Wednesday, September 12, 2012

♥ Reasons to Smile ♥

Yesterday was a good day. It was a day to celebrate for two reasons!

First of all, these two precious little girls are officially Richie and Missy’s (my brother and sister-in-law). MY nieces. The adoption was final yesterday. It’s been a much longer process than they anticipated, but the judge declared it final today. Of course, Sydney and Ellie were already “ours” before that, but it’s a BIG DAY to celebrate because now it’s “official”! Yay!!!

Take a look at how they have bloomed! The picture on the left of this collage is Sydney on the first day Richie and Missy met them in person, and the one on the right was taken by Joy (at their house) in August! She has the sweetest smile and the prettiest blue eyes with the longest eyelashes! She’s also our little spitfire. Richie says she’s just like me. Well, good luck with that, Richie.  :)



And here’s little Ellie on that same day in July 2011, then again in August of 2012 in a picture also taken by Joy (at their house). Ellie is attached to her daddy, and she also has him wrapped around her little finger. It’s taken many trips to Alabama to get her to warm up to me, but it gets better every time! She just got one of her cochlear implants the beginning of this year. She has come such a long way. She is our little peanut and she is precious!



The second reason to celebrate is that our Luke had his check-up today with the Spine Clinic and got a GOOD REPORT! The doctor was amazed at just how normal he is and didn’t even think a MRI was necessary and told us that he’d see us in a year! Praise the Lord! God is good!

Just look how much our Little Emperor has grown. The picture on the left was taken in July 2010 and the one on the right was taken by Joy in August 2012 (right before he got a much needed haircut).  



Speaking of Luke, this is one of his latest things. He likes his monkey hat.



He has been wearing it to bed. He says it’s his sleeping hat. I think he’s seen people wearing sleeping caps in books. I couldn’t resist getting this picture of him asleep in his monkey cap.


Another one of his latest things is his imaginary friend, Bingo. This is new territory for me. Neither Colt nor Joy had an imaginary friend. Luke talks about Bingo a lot. He will say something and when we ask where he heard that, he says Bingo told him. Bingo has been in the hospital, but is out and doing better evidently. Bingo has black hair and gray eyes. Bingo sounds like a very interesting character.  Sorry I don't have a picture of Bingo for you.....you'll have to use your imagination!    

 And I’m going to share a couple more pictures with you today because they make me smile. Joy and Luke were singing and dancing around the living room to Mandisa’s song, Good Morning. Actually I was singing and dancing with them until I stopped to take the picture. We sure do love our music!

 



Thanks for stopping by today and remember to take time to stop and enjoy the music……and dance!

♥ Tammy ♥

19 comments:

Trace4J said...

God is good!
True Joy in your home and family.:)
Blessings
Trace


www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

Wendi said...

What a wonderful post! I am so happy for everyone. :)

Megan had an imaginary friend named, Edwin. It was a mix of cute and annoying. One day she just stopped talking about him.

Have a great day!

LynnMarie said...

What great news all around today! So happy for your family. Our daughter had an imaginry friend. She ate a lot and always needed ice cream for dessert. She left clothes around the room and it was her who used the last of the pt in the bathroom. She got a few time outs as I remember as well. One day, she was just gone..... That was sort of sad.

Paula said...

This post has got me grinning from ear-to-ear, Tammy!
Congratulations to your brother and sister-in-law.... I know they must be thrilled!
And Luke in that sock monkey hat has got to be the cutest thing ever. I really enjoyed the pictures of him and Joy dancing~ they look like they are having so much fun!

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

Loved seeing all your wonderful photos!! Such great news!!

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

Beautiful Post Tammy! Congratulations to your Brother and Sister-in-law!

jody said...

oh my gosh those beautiful children make me smile too! soo cute, sweet and loved! thats really what its all about....enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Morning Tammy!
Such cutie pies and really what life is all about - their health and happiness!!!

Love the panelling on the staircase post. AND bravo to Jason for thinking ahead with the outlets - builders never put them where we really need them - decor is just as important as building codes I say!lol

Glad to hear you are feeling better too.

Enjoy the rest of the week - Jeannette

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Lord, for you and your family's answered prayers. Such darling photos. I love Luke's monkey (sleeping) hat. Your hearts must all be overflowing today. Mildred

Primitive Stars said...

Hi Tammy, yey!!!!! great news two times, the Lord does hear our prayers. So wonderful for your Brother and Sis -in-Law and that sweet little Luke, love the monkey hat to. Blessings Francine.

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

Mama,

Sydney, Ellie, and Luke have all grown up so much. I have some adorable family members. :) Dance parties are just normal events around here, right? :)

Love you! 8!

Love,
Joy :)

cucki said...

aww such a happy post..
have a great day x

Penny said...

Wonderful post.... great pics!! Congrats to your brother and SIL!! Such wonderful news. Love all your pics... adorable little girls, beautiful Joy, and cute little Luke in his monkey hat!
Yay for dance parties... love them...we had them, too, but called them Interpretive Dance Time....so much fun and silliness!! We still have them on occasion, even though my Dancing Queen just turned 30!! (the other dancers are now 32 and 26!!) Still just as fun!!
My oldest daughter had imaginary friends... Johnny and Scott. Scared us at first... had to check old college psychology books to make sure it was normal! :) They did everything with us, and then one day just left. Funny.....
Have a great afternoon!

Simply Shelley said...

Such a precious post...I smile the whole time I was reading and looking at the pictures...good times...God is good...all the time...blessings

Unknown said...

Tammy, love love your post today! Such happy, happy news for the family!!! Blessings to you all!
My youngest son had a very real (only to him, he wouldn't share) friend even in his teens!
Love, Loretta

alltheseboys said...

Your post certainly did warm my heart. Your little Luke must be about the same age as my Kaden...6? I just love this age! We don't have a specific imaginary friend at our house...but we certainly have an imagination. Kaden is never "just" Kaden! Thank you for sharing a little bit of your life! Katie

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

What wonderful news for you, Auntie!

arkie said...

How wonderful for your family! Love the pictures!

Todd Gray said...

What great news all around today! So happy for your family. Our daughter had an imaginry friend. She ate a lot and always needed ice cream for dessert. She left clothes around the room and it was her who used the last of the pt in the bathroom. She got a few time outs as I remember as well. One day, she was just gone..... That was sort of sad.