We've practiced, and practiced, and practiced...

and he got it! This past weekend my boy finally walked. We have spent many and many evenings over the past 4 months trying to get this boy to walk. He would take a few step here and there, but totally against his will. But this weekend he did it, so effortlessly, and with so much excitement. We were all so giddy, even Abigail and Nathan were just laughing out loud. Each of us knows how much we have worked and oh how our hearts filled with joy at this moment! Yay, Pookey!

Look how proud he is!

Whew!!

We thought that once we got back from Texas that things would slow down a bit. That has not been the case. Busy, but an oh so good kind of busy. I went through my camera to get some pics and thought I would share a little bit of our life happenings over the past few weeks. I just love my family! (Sorry that this has to be such a long post but I guess that is just what happens when you get behind.) Enjoy!

This guy came to visit. Met him in the shed one night on my way to get the ladder. He won't be visiting anymore. But I do thank him for helping me get the shed reorganized. That picture on the top right is Tory tormenting him. I don't know why that is necessary for a guy to do before he makes the kill, but it is.

We have also had several visitors. Nana came for about a week and it was such a special treat! Thanks for lovin' on my kiddos so much. We miss you, Nana.

We had a special visit from our good ole' friends, The Willems, as well. So good to see that family again. Note that the girls made sure they made the most of their time with much pampering.

We also made a very quick trip to Frankfort last week to get state seals and authentication for the dossier.

A completed work. Well, at least as complete as we will ever see it. And just a quick update, the dossier received its seals and final authentication in D.C. last week and is currently on its way to Ethiopia! We are on the list! Now we just wait.

And last but not least, A CHALKBOARD WALL!! I have been waiting for this for months! These final pictures also represent the tons of painting Tory and I have done over the last week as well as our prep for homeschool beginning in just a few short weeks. Abigail is going to be in Kindergarten!! More to come on that and hopefully more pics of the completed school "area" when it is finished.

Thanks for stickin' with us!

Lynn's Paradise Cafe: Super-hero style

Yet another fun outing with the Marshman's, and for BREAKFAST this time! We love our sweet friends! Check out some more of our morning here.

Remembering Texas: The Finale

C.H.S. Class of 2000...Reunited

Wow! Ten years! Crazy the things that have happened in ten years! Never thought I would be married to TORY GIDDENS! (I still have "tory giddens moments", as I call them, to this day. God is so good!) Never thought I would have 3 kids by now, Tory Giddens' kids at that. Never thought I would be staying at home with those kids. Never thought I would be staying at home in LOUISVILLE, KY with those kids. Never thought I would be filling out tons and tons of paper work and saving every last penny to try to get a little girl from Ethiopia home...to MY home. It is ever so crazy to think back on these things and how God has used so many situations, even some tough ones, to grow me in him and in his Word. I sit tonight and reflect in pure thankfulness.

So, on with the weekend. It was FABULOUS!! So fun to catch up with friends and be back together again...laughing so hard like we had not missed a beat...finding out the roads the Lord had chosen for each one. Here are a few pictures...I so did not take enough. Too busy talking I guess. Imagine that.

These next shots are from Brad Hickman's family's ranch.

Remembering Texas - Part 3

The Texas Panhandle: "Where you can look further and see less."

My grandma was so kind to have us out at her place while we were home and let us take the kids for a little taste of what I did lots of growing up. I think I was pretty much raised on these things...work but mostly play.

the real Happy, Texas. where my parents were born and raised.

I still got it.

Remembering Texas - Part 2

P.D.C., aka Palo Duro Canyon

Weirdly enough, I pretty much begged Tory to change our vacation week because I just HAD to take the kiddos to see "Texas". It's a muscial drama in our own little canyon about 30 minutes from Canyon, the place where Tory and I grew up. I probably saw it a dozen times growing up and before we moved. There are many memories in this canyon. Water days in one of the 8 water crossings with the cousins way, way back. Also, one the most fearful nights of my life happened on our "Senior Skip Day"camping trip in this park by some from the class above us. Turns out MY husband was involved in that prank. Still waiting for repentence. Anyway, I won't go into that. You can't take pictures once you get in the OUTDOOR auditorium but you can use your imaginagtion on how very cool it is from the pictures we took driving in and on our little nature hike before the show started. Enjoy!

Luke stayed back with the other grandparents.

On the right, my crazy bro and his blondie in the background. I miss you, Man!

The Wild, Wild West.

Remembering Texas - Part 1

I have had a little delay in getting up pictures of our Texas trip since our return to Kentucky because of adoption paperwork that has had me busy among the other things of caring for 3 children and a home. But I am ready now and hope to fire out some good ones over the next few days. So here we go with "Remembering Texas" - Part 1.

Song and Dance with Uncle Toby...

I was not there for this but heard it was absolute hilarity.