Stephen Josiah is SIX!!!!

The same day as Sophie's adoption finalization, Stephen's birth mom N and Grandma B came into town to celebrate his birthday with us! We started with cake, and then went to Chuck E Cheese for some pizza and fun! Unfortunately, there was a wreck on the interstate, so our fun was cute short when the lights went out! No power at Chuck's means NO fun!!

 

Silas being the creative one, we had no candles, so he improvised with matches....we called them "Redneck Candles!"

 

Matches burn FAST!!

Grandma B and N!!

Birth momma love!!

On his actual birthday, the 19th, we went out to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate!

Yee-Haw!! Riding the birthday saddle!

 

At Stephen's 6 year checkup, he measured the size of a 9 year old! I'm afraid we're going to be looking up to him pretty soon! He has the most tender, loving heart of anyone I've ever met. He is quick to say he is sorry, and is very compassionate to everyone. He LOVES anyone of the female gender, which may be cause for great concern the older he gets, but for now it's just plain sweet. He is quick to wriggle his eyebrows up and down (we call it his flirt face) for any girl he sees. He asks "Does that work for you?" Of course it does! He tries it out on me occasionally, but I don't fall for it anymore. He told me one day, "Momma, I wish my flirt face worked on you!" It does, but I'm not telling him that! For now, he thinks I'm immune to it!! LOVE that boy!! What a blessing he is to us and his birth family!

Sophie Joy...Adopted for LIFE!!

In NC where we live, it is not necessary to finalize an adoption in court. We received both of the boys' Adoption Decrees in the mail---Silas' when he was 6 months old, Stephen's when he was 5 months old. Because we were close to finalization of Sophie's during the month of November, which is National Adoption Awareness Month, Mecklenburg County holds a special ceremony each year to finalize adoptions in the courtroom. We, along with others from our agency, were invited to participate. We gladly accepted!

The judge congratulated us and gave us Sophie's Decree!

Sophie and Anna Carson! I met AC's mom Marisa at our agency picnic in May of 2011,
and AC was placed with them the following November.

Our COMPLETE family of FIVE! Yes, Sophie is the caboose on the Dobbins' Family train!

Marisa and I with our girls!! Both of us are now moms of 2 boys with a baby girl on the end!

 

LOVE the adoption community we are a part of!

Disney!!!!

My hubby LOVES Disney World! We went this year in November, he waits until they offer the Free Dining Plan, and we go around a teacher workday or holiday so he doesn't have to miss much school. I refuse to go Spring Break or Summer, so alas, he must make the sacrifice to miss work! With the kids being home shcooled, we can go anytime! I took a lot of pictures, but obviously can't post them all, so I just picked out a few to highlight our trip. Our travel also coincided with an Adoptive Family event (sponsored by Bethany Christian Services) called "Magical Families". We were able to participate in the meet-up session and talk with other adoptive families, so it was really neat. 

 

 

Brothers being brothers! This was at the Coronado Springs where the Magical Families meet up was held.

Stephen enjoying his mouse ears ice cream at the adoption event.

Look at those sad faces!!

Stephen being a sweet big brother while riding "It's A Small World"

I didn't think the stroller would survive it!!!

Classic pose in front of the castle!!

All three of our babies enjoying Magic Kingdom!

Daddy introducing his baby girl to his favorite vacation destination!

A RARE photo.....all of us are in it!!

Stephen's Baptism

Stephen and his buddy Regan

 

Pastors Landon and C.G.

 

Pastor Chris Griffin and his wife Ashea were the ones who prayed with Stephen when he accepted Jesus!

 

 

Love the smile on his face!! Such a tender-hearted boy who loves his Savior!