Just some cute things my kids say...

Mary Reeves is at that age where she says funny/cute/thought-provoking things all the time. Many times, we laugh our heads off at her, but other times she just leaves us scratching our heads. Murphy is just starting to express his thoughts without copying everything his sister says. If I don't jot these things down, I usually forget. I've tried to make a conscious effort to record some of their remarks recently, so here are a few.....

***When we took Molly to the vet for her checkup a couple months ago, we found out she has heart worms :( (She's fine now.) MR asked why Molly was taking medicine.
Me: "Molly's heart is sick so she has to take these pills to make her feel better."
MR: "What wrong with Molly's heart? Is God not in it anymore?"

***Lying in bed one night, MR told me she wanted to have lots of sisters.
"I want 10 sisters, and we can name them Nissan, Root Beer, Fannie, Dora...um, one Mary, another...Reeves, and Mari Russell!"

***We were getting dressed to go to University Bible Study and this convo took place....
Wes to MR: "Go put on your jeans."
MR: "They don't match my shirt."
Wes: "Jeans match everything. Now go."
MR: "Let me ask Mom. She runs this operation."
At this point she runs in to see me with a tie-dye t-shirt, rainbow striped leggings and a colorful hoodie. She was so proud of all the matching colors, so I let her wear it.
MR back to Wes: "See, Dad, I just threw this on, and it looks great! Better than your jeans."

***One morning, the kids were lying in bed with Wes while I was getting ready. The topic turned to their beloved morning apple juice, which we had neglected to replenish the fridge with the day before...
MR: "Murphy, we don't have any juice."
Murphy: "Uh-huh."
MR: "No."
Murphy: "Uh-huh."
MR: "No."
Murphy: "YES!"
MR: "NO!"
Murphy: "YES!"
MR: "Ok, I'm not arguing with a two-year old."

***Out of NOWHERE:
MR: "These pretzels are making me thirsty!"
(Wes and I died laughing at this random Seinfeld reference that apparently we have said around her!)

***Me to Murphy one morning as I was putting him in his car seat: "Murphy, are you my baby?"
MR: "We'll always be your babies, even when we grow up."
Wes: "MR, you just made your momma's day!" (And she did!)

***Me to Wes: "Sweetheart, will you get me some more water?"
MR: "Don't call him that! That's for old ladies." (Who knows?)

***We had Veggie Night for supper a couple weeks ago, and Mary Reeves was so excited.
"I'm gonna need a grown up plate because of all this good food! I'm going to eat my brussel sprouts first!" (Mom Points! ha!)

***Sitting at the dinner table, Murphy burped loudly. Without missing a beat, "That was LuLu."

Of course, we are also starting to have some theological questions come up with our almost-five-year-old.
"Who made God?"
"What do you mean God doesn't have any parents?"
"Did Adam and Eve go to heaven? Because they listened to that bad snake."

***MR last night in the car: "I think we are going to get Max in like 20-25 more days."
Wes: "Why don't you pray about that?"
Me: "Yes, God hears our prayers."
MR: "Well...he hears us talking it about it right now."

While we pray both of them are starting to understand more and more about Jesus' love for us, we can't help but chuckle under our breath at Murphy's nightly prayers that go something like this...
"Thank you God for.....going to the baseball game.....eating chips at the baseball game....no thank you that we didn't go to the basketball game.....and for my sunglasses. A-MEN!"

Every night, Murphy also wants to sing 3-4 songs (ABCs, Jesus Loves Me, and the Fight Song). Sometimes he wants to sing a duet and sometimes a solo. When I'm putting him to bed, I can never resist "Lay down wit me, Momma." So we sing and chat until he rolls over and says "Night Night!" Then he give me the biggest hugs ever. I LOVE his squeezes so much...Murf is seriously THE best hugger!

Goodness, they keep us on our toes and keep us laughing...most of the time! :)

Mother's Day weekend 2013

This weekend may have been one of my favorite weekends ever. Not so much because of Mother's Day, but just because of the people I got to spend it with. Here's our official Mother's Day 2013 pic. Sweet, precious babies that are growing up too fast but are more fun everyday. Isn't time strange like that?

