Terrific Thursday!

We had a great day yesterday! Will, Molly and I started the morning off with a trip to Cracker Barrel. We're trying to "practice" our routine of getting up early again, so I managed to get them up and we headed out to breakfast. After breakfast, we went to WalMart to begin the dreaded school shopping trip. I know, I know, I shouldn't be like that but... I know for the kids it's great fun but for the mamma- not so much! We got separate shopping carts so that we didn't have to sort the supplies again when we got home and I think that helped a little. Molly got her a tacky little lunch box that she was MEGA proud of and a new backpack too. For Will, it's not that much fun anymore but he was a trooper and helped me get most of the supplies on the list. When we got home, I went to school to work for a while and they stayed with Mimi. Molly took her backpack to Mimi's house and they decorated it really cute! I'll post pics on the 1st day of school- that's a family tradition! Yesterday afternoon we went for a swim. Nolan and Mia joined us and we had so much fun swimming with Mia. She loves the water and the pool. She was even getting out of the pool and jumping to me and Will yesterday. What joy it is to see her laugh and giggle! Ashley cooked supper for us last night. She said it was our "thank-you" meal for helping out with the kids while they were gone. She grilled shrimp and made homemade salsa and key-lime cupcakes. She's always a great hostess and a great cook so we really enjoyed eating dinner together as a family. The pics I posted today of Will and Molly with Mia were taken last night. We are making up for lost time and spoiling that little angel. We just can't resist! Will spent the night at Ashley's house with Cole and Molly and I came home and snuggled in the bed. It may be summertime but I'll snuggle with Miss Molly any chance I get.

Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend. I think we're going to meet some friends at the mall for lunch and maybe see a movie. Other than that, I don't have a clue what this weekend has in store for us. Until then, enjoy this beautiful day God has given us and count your blessings!

With Love,

Allison

Monday, July 26th

Good morning everyone! Let's see.... what is there to tell you since I updated last Wednesday? Not alot of anything! Life has settled down a little bit since last week and we actually had a relaxing weekend. The kids and I have been going to visit our new niece and cousin each day and she is adjusting to her new family so well. She is a precious little angel and we are all so in love with her! She loves Will and Cole which I find a bit interesting. I was thinking she would like Molly and Nolan since they're closer to her size and still really, really wild ( I guess I should've said "energetic") but not so. She prefers her mommy but if she can't find Ashley, she'll gladly go to Cole or Will. We went on a shopping venture Saturday to Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart and Chick-fil-A. She rode in her carseat and was a good, little girl. We've taken her swimming at mom and dad's several nights and she loves the water. She'll put her face completely down in the water. Ashley says that she's sleeping better at night and beginning to play with her toys. Everytime I look at her, I'm amazed. Not only because she's an absolute doll but I think about how hard it must have been for her birth mother to leave her that day. I wish that her mom could have a glimpse of us playing with her and kissing her, and see her beautiful home, clothes, family, etc. I think her birth mom would be well pleased. She loved her enough to give her up and God protected Mia until His plan was fulfilled. I can't imagine what Mia's mom went through on the day that she left her, but I'm glad she did what she knew was best for her baby. Otherwise, we wouldn't have our little angel right now in Alabama.

We're just enjoying these last few days of summer. We're in between sports right now so we're not rushing to some type of practice each afternoon. We may go swimming this afternoon but I guess I need to get off this computer and do something productive before we do.

Have a great day!
With Love,
Allison

What a Reunion!

