Pictures!!

I'm back into the swing of things in my photography class, so I thought I'd post some pictures. I'm super busy with being a Mom to six kiddos, so posting on my blog seems to be hit and miss for me these days. I'll get a post up soon, I promise.

 In the meantime:

Lily Anna and Baba having a frisbee moment.

 Super cool pic of Josiah. 

Love this picture of Brianna getting ready for her dance recital!!  She did a beautiful job.

 And lastly, Lily Anna also getting ready for her dance recital. Such a sweet image of her!

I'm pretty proud of some of these edits. I'm not on the level of a lot of the ladies in my class. Both editing and photography just do not come naturally to me, but I enjoy the creative outlet it gives me, so I keep plugging away at it. I'm sure I'll get there someday...perhaps in September when ALL my children are in school and I can prop my feet up and eat bon-bons. (Are those even real????)

I just noticed I'm missing pictures of Roman and London. I'll post some pics soon of them. I also need to update my blog cover! Yikes, I've got a lot of work to do!!!

Happy 8th Birthday, Johnny!!!

My little man turns 8 today!

Johnny is the happiest boy I know. He reminds me SOOO much of my Grandpa Bradley...always a smile on his face. He actually reminds me of a little old man. He likes to sit on the couch with a blanket on his lap and pet the dog while watching tv. Or he will talk endlessly about science, math, or how things are constructed. I have fast-forwarded many times in my mind and have pictured him as one of those coffee-guys at McDs...you know the ones. A group of about 4-5 old men, all retired, show up to have coffee at 6:00 am and discuss the newspaper and everyone's lives. That's Johnny. Just happy, content, inquisitive, and so very, very sweet!

Happy Birthday, Johnny Le Hai!!!!

3 Months With London!

All of my children reacted different on their Gotcha days. 

Johnny was timid, frightened, and had his head hung low. 

Lily Anna cried off and on and clung to me (and me alone) for dear life. 

Roman came in with a smile on his face, said he loved me, wished me long life and happiness, gave me a hug, and then proceeded to sing a song for me (and the crowd, ha ha). 

And London peered from behind her nannies...just staring at me.

 And when my guide told me to scoop her up and go, that's what I did. And London screamed, kicked, hit, and pulled my hair. And I let her. It was her way to grieve, and to be honest, it was good that she treated me that way because it meant she was leaving people who cared for her and she knew it. I'm not sure how, but overnight I must have hooked her, because the next day she clung to me and wouldn't go near her nannies. 

Today, English is coming along slowly...very slowly. She reminds me of Lily in that department. She wants desperately to go to school, so it will be good when all the kids are home to keep her entertained through the summer. 

The big issue is her eating. She will take 2 hours to eat, and that's with me constantly saying, "London, eat your food." "Okay, Mama," she replies, and then proceeds to eat a gerbil sized bite. She is tiny. Tiny frame, tiny everything. The eating issue isn't a massive problem when we're home, but school is coming and I know she will only have about 15 minutes to eat her lunch. Food is just not a huge priority to her. (Wish I had that problem!!!)

She may be tiny, but she is one tough cookie. 

And she's pretty cute too!

3 Months!

Roman has officially been in our arms 3 months now, and London's 3 month date is tomorrow. It really is amazing the transformation that takes place once home. 

There are behaviors that were present in Roman in China that have never surfaced again the minute we walked in our home. One of the things that I love about having a larger family is that Roman had to get over his love-obsession with himself when he realized he was outnumbered, ha ha. Now that he knows the rules, I have begun to encourage that ego of his again. ;) 

I'm sorry...I just can't help it!! He is pure entertainment and always ready to make you smile, laugh, or drive you bonkers. That boy just has no problem in the confidence area, as long as the crowd is in the mood for his antics!!

I love my kiddos!! You know, I have 2 other children that just seem to always be absent when my camera comes out. I think I need to do a photo shoot with Josiah and Brianna soon to prove to my blogging buddies that I actually do have 6 children!

Secrets

What is it about sisters? 

They tell each other little secrets and then share a giggle...

Every girl deserves to have a sister! 

There's something magical about two little girls sitting on a swing with bows in their hair sharing a secret and some giggles!

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. - Isadora James