Annual Hunsberger Lake Trip

July 4th week brought about our annual trip to the lake with all the Hunsbergers.  We only got to spend a few days there this year because of some very important doctors appointments, but we lived it up as best we could.  Fun was had by all, as usual.

Abigail and Olivia were happy to be together again.

They were goofing off in no time!

 We spent one morning enjoying the pool.  Lottie had fun getting to know her cousins and really liked the baby pool.

Abigail was excited to match Lottie in her stripes.

Lottie's favorite thing to do at the pool? Splash!

Luke's favorite thing to do at the pool? Splash other people!

 The next morning was spent out on the boat.  Lottie did great on the boat and didn't even fuss about the uncomfortable life jacket.

 Tubing was on the agenda and the big girls were old pros at it.

 We couldn't figure out why Lottie started fussing and crying when the others started tubing.  We quickly realized it was because she wanted a turn too!  She got right on with Abigail and Daddy and LOVED her first ride!

Check out the grin and the wave!

Not to be outdone by his sisters, Luke took his first spin too!

Lottie loved tubing so much that she screamed when we made her get off so others could have a turn. The only time she would stop is when we would put her back on the tube!  I ended up having to take her inside just so everyone else could enjoy their turn.

We celebrated the 4th and all the summer birthdays while we were there.  I'll spare you the embarrassing pictures of the family patriotic parade!  It rained more than usual, but that just gave us more time to play together inside.

Being silly with Livvie.

Loving on Aunt Sis

 One other lake trip tradition is family picture night.  Admittedly, this is probably the only time of the week when everyone is dressed at the same time and not in bathing suits or pajamas!

My sweet Abigail

Luke is such a mess at this age!

See you next year Lake Oconee!

What we've been up to

We were able to participate in our church's Parent/Baby Dedication on Mother's Day (just one week after returning home) and publicly commit to raising Lottie in a Godly home.  It was such a special day for us as our church family was able to get a first glimpse at our sweetie that they helped pray home.  It became even more of a special day because our niece Anna Ruth was born!  She is a cutie pie and you can see more of her sweet cheeks over at the Nolen News.  

Abigail had her spring dance recital later in May and did a GREAT job!  She was so excited and most thrilled about wearing makeup for the big show.  She danced beautifully...for a not-so-graceful 4 year old :)  We were very proud of her and how far she has come since last year's recital (where not a single dance move was performed).

Brother and Sister taking in the show.  Proud of their big sister!

We have been spending a lot of time at home just playing together.  My house regularly looks as if it has been burglarized due to the amount of toys these three pull out EVERY.SINGLE.DAY!  So it goes in this stage of our lives.  I wouldn't trade these days for anything!

Our very own Super Luke!

Lottie trying to get the baby doll to suck her thumb like she does.

Luke doing what he does best...multi-tasking with trucks.

Abigail wrapped up her first year of preschool a couple of weeks ago and was SO SAD that school was over.  Sweet girl absolutely loved everything about school and was heartbroken to leave her awesome teacher, Mrs. Jenkins.  We have been so blessed with Mrs. Jenkins and Abigail's entire class this year.  Abigail learned a lot and already can't wait for K4 to start

First day of K3

Last day of K3

Thankfully, Lottie loves playing outside just like Abigail and Luke do.  She was a little hesitant about the sand box at first, but warmed up to it quickly and it has now become one of her favorite things.  

Abigail is a big helper on our walks now and usually pushes one of the two little kids.  Lottie LOVES riding her car around the neighborhood and Luke enjoys racing her in his car.  

Lottie is not crying in this picture, just super excited about going on a walk!

We took advantage of the long holiday weekend and enjoyed a trip to the zoo/splash park.  As you will see, fun was had by all!

We also got to spend Memorial Day with friends swimming and eating together.  Lottie's first time in the pool was successful as long as one of us was holding her.  She wanted nothing to do with any float.

 Abigail couldn't get enough of the water and loved being with her friends.

 Luke didn't spend much time in the actual pool but was just as happy playing around the pool.

"Fishing" with a pool noodle.

 Our summer days have started off well and we are having fun!

One month with Lottie

Where we started on April 21st.

Our happy girl, one month later!

First Week Home

We have survived our first week home!  The jet lag has worn off, Daddy is back at work, and we are settling into our routines.  The first week had many highs and lows as we all adjusted to our newest family member.  

Lottie has amazed us with her adjustment so far and we are so thankful for the mercy God has shown our family in this area.  She is sleeping really well, eating GREAT, and seems to be bonding with us a little more each day.  We (especially Mommy) were SO happy to have Daddy at home with us this week to spend time together as a family of five as we worked through the jet lag and got to know Miss Lottie more.

Abigail and Lottie immediately connected and both enjoyed playing together a lot.  Lottie loves watching her big sister and copying what she does. 

Tuesday of this past week we loaded up and headed to Birmingham for Lottie's first appointment at the International Adoption Clinic.  We are extremely grateful to live in close proximity to such an amazing clinic with specialists trained in treating internationally adopted children.  The kids did well on the way there and enjoyed spending some time with the Vestavia Hunsbergers on Tuesday night.      

First road trip!

Daddy with his three kids on their way to breakfast (drive thru...he was not that brave)

 Chad and I took Lottie to her appointments while Nana (who traveled to bham to help us) played all day with Abigail and Luke.  It was a LONG day (five hour appointment) but Lottie was a trooper through all of it.  She endured poking and prodding, an ultrasound, and a difficult blood draw where they had to fill 9 viles of blood! The appointment went well and was more of an information gathering appointment than anything else.  We expect to get a report with results of the tests in a few weeks and have a follow up appointment at the clinic in June.  Next stop on the medical front is an appointment at the Spina Bifida clinic associated with Children's Hospital in Birmingham to see several other specialists for assessment.  Please continue to pray for favorable outcomes in these assessments and wisdom for the doctors as they advise us on a plan for her immediate and long-term care.

This was immediately after the blood draw.  Sweaty and mad after fighting pretty hard.

She was WORN OUT after her appointment and slept almost four solid hours after we left the doctor.

Luke was a bit slower to warm up to Lottie this week.  Poor guy didn't have the benefit of understanding what was about to change in his life like Abigail did.  Not to mention, Mommy and Daddy had been gone for two weeks and returned with a little girl who likes to play with his toys and consumes his older sister's attention.  He reacted in a way extremely appropriate for a two year old and was pretty clingy and needy all week.  Thankfully, he never once acted out against Lottie or showed any aggression.  He just needed a lot of extra attention (another reason we were glad Daddy was home this week).  He made great strides this week and he and Lottie were even caught playing together a few times later in the week.  Little man loves his new sister, just needs extra prayers as he continues to adjust.