My future NFL Player and my beautiful Mermaid.

Look at what I did.

This is gross!

Here are some pictures from this years Halloween. This was Brooklynn's first year to carve a pumpkin. She loved making her design and kept telling Clint to be very careful when he was carving. It must have been the 10 million times she heard me tell Davis to becareful. Anyway we got these pumpkins when we went to Tate Farms. I will have to get a new battery for my good camera as I now realize that is where those pictures are and that reminded me that I needed to get a new battery. Lucky for me I have a back up camera for these such occassions of me losing my mind. As you can see I managed to get one picture of the Trick or Treaters at the end of night. This is when I realized that I had not taken one single picture. Brooklynn enjoyed going door to door and saying "Trick or Treat", but it soon wore off by the 8th house. We went back home and got warm, but I think she just wanted to eat the candy. Every time she got something new she would try to get it out and I would tell her no we had to wait till we get home. I am guessing that is why our trip around the block was cut short. Davis went with a friend around the neighborhood by himself. He felt so grown up about doing this. We are truly blessed to live in such a safe and nice neighborhood. Braxton stayed at home and handed out candy and watched Halloween. All and all I would say a good time was had by all. Brooklynn has already put in a request for next year to be Tinker Bell. Will see she may change her mind a dozen times before then.

I know it has been awhile since I last posted on our Blog. Just had to make myself sit down today and do this. Anyway, we recently went on the Polar Express Train Ride. This was at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Musem in Calera, Al. Thank you Becky for finding this. We went with our AFCC group and had a whole car full of our precious china babies in there. I have to say it was more fun than I expected it to be and the look on Brooklynn's face when she say Santa was priceless. She did have a moment of silence. I could see her little brain just working and trying to decide what to tell Santa. All she could get out was "ismas Box". Translation on that is all she wants for Christmas is a Christmas Box. The boys even got into the spirit and had a picture made, but that was after Santa pulled Braxton from his seat. It was so much fun to share this experience with our AFCC Family. They are a great group and always full of support and encouragement.

Brooklynn has started Speech Therapy this week and is doing very well. She goes twice a week for 30 minutes. She has had 3 sessions and I already see improvement on her words. Brooklynn made a Santa and she said he is coming soon with her Christmas box. Boy do they catch on quick!

The boys have been busy with school and of course socializing with their friends. They are looking forward to the Christmas Break and believe it or not so am I. This thing with getting up early is just not my cup of tea. I am sure before the end of the break I will be ready for them to go back to school as are all moms. LOL.

September Up Dates

Smiling with Chuck-E-Cheese

I love this Monster Truck!

Roll Tide!!!!

Braxton and Brooklynn having fun!

Brooklynn with Noah

Well, we have kept ourselves pretty busy this past month. Between all 3 kids we have made our rounds to birthday parties this month. Brooklynn had her first visit to Chuck-E-Cheese and she enjoyed the rides and games. She was not to happy with Chuck E himself, so the giant mouse stayed at a distance. Brooklynn got enough tickets that she was able to pick a prize. Suprising enough the boys still like going there.

Our favorite College football team Alabama started off their season. So, it has been football every weekend. I am so glad that football season is here!!! Roll Tide!!! For those of you who are not familar with the south, we love our football. Brooklynn has caught on real well to the sport and she will ask if we are going to watch it.

Braxton has been keeping busy with band at school and hanging out with his friends. He is really growing up fast and I can't believe how he has changed these past 6 months. All the little boy features are fading away and they are being replaced with features of a young man.

Davis is playing fall baseball this year. He really wanted to play football, but we told him he needed to wait until he was in middle school. That will be next year. He is doing well in fall ball and seems to enjoy it.

Brooklynn still is enjoying dance class and goes every Monday. I can't wait to see what they are working on in class. They will have a parent day sometime in November. She also enjoys going to Davis' baseball games and playing with Braxton. She really loves her brothers and says that they are the best.

Clint and I have just been trying to keep up with all the kids activites, as well as our own. We celebrate 15 years of marriage today. We both enjoy spending time with the kids as well as with each other.

