2nd Annual MUAA Reunion

This weekend marked the 2nd Annual Mother's Unite for African Adoptions (MUAA) Reunion. While going through the adoption process I had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful adoptive families from which the MUAA group was formed. After holding each other like glue through the arduous process of international adoption we vowed to try and have a weekend for the kids to reconnect and frankly for us to share our struggles, joys and triumphs. This year was much smaller in size hindered by the ecconomy, job changes, and second sips from the adoption well, but there was certainly no lack in fun. It would have been wonderful to have all of the MUAA families here but I am pleased to say that I had the distinct pleasure of hosting again this year and I could not be more honored than to have shared my home with these wonderful families. Here are just a few of the highlights...

Favorite weekend quotes:

Akins: Come on Email let's race.
Eman: How come you have a mustache on your back? Valerie: Uh, that is not a mustache Eman it is called a tattoo.
Valerie: Akins what was your most favorite part of the whole weekend? Akins: The foods!
Abegail: How come you never use contractions? Valerie and Lorea: Puzzled look...Abegail: You always say can not and not can't.


The girls catch up

Of course there was lots of swimming


Eman gets a new look

Oh yeah - "you can run faster now"

Mom stop squeezing me!

Akins stop tickling me!

Eman and Sue get air!

Duck, Duck, Duck, Goose - run Sue!

Go team Lorea

Sharon get the ball

Our little muscle men!

Sue and Abegail share a big smile!

Come on Junior let's race!

Yummy, Ice Cream


Eman gives Abegail a little push

Honky Tonk Eman

We be swingin'

Sharon and Lorea telling stories

Sue gets some lovin'


A mean game of foosball!

Abegail and Princess going for the winning point

Faster, faster

Akins favorite part... the food

Apparently ours too!

We want S'more!!!

The last night hanging out by the fire and enjoying the sugar high!

I am a proud mama of chicken eggs that is...our chicks delivered 12 eggs for the event!

A nice group photo before wrapping everything up

Jemama and Akins say their good-byes

and the goodbyes continue Sharon and Mom

Lorea and Sharon

Sue and Lorea

Abegail and Akins

The boys give some "rock"

and the final embrace....until next time

July 4th with Tammy & Co.

This summer has been actioned pack as usual. My sister Tammy came over the 4th of July as she has done for years with her daughter's Claudia and Amanda. Amanda had her three kids Landon, Aleyia and Haley. Mom of course was here too and then as an added bonus this year my Uncle Del and Aunt Sondie came as well as my cousin Paula and her two kids Corey and Lexi. Very big fun... here are the photos of the crazy wall to wall event.



Del and Paula making the homemade ice cream for Lorea's B-day

Kids all gathered around to see what Lorea got!

Haley it's party time!

Cory getting some serious air compliments of Akins and Lexi

Tammy living like a kid!
Corey waiting his turn for the quad
Lorea crashed and burned
"The Seniors" seeking out some relief from the sun
Setting up to light the skies on fire
The kids playing the color game - Claudia guessing blue
Landon goes in for the ball
Tammy taking the plunge
Paula give Lexi a ride
Who's having more fun Paula or Corey
Uncle Del and Lorea fixing the motorcylce
Sondie... you daredevil
Amanda out like a light
and then everyone goes home and we sleep anywhere