This and That

Ella Kate is super excited about the Noonday Collection party at our house on Saturday.  All the party details are in a post if you scroll down a bit.  We would love to have you at the party, but if you can't come and would still like to place an order, you can do that as well!  All the info is listed.

Our adoption shirts came in and we have been busy getting them out to all our sweet friends that helped us with this fundraiser.  Ella Kate was tickled to model the shirts.  Walker was more interested in playing in the boxes.  Thank you for helping us #bringemmahome!

Ella Kate's class went on a field trip to the Children's Museum last week.  It was crazy with 4 different schools there at once, but the kids seemed to have a blast.

We took in a little high school baseball as well.  Heritage Academy was playing at Prep, so we got to see our friend Hunter Sykes in action.  The game was super long, but the kids really enjoyed it.  J was pretty proud when Walker would yell "ball, ball, ball" when there was a pop up.  Training him early.

And then there is this...the picture doesn't do it justice, but my wild man busted his lip at school today...you should see the other guy =)

Hope your Monday was great! We have another jammed packed week and weekend ahead of us! So thankful that the weather is more pleasant.  It just makes everything better!

Sunday Sweetness

February So Far

This month has been jammed packed with goodness.  I was able to go to the Created For Care conference in Atlanta.  There is just something pretty special about 450+ adoptive mamas coming together to worship the Lord, connect with each other, soak up amazing teaching, and just be filled with encouragement.  I did not know a single person going, but met my new BFFs (top right picture) the first morning when they met at my house to carpool to Atlanta.  That many hours in the van creates a pretty special bond!!! I was also able to meet Erica (bottom left) who was a big part of helping to get sweet Max Gordon home...so that was really special!!

The kids were living it up while I was gone.  EK had a Daddy/Daughter Date Day with J.  After school, they had a CFA lunch, followed by a trip to the Children's Museum.  They went to J's crossfit class and EK showed all of J's workout people how she "exercises."  I wish there was video footage of that goodness.  They ended the day with a little showchoir competition.  They were able to see Hattiesburg people and all of our CUMC junior high kids perform.  EK loved it, but crashed towards the end since it was a super late night.

On Saturday, she went to spend the day and night with Kay Kay and G.  They made a ton of precious Valentine crafts because girlfriend LOVES a project!

Walker Man went to Columbus for the weekend.  He spent every minute outside....such a little boy... until that sweet thing went and stood by the bedroom door with his blanket in hand telling Nana it was time to rock.  Rotten.

As much as I loved my conference, it was amazing to get back home to these two.  I just love them.

Ok.  This picture just makes me laugh.  This is so Walker.  He loves to be pushed around in the doll stroller, so why not turn it in to his own recliner.  Bless him.

We kicked off Valentine's Day with a little party at school.  EK made all of her Valentine's for her class and she was thrilled to deliver them to all of her friends.  She was pretty bummed though to say "good bye for now" to her best buddy Sienna.  Sienna's daddy plays baseball and it's time for them to head back to Cali until after baseball season ends.  Sadness.

After school, we met the Nelsons in Winona and headed north to Hernando to see Disney Jr. Live.  Sweet Sally let us spend the night with them and catch the show.  EK absolutely LOVED it!!!!

Ella Kate and Vera Kate played so well together.  I am beyond thankful for my friends and I especially love that my kids get to be friends with my best friends kids too.

J was in Houston for the weekend at the Passion conference, so the kids and I hung out in Columbus.  Who would have thought that empty Febreeze bottles filled with water would entertain my kids for hours?!?!?!?  They seriously had a blast with those bottles and washed everything imaginable outside.  So very thankful for beautiful weather!!!

I got to spend Saturday afternoon at my "happy place."  There is no place like Dudy Noble and I'm super excited to watch the Dawgs head back to Omaha this year!

This week seems to be pretty relaxed.  We do have a conference call with the China team from our agency, so that is exciting.  We are all logged in in China which means we can be contacted at any time with a file to review!!!!  Can't wait for Emma to join in on all our craziness!!!!!!

