{about our family}

Thank you so much for visiting my blog, I really appreciate you stopping by! I know there are plenty of other things you could be doing right now, and it truly blesses me that you are here.  If one of my posts touches you, please leave a comment so I know you were here.  I hope you'll grab a cup of coffee (or tea or whatever takes you to your happy place), sit back, browse and stay awhile.

I update the blog as often as possible about the passions of our life ... God, family & kids, photography, homeschooling, adoption, orphan care, friends, and old-fashioned FUN ... although work sometimes gets in the way.  I'm not that eloquent or witty, but I like to think I am pretty good at telling our story through our everyday snapshots.  We try to live our lives to the glory of God, as living sacrifices, but we're works in progress and certainly don't deserve the grace that God has bestowed upon us :-)

Thanks again for stopping by and God Bless!

This is our precious family over to the right in the Fall of 2012 outside of our home!  We live in the US and are surrounded by almost all of our immediate family (who totally rock, BTW).  Our oldest daughter, AKA Angel, is 8, Lovebug, our son, is 6, and Sunshine, our newest addition, is 3 1/2 years old.

I am Nicole, a daughter to my Heavenly Father, and a wife to an amazing man.  I am a classical homeschooling mama to three (two homegrown, one who came to us through the beautiful gift of international adoption).   I am also a part-time newborn photographer, a founder and adoption photographer at Red Thread Sessions, a contributing blogger at No Hands But Ours and an advocate of orphan care and adoption.  I also love to blog and learn new things.  I try to spend as much time as I can growing in my relationship with Jesus and although I am a sinner who needs His grace, I hope I am passing on His love to my kids every day. Soli Deo Gloria!

A little about DH - I almost feel he needs to write this little biography for himself but I'll attempt it :-)  He is my rock and supporter ... I am so blessed that God has allowed me to share my life with him.  He is an extremely hard worker ... he rocks at his job and has provided our family a wonderful life.  He is my best friend, my sounding board, my partner in life and faith, an incredible dad, and an all-around good guy.  He has a heart of gold and a true passion to serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus.  He always does the right thing and he makes me a better person.

DD #1, AKA Angel, is such an awesome kid.  She is the sweetest child, loving and sympathetic to others and cares about people.  She loves God.  She adores being with her friends although is a bit shy around adults and new surroundings.  She really enjoys her studies and is such a smart child - she amazes me all the time!  Her favorite school subject is history, a girl after my own heart!  She is an organizer.  She is a girly girl and a bit of a tomboy ... she is sassy, persistent and a self-thinker.  She loves being with her family and playing with her siblings.  Oh, and she could practically run our house on her own.  I love this girl so much and am honored to be her mama and watch her grow into a beautiful young lady.

This little guy gets his nickname "Lovebug" because he really is a little love bug ... he has me wrapped around his finger.  He is a very passionate and sensitive child, but also goes with the flow on most days.  He is cuddly and loving and is really terrific at playing on his own or with others.  He loves being outdoors, likes playing with legos, trains, cars, Wii and his DS.  He also enjoys coloring, painting, play-doh and moondough.  He is a "doer" like his daddy and loves to figure things out on his own.  He is such a funny little guy and has been perfecting the art of imitation like his Daddy.  His precious little laugh is food for my soul and I love him with everything in me.

DD #2, AKA Sunshine, joined our family in June 2011 from China through their Special Needs adoption program. She was born with cleft lip/cleft palate, and has never let that hold her back!  She has been such a blessing to our family and all who meet her.  She is a happy little girl who just radiates joy and sunshine, hence her nickname.  She is a spunky, spicy little one that knows what she wants in life ... and she has completely stolen our hearts.  We adore and love her tremendously!  We are honored and blessed to be her family - we learn from her all the time and have the pleasure of seeing God work through her every single day.

PS - if you have been blessed by my blog and wouldn't mind taking just a quick moment to "vote" for me over at TopMommyBlogs, I would be ever so grateful!  My hope and prayer is that my blog makes its way to families that are thinking about adopting, have already adopted, have a child with cleft lip/palate, homeschool, or just want a good laugh at our crazy life now and then.  All you need to do is click on each link once.  Thank you so much for blessing me with your help, may God bless your day!