The Call...

At the beginning of the summer we were officially done with our paperwork and officially logged in with China's adoption system. We then started our wait...the long dreaded wait to get that important call from our agency saying they have our daughter. So the boys and I kept busy swimming and playing outside all summer long! And I tried not to obsess over waiting for that call! That was tough! August 1 was just another summer day...or so I thought. We had spent the morning at a friends house for her boys birthday party. The kids bounced in the bounce house she had rented all morning. We had a picnic lunch out in the yard and had a great time. Just a normal Thursday... so I thought!! We got home and I got all the boys in their beds for a nap and I sat down and opened my computer ready to just relax. My cell phone rang. I assumed it was Best Buy. We were having a new refrigerator delivered that afternoon so I assumed they were calling to tell me they were on their way. I about died as I grabbed my phone and saw that it said Colorado. Our agency is based in Colorado. My heart skipped a beat. I listened carefully as she told us she had a file for us to look at. She said she was a beautiful little girl who was 14 months old that had the cutest little smile! My heart melted. I couldn't wait to get off the phone and call Jeff. After she gave me more info she emailed me the file. AHHHH!! I had to wait for Jeff to get home from work in order to open it. In the meantime, Best Buy had come and I was a frazzled mess. I hadnt moved all the food out of our old fridge and I couldn't even focus. At that point, I shared with Brennan the good news that we were going to see a picture of his sister! Finally Jeff came home and we opened the email to see her beautiful face!!! 

These were the referral pictures that came in her file. They gave us lots of info, which was honestly hard to focus on after seeing her face! We were completely in love!!!  

I'm going to try this blogging thing again

Well, I started a blog about a year ago... wait, 2 years ago, thinking it would be nice for family and friends to keep up with exciting and fun things the Lloyds are doing. BUT... then I realized I could barely keep up with what the Lloyd family was doing, let alone post it on a blog!!! Life is busy as ever but I am going to do my best to keep up with this blog as we journey across the world to get our sweet daughter.
Let  me back track a little. I have always wanted to adopt, even before Jeff and I started having kids. I am so excited that this dream is becoming a reality! After 3 beautiful boys we knew there was a perfect little girl waiting in China for us. So about 16 months ago we started the LONG paperwork chase to get her. I knew I was drawn to China but was nervous to tell Jeff that we would have to adopt a child with a special need. Luckily, Jeff responded with, "If we are going to adopt a child, I think that is the best way to go. Let's help a child who may never have gotten it." I knew at that moment we were on the same page!

Arizona Fun

Every spring we head out west to visit my parents at their Arizona house!! We all look forward to seeing Gramma and Papa and Uncle Chad and Aunt Laura the whole winter! (soon to be our official Aunt Laura!) Our trip is always busy, but so much fun!! (as you can tell by the amount of pictures!!)

First things first...head to the near by park!!

This little boy was so happy to see Gramma! (even though he calls her Papa!)

Gramma got right to playing with the boys!

After a short nap from the long day of travel, we headed to the pool!

My little fish

My mom's pool only allows potty trained kids to swim so after swimming we met up with Chase and Jeff at the sprinkler park! The boys love playing here!

Chase was not sure at first!!

But after watching his big brother, he went right in!!

That night we relaxed with a fire in the firepit! We were so excited to spend time with Uncle Chad and his new fiance, Laura!

Last year we found this great park with a train ride, a carousel, and an awesome playground! We spent the day here and had a great picnic. I have a feeling we will come to this park up every time we come to Arizona!

The boys taking in the train ride! (it made me a little nervous that there were no sides!)

Kullen was fascinated!!

Gramma and Papa with the boys!

Next up....the carousel. This was Chase's first time. I think he was nervous at first, but then of course if big brother was doing it...he was just fine!

After a quick lunch break, we were on to the playground! Papa and Kullen had some bonding time while the rest of us played!

Couldn't you just eat him up!!!!

Chase didn't waste any time running to find some adventures!!

Hang on tight Brennan! This was a favorite for the boys!

Kullen's first swing!! Based on the look on his face, I think he loved it!

After playing hard at the park we stopped at the yogurtini bar! What a great place! We for sure need one of these in Decatur!

After the boys recieved their Easter baskets from Gramma and Papa, they wanted to do an egg hunt!

Are there any eggs in there, Chase??

Brennan found one!

Chase found one!!

During our week long vist we headed to the Phoenix Children's Museum. It's a favorite of the boys!

 

 

 

How cute is the bike wash!! Love this part of the museum!

Who knew a whole bunch of pool noodles would make for such a fun maze!! Chase just giggled the whole time he went through it! 

Ice cream, ice cream!!!



After some fun at the muesum, we headed over to Uncle Chad and Laura's house. This was the first time we have gotten to see their new place. The pool was great...although freezing cold since they dont have a heater! Luckily, Daddy and Uncle Chad took one for the team and swam with the boys! They are doing some major work in the backyard so it was a little construction zone.. but we still enjoyd our visit!! 

B is just relaxing!!



I was hoping to take Kullen in for a dip but it was just WAY too cold! So he hung out with Gramma and watched the big boys!

The Playset

For the boys birthdays this year, we invested in a backyard playset!! After we picked it out and brought it home, we were all excited for Daddy to start putting it together. Luckily with the random 80 degree weather in March, we had lots of gorgeous days to work on it. LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of days to work on it!!! The manual said 8-10 hours....huh, I dont know what kind of super Dad could do that! Jeff (and his buddy John....A BIG THANK YOU TO JOHN!!) worked on it probably for 40 hours or so! SOOO glad to have that project done! (and I'm sure Jeff is too!)

Let the fun begin!!

I thought we had made such great progress! Little did I know what we were getting in to!

I didnt get the in between pics of the guys building it. One night they were in the garage because it started storming. Another night it was 8:30 and they were out banging in nails in the dark. And quite frankly, I was too busy chasing 3 little boys while Daddy was building!

The boys enjoying the swings!!

All smiles!!

Daddy's first time in the clubhouse! What a special picture after all that hardwork! Thanks Daddy....you really are the BEST!!!!!

The boys have spent hours on the playset since it's been up!! SOOOO worth the hard work, time, and headaches it caused the family for those few weeks!!

Feb. 27th...Brennan's actual Birthday Celebrations!!

We had a day full of fun for Brennan's birthday! Special waffles with whip cream and sprinkles, a playdate with best friends, and dinner at Culvers! (Brennan's choice!) Hope your day was extra special, B!! We love you!

4 years old!!! WOW!

Brennan's very best friend Camden came over with cupcakes!!!

Diggin' into the yummy cupcakes!!! (thanks Jess!)

ice cream at Culvers!!!

the whole gang!

Love you, B!!!