Sydney's Dedication

First off, I need to apologize for my lack of blogging recently. Our lives have been full of end of the year school stuff, track & martial arts & adjusting for all of us. Sydney is done with her checkups for now. We just go back for our 4 year old check up. Yeah! The kids are looking forward to summer.
We dedicated Sydney last night at our church. Wonderful experience. I think about how this time last year we were adjusting to a surprised referral & now we are adjusting to our Sydney. Love this little girl. Sydney is such a joy. Mother's Day was different this year. I feel so blessed that God chose me as her mommy. I also think about Sydney's birth mother and how thankful we are that she chose life for Sydney Hope. Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there!
Thank you to my hubby, kids & family for making this a wonderful day!

Church Carnival

We went to the carnival at our church over the weekend. The weather was perfect! All of us had a great time. Sydney loved the bouncers! She tried a corn dog for the first time. Yummy!

Ashlyn's arms were tired after this ride! Sydney & her smiley self. She should not be sitting like that but we will not tell her physical therapist BECAUSE we are done with PT. Yeah! Sydney's leg is much stronger now!
Philip loved the sports type bouncer!

Frienemies

Praise the One who paid my debt.

Oh praise the One who paid my debt.

Sydney is a Daddy's girl!

My cuties! God has blessed me with amazing children.

Sydney came up to me & said "Momma pea-ty". Such a sweet little beautiful girl!

Philip being the awesome brother he is--hanging out with his little sister.

My dad, Philip and PJ before lunch.

Sydney hunting the eggs.

My handsome boy. He is getting so big :(.

Sydney getting sprayed with water guns. She is not a big fan of getting her clothes wet. But she is coming around to it. We had wonderful weather today!

This is what a tired princess looks like.

"Pink-Tails"

Over the weekend, Sydney had two major firsts. When Sydney woke up on Saturday morning, her hair was CrAzY! Which really is not anything new but I decided to get it out of her face. Ashlyn has been wanting me to pull Sydney's hair up into pink-tails (the rest of the world knows them as pig-tails or dog-ears!). So, I did! And Sydney looked so cute. I think that is the first time she has had them because she did not like me messing with her hair. Lets hope that changes! This is a stay-at-home hairdo til her hair grows out on top & in the back (someone in China shaved the back of her head like underneath her hair?) Doesn't she look so cute!

Second first was going into her classroom at church. We figured she would need PJ to stay with her for the first couple of visits. But nope! Sydney has super sweet teachers and they said she did great! It was so nice to sit in church with my hubby listening to the music & the sermon.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Celebrating St Patrick's Day in Pictures! (aka Lazy Post)

Actual St Patrick's Day!
Philly just hanging out at Granny's house.

Sydney playing with the art stuff. She fits right in! Acts like she has been here since birth!

Chillin' with my girls!
Sydney hanging out with her new favorite person--Cole! And his phone!!

Spring Break Starts

We started off Spring Break with heading to my parents ranch house in Clarendon for the weekend. This was the first road trip for Sydney (about an hour) and first night away from our house. I think she adjusted great to her new surroundings. Sydney was a little concerned about all of the dead animals hanging on the walls! She loved being outside & riding the mule. She is afraid of horses though. I'm sure that will change with time. All of us had a great time this weekend!
A year ago last Friday (12th) we officially accepted Sydney's referral! Crazy how our life has changed in a year. Love this little girl that has blessed our life. I'm amazed daily at how a little girl that came from thousands of miles away can fit perfectly in our family. God is Awesome!

The hog that PJ, Philip & Sydney found & then shot. Hogs DESTROY land.
Ashlyn playing a serious game of ladder ball.

Philip shooting his .22 semi automatic rifle. He said it was fun! I shot it too. And it was fun!

That is me shooting my Dad's AR-15. It was really loud!

Sydney in her camo & bow.

Ashlyn turns 7

Ashlyn turned 7 over the weekend. Hard to believe she is 7! She started celebrating on Friday at school and finished Sunday night with dinner at my parents house. Ashlyn is beautiful inside & out! Love you Ashers!

Resting after A LOT of jumping at the birthday party!
Ashlyn's loves her cake (just like her mommy!)

Ashlyn & Lainie (her new American Girl doll)

Cute birthday outfit! Thanks Carson Family!

Wo Ai Ni Mommy Trailer

Wo Ai Ni Mommy Trailer

I just wanted to bring attention to this adoption documentary. The film basically explores what happens to an older child that is adopted into an American family. And guess what? The little girl is from Sydney's orphanage! The lady that brings this little girl to the Civil Affairs office is the same lady that brought Sydney. I'm excited to see the whole movie. Check it out. They also have a fan page on Facebook and website if you are interested.
You tube or blogger is not cooperating with me. So sorry if the posts are not together! Pause my playlist before watching the video.