Wow!  Do I have some catching up to do!  Millie Janalee and I have been super busy for the past few weeks, and Russ has been working so hard to support our little family and prepare for the changes ahead.  In addition, we have had some extra excitement over the past week as my nephew made his grand debut!  More on that later as I gather the pictures from various cameras (because you KNOW there was more than one! Ha!)

As the Von Trapp children sing during The Sound of Music in Do-Re-Mi, "I'll start from the very beginning…a very good place to start."

Karen (the Bethany director) with Susu and Millie Janalee

Each year, the Bethany office in Jackson, MS holds a picnic for all the adoptive families who have gone through their ministry.  Last year was our first year, and it was a wonderful time to gather as adoptive parents and let our children get to know each other and build relationships around this commonality.  It is always good for children who were adopted to form relationships with other children who have been adopted - showing them that they aren't so different after all. As they grow older, I hope they begin to appreciate more and more having friends who "get it."  It is also beneficial for us, as adoptive parents, to learn from, communicate with, and help others who have or are going through the same journeys.

Since Easter was later than usual, the Bethany picnic included a fun Easter egg hunt for all the children…that are fondly named "Bethany babies" by the Bethany staff.  I can only imagine the joy of these social workers and others associated with our adoption journeys as they see how our miracle babies have grown and developed and are truly happy and healthy.  What a ministry with never-ending rewards!

The first hour was spent playing and riding the horses.  Yes, there were horses and Millie Janalee had NO FEAR!  Her mama, on the other hand, isn't quite as brave around these big guys.  Thankfully, Susu joined us and volunteered to ride with Millie Janalee.  Russ had to work sadly, so I'm so glad Susu was able to step in with a second set of hands.

The first thing Millie Janalee spotted was Mrs. Alison's cracker stash!  The girl (and Eaven too probably) would've stood there eating until the roll was gone if we let her.

Susu and Millie Janalee riding the horse

Our special friend, Clark, and his daddy taking a ride.

Once everyone had time to register, purchase a super cute t-shirt (that my sister designed actually), and visit, it was time for the Easter egg hunt.  This is where Millie Janalee's meltdown moments began.  Bless her.  We decided after it was all said and done that she had woken up on the wrong side of the bed.  It was the first time I'd ever seen her so completely out of sorts.  She hated to leave the horses, but once she got to the egg hunt location, she seemed to be distracted enough to enjoy herself again.  Ha!  I was in charge of taking pictures for the Bethany office for an event in the fall, so Susu took over the egg hunt helper duty.  As you can see, Millie Janalee's was a little too big for her to carry around herself.  Ha!

We hunted in the 0-2 year old area.  All the kids were playing and finished with the egg hunt within minutes.  When I looked around, there were eggs everywhere!  Ha!  I'm assuming they all did like Millie Janalee.  She found about four eggs before she started taking them out of her basket and throwing them around like balls.  Ha!  Either way, it was a fun first Easter egg hunt!

We spent the rest of our time before lunch playing on the playground.  Millie Janalee loved sliding down the slide.  We did some playground etiquette lessons here.  Those are always hard lessons to learn in public.  Maybe harder for me than anyone.  Ha!

Mrs. Alison, Eaven, and Millie Janalee playing on the slide

When our playground training became too much for my Little Miss, we decided it was time to swing.  Swinging ranks high among Millie Janalee's favorite things in the whole world.  She could swing and swing and swing all day.

Just a-swinging with Mama

Just chillin'

I enjoyed getting to know some of the other parents and reuniting with several couples who began their journeys with us.  I was also pleasantly surprised to find one of my Chi O sisters who adopted their little boy several months ago through Bethany.  I don't know how we had missed each other up to this point, but I was so happy to see Rachel again and meet her sweet family.

Visiting with Rachel and her family

Me, Millie Janalee, Angie, and Grady (we began our adoption process at the same time)

We all enjoyed a yummy BBQ lunch as one big Bethany family.  What a privilege to be a part of something so wonderful.  Bethany's theme verse for this year is Hebrews 12:2 - "fixing our eyes on Him".  I am honored to work with and be a part of this ministry.  I am thankful for them every day as I look into those precious blue eyes.  Blue eyes that I would never have seen if it weren't for this organization and their love for her and her birthparents and for us.

I am thankful for those who donate and help Bethany in their work.  Bethany is a part of so much more than just domestic infant adoptions.  They work with international adoptions, fostering, minister to birthmothers, minister to adoptive families, and do work in so many other outlets.  Contact your closest Bethany office to see how you can be a part of their ministry.

Thankful for a fun day with the Bethany staff, volunteers, and other adoptive families.  And our day would not be complete without a final ride on one of the horses and the "choo choo."

In case the events of the day weren't enough to fill us with gratitude and happiness, we added a little more to our agenda.  We spent the later part of the afternoon at a local park visiting with Millie Janalee's birthparents.

I'm full of gratitude for this day and everything it stands for.  LOVE makes a family.  And we have love overflowing among our Bethany family.

A Joyful Christening

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

That is the verse I wrote in a card to Clancy, Jack, and sweet Selah Grace on March 30.  Russ and I were incredibly honored that Clancy and Jack asked us to be Selah Grace's godparents.  My family (minus a very pregnant Kristin and Lee) traveled to celebrate the christening of the sweet baby girl.  It is always a joy to worship with the same church family my Nonnie and Pops took us to as children when we visited or spent a week with them.  It is also the church my mom grew up in.  There's your fun fact for the day - my mom grew up in the Lutheran church.