One year ago today

This time last year we were landing in China. Exhausted of course, but ready to get our daughter. We still had to get on another plane to travel to her provience. Really if you have never flown a China airline it is an experience, and I thought Southwest was bad. Anyway, we managed to land in Taiyaun tired, hungary, and smelling pretty rough. We managed to meet with our guide and get our luggage. I had to use the rest room, so off to the squatty potty . I remember thinking only use these in cases of emergency. Before we knew it we were off to the hotel, which was about a 45 minute drive, for most normal people driving. I discovered that there are no rules when operating a motor vehicle. I just prayed that we would make it in one piece, thinking to myself how many more times do we have to get in this van.

Finally, we were at the hotel and got all checked in and our guide Mary gave us some instructions for the next day and when we would leave to get our lovely daughter. We went up to our room and lets just say it is a good thing I really love Clint. We got unpacked and ordered some dinner, which we still laugh about today. If you have not heard the story you need to ask, it is too funny to just type it down. We discovered we had I think it was 2 English speaking channels. HBO, which for some reason only showed B movies and of course BBC. We layed down to go to sleep, which Clint seemed to drift off pretty quick, but I layed awake wondering what was Dang You Ju thinking. I thought about if she had grown alot, what her mother thought about when she left her at a train station at 10 days old, and if the father new anything about this child. I wondered if she looked like her mother and had her father's smile. Was she taken care of at the orphanage or just lost in the mix with the other many children's faces. It seemed like I just fallen asleep when it was time to wake up and start a new day, but this time with our daughter and forever family.

Favorite Songs of Brooklynn

You might think the some of the songs playing maybe a little strange, but these our songs Brooklynn loves to hear. She will ask for them to play over and over. The U2 song she likes because her daddy sings it for her. The coldplay song is because I listen to it all the time. She loves the song Wonderful Maker too (again I think it is because daddy sings it). The last song has been influenced by her brothers, but never the less she likes it and dances away to it. Under the Sea she likes because of the Little Mermaid (yes we are still watching this movie). So, I guess you can say she is very well rounded and likes all types of music.

Dance Class/First Day of School

Brooklynn ready for Dance Class!

When do we start?

I am ready to dance now.

On Monday, Brooklynn started her first dance class. We were getting all her dance gear on and all she could do is giggle. On the way to dance she kept saying, "I dance." When we got to dance class she looked around and decided that it was ok. Everytime a new little girl would walk in she would say how much she liked her dance outfit. Class started and the parent's were asked to step out of the room. I was not ready to leave, but understood why this was needed. She waved bye as I showed her where I would be after class. Wow, that was a long hour of waiting. She came out of the class with her tap shoes on and was smiling really big. Brooklynn really enjoyed the class and has asked everyday this week when she gets to go back. I think she really is going to like this class. The class she takes is a combo class of ballet, tap, and tumbling. It is taking me some getting used to in doing these girly things. I am so used to all the boy sports that I forgot what it was like.

The boys started back to school on Wednesday and so far they seem to enjoy their teachers. Sorry no pictures of their first day. They asked not to have their picture taken. Braxton started the 7th grade at East Limestone and Davis started the 5th grade at Creekside. Braxton already has a project due in Literature and he is trying to get used to these complicated projects. As they went to school for the first day, I wondered where the time had gone. It really feels like yesterday I was the one with a child going into Kindergarten. Sometimes it is hard for me to believe that my babies are growing up and it is hard to start letting go a little. Of course if I had my way I would want to keep them in a bubble, but that is not going to happen. So, I send them off with the fact I have done what a parent needs to do for their child and that is place them in God's hands.

A Birthday Party and Citizenship Party

Cooling off in the Pool.

Sadie and Brooklynn

Brooklynn saying Cheese.

Climbing up the slide.

Sliding Down!

I really love my Bubbie!

Brooklynn went to Lilli's Birthday Party at Off the Walls. All the kids had a great time running around. It was good to see everybody there. Brooklynn really liked the slide and thanks to Bubbie (Davis) helping her up and the down the first time she caught on real quick. Davis managed to sprain his foot (imagine that), but other than that he was injury free. Braxton decided to stay at home, because it was just not cool to go to 3 year old birthday party. The life of a teenager! Brooklynn loved playing with her friends, but most of all she liked eating the cake.

