A Miss "A" update...

Thank you for your words of encouragement last week as we walked through the heartache of saying "goodbye" to our sweet foster daughter.
In many ways it feels like more than a week has passed, and in other ways it feels like it was just yesterday. I am still finding odds and ends around the house that serve as constant reminders to us that she was here. I've come across Polly pockets shoe, a barbie outfit, and several pieces of her art work proudly displayed upon our pantry door. We went to turn on the DVD player yesterday, and Strawberry Shortcake began playing on the screen. (That made my heart smile.)
I am always counting little heads, especially when we load up to go anywhere. So many times this week, I've looked back in the rear view mirror and some how been surprised when I only counted four.

Yesterday, we had a chance to talk with Miss "A" on the phone. She sounded GREAT and was so.......happy. She started back to school last Thursday, and really, really liked it. She was so excited to tell me about a new friend that she had made named, Jasmine. She also told me all about her new pink princess bedroom, and her pillow pet. She had her picture taken with Santa at the mall, and wants a unicorn for Christmas;) {SMILE} Corban and Riley chatted with her for a while too. She begged to talk to Sophie, but unfortunately she was napping at the time. I told her that next Sunday when we call again, we'll make sure Sophie is awake.

It thrilled my heart to know that she was adjusting so well and I wanted to share that with you all too!
Thanks for your sweet prayers on behalf of Miss "A"!
God is so....good!!!

It was only for a moment you were mine to hold.

Monday, we had a going away party for "A" at school.

It was such a special time filled with lots of hugs and (of course) lots of tears!

She's gone now. Her grandpa picked her up late yesterday afternoon.
Oh, how our hearts ache and long for her to be here with us again!
Letting go is so hard...

I just LOVE this song written by Mark Harris. The words have come to mean so much to me as our family walked this journey of fostering. This has truly become my hearts cry and prayer for our sweet "A".

It was only for a moment you were mine to hold.

The plans that Heaven has for you will all too soon unfold.

So many different prayers I'll pray for all that you might do.
But most of all,
I'll wanna know you're walking in the truth.

And if I never told you,

I want you to know that as I watch you grow:

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things.

I'm here for you whatever this life brings,
So let my love give you roots and help you find your wings.

May passion be the wind that leads you through your days.
And may conviction keep you strong,
Guide you on your way.

May there be many moments that make your life so sweet.
Oh.

But more than memories.

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things.

I'm here for you whatever this life brings,
So let my love give you roots and help you find your wings.

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky.
I'll have tears as you take off,
But I'll cheer as you fly.

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage

To dare to do great things.

I'm here for you whatever this life brings,
So let my love give you roots and help you find your wings.

Not goodbye, just see ya later...

Well, Miss "A" is probably leaving today. Her Grandpa is making the long trek up for Florida, and if all goes as planned, he should be picking her up later this evening--(Sniff, Sniff).

This last week was spent mostly making sweet memories and relishing in the time we had left together. Shane actually took Thursday and Friday off of work so we could ALL be together and have some good family time before saying "goodbye"!

Thursday, we deemed as "A" Day. The kids had the day off from school, so we woke up and decided to head out to breakfast. We let "A" pick any restaurant she wanted and Johnny K's, which is our family's favorite breakfast place, was it!

We rarely go out to breakfast, so when we do, it's a real treat.

We all enjoyed our fill of hotcakes, eggs, bacon, grits, and buttered toast. After breakfast, we took "A" to visit my Grandpa who is staying in a near by rehabilitation center. We wanted her to have a chance to say goodbye to him as well.

We enjoyed such a sweet time with my Grandpa.
I know he is going to really miss our "A" too!

We left there, and decided to hit the local park.
It was such a beautiful day and we wanted to enjoy it.

Because it was a school holiday, the kids ran into several of their friends at the park.

"A" had fun playing chase with Tyler, one of her best buddies from school. We played at the park for a while and just enjoyed the day together.

The rest of our weekend kind-of played out the same!

