The Pumpkin Patch......

Saturday, Jason, Olivia and I got ready and went to the pumpkin patch. We had fun except for the fact that we froze to death (well Olivia and I did). Yes, I am a terrible mother sometimes. When we left, evidently I didn't feel the nice cool, (COLD!), breeze that was blowing and therefore we weren't dressed appropriately. We still had fun though. (Except when I got stung in the rear by a bee while we were eating lunch!) I know, it does sound like we had a terrible time, but we really did have fun. Olivia really liked the ducks and the petting zoo. She also let them paint butterflies on her hands, but she wouldn't let them near her face. She didn't want to leave. She kept shaking that little head saying " I, I not weady to go.."(he he).... So cute. I love her so much. They grow up so fast! Our two year old knows how to work a DVD player!! I was casually showing her one day how to do it, (while letting her do all the work), and she remembered EVERY step... She now goes and pops in a movie when she is good and ready. No joke. Even when Jason and I are watching TV.. (he he).. Oh well....


Olivia petting the goats...


I just liked this picture...:-)


Olivia and Daddy watching the ducks...


And a pretty picture of a duck....


I just liked this picture of Olivia and her daddy for some reason..




Olivia and Daddy in the corn maze.


So mischevious!!


Um.... HELLO!! Over here!!


I love this one too!! Love it!!


I'll take this one......


and this one!!


I just couldn't get her to look forward!!


PRETTY!! She staired at her hands and held them up in the air for the longest time after getting them painted. It was funny.


So, Olivia was not very cooperative in the picture area this day for some reason. She is usually cheesing and wanting to get her pictures made, but for some reason, she just wouldn't have it today. Oh well.....

Happy Anniversary Granny & Papa!!

So after our pumpkin patch adventure, we had to be at a surprise anniversary party for my grandparents (Bill and Lucille McBride). They have been married for 62 years!! Woo Hoo!!! They have 8 children, (1 has passed), 24 grandchildren, and 43 great grandchildren. Yes, that's right, I said 24 and 43.. In case you don't know me very well, I come from a huge family, and I love every minute of it. These are two of the most precious people you will ever meet.... I love and respect these people more than you will ever know. I can remember when I was little, my papa having bible lessons at his house for his grandchildren during the week making us learn the books of the bible and learning bible verses. I still remember those verses and the books of the bible to this very day. I never knew at the time, how valuable that stuff would be to me later in life. I know the Lord was, (and still is), looking down at my papa and granny, with a big huge smile on his face nodding his head. I don't know if they know it or not, but that made a huge impact on my life. I really look up to these people and love them with all my heart. Happy Anniversary Granny and Papa... We love you both very much.

Pumpkin Carving.....

So yesterday, Jason , Olivia and I decided that we would carve our 2008 pumpkin. We got the pumpkin we carved at Wal-Mart, but we are going to the pumpkin patch next weekend and letting Olivia pick out another one of her own. We want her to feel like she is getting to pick it out, but we needed a good round one to put a pretty face on :-) She did not participate in the gutting of the pumpkin, as Olivia can not stand to get dirty. She liked pretending like she was doing stuff though. (he he) All in all, we had a good family fun day. I am so thankful for my family and sometimes wonder why I am so lucky.... God is good... Tonight, we are doing Halloween cookies!!! Yum yum.........


Getting ready to carve him up.....





Watching daddy ever so closely....


Olivia playing with Snoopy!


Here she is making an attempt to gut the pumpkin, but she couldn't do it.




Here are Jason and Olivia with their masterpiece acting silly....


So I was not going to post this picture of Olivia and I because my hand is right on her crotch for some reason, but I had to in order to get the picture of Olivia and her daddy acting silly on here. It was part of the deal. So sorry about the hand :-)



And here he is!! Isn't he cute?????

Smile Award :-)

I got a sweet e-mail the other day from Tabetha Sullens at Reminisce Heirlooms nominating me for a Smile Award. Thank you so much Tabetha!! It means so much to receive an award from such a wonderful person like her. She is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet.