On Saturday July 12th we celebrated all the new citizens that came home to there forever family. It was great time of fun and it is always great to see all of our friends. Brooklynn was honored with a certificate and a cute bear. She has carried that thing around with her alot. It was very hot that day, so they had a little pool and slip and slide to stay cool. We also had a big girl shower for The Gray's who are in China right now getting their new daughter Anna Li. We love our ALFCC (Athens Limestone Families with Children from China), and we think of all of them as our family.

This summer we have spent alot of time at the pool and also the doctor's office. I hope we remain injury free for the rest of the summer and for that matter rest of the year. Boys are great and it seems like there is always something new they try. Like climbing the wooden fence outside, with a broken arm, and deciding to jump off of it. What are they thinking. Brooklynn just looks at them like they are crazy. Brooklynn can play rough to and we have had many shares of skining our knees this summer. She makes sure she shows everybody her boo boo. You can't help but squeeze her. She is just so darn cute.

Brooklynn's 4th of July

Daddy and me sitting in the rain waiting for the game to start.

Crying because there is no more lemonade.

Fireworks at Joe Davis Stadium.

Watching them with Daddy.

I really liked all the fireworks!

We spent our 4th of July with my parents. We ate the traditional Southern BBQ before we ventured out to watch the Stars play baseball. It had been raining all day long and we were hoping it would stop before we left, but it didn't. The boys really wanted to watch the game and fireworks, so we went. After wrapping up Davis is arm (the cast) and putting on the rain gear we went into the stadium with a pretty good rain going. Luckily enough it slowed up to a drizzle before we got to our seats. We wiped down the seats and all the kids were instructed to sit there until it stopped raining. By the start of the 1st inning it stopped and we had no rain for the rest of the evening. The fireworks were great and Brooklynn really enjoyed watching them. She could not figure out why the sky went boom, but she liked the lights (as she called it) after the boom. Clint had that Saturday off, so we got to enjoy a 3 day weekend like most normal families.

Brooklynn's 3rd Birthday

Brooklynn celebrated her 3rd Birthday on April 23rd. She had a great time at her Dora Birthday Party. We managed to fit her party in between Davis' ball games. Note for next year is to have party on a Sunday, so it won't interupt our ball schedule. It was a lovely day and we all enjoyed the sunshine outside. As you can see by the pictures she really loved being the center of attention. Not that is anything new for her. Brooklynn is growing so quick and it hard to believe she is 3 years old!!! Princess Brooklynn we love you!!!

Davis' Ball Season/Braxton Band

Braxton had a great first year in Beginner Band at East Limestone Highschool. He was a little reluctant to take this class at first, but it seems he has his daddy's genes in the music area. He ended the year with a Concert and all of the Kids did very well. He is looking forward to this next school year playing percussion. I think he just likes banging on things and this gives him a good excuse to do so.

Davis Ready to play Ball

Davis Down in Ready Position

Look at that form!!!

Davis at bat knocks one into Right Field!!

Well, we managed to wrap up another Ball Season with Davis. His team did very well in the regular season. They managed to finish 2nd in the National League for the 9-10 year old Kid Pitch. He played 2nd and 3rd Base this year and even put a little time in at pitching. Davis really liked his team alot and was sad to see the season come to the end. We spent most of our life at the ball field with many games. Brooklynn thinks you only go to the sportplex to watch Davis play ball. He did inform me of some good news, and that is Fall Ball is right around the corner!!

An Up Date with Brooklynn/White Water Rafting

OK...I know it has been awhile since my last post, but really trying to keep 3 kids entertained for the summer is almost impossible. They all want to do different things and what the 13 year old likes the 10 and 3 year old don't. All you moms out there know how it is. We have managed to stay busy this summer with lots of activities. We have found out that Brooklynn has no fear when it comes to water, which fits right in with the no fear of her Brothers. So far we have managed only one trip to the Doctor for a broken wrist. Really who jumps a curb going up instead of down. Davis has at least 6 weeks of healing if not more. We thought that was it for the swimming, but some very smart moms informed me of this sleeve you slip of the cast and it seals off to keep the water out. Yeah, at least I have my sanity for a little longer.

This past Wednesday we went to Monte Sano Park to meet our Lifeline Adoption Agency friends for a picnic. It was good to see everybody and to even meet new people. Davis and Brooklynn had a great time on the see saw, although my heart stoped once when I saw Brooklynn going flying up. She did not mind one bit and was laughing, but wow mom had a moment. Dare Devils is all I can say about my kids.

