From decorating the trees, picking out the annual Christmas ornaments, making gingerbread houses, to sitting on Santa's lap....this family has been thoroughly enjoying the Christmas Season!  We are blessed beyond measure and so very thankful for God's many gifts in our lives!

The Blessing of Aiden!!

Sept 8, 2008.....5 years ago tomorrow...God blessed us with the precious gift of our little boy!
We never realized just how much we needed this little guy....thankfully, God knew!  Aiden has been the sunshine we didn't know we were missing.  What a sweet, caring little boy he is!  Last night we  watched the Disney movie "Tangled". At the end of the movie the lost Princess finally finds her family and is reunited with them after 18 years.  I watched his face and was awestruck at the tears that slide down his little cheeks.  What a precious, tender heart!  Today, we visited some furniture stores trying to find Aiden a new bed.  His bed had broken and he was excited about getting a new one.  The ones we found were very expensive and we couldn't justify spending that much on a bed we were pretty sure he'd outgrow in a few years.  We left the stores without his brand new bed. He never uttered a word of complaint or even acted disappointed.  Off to the consignment store we went where we found a used twin bed for $20.  It was very dirty and was not much to look at. I knew we could clean it up and it would be fine but I secretly worried about how he would react to his "new bed".  He never acted a bit disappointed, never uttered a negative word and acted as though we had picked out a $2,000 bed.  We brought it home and the two of us set in to cleaning it out on the driveway.  With magic erasers in hand, bleach, scratch cover and good ole soap and water, we transformed his dirty bed into a very nice little bed.  After we had it set up in his room, I overheard him tell his sister...."Shay, you need to come wook (look) at my new bed, it's amaaaazing".   I have learned so many valuable lessons from this little boy.  He cherishes everything, values every day and every person he meets. It simply amazes me that a 6 year old can find something good in about every situation.   Yes, Aiden was an orphan and needed a family, but I do believe we needed him MORE than he needed us!!  Thank you God for the blessing of Aiden!

Fun Projects

Daddy is in Guatemala on a missions trip this whole week.  We miss him like crazy so I've been trying to do special things with the kids to make the week go by a bit faster.  So far we have gone out to eat, done some school clothes/supplies shopping, made a really neat bird feeder, had movie and popcorn night and today we made a name banner using the boards we've broken in martial arts class. Tomorrow night we are having a pool party (just the 3 of us) in the DARK with glow sticks all in the pool.   Fun times!  I so enjoy spending time with my kiddos but will soooo glad when Rob is home!  Miss him terribly!

Our bird feeder made from a lemonade bottle and 2 wooden spoons.

 

What do you do with broken martial arts boards?

 

 

Paint 'em

 

Hang 'em

Happy 15th Birthday Shay!

Happy 15th Birthday to our beautiful, talented, and kindhearted daughter.  God smiled on our family the day you were born!  He reached down and handpicked you to be ours forever!  We are forever grateful to God for allowing us to be your parents.  May all your wishes come true!

 

4th of July 2013

 Here is our family in the 4th of July parade.  We marched with out Martial Arts group :-)

 Aiden looking very proud of himself in the parade.

Happy 4th of July from the Roberts' family!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!  God couldn't have given my kiddos a better Daddy!  We love you Rob! 

Squash from the Garden

Aiden was thrilled that his squash plants produced their first harvest!  We picked 4 beautiful summer squash and fried them up for lunch!  Yum, yum!!!

Family Vacation 2013

We were so excited to be able to take a few days of vacation and go to the beach.  We had such a great time and made lots of great memories.  We visited Ripley's Aquarium, took a helicopter ride and made a huge sandcastle on the beach.  Aiden learned to swim under water on this vacation making it even more memorable!

Graduation Day 6-7-13

On 6-7-13, Shay graduated from 8th grade and Aiden from Kindergarten.  Unfortunately, their ceremonies were at the same time!!  So.....Daddy went to Aiden's and Mommy went to Shaelyn's. We took lots of pictures.  Congrats to our two wonderful graduates!  We love you both so very much!!

Kindergarten Done!

Aiden has had quite a year in Kindergarten!  He has amazed us at just how much he has learned!  We are super-duper proud of him and know that he will make a terrific 1st grader!  I just wish he wasn't growing up so quickly!  (sniff, sniff). 

8th Grade - A Stepping Stone

It was just yesterday that out plane landed in Charlotte and we made our grand appearance with the most beautiful 7 month old baby girl.  Okay, so it wasn't actually yesterday, but it sure seems like it was.  I just can't seem to wrap my thoughts around the reality that the tiny baby girl is now a beautiful  young lady!  Shaelyn graduates from Middle School (8th grade) on Friday.  What?  This is crazy!  I'm sure that I am not the only mother who has wished to reverse the hands of time if only for a moment.  Today was her school's 8th grade banquet and Friday will be the graduation ceremony.  We are sooo proud of the young lady she has become!  We love you Shay.....forever and
for always!

Mothers Day 2013

My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude as we celebrate Mothers Day this year. I am so thankful for a Mom who loved me unconditionally and demonstrated how to live a Godly life amidst an ungodly world.  I am also thankful for an amazing Mother-in-law who is now a beautiful angel in Heaven.  She also taught me some very valuable lessons that I hope to teach to my children.  Both of these wonderful ladies helped make me who I am today.   I am also so very thankful that God chose me to be Shaelyn and Aiden's Mom. :-)  The path God chose for me to become a Mother wasn't always the easiest path to walk, but the rewards for walking it have been immeasurable! Thankful, thankful, thankful!

                                                    Aiden and Mommy

                                                 Shaelyn and Mommy

                                             Mommy with ALL of her "babies".

Taekwondo

We (yes, that includes Mommy and Daddy) have started taking Taekwondo classes on Tues and Thurs nights.  The family that prays AND "kicks" together, stays together!  ;-) Rob and I are enjoying the exercise, Shaelyn likes the uniform and Aiden has a black belt goal in mind!  We are enjoying the classes and time spent as a family!

Grow Garden Grow!

Aiden is very proud of his little garden!  He was very involved in the seed selection and planting process.  He has diligently watered the garden with his little watering can.  He would check the growth status daily (sometime several times a day).  Finally it started to sprout and Aiden was thrilled!   Hopefully we will have tomatoes, summer squash, green beans, cucumbers and radishes at some point this summer!  Love my little gardener!

Riding a Bike!

Aiden gives the "thumbs up" for his training wheels to come off!

 

 

                                                And they are OFF!  Whoot, whoot!
                                                      

 

Aiden says "This isn't so bad - I've got this"!

Until we get elbow pads, and knee pads, Mommy is thinking that riding in the 

grass might be the best idea!

 

Aiden's training wheels came off this evening!  He was soooo excited and Mommy was a bit nervous :-)  I gave him a couple little push starts and off he went.  He is so proud of himself! My little guy is growing up! (Sniff)