OK, I've really fallen down on my blogging job! Sorry, but the last week of my life has been a real blur to say the least! We left last Thursday for Montgomery. Will's baseball team was playing in the sub-state tournament. Our boys from Glencoe made us really proud! They played their hearts and souls out for Glencoe and made us proud to be Yellow Jackets. We really wanted to win and advance to the state tournament in Greenville but God had a different plan for us and He touched his with a sweet, sweet story. Let me share it with you... We played five games from Thursday night to Saturday. The 1st game was Thursday night. We had a rain delay and didn't start playing until almost 10 p.m. so the game wasn't over until after midnight. Our team did great- had a big win! So, we played again on Friday and won. We were supposed to play on Friday night but it was rained out so we had to start playing on Saturday morning. We were facing "THE GIANTS" of the tournament- Opelika!!! Our boys have a history of being intimidated against some teams, so we were really encouraging them to give it their best. Well, they made us proud. They gave it 110% and should've won the game. I know, I know- you don't want to hear bad umps but guess what? We had some really, really bad calls. In fact, I bet if I had checked the umps driver's license it would've said Opelika, Al. If you've ever spent anytime at a baseball park you've probably heard the phrase "home cookin' " well, we went to Grandmother's house for lunch that day! LOL! Anyway, we lost in the 6th inning. We played another game around 11 and lost that game in the 6th so we had to play another game at 3:30. It was about 100 degrees in Montgomery with a heat index of 300 degrees so we were all zapped. We had to play Crenshaw Co. and that was the same team we had played on Friday and beat. The game was back and forth but one of our boys hit a homerun and we were up 7 to 4 so we were thinking we had this one won. Well, remember I said earlier that God had different plans? A player for Crenshaw Co. got up to bat and hit a grand slam! Yes, a grand slam which made the score 8 to 7 and they won!!! We quickly started hearing people say "oh, my goodness he's never hit a homerom much less a grandslam!" We were all down and upset and then we heard this.... That little boy lost his 17 yr. old sister in a car accident two weeks ago. He told the coach when he stepped up to the plate that he said her name and this one's for you and he hit a GRAND SLAM and WON THE GAME!!!!!! Wow, who can say there isn't a God? He is everywhere ya'll- He was even in Montgomery, AL at a Dixie Youth Little League game! God does care- he cares for all of us. So, like I told Will on the way home.... we were all winners Saturday. No, we didn't advance to the state tournament in Greenville but what an awesome memory for a hurting family. God is so good.... ALL the time!

So, we came home Saturday night and prepared for the reunion on Sunday. Family and friends started gathering for Mia's arrival at the Birmingham Aiport Sunday night around 7:30 p.m. Their plane was supposed to land at 8:18 p.m. We got there and found out it was a little ahead of schedule and would be there at 8:07 p.m. When we saw Ashley, Griff, mom and Mia coming everyone started clapping and cheering. What an awesome moment! Cameras were flashing and tears were flowing. You could tell they were exhausted but the boys ran to their mom and it was such a sweet, sweet spirit there. Guess what? God was there too! We could feel HIS prescence! Prayers had been answered. Ashley, Griff and Mom had traveled around the world and now we were actually able to touch that sweet little girl. They got everything loaded up and headed home. They're still recovering from jet lag and having a new 18 month old around but overall, I think they're doing really good.

We've seen Mia a couple of times since Sunday. We ate dinner at my Grandmother's house on Monday night. Mia let me take her outside and hold her, kiss her and feed her egg drop soup that Aunt Kay had brought. On Monday night, we went swimming at Mom and Dad's house. Mia LOVED the water! She laughed and giggled and even put her face down in the water. So far, she's really attached to Ashley and Cole but she's warming up to all of us. I think she's gonna like her new family! We just praise God everyday that he chose us for Mia and I hope we can raise and teach her well.

Well, I've gotta get going. I'm going to school today to plan a workshop that we're doing on August 2nd. It's almost time to go back... I can't complain, it's been a great summer. I'm kind of looking forward to school starting back and Fall. I love the fall- the leaves turning, cool days, pumpkins, Halloween and most of all AUBURN FOOTBALL!

Enjoy this beautiful day God has given us and remember to count your blessings!

Allison

And We're Off....

Well, I've fallen down on the job for blogging and I'm afraid to say this might become the norm. I wanted this to be my daily journal, but we haven't slowed down long enough to do that lately. We're leaving today for Montgomery. Our boys play tonight at 7:30 and the outcome of that game determines what time we play tomorrow. They've worked so hard, but our sports are overlapping now. We had to have football pictures made yesterday and today it's back to baseball. Wow, I wonder about this sometimes? However, I think that sometimes Will does better the busier he is. He's so well-rounded- he makes good grades, he loves playing sports, he loves cooking, gardening, playing video games, etc. so if he can handle it, then I can too!

My sister comes home from China in 4 days! Yeah!! We can't wait to be at the airport Sunday night. I don't have huge expectations for Mia greeting us with a smile, but it will be so wonderful to touch her precious, sweet face in person. I know she's going to have a big "welcoming committee" so I think I'll have to get in line! She's defenitely warming up to Ashley, Griff and Mom but she's about to meet sooooo many more family members, a new home, a new dog, etc. Please continue to lift them up in your prayers. God has seen them through his far and I know He will continue but they still need our prayers.

