Mamma Mia

This past weekend we went to the musical Mamma Mia.

There were 11 of us who went. We all loved it (including the boys)!

Blake loves the soundtrack and the movie. He loved the live performance as well! At the end they did an encore of some of the fun songs. They were flashing the colored spotlights all over the crowd while they were singing and dancing. The whole music hall was on there feet clapping and dancing. Blake was standing in his chair with his arms in the air swaying and dancing.

We had a fabulous time!!

Meet The Teacher

Blake will be going to preschool at our church this year for the first time. He will be going twice a week. The other day was Meet the Teacher. His daddy took him to drop off his supplies, see his classroom, and meet his teacher. When he met her he said, "Hi my name is Blake, B-L-A-K-E. This is my brother Barrett, he is cute". He continued to tell her all about his brother, while she was trying to meet the other children. He just kept talking and talking... she was trying to listen to him as she met her other students. He finally finished talking and looked around the room. He is excited about school!

Binky Head

Silly Barrett likes to wear his binky on his head. He likes us to put it up there and he walks around the house like that. The other night as I was carrying him to bed he wanted me to put it on his head. He wore it on his head while he kissed everyone goodnight. He acts like it is not even there. He just goes on about his business... only with a binky head!

Part 3 ~ Barrett Owen

Today is Part 3 of Memory Lane. Our Sweet Barrett...

Christmas 2008 all dressed up and ready for church.

Funny Faces with Barrett!

Our short stay at the hospital for Barrett's bacterial infection.

Spring 2009... looking handsome

I hope you enjoyed our walk down memory lane as much as I did!

Part 2 ~ Blake Ian

Today is Part 2 of our walk down memory lane. Our big boy... Blake Ian.

Blake does not like his hair spiky or messed up. He likes his good old fashioned parted, combed over hair. On this night his daddy gave him quite a hair do... and surprisingly Blake let us take a picture!

On this particular day when Blake and I went for a walk/scooter ride, he felt the need to really accessorize!

Lot of fun with his 3 pack of goggles!

The day he learned how to ride his bike with no training wheels!

Blake riding his bike in Spring 09.

Stay tuned for Part 3!

A Walk Down Memory Lane

I was saving all of the pictures taken on my old cell phone to a disc the other day. There were a lot of great memories on that phone! I thought it would be fun to take a walk down memory lane...

This picture was taken at church one evening when we were attending on Saturday evenings.

I love this picture! The boys playing in their pj's together at home. Look closely and you can see that Barrett is licking the steering wheel... while Blake is smiling so sweetly.

Stay tuned for Part 2 and 3 of Memory Lane...

Nighty Night

I went to do my checking on the boys before I go to bed routine and found them sleeping in almost the same position. I thought it was funny and had to sneak a couple of pictures!

First Dentist Visit

Yesterday Daddy took Blake to his first dental check-up (which is why there are not very many pictures). Other than the fact that Blake is old enough to start going on regular trips to the dentist, he has been randomly complaining about his teeth hurting. Robert said he sat so still, was polite, and listened very well.

Getting ready for x-rays.

Checking out those teeth.

The dentist's assessment: Blake has very healthy teeth. She could tell he grinds them (hmm, wonder where he gets that :) She said the pain he has been complaining about could be from the grinding or from his adult teeth starting to grow and put pressure on the baby teeth.

When it was time to leave Blake got a new toothbrush and toothpaste. The nurse asked him what flavor of toothpaste he wanted. He replied, "I have Tinkerbell toothpaste at home". Robert was so proud that his SON was telling the nurse about his Tinkerbell toothpaste :) He finally chose his new bubblegum flavored toothpaste and they headed home.

PJ Fun

The boys had a little fun in their matching pj's the other night. You might remember one of my favorite pictures... I was trying to capture an updated version of it.

After lots of giggles and squirming...

I got the best I knew I could get (considering Barrett's squirming) for our summer 2009 pj pic.

Reading Buddies

Blake was reading a book when Barrett decided he wanted to join him. He went and got himself a book, climbed up by Blake, and started reading.

Of course this picture makes their mommy's heart very happy. I hope they always have a love for reading (and each other)!

Former First Lady

Today I had the opportunity to hear Former First Lady Laura Bush speak at our school district's convocation. We were not allowed to take pictures of her while she was speaking :( She delivered a wonderful speech about the importance of educators, education, and literacy.

My first grade teammates:

Kimberly, Julie, Stephanie, Kristina, and me

Presley's Pajama Party

Presley celebrated her 4th birthday with a pajama party! All the kids wore their pj's. We started off with a yummy breakfast of fruit, muffins, donut holes, and pigs in a blanket.

As they finished their breakfast, they got to make a Fruit Loop necklace.

Blake worked very hard on lacing his cereal onto his necklace.

Next it was present time! Blake sat by Presley while she opened the present he picked out for her... a green dress (his favorite color)!

I did not get a picture of the "donut" birthday cake. It was very cute and delicious!

What pajama party is complete without a pillow fight??

After Blake accidentally knocked down a couple of the girls, he and Kye teamed up and really had some fun together!

Our attempt at a group picture!

Happy 4th Birthday Presley!

Our New Journey

God planted the seed of adoption in our hearts about 7 years ago. Robert had read an article written by Steven Curtis Chapman. The article told of the Chapman's amazing adoption story. Robert, who was touched by the article shared it with me. I was also touched. From that point on we talked casually with each other and my family about how we would love to do what the Chapman's had done. We would love to give a home, family, and love to a child who might not otherwise have it. And most importantly we would love to teach a child about Jesus... a child who might not ever hear the mention of His name. We could tell this child the story of His love and grace...
As the years have passed and God has grown our family, we have pushed our seed to the back of our hearts. Adoption seems like something other families do, it sounds too scary, we are busy and moving on with life... all of these are thoughts that have crossed our minds over the years. God is mighty and doesn't plant a seed only to have it grow stagnant. He pours His love onto it until it blooms. That is exactly what he has done in our hearts. Through people, circumstance, situations etc... God has watered our seed until it is ready to sprout and bloom.
We have prayed intently for the past year as to what God is calling us to do and what steps of obedience He might have us take. We certainly have doubts and fears about the future. We find reassurance in the words of Steven Curtis Chapman, "It may take getting a little uncomfortable, and it may take risking a little of what the world tells us to hold on to. But He is good, and what He has for us is worth far more than all that the world has to offer."
Join us as we boldly step out to follow Him wherever He may lead.

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. James 1:27

http://themcintirejourney.blogspot.com/

Fun With Barrett

Blake and I were having some fun with Barrett's hair in the bathtub tonight. His hair is so thin and fine that it doesn't take much for it to stand up. Blake thought it was hilarious when I made Barrett a very tall mohawk.

Before he went to bed, Barrett thought he would have himself some fun in my jewelry. I found him donning this beautiful pearl necklace.

Sprinkler Park Fun

The other day we met Sweetie and Luke at the sprinkler park for some fun in the sun!

Barrett and Luke are waiting for water to come up from this drain...

Aah, they found a real sprinkler to play in as opposed to the drain.

The cool water felt wonderful on our hot skin!

This is the best picture I could get of the two of them... they were too busy for a picture!