...

He wanted to be in every picture....

Showing our packpacks....

My two little munchkins....

All initiated by proud big brother....

He loved walking them in their new school and seeing their classroom. He was even giving them kisses and showing them all their new cool toys. When we finally left, they did not bat an eye, they just kept playing away!

After I filled out some paper work, dropped Henry off at school, I only had three hours left, but it felt like ten to a deprived mama who is rarely by herself. When I picked them up, they were so excited and told me they played, read the bible, and ate snack! So I was pleased to get that much information out of two, two olds!

It is funny, but I kind of feel guilty for having consistent off  time to myself this year....the first time in five years! But, on another hand, I feel like I have paid my dues and with three kids under five, one being adopted...I really do need to have some time to catch my breath. I am very thankful that God feels like I need this time too, obviously because he provided so explicitly. I guess the reason I feel guilty, is because I thought I would be a homeschool mom at least for each kid until they turned five, but we have not felt like that was best for our family right now, for various reasons. So in some ways it makes me sad, but this is just where we are in life. Who knows what the next year will hold?? But, I have noticed when they are home, I am more intentional with the time I have with them, especially Henry who is gone so much of the day. I have cherrished our afternoon milk/ reading time in the bed while the babies are asleep...I think he looks forward to it too!

So all that to say, everyone has to follow where the Lord is leading them for what is best for their family in regards to school and how they raise their children. It is so easy to think everyone should send their kids to school or everyone should homeschool, but it is different for everyone in different seasons of their lives. Wow, does having children teach you to look to the Lord and not to the left or right!!!

You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. ³³ You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess. Deuteronomy 5:32-33

Happy first days of school everyone!!!!

Someone's 5 Today!!

Happy 5th Birthday Henry!!

Five years ago today I was on cloud nine with you in my arms at the hospital. It was bliss! The labor was rough, because I had an emergency c-section, but the drugs helped me to ignore the pain and all the stress that my body endured. And besides, I think your daddy was stressed enough for the both of us! Henry, I did not want you to leave the room even for a second, even though I knew I needed to sleep. But, once you came back in, I could not wait to hold you and love on you! It was love at first sight!

After about two weeks...the real Henry revealed his true colors. To get you to sleep, we would have to drive you around the neighborhood, bounce you in the the bouncy seat as hard as we could, because I wasn't comfortable letting you cry it out at first. Sometimes I would try and then give up after you cried for an hour! You were a tough little one and it didn't help that I was a wimp, but that's what you do with your first, because you can. As hard as you got, I still could not stand to be away from you!

When you were around one, your spunky little personality drove us to venture out quite often. We enjoyed so many adventures around Atlanta, almost everyday! Every morning we visited places like the zoo, the park, the aquarium, the children's museum, grandma's house and I could even go shopping with you in tow! There's not a person you met, who you did not become an instant friend. And now at four, you love your friends even more! One time when you met a little boy on the Chickfila playground, before we left, you asked me, "Can we get his phone number?" which has become a regular question, which can often be a little bit awkward as the other parent is standing there.

I do miss life just being with you alone, but I am so proud of what a leader you have become to your brother and sister. Of course you have your moments, but your loving spirit and desire to put them first(sometimes) melts my heart. They both look up to you so much!

I am excited to see how the Lord grows you into the man he wants you to be! I can't believe God chose me to be your mother...what a gift.

Your still my little angel. And don't forget, you said you are still going to cuddle with me when you get married. (yes, I know this is a little weird, but he did say that) I'll take it!!

I love you Henry and I am more than proud to be your mother!!!

Mom

Henry's First Day of Kindergarten

We had to do the traditional pose by the front door....

Henry was excited to take pictures because in the book "The Night before Kindergarten," they took pictures before going to school.

Suprised he let me take so many...

until he was done...there's the real Henry...

 Mary Taylor and Charles Tucker were just as eager to go to Kindergarten...

They both asked me if they could go with Henry...

Sweet brothers...love catching moments like this....

And we have to show off his new Star Wars backpack... I was a little worried after I ordered this when Dee said that was strange that I bought Henry a Darth Vader backpack, he is only five. So then I got all insecure, I thought it was fine because it was from pottery barn. How bad could it be? So, then my facebook friends assured me it was ok, besides, Darth Vader turns back to the good side at the end anyway, right? He is redeemed...right? So we have decided to go with it!

As I got all the kids in the car, I realized we only had 12 minutes until 8:00...where had all the time gone? Dee was even waiting on us to walk him in. But, luckily we made it just in time, to take a couple more pictures and give him a kiss goodbye. I was definitely holding back the tears at this point...I knew he was going to have a great time, but it was just all the build up leading to this one special day...it was definitely emotional...

and Daddy even agreed to a picture....

o.k. I swear I think Henry grew four years in this picture....can we say 4 going on 8?

Before we finally left, after watching him stand for the "Star Spangle Banner" and the pledge, I had to take one last picture of his book bag sitting among the others....wow, where does the time go? Dee and I have decided we are full fledged adults now that Henry has started school. We even have a car tag with a number on it! Yikes! We can't pretend to be cool anymore...

After we left his room, we headed down to the "Coffee and Tears" party in the library for all the new kindergarten parents. I am glad they had an activity for us, because all the hype leading up to this day, left me feeling like I needed to go to Kindergarten.

As I left the building I thought about Henry opening up his lunch to find a note from me, "wishing him a happy first kindergarten day" like my mother use to do for me.... Mom, does this bring back memories?

When I picked him up, the first thing he said was, "Mom, when can I go back to kindergarten?". I guess he liked it!

By the end of the day, I was exhausted! Getting up at 6:15a.m., when you are used to 8:00a.m. is quite a stretch, especially when you don't go to bed until 12:00a.m. because of the sweet tea you drank at lunch. So I am going to try and be in bed by 8:30p.m. tonight, (or now 9:00p.m. now that I am working on this post) and then wake up early to get ready for our second day of Kindergarten.

Happy Monday everyone!!

My baby is going to....

...Kindergarten tomorrow!! I am excited, nervous, and....sad. It is hard to believe he is old enough to go to school, or almost old enough. He actually turns 5 on August 19th, so he barely made the cut off. But, we are going to give it a try and see how the year goes, then decide what we should do the next year. Dee and I both have early/late birthdays, in August and September, so we were old in school. So that might be the best direction to go with Henry too, especially since he is a boy. So this year will be interesting, to say the least! Hopefully he will make it through without driving the teacher crazy, considering he is a pretty intense little kid, but a whole lot of fun!!
Seems like yesterday when he was this big....

Dressed up as a train conductor for Halloween, just precious!

Yes, he had a paci until he was two half, Mary Taylor is work'n on three right now...

So now begins a new chapter in Henry's life and mine too.

Twas the night before Kindergarten...

We had fun reading this thrift store find tonight. Perfect to read before his first day of school.

Stay tuned for first day of kindergarten pictures tomorrow.... if I am not too tired!