What a Blessed Christmas

Christmas this year was amazing. It was so great to see the joy on both of the kids faces. Last year was so hard on everyone...even Dylan. We all wanted Madi to be home so bad and this year that was the best present for us all.


















We start off on Christmas Eve in Garland with Jeff's family. Madi had a ball. Jeff Dylan and Madi spent a lot of time out in the front yard playing kickball. She's all about playing ball..anykind.
















Christmas morning was great. Here we got the perfect picture of her excitement racing towards her kitchen. It's the picture you hope you get every year. Look at that sheer joy on her face. Dylan kept forgetting about his "stuff" and was watching Madi too. Nothing a parent wants to see more than a 10 year old more interested in his little sister than stuff. He is a blessing to us everyday.

Later in the day on Christmas we always end in Krum. The food is great and Madi was so open and just Ms. Personality for everyone. It was great to see her hugging and kissing everyone. She helped pass out presents, ate at the kids table and just fell right into place amongst the traditions that we do while celebrating Christmas. Still, the center of her world is her brother.

The Best Things Under the Tree

Happy Thanksgiving

We have had 2 Thanksgiving Gatherings. One in Krum with my family and then we went to Royce City for Jeff's family. Food was great in both places. All of our attention is on Madi and Dylan. Jeff is a little annoyed by Dylan rubbing his redsking fandom onto Madi...I just love it !

What a wonderful life. We are so thankful for everything we have this holiday, the main thing is having our family of four in tact and all together for the first holiday season.

We put our Christmas tree up today...Madi was very "helpful"....she loves it.

Happy Halloween

Trick or Treating at School

Madi had her first experience trick or treating today after school. At first she HATED it, even threw some fits in the hall for everyone. But once she realized everyone put candy in her bag she suddenly turned into a trooper. Wouldn't put her dog head on though, unless I wanted her costume to be Kujo instead of a sweet little poodle we had to keep the hat off. Dylan was helping to pass candy out to the kiddos and she always is excited to give brother a big kiss.....

State Fair

We went to the state fair this year to see one of our favorite groups - Third Day - in concert. It was great and Madi danced and ran around like a maniac. She sang and gave herself rouds of applause all the way home. Dylan wanted to go to sleep in the back seat. He didn't have much luck with that.

Planting Flowers, Baths and more Football

Favorite Picture so far....

Falcon Football Anyone??

The Lumsden's love Falcon football ! Madi is n0 exception. We are having a ball with her. Yes, being at the games is a little more work - but she is also turning into an extreme fan. Madi and Dylan both got to ride on floats in the homecoming parade. Madi was riding with some of her preschool buddies and Dylan was with his football team and their cheerleaders. Dylan is having a great season on his football team and Madi is one of his biggest fans, but she really enjoys watching the cheerleaders also.

Visited Garland and San Antonio

We had a gathering at Jeff's parents where Madi got to meet that part of her family. It went great, add another person to the list who love Grandma's cake.

We also went to San Antonio for one of Dylan's basketball tournaments. She did really well as far as how she behaved. The only problem was getting her to eat, but that's something we are dealing with at home also.

Adjusting

Madi has slept all the way thru the night 2 of the last three nights and that is allowing Jeff and I to get back on track too. We are having a ball. She is a shoe girl...just like Mommy. I've attached a picture where she got into my shoe stash. Also we have gone to the park. The swings and the slide were a huge hit. Especially if big brother was doing it with her.

Swim and Friends

We have spent some time with the Shack's trying to get Madi to open a little to them. She's hesitant, but I can tell just being stubborn. She did let Garrett hold her. We went to Babe's - best food in the world and our little princess wasn't having it.

We also bought a new swimming contraption for her to wear that works wonders. She's got those legs going and is on the way to being a little fish. Wants to do whatever her brother does, from goggles to mimicing what he does in the pool. Life is good, the only problem is we can't get our sleep schedules switched back around. Night still feels like day and day like night.

We've got a ball in her hand, that's a good start if you ask us.

What's going on?

Since we have completed our journey to Madi we will start a new blog for our family life here...Feel free to drop in and see what is going on !

Recently we took Madi to meet her new cousins, aunts and uncles on mom's side of family. She did great. Took to everyone more easily than any of us expected. She also has had her first trip to church. Our church family is so awesome to greet her, but be so tender about giving her room and not overwhelming her. We are blessed by this family of believers. Dylan is off with Garrett as much as possible. We've been home 3 nights and they've already had a sleepover and gone to a baseball game. Soon they will head off to camp together.

God is great, Life is good, Family and Friends are our treasures here on earth.

Madi with her cousin Jordan, WAS and Aunt Lacy

The big kids are Justin, Dylan and Rachel. The little ones are Dakota, Madi and Jordan.

Madi playing bubbles with Aunt Lacy and Jordan, riding the cycle with Uncle Dewey and Jordan. Each were first time events for her.

More soon.

The Lumsden's