Our life is nothing short of an adventure...

Wind in our hair and screams of delight but also unpredictable turns and unknown outcomes. We are a family of six; Dave, Susie, Nate, Jake, Sam, and Bella.

God has been faithful in our marriage and through the birth and blessings of our boys.

God has been faithful during our adoption journey and united Bella with us in May of 2008. We were privileged to visit with Bella's birth mother; therefore, Bella's family in Guatemala will always be dear to our hearts.

On October 16, 2008, Bella was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia. We are now battling the disease with 2 years and 3 months of treatment. We believe God will continue to be faithful!

Our family is committed to living life to the fullest...even on the hard days. Thank you for checking in and journeying with us!


Sunday, September 21, 2008

Last Day of Summer






Yes to summer!









Good Bye Summer....


My Guy's and Princessa

We celebrated the last day of summer at the Big Lake today. We are sad to see summer go, but looking forward to a beautiful fall. The boys are already asking when we can get out the Halloween decorations.

Bella is showing signs of becoming a toddler, and I am totally not ready for it. I remember celebrating every accomplishment with the boys, eager to see the next one, but this time, its different. I am so conscious that this time is short, soon the word "Mama" will become "MOM!" (hear that yelling behind this word). I am not ready to give up the bottle or stop picking her up. I'm not ready for the infancy to be over, but she's growing...and gaining her independence and she is letting us know. A high pitched scream lets us know when she is not happy when you take things away from her like the remote control or my cell phone, at her brothers when they are constantly in her face wanting to kiss her or pick her up, or when I sit her down on the floor and she wants to be held. Today, for the first time, she wanted to play at church and walk along the chairs, needless to say, I enjoyed my first service ever in the back vestibule watching the service on tv. This is all minor to the absolute joy this sweet little girl brings us not to mention laughter. She loves to read books, dance, play in the tub, ride on her brothers shoulders, be held by Mama, and kiss her Daddy. She does not like getting dressed, having her hair done (she pulls out every bow and pony tail within minutes of me getting it in) or her diaper changed . She doesn't flinch at the constant "rock band" of her brothers going on all day long but covers her little ears every time the garage door goes down when were coming in the door. She wants nothing to do with vegetables now that she is on table food. She lights up our world...all 22 pounds of her.

9 comments:

Mary Ann said...

Great Pictures! The kids looked like they had a blast!

The Jeltema's said...

Susie, it was so wonderful to see you and finally meet Bella...beautiful, beautiful girl...oh my goodness how I hear your heart on the time ticking away so quickly. Made me think about Roudfaelle and Mackenson growing up so far away with out us. Wish we could put an order in place to make them stop growing until they come home...ha,ha..we love you and your beautiful family...

Cheri said...

FYI...If her Aunt Cheri is always in her life, she will always call you "MAMA" cause that's just the proper Southern thang to do! I let Malaena-Sloan eat the center of a paper towel role while changing her diaper...it works like a flippin' charm. She only gets enough paper to satisfy her craving. We have to get Malae and Bella together soon cause Malae will teach her to LOVE bows in her hair. Malae loves the way she looks...who could that be like?! These girls are the lights of our lives and how blessed we are knowing it. Love, Cheri

Momma said...

Oh Susie,

What a beautiful family.
Love all the pics but especially the one of Bella with that big ol' beautiful smile.
God Bless....

Susie said...

As usual, beautiful pics and a wonderful account of life with a heart melting baby girl. I wish we could bottle up this age and keep it forever!

Courtney said...

love the pictures. great as usual. email me...cstarry1@new.rr.com I found your pink ND cheerleading outfit for you. Courtney

Candy said...

Oh girl I am with you...once the "baby" is gone...its GONE...Although I LOVE the age Kya is right now...wiht the new words everyday and she is SO in to Halloween this year. Its hard for me to even send her to School because I don't want to miss a SECOND of it!

Love all your SUMMER LAKE PICS...your family looks SO REAL and SO FUN!

The gFamily said...

Beautiful pics of your entire family! What a great way to spend the last day of summer!! SO fun!!

It is so fun to see our little ones personalities coming through, but you are right, it is sad to see the baby stage leaving!! Gilli tears out all of her bows and barrettes too!

Pineapple Princess said...

Your family is seriously just gorgeous! Are you a proud mama or what?!
Summer is my favorite, so I am sad to see it go just like you. On to fall, more fun ahead with our big boys and little princesses. God is good!
Have a happy weekend!