Summer Storm

I just love the Summer storms that seem to happen quite often here in the South. One minute it is hot and humid and the next you see dark clouds rolling overhead and you know that something is about to happen! Our latest storm sent Brooks and Anna rushing outside to play and splash in the rain, laughing at and loving every drop that fell on them:-) I stood safely in the garage snapping pictures of them until they both stopped and seemed to notice at the same time this unbelievable rainbow that was forming right over our house! It was the most beautiful perfectly full rainbow I had ever seen. They were both so excited and were yelling as loud as they could "Thank you Lord for rainbows!!!" I love moments like this!

Our 2nd Gotcha Day!

This month we celebrated Anna being in our family for 2 years! It is special for us to set aside a day to remember and be thankful for our family and the way God knit us all together. Of course He knew Anna would be our little girl when He created her, but when we stop and remember all the details that came together we stand in awe of how He orchestrated it. It is such a perfect match!

Here are a few pictures of how we celebrated. First Ryan gave Anna her present which was a bracelet with a charm inscribed "Daddy's Princess" (it's too big now so she wears it as an anklet) . She loves to show her anklet to everyone she sees and talk about how she is her daddy's princess.





In keeping with tradition we also made a typical Russian meal of borscht soup, stuffed cabbage rolls and bread. Surprisingly, the kids have liked to eat this both years we have made it! It was so cute when Brooks asked Anna "Do you remember this food Anna? Does it taste like Russia to you?"





We love our little one, she is growing up so fast but I still remember everything about our first day with her just two years ago.