Christmas 2009

We’ve had a WONDERFUL Christmas this year! We traveled again to MS and then on to AR, so we logged a bunch of miles…hopefully we’re going to stay put at home for awhile!

Although the girls are seasoned travelers, it still takes a toll..the laundry and packing for 6 is a chore!

Our first stop was MS, where we spent a weekend with Nana and Pop. The girls were so excited to be back so soon (just came over T’giving) and spend some time with them. The girls were thrilled with all the presents…especially my big girls…take a look…

 

Do you think she liked it?

They had been asking for these special dolls and were thrilled!!

We got some other goodies, and loaded up and headed to Arkansas to Nammy’s house. Thankfully, it’s only about 3 hours, a breeze when we are used to going 7-8 at a time! The girls played with “Katelin” and “lilly” the entire car trip…they didn’t even ask for a movie…UNHEARD of!

At Nammy’s house we….

…

Made some cookies, a cheesecake, and other goodies….

licked our fingers clean….

Called and had a chit chat with Santa..I think she was apologizing for her behavior this year :)

Went to the Christmas Eve Service…..

And opened presents on Christmas Morning!!                                           

Annalyse got a box of dress up clothes..and on Christmas am, she wanted to wear ALL of them. Not one. Not two. ALL. And, since everything goes at Nammy’s, she obliged.

After it was all said and done, we had an amazing season of celebrating each other and the greatest gift ever given….the newborn King! Ashley was asked, “what do you want Santa to bring you?” She responded , “JESUS!!” What a blessing to be able to have all our children HOME for Christmas. This time last year, we were busy preparing to leave for China! Speaking of, we’re approaching our ONE YEAR home soon….can you believe it?!?

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!! CELEBRATE JESUS!

Ashley’s 1st Christmas

Merry Christmas Baby Girl!

We’re soooo glad you’re home this year!!

seriously.

Where did she come from?

 

Because really, she is a MESS. 100% MESS.

We are so thankful she’s cute…because otherwise….she may not be here today :)

Family Pics Fall 2009

Here Daddy, I can help!

Last night we invited Ms. Cyndy and Mr. John over to help us put up our tree! I made a big pot of chili and were, as always, thoroughly entertained but the 4 girls.

I can remember this time last year was such a downer. We thought FOR SURE we’d be home LONG before Christmas with Ashley and the Lord just had other plans. Everything about the season was a reminder that she wasn’t home. I didn’t even send out Christmas cards. Emotionally I just couldn’t bring myself to send out a card without her on it.

We were, however, busy elves getting READY to go to China! A this point last year, I probably had at least 6 lists going, and eventually, bought a small binder just to keep my thoughts organized.

But back to last night…

We had a blast. I bought .50 wooden ornaments from Joann’s fabric, that have a place to put their picture in them (I do this every year and have them paint them) and Ms. Cyndy, who LOVES crafts, was so excited to get to paint with the girls. Annalyse especially got into it, and threw a nice, long, beautiful FIT when we had to put the paint up. We giggled and played and painted and ate and just had family fun…I LOVE evenings like this!!

And what a relief to just sit back and thank God for all the BLESSINGS in our lives!

(she held onto this Dora ornament ALL night..she LOVES Dora!)

Thanksgiving 2009

What can I say….we ate and played…the things we do best :) The girls had a  blast playing with the zillion leaves in Pop’s backyard…they made huge piles and spent the afternoon romping around in them. The weather was REALLY cold but when you’re 7 and running full speed, cold doesn’t bother you!

 

Cousins, cousins, everywhere!!

 

Her is Ms. Ashley Mei enjoying her favorite thing…FOOD! She loves American holidays…they all involve lots of goodies! Isn’t her hair getting growing!! Love it!

Annalyse with her plate…told you, we were eating or playing the whole time!!

Hope your Thanksgiving was a fun and delicious as ours!! We have so much to be thankful for..God has been “overly and abundantly” good to us this year!

Conversation with Ally

Today I had the rare pleasure of taking only ONE child to lunch. I had a coupon for free chips/queso to Chili’s so Ally and I went on a lunch date!

With 4 children, one on one time is something we have to carve out time for, and when we do, it always turns out that we have the most amazing conversations!

At lunch, she was telling me about a missionary her teacher told her about that died in prison because of their faith.

She boldly told me, “Mama if I ever get taken to the judge and he says if you believe in God you will go to jail forever till you die, I’d nod my head and say “YES I BELIEVE IN GOD” and I would go to jail and die and be happy!”

We further discussed China and how places like that and other counties do not allow people to worship God freely, and she told me, “Mama I am SO glad we got Ashley from China because if we didn’t she’d have to grow up in jail because she loves God. I’m so glad we live in GA because our king(ha!) says we can praise God all we want and not go to jail".”

***did I mention, she’s FIVE?****

People, that’s not childlike faith…how many adults do you know that would say that?!

