Homecomings and Harvest Festivals

Wow, I've got some catching up to do. Where in the world have I been? We have been so busy and days seem to go by faster and faster. But you know what they say ... "Time flies when you're having fun!" Check out this picture. Sometimes Lily Grace looks like the baby that she is and sometimes, she looks like a little lady. Here, she looks like a young model in this year's latest fashionable fall outerwear.

OK, so what shall we talk about? Harvest festivals, homecomings, and one of my all time favorite topics ... Upward Basketball and Cheerleading. We'll save Halloween for this weekend, but just as a preview, Lily Grace went trunk or treating as Minnie Mouse, squeaky shoes and all. More about that in our next post.


One reason that I haven't been able to post as much lately is that I am the Director of the Upward Ministry at Isom's Chapel and we are deep into planning for our upcoming Basketball and Cheerleading season. Advertising, conducting signups, and establishing the parameters of the league takes an incredible amount of time to get it right.

But we are closing in on the beginning of practice. Maybe things will slow down a bit after that. Ha! We have completed registration and have 94 kids signed up to either play or cheer. Arranging those kids into teams of equitable talent and skills takes time and care. Then there's the task of identifying and recruiting coaches, adjusting rosters, evaluating late signups, conducting coaches training, ... Anyway, you get the picture. I am so excited about beginning the season. I get to coach a little girl's team with six girls between kindergarten and the 2nd grade. This will be different after coaching the rough and tumble boys for 7 years. I'll still help with Austin's team, but my primary focus will be to ensure that the littlest girls have a great time and hear about Jesus! Please pray for our Upward Ministry, that we might present the love of Jesus Christ in a way that plants seeds, waters seeds already planted, or stands ready for the harvest from seeds planted and watered before. I'll have more to say about the Upward Ministry in a future post. But now, some catching up.


Betcha didn't know that Lily Grace had her second trip to the beach in October. We kept it on the down low. Connie had promised Austin that we'd go back to the beach before the end of the year and with fall break, it was a good opportunity. Or so we thought... Can you say red tide? And I'm not talking about the kind that plays football on fall Saturday afternoons. This red tide is an explosion of algae from the ocean that causes extreme upper respiratory conditions, not unlike a cold or sinus infection.
Austin and I knew immediately when we hit the beach what was going on, because we had seen it in Jacksonville, FL in September. We lasted all of 30 minutes or so. Just long enough to build Alltel Stadium, the scaled-down, sand version of course.
The red tide was in effect for the entire fall break week, so every time we'd go out to the beach, we only lasted a half hour or so. And if that wasn't enough, tropical storm type weather invaded mid week and left the area flooded. A tornado even hit in Pensacola the day we were leaving. Oh well, so much for the beach weather. At least the dining and shopping were good and Austin did manage to get in two afternoons of golfing.

More recently, we were blessed to have Amanda come home for the weekend from her graduate studies in Chicago. Not only is she going to school there, but she's working for one of the Broadway type shows with costumes and such. I think she's really enjoying Chicago and she's actually only two hours away from her parents. She is doing well and we were all very glad to see her. Will was especially glad to see her (Will is her boyfriend and is in school himself at UAH). Amanda made it in Friday afternoon and was able to come to East Limestone's homecoming football game Friday night. We'd hoped that she would get to see Austin's band performance, but since it was homecoming, the band didn't do much except play My Girl, as the homecoming attendants marched out. Oh well, sorry Amanda. The football team did their part by claiming a big win and everyone went home happy. Lily Grace is always excited to see her big sisters, Emily and Amanda. So she was especially excited since she hadn't seen Amanda in quite a while. On her birthday, Lily got two dolls, one a boy and the other a girl. She missed Amanda so much that she immediately named them Will and Amanda. As a matter of record, Will and Amanda went to the beach with us. No, no, not the live Will and Amanda, the dolls! I'm pretty sure they had a great time. In fact, they were speechless! Check out the pictures of Lily Grace, Amanda, and Will below.

Speaking of homecoming, East Limestone did have their annual homecoming game this week. After four straight, grueling road games, they finally had a chance to play at home. This was truly a homecoming. I was beginning to wonder why we bought those season tickets. Lily hadn't been going to many of the games because the away games were very long trips. So she finally got to go again and had her usual good time. At one point in the game, she yelled "Go, go, go!!" and then turned to me and said rather disappointedly "They're not going?" It was as if she thought just by yelling and encouraging, she could make them respond in the way she wanted. Come to think of it, I think the same way. With her feisty attitude, I better try to keep that one in check!

