Pretty Lilly--2 Months

Piano Recital 2011

Our sweet girl had her first piano recital On June 10th.  She played Jesus Loves Me and On Wings of Song.  Matt and I are so proud of her.  She has been taking lessons with Mrs. Brown since January and doing a fabulous job.  She is diligent about practicing, and has become quite the piano player.

What a pretty girl.  I love this picture of her.  She told us that she was so nervous, but you would never guess.  She walked up to the piano and so confidently played her piece.  These new dangly earrings were purchased just for the special event.  And Mommy and Daddy surprised her at the end of the recital with a pair of birthstone earrings.

Playing her piece.

A duet with Mrs. Brown.

Lilly Grace-first 2 months

Soccer

Our little Madeline has become a soccer star this year!  She plays with passion, is aggressive, and has scored many goals and had assists.  We are SO proud of her for giving it her all. 

Wow, check out this kick.  That leg is up there!

Okay, not only is she good, she's also adorable.  Check out those cute, flower barrettes in her hair. 

Madeline in goal.  The girl had some great saves this year.

Going to Goodberry's after a game, became our family ritual, and boy did we enjoy it!

Sweet Ms. Marissa, surprised us on a Thursday night and came to Madeline's soccer game.  What a treasure this young college student is.  This summer she is living with us, as she participates in the City Project with the Summit, and we are so blessed to have her.  Though she had a long day ahead of her, she woke up early this morning to join us at Madeline's last soccer game.  She is so special.  Madeline and Ryan especially love having her here.  We are so grateful for this older, godly influence in their lives!

Flag Football 2011

Ry Ry is playing his first season of flag football and LOVING it.  He is also AWESOME.  He's quick and smart, and is the best player on his team, the Panthers.  Even against the best team in the league, he gets at least one touchdown.  The added bonus to flag football is that Daddy's the coach!  Ry and Daddy have so much fun preparing for practice/game day.  Every Sunday, they head to Durham for practice from 3:30-4:30, and a game from 4:30-5:30.  Madeline, Lilly, and I head to the game at 4:30.  We LOVE watching our Ry Guy!

Run Ry, run!  Can you tell he's wearing a mouth guard?

No. . .good defensive move, Ry!

Our natural athlete.

Get that flag, Ry!

Y Princess Camp--Madeline and Daddy

The day after sweet Lilly Grace came home, Daddy and Madeline left for Camp Seagull.  Though it was a hard decision to leave Lilly, it was SUCH a special time for Daddy and Madeline.  Here's our girl, just strolling.

The daddies know how to EAT.  Their adventures with the Playful Otters always involve good food.  Here's Madeline chomping on a piece of watermelon.

You go girl. . .kick that ball.

Madeline and Alexa enjoying ice cream sundae's together.

Madeline and her sweet, tribe friends, Sarah Gray and Lauren.

Madeline, Sarah Gray, and Lauren. . .all homeschooled and precious girls.

Opening Ceremonies for Camp. . .the flags are going up.

Nighttime campfire fun!

Madeline and Audrey.  Grow those teeth baby girl!

On Sunday, Daddy and Madeline RAN an entire 5K together.  She's holding up the patch she earned.

Madeline, Sarah Gray and Lauren.

Madeline on the zipline.  Whoo-hooo!

Madeline was amazing with a BB rifle. She knocked off 6 targets! Now she wants a rifle of her own.

A very tired Madeline and Dad. Madeline only took three short walk breaks and ran most of the race. She wowed her Dad with her determination.

She's Arrived

As almost everyone knows, Lillian Grace is home. After 13 months from the time we began filling out paperwork, the Lord brought us the child He had for us all along. As I have told many people, though the wait seemed like forever, I would have waited even longer just to have this baby, Lilly Grace. From the moment I laid eyes in her, she was mine, securely planted in my heart. The moment I saw her was like the moment Madeline and Ry were placed on my belly after delivering--I experienced the same rush of emotions.

In the late afternoon on Tuesday, I got a call from the director of the adoption agency. We had been chosen, BUT the paternal grandmother really wanted the birthparents to keep the baby, and insisted that the birthparents at least meet us. The director asked us if we would be available to meet them the next afternoon. And she told me not to tell anyone about this. I immediately called Matt, who was in Charleston, and told him that he needed to be home by 4pm the next day, which he was excited to do. When we arrived at the agency on Wednesday, we were early, so we drove to a parking lot and prayed over our time with the birth parents.