Disney Continued :)

DAY ONE DISNEY

Hot Hot Hot days. Super fun and great to be together. But Disney World in August was hot. We had lots of water and so very much enjoyed the AC when we had it. Today created memories 

we will have forever. 

Best Drive to Disney World---ever to be imagined

So this is the day we have been waiting for for 2 1/2 years. Yep---we have officially been on the waiting list for a sweet baby boy since August 2012, and TODAY we got to "meet" him for the first time. Almost exactly two years later. Who would have thought it would be while our entire family was in the car together traveling to DISNEY- "where dreams come true." 

(10 min into the trip)

Grady, someday you will read this and LET ME TELL YOU---we could not have imagined a sweeter moment. We were driving through southern Ohio when I realized I missed a phone call from our adoption agency. I immediately called back, heart pounding. Jennifer Sheridan tried to make small talk with me but finally spilled the beans that we had been matched with a boy! I screamed. Literally. I couldn't tell you what she said next because all I wanted to do was hangup the phone, open my email, and lay eyes on you, little man. AND THAT WE DID. 

Our first picture of our son. This is your face and this is the sweet face we saw for the first time ever. We all had different reactions, but let's just say there were plenty of tears, a TON of screaming, and lots of questions from Emma and Griffin. It took us maybe 3 minutes (after celebrating within our car) to pull out our phones and send THIS sweet face to our families. We couldn't wait for your grandparents, aunts and uncles, to meet you.

Our trip to Disney World flew by---I could barely sleep for the next few nights, and all your Dad and I could think of was what you were doing and when we would meet you. 

Day one of Disney was a celebration of GRADY. He wasn't with us in person, but boy oh boy was he the reason we had such big smiles on our faces!!!

And...we're GOIN TO DISNEY!!!!!!!

It was so fun to tell the kids we are taking them to DISNEY! This is how we did it... 

Dinner. Just an ordinary night---or so they thought. Ha!

back to school for TWO??

I think Open house is just as emotional for ME as the first day of school. But especially this year with both of my sweet girls heading off...and growing big. It is not easy knowing that Emma will not be in the daytime schedule of life with me this year. I love that kiddo and her companionship. However, I am so excited for the way Ellie and Emma may grow and bond this year at Maplewood. 

God bless these sweet faces! 

The day before school we had a girls' day...lunch out...pedicures and manicures on Nana's back porch...lemonade and chit chatting. I think all three of us soaked up every moment of this.

My first day of school beauties. Even though they were arguing right before this picture was taken...they sure are cute. HA!

First day of first grade!

First day of fourth grade!



Nana surprised the girls and showed up to give them hugs and walk with them to their classrooms on their first day of school. Loved it.

First day of school for Emma at Maplewood---I snuck a picture of her that first 10 min of school. Bell had rung and I had to walk away...

I love everything about this picture. Ellie and Emma walking slowly down the hall, talking about their first day of school. Griffin ANXIOUSLY waiting for his big sisters to come home---back pack on...just to be like them. And me...I just wanted to go home and soak it up. The days of school have come FULL SWING in our home. Can't go back...