This is what Tabetha wrote: Tanya is another lady who inspires me. She told me over a year ago (maybe two...where does the time go?) of how she was striving to get Liv. I could see the love and hope in her eyes and she will never know how she inspired me by doing so. I know she is blessed and I could not be happier for her family.

These are the rules:

1. The recipient must link back the the awards creator
2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.
3. You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

Characteristics for the Smile Award:

Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)
Must love one another
Must make mistakes
Must learn from others
Must be a positive contributor to blog world
Must love life
Must love kids

Now I would like to nominate the following:

1. Sam Bullock
2. Alison Cummins
3. Danielle Sliger
4. Holly Hodges
5. Shana Ginn

Congratulations ladies!! You all hold a very special place in my heart... Thanks again Tabetha for thinking of me...

Time For Some More Old Pics.....

These two pictures are some of our first days together in China. Jason and Olivia are bonding in this picture. Actually, I think she is probably thinking "What in the world is he saying to me?" By the way, that is not a hickey on my husbands neck, it is a birthmark :-) He is paranoid about it.



EEEKK!!!! Everytime Olivia and I see this picture, I scream really loud like the picture is terrifying me and Olivia just starts laughing hysterically.

Everything Happens For a Reason....

I believe everything happens for a reason, and if we don't know that reason right away, we will someday! - Alison Cummins

This quote was posted on my friend Alison Cummins blog on 10-12-08 titled Randomness and the words and message just meant so much to me. I really appreciate Alison for writing it. I don't know how many times I have said this very same thing to myself when I have been down. So, when I read Alison's blog, it prompted me to write the following:

I am not very good with words, so bear with me. As most of you know, Jason and I tried for many years to have children. We had 5 miscarriages and 1 ectopic pregnancy. After the last miscarriage, I really questioned God and why he would put us through what we were going through at the time. I wondered why he would always let us find out we were expecting, and then yank all the excitement right out from under us. We even quit going to church for some time. (I am not sure if it was all anger, Bro. Ray left Gath around the same time we quit going, so I think it was several things). I just did not understand. I was full of anger. At any rate, I got REALLY depressed.. No joke.. I did not want to be around children, did not go to baby showers I should have been at, did not "throw" the baby showers I should have thrown, was full of jealously and doubt, pretty much did not want to do anything nor see anyone. The last couple of times I found out I was pregnant, I only told a select few people. (If any, I can't really remember). Then, in November 2004, Jason and I contacted Heaven Sent Children about adopting. Now, for those of you who know me, I never thought I would adopt a child. That just wasn't my plan,nor Jason's, but obviously it was God's. We have the most precious baby girl and we could not even imagine our lives without her. She is the greatest blessing. Now, God knew what we needed. I can tell you that Jason and I would not have adopted if I would have had a successful pregnancy and Olivia would not be here, and that breaks my heart just thinking about it. I thank God everyday now for Olivia and for all the trials I have been through, as there are reasons for them. (Even though they did really hurt at the time) If you take anything from this post, please learn to lay your life in God's hands and trust in him. There is a reason for everything, even if you do not know it right away. I want to thank Alison for her beautiful post as it inspired me to write mine. I don't think I have ever said these words to anyone except my husband. I hope it helps someone else who may have doubts now or later in life. Those words that Alison posted---- keep saying them to yourself when you get down. God will guide you through and never give you more than you can handle.

I also found this picture yesterday at Kirklands while Jason and I were Christmas shopping that had the following quote on it that I love:

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see
Hebrews11:1. (So very true!)

A Hay Ride!!!

Saturday night, Jason, Olivia and I were invited by my sister Erica to a cookout and a hay ride at Rock Island Church. We had lots of fun. Olivia was a little nervous about the hay ride, but we managed to get her on it eventually. After she had been on it for a few minutes, she said "I like it Momma! I like it!" So cute :) It is such a blessing to have such a huge and wonderful family. I wouldn't trade it for anything! We treasure each and everyone of you and love you all. Thank you Erica for inviting us to the hay ride!

Olivia playing on the swing set at church before the hay ride



Olivia and cousin Rylan playing!



Getting ready to go on a hay ride!!

Monster Trucks......

