Well here I am months later.  Maybe blogging isn't for me...sounded like a great idea but I just get sidetracked and get overwhelmed on all there is to catch people up on.  So I will attempt to hit the high...and low points of the last few months.

In May:
Alex finished his 3rd grade year...proud of him as ever!  He won a reading award and really did great on his TCAPS.  We are still trying to figure out where the brains come from;)

Blake (after MANY, MANY tests and appointments with a GI specialists and neurologist) was diagnosed with cylic vomiting syndrome brought on by migraines.  Most likely stress induced.  He is on a medicine nightly that has controlled his spells.  He had a few more spells after my last blog entry that were pretty scary.  But we are so thankful for a diagnosis and medicine that works.  Blake also graduated his PreK program.  He was very emotional about this because he has been with the same kiddos since he was 2 years old.
Logan her 2nd birthday with a combined party with her little sister at the end of the month.  Logan chose to have a Veggie Tales party.  She danced and played in our backyard with friends and family.  It's an awesome thing to witness her develop and grow and to think that God chose her for us.  We are humbled and thankful.
Our Sweet Pea continued having day visits with her birth parents.  We actually invited them to share a Memorial Day picnic with us in the mountains.  It was good for Sweet Pea to see her two sets of parents loving on each other.
Minnie-Our little bitty pumpkin turned 1 back in May.  She is still is so tiny and most people think she is much younger but her spunk and personality say otherwise.  She celebrated with a Minnie Mouse 1st birthday party.  She loved the cake and was a pretty low maintenance party animal.

The family really enjoyed two camping trips to Townsend during the month of May.  The first was Mother's Day weekend.  Our campsite was so cute with Aaron surprising me with a HUGE balloon and hydrangea(my fave) on our picnic table.  Aaron's family came up Saturday night and we celebrated together.  The second weekend was for Memorial Day so we got to spend lots of time with friends and family eating, swimming, and playing.  Camping has really been a great escape for our family and we hope to continue with this tradition.

In June:
Alex started daycamp at our church going every Tuesday through out the summer.  He also went away for 5 days for the first time to church camp.  He went to CentriKid in Asheville, NC.  He loved the experience and we can't wait for him to go next year.
Blake struggled with big brother being gone to camp.  He cried in the church parking lot and it broke our heart.  Although these two boys fight an incredible amount...they sure do love each other.
The Girls continued with all their weekly therapies.  Some of you don't know but each girl at one point was in OT, PT, Speech/Feeding therapy, and developmental therapy once a week.  It made for a hectic summer.  Sweet Pea started having overnight visits with her birth family back in June.

Aaron was surprised with a ticket to take his Logan to their first Daddy/Daughter Dance.  It was the sweetest thing seeing a tiny girl be swept up by her daddy who is completely in love with her.  The family celebrated Father's Day with Sweet Pea's family at our church followed by lunch with them.  It meant alot to all of us to share this time together.  It also made me realize how blessed I am to have a husband who was willing to share his day with "his" little girl's other daddy.  After we invited them to church that one Sunday they have pretty much came every week even when we have been out of town.  God is pretty awesome that way.

In July:
Alex got to stand next to his sweet friend Carter while she was baptised on our church's property.  It was a beautiful moment.  Our children's ministry asked Alex to be with her because he had helped lead her to Jesus.  I hope he will always share his faith...I could not have been more emotional or proud seeing that moment.

Blake got to attend his first day camp at my Dad's church.  It was great experience but he was exhausted by the end of the week.  Blake loves the social scene and sports:)

Our family took another camping trip to Townsend and stayed right on the river.  The first night we arrived we got stuck in a severe storm...pretty scary.  We had no power for over 24 hours but we made it an adventure.  The rest of the weekend was an awesome time with friends and family.  We played in the river with a copperhead and watched fireworks.
In the middle of July our Sweet Pea went home to live with her birth parents.  When I dropped her off she gave me a kiss and hug and said "Bye, Bye Momma".  The hardest thing my heart has ever done.  Hands down.  I don't think I have ever mourned like this.  I still mourn my mom after 20 years but it is different.  I know my Sweet Pea is still alive and doing great...I just can't explain to anyone the depths of my grief loosing her as my daughter.  Writing this over a month later still makes me cry as I type.  I love her with all my heart and our family is still adjusting to her not being here.  She left us the day before we went on vacation so while we were gone our friends came over and took down her crib and rearranged our nursery.  However, 10 days later we got a call for us to pick up Sweet Pea for one night.  It's a very detailed, long story but it was so incredibly painful to bring her home and give her up again.
God is not a God of confusion...I know that for sure.  I feel He needed me still in the picture for details I can not discuss.  But prayers for the future of their family is much appreciated.
Our vacation to Dauphin Island, AL was great.  We went with Aaron's family to the most beautiful home right on the water.  Aaron and I even got a day date in Gulf Shores...we laughed so much that day.  It was needed.

This Month:
Alex started 4th grade and turned 10.  I know...I have a 10 year old.  I am old.  He loves school but I miss his help around here:)  For his birthday he wanted to...you guessed it... camp.  So we went last weekend to Cove Lake State Park.  It was a perfect weekend and we had his presents and cake and ice cream up there.  Low key but nice.
Blake  started Kindergarten last week.  This week learned he has been place in AARON's kindergarten teacher's class.  He was uncertain about starting school for a while but couldn't have been more excited his first day.  I thought I wouldn't cry...but I did the moment he walked off.  He has been my right hand man during Aaron's cancer and the fostering experience.  He is a one of a kind little boy and I never want him to loose his individuality.  We have been having Mommy/Blake dates while his brother and sisters are at school while he is on the staggered schedule.  Monday we went to the zoo...tomorrow Dollywood.  I have thoroughly enjoyed these times.  He starts full time Tuesday...my heart is heavy.
Logan started her second year of Mother's Day out.  She is doing beautifully.  She walks in like she owns the place and doesn't even notice she is half the size of most of the kids in her class.  Her speech is really taking off and I love hearing her little voice.
Minnie started her first year of Mother's Day out.  She is already spoiled by her sweet teacher but taking a little time to transition into being a big girl.  She isn't walking yet but has started standing...this baby girl has overcome so much in such a short amount of time.  I think she will be caught up before we know it.  And truth be known...I kind of like her still being a "baby".  I HOPE to be announcing her adoption VERY soon and telling you her real name:)

With all four kiddos in school on Mondays and Fridays I am planning on spending one day at the boys school volunteering and eating lunch with them.  The other day I have doctor's appointments I have put off, I have friend's I have neglected, and I have sleep I need to catch up on;)  I am not sure how to handle this "extra" time but I am willing to figure it out.  Aaron and I are still really enjoying working with the college ministry at our church.  Last night we had around 18 in attendance...this is really great for the size church we go to.  We adore this group of young people and know without a doubt God called us to this ministry.

Well there you have it.  I suppose I will update again in the late fall;)  Hope you all are well and thanks for reading my reality:)