Surfin USA

So one of the things Everett wanted to do this summer while we were home was learn how to surf. Um, yeah.....don't think he quite got to check that one off, but they did RULE the boogie boards on the GA coastline waves.

waiting for the perfect wave....

riding it in

Reid can even get a wave in at the end!

Papa and Rylie walking on the beach

Rylie "walking" the fish on the board....

and snuggling with KK

Playing on the beach

Before we headed out to Colorado for our training, we were able to spend a little while at my mom's beach house in St. Simons! What a blessing! We absolutely LOVE the island, the beach, the food, and fun friends and family!

The kids were collecting "animals" and keeping them in their buckets.

Ry showing hers off

All the kids LOVED swimming in the ocean with Nai Nai. Great one on one time!

And of course some family pics...

 Nai Nai and the kids

Our family

Family pictures!

Family pictures by the wonderful Michelle Edwards!

She's got them wrapped around her finger!

Laughlin, Party of 6

About two weeks after I got back to America, I had the shock of my life. I found out I was pregnant with baby #4. We were trying NOT to get pregnant, were talking about adoption,  and enjoying being diaper free. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE babies. And kids. But the growing the babies about. kills. me.

But apparently, God thinks a bit more of us than we do :) and thinks we can handle a bit more crazy in our lives!

Seriously though, we know that God's plans are perfect and that He absolutely knows what is best for our family, so we are really excited about what He has in store for us and this next little one!

If I can make it to delivery......pregnancy really kicks my butt.

Throwing up and bed rest were NOT on my list of things to do in the next 9 months. It looked more like run a half marathon and help with the PTA at the kids school. But through this complete upheavel of my plans, God has shown me just how much I rely on MY plans and how selfish they can be. Really? Running a half marathon is more important than growing a human life? Looking good in a bathing suit in Thailand or getting to show off my sweet 3 week baby? God has already used this sweet little one to teach me more about Him and refine me to be more like Him. We can't wait to see how else this precious one will be used!

Q and A---

1. I am due January 4th

2. Yes, we will be having the baby in China

3. No, we don't know what we are having yet.

Ultrasound is scheduled for the day before we head across the ocean.

And  this planner is loving how convenient that is......

4. The kids are SUPER excited about having another little one in the house.

5. I'm on bedrest because I have a prolapsed uterus. Should be better at 20 weeks

6. Yes, I am able to fly, even if I'm still on bedrest. Just can't carry anything.

Good thing we have so many kids to help :)

7. Baby will be a citizen of the United States and can still be president

These are some of the questions we've gotten, so I thought I would answer them all for everyone!

We really appreciate your prayers and support during this pregnancy!



My boyfriend Grady's house

Another fun thing we got to do in Summerville was go to Rylie's boyfriend Grady's house.

His parents and brothers are our friends too, but Rylie always refers to him as "my boyfriend Grady" and his house as "my boyfriend Grady's house".

Ry and Grady playing at the sandbox

sharing some craisins and relaxing after a hard swim!

Waterpark Fun!

When we had our too brief stop in Summerville, we got to go to the waterpark with some fun friends. Thanks to some other WONERFUL friends lending us their passes (wish they could have gine with us too!) My boys LOVED the waterpark every summer we lived there, and they were SO excited to be able to go while we were there!

Fun Friends--

Harper, Everett, Reid, Katie, and Jonah

Rylie loved going down the slide with her big brother!

Holding hands on slide

Ry had a huge little crush on Jonah that day and followed him around everywhere!

The boys with KML, as they call her. She is missed by our family A LOT!

Tea Parties!

Rylie spent a week with KK and Papa by herself when we got home. And I think they had at least 3 tea parties a day! She learned how to pour and serve "tea" (sometimes it was chocolate milk, soemtimes apple juice...) and serve her guests cookies. I think Papa may have gone to a party or two, but there is no photographic evidence :)

Rylie and KK

pouring the tea

A Princess tea party

pouring again....

a fun visit with another great grandmother!

Our kids are so blessed to really know two great gradmothers! We are so thankful!

Visit with Mimi

 When Rylie and I got home my grandmother, Mimi, was here staying at my moms. It was such a fun treat to get to spend time with her!

She lives in Oklahoma, so we dont get to see her that often.



Ry enjoyed some frozen yogurt with Mimi

and celebrating cousin Maddie's 2nd birthday!

We love you Mims! And can't wait to see you in a couple of days!

Chinese Hospital

WARNING: pictures of a cut head!



So, after I left to come back to America, Matt made our first trip to the Chinese Emergency room with one of the kids. Reid was the winner!

He was playing at a friends house and a ball hit a light fixture and the globe came down on Reid's head, leaving the mark pictured above.

Here is is after they shaved part of his head.

He was a brave boy waiting for his stitches!

His cool mesh cap that he had to wear for 10 days. Oh yeah, he couldn't get his hair wet for 10 days either. They flew home 5 days later and he was one stinky boy :)

And this is a room where you can get rid of your bride in an emergency? Not really sure.......

Wedding Bells

Rylie and I came home a bit earlier than the boys to raise a little support and to celebrate this FUN friend!!

Laura and I have been friends since 9th grade in Youth Group and she is one of my dearest friends.

I am so thrilled that she and Colby have found each other!

Anne, Laura, and me at the rehearsal dinner

Beautiful Bride!!

Scavenger Hunt

 

We had a fun scavenger hunt for the school age kids on a day they had off of school. 

Sonya was the creative one who found it on Pinterest and printed it out for us.  The kids had a great time and did really well. They were a bit competative at times :) but they were excited when all the teams won!

 

Team Kindergarden

 

Team Third Grade with a little help from K-4

 

Team 1st/2nd grade