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  This was our Beach House for five days. We stayed at the Topsail camp grounds in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.  It was beautiful and very kid friendly and we had so  much fun !   The fact that Maggie actually walked to the beach all by herself and was not clingy was a huge bonus. She really didn't walk, she ran to the beach with a huge smile on her face.  Made this beach loving mama so proud.   We visited Rosemary Beach one day. It is such a unique Beach town that is more like a European country outing with beautiful architecture and plenty of bike riding paths. In fact, everyone here rides bikes to the beach and little quaint restaurants.  Lots of cute shops.   And lots of great photo opportunities.   (If only my children didn't complain so much about having their picture taken. )   The weather was perfect, and my children played together all week on the beach.   These big shovels from Target were a hit !

  Chuck took Maggie on a ride on the four wheeler and she loved it.   She also loves to ride in her red Coupe.   It's finally spring here and we've been busy watering the flowers, trees and steps.   We just got back from our spring break trip and I'm exhausted !  It was so much fun and Maggie certainly must have some Hawaiian in her. She loves the beach ! 

  Well Hello there. It seems I've been a little busy, much too busy to blog lately.  But I miss it I still follow blogs and I've watched many families go to China and meet their little baby girls, go to doctor appointments and schedule surgeries.  I love reading about their journey and I have missed writing about mine. .   Even my boys miss it.   So, I have a lot to get caught up on.   It a nutshell this is what we've been doing : studying for tests, going to football practice, Chuck and I went to the Lady Antebellum Concert, getting ready for our spring break camping trip to the beach, reading The Hobbit to the boys at night, buying spring and summer clothes for kids and lots of pretty dresses for Maggie, work, family dinners and bible time, bike rides with Maggie, speech therapy, watching Maggie continue to make leaps and bounds in her speech and everything else, and re-decorating with white/ neutrals.

Two years ago we were handed a beautiful, sweet little baby girl.  And the adventure began. Maggie and I watched her Gotcha Day video today and she was a little unsure of it all. She told me baby Maggie was sick and sad. Our little baby girl is getting so big now and the changes in her are ENORMOUS !  When we first met Maggie, she could not use her hands, walk, talk, communicate, look us in the eye, play with toys. Nothing.  We love you so much. You are a brave and captivating little girl with so much life and love to give. Happy Gotcha Day Maggie !

We do daily Bible readings after dinner every night. Right now we are using M'Cheyne's Calender For Daily Readings as a guide. Generally, we clean up the dinner table and head to the living room. Maggie's job is to pass out the Bibles ( she takes her job very seriously - she loves doing this). Then we all take turns reading verses, except for Maggie of course.  She likes to sit by her brothers and pretend to read.  This night she read her Bible with a purple bucket on head. Why not ? Colorful markers + plain paper = hours of quiet  fun ! Maggie loved helping me wrap presents this year.  She really is starting to understand Christmas and she loved playing with the presents and ornaments. The boys and Maggie made a box house with a telescope .  Such a simple toy that brought lots of smiles and fun.  I think the fact that Maggie is half-dressed added to the fun too !

I've gotten serious about potty training Maggie. There are little potty chairs scattered throughout the house,but Maggie really prefers the potty that is in front of the television. She takes forever to go to the bathroom, so I thought why fight it.  Just stick a potty in front of the tv and let her take her time.  She also eats breakfast and lunch while she's on the potty. Whatever works is my motto ! And it is working.  Maggie is so good at holding it until she can get to a bathroom or in our case - our living room throne ! She is wearing pull-ups mostly, but she will soon go to big girl Dora Princess panties. Whoo Hoo ! For Halloween, Will was an FBI agent and Walker was supposed to be Elvis.   (He lacked a tacky polyester white jumper and cape.) Of course Maggie was Minnie Mouse.  We called her Minnie all day long and she just smiled so big. I made her dress and ordered her Minnie ears off Etsy. I found some Minnie Mouse sticker earrings a...

Yesterday, Maggie turned three!  We celebrated at home with a little party and next week we'll celebrate with a bigger Minnie Mouse party with family. She's already had a camping birthday party and a party at her preschool.  She was giddy about her new UGG boots and her Minnie Mouse necklace and birthday pin. Fabulous !  Happy Birthday sweet girl. You are amazing.   We feel so blessed that you are our daughter. You are such a big girl now. We love you !!! 

It was the perfect fall day yesterday and somehow I was able to take pictures of all the kids. There's always silliness when these two are together. Will was trying to teach Maggie the Heisman pose. Funny ! Have a great weekend ! Chuck and I are going to the LSU game and I'm a bit nervous. At least we'll get some good alone time and lots of plantation tours.  Maybe even some jambalaya ?