Happy Mother's/Father's Day

So since it is summer time I am working really hard on catching up on lots of things-including my pictures and blog. Since today is Father's Day and I did not post on Mother's Day, I thought I'd do both in one. 

Mother's Day 2012 

I am a very blessed momma. I don't know if adoption makes it seem even more of a blessing or not but I am so thankful to both of our birthmoms for their amazing selfless choice of life for my precious babies, without them I would not be a mom. I'm also amazed at how God works in mysterious ways for all things to His good. 

 Anthony's 2nd Grade Mother's Day Card...the best part!

 Isa (2) and Anthony (7)

My sweet, amazing Mom and my wonderful, strong Grandma (93 yrs old!)

Happy Father's Day 2012

We are so thankful to have my dad in our lives. He has always been a loving dad and a fantastic grandpa but since everything happened with Daddy, he has been there for the three of us every step of the way. He is not only my dad, grandpa to my kids, but also our handyman, lawn service, babysitter, #1 baseball fan, and so much more. Thank you Dad for all that you do to love on us! Happy Father's Day!

In memory of Daddy on Father's Day

 Bedtime stories in Spanish

 

The day we brought Isa home.

 Most pictures of her & daddy are in the hospital.

Lastly, thank you to our Heavenly Father. 

We continue to trust you with today and tomorrow.

2012 LCLL Threshers

We had the most amazing time during Anthony’s first season of Little League Baseball. We were so blessed by terrific coaches-supportive, knowledgeable and fun.  The parents were very friendly…we had a couple of team parties during the season. Now the moms are working on having “Mom Nights Out” …such a blessing to me.

The boys got along so well on and off the field, good friendships started.

I enjoyed taking pictures during the games but I had a sweet friend, Bonnie, that captured some amazing ones of Anthony, too. Anthony is a good ball player and a lot of fun to watch. He played most of the season at first base. During the tournament he played third base and shortstop. I learned a lot about baseball while watching him. I’m super proud of Anthony.

 opening day

The boys had an incredible season...

undefeated 20-0

 LCLL National Rookie Division Champs &

 LCLL 2012 Rookie Division City Champs!! 

Thanks for so many of you coming out and supporting Anthony during his season and especially during the City Championship. He always felt so special when his family and friends came to watch and cheer him on. Thanks for loving my boy!

2012 Family Photos

Photos by my sweet friend Sarah during Spring Break 2012

Anthony 7 years old, Isabella 2 years old 

Big Grandma’s 93rd Birthday

I love my sweet Grandma so much. She is such an amazing woman. At 93 years old she still does her own house cleaning, cooks dinners, makes the best buttermilk pie in the world, takes walks with her dog, drives where ever she needs to and picks up the younger ladies for church. Amazing! I am so blessed to be called her granddaughter.


Happy Birthday Big Grandma!

Here is a picture of my dad, Big Grandma and my two kiddos.


Grandma, I love you with all my heart!!~Rhonda


(It was 3 years ago on a Saturday when we were trying to celebrate my grandma’s 90th birthday that the rains never stopped until our house was flooded.)

Easter 2012

On Saturday we went to my sister's to

dye eggs...

After a wonderful church service, we gathered at my parents with family and friends for lots of food, egg hunting and swimming!

    

    

Put some money in the eggs and everyone will hunt... 

my nieces both found the golden and silver eggs!

It's been a long time tradition that Easter "opens" the pool... crazy kids!

Swimming with friends.

           

    This is as far as she went and I don't blame her...it was cold!

Glad he remembers what he learned in swim lessons last year…saves me a lot of money this year!  

Ok, just a few more pictures...real life, no pretending to be sweet here... 

I just had to add these because they cracked me up. 

Thanks Kimberley for catching them in the act!

   

Here is Isa tattling...but for good reason...

  

...be nice brother...oh those eyes! 

(don't have a clue why A is in the baby swing?!!?)

Guess I'll end with the sweet one...

    

Happy Easter everyone! 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; 

do not depend on your own understanding. 

~Proverbs 3:5

2 years today...

 

Today the three of us spent the entire day together. This evening we went to dinner with a sweet friend of mine, Erin & her adorable daughter. Then met up with Grandma & Grandpa at the church that hosted Upward Basketball for this season and enjoyed the End of Season Celebration for Anthony's 2nd fabulous year. 

Crazy timing, we did this same thing last year when we had to move past the "1 Year" milestone. 

All I really know is that God has taken very good care of the 3 of us these past 2 years. I know for a fact that I am stronger in many ways. My kids are such blessings. They are two very strong kiddos in their own ways (many will even say they both are "strong-willed"...and yes they are! Oh my!) 

After taking that trip to Dallas with Anthony this past December-I have had a lot of momentum. I believe God did some work on me through that trip and I feel more confident and trusting in Him for today and tomorrow...not looking as much in the past as I have.

 I truly feel like I am not just surviving any more but living. 

And I think/know that Dario is proud of us. He was always our free spirit, crazy, jump and go. I miss that but now its my time to be trusting in what tomorrow holds and not worry so much about yesterday or today.

HOPE

This has been my word. It is on my wall. It is in my heart. But it has meant many different things to me throughout this new journey. Today it truly is HOPE for the future, here on Earth and the promise of eternity in our Heavenly home. If you look up Hope in the beautiful Word of God you will find many verses and many are perfect to me. But still my favorite continues to be 

Jeremiah 17:7

which is listed on the top of my blog. 

Here are a few more

Romans 12:12, Romans 15:13, Isaiah 40:31

 

I love this picture because it has HOPE moving FORWARD. 

One more thing...This is quoted from a book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, January 8th. 

"Hope in Me (Jesus), and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus you are lightened. Heaviness is not of my kingdom. Cling to hope, and My rays of light will reach you through darkness."

This so has been the case for me and my life. Anthony now 7 1/2, Isa 2 1/2, Me...well 2 years older...We are good. We are strong. We are trusting. Doesn't mean I have it all together...oh man to I struggle with my many responsibilities but...we are strong...we are trusting...we are full of HOPE. 

Love you and thank you for your many well-wishes and especially your prayers today.

 

Awards Program 2nd 9 weeks

Super proud of my big boy!

A/B Honor Roll and Good Citizen Award 

2nd 9 weeks of 2nd grade! 

Way to go, Anthony!