Our weekend actually started Thursday night with a spontaneous backyard cookout with our sweet neighbors. The weather is finally starting to cooperate, and it was much too pretty to eat inside so we scrapped our meal calendar, and Wes fired up the grill!

Muffins for Mom was Friday morning, and it was fun to eat breakfast with my babies. LOVE

When I walked in the door from work, Mary Reeves and Murphy couldn't wait for me to open the gifts they had just picked out at Deep South Pout! Wes let them choose everything for themselves, and I'll only be returning some of it. ;)

We had an entertaining and delicious dinner at Umi (MR's fave) with my mom and grandmother. Murphy was only a little scared of the fire this time! When we got home, Wes set out to make the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls (with cream cheese icing instead of the maple kind) for us to enjoy the next morning. Y'all. They are as good as everyone says. Not sure you can appreciate the size of that decadent breakfast pastry, but oh my goodness it was huge/tasty/fattening/worth it. 

Wes + PW recipes = Full, Happy Family!

That afternoon, we went on a little fishing trip. MR was thrilled to finally use her Barbie pole, and it was Murphy's first time. The kids shared the pink pole and caught a fish every time the cricket hit the water! I am not kidding! I was the only one who had to try several times to hook a bream. It was such a great time, and the kids are convinced they are great fishermen! I think they even got a little bored and ready to go because we caught about 20 fish in an hour...as quick as Wes could bait the hook and then release the fishies. 

We headed home to finish making our Mother's Day presents (which won't be revealed yet since all haven't been delivered), but I LOVE mine!

Sunday brought church and lunch at Restaurant Tyler. Always a good combo.

I think this might be my new favorite pic of my kiddos! Look at Murphy's hand around her waist. Swoon.

So happy to be able to share the day with my precious grandmother and momma. Two of the best! We missed Wes' mom and grandmother, but they are two more of the best! So blessed by all these wonderful ladies!

After looong afternoon naps (another wonderful present!), we played outside again while Daddy smoked us some chicken. They were loving the sidewalk chalk! She wrote Happy Mom Day with no spelling help and drew Ariel. 

I traced the kiddos and then they colored them in. MR's is so cute with her rainbow Toms and polka dot skirt. Murphy got his blue shoes and yellow hair, but not much else.

Murphy was much too busy wanting to play baseball with his loving-every-minute-of-it Daddy. I kinda dread spending every night at the ball park in the coming years, but I can already tell that watching Murf is going to make it worth it! He is full-speed and hilarious!

I don't know why this weekend was so much fun. Ordinary events, but being with my people is pretty spectacular, I guess. So thankful for the little moments that make life so sweet.  

Reclaimed Project night features Korie Robertson!!!

Y'all, I can't wait! 

Korie Robertson from Duck Dynasty is going to headline the first Reclaimed Project fundraiser July 13 here in Starkville!!! We LOVE the show and love her big family, which includes three bio kids, one adopted son (#3 of 4), and an exchange student who they've practically adopted. Can't wait to meet her and hear her heart for adoption!

The event will be held at FBC Starkville, and tickets will be available soon (you know I'll let you know!) for a minimum donation of $10. Prior to her speech in the sanctuary, Reclaimed is hosting a Southern-style dinner and meet & greet with Korie for sponsors only. There are two levels of sponsorship available...do you or anyone you know want to have dinner with Korie?? If so, PLEASE send them my way! I'll be happy to send along the sponsor info!

We are just so happy, happy, happy that this event is falling into place, and we pray for a packed house that night! The Duck Dynasty cast just started filming its 4th season, and I think it's supposed to start airing late summer...how perfect is that as we welcome one of the stars of the biggest reality show on cable to help us raise support for this great orphan care & adoption ministry?!

Sponsorship deadline is May 20, so reserve your table ASAP, Jack!

One Year Waiting and Photo Dump

Today, May 7, marks exactly one year on the West Sands wait list for our precious Max! 