Saturday afternoon we went to Ethan's birthday party. (Olivia's cousin) He had it at the Monster Trucks place in Morrison. I thought that was such a good idea for a little boy!! (and very reasonably priced) Anyway, all the kids had a blast. Olivia, on the other hand, did not like the big truck. It intimidated her and she wouldn't ride in it. She is still very skeptical of everything. We had a great time and we hope you had a wonderful birthday Ethan. We love you!


Olivia wouldn't even sit on the truck for the group picture :-)



Finally, a picture with Ethan and Pepa!! (still not too excited about being around that big truck!)

Thank you Tabetha!!!

I just want to take a moment to say "Thank You" to Tabetha for the ornaments and other goodies she made for us.. They are absolutely beautiful and we love them. Tabetha is such a talented person with such a wonderful heart and we love her. She will be making Olivia's ornaments every year. We wish you lots of success and lots of love. You can visit Tabetha at www.reminisceheirlooms.blogspot.com.




Tabetha wrote:
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed making these. I know how much family means to you. I am honored to make Liv's ornaments each year. I am so happy that you have her and to see how truly blessed your family is with her. You just radiate love.

Elmo Potty Time....

Okay, I just had to put this on the blog. Olivia has become obsessed with Elmo. No joke. When we first got home from China, she was petrified of Elmo. She hated him. At some point, she has grown to LOVE him. Her aunt Deana got her a DVD called Elmo Potty Time and we watch this DVD at least 5 times a day. No joke. She would watch it all day if I would let her. We have two other Elmo DVD's, but it has to be Elmo Potty Time. It is so funny! And here's the thing, Olivia is potty trained and has been potty trained since before the age of two. Not sure what the obsession is with this specific movie, but it is hilarious. She sits and watches it in amazement every time like it's the first time she's ever watched it. I guess this is probably normal, but it just amazes me because she hated him so badly when we first got home. I am glad she's over her fear, I just need to find another movie that will spark her interest :-)

Spreadin' the Love.....

I want to send a great big thank you to my friend Alison Cummins for nominating me for the "Spread The Love" award. I got up really early yesterday morning and started checking out my friends blogs, and much to my surprise, Alison had given me an award. What a nice way to start the day! It will be an honor to accept this. Thank you for thinking of me Alison. You are just too sweet. I would now like to give this award to the following:

My very good friend Sally Pack-- who is working very hard on the Motlow McMinnville Center webpage. We have been the best of friends for years and she is someone who will always make you smile :-)

Allison Motley--a very good friend who was there for me throughout the whole adoption process. She listened to me whine about the agency and the wait for a long time. She has been a very patient and informative friend.

Aleisa Dunn--another very good friend whom I traveled to China with who was also very informative and knew almost everything that was going on. I don't know what Jason and I would have done without her and Patrick.

More Birthday Parties!!

First of all, I need to say "GO TITANS!!!!".That was a great game today! I am so glad they won. Anyway, we have had a very eventful weekend. Friday night my niece (Rylan) had a birthday party in Nashville at Build-a-Bear and then we all went to The Rainforest and had dinner. Saturday, Jason's nephew (Aaron) had a Titans birthday party at his house. I bet he was excited about the game today :-) Happy Birthday Rylan and Aaron!! We love you!!


Rylan at Rainforest

Aaron and his birthday present



Olivia and her cousin Hayden in their Titans gear playing on Aaron's new trampoline

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Yesterday was Jason's birthday, so after class Olivia and I came home and made her Daddy a birthday cake. She had so much fun making this cake. The cake, (and his present ), were supposed to be a surprise but she told him about the cake when he called on his way home from work and she told him what his present was when he picked it up to open it. I am really gonna have to be careful at Christmas! I thought I was bad! By the way the candles in the last picture say Jason is 36. This is incorrect. I bought the wrong candle. He is 37. I know how old my husband is, but for some reason I bought a 6 instead of a 7. I must have had 6 on the brain. We really got a kick out of this. I didn't even notice my mistake when we were putting the candles on the cake. He ever so politely pointed it out to me right before he blew it out! Too funny!


Mixing it up!!



Decorating


My artwork!

Happy Birthday Daddy!