A Christmas Miracle

This is the Taulbee family. Tiffany and I work together. Although Tiffany and her husband Andy already have 4 children of their own, they signed up to be short term foster parents!! As soon as they got all of the paper work and home visits completed-they got a phone call that they were needed. They asked if they would like a 2 year old girl or a 4 year old boy? As they found out more they learned that they were siblings that have been living in the homeless shelter since the summer!!! Of course they weren't going to split them up--so, Tiffany and Andy said they would make room for them both and welcomed them with open arms!!! They all of the sudden turned into a family of 8...with children ages... 1,2,3,4,5, and 8!!!!!!! WOW!!! Joshua and Geonna fit right in and LOVED the Taulbee family! They stayed with them for about a month until their mom was able to get her feet back on the ground. She was able to get a job and get government housing that is close to Marta. Tiffany went to take them back to their Mom last Friday and that is where the story got really interesting....


She found out that they were going back to a totally empty house....no beds, no furniture,...nothing! So, Tiffany sent out a message on Facebook asking friends if they had anything to donate to try to make their house live able. I talked to her Saturday morning on my way to work to see what she had accumulated. At that point her family was giving them a bed and things for the bathroom (shower curtain, rug,..etc..) and another friend was also taking a bed. I got to work and made a sign that asked for donations. When I got back in my car after work there was a message from Brandon (who was unaware of the situation). He said that his sister Kelli had called and she wanted to know if we needed a couch or kitchen table (Kelli and Brian just got married and combined 2 households..so, they had some extra things!!!). I called him back and said "YES!!!!---ask them if they would like to give them to this family?!"....they were more than happy to do so!! God's perfect timing---what a blessing!! So, we got to load up 2 trucks and take them some furniture!!! It was an incredible experience. Joshua and Geonna (along with their Mom and 18 year old sister) were SO EXCITED and grateful! They said "I can feel the love" and "it finally feels like Christmas"!!! When Brandon and Brian carried in the table Joshua squealed...a TAAABBBLE!!!!!! And when the couch came in they rolled all around in the pillows!! It was so much fun to get to be a part of and witness their JOY!!! The giving kept coming throughout the day....Tiffany was able to round up pots, pans, a dresser, and entertainment center, TV, DVD player, and even a fully decorated Christmas tree(which they have never had!). Within 24 hours the house felt a lot more like a home. The Taulbee family was such a blessing to Joshua and Geonna....and I know Joshua and Geonna were a blessing to them (actually to a lot of us!). God is Good and he was able to bring people together and help a family in need!! "Ask and it will be given to you: seek and you will find: knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
So, that was last Friday that the Taulbee's said goodbye to Joshua and Geonna and today they got placed to foster a little 3 week old baby named Sydney. Anxious to see what kind of miracles can come through that sweet baby girl!!

Dressin' Up

"The Wizard Of Oz" was the Halloween Theme for Asher, Milla, and Will this year.
Asher was the scarecrow searching for a brain...
Milla was Dorothy searching for home...
Will was the lion searching for courage...

The most FUN we have had trick-or-treating in a long time!!
Ben&Audrey, Austin&Elizabeth, Me&Brandon with the babies

Tootsie Roll Pops were the HIT....Milla got her 1st taste of candy....thought it was too good to be true!

Milla by her "M" Pumpkin

We got to have a Halloween Happy Hour over at Blakeley's parent's house...
Allison, Becky, Blakeley (with Mia), and Me

Allison with Elizabeth Grace-- EG was a pony for Halloween...but the outfit was off by this point

Blakeley with Mia the Crawfish!

Brittany with Max the Cookie Monster!

Milla....she loved her Ruby Slippers!!!

SO good to be together!!!

This one is funny of EG and Milla very interested in Mia!

Fall Leaves

We drove up the winding mountain roads lined with vibrant fall leaves of all shades to meet the Peppers family in Highlands, N. C.

We love Ben's family's cozy cabin that we get to stay in!! Last year when we went Samuel and Milla were only about 3 months old...now the are 14 months...it is amazing how your focus changes during each stage. Last year we were so concerned with feeding them every 2 or 3 hours...this year we had to make sure everything was baby proofed--of course they are like magnets to dangerous things like the space heaters and the stairs!! We loved watching them toddle around and share their little laughs!!!

There was a really cool porch swing that converted into a baby cradle!!

I like this one of Lana, Ben, and Samuel!!!

this is a reenactment of a picture we took last year!!! Our babies are GROWING!
Ben with Samuel- Brandon with Milla

*Lana with Samuel and Me with Milla*
the boys spent the day fly fishing and Lana and I got to take the little ones on a picnic. We picked up food from the DELICIOUS restaurant "Wild Thyme Gourmet"...YUM! www.wildthymegourmet.com Later we went in to some of our favorite shops in downtown Highlands. It was a terrific trip!

First Flight

Milla got to take her very first flight on an airplane last week!! We flew to Indiana (along with my Mom) to celebrate with Grandma Rhodes on her 89th Birthday!!!

It was interesting to learn how getting through security with a baby works! After loading all of the bags up on the conveyer belt to be x-rayed...they have you take the baby out of the stroller and break down the stroller to also put that on the convyer belt. Of course you have to take off your coat and shoes---but I was surprised when they told me to take off Milla's coat and shoes too!! Funny!! I was relieved that they do let you take milk with you (despite the no liquids over 3oz. rule)... they take you over to a special area and do some sort of litmus test on the milk!
When we got to Indiana we went to Dougherty's Apple Orchard.

