Hee-haw! Ride em cowgirl!

We had one more little adventure last week as part of our quest to find free things we can do for fun with Sammy. Our "situation" has really forced us to become creative as to the various things we can do as a family. I'll have to say, we have come up with some pretty fun things! Maybe one day I will compile some sort of list of free family fun activities. This last time we went to see horses! My friend Kim has always been obessed with horses and finally got her wish.... she is now the proud owner (kind of) of Mae, a very old and pregnant horse! We decided to drive out and watch one of her riding sessions, it was a lot of fun. Sammy loved it, he still has no fear around animals. He said "neigh" a few times and he fell in love with the baby and wanted to go in the stable and see it several times. He even talked in soft high pitch voice to it and kissed the gate 8 times!

Kim was so great! She rode like a pro and even did some jumps! She is supposed to have a show at somepoint and I can't wait to see her, so cool to watch your friends live out their dreams. I actually learned a lot in our short visit. There were some really beautiful horses there, I mean just gorgeous. Some spunky, some boring, each with their own personality. In a way they seem to me like giant dogs but maybe much more smarter. Anyway, I uploaded some video of her riding below and here are few pics~ Giddyup!

Sammy & Cody!

Living here in Gville has been great for so many reasons but it has been SO hard to be separated from our friends and fam in Jax. We try hard to stay in touch with everyone through the weeks but scattered visits here and there and emails/phone calls can't replace the day to day little things we used to do together. I miss calling up my friends there and just meeting up for lunch or coffee and talking, or if I needed something from store meeting to shop together. Its always those little moments when completely hillarious things happen and memories are made. I want so much for my friends up there to know Sammy and for him to be close to them, esepecially to their kids (Marc, Caitlin, & Peirce!) but it is hard when he only sees them every 5 or 6 months or so. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before we can be back there but for now we are doing our best to keep in touch from afar.

My dear friend Cody is one example, we used to see each other EVERY single day since we took classes together at UNF and were PsiChi officers by day and went to Bible study together at night. She would hang at our condo between class since she lived so far from UNF, it was just great. Our lives changed so dramtically~ we graduated and I started grad school here and she started law school at Fl Coastal. You can see how difficult that made it for us to be in touch. It is hard enough when one is that busy but to have both of us just trying to survive and make it through, very hard to find time to keep up with the day to day. Thankfully we have remained close and can always pick right back up where we left off. She is now..drum roll plrease..... Cody Lauren Westmoreland, attorney at law! I could not be more proud of her and am just so happy to see her new life. She has an amazing job and is doing wonderfully, of course. It is so nice to get a glimpse into her life when we can get together and hear all about what she is doing. I miss her family so much too, yes even Nikos her brother who calls me Chin-lo just to irritate me (I don't care to explain why). Sam and I were amazed by all the things going on and she laughed at us and said "I know you only live in Ganiesville but it is like you are from a different culture", too funny, but it really was true! Sam and I can't keep up with all the hip technology and all the I phone buisness. Maybe one day.

We had a chance to spend some time with her while we were up for our family pics and it was just so great. Thanks for taking a short break from your busy schedule Cody, we had a blast and love you and miss you terribly. Sammy just simply adored her. He pulled up a chair to sit by her and he started calling her CoCo, just too cute. He had very important things to tell her, of course. Hopefully it won't be so long before we can see each other again. I included a little video of him saying her name, very sweet!

Let the little children come to me.....

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it" and He took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10: 13-16

Three down and one to go! I think most know by now but Samantha AND Mark (Hannah's sister and brother) prayed to ask Jesus into their lives at VBS a few weeks ago. Krista prayed about a year ago. I can not even begin to express how beyond happy I am that these little ones that we love so very much will be in heaven with us one day. It is so much more than that though, we talked a lot about how this decision is not just about heaven but also about just a new life. A life filled with joy and hope, even in your darkest of times, most difficult of struggles. I don't know what the future holds for them or us but I am not ignorant to the fact that one day things will change and we won't see them each week or have them in our house to see what our family is all about. So, this is just great to know that they can start learning how to talk with Jesus about anything and everything go to Him with their problems. Samantha had been asking me questions for a while, wondering various things. I was very careful to answer her questions in a way that would not push her b/c I wanted to be sure that the decsion was 100% wholeheartedly of her own doing.

