Isabelle

March 30, 2012

choo. choo.

It's not too often I find all of my youngest in a candid moment that I actually want to capture on film. But yesterday, I did. They had been given the "wrap it up" nod from in the house and were busily cleaning up. Or so I thought. Turned out they were cleaning up... but with a bit of a twist. Poppy was in the middle of it all. No big surprise there. The surprise was that her two older brothers and three older sisters were all working together. To push/pull her along in their homemade train-like contraption. And they were … [Read more...]

20 Comments
Posted Under: Isabelle, Jude, Poppy, real life, Shepherd, Sophie, Vivienne

March 8, 2012

my girlie

Y'all. She's reading. For our very special girl, this is huge. She has worked so hard. And now is filled with such a sense of accomplishment. Reading is still a struggle for her. And she remains well behind her peers. But she's reading. And she's happy about it. Seriously, I could just pop. Today, when she got home from school, she ran in - book in hand - ready to read to me. When she finished, I was so tickled at how well she was reading, I asked her if I could take a picture of her. And her book. And she lit up. Then, I … [Read more...]

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Posted Under: Isabelle

February 27, 2012

Sunday Snapshot: {girls’ weekend}

On Friday, the girls and I headed down to A-town to visit Victoria. And to celebrate, once again, her recent college graduation. Can one celebrate such an achievement too much? I think not. We hunkered down at my mom's house and spent the afternoon shopping and cooking. And then eating. All Victoria's favorites. Girly food, of course. But there was more fun in store. A little music. Make that a lot of music. And then some sister time. The girls positively adore their biggest sister. And I think she … [Read more...]

13 Comments
Posted Under: celebrations, Isabelle, Poppy, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Victoria, Vivienne

January 23, 2012

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Today is the start of Chinese New Year. And, around these parts, that means bringing out the Chinese silks. And celebrating our kids' Chinese heritage. I had every intention of trying to get everyone in their silks today. And pictures taken. But the sun just did not want to cooperate. Eventually, I just quit waiting and took the girls out on the porch for some pictures. That is, after dressing them in their new silks. And fixing their hair. And grabbing a few of their favorite things. And I'm so glad I did. We ended … [Read more...]

29 Comments
Posted Under: adoption, celebrations, China, Isabelle, Sophie

December 25, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {Christmas in pictures}

*********************************************************** If you're ready to link up this week with your Sunday (or Monday or Tuesday) Snapshot, just copy the code under the Snapshot button and paste it into the body of your post where you'd like the button to be displayed. Because it's Christmas, and lots of y'all are probably otherwise occupied, I'm going to leave the link open until Tuesday night. When you hit 'publish' it should show up just fine. Then add your link below. Wondering what the heck Sunday Snapshot is? Visit here for the … [Read more...]

17 Comments
Posted Under: a-bone, celebrations, d-bomb, Isabelle, Jude, Poppy, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne

December 15, 2011

a gift

Someone blessed Isabelle with a surprise gift this Christmas. And, because I'm crazy that way, I decided to let her open it up before Christmas. Okay, that and the fact that it wasn't actually a "Christmas" present. The gifting just happened to coincide with the Christmas season. And, to be completely honest, I let her go ahead and open it because I could not wait to see the joy on her face when she opened it. And boy, was I right. She lit up brighter than the Christmas tree behind her when she unwrapped her gift. Thank you, sweet … [Read more...]

6 Comments
Posted Under: Isabelle

November 18, 2011

the glasses

I had to share these, for favorite photo Friday. Not so much for how much I love the photos. But for how much I love what the photos represent. Specifically, those glasses. Isabelle 'bought' those glasses today from her school 'store'. With 'bucks' she's collected over the last few months for good behavior. Good behavior, y'all. Which, despite her best efforts, has been a challenge for her in the past. I tell ya. This girl never ceases to amaze me. I am so glad that out of all the momma's on the planet, God chose me … [Read more...]

14 Comments
Posted Under: Isabelle, photography

October 13, 2011

reading eggs. really?

Meet Isabelle's newest friend. Reading Eggs. She spent the day at home yesterday due to a short-lived upset tummy - as in, she threw up on the bus on the way to school. So sorry, Ms. Fran. I owe you a big batch of brownies. By late morning we'd gone through all the Bob Books we could find. And several math worksheets. Out of desperation curiosity I logged on to a website that had been recommended by one of her teachers. I'd been a bit put off by the name... Reading Eggs. Really? What kind of name is that? Within 5 minutes, we'd signed up for a … [Read more...]

7 Comments
Posted Under: homeschool, Isabelle

September 30, 2011

this girl

... is determined. She managed to convince her other front tooth to come on out. Despite the fact that it was really no where near ready. I'm so grateful that she's got that tenacious spirit... because she gonna need it. She's making progress at school, but the upshot of our recent IEP meeting was that she might be ADHD. And that she might benefit from medication. Oy. After I picked my jaw up and I quit trying to shoot daggers out of my eyes, I listened to what they had to say. And now we struggle with the weight of what to do. Isabelle … [Read more...]

46 Comments
Posted Under: Isabelle, real life

September 11, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {the tooth}

So the question has been posed several times lately. Did that tooth ever come out? And I am happy to report that yes, yes it did. It came out with a solid 1/4 inch of root still attached, too. But that's our Isabelle. Ready or not, once she wanted that tooth out, it was coming out. And, clearly, she's pretty jazzed about it. Pretty jazzed about life in general, really. She is in 1st grade this year. At an entirely new school. Isabelle craves structure, and routine. So she doesn't do so well with change. But she's coping … [Read more...]

18 Comments
Posted Under: Isabelle, Sunday Snapshot