Just us - there’s a little of the before, but mostly it’s the after...

Hope

I don't think these words could be any more perfect. We saw this sign last night and I had to go back today to take a picture of it.

Addie and Ali

Here is Addie, Ali and the "infamous ball". Anna took this picture a few minutes before the bullying incident. :)

It was just one of those evenings. Addie messed up her pants, so I grabbed the first pair I saw in her closet. Then dinner managed to sneak underneath her bib and onto her shirt. When she was all done, I wiped her face with two clean wipes and still the beef and carrots were glued to her mouth...by the end of it all, she looked like a poor little orphan!

We are sitting outside watching Chris do yard work. The wind was blowing and Addie was getting so excited seeing the leaves move back and forth, so here she is cheering them on! Silly baby...

Squish...

All comfy cozy in Mommy's arms at Isabelle's birthday party!

Great job Julien!

Julien brought home his report card this afternoon and he made all A's! To top that off, he made a 100 in spelling! I am so proud of him; he always does so well!

Pookis Pie

My little "Pookis Pie" helping in the kitchen...

Check out her clapping skills (a little imagination is required)!

Clap, clap, clap!!!

Before Addie (B.A.), I NEVER cried. It would take something BIG to make me cry...having to board a plane to move to Hawaii when I'm petrified of heights and the thought of crashing into shark infested waters, losing my Dad, having a gun held to my head (two bank robberies), driving cross country with a three-week-old infant during an ice storm on Christmas Eve...you know, those BIG life events. Now, all I have to do is think about all of Addie's accomplishments and I tear up. On September 11, Addie started clapping her hands! Although optimistic, I kept watching her to see if she was intentionally clapping her hands or if she just happened to be bringing her hands together. I asked her daycare providers and therapists, "Is she?" "Does it look like she's clapping her hands?" "Do you think she really is?"...I was afraid it was too good to be true! Well, tonight when we got home there is no doubt about it; she is clap, clap, clapping...at everything! She is so excited and I am just thrilled! Did I tear up? You bet I did! I couldn't be more proud of her! I pray constantly for my children. I pray for the big things and the little things. This was really important to me because it shows me even more how she's thinking and making connections. I am truly the most blessed Mom in the world. I thank God for my children and all that they are! My next small goal for Addie is for her to start waving "bye-bye"... I'll need to keep the Kleenex handy!