Krista called on Thurs to talk with me some about Jesus and she had questions about talking with Him and being a good example. She said she wants to tell all her friends about Him and that she has been reading the Bible we gave her. She explained to me that you don't have to go all over the world or be an adult to be a missionary b/c you can tell people in your neighborhood just as good as those far away and since she STILL hasn't turned old enough to drive (didn't tell her she has loooong way to go!) she has decided to be a missionary in her neighborhood. That is what it is all about, right? Seriously this is why I LOVE working with kids, I learn so much from them and they keep me real. Some of the questions she asked me really made me think. I love that she felt comfortable enough to call me and ask me. I am just thanking God for that sweet phone call. Hope we have many more like it.

The verse I included from the book of Mark has always held a special place in my heart. In the academic world I see so many beyond brilliant people who are amazing scientists and wow me constantly with their knowledge but sadly their smarts get in their way of the true meaning of life. Faith is actually too simple for them. The think they can know more than God. The fact that we can pray and ask the one and only Jesus Christ to actually have a personal relationship with us, that He would even care to know the intimate details of our every day lives is just beyond them. This is why He says come to me as a child, so that all our thinking doesn't get in the way. He tells us "lean not unto your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5) and just have faith him him. FAITH. Faith means "belief or trust in a person or thing that is not based on proof". This is why in His word Jesus says we only need the faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains (problems in our lives, overcome our struggles) (Matthew 17:20-21) beacuse once you take that tiny step of faith and ask Him to come into your life, things change and you finally have a peace that beats anything I felt before I knew my Jesus that's for sure. I know there are plenty of stories of people coming to Jesus as adults and on their deathbeds and although it is still a wonderful thing, it is sad in a way. They missed out on a lifetime of getting to know Him and just enjoying Him and His love for them. So many think that being a Christian means you can't have any fun... um NOT SO! Life is ubelievably more full and abundant and way more fun now than it ever was before. When I am down and think I can't continue on with whatever is going on, I just go to Jesus spend a little time with Him and He fills me back up and I am totally 100% renewed. This is why I am just sooo happy about Krista, Samantha, and Mark. They have their whole lives in front of them and hopefully they will decide to do great things with their lives, things that will honor God and make a this world a better place, because of their own decisions to trust Him with their lives. I know they will struggle, but if they fall away and grow distant in their relationship with God at some point they can hold on to the fact that He is always there, waiting for them to choose to talk with and follow Him.

Still hoping my little Banana will choose to make this decision one day too. I couldn't think of anything we could do together that would make me happier than praying that prayer with her. It is one of my deepest desires and has been since we were matched.

What can I say, I love these kiddos!!! They may make me get some gray hairs but they are so totally worth every one.

Little Fishy!

So we totally have a little fishy on our hands! Sammy loves all things water and had blast in Grammy & Papi's pool. He has no fear of water, I would actually prefer some slight hesitation on his part but no such luck. He seriously tries to pry our hands off of him and dunk his face right in, he loves it. I do think we need some toddler swim lessons for sure! Thanks to Linda's sister in law, Jennifer, who gave us some tips. She used to be an infant swim instructor so told us we need to first work on teaching him to blow bubbles out anytime his mouth hits water. This should become automatic and keep him from taking in giant gulps of water and choking. He really enjoyed the bubble thing, so good start. Had to post these pics from the pool, just to stinkin cute.

