This and That

I love special keepsakes and this sweet dress EK wore to church is no exception.  Jordan and I both wore this dress 25+ years ago....sorry Haley, I don't know why you didn't wear it....or maybe you did and you just couldn't be still for a picture? I happened to have several boxes of my grandparents pictures that Aunt Carolyn gave me. I was so tickled to find the pictures of us wearing the dress and EK thought it was really special to get to wear the same dress. She smiled so proudly as she told everyone at church that it belonged to her mama.

Sometimes they are really sweet to each other. 

EK has been at cheer camp at school this week. She is loving being back with her friends and can't wait for school to start in 2 weeks!  They are dressing up with different themes each day at camp. This particular day was crazy hair day. She loved the star braid that I did thanks to the YouTube tutorial.

While we went to meet with the judge for Emma's readoption stuff, Walker went on a special adventure with Kay Kay.  Their adventure took them to Kroger among other places. He was pumped up to have his own shopping cart....and because he scored a new racket.

They are two peas in a pod. 

The kids got quiet in EKs room the other day (which is never a good sign). These three came out decked in their maroon gear. I guess they are kind of excited for kick off!!!

EK had a blast at cheer camp this week and the girls put on a pep rally today for their adoring fans.  They are ready for some football now!

Walker said "I liked all da things. I liked da boom dynamite. I liked da singing. I like all da cheerleaders!" He's a pretty good brother to watch his sister at pep rallies, dance recitals, etc. 

Only 1 more day left in July?? Say what?!?!

Readopting Miss Emma

Today we met with Judge Thomas to complete Emma's readoption process for the State of Mississippi.  Emma has legally been ours since we met her in China 7 1/2 months ago, this step in the process is just to obtain a Mississippi birth certificate. This will just make school, sports, etc much easier than using her Chinese birth certificate. Now, all we lack is to change her name from Zhou Jingping to Emma Kyle Nelson on her social security card....can it be....the adoption paperwork is actually coming to an end?!!??

Emma was pretty excited to have her favorite lawyer handle her readoption process. We are so thankful that daddy was able to help us with this step (and MANY others) in our journey to Emma.  We have the BEST Big G!!!

Emma Kyle, you are the sweetest, most affectionate, loving, sassy, hard-headed little thing and we are so grateful you are ours!!!

When in Rome

Yesterday, we ventured to the Delta to the metropolis of Rome to celebrate the life of J's grandmother. Meemaw passed away several months ago at the age of 95. Since the family is spread all across the place, they decided to have a celebration of her life this summer when traveling would be a bit easier. 

Here is Meemaw's crew....her 3 kids(and their spouses)....3 of 5 grandkids (and their spouses).....8 of 10 great grand kids....that's quite the crew!

J spoke at the service and it was truly beautiful (well, what I heard...Emma and Walker had to make emergency exits mid sermon....preacher's kids!). After the service, a few of us went to bury her ashes next to her husband. The boys took care of covering the ashes.

EK took care of making things look pretty by adding flowers.

We then went to have lunch together as a family. It was more like a family reunion gathering with 50-60 people in attendance! Emma loved getting to meet everyone, especially her Arizona cousins! She was smitten with Diane!

EK had a big time with the big girls!  Taylor and Reagan are so beautiful inside and out.  It is so fun to get to visit with them. Reagan (on the far right) was our flower girl 10 years ago! She is so grown up now!

Jackson was quite popular with my little people as well!

We sure wish we were able to see the sweet Harvey kids more often!

It's always fun to have the Nelson 5 together! Can't believe my nephews are getting so big....5th grade and 3rd grade.....what?!?!

Meemaw had a deep love for all things dealing with butterflies, so my girls wore their butterfly smocks and then added some broaches from Meemaw's large collection.

Little buddies!

Hot, sweaty hugs with Lee Lee.  Poor Emma Girl is not loving the heat of the Mississippi summers but she is a fan of Lee Lee...and her jewelry!

Reunions are super fun when you get to meet a new cousin and you instantly become best friends. These two were precious together and had the best time!

He's kind of my favorite little guy!

We played outside for just a few minutes before we had to get back to the AC.

