Can't forget Jeb

Yet another milestone was reached in our house today. I can't forget Baby Jeb who turned 6 months old today. Despite his two new teeth, he's the most easy-going little guy I know. Those teeth may come in handy later, but right now, I'm REALLY holding a grudge.

Belle's First Day of School

Today is Belle's first day of school. I can't believe I have a child in kindergarten. She was so excited to go this morning, and no I didn't take her. She LOVES to ride to school with her daddy in his 'Barbie' truck. (aka $500 hooptie) She had to master the skill of tying her shoes before today and finally got it down Saturday night. She is SO proud of herself and wanted to take a shoe to church to show everyone what she can do. (The first picture is of the first bow she tied all by herself.) This year she also has to learn to tuck in her shirt all by herself... we're still working on that one. Estella starts K-4 tomorrow and will go Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. So tomorrow will be a big day, too.

A tooth, almost crawling, and golf

Two blog posts in one night. I know... it's a lot, but the Addis homecoming post was requested by a couple people who couldn't make it to the airport, and I also have some Slaughterhouse news. Three items actually. 1.) Jeb's first tooth is peeking through. (Ahhh, teething. How soon we forget the horrors.) I tried to get a picture but was brutally unsuccessful. 2.) The little guy is 'trying' to crawl... not so easy on hardwood floors. 3.) Drumroll, please....... Matt Slaughter (if you haven't heard) is the new men's head golf coach at Shiloh. Yep, more time on the course for him, and more time for me home alone with three kids. I'm so happy for him. No, seriously... Matt's a great golfer and an even better communicator. They couldn't have done any better. Go golf team! (Do you cheer for golf?)

Almost there....

Addis is home.

They're home. Zach and Erin came home to NW Arkansas today after spending over a week in Ethiopia. But they didn't come home empty handed! Addis is one of the cutest little guys I've ever seen. And yes, I'm partial, but take a look for yourself...

They had quite a crowd to greet them, including family and a ton of friends who have been praying for this day for a long time. We are so privileged to be a part of this celebration. The bottom of the escalator at XNA was most definitely the equivilant to a delivery waiting room today. So much fun.

The waiting crowd....

The kids were so excited. Here's Belle, Dru, and Brooke.

Avery and Finley made a sign for Addis.

Parker and Jeb wondering what all the fuss was about.

Easton waiting for his little brother with both grandpas.

Then they were there.

And the paparazzi swarmed...

He immediately LOVED Catherine.

He literally attacked Catherine with kisses. Hilarious.

Jeb's first meeting with his friend. (Not a good picture but the camera battery died.)

Jeb and his sneaky sisters

I just heard the girls whispering in their bedroom which wouldn't normally bother me too much. This time, though, I was a bit concerned because I had just laid Jeb in their floor to let him watch Barney with his sisters. The whispering was quickly followed by uncontrollable laughter... which prompted to me run as fast as I could in there and see what they were doing to my poor baby boy. This is what I found. They had "sneaked around" and "wrapped him up like a girl baby" (their words) and thought they were pretty funny. I was relieved that was all they had done. And Jeb... he was oblivious to his girliness and was just happy with the extra attention.

Fence, Family, and Flood

Matt is building our new fence this weekend. I knew it would be quite a job, but wow.... His Uncle Jonathan helped him get the big piece of equipment you see in the pictures . Without that, I can't imagine how Matt could do it. Also, our brother in law, Pat, and G-Pops have been helping. They've made some nice progress, and probably could have gotten a little further along if not for the crazy flood this afternoon--ok, not actually a flood, but it was a lot of rain. Can't wait to show you the finished product. Also can't wait to actually have the finished product so I can send my kids outside!!





Drusy was 'supervising' with her new American Girl doll. We tried to throw this horse out in the move but got busted when the girls saw it in the trash heap. It's name is Penso... should be "Pinto" but the girls think Dora's horse is named Penso, and I can't convince them they're hearing it wrong. I tried explaining it again this afternoon to which Dru replied, "Mom--- You don't even know. His name is Calypso." I guess this is a change since yesterday.

Big Brave Girl

Belle was so brave today. We had a visit this morning with Dr. Brent for a check up and four shots before starting kindergarten. She didn't even shed a tear.. just pouted a little when it was all over. I think it hurt me more than it hurt her. I was so proud of her. Afterwards, we went to Toys R Us, and she picked out a toy...a Littlest Pet Shop, of course, her toy of choice lately. She definitely gets her bravery from her Mommy. (Stop laughing.)