Quick funny..... Was doing laundry tonight to prepare for our weekend getaway (spending 4th of July weekend with Shirey Fam and just couldn't be more excited) and I freaked out b/c our dryer sounded VERY broken. It was making the most awful terrible sound that I have never heard and all I could see were money signs as I ran to it to diagnos just how bad it was going to be. I opened it only to find a bright white ROCK flying around. That's right, Sammy's little rock he found from the other night. I thought he lost it but nope, he aparently had shoved it in his pocket. I guess this is just the begning of an array of strange things I will soon find in our laundry now that he has discovered the wonder of "the pocket". Glad it wasn't an expensive dryer problem but somewhat worried about what the future will hold. What will I do if there is ever a frog in there.. oh just the thought gives me the heebedy-jibbiees!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July! God bless our wonderful country!!!!

Was still sporting the remains from his VBS injury on his forhead. It seriously seems as soon as one bump/goosegg on forhead heals another one pops up. Just today he started play falling at Gloria's and got another goosegg. Boys!? I just don't get it?? Why on earth would you WANT to fall??

Decided to put up few more Grandparent pics... Here he is helping Grammy with dinner prep
He wanted so badly to watch the games of pool so this is the best they could come up with, he sat there and yelled "goal" throwing his hands up after each person made a shot



Grammy & Papi surprised him with a giant "Dump tump" as Sammy calls it. Elmo and his smaller trucks go for many rides in it
Sam's dad wanted to document that he whopped Sam in FOUR games of pool, too funny
For those who don't know, Sam has taken up the art of balloon animals for our upcoming trip to Guatemala. He has taught himself from free sites on Google and has gotten good at hats, weiner dogs, and girraffes. Still working on flowers and few others.

Super fun weekend!

This last weekend was so much fun! We of course had to go back up to OP given the arrival of little miss Caitlin Grace McCarver, just the most precious little thing in the whole world. Linda and baby Caitlin are doing great. Caitlin is just so beautiful! She has a full head of thick dark hair and just took my breath away when I got my first look at her. She was just so sweet and peaceful and it was like I was looking at a little tiny version of my Winna Kaye (well with dark hair). She does have a tiny bit of Patrick that I could see but Linda's features are what jumped out at me. The happy little fam was just too sweet, those first few weeks are just so precious (before the sleep deprivation sets in, lol). I am so happy for them, they sure deserve this amazing gift, they are just such a great couple. It is so fun to go through life together. I can remember us, as litlte girls, talking about how we would have babies together and how they would be the best of friends. So, to grow up and cheer each other on as we "do life" and our dreams come true, just such an amazing gift. I am so thankful for our friendship and that we have remained so close. I can't wait until Caitlin is old enough to play with Sammy, will be so much fun! Congrats again Winna Kaye! We love you! Give that sweet girl a kiss from me!

We had lots of times with family, Sammy loved his time with "Nendy" (Cindy) and his cousins. He has been asking for Cindy several times each day since. Uncle LaVaughn and Stan have the boys, Duncan and Quiten visiting (my little cousins who recently moved up to GA) so Sammy absolutley loved swimming with them. He simply adores all his big cousins and thinks everything they do is cool. Julie & Bryan came over on Sunday and we had blast in pool. My little Julz is growing up way too fast, it blows my mind. Such a beautiful girl, inside and out. Sammy discovered Aunt Sandra's monkey/gorilla collection from Uncle Tom. Each Valentienes he gets her one of those that sing or dance, Sammy had all the buttons going that he could at once, it was a lot to handle. He also fell in love with one particular one and hugged it all weekend (See video below).

We also had the pleasure (I am being facetious) of having pics done. Thankfully mom treated us to 18 mos pics of Sammy and the photographer said she would take few family pics. It could not have gone more wrong. Sammy was pretty mad b/c he had to let the giant red balloon she brought for the first few shots go and it was all down hill from there. Thunder and lightening rolled in, sand storm blew sand in our eyes, bugs were buzzing around Sammy's face. Needless to say she thankfully asked if we could reschedule a re-do, continuoation appointment. So, I am glad for that but hope it won't be quite as stressful! It is alot to get us all ready and color coordinated. She did give us sneak peak of couple of the pics and they are good so atleast few turned out. We loved Amy, the photographer, she is very skilled.