C-R-A-Z-Y how it seems like it was just yesterday and so long ago all at the same time! I was just looking back at the May 2012 entries to this lil blog, and the memories are so fresh, but I'm so ready for the wait to be over. As we sit in the top 4-5 for a baby boy, I know that referral call is going to be here soon. In a way, I just want it to sneak up on me. I would love for the agency to give multiple referrals in one day so we don't sit agonizing at #1 for what will seem like a sweet forever, even if it's only a short time. 

I keep trying to picture what his little face looks like. And what our reactions will be when we see it for the first time. 365 days down. Hopefully not too many more to go! We love you already, little man!

The past week also brought MR's end of the year preschool choir performance. Not much I love more than watching hilarious little 3, 4, and 5-year-olds sing and dance! They were adorable, and MR sang most of the words.

M and some other sweet ladies from the adult choir gave them a party after their singing. LOTS of candy, but so cute!

Not a great pic, but I just want to remember how MR and Murphy now play together so well. Wes and I crack up at their conversations....Mary Reeves bossing, Murf saying NO! or asking WHY? repeatedly. They are definitely each other's BEST friends and BIGGEST irritations....and I love it!

Every morning, they climb in our bed while we are getting dressed. Sometimes they go back to sleep, but mostly they just watch cartoons and have their morning juice. It's so sweet when they share the same pillow and snuggle up together. Melts me!

Saturday morning, after our traditional breakfast fixed by my wonderful hubby, we headed to Columbus to the Market Street Festival. It was the first visit for 3/4 of the Gordons, and it was fun. My friend Tollie had a booth as their first adoption fundraiser, so we wanted to show our support! So, so happy for them as they begin the process!

After naps, we headed out to baseball to watch the Dawgs win in extra innings against Alabama! Sad to only have one more home series because we have definitely enjoy hanging out at Dudy Noble this season! Looking forward to the post-season!

Will and Murphy had fun at church Sunday morning! Their nursery teachers sent us this hilarious pic! :)

Is this dude a stud or what? I could just bottle him up at this age and keep him there forever! One minute, he is so sweet, cuddling up to me and telling me that he is my baby. The next minute, he is burping at the dinner table and, without missing a beat, blaming it on the cat! He already has such a sense of humor, and I can't believe how witty he is. He is going to be the class clown and/or one heck of a smart alack! He is for sure going to be giving his momma fits! Love him to pieces! Can't wait to see him as a big bro to our littlest Gordon!

New Number (A happy surprise)

Honestly, we weren't very excited to get our new wait list number today because April was a very slow month (or so we thought!). However, I'm happy to report that we moved down three spots from #16 to Lucky #13!

Two infants, one older child and one set of siblings were placed this month (five children in all)! YEA!

So where are we on the Boy List? I think we are still about #4 or 5 in line for a boy. I know there are a couple families waiting on either gender in front of us, so that means that now even baby girl referrals will move us up the boy list, as well. I know, I know. Clear as mud, right? I guess you just have to see the trusty spreadsheet! :)

Y'all, I'm going to be honest. Tuesday marks one year on our agency's wait list for us (still so thankful that we switched agencies when we did). This whole time, I've prayed that we would see Max's face before my birthday on June 1. It's entirely possible that it could happen, but at the rate referrals are coming so far this year, I'm not sure that it will. I'll probably be disappointed if my birthday comes and goes with no referral, but nevertheless, I know that it's coming soon. There is a light at the end of this tunnel. (Will somebody remind me of that when I'm in a bad mood about the whole thing as the wait drags on into the summer? ha!)

In the meantime, we'll keep praying for Max, his first family, those who will care for him until he is under our roof forever, the agency, the governments, etc. Thank you to those who tell me they are praying for us and for him. We are so, so appreciative! As I say every month: Hurry up, Max! 

Wrapping up the month

Wes and I had a little 24-hr getaway this weekend to exotic Southaven, Miss.! ha! Loved every minute of it though! You really can't beat a date night including dinner and DMB, along with a free hotel stay! Hilton points are definitely a perk of his traveling! So thankful to be able to have a date with my best friend!

I have to admit, the last time we saw Dave (when MR was just 6 weeks old!) we were on the front row, so this time was not quite as fun, but still a great time! Also, I felt so old when I looked around the crowd! When we were in college, it seemed like everyone else at his shows was also in college. Now that we are a decade older, everyone else was too! Do college kids not like DMB anymore??? It was a parking lot full of minivans! ha!!