Emma examined the crops. Papaw Porter would be so proud!  He always enjoyed driving to the delta to check out the crops.

I think Meemaw would have been pleased with the events of yesterday. She loved her family dearly, so I know she would have smiled to see everyone together. Nana did a great job organizing everything and we so loved getting to spend the day with the family. 

Here's to the Weekend

Is there anything better than playing with the water hose on a terribly hot day?!?! We kicked off this weekend with some water fun and a quick visit with the Nelsons. A good day indeed!

Who needs a water park when you can make your own water slide in your backyard?

Some people prefer to just relax in the swing.

It's important to keep up one's physique during bathing suit season!

EK and J had quite the system going. She would hit the ball and then he would use the water hose sprayer and push the ball back to her with the stream of water.

7 months. This girl has been with us for 7 months!  We sure do love our little China doll!  Speaking of China dolls...our dear friends the Gordons are on their way RIGHT NOW to meet their daughter Mamie. Will you please pray for their family as they travel and transition into life as a family of 6?

These kiddos were excited to have Nana and Pop come by on their way through town today but they were not at all excited to see them go after their visit!  

Sweet sisters + seersucker + big bows = a precious combination in my book!

Walker wanted his picture taken on the mower to say "thanks" to Pop for doing our yard today! We are so thankful!!!

Here's to the weekend!

A Whole Lot of Randomness

It's no huge shock but it is HOT in MS! We are loving the new gourmet Popsicle shop in town. They are seriously delicious and oh so refreshing on these miserably hot days!

Emma starts to turn into a pumpkin when it gets close to naptime. Two days in a row, I cut our lunch time a little too close and she just gave up right there in her chair.

We took EK and W to see Inside Out. It was really a cute movie and they seemed to enjoy it...so much so that Walker spent the majority of the movie laughing hysterically and extremely loudly when everyone else in the theater was quiet. Oh well.

Sometimes they ask me to take their picture and the stars align and they all cooperate.

I guess it's because I am constantly taking their pictures, but wherever we go, they sit/stand/pose and say, "what about here? Do you want to take our picture here?" Why yes, I would love to take your picture on the alter rail after the service.

My friend Laura and I were thrilled with the response to our supply drive for the orphan care ministry. I'm not even sure if I mentioned it on here but we collected children's medicines, vitamins and various other supplies that Lifeline Children's Services needed for their partnership orphanages in China over the last month. They are sending a team in August and will carry these supplies with them.

This is a common occurrence at my house. I'm 99% sure a dance performance to "Let it Go" was about to happen when this picture was taken.

Our friend Taylor spent last week with us while she helped at the dance camp at church. EK so loved having a "big kid" stay with us. She also really loved headband day at camp. (Taylor even wore one of EKs bows so they could match!)

Walker spent a few days playing in Columbus while EK was busy at camp. He went swimming, boating, did some cooking and sewing and pretty much had the best time ever. And yes, that's a plunger. He chose that as his prize at the store because, why not?

I caught EK sneaking lipstick on Emma. EK said, "well she is a woman, you know."  Oh geez.

One night, Taylor babysat the kids so J and I could have a date night. She promised to paint EKs nails. Well, when Emma saw what was going on, she darted across the room with her fingers and toes spread apart ready for her mani/pedi. She is such a sassy little thing!

My birthday was the other day and it was such a fun and good day. My parents and Haley took the kids to lunch so J and I could go on a lunch date and then they brought me Primo's cookies and petit fours. Walker cooked cupcakes in Columbus and brought them back to me as well. 4 out of 4 people at my house during naptime took naps and that was stinking amazing!  We went to dinner at The Trace Grill with my parents and Haley. I got to open presents which was a treat and then we went to my parents to see J's present that he was hiding.....a precious bike. Seriously, how cute is that???

The kids played outside for a bit before we headed home.

These 3 make me feel every bit of 33....(more like 83 though. They are exhausting!)

We had an open house yesterday, so mom and dad took the big two to see Minions. They LOVED it!

Emma did a little work at G's office today. (Not pictured....Walker coloring G's entire calendar with a highlighter. Oops!)

July is flying by and school will be here in less than a month! We still have some more summer fun to cram in though before we break out our backpacks and get back in a routine!!!