On Thursday we made a trip to the pool. Brooklynn decide she did not need me to hold her anymore and she went under water. She came back up and said do it again, please. Geesh, I wonder how much more my heart can take. Davis managed to stay off the diving board, but I could tell he was just itching to get on there. As always, Brooklynn managed to be the center of attention with all of Davis' friends. She never lacks anybody to play with that is for sure.

On Friday, I sent Braxton with the youth from Church to go camping and White Water Rafting. I just keep praying that all will be safe. I did however instruct him to please not call from the emergency room. I talked with him this morning and he informed me that they heard a bob cat scream twice last night. Doesn't that make mom feel better. He did say that did not bother him as much as his friend snoring last night. What is wrong with him!!! They will embark the rapids at 3:00 pm today. It does sound like fun though and I am sure the will all have a great time.

Well, I think I will go for now. I will work on some pictures soon, but I am so impatient that it kills me the time it takes to put them on here.

Brooklynn's First Trip to the Zoo

Our family went to the zoo over Spring Break. This was Brooklynn's first visit there. I thought she might be a little scared of the all the animals, but I was wrong. She loved seeing them all and would ask "What's That" when she saw something she liked. We went to feed the birds and she practically pushed everybody out of the way to get in. She even told one little boy that was trying to feed the same bird as her that it was her bird. Well, the little boy cried so I had to find him another bird. The kids rode the camel, which was so funny because our little Miss Brooklynn is not at all patient and there was a line. She kept saying "I go now". Braxton was nice enough to ride in the place of me, because I simple am not a zoo person at all. As you can see she and the boys had a great time. By the end of the day though she was very tired and ready to go home.

Our Friend Kennedy

Some may know and some may not know Kennedy Pepper. She is a 10 year old young lady who has recently been diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, this is a type of cancer. We have known this young lady since she was a baby. Kennedy attends school with Davis and is in the same grade as he is. I encourage all to visit her care page to read what her mother is keeping in a journal. It is absoutley beautiful what she puts down in words everyday about her beautiful daughter. The faith she has in our Lord is just plain awesome. You can click on Kennedy's name here or go to the following website: www.caringbridge.org/visit/kennedypepper. Please join us in prayer for this precious young lady.

Love,
Diane

More Pics of Brooklynn

Catching Up with the Barley's

Davis' Birthday Cake!!! Happy 10th Birthday Davis

Waiting to blow out candles!

Davis cracking up at his birthday card. It played music!

Roll Tide!!!

We have been a busy family the past two months. Brooklynn had her 2nd surgery to repair her cleft palate on Feb. 6th. What a trooper she was. She even managed to smile when she saw us come into recovery. Let me tell you it was a long 6 weeks of recovery for Brooklynn. She was on a soft diet, but was lucky enough to get off that before Easter. Anyway, she is all healed and looks like we are done with surgeries until she is about 7 years old. That is a break we will definetly enjoy.

Davis celebrated his 10th birthday on Feb. 21st. This bundle of energy was 3 1/2 weeks early and came to no surprise by me. What an active little fellow he was and still is. Davis had a spend the night party with a couple of his friends. He enjoyed the attention being on him for a little bit. It has been a hard transition for him going from the baby to the middle child, but I think he is starting to get the hang of it.

Then we moved into the month of March. We started off with baseball tryouts for Davis and welcoming home Baby Noah. Believe it or not we even had what we Alabamians call a "snow storm". Brooklynn decided she did not care for the snow at all. It just messed up her gloves and boots, well her whole outfit. I celebrated another birthday on the 13th of March. We also got to go to an Easter Egg Hunt that our AFCC group. This was Brooklynn's first time to hunt for eggs. I watched her pick up the eggs, open them up to see if they had anything in, and throw them down if they were empty. Boy they catch on quick!!! We celebrated Easter with our families, which was nice because I got to see my baby brother and my grandparents who came from IL and St.Louis. This was my grandparents first time to see Brooklynn and they were so happy to get to see her. I think that brings us up to date. The month of April I am sure will bring more activities and parties and of course Baseball!!

Some pictures I forgot to Post

Brooklynn the Super Star

The boys and Brooklynn playing Rock Band!!
What do you do with these things?

What are you doing Davis?

I really can help you with your homework.