Oh, nearly forgot the Creekside Harvest Festival. When Lily Grace gets old enough to attend school, she will go to Creekside Elementary School in East Limestone. So we thought we'd take her over to their annual Harvest festival to check things out. You know, see the teachers, begin butterin' them up, introduce their future star student, .... You can't start too early on that you know. Our neighbor and good friend Regina was in charge of the whole thing and did an awesome job! Of course, Lily Grace thought the whole thing had been put together for her.
She walked in and immediately seized control of the place. Cake walks, frog jumps, picture sessions, and clowns who make funny balloons were the order of the day. Lily Grace also got her first taste of cotton candy. She really liked the candy, but couldn't figure out where it was going when she tried to chew it!
(Mental note: This cotton candy stuff is not good for strengthening the chewing ability.) Of all the events and games at the festival, the train ride was what excited Lily Grace the most! She squealed with delight when she saw "Paw Paw's Express!" What's with this squealing anyway, Austin never did that?

And finally, to completely catch up, Connie, Austin, and I were blessed to be able to see Casting Crowns at the VBC. This is my favorite music group ever, period. If you're not familiar with their songs, they are the contemporary Christian artists who brought us "If We Are the Body", "Who Am I?", "Let My Lifesong Sing", and "Does Anybody Hear Her?" Stop now and go immediately to the nearest music store and purchase every Casting Crowns CD that you can find. They are awesome.


Love Green, Party of Four ...
Jerry, Connie, Austin, Lily Grace, and ...

They Are In My Closet ...

Yesterday was a great day for Lily Grace. That's because our favorite doctor in the world, Dr. Jennifer Chambers at the UAB International Adoption Clinic, and her staff have decided that Lily Grace is socially and physically ready to take on the world! Of course, we've known that since we brought her home, but it's good to hear it from the professionals. The sad part of it is that we won't get to see Dr. Chambers and her staff again until Lily turns 5 or 6 years old. Lily has a great doctor here in Madison too because Connie did her research before picking one, but just the understanding look and nods that we get from Dr. Chambers always comforts us.
Lily has been tended to by the UAB IAC clinic staff for a little over a year and we have nothing but good things to say about our experiences there. We are just absolutely thrilled that we have such qualified professionals who are also caring, parents of internationally adopted children themselves. It's funny, when we have an issue that we bring up with Dr. Chambers, often times she says "Me too, here's what I do." The developmental and social staff, Drs. Jill, Leah Ann, and Amy, are also just as caring and qualified. Guess we'll just have to adopt another little girl so we can continue the treks to Birmingham and our visits with some really cool, professional doctors/moms (more on that later).



Lily scored well enough on all of the developmental and social skills tests that the doctors see her as no different than any other 3-yr old child trying to make her way in a complex world. Physically, she is still in the lower percentiles, but she is developing normally. She'll just always be on the smallish side. Mentally and emotionally, she's doing well and has adapted about as well as anyone could have hoped for. At one point in the developmental skills tests, Dr. Jill decided to ask Lily Grace about some obscure body parts, like fingernails, toenails, etc. and where they were. Now, when we play this game, it's usually with parts like legs, arms, elbows, shoulders, and of course Belly!!!! So Lily knew the game well, but was a little confused by some parts until prompted a little. "Fingernails ... here, see paint. Toes ... right here! Knees ... here they are!" Everything was going well until Dr. Jill asked Lily where were her heels? And with a straight face and confused look, Lily replied "In My Closet." At that point, Dr. Jill decided the test was finished. We were all falling out of our chairs with laughter. This gal is 100% girl, no doubting that!

Our next stop in Birmingham was to visit with our Adoption Agency, Lifeline Children's Services, and our friend, Anna. During this visit, we completed some more of our homestudy requirements for our next adoption, a sister for Lily Grace. We're getting close on getting all the paperwork chased down so please pray for us as we continue this process. We have just a few more items to track down and then we wait. That will be the hard part, we know, but it is what God would have us do. Of that, we are certain. It's funny, the first time we visited Anna at Lifeline, Austin was with us and we were beginning the process to adopt Lily Grace. This time, Austin was in school and couldn't miss, so Lily Grace was with us as we continue the process to adopt Lia Faith. Oh, and Lifeline has asked us to be a part of their "Parade of Families," during their annual fundraiser. We'll be one of ten families that get to tell their story of adoption. It'll have to be brief, I'm sure, but we are so excited about this opportunity!

I know, this should have been multiple posts, but there have been too many happenings lately, so I tried to get them all in here. One more to go --



Today, Lily Grace and I got to go to Tate's Farm, a pumpkin patch and farm in Meridianville where lots of schools take field trips. Lily's class at Lindsay Lane Baptist Church decided to take a field trip there and I got to go along. Thanks Ms. Melanie and Ms. Carrie for arranging the trip! Of course, I stood out like a rocket scientist in a pumpkin patch, being the only Dad. And since I was going in to work afterward, I was dressed for work, not for the pumpkin patch. Big mistake, with humidity hovering around 200%. It had been several years since we'd taken Austin, so I had forgotten that this was an interactive farm, where if you don't get dirty you have to pay extra! So I ducked into the gift shop and purchased the proper attire - a Tee Shirt that said "I God Mine at Tate's Farm!" Don't even think about it, there are no pictures to serve as evidence of this wardrobe nightmare.