Lots of together time, lots of fun, and lots of memories made!

Saturday the kids played in their LAST soccer games of the season.

It was definitely bittersweet as we watched "A" play in her final game.

We had the opportunity to meet "A's" sweet Grandma and Great-Grandma over the weekend too.

They drove up from Florida to spend some time with miss "A"!

We all got together for dinner at our house on Saturday night. We enjoyed a sweet visit and it was a blessing getting to know "A's" precious grandma and great-grandma.

They brought LOTS and LOTS of presents to open!!!

"A's" grandma is only about two and a half hours away from where she will be staying in Florida.

I know she is looking forward to having her close by and will be making lots of weekend trips to visit and help with the transition!

Let me tell ya, there was no shortage on hugs, kisses, tears, and goodbye wishes shared this weekend.

With my brother, Tim

saying "goodbye" to her wonderful Sunday School teachers

Hugs from her sweet friend, Amy.

with my sisters, KK and Al

Love from Papa and Mimi

"A" is DEFINITELY one very loved little girl!!!

"A's" special day!

Today is "A's" birthday. She is now a great big 6 year old!!!

For weeks now, she has been reminding us that her birthday is coming up soon,
and for weeks, we have been counting down the days.

Needless to say, she is one very excited 6 year old!

We ate lunch with "A" at school today,


and then had cupcakes after, in honor of her big day.

Sophie enjoyed her cupcake!

Hudson thought his was YUMMY too!

I know this little girl has only been with us for a few short months, but it's been long enough for us to fall in love.

I really don't know what the future holds, or if we will have the privilege of celebrating another birthday with her. My heart sure hopes so, but we just don't know.
The one truth I hold on to through all of this is---
I do know the ONE who holds her future, and I have entrusted Him with our precious "A".
I pray this verse for "A" every single day!!!

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord.
Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!
You are SO..... LOVED!!!

Finding our groove...

Well that's at least been my goal this last week and a half. I don't know about you, but I haven't quite found it yet. Fall activities are beginning, school is in full swing, and soccer season is upon us, but even though we are really busy, I haven't quite gotten us in a good routine yet. I'm still trying, and am confident that we will fall into our groove soon.

This week "A" finally joined Cor at school and officially became a BIG KINDERGARTNER!!! Monday, when her alarm went off, she literally jumped out of bed and was dressed in a matter of minutes.

I have seriously NEVER seen this girl move so fast. After breakfast, we all walked to school and when we reached her classroom, she bounced through the door and never looked back. There was NO hesitation at all!!!

"A" has the same teacher Cor had for Kindergarten who we absolutely LOVE and ADORE. We know "A" is in good hands and we are praying that the Lord will accomplish great things in her life this year.

Next week, we have one more "first" to celebrate.

Riley will begin preschool for the first-time- ever!! He will be going Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays this fall. Today, we met his sweet teacher and a few new friends that will be in his class.
He is SO excited and can't wait to be a "big kid" and go to school now too!!

Hoping you are enjoying a GREAT week and looking forward to the L--O--N--G weekend ahead!

Just Some Girl Time

Last Saturday, Shane took Cor and Ri to the Panthers Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium. The rest of us decided to fore go the excitement (and heat) of watching a Panther's football practice and stay home. So while the boys were gone and the babies napped, "A" and I had (our first ever) uninterrupted girl time!
Well...What does one do with uninterrupted girly time?

Let's see...we started with manicures, then went on to pedicures, and finished with little makeovers.

"A" got to pick out a treat while we were at the flea market in Myrtle Beach.
She choose some sparkly play makeup and nail polish.
So Saturday afternoon, we opened it up and went to town!
We ended our fun afternoon by reading a "Fancy Nancy" book!!!!
LOVE me some Fancy Nancy!
(I started buying these books a while ago and reading them to Sophie.)



Seriously...I'm not sure who enjoyed our time more...me or "A"!!!

I {heart} girl time!!!!