Beach Fun

Ready for the sand and sun!

We have just returned from a wonderful week at Myrtle Beach! Thanks to my sister, Sara, and her new husband, Troy for letting us stay at their nice condo. It was great to get away and relax. We went to the beach, the pool, some nice places to eat and read and slept! What more could you want?? Other than to stay longer than a week and face the reality of going back to work?!!! Thank goodness I still have 5 weeks of summer vacation left. Not sure what I will do once I have to go back to school..yuck!!

We had a great time at the beach and Taylor loved the water. He wasn't too sure of it the first day until daddy took him out in the waves. He loved having the water splash his face. He headed straight for the water the second day. We had to chase him down! He liked the pool but fell face first with his flotation suit. We aren't sure we like that too much. Guess we will try something different. We tried to get him to dig in the sand but he liked throwing it much better! He also loved destroying Daddy's sand castles! Taylor's favorite part of the day was riding in the golf cart to the beach. He thought that was pretty neat. I think he did very well since this was his first "real" beach trip. I don't count the one in November since he couldn't play in the water and sand! I am hoping that we can go back in October and join in the Guatoberfest activities. Anyone that is interessted needs to check out the website. www.guatoberfest.com This is open to any adoptive families.


helping daddy build




Taylor has fallen in the moat around daddy's castle




getting ready for the pool





We also got to visit with my dad. His wife and grandsons came down over the weekend. Taylor always enjoys his visits with Pop. Just wish we lived closer so we could see more of him. Dad took us to the marina and Taylor got to get on his boat. He loved sitting at the steering wheel trying to drive. He loved when Pop cut the engines on.


me with 2 of my favorite men




3 special men in my life


I'm ready to drive this boat. Let's go in the waterway!


our last day at the beach







Taylor is getting so independent and changing every day. His language is progressing...slowly but he is making progress. He is using a few more signs and is trying to say a few more words. He can identify about 10 body parts, walks up and down stairs (holding on to us), kicks and throws his ball (and other objects), is trying to use a spoon and fork, is helping with dressing and undressing himself and is starting to sit on the potty. We haven't done real well in that department but I have to remember that he won't be 2 until July 31. He has a ways to go!!

We are looking forward to having playdate soon with some fellow guatots and other friends. We will also be celebrating Taylor's birthday on July 26 with a cook out and cake and ice cream with family and a few friends. His actual birthday is July 31 and it will be pretty quiet with just the three of us. We will be visiting the Outer Banks the first part of August and I hope that Taylor enjoys the water/beach just as much.

We continue to pray for those families still in process for bringing home their little ones....Essie, Lou and family, Kelli, Ray and the boys, Coban, Natalie and family. We have several local families that are in China or traveling soon. We want to remember them as they travel and meet their little ones for the first time. We can't wait to meet the newest Miller and Bishop babies. We also want to remember our friends Marcie and Kalley as they travel to Mexico on a missions trip. I know they are doing wonderful and meaningful work this week. We pray that they stay safe and have a safe trip home. As always, we say prayers for Taylor's birthmother and siblings and his foster family. They have given us such a miracle and we are blessed every day. Thanks for continuing to follow our journey through life with a toddler!!