Well, gotta go wash some clothes, take Will to get a haircut, pack some suitcases, and head off to Montgomery! I hope all of you enjoy this beautiful, summer day our precious Lord has blessed us with!

With Love,
Allison

Montgomery Bound

Well, we're Montgomery Bound! The Glencoe Yellow Jackets 11/12 yr. old all-stars came in 2nd place in our district tournament last night so we're advancing to the Sub-State tournament in Montgomery, AL next weekend. The boys are thrilled to be going to stay in a hotel! You'd think they've never been out of Glencoe! Anyway, I really wish they would do well. We've got a great group of kids but they've got to learn to be more competitive and be more confident- something that's really hard to "coach" them on. As a reading coach, I'm always reminding teachers that if we keep doing it the same way, we're going to keep getting the same results... That really isn't a problem unless you're unhappy with "your same results" and you're trying to improve and we're defenitely wanting to improve our baseball game! I absolutely love being a literacy coach in an elementary school because I'm able to work with teachers and students and it's always about improving and being a more effective teacher. I worked with a wise lady for a couple of years who would say... "Good, better, best- never let it rest, until the good is better and the better is best". Gosh, I just love that saying. We can always say "we're good" but shouldn't we always want to be "the best"!

I've talked with mom and Ashley several times via email and text and even a phone conversation this morning. The connection is very sketchy and I just feel fortunate if we get to talk for a minute or two. As far as I can tell, Mia is doing about normal. She's still in the adjustment phase and I'm thinking this may last a little longer than we'd expected. It's going to be interesting to see how she does when she meets her brothers, cousins, grandparents and extended family. She just thought she didn't have any family... I know they are all exhausted and are ready to see the Ol' US of A! They said after these two weeks, Lee Greenwood was their hero! And I'm proud to be an American... yeah, you're singing it now too, aren't you?? LOL!

Well, I saw the school supplies out at Walmart this week so you know what's around the corner? Yep, August 5th. But, until then... I'm going to enjoy my last few weeks of the relaxed, carefree days of summer.

Have a great weekend! God Bless you!

Allison

Technology is Amazing

Technology really is amazing to me. Will, Molly, Pace, Dad and I were just able to talk to Ashley, Mom and Mia in China. I mean, really? I guess for some it really isn't that big a deal, but for someone who is still intrigued by cell phones and things, it's amazing! It was 7:00 a.m. in China and they were about to get their day started. We were able to see Mia. She was sitting in Ashley's lap and looking into the webcam. She is so precious!! I just can't get over how stinkin' cute she is. She is beginning to smile just a bit at Griff and mom but still will not let them hold her. She wants Ashley to carry her and hold her all the time and I think Ashley is pretty much exhausted. She is mourning. She is sad, but it will get better in time. I think she's already better that she was yesterday. Ashley said they went shopping and the sales clerk was a beautiful, Chinese lady. As they walked out of the store, Mia reached for the lady and cried. She didn't know the lady but she looked more familiar to her than Ashley or Mom. It breaks your heart to think about what this baby is having to endure, but how much do you remember about being 18 months old? That's really our only salvation right now. What she's gaining is so much better than what she's leaving behind. Mia just hasn't realized that yet. By the way, isn't the hairbow Ashley has on her in the picture above obnoxious?! It's so obnoxious that it's cute. We have a thing for "propeller" hairbows in our family. Molly is still wearing them. She told me one time she was too big for those bows and you know what I said..."Don't you know it's against the law to not wear one of those". Now, she doesn't even ask! I'm a mean, old mom.

Well, our Jackets pulled out a victory against Crossville last night so we're still alive! We actually got to quit in the 5th inning because we were winning 10-0. Will has been in a hitting slump, but he got two great hits that made his mom proud!!! I love my Wizzy and I love to watch him play baseball! We play at 6:00 tomorrow night. If we win the first game, we'll play again at 7:00. If we lose the first game, we're coming to 54 White Oak Drive! This is a great group of kids and I'm proud of them regardless of any score, hit, run, etc. Go Jackets!!!!

I'm really tired tonight, and that's about all I can think of today. Maybe tomorrow I will have more "words of wisdom". LOL!

With Love,

Allison

Wonderful News!

