Aliah - One Year Old!!

 Last August, we were given sweet Aliah to love on for just a few days.  (We've done respite care for 6 years so this wasn't necessarily unusual) She was absolutely beautiful and we fell in love with her rather quickly.  We loved on her and the few days turned into weeks, then months, and now we are at her one year old birthday!  I cannot believe she is so big and I can't believe God has allowed us to love her for so long.  We love her Momma and her so much!  We are so thankful to be a part of their lives. I also am SO grateful to all the friends and family who have helped us with childcare, supplies, meals and everything we needed so we could love this sweet baby girl!  We couldn't have done his without the incredible outpouring of love from all of you!  Today I am overwhelmed by God's grace and so thankful for sweet Aliah and God's hand in her life and ours.  

Here are her pictures from 2 months old to now.  Enjoy watching her grow up!  

This was a photo taken at her one-year-old pictures.

 2 months

 2 months

 three months

 3 months

 4 months

 4 months

 4 months

 4 months

 5 months

 5 months

 6 months

 6 months

 7 months

 7 months

 8 months

 9 months

 10 months

 11 months

 12 months  (She didn't like the grass)

All the photos below are from her one-year-old photo shoot

Happy first birthday sweet Aliah!

8th Grade Promotion

 So my youngest son, Jack, finished middle school and is ready to go onto high school!  Here are photos from his eight grade promotion.

 He looked to grown up and handsome.

 Here he is entering the gymnasium.  Since I work at his school I was able to read the names for the students in his row.

 So good-looking! I love ti when my boys dress up!

 

 Here he is walking across the stage after getting his promotion certificate.

 ....and of course, I had to give my boy a hug.  I was lucky enough to be able to read all my boys names for their 8th grade promotions and they all gave me hugs.

(I may or may not have insisted on it!)

 sweet boy.

 heading back to his seat.

 A very small smile (Which is hard to get!)

 We are so proud of Jack!  Love you kiddo!

Because I'm feeling nostalgic, here are links to the 8th grade promotions of my older two boys

Nick's 8th grade graduation

Drew's 8th grade graduation

Addison's 7th Birthday

Addison turned last Sunday!!  She really wanted a big cake with flowers and butterflies.  So we found this one!  She was completely delighted.  I really thought it turned out beautifully.  (No, I didn't bake it - I bought it from a local bakery.)

The birthday girl with all of her gifts!  She was delighted! 

Some of the decorations we put up to make the house loo festive.  She loved helping me get everything hung up.   

 Here is my niece holding sweet Aliah.  She was really tired this day!!  Too much partying fun!

 Here are my girls with the big cake.  They were both so happy!  Birthdays are really fun with younger kids!  I love watching their expressions.

 Addison blowing out the candles.

 I love how happy Avery looks.  She was almost as excited for the birthday as Addison was.

So cute!

 The beautiful birthday girl.

 

 Addison and her cousin.  He was the gift-deliverer.

 Alyssa and the guys.

Addison opening gifts with her cousins running around.  

  

 Sweet Aliah! Shes the next birthday...in June!!

 Avery sitting with my younger brother while Addison opened her gifts.  We had such a good time and I'm so thankful my girl is getting so big!!