Walk for the Waiting - Ross' plan

Our family has been working toward helping waiting kids for a while now. We pray for them. We volunteer. If we could ever get approved we would be able to keep kids in our home. Ross' heart has picked up on the importance of what we are doing. He gets it.

Walk for the Waiting is an annual event and money raised goes towards organizations who have a love for these kids. I carried some pamphlets in the car and Ross just started reading it in the backseat to himself. He studied that thing. He knew the statistics. He got it. One day he said - "Mom we need to raise money for the kids." We tossed around different ideas and he settled on baking cookies. When this started my hope was for him to make $100. I knew he'd be thrilled. I also set out to make sure he was most involved b/c this was his plan. So we picked out cookies that he would do.

Pecan Pie Bark was a great hit. We bagged them up. Announced he was ready to sell. He set his price at $10 a bag (but he'd take more) and he started selling. 

Then something even more amazing happened. Addison decided she was going to have a lemonade stand and invited Ross to join her with his cookies. Our friend that runs Project Zero got wind of it and helped us advertise, and we even made them their own donation page. It was humbling to see how many people supported our kids. 

The crew. Trey and Bella helped too! Mari and Bethany are always great to support the kids .

Robyn was chair of Walk for the Waiting this year and she even came back from some lemonade. Mr. Jerry came by as well and even gave the kids a ride in his car. 

While the big kids were busy selling, the little kids were busy playing. (and obviously stamping their legs)

The kids had the idea of challenging Mrs. Christy with Project Zero to beat her in donations. Here I was hoping Ross would make $100 to donate and all of a sudden they were in thousands. 

The day of the walk came. Our family was ready. 

We checked the donation page at the start of the walk and the kids had done it. They beat Project Zero! In fact they were the 7th top team out of every team. 

Obligatory pic of winners with the sad loser. 

Mega Excitement!

That night I went to tuck Ross into bed and he was drawing on the iPad. It was the Walk for the Waiting emblem. I pray for his heart that it never loses its sweetness and love for people, and Jesus.

The following day they were invited to speak at church about what they did and the reason. I am beyond proud of these kids. I told Addison's mom if by chance those 2 ever get together there is no telling how many kids they will end up adopting. :)

Grandparent's Day - still playing catch-up

Baptist Prep had the cutest program again this year. Ross had a part, but I failed to record it. We did get this great pic though! 

Some of his friends. They all dressed like old people. 

A couple of the songs. 

Always fun and something to look forward to each year! 

Happy Birthday to Me (late post)

I really just wanted to document how sweet this dude is, even though this is super late. On my birthday we ate at home. It was the typical day, except for this sweet dude got all fancy. He showered, did his hair (note all that fabulous product), put on 2 ties, and even put on khakis. This dude is the best! 

Easter Sunday

Easter baskets - complete with kites and new bathing suits. 

Easter morning checking out their goods. 

I'm pretty sure he said "this is the life".

Willingly posed for pictures. I made the bow tie. Legit bow tie that I had to tie. That was not easy.

She loved her Easter dress this year. It twirls like a champ! She wants to wear it all the time. 

Picture together. Please note the pens in Ross' pocket. He said he really just needed to add a little something to set it off. 

We went to church with Mom this year. The first time ever that I can recall. It was a fun day. 

Grandparent pic. Best I got with Gavin. 

The other kids smiled without complaint. :)

Lex and the boys. Brent had to work that day.

After a yummy lunch we played outside while Aves and Gavin took a nap. 

Aves woke up before G and we threw rocks off the bridge. 

Rode bikes.

And then hunted eggs. 

Another fun hunt! 

She was quite happy she found this particular egg. 

Everyone came out to watch the hunt, and see what goods the kids got. They even shared some candy.

It was a great day. Even with the fun Easter egg hunts, we still remembered the reason we celebrate Easter. He is risen!

Easter Egg Hunting at Home

We had cousins, Poppy, Granny, and Uncle Kevin over on the Saturday before Easter. The weather was beautiful and we had a lot of fun.

I hid some eggs that were easy to find for the littles and harder to find eggs for the 2 bigs. 

After the hunt. Ross wasn't interested in a picture. 

Going through the eggs to see all the goods. Some had candy and some had coins. 

A rare pic with Mommy.

Photography by Ross

We got food from Whole Hog and I made these Easter dessert cups. They were tasty, and perfect for the occasion. 

I don't know how it happened, but once again I failed to get pics with anyone else. They were definitely there though. :) Fun memories made. 

Resurrection Rolls

Our tradition of making resurrection rolls was a lot of fun this year. Avery actually wanted to join in and the kids did them all by themselves. Aves did the butter.

Tossed it in the cinnamon. Ross coated them with cinnamon. Then wrapped in the crescent roll dough.

Time out for a smile. :)

Ready to go in the oven.

I told them I think these were the best yet. Super yummy! 

Photography by Ross

Double Thumbs up from Avery

Growing up with Resurrection Rolls

Granny 1919-2016

Our dear, sweet Granny passed away on March 9, 2016. Don had a good visit with her on Sunday and they laughed and laughed. Then Tuesday she got really sick. We went to Texarkana to see her, and she passed away early Wednesday morning.

To say she will be missed puts it mildly. Our kids have mega love for their Granny, and part of me thinks it hasn't quite registered with them.

A few pics from her 95th birthday party. I thought I'd blogged about it, but as we can all agree I miss events. For this birthday we all met at Western Sizzlin' in Nashville. We had a great time and she had gotten all spruced up for the occasion.

Uncle Travis took this picture and mailed it to us. It cracks me up every time I see it.

We had visitation on March 11th, and after it was over our immediate family went to dinner together. It was a good time. 

Aunt Bug came into town too, and as always the kids loved on her like crazy.

Sad times and good memories. Words fail me, but memories won't. We love Granny forever and always.