Noonday Party!

Have you heard of Noonday Collection?  Let me fill you in because it is an AMAZING company!!! Noonday Collection offers distinctive accessories handmade by vulnerable groups of people from around the world. When you shop, you join their story of transformation and HOPE one purchase at a time. From scarves to stationery to purses to jewelry galore, Noonday has something for everyone! My precious friends Meaghan Gordon and Laura Walton will be hosting a Noonday party on Saturday March 1 from 10:00 am-noon.  The party will be at my house in Jackson and the new spring Noonday Collection line will be on display for you to try on and see! A portion of the show's sales will be donated to the our adoption journey of making one less orphan in the world - and you're empowering artisans around the world by creating sustainable income! Go to www.laurawalton.noondaycollection.com to get a sneak peek of the new spring 2014 Noonday Collection line (launching TOMORROW) and learn more about what Noonday is doing to help others around the world! ** If you are unable to attend the show, you can still help by placing your order online! Just browse the collection at www.laurawalton.noondaycollection.com. At checkout, select Laura Walton as your Ambassador and enter "Nelson Family" in the Trunk Show Field. BOTH steps are important to making sure your order is credited toward this fundraiser. **

Playing in Columbus

After the nasty weather that started out our week, the spring like weather of this weekend was a welcomed blessing!!!  We spent a few days in Columbus, and my little people were living it up outside.

I call EK and W monkeys...this is why...

On Friday night, we went to visit the Gordon fam in Starkville.  We called in dinner and visited with our sweet friends. Murphy must have been too busy to get in on the picture taking action.

On Saturday night, we went to a wedding shower party thing for Baker Swedenburg.  These guys were all in J's first d -group when they were in 8th grade! They were all in our wedding.  J preached Bryant's wedding and is now going to be a groomsman in Baker's wedding.  (Still working on finding a girl for Jarrod!!!!)  We joke that these are our first kids and we could not be more proud of them!!!

Breakthru 2014

Over MLK weekend, our students went to Breakthru at Timbercreek Camp.  J and I have been to 12 of these since we started dating but this was the first one in several years that I was able to serve as a small group leader.  We had an incredible time and the Lord truly showed up in a big way.  The theme was "Known" and the speaker focused on finding our identity in Christ and that our identity is received, not achieved.  

I missed my babies, but it was like old times to get to be at a retreat with this guy.  So proud of him and all the work he does.  

 My senior small group was absolutely precious!!! Their openness and transparency was a blessing.  The fact that they wanted to go to bed early was a plus too!!! (I am not nearly as young as I once was!!! Those 7th and 8th graders didn't sleep at all!!!!)

The kids stayed with my parents for the weekend.  My Uncle Rich and cousin Tyler were in town.  I hate I missed getting to visit with them, but glad that my kids were able to see them!

Mr. and Mrs.

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Hays!!!!! My sister got married this weekend in Bermuda and I CAN. NOT. WAIT. to hear all about it and see all the pictures from her special day. Love you Jordan!

A Trip to the Ag Museum

Usually, our spring semester is a little more relaxed than the craziness that is the fall.  This year, that is not the case!!! We have had a very busy January and I will do my best to get caught up with all the happenings.  Last weekend, we were actually home and didn't have any scheduled activities.  Walker has recently become obsessed with horses, and Daddy noticed there was a horse show downtown and asked if we wanted to take the kids.  Well, it was a legit horse show and was a little too fancy for my 

1 1/2  year olds attention span to handle.  We made it about 5-8 minutes and then called it quits.  I think barrel racing and bull riding are more his speed.  We decided since it was such a pretty day that the Ag Museum would be fun.  The kids loved it!

The guy working on the model trains let us come inside the train room and the kids got to control the trains and the whistles.  

The petting zoo was a fan favorite.

He's my favorite little stinker.

Why does Ella Kate look so grown??? I can't deal.

We got to ride the carousel and the train to my children's delight.

What an unexpected, fun day with my sweet people!