Speaking of swagger wagons, we started the weekend by taking these three monkeys to school, and they thought it was so much fun to carpool! ha! They laughed the whole way there!

Wes and MR had a fun Friday because he picked her up early for a commercial shoot for the local hospital. The setup was so cute, and she had a blast! Can't wait to see the finished product! 

They also had a lunch date, and he took both kids for overdue haircuts before picking me up to head to BeBe and Pop's house. Wes and I worked an adoption conference for Reclaimed Project Saturday morning, and we loved getting to meet/see adoption friends. Then we headed north for our date night!

Crazy to think another month is gone! We should get our new wait list number shortly. It hasn't changed much, I'm afraid, but every day is a day closer to Max and a family of 5!

Super Bulldog Weekend 2013

Super Bulldog Weekend is one of the most anticipated weekends of the year around these parts, and the 2013 version did not disappoint! We started the weekend on Thursday night at the ballpark. I can't get over the fact that my kids think it's so normal to watch the Bulldogs play some sport almost weekly....LOVE living here! We have a growing collection of bullpen balls from this season!

Did you notice that my kiddos wore shorts and tees Thursday night? Well...Friday night was an entirely different story! We all had on about four layers and snuggled under blankets 24 hours later! CRAZY weather...we didn't have a football game that cold this year, and it's nearly May in Mississippi! Super fun regardless until about the 8th inning when we got too cold and the kiddos started to melt down.

The fun continued with the Cotton District Arts Festival. Wes and Nick ran the 5K, and then we met Wes to stroll among the talented vendor booths, let the kids do crafty things in the children's area, and get some sweet treats. MR enjoyed a gummi bear popsicle from Strange Brew...so yummy and fun! 
Wes hit up the spring game while the kiddos napped and then back to Dudy Noble for the final game of the series....and yes, back to short sleeves! MR got these styling glasses from her classroom treasure box and wore them most of the weekend because they "helped her see better."

We got to play with the Nelson fam for a bit, but it was so crowded at the game that we couldn't sit together. Regardless, we were so happy to hear about their adoption plans to bring home a daughter from China. The Nelsons are having a huge fundraiser garage sale this Saturday in Hattiesburg, so please go shop if you are in their area!!!

Just how crowded was the game? Well, 14,526 to be exact...but only the second largest crowd in MSU history. There really is no place like Dudy Noble Field, which is why we boast the NCAA's Top 10 on-campus college baseball crowds of all time and why Sports Illustrated named it the best place to watch college baseball! Good grief, I love this place! :)

Photo credit Russ Houston/MSU

Did I mention we took the series over Auburn? Go Dawgs!!! (and any AU fans reading this, I'm so sorry about your trees!)

Wes left for Chicago Sunday morning so we sent him off with donuts. See the glasses again? :) We'll all be happy to see daddy again tonight!

MR wore those silly glasses all over town for two days, but didn't want to wear them to the Fancy Nancy b-day party on Sunday with all her other accessories...whatever! It was such a fun party with her sweet buddies! We also ended the weekend with a baby shower and dinner and cartwheels (for MR anyway) on the Drill Field with our great church college group. FULL but oh so FUN weekend!!!

Our neighbors' azaleas are crazy beautiful right now, so I mentioned to MR that I wanted to take some pics one day soon while they were still in full bloom. I was thinking in church clothes or something cuter than dirty preschool outfits, but she wanted to take pics when she had her "matching" flower shirt on. So we had an impromptu photo shoot the other day after school. Wonder why they aren't this cooperative in clean clothes? :)

Mary Brook's hubby was also out of town last night (Robbers, don't come showing up at our houses b/c they are home now!) so we had a fun night of playing in the yard and a picnic with whatever we had in our fridges. Love that our kids are best buddies, and now the boys are finally playing together instead of playing beside each other. Check out our future baseball stars! (And they ALWAYS pretend to be the Bulldogs and sing the Fight Song if one of them actually hits the ball!)