A Look Back at 2011

2011 will FOREVER be remembered as a bitter sweet year for our family! For it was the summer of this year that the Lord graciously called my Grandpa home to heaven. 

Oh how we long to feel his arms around us again and count the kisses he places on our cheeks. --One of the many silly things my sweet Grandpa was known for:)

But we also rejoice knowing that one day we will see him again! 

And even though he is gone physically, his godly legacy continues and I'm certain will continue for MANY years to come!

Yes, our year had moments of tears, 

but THANKFULLY it was also one filled with JOY too!

 Great, abundant, exuberant JOY!

We smiled a lot, laughed a ton, and simply relished in the many blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us!

We rejoiced as rewards for hard work were earned!

We cheered each other on...

 as goals were set... 

and accomplished!

We finished preschool

 

and started Kindergarten!

We turned EIGHT years old,

and entered the THIRD grade!

We enjoyed a SURPRISE trip to Disney with just the BIG boys!

We went to baseball games...

and cheered our team on from the sidelines!

We painted with pudding...

and made fools of ourselves with Oreos.

We played lots of FUN games...

and usually got messy in the process!

 We did A LOT of baking...

and even more crafting!

We made many new friends...

and had to say goodbye to old friends as they moved away;(

We skated and...

learned how to make ice cream!

We spent a week at Surfside Beach and

enjoyed a week of fun in the sun!

We played pretend...

and dressed up like a princess!

We started ballet...

and continued to play soccer!

We picked strawberries,

visited the apple orchard,

and found the perfect pumpkin!

We took bubble baths,

turned THREE, and

hiked in the mountains!

We dressed up like super hero's...

and enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We grew up A LOT
 
and became more independent.

BUT above all else,
2011 will FOREVER be remembered as the year we saw
this precious face for the VERY FIRST TIME!

It was in September of 2011 that God confirmed in our hearts His call for us to adopt again.

So it with great anticipation that we say "Goodbye" to 2011 and welcome in this new year! For this is the year that that precious face will no longer just be hanging in a frame on our wall, but we will wholeheartedly welcome that sweet face into our HOME!!!

We can hardly wait to experience all that the Lord has in store for us THIS year!