Valerie had her picture taken at Sears yesterday. She acted so funny. She kept asking the photographer if she was going to give her a shot. I finally convinced her that it was not a doctor's office and there would be no shots! There's a link to the pictures below. I think they're pretty cute. Valerie was very interested in all the props and stuff in the studio but not so interested in having her picture made. After each pose, she would ask, "You done? You done now?" She still doesn't smile naturally for pictures, just gives that big fake cheesy grin, but we got her tickled a few times with a good result.

It's really true that you just don't take as many pictures of your second child as you did of your first. I took a picture of everything Blaine did for the first couple of years of his life! This is only the second time I've taken Valerie to have a professional picture done.

Just click below. Isn't she gorgeous?

http://www.Searsphotos.com/ViewSharedAlbum.aspx?shareID=4833e1d1-9a64-47b3-aaec-48432b8c4e10

Pumpkin Carving

Monday night about bedtime the kids started begging to carve a pumpkin. Temporary insanity set in and I said, "Sure, lets do it!" It wouldn't have taken that long but the kids didn't want me to help. They wanted to do it all by themselves. Blaine even drew the design and did ALL the cutting himself.

It was one tall pumpkin!

Scooping out the seeds and slime!

Carving Away!


The spooky finished product!

We stood on the front porch and admired our work. The kids had so much fun that the late bedtime was worth it!

It's been forever!

Life has been a whirlwind and blogging has not been something I've had time for. I miss it! As I read back through our story of adopting Valerie, there are so many things written there that I know I would never remember if I hadn't written them down. I'm so glad I have that! I want to get back to blogging, not daily, but at least hitting the highlights.

Todd is now the president of Tejas Bank, a brand new bank here in town. They opened in March 2010 in a temporary location and will move into their gorgeous, brand new bank on October 4! I am so proud of him and all his hard work. Lots of blood, sweat, and tears went into this venture but it has paid off nicely. He also stays busy on the ranch and being a wonderful daddy and husband.

I worked last year as a 5th grade teacher. I loved it but I missed out on way too much with my own kiddos. Teaching is a very time-consuming job. I'm staying home this year and love having more time to be with my precious kiddos! I was diagnosed last year with rheumatoid arthritis. This was a big blow to me and I had a really hard time accepting it. I'm responding well to the medications now and am not having too much pain.

Blaine is 8 and in 3rd grade. He is getting so big and handsome! He likes riding his bike, shooting his BB gun, and doing all sorts of boy things! His latest passion is working with the 2 steers he has entered in the county stock show next February. He feeds them every morning before school and in the evenings he brushes them, walks them, and feeds them. He loves it and is doing a great job with them! He shot two dove on his first dove hunt this season! Blaine asked Jesus to be his Savior and was baptized last spring! He is growing up way too fast. What happened to my baby boy?

Valerie is growing like a weed! She just turned 4 and is a beautiful little girl. She goes to Children's Day Out twice a week and loves it! Valerie knows no strangers. She wants to visit with everyone. She goes to dance class once a week as well as speech therapy. Her speech is very much improved! I rarely think about her being adopted anymore - she's just our little girl. Valerie is very coordinated and has little muscles all over. We may have an athlete! She has strong emotions. When she's happy, she's very happy! When she's upset, she's very upset! Drama queen!

We are very blessed in every way! Hopefully I'll update again real soon!