My sweet Ally girl,

You understand more about missions and adoption and your faith than some adults I know. You are wise beyond your years and your heart is about as big as it comes. One day, I pray you adopt as many babies as you can (you say this is your plan!) and I know that if you are really ever threatened by man over your faith, that you will stand BOLDLY for the Lord. Your mama and daddy love you and the Lord delights in your faith!!!

A new era….

Well, we are at a new place in life now….one that is pacifier free:)

As with her sisters, Annalyse was required to give up the “pappy” after her 3 year birthday. And although not near as many tears were shed when the crib came down (my tears , that is) it was still another rite of passage that reminds me that my babies are growing up. No more cribs, no more passies, and hopefully sooner than later, no more diapers!! (ashley has just begun potty training).

yeah. No tears will be shed over THAT change:)

I had the photographer that took our family pics take some of lysse and her passie during our shoot so I could remember that sweet face all plugged up….

Over the Hills and Through the Woods….

As I type this, we’re headed to MS…about 2 hours to go! It’s a loooong drive to Nana and Pop’s house but the girls are seasoned travelers and do an excellent job.

How do we do it?

Food. Candy. DVD’s. Candy.

Wonderful parent’s aren’t we? 

So far we’re  6 hours in and have only stopped once to potty and once to grab some lunch. Ashley is on her second nap and Annalyse has been asleep for 1.5 hours. This trip we have 2 DVD systems so that the older girls can watch their movies (Ferngully, Barbie Nutcracker, and Alice in Wonderland) and the little girls can watch theirs (Dora, Elmo and Wiggles!) We’ve come a long way since I was a kid and the only thing to do for an 8 hour car trip was hit your little brother and color!

This weekend will be the first time Ashley has met some of our extended family and we can’t wait! I think once they heard we were coming, they all decided to come and meet her! We have much to be thankful for this year…as we have every year!

Pictures to come! I’ll be doing a shoot with Jay’s sister and her family on the Oxford Square! Can’t wait!

****UPDATE******

That post was written on the road…we’re home now….here’s a quick recap….

lots of family…..check!

stuffed our faces…..check!

very thankful…..check!

car trip back home…check!

bags unpacked…..check!

laundry started…..check!

3 year old with fever….ummmm….check.

What I am Thankful for….Ally, 5

1. My heavenly Father

2. My family

3. My sister Avery, my sister Annalyse, and Ashley

4. My grandparetns

5. My beautiful home

What I am Thankful for….Avery, 7

1. For God

2. For my mommy & daddy

3. For my sisters

4. Grandparents

5. Ole Miss, the football team

One Year Ago Today!

China said what we already knew in our hearts to be true....that Ashley could come home to be a Flynt! We waited 126 of the looonnngggest days of our lives for that little sheet of paper! This will be a season of "firsts" with her...her first Thanksgiving, her first Christmas...I cannot wait! Last year was such a hard one emotionally for me, because well, my child was on the other side of the world...but this one is going to be full of JOY!

I got her adoption blog in book form in the mail today and it KNOCKED MY SOCKS OFF!! To see MY words in print was amazing and to read all the details and priceless things, and see the China trip....it's AMAZING. I highly recommend Blog2Print.com!!

So stay tuned for a whirlwind November and December in our household....one that promises to be full of giggles and squeeling and all sorts of "girly" things!

Ashley Mei- 2years

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

No matter how hard I’ve begged and pleaded with her, to please NOT turn 3…she has. This mama is having a VERY hard time with this! I was in such a hurry for Avery and Ally to get to the next stage but this is my baby!

Annalyse was our smallest baby at 6lbs 14oz, but from the day she was born she has taken up a large part of my heart! I always tell Jay…there is just something about her that draws people to her, and everyone loves this child!

Annalyse,

You are the sunshine of our family! The joy that you bring us and the laughter that you create is unmatched. The Lord has gifted us with your smile and your precious voice. Sometimes at night I just stare at you when your asleep and thank God that I am your mama! Your family loves you Lysse Pop! 

Lysse’s Dora Party

Grocery Shopping Overhaul

Since September I’ve been on a mission to get the grocery bill CUT in this household. It’s taken me WEEKS to get this huge feat accomplished and i’m just now starting to really reap the benefits of my hard work! Although I don’t have time to go into it all here, you can check how HOW i’ve been able to do this by reading the following sites:

www.southernsavers.com

www.time2save.blogspot.com

www.moneysavingmom.com

These women have helped me cut HUNDREDS out of our budget. In October I cut 130.00 out easily and my goal for November is to cut out another 50.00, and by December, I hope to have us getting all grocery items….including tolietries, diapers, dog food, etc…for 70.00 per week. When you compare that to what I was spending, it’s a HUGE difference!  (and remember we have 6 in our family!)

The neat thing is, I’m buying name brands and getting MORE food and better quality, and spending less…gotta love that! Here is what I got today for example….

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And I only paid …..get ready…..

$10.41!!!!!

Check out the sites and get ready to save!!!!

Ice Cream