Pumpkins!

"Grand Mum" holding Milla--who was very impressed by the animals in the petting zoo!

Grandma Rhodes had two little American flags that she wanted Milla to put on the graves of her Granddaddy Rhodes and Grandpa Dunnington. We thought this picture was so sweet with her little shadow on the grave!

We got to have a "Birthday Brunch" for Grandma at the Farm.
Here is Aunt Connie, Grandma, and Mom.

Grandma had a table full of dear friends join her for her Birthday celebration. It was a time of great food and wonderful conversation. These ladies were full of life!!!

Can't believe she is 89!!!! She still swims a couple times a week, writes a column for the local paper, makes candles, is writting a book, and stays very involved in her church and the community!! WOW!!!

Got to see my cousin Brittany!!! SO PROUD of her!!! She is a University of Tennessee Grad. and has always had the dream of being a firefighter!! She is a wife- and a mother of 2 boys...but just recently finished all the testing and training and is now officially a FIRE WOMAN!!! CONGRATS!!

Milla with her GREAT GRANDMA RHODES!!

LOVE this sweet picture of Milla on the porch at the farm with her pig tails!

Breath of Fresh Air

The North Georgia Mountains are not far from us...if you head up 400 you can be in Dahlonega in no time. We decided to drive up and get a breath of this fresh fall air and take a little hike.

We get to load up our packs with a little something special these days!!!
We hiked on a little bit of the Appalachian trail off of the Dockery Lake Trail.

We took turns carrying this sweet little lady! She LOVES riding in the pack---she cries when you take her out!!!
Beautiful Views!

Got to have a reunion with some of my high school friends and their babies at Max Dasher's 2nd Birthday party!! Molly is holding Luke (and has another boy on the way in Feb.), Brittany with the Birthday Boy Max in front of her with blue icing all over!, Heather holding Anna (and has another girl on the way in just a couple weeks!), Me holding Milla, Allison holding Elizabeth Grace, and Blakeley up front with Mia. The party was FUN--they had face painting and a lady making figures out of balloons!!

We got to go to Elise's Minnie Mouse 2nd Birthday too!!! Here is a picture of the cute cakes!!

They had little Minnie and Mickey ears for everyone to wear!

Here is ELISE...the Birthday Girl!!!

Milla climbing up the slide to JUMP!

Wonderful Wedding Weekend

The wedding weekend got kicked off with a "meet the families" dinner at the Crim's house. Brian's family all came in from Missouri. They served a delicious Italian Meal catered by Ippilito's http://www.ippolitos.net/ .

Kelli and Brian...Looking excited about all of the upcoming events!!!

Brian's brother Justin and his wife Camille. They have a sweet little daughter named Aubrey.
Brian's other brother Jeff and his wife Angelia. They are unbelievable...they have 6 children!!!! They have 2 biological children and 4 adopted!!
Deon,Evan,Monae,Tre, Taylor, Aubrey, and Milla (Rachel is the oldest..but she was in the other room when we were taking the picture!)
Kelli and Mrs. Crim at the bridesmaids luncheon on Friday afternoon.
Kelli and her new mother-in-law Linda!

Kelli and her Matron of Honor and long time friend... Stacy!

Brian & Kelli with Mr.& Mrs. Crim at the rehearsal dinner at Chastain Horse Park by Chastain Park in Atlanta. http://www.chastainhorsepark.org/ -- they served great food-- a really good barbecue meal...my favorite side was the fried green tomatoes!!! YUM!!

Me and Brandon

The Bride on the Wedding Day!!
So Pretty!
October 2, 2010
at The Kellett Chapel at Peachtree Presbyterian Church
www.peachtreepres.org/WeddingsVenues.aspx

Mr. and Mrs. Crim dressed to a T...so excited about their daughter's special day!

Beautiful Flowers

My Mom HELPED US SO MUCH with Milla the whole weekend!!! She held Milla during the ceremony since Brandon and I both got to be in the wedding party. She almost made it through....but, I heard a pacifier drop and an "ahh ohh" from the back of the chapel...so, they excused themselves!!! She did great though!

My Grandma Dunnington and my Dad got to come down for the wedding too!!! The reception was at Dunwoody Country Club. http://www.dunwoodycc.org/ . It was a really neat location and the weather was PERFECT!

Brian and Kelli dancing their first dance to Elvis singing...
"I Can't Help Falling In Love With You"... one of the best lines says ..."take my hand, take my whole life too!"

The elegant cake.....white cake with almond icing...trimmed with orchids and midnight blue ribbon to match the bridesmaids dresses.

Kelli and Brandon's Grandmother and Granddaddy.
They won the "anniversary dance" for being married the longest....I believe it was 67 YEARS!!!

Christian and Becky were at the wedding..and were so sweet to help keep little Milla entertained!!!

we could not keep this little dancing machine off the dance floor!!! She LOVED it!!!

Here they are... Mr. and Mrs. Brian Kochs!!!
They made their exit through an array of bubbles and left in an antique, white Rolls Royce to head on to their honeymoon in HAWAII!!!!