LADS TO LEADERS/ LEADERETTES

In April we traveled to Memphis with members of our church to attend the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes Convention for the first time. This is a huge convention that takes place in several locations around the country on the same weekend in April every year. Children from 4-18 participate in a variety of events from song leading to public speaking. There are also a number of categories that they work on all year from home that they are rewarded for on this weekend including Good Samaritian, Memorizing Scriptures, Memorizing the Books of the Bible, etc. We are excited about becoming involved in this program at our congregation!!!!! Trey was too young to participate much at the actual convention this year. He was rewarded for what he worked on throughout the year. Anna was able to participate in scripture reading and song leading. She and the other little girls did a great job!!!

Getting ready to lead singing

Posing with Certificates

Award Ceremony

Parade of Participants

Kids being recognized

So proud of her awards

Gigi and Papa came with us to Memphis and Jessica, Brad and Mary Ella were there too!! Mary Ella made a very important announcement while we were there......

Yes, I am going to be an aunt again. Brad and Jessica are expecting another little bundle of joy in November!!! Can't wait to find out what we will be having! The hotel we stayed at was in a great location and we got out and about a bit. One night we ate at a restaurant called the Majestic. It was a beautiful night, so we sat out on the patio. Here are some pics.

Brad giving Mary Ella a little lovin.

Sweet Gigi and Papa










Gigi and her kiddos

Posing by the fountain

Busy Saturday

This was one busy Saturday!!! We started with 2 soccer games. Trey Bug's was first. We saw, for the first time, some major agressive soccer skills coming out. He scored 2 goals after taking the ball away from the other team. GO TREY!!!!! After the games, we went to Wal Mart to buy supplies for a little fund raiser planned by our very own Anna Claire! She made signs for and helped make freshly squeezed lemonade. She called relatives and made over $100 with all the proceeds going toward our adoption fund! THANKS ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!! After the lemonade stand, the kids went to Colt's Birthday party at Durhams and had a blast with their friends (too bad I forgot my camera).....

We helped Hannah get ready for her Senior Prom. We can't believe she is getting ready to graduate!! She looked BEAUTIFUL!!! Hope you have a wonderful time at prom Hanner!

Hannah and her big bro

Hannah and the Kids

Hannah and Oma

Jackson Childrens Museum

For Spring Break we visited Aunt Jessie, Uncle Brad and Mary Ella at their new home in Madison. While there we made a trip to the new Childrens Museum in Jackson. It was soo nice! The kids had so much fun. Here are some pics.

Really cool water table

Anna Claire milking a cow

Little miss Mary Ella

Mary Ella and Anna Claire in the dance/dress up room

Very large Juke-Box

Harriman-Marvin Honkey Tonk

Xylophone fun

What a cute turtle!

Huge Scrabble Board

WHOA!!

Big Green Tractor

Hot Springs Weekend

Last weekend we traveled down to Hot Springs for a weekend with the Marvin siblings. Shawn and Jenn flew up to look for a house to buy (he accepted a position with a group of radiologists starting in the summer). We are all excited for them to get back to Arkansas! We all (including Les, Wes, Carrie, Gary and Christopher) got to meet Nathan for the first time this weekend and I believe we are extremely smitten!! He is such a sweet baby. Shawn and Jenn let us watch him while they did some house hunting. Aunt Julie and Uncle Michael were happy to get in some bonding time and he was no trouble at all. Nathan is definitely all cuddles and smiles. We went to Oaklawn on Saturday (with a 2 month old and a 4 month old). The boys were really good and the big kids had a great time looking at the horses and deciding which ones to cheer for!

On Sunday we visited Janet, Chad, Bailey and Mark. They moved to Hot Springs Village in December. Chad is ministering with a church there. We got to worship with them at their new building and then had lunch at their house (thanks Janet). We visited all afternoon and the kids had a great time playing together! I (of course) forgot to take pictures.

Nathan James Marvin

born 10-22-10

Trey Bug and Nathan

He liked cousin Anna Claire

Christopher chillin with Aunt Les

Crazy kids at the races

Six Months

I know I haven't mentioned much about our adoption lately, but we are just waiting patiently. Today we have been on the waitlist for six months!!! Things seem to be moving slowly in the adoption world right now, but I believe we will get the baby God wants us to have when God is ready for us to get him. The 6 month mark does make it seem more real to us. Michael mentioned the other day that we probably need to get on to our last 2 hours of education soon. I also find myself praying more often for our child, his mother and caregivers. For his safety, health and overall well-being. I am slowly letting myself imagine meeting him and having a new member of the family! Hopefully some news will come sooner than later and I can post again (don't hold your breath people)!

More Snow Pics!!!!

The kids and Michael had fun playing in the snow yesterday afternoon! We are planning to go sledding today. Hopefully it gets a bit warmer.... it has warmed up to -5 from -17 so far this morning. These Arkansas winters are starting to get to me. Brad asked yesterday if I was ready to move to Mississippi! The snow really was beautiful and this will be a winter to remember for years to come. Final measurement by the mailbox was 25 inches!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy the pictures.