Well, we had a great 4th of July! It was a busy, busy day that started at 5:30 a.m. but it was wonderful! I got up early and made potato salad and brownies and finished cleaning the house. Then we went to church. We got home and Darin put the finishing touches on the ribs and everyone came over around 1:30 to eat. We had a delicious meal and we also celebrated Madison's birthday. Then Will and I headed out to baseball practice at 4:00 and then our baseball team had a cookout/fireworks show over at The Lang's. Finally, we went to our church for the "Celebration in the Park" and they had hot dogs, cotton candy, inflatables, fireworks, etc. I'm so thankful to be an American, live in a free nation, and be able to serve a risen Savior! Wow, we're really blessed beyond measure when you think about it.

4th of July was extra special this year because we were anticipating Mia's reunion with Ashley, Griff, and Mom in China. They left last Wednesday and Mia's "Gotcha Day" was scheduled for July 5th in China. A person from the orphanage drove Mia 6 hrs. to meet her new family. Mia had never been in a car before and she was taken from a place that was her home, even though we don't think of an orphanage as a home. My sister has wanted a daughter for so long and July 5th, 2010 was the day that God answered her prayer. I've heard that blessings follow obedience. As I've said earlier, Ashley felt led to do this even though during the last ten months they've experienced fear, frustation, financial sacrifices and much more. However, she and Griff were obedient to His call and what a blessing they've now received. Don't you wonder what blessings await you and me, if we would only be obedient to His call....

Mia is doing great! She is beautiful, totally beautiful but we already knew that from the pictures we've seen. I talked to Mom early this morning and she said that she's very attached to Ashley, and that she loves looking at a book that Ashley took that has all different types of textures and things. Mia cried when they first gave her to Ashley but overall I think she's doing well. Mia is grieving right now for her home and caregivers but all of these behaviors are normal. Like Ashley said, it's very sad to see a child grieve like this but what she's gaining far surpasses what she's left behind. But, you know what? I don't feel like Mia has received the biggest blessing. Our family has! This little girl is going to bring life, happiness, hope and be a constant reminder of love to our whole family and community in the days and years ahead. It's just a surreal feeling when you really stop to take it all in. So many people have called, emailed, texted and asked us about Mia. I'm so thankful to all the prayer warriors out there. The prayers have been felt and I know Ashley & Griff will continue to need them.

We're about to head out to Collinsville for another baseball game. Will's team lost last night but it's double elimination so we get a chance to redeem ourselves tonight. Let's go Jackets!

Well, I hope you have a great Tuesday! May you feel the love of God today as our family has in recent days.

With Love,

Allison

Summer Fun

Saturday was a busy, busy day for us but we loved every minute of it! It started with a 6:00 a.m. trip to WalMart and Johnson's to buy groceries. Molly and I attempted to do the shopping on Friday but WalMart looked like Christmas Eve so we turned around and walked out! I got up bright & early Saturday morning and took off to do the dreaded trip. Next, we had another family swim at Gig & Mimi's pool. Our cousin from Atlanta, Madison, has been home all week and we've really enjoyed swimming with her. Then we decided to go to Wright's Dairy Farm in Alexandria. The dairy farm is only about 10 minutes away but Molly and I have never been there so we went. It was a family outing... Aunt Kathy, Uncle Mike, Great Mommy, Madison, Molly, Will & Nolan. We got to see the cows being milked and the kids enjoyed some ice cream. Fun! Fun!

Gig really took one for the team last night! He is such an awesome granddaddy! We had made plans with some of our friends to go out to dinner and see the fireworks show in Gadsden. However, Nolan, Cole & Garrett were at Gig's house and guess who knew it? Oh, yeah- Miss Molly! Molly and Nolan never miss an opportunity to play together so Molly decided she wanted to stay with Gig too and Darin and I were happy to let her! Ha! Ha! So, Darin, Will and I went to the Courtyard Cafe with The Diggs and enjoyed a nice, peaceful, delicious dinner! Thank you, Gig! Oh, but wait... it gets better. Gig met us in Gadsden with all the kids to watch the annual fireworks show. By the way, Molly is terrified of fireworks. So we sat outside and enjoyed the fireworks with our friends. Then Gig took ALL 5, yes I didn't stutter, ALL 5 kids to Ashley's house to spend the night. Have I ever told you that I love my dad???? I'm about to leave and go up there. I hope everyone is still alive and breathing!

