Shannonogans: May '13

May was a whirlwind. I now see that September, December, & May are going to be full times of life with school aged kiddos.

We had a playdate with the Hughes. So fun for all our kids to enjoy one another. It was a beautiful weather day and we even ate lunch outside as a picnic.

Pushing Sutton & Hudson around the yard.

The Awana end-of-the-year ceremony. The Hughes gave their testimony on how loving orphans is part of obedience to the Lord.

Cubbies performed first. I wasn't sure what L & L would thin of Awana. They loved it as much as Justin did.

Good singers.

The Johnsons ran the program at our church. The did a fantastic job and loved on our kids well!

Next came the Sparks. Justin was asked to do something during the performance and declined and stayed on the back row. Definitely not a performer unless it's sports related.

Loved all the Sparkies instructors as well. :-)

Hilarie & Mitchell are in our community group and we love them both!

We love CoCo!

Justin and I went to the Main Street Theater production of Charlotte's Web. He loved it.

Always lots of sass around our house. And a little someone always wanting to get ready like mommy. "Mommy, can I put on makeup? Wear your jewelry? Put on high heels?" You get the picture. Wants so bad to be just like mommy. Warms this adoptive mommy's heart.

Justin started the outfits and decided everyone should wear a color block. And deemed themselves the white, yellow, and green monsters.

Finished product of a poster for a big game between two undefeated teams.

Some baseball photos of the season. Couldn't fit it all in one post - never had blogger alert me like that before!

Levi had his first baseball season. Each player got three pitches from the coach then had to go to a tee. Levi 75% of the time hit the coach pitch. We were all surprised how well he played. He naturally had some athleticism that we had never witnessed in the backyard with Daddy. And though he still could care less, the trophy at the end was all worth it.

Go Levi!

Uncle Shane came and watched one series

Justin was on the Astros this year and played first base.

Schoolmate Layla was sometimes at the fields to play with Levi & Lexi.

We had a family showing one weekend. Cousin Hilary became a bestie of one little girl.

Hilary, my parents, and Tim & Joannie. Uncle Steve came too but had to run before the photo shoot. Such fun with the Morby fan club!!

Bubble letter boy popped up again. Cracks me up because I am horrible at bubble letters!

We barely won the game, only to go into the playoffs the next day. Will put that in another post as we ran out of room.

A friend adopted a new baby to make five kids total in the family. I quickly handed down all the baby junk (ahem, one of those bins is just baby bottles...for a child that was primarily nursed for 11.5 months). I am saving some other things for my aunt and uncle to look at, but its a great feeling to make the clutter in the attic go to good use. Such freedom in saying goodbye to things I help on to for too long.

Play date at Chick-fil-a with second grade buddies Marin & Audrey. After Audrey and her parents returned from China in March I got the privilege of taking these two girls home for a bit from school. Such fun for all the kids!

Mother's Day performance at community group that our babysitter Maddie out together. So cute!

Everyone wore either a heart or a tie and announced why they loved their mom.

Wearing these pjs one last time. Daddy said the time had come to be done with them after this night.

The mother lovers~

First mother's day with three kids. Such sweetness and loving all the firsts that I keep reflecting on!

Enough of this silliness!

ON a very rainy Friday the skies opened and the rains came down. We were supposed to have family photos and promptly rescheduled them. We instead went to the Natural Science Museum and had a blast. All the kids rode the bucking brontosaurus.

The Junods had returned from Doha which called for a group get together. Bubble love in the backyard.

The dads hard at work.

Ladies having fun in the tamer pool

Chandler, Lissie, Tanner, Emma, Lexi, & Georgia

Let's add some Thatcher

Big boys

Brooks, Barrett, Justin, Asher, Levi, John David, Harper, & Kaylinn

Chow time

Love that these kids can pick up where they left off. Miss seeing everyone so often but thankful for the time we get!

The next Friday we had Levi & Lexi's classmates over from the Friendship School.

The kids played, the moms sweated, and everyone had a grand time. I had told them I would host this all year, so better late than never at the end of the year.

Justin's Trinity Classical School end of the year performance.

Where's Waldo...I see a giant among a sea of kindergartners...

Justin called his bird a "crop". I smiled and corrected him for the prop as they sang All Things Bright and Beautiful.

Then everyone recited a chunk of scripture that they memorized as a school.

We loved Mrs. Stolle and excited she is coming back next year!

Yay - no more school for JT!

