School Pictures 2011-2012

I absolutely love homeschooling! It's not that I feel like I'm adequate or am the best at it. Most of the time I'm a little overwhelmed and feel like I'm not doing a great job. I wouldn't trade it for the world though. I love the time that I get to spend with my boys. I get to be a part of everything that they are learning. I get to make sure that they see God's glory in everything that they learn. We get to have so much fun with each other and grow together. I love it and I love these boys!

One awesome thing about homeschooling is that I get to take their school pics! :) So, they're not the boring pics I have from school. Also, it becomes a learning experience in itself. We went up to the Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse for pics. We got to talk about the way of life back then and how the schoolhouse was built. Then we hiked up to the Walker Sisters Cabin. We found all kinds of cool creatures, got lots of exercise, and had a ton of fun. So...even though we haven't "officially" started school...I think we covered some history, science, and P.E.

Ethan is getting SO big. He just looks so much older to me all the time. He is such a good kid.

He is quite the bookworm. I handed him this very old book...just for looks. Well, he really got into and thought it was pretty good.

This pretty much explains Luke. A friend said he looks like he's cutting class! Well, he's also sweet and a very good kid. But, he's also pretty contrary and very daring.

See? Contrary.

Yup...contrary. This is even after I tried to bribe him with candy or something.

My mom came with us and the boys had a blast with her. She's a very fun mamaw. She was constantly splashing the boys and throwing nuts at the back of their heads while we were walking. So...when we were at the river, Ethan threw a handful of black mud at her and it splattered all over her face! It was so hard to not laugh and to get onto Ethan....because, well, she kind of asked for it!

This was how we saw Luke most of the hike. He cannot help but pick up every cool rock he sees and then throw it at something. So we kept looking back to see him finding rocks and then he'd have to run to catch up with us.

Luke could throw rocks forever.

Ethan could swim forever...he's a little fish!

We had a great day. I love time with my boys. Lately we've been a little consumed with adoption stuff and fundraising stuff...it was nice to get away for a day and just enjoy each other and God's creation.

I have made some more flower hair clips to sell to help with our adoption costs.

All of the regular flowers are $5.00. The large puffs are $7.00.

If you are interested, please email me at stephbowling@gmail.com

Thanks!

Dance Party

We've had some friends with us the past couple of days. The boys have all been having a blast. They love being together. Last night after everyone had their showers, we turned up some music and the boys couldn't help but dance. SO FUN!

Aching

I am aching to do this.....

I'm so happy Chad got to go hold our kids! I'm glad they got to be with him and be loved by him and get to know him. They are so blessed to have him as a daddy! Oh but my heart is aching so bad lately! I just can't wait to be with them. I can't wait for them to be with us! I dream about it at night and think about it during the day. The boys talk about them all day. Everything we do, we imagine how it will be when they are here. I know God has a reason for this waiting. We're drawing close to Him in this time. But, at the same time, praying for Him to work quickly. I wish I could say I've handled this all really well...but, honestly this has brought out the ugliest parts in me. Hopefully that ugliness is being sifted out little by little so I can be more like Him. We're so thankful for your prayers! We've been blessed overwhelmingly this past week and we're thankful for that too! I can't wait until I can share pictures on here without covering up their beautiful faces. :)

Playing with Fire

Tonight I let the boys stay up late and catch fireflies and play with our leftover sparklers. I was hoping to catch some cool pics of the fireflies in the jar...but, they never blinked at the right time. :)