I love this one, mommy & baby, so sweet!
So proud of you Linda! You did it!!!! Can't wait to watch our girl grow =)
happy little family
The first of many important conversations with my little "niece"
Daddy changing the princess's diaper, it was a rough one and he did a fantastic job! very impressed!
Everyone say ... "awwww" here

My Aunt Sandra and Uncle Tom, love you both!

I think he's sweet on her! =)

Sammy had fun "talking" with Aunt Sandra and had many things to show her. I won't lie and say it didn't hurt my feelings in the least when he kept calling her mommy... ouch!

Our budding musician, he just loves music (and trucks, the truck he found at Aunt Sandra's never left his side all weekend)

Below:

This is how we found him when we picked him up fro Debbie & Glen's after hanging out with Cody (more later), fast asleep with his little friend Jamie Lynn. They apparently danced the night away and were tuckerd out. They play so well together, so cute! Just wish we lived closer so they could play more. Thank you to Debbie & Glen for our fun night out!

THE END~ (I just couldn't resist given the nature of this last picture)

making memories

Sammy had so much fun visiting his grandparents recently. We have always had fun with him but now that he is older he can do so many more things. We have loved watching his relationships with each grandparent grow, it is just so sweet. He has really started loving art so he has been busy making little things for each person and is just so very proud of himself. He surprised both Grammy & Papi with pictures he had made for each of them that they proudly hung on their fridge. We laughed b/c literally at least 10 or 12 times he went and pointed to the fridge and clapped for himself, he would get us and take us to the fridge to show us how his work was displayed. Very cute.

I was thinking how things like this, little daily moments that seem typical to us are not so typical to God. He uses these to shape and mold our children into little forms of the people they will eventually be. As most of you know I study child development and the first 3 years are just so critical for so many aspects of development, particularly attachment and self-concept/esteem. Just like so many other topics, it has just been amazing to see first hand with my own child all the things I have learned in school. It makes me think a lot of the kids at Casa and other kids we know who don't have people to cheer them on and celebrate each little accomplishment. I can see now just how critical the little moments like that are in confirming his importance to us and building confidence and it breaks my heart that so many kids don't have opportuinities like that. I don't know what the future holds for us but the more I watch Sammy grow and learn the more I think about adopting our next child rather than having one naturally. Sam is on board with either option as long as it is very far in the distant future, lol. How great would it be to change the life of a child in such a way?

I often think of how I hope that in some way Sammy will understand just how blessed he really is to have so much, to have so many people who love him and want to be a part of his little life, to have so many opportunities. Heck, he has done some things in his first year and a half that it took me half of a lifetime to do! I hope we can instill in him an appreciation for what God has blessed him with so that he does not take all he has for granted. I have met so many amazing children with hearts for God and who seem really selfless for their age and I think to myself, this is how I want Sammy to be. On the other hand, I have met unfortunately MANY more other children who seem so ungrateful for their quality of life and just expect new things all the time. Sammy will obviously be his own person but I hope we can teach him to be grateful for what he has and to learn to see things and life from other people's persepctive. This is how he will feel compasison and empathy for others and be thankful for what he has. Big mission for parents but one worth investing in.

Well, I've digressed so back to what I orginally planned to post, here are some pics from time with Sam's fam! See this is what reading a million papers about the effects of poverty on child development will do to ya, I am sooo sick of studying for my qualifying exams. In fact, yesterday on my way in to a meeting I actually thought to myself "how great would it be if I was driving to my actual quals defence meeting right now...." seems forever away but I know Sept will be here before I know it so back to the books for me!

Below:

Sammy is such a good helper! We stopped by Papi's garage and he loved "helping" Papi with everything. He is Papi's right hand man for sure!

Soneone thought it would be fun .. (Sam's dad) to give Sammy an entire ice cream sandwhich of his own, um let's just stay this was the start of a very very long sugar rush and NO nap that day. Sam's dad actually said he wants to give Sammy that much sugar every visit b/c he had so much fun with him. =)

Sammy and Papi watching the froggies, just imagine a lot of "this?" "That?"