Of course, Selah Grace donned the same christening gown that my uncle and my mom wore as babies.  My sister, Clancy, and I also wore it for our christenings or dedications.  And, Millie Janalee even wore it for her newborn pictures.  She was too big for the gown by the time her dedication came around.  All of our names are embroidered in the slip under the gown.  The lady who added the extension to the dress years and years and years ago is a member of this church, and she was there the day Selah Grace was christened.

Everyone who wore the dress (minus Kristin)

My parents with Clancy, Jack, and Selah Grace

Dustin, Selah Grace, Clancy, and Jack

Selah Grace and her "Big Daddy" and "Mimi"

During the christening ceremony, the pastor acknowledged us as the godparents.  We vowed to pray for Selah Grace throughout her life, live as a Christian example for her, help her to grow in her faith, and encourage her along the way.  We do not take the responsibility lightly, and we understand how difficult the decision was for Jack and Clancy to make for their firstborn.  Russ and I have been honored and humbled by the trust they placed in us.  And we were elated to have the opportunity to celebrate with her on such a special day!

Me, Russ, and Selah Grace

After the church service, Clancy and Jack prepared a lovely reception at their home.  They had a lunch ready for us with a delicious cake for dessert.  We spent the afternoon passing the baby around and enjoying the company of each other.

My mom is the designated "take care of all things sentimental and fragile" person in the family.  Ha!  So she helped Clancy undress Selah Grace after church.  All the ladies took turns coming in the room to "Ooooh" and "Ahhh" over all her little baby rolls.  They are the cutest!  Millie Janalee immediately found her happy place near the book basket, and Selah Grace got dressed in her post-christening attire.

Y'all.  Tell me this isn't the cutest things ever! 

Beautiful family!

Selah Grace dressed in her Sunday afternoon finest complete with accessories - a bracelet and a necklace.  She was quite the model for me as I snapped away.

"Oh me.  Do you think I look alright?"

"Does this headband make me look big?"

After lunch, we all sat around watching Clancy open Selah Grace's gifts.  She received so many sweet gifts.  Russ and I gave her this little christening doll.  There is quite the story behind this!  My mom and I decided we would iron a patch onto the doll's bloomers with Russ and my names and the date written on it.  During the chaos that is always our family...we (and by we, I mean my mom) ironed a hole straight through the bloomers!  Actually a few holes!  It was hilarious because...well...that's just how my family rolls.  Continuing the "Coon Cloud" and Nonnie's legacy.  Clancy took it in stride and said it was perfect.  In fact, in her thank you note to us she said she couldn't wait to take her doll and "her holy underwear" to church.  Yep.  That's what family is for.  To laugh at the mess ups and embrace it as just who we are!

Russ and I began loading later that afternoon after most of the guests left.  Millie Janalee said her goodbyes to the "babies."  These two have some fun days ahead I know!

It is so fun to watch it all unfold as their personalities grow and they become more and more able to interact.  Such joys!  Tis truly so sweet to trust in Jesus!  May I never tire of saying that.

Thank you, Selah Grace, for allowing us the joy of sharing this day with you!

No Rain, No Rainbows

You may remember when we started Mississippi Women Bloggers, a site for women bloggers all over the state of Mississippi to gather, grow, and connect.  It is an amazing community that YOU should join if you are a Mississippi blogger.  And a woman, of course!  Great things are in the works over there.

I have since passed the torch to the incredible Jenny Mac Rogers, and she is taking MSWB in an even more positive direction, and I am so happy!  I am honored to guest post over there today.  The theme for April is "No Rain, No Rainbows."  Oh, how I know 'tis true!


Check it out here.

Silly Shenanigans

Since Mama and I drove down on Thursday, we had a few days to ourselves to be silly at the hotel.  One of our favorite evening events was our visits from Clancy and Selah Grace.  Millie Janalee was FULL OF ENERGY every night!  And she loved playing with Selah Grace!  I can just envision the fun we have ahead for those two.

There was lots of peekaboo...

Just checking to make sure Susu was looking for her...

"There she is!"

"Where's Millie Janalee?"

{GASP} "THERE SHE IS!"

This could go on for hours at a time if there were no distractions.  Ha!  And there was a little distraction.  Poor Selah Grace endured lots of "playing" with her big cousin.  Obviously, Millie Janalee is obsessed with headgear at the moment.  Poor Selah Grace...

Millie Janalee and I are both night owls.  And late sleepers.  So, once Russ got into town on Friday night, we kinda had to find things to keep us busy so Daddy wouldn't think we were getting sleepy and send us to our respective beds.  No, not us!  We are just getting started Daddy!

Come play with  us!

Uncie Bucket and Pawpaw came in town on Saturday, and we joined them at Bass Pro Shop to stroll around, look at the aquarium, and play on big machines like this one.  Or at least that was Pawpaw's plan.  You know, he always told her that he'd get her any car she wanted when she could say his name.  Hmmm...maybe this is the one.

 

It was good to get away with family and simply enjoy spending time together.  We ended our Saturday night with the outlet mall, a late dinner at Cracker Barrel, and tons of laughing til we cried moments at the hotel.  Literally.