When we got home, Ashley had left a message on the answering machine from China and we attempted to skype. Not much luck! Very slow and distorted. We may not talk again until July 18th! LOL! Anyway, Mission Mia is still underway and she will be ours in just a few, short hours.

Today, is another action-packed day. We're headed to church, home for a family cookout @ 2:00, baseball practice @ 4:00, cookout @ The Lang's @ 5:00 and church fireworks afterwards. Makes me tired to think about it!

Happpy 4th of July everyone! Isn't is great to be an American. I'm so thankful to all past & present soldiers! God has really blessed the United States of America. Remember to give God the glory and praise Him for all he has done and don't forget to .... Count Your Blessings!

With Love,

Allison

So far... so good!

Everything has been going smoothly since Mom, Ashley & Griff left on Wednesday. We've been really busy and are getting used to the limited communication with them. Mom sent me a text this morning and she said they were having problems with phone and internet connections and they are hoping things will be better once they get to China. I've heard that it takes around two weeks to develop a habit, so we should be getting used to all of this about the time they come home.

We're getting ready for a holiday weekend around here! It's going to be a busy one too. Tonight, Will has his first all-star game in Collinsville. I guess we'll swim and clean the house tomorrow because Sunday we're going to go to church, have a family cookout around 2:00 and then go to the "Celebration in the Park" at our church Sunday night! I'm about to go shopping for our menu and I'd like to get Molly something cute & patriotic to wear! I know... I'm always looking for a reason to buy Miss Molly something new to wear, but she looks so darn cute in everything that it's hard to resist! LOL!

My granddaddy has blueberry bushes at his house and it's becoming a summer tradition that we go help him pick them about every other day. We picked yesterday afternoon, and I came home with a 2 gallon bucket full of blueberries! So... if anyone has any good blueberry recipes, please share!

Well, I guess I better finish this post. Darin has just taken Will to the river for a few hours and my aunt came and got Molly to go swimming but they will be arriving momentarily and I need to get Molly dressed to go shopping.

Happy 4th of July everybody! Aren't we blessed to be Americans? Enjoy this holiday weekend with your family & friends. May God Bless YOU!

With Love,
Allison

Can you believe it's July 1st?

Can you believe it's really July 1st? In the life of a schoolteacher, July is a little scary because it means summer vacation is 1/2 over. The month of June seems so peaceful and you wake up each morning with such a relaxed, blissful feeling but it seems like after July 4th, summer is over. You start thinking about the new school year and working in your classroom but I love my job and honestly I'm usually ready to go back. Besides, I'm thankful to have two months off because most people have three weeks!

Well, you wanna hear how yesterday afternoon went? Will called my dad to come over and assist him with cranking the lawnmower. So of course, Gig came to the rescue. While dad was here, he asked me if I wanted him to trim my shrubs. My dad really LOVES to do about three things: burn, sand and buff, and cut stuff. I know it sounds crazy but it's true! Anyway, I was happy he offered so we spent the afternoon outside trimming the hedges and shrubs. We did this last summer but they had really gotten BIG again. I've posted pics of our home- can't really tell much about the finished product but the shrubs look much better! I just love the picture of our house when it snowed, so I loaded that pic too!

After our afternoon outside, Darin and I took the kids to church and to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Las Brisas. Then, we came home. Molly knows how to dial my parents' phone number so she sneaks and calls alot. She came in my bedroom and told me that she had called Gig and she was going to spend the night. I thought that would be a pretty good idea because I knew Gig was probably lonesome with Mom being gone. Well, Will joined the spend the night party and all was well with the world. Until, 10:20! At 10:20, Will calls me to come get them. He had fallen asleep and Molly had proceeded to put toothpaste all in his hair! I mean, really? Where does this kid come up with this stuff? As someone said..."you can't make this up". Molly is famous for just pulling "tricks" out of her hat. So I turned the outside light on, and Gig rolled up and let them out. He looked pretty frazzled. I guess he'd rather be alone!

I'm thinking Ashley, Griff & Mom have probably made it to Tokyo by now and may be on their way to Hong Kong. If I hear from them, I'll update. As for "The Brown's", we've got some family cleaning to do before any swimming will be done. Will has practice at 5:00 this afternoon. Never a dull moment.

Enjoy this beautiful day God has blessed us with and remember... to count your blessings.

With Love,

Allison