By the end of the two hour tour and pumpkin patch adventure, I was soaking wet, dirty, smelly, and ready for a shower. Lily wanted to go over and visit the pigs - I told her that I was too dirty to visit the pigs, they might be offended! Anyway, Lily Grace just enjoyed herself all day, occassionally squealing with delight (what is it with this squealing thing?) and causing others to laugh. Her favorite part of the day, according to Lily, was the corn basket - a huge tub of corn that all the kids got to play in. It looked fun, some of the moms even got in themselves. My favorite part was watching Lily learn about things on the farm - she even picked some cotton.


Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, Lily Grace , ...
Green, Party of Four

It's Your Birthday Sweetheart!

So celebrate in the knowledge that we love you very much and we are very happy that God placed you in our lives. Guess whose birthday is today! Celebrate in the knowledge that Jesus Christ loves you even more than we do, though to us that might not seem possible. Celebrate in the knowledge that God planned a family for you that includes a wonderful son and a precious daughter. Celebrate that He has plans to expand our family again so that you can be mommy to another of His miracles.

"A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:10-12

From the day we met so romantically (in the parking lot of Dairy Queen), I have loved you. From the day we were married, I have treasured you. When Austin was born and I saw the awesome mother you would become, I was thankful. And when you told me one day that God said we should adopt Lily Grace, I was changed forever.

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

Thank you for tending to our every need and for putting up with our every whim. Thank you for being a loving mother to Austin and to Lily Grace. Sometimes Lily Grace simply wants her mommy because she knows how much you love her.

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:28

I hope that today will be a wonderful, blessed day for you and that something that we do will be part of making it so.

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Thank you for being a Godly mother to Austin and Lily Grace and a forgiving wife to me. Your patience exceeds what I should be allowed.

"Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Proverbs 31:31

Thanks for being a Proverbs 31 Woman for our family! God's plans are working out just fine with you in our midst.

Happy Birthday Connie Jo (oops, I let the middle name slip out!)
We love you and hope you have a great day!
Jerry, Austin, and Lily Grace ...

Two Tickets ...

$90. Hotel Stay $300. Parking $35. Hamburger and Barbeque at the Game: $30. Watching Austin celebrate as the FSU Seminoles won one of the biggest games they ever played in: priceless. Even if it was at the expense of my Crimson Tide. Seems Austin's teams are getting the better of mine this year, with East Limestone starting off their season by thumping my state champion Athens Golden Eagles 7-6 back in Sept.



Connie bought two tickets to what was billed as the "River City Showdown" last March and gave them to me and Austin to go. Austin has been a Florida State fan since the days of Coach Cav at East Limestone (Coach Cav turned ELHS into a mini-FSU, complete with similar uniforms, war chant, and attitude!). Of course, I've been an Alabama fan since the days of Bear Bryant and 63 National Championships (no, wait, I think we have 64 now!). Every thing worked out just great. Except the game. I was mad, no angry, that we played as poorly as we did. But give a lot of credit to Florida State's defense. They made everything we tried to do look foolish. JP had an awful game. The o'line looked like a high school unit and let's not even talk about the backup DB who gave up two touchdowns!! We've got some serious work to do and not much "stuff" to do it with!



We left out Friday afternoon after Austin got out of school, got haircuts - can't go to the game looking shaggy now could we - and hit the road. East Limestone had their football game Thursday night, so that was good and bad. Good in that we got to leave after school Friday, bad in that we were out late Thursday night and didn't get much sleep - not good for a looming 9 hour drive to Jacksonville. For the record, the ELHS Indians moved to 5-0 on the season, with a very convincing 58-0 win. Now, for all their troubles, they get to face their arch nemesis, the North Jackson Chiefs, also 5-0 and ranked #1 in the state in class 4A. The Indians and Chiefs both dress like Florida State and use the war chant as their fight song...over and over and over and over ... Can we say "I'm tired of this Na, Na, Nannna Na, ... Na , Na Nanna Noooooo! Oh well, back to the River City Showdown...

We stayed on Amelia Island and of course everybody there was there for the game, so there were FSU and Bama fans everywhere. There were even some other divided families there with "FSUBama" Car tags and flags of opposite colors flying from each side of their cars. Saturday morning we thought we'd go down to the beach and play in the sand for awhile. Little did we know that there was a "Red Tide" warning. I'm not kidding! Both of us were coughing and sneezing and having sinus troubles within minutes. When we noticed the locals were wearing masks, we left the beach! All day long, I kept telling Austin that it was a "Crimson Tide" warning! After the game, he told me the warning had been downgraded to a watch!




Of course, Austin's favorite part was visiting with the FSU band during the third quarter. We went over to where they were sitting and next thing I know, he's down in the middle of the band talking to the percussion section leader about different drumbeats! He got some up close videos for his own ELHS band drumline - maybe, Ms Sam will cut him some slack for missing competition to go to this game!




Congrats to FSU and to Austin. Better start saving for that tuition, son. I hear it's expensive for out of state students!

Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, and Lily Grace ...
Green, Party of Four ...