Quinn's Vlog About Adoption

Quinn knew mommy had a long day so she decided to share some of her thoughts today in this vlog (video blog)

chickens.

This is what the chicks will look like when they are young...
...And this is them when they get older!  They are pretty big chickens!

After much thought and research we are getting CHICKENS!  Woohoo!  Our whole family is excited!  We are getting baby chicks and we will raise them into chickens (females only) and keep them for their eggs.  Still not sure what kind of coop we will build-I think we will just make one up seeing as Dru and I are not very good at following blue prints.  :)  Everyone who has chickens says, "Don't over think it-they are just chickens"...so we are doing just that when it comes to the coop.  

prayer.

At dinner the other night Quinn said she wanted to say the prayer...so, she held our hands and closed her eyes real tight and said,

"Lovin' Jesus, be my guest.  Don't know you, but be blessed.  Amen."

This was her take on "Come Lord Jesus"...nice

good times.

We took the kids to the Health Adventure last week....their theme right now is Moneyville-supercool!  Quinn got to play pretend in a grocery store, learn about car safety, bubbles, her inner ear and equilibrium, and gravity!

I also took the kids to the park this week...we played there for several hours with our friends Shelley and Miles.  

(over due.) quinn's 3rd birthday.

Here are some over due PICTURES!!!!!

Quinn's 3rd Birthday Party...November 21, 2009

Quinn has a friend named Piper who turned 2 at the same time so we did a joint birthday party.  Yes, we even set up a Princess castle in Piper's house!  The kids had a blast!!!

Quinn with her organic cupcake-cake...it was so yummy...really!!!!

The night of Quinn's birthday we celebrated with myself, Dru, Asa and Adam (Alicia was out with a friend)...these are her gifts from family that we saved so we could have our own little party with her!

On Quinn's actual birthday we had a baby sitter come over to watch Asa and Adam and I took Quinn out for a girls day out.  She got to choose everything we did!  First, she wanted her friend Avenue to meet us at Starbucks for hot chocolate, then we went to the bookstore and she got to pick out some books.  It snowed on her birthday, she said, "God made it snow for ME!!!!"  

pizza with friends.

We had some friends over for personal pizzas Sunday night. "Mr.Dave" is one of Quinn's FAVORITE people EVER and Melissa!!!!

These pