1st time with Bubble Gum

While on our trip .. Brooke finally got the hang of chewing bubble gum .. she always swallowed it before .. I think we went through a whole pack of gum in one day.. too funny!

Our cousin Jana posted some fun pictures of our weekend on her blog check it out... http://chadandjanamartin.blogspot.com

Girls Weekend, Boys Weekend

On Friday, Brooke and I went on our first trip together. We flew up to Hayesville NC with Preston and his wife Kim to surprise my Aunt Susan for her 60th birthday party. Brooke was VERY excited... it was so fun to just have one child for the weekend and pour so much attention into her. Brooke did great on each flight and the car ride through the mountains from Asheville to Hayesville. After settling in for a few minutes in our cabin my Aunt showed up (her house was just a few down from where we were staying). Brooke and I ran into the bedroom to surprised her but I think it spooked Brooke more than Susan... she began to cry... haha. It was a fun night with grilling out and telling stories. It was the 1st time for her to be away from Parker... you realize how close they are when they are apart. I think sleeping was different for the both of them as they are so use to sleeping in the same room.

Scott and Parker had a boys weekend too... they went to a fun Gator game in Gainesville on Saturday. They had Mimi (Scott's mom) join them for a fun full day. I heard all about it from Parker and he wasn't so happy about the real gator on the TV screen. He said ..it scared me Mommy. Parker was so cute talking on the phone to me and Brooke all about his big day. He kept telling Brooke how much he missed her. They were like an old married couple talking about their days.. just so cute.

Parker watching the Gator game

For the girls on Saturday, Brooke and all the gang went to feed the Alpacas (which are like lamas). Brooke was not scared at all. She feed them right out of her hands

Don't you just love Brooke's outfit her Aunt Susan got her this cute TRUE cowgirl outfit. She was just so cute in it. We moved on to the horses next but they were a little hyper and came running down the hill and playing with each other... so fun to watch... Brooke just loves them. She is a true animal lover! Hopefully this summer we can do another trip up to see Susan's horses and maybe get to ride them... it was a little too busy this weekend.

Then on Saturday night was the big western surprise party where about forty of her friends and lots of family were there to celebrate with her. I think Aunt Susan was very surprised to see all her friends waiting for her. Jana (my cousin) did a great job decorating! Way to go Jana you did such a great job with the party! I know it had to be a lot of work. It was a great time.

Sunday was raining and getting really cool... I was thankful to be heading back to 75 degrees is all I could think about:). We all enjoyed a country family breakfast before heading on the road.. to Asheville.

Brooke got to hang out with her little cousin Summer. She is just so sweet and such a good baby. Don't you just love those cheeks and such blue eyes. Brooke was a little wiped out from the weekend .Summer loves Brookes hair... too cute. I'm so thankful we could meet her and just can't wait to see them again soon.

W ended up having extra time because our flight got delayed so we got a little taste of downtown Asheville. I love it and would love to go back as it's grown so much since I went to college near there. Such a small, and cute city. Brooke and I finally arrived home last night around 12:30am. Brooke was such a trooper and it was just so fun to enjoy her fun loving spirit. A trip would not be complete without a little sickness as Brooke and I both are wiped out with bad colds:( it's that time of year.

Happy Birthday Susan! we love you and so glad we could take our first girls trip to come see you!

Numbers Numbers...

So a little update... I know our dossier arrived in Ethiopia on Nov. 12, which is great news. Now our referral ( a referral will be a picture of our child and all their information) can come at any time. We do have a number on the list but our cordinator had a great point to not get caught up in the numbers because we never know exactly what someone else's criteria is. .. such as an older child vs a baby, boy or girl or siblings. So, I'm trying to focus on that it's not about the number it's about God timing for us. God has already picked this child for our family. It's all really a GOD thing and his child will find us and be in our hearts forever. It is exciting to daydream about what the sex of the baby will be and how old. I also wonder if the child is already there at the care center just waiting on us? Or is the mother having to make the hardest decision of her life to give up her child for a situations we will never truly experience or understand. I know this child is hand pick for us and I know God has choosen us to step up and love this child unconditionally forever.. I feel honored that the Lord Trusts me to care for another child of His. It brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it. This is such a gift to being going through this experience. So, for now this is a fun time of waiting and totally surrendering our TRUST to the Lord. As, I know He has the PERFECT time for us. I'm just so excited for that day!

Just as a clue our number is in the group above:)

Islands of Adventure then Universal

We had a fun day at Islands of Adventure and Universal. Our family had some extra tickets that had to be used this weekend so we took advantage of it. It was a glorious day outside with the temperature in the low 80s and low season for tourism.. so not crowded at all! We started off at Islands of Adventure at the Dr. Seuss area where Brooke for the 1st time showed fear in the above picture while waiting in line when her nerves kicked in. .. she use to be so fearless of all the rides and would go on anything but her conscience got a hold of her. She couldn't pull it together enough to join this ride. Parker was nervous because Brooke was scared.. a twin thing:) So we watched from the sidelines while our friends rode.

Jessica and Nick joined us with their three kids ..they are our friends that also are adopting two little girls age 3 and 5 from Ethiopia. They just found out about their court date being on Dec.3 so pray for them that they pass the 1st time! Check out their blog steadfastminds-ethiopia.blogspot.com/
Brooke quickly wanted to ride the carousel next .. she was so excited.. then so was Parker...

Below .. Brooke and Caroline are such cute friends.. I wish I would have caught the picture showing them holding hands.. I just love it when your kids love on other people when your not watching ..it melts a moms heart.

Parker is so funny when it comes to trains he loves them and this truly could be the only thing he will remember is riding the train. I just can't believe this phase hasn't left us yet but I'm glad .. trains are everywhere and fun.

Above Jessica , Caroline and Caleb getting ready to take off... again no lines it was crazy.
After a nice quick lunch we left Dr. Seuss. Scott and Nick rode the HULK Then off to Jurassic Park area.. While waiting in line I told Caleb and Parker to look at the bug on my camera so I could get a picture and this is what i got below ... haha

So, I couldn't believe Parker went on this ride... he became our fearless one today.. so proud of him. He's so happy to spend time with daddy... Scott can talk him into anything.

Brooke was getting a little worn out here but she came back for a second wind... We headed to Universal to finish out the day. It was a great day with no melt downs, no lines, no hot weather, no kids fighting... it was just a pure enjoyable fun day!

The Blind Side Movie

I can't wait to see this movie .. it looks like a good one for the week of Thanksgiving .. it comes out Nov. 20th..

Orphan Sunday

This past Sunday was Orphan Sunday at our church where we studied James 1:27. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Let's all take this message seriously because orphans are greatly disadvantaged in this world. They are struggling in the world. It is our job to step up and make a difference. When we care for orphans and widows it helps us from being polluted by the world because we see the reality of how God sees "worldly" possessions. When you serve the orphans and widows you are challenged more to live unpolluted. When we live unpolluted we get closer to the heart of the Father.

God promises to work in the orphans and widows lives, so by getting involved we get to be a part of it and see Him at work... and in return it changes our lives. God calls for our hearts to break for the things that break His.... My prayer today is for your hearts to break and to take action by helping those that are in need. We are here on this earth to make a difference, to be doers of the word.. I challenge you to help those that are in need. There are many ways to act: prayer, sponsoring a child, go to serve in a country, or reaching out to our neighbors all around us in need. The Lord knows your calling but I encourage you to take a step of faith and ACT:)

Calling all Coffee Lovers!

The Armstrong Coffee Store

OK, Some of you are wondering how you can help us with our adoption? Well.. here is fun way.. if you like coffee you can buy bags from our store. For every bag we sell $5 goes towards our adoption. They are 6 different choices of flavors, whole bean or ground... also coffee mugs, t-shirts and other products. This business started by a family that has adopted from Ethiopia themselves and you can read about their story on the website. I highly recommend the Ethiopian blend .. it's my favorite:) Please tell your friends about this website as Christmas is coming up and would be a fun gift to give.
http://www.justlovecoffee.com/ArmstrongFamilyOf5

Our First Ethiopian Dinner

Last night we went to a local Ethiopian restaurant with our friends Jessica and Nick who are also adopting from Ethiopia. The restaurant is called The Nile and it's located on International Drive. We are just so thankful to have a restaurant here to teach us about Ethiopian food. We told them we are adopting from Ethiopia and they were very excited for us. The owner came over to explain the food to us and hooked us up with a little bit of everything. If you have ever had Indian food, it's pretty similar. You can see from the picture it doesn't look very appetizing but it sure did have a lot of favor.

It was such a wonderful treat to have her explain how to eat the food... you grab the bread (injera) to pick up the chicken, lamb, or beef combinations and eat with your hands. I love it... if only we could eat with our hands every night... So fun!

After we ate our dinner which was very delicious they like to do a coffee ceremony
This is where she roasted the coffee beans in a small pot while incense was burning. She then ground the beans and brewed the coffee. It was very strong... like espresso.

We will be going to this restaurant a lot with our family to teach our children about the Ethiopian traditions and culture. The people that own this restaurant were just so loving and welcoming .. we can't wait to go back to learn more.

The Knight is BACK

Parker is feeling much better today .. he is finally back to normal! His energy is fully back.. boy have I missed our funny Parker. Isn't he the cutest knight you have ever seen?

Happy Halloween

The king and his princess

Our friends came over to trick or treat together


Our sweet Mimi

these are a great neighbors across the street from us.

We had a great night with our friends .. .. the only bad part was Parker got sick .. he had a fever and went right back to bed after his nap. It was a hot Halloween in the 90's with lots of mosquitoes....weird for Oct. Our neighborhood was packed with lots of kids. We gather at our house to have taco soup and lots of cupcakes. I dressed up like a queen, Brooke was our princess (sleeping beauty) and Scott was a king. It wasn't the same without our knight Parker. I just got back from the doctor he had a 104 temp and a very swollen throat. Poor guy! Hopefully we can take some pictures when he's feeling better and do a little pretend trick or treating for him.
We just got back from the doctor and got Parker a vanilla milkshake from McDonald's.. the Dr. did say he could have anything he wanted to make sure he was keeping hydrated.. he's lying in our pull out couch in our playroom watching movies..just so sad.