Alyssa

Alyssa Faith was born on August 4. She weighed 6lbs. 1oz. and was 18" long. She joined our family on August 16 (though technically she spent the night with us on August 15 as well). She is a sweet baby, and we feel so blessed to have her in our family. Her brothers and sister love her tons (sometimes more than we would like). :) And of course, Derek and I love her so much too.

Alyssa and I were required to stay in Virginia (where she was born) until both Virginia and North Carolina signed an interstate compact, allowing us to go back to North Carolina. It took awhile for Virginia to sign it, and I was getting very nervous that I was going to be stuck in Virginia through the weekend. With hurricane Irene coming, I really wanted to be home with my family (plus we had spent most of the last three weeks being separated as a family, and it was getting old). Thankfully, at 4:30p on Friday I got the okay to head home. Alyssa and I (with the help of David and Rachel - Thank you!) packed up the car, made a quick stop at Alyssa's birth mom's house to say goodbye, and then hit the road. I was really nervous the traffic was going to be awful. Other than a two mile stretch getting on I-95, it wasn't bad at all. The towns were doing a good job moving traffic through quickly.

We are so glad to be home and together as a family. We are praying that everything goes smoothly with the adoption. I think it usually takes 6+ months to finalize everything.

This has been a crazy, emotional roller coaster. It has been very stressful, and wonderful, at the same time. And, this has probably been the most spiritual experience of my life. I am so thankful for a loving Father in Heaven who made this all possible. I am also thankful for the love, support, and help of family and friends who made this possible. Thank you!

Kevin and Alyssa


Jenna, Kevin, and Alyssa


Kevin and Alyssa (eyes open!)


Jared and Alyssa


The girls - Amanda, Alyssa, and Jenna


Jenna and Alyssa


Sleeping (Don't worry, we weren't actually going anywhere, which is why she isn't buckled in)


She was all wrapped up, but she is really good at getting that arm out


Getting more alert every day


Kevin and Alyssa


Alyssa


Sisters - Jenna is so excited to have a sister


Alyssa


She looks so little when Derek holds her


Loving her daddy


I LOVE this picture. Nothing like a sleeping baby.


Jared and Alyssa


Tummy Time


Jared keeping Alyssa company during tummy time


Relaxing


Hanging out with dad. (He had been feeding her, and was actually burping her)


She curls up into this position a lot, and I think it's cute.


Our burrito


Jenna and Alyssa


She got both arms free this time. :)


Very alert

Kevin's Turns 8!

Happy 8th Birthday Kevin!


Kevin turned 8 on August 19. His birthday did not go quite as planned this year. A few weeks before his birthday we were talking about what he wanted to do for his birthday. His birthday fell on the last day of track-out, so we decided to go camping. However, about four days before his birthday we brought Alyssa "home" (to my sister's place in Virginia). That, of course, meant no camping. It also meant a delayed birthday, and a fairly lame one. Poor kid. He opened presents the day after his birthday in Virginia (Derek brought them with him when he came from NC). We tried to make him a cake while we were there, but it failed. We had some cake and ice cream, but didn't sing or do candles. Kevin was a good sport. I promised him that when I got back to NC we would make him the cake he wanted.

Alyssa and I finally got to go home on Friday night (August 26). On Saturday Derek made Kevin a Red Velvet Cake (from scratch - Kevin's request). Then I set to work on Sunday decorating it. It turned out well. So, we sang and did candles yesterday, a week and two days late. Thank goodness for a patient boy.

Jenna and Jared watch Kevin open presents


Now that Kevin is 8 he gets to join boy scouts at church. Here he is trying on his hat.


Bobo bought Kevin a water balloon sling shot for his birthday. It's really cool. Here's Derek demonstrating how to use it.


Here is Kevin trying it (without the balloons). He has since used it with the balloons, and loves it.


For his birthday, Kevin really wanted a Power Rangers Cake. He specifically wanted it to be the blue Samurai Power Ranger (whose name happens to be Kevin). He wanted it to be his full body. Here is the result. I thought it turned out pretty well.












Make a wish!


We love you Kevin. We feel so blessed to have you in our family. You are an amazing son and an awesome big brother. We hope 8 is a great year for you!

The end of Swim Team

As of last Tuesday, swim team has finally come to an end. I am glad that the kids participated. It was very busy, but they learned a lot, and they have become much more comfortable in the water. The team ended the season 3-3.

On the kids' backs they would write their last name. On their arms they would write their number. That helped the timers keep track of who was who.

Jenna with her markings.


Jenna all decked out for the meet. Gotta love swim caps. :)


The kids always got finisher ribbons at the end of each heat. The main heats, which were the scored heats, got special ribbons indicating their place.

Jenna with one of her ribbons.


Kevin getting ready for a relay


Ready...Set...Go! Kevin dives in as his fellow relay member touches the wall.


Kevin climbing out of the pool after a race.


Kevin post race, with his finishers ribbon in his hand.


At the end of the season, they had an awards assembly. Every swimmer got a team medal. Plus they gave out special awards.

Kevin, Jared, and Jenna waiting for the assembly to begin.


Jenna getting her team medal. Her coaches are in the background. Coach Heather, Coach John (the head coach), and Coach Logan.


Kevin with his team medal.


Jenna and Kevin with their medals.


Kevin got one of the special awards. He got the "I Can" award. It was for having a great attitude. Always being willing to fill in where needed, and always trying hard. He really was great about all of those things during the season.

Kevin with his "I Can" certificate.


Jenna also received a special award. She got the Barracuda award. That was for swimmers who put forth a lot of effort and made huge improvements through the season. She couldn't swim when we started this whole thing, so she has come a long way.

Jenna with her Barracuda trophy