The next night was the final performance for the Friendship School and PreK graudation. The theme was western, so we wore what we were told and got ready.

My girl can get down.

They performed a parody off a popular song and sang Gingham Style instead.

Giddy up

Next was the preK crew.

Levi has no fear of performing

My Woody

This song has been sung for each year of the school's existence.

You trade hats with your partner

Then everyone came together for a number

Lastly was preK graduation

Now going into kindergarten in the fall!

Both kids came home with a huge binder of photos, art, schoolwork, etc. they had collected throughout the year. So fun to keep and look at the progress.

Lexi with Mrs. Sandra & Mrs. Melody. Loved these precious teachers!

Levi with Mrs. Beth & Mrs. Lisa. Cannot tell these ladies how much I appreciate their willingness to love my kids in such a sweet way.

Then it was summer - hurray! The next day we left for Waco for Memorial Day with the Michaelis'. Justin started off with some laps.

Some new pool toys that were a hit!

Just driving and drinking

Some baseball

The water was cold due to the rains and cooler weather. Didn't bother the kids a bit

Tom & Mary Beth graciously hosted our friends the Smiths and the Svobodas.

Caryn, Katy, & I and all the crew

The fun flowed into dinner, and we all enjoyed the company

The next morning we went to church. Uncle Ryan being so sweet to walk with the kids

Uncle Kevin lost 50 lbs before this weekend. He looked amazing and we were so proud of him! As always he was a trooper with the kids.

Once at the kids table, always at the kids table.

Grandpa took the kids on a long bike ride for a fun adventure. So nice to have bikes they can ride in Waco. Made for great exercise for everyone the entire weekend.

On Memorial Day we had a ceremony for all the family members that fought in wars.

Grandpa made a list and told the kids about the significance of the day

Derek with his brothers

The week after Memorial Day we had our first family photo shoot. I haven't paid for something like this in 6 years, and it was such a delight to not have to be behind the camera and worry with the settings. Once less thing!

We went to Hermann Park, always a great place for photos.

Sweet Levi. Sometimes it's hard to get his true smile on camera, but Viv did a great job

We used the Chubbyfoot referral, Heartspun Imagery . Viv was so comfortable to be around, and I felt like she gave so much grace at times when I thought I was getting a little bit frazzled. The Lord was gracious by providing a cloud cover, a slight breeze, and happy children just days before June in hot and humid Houston.

Fellas

Love that Lexi loves her some daddy.

The breeze picked up a lot in this photo. It felt wonderful!

I mean, I still have to stop and look at what the Lord has orchestrated for us. And who am I? Lord, may they come to know your Righteousness and Mercy.

I am the only one in the family that loves this photo. I like the stair step of the kids, me looking at Derek and he looking at our crew. It describes how full I feel.

Me & JT exchanges looks. Love this too.

Someone didn't get the memo of when to jump. Levi & Lexi look so joyful!

My three

The work the Lord has done in these two...how He has pursued His Beloved all for the sake of His Name's sake...praise You!

My babies

Girls. Lexi loves it when it's just girls. Good thing her momma has gotten a little more girly as she got older, because I was nothing like this at her age.

Me and my boys

I mean, Little Miss is precious!

Justin with the dimples

Great smile for my Levi! This boy can win anyone over, makes friends so easily, and has such a serving heart. Such an asset to our family!

This picture takes me breath away as he looks so old!

Boys. may the world have more of them. Love life, run madly, move constantly, but hug like none other.

Mini me's. They resemble each other in so many ways.

Lately I have had so many people tell me how Levi favors me. We have the same long face, same eye color, etc. Sweet of the Lord on these little details that aren't eternal but help these kids feel that much more a part of us.

I blew this one up on canvas. Big brother Justin leading those two by the hand, trusting him and looking up to him. This glance speaks volumes of where we are one year later!

Reward for good smiles, good troopers, happy hearts, and obedience during the photo shoot. Buzz cuts. Lexi also chopped her hair, and I did too weeks later. They were thrilled! Apparently since Levi has such light colored hair they cut his hair on a 5 guard and Justin on a 3 though they appeared to be the same length. To help him not look sickly.

Convicts. Brain surgery patients. Cancer victims. Whatever it is, Derek said he would be happy to never see Levi in a buzz cut ever again. He has such beautiful hair, and looks so different with it so short. Justin with the darker hair isn't as drastic. Either way, the prize for good smiles.