Catch Up

While I was uploading photos from our recent trip to FL, I found some adorable pictures that I never posted. They are just too cute not to share!

Joe & Ella: Partners in Crime

Action shot

After we met the Outmans at the airport, we stopped at the mall to do some shopping and ate lunch at our all-time favorite restaurant.... Chick Fil A. They had a little kiddie table in the food court. It was the perfect size for AG and Ella.

This is the crew that met Phelix, Phisher and the rest of the Outman Family at the airport. It was such a blessed day to see those two precious babies come home to their family that has faithfully waited for them for the past year.

Inspiring Video

I have been following the Johnson's journey to Lucy Lane for a while now. If you haven't visited their blog yet, you have to! They are such an inspiring family- bound to make a difference for orphans. They just brought little Lucy home from Ethiopia the middle of June. She is the cutest baby! Seriously- PRECIOUS! 

Anyways, the point of this post is to share this inspiring video of the Johnson family's adoption journey to bring home little Lucy Lane. It brought me to tears. This video is truly inspiring... makes me want a little girl from Ethiopia! ( in my dreams :)

Well here you go:

WARNING:: very touching, be prepared to cry... LOTS

Happy 4th of July!

We are thankful for so much this 4th of July. I remember last year's 4th as we were disappointed to have to celebrate 4th of July without Ella. This year we were so excited to celebrate the 4th as a complete family! This is Ella's first 4th as an American citizen!!!

We had a great day, filled with love, thankfulness, and fun! Here's how we spent our 4th of July 09:

We started off our day taking a little trip to St. Louis to welcome the Outman Family home from Ethiopia with their twin boys! It was great to see Phelix and Phisher for the first time! They are absolutely precious!

While the girls went to St. Louis, the boys stayed home and went to the fireworks store (the highlight of the summer!) to purchase some more fireworks.

After we met the Outmans, we stopped at the mall for some quick shopping and lunch, and then we headed home!

Then we were off to a family friend's house to swim, play, eat dinner, enjoy homemade ice cream, and shoot off fireworks! There were 3 families and 13 kids (ages 1-16). All the kids played together great and had a ball shooting off and watching the fireworks!

We had a great day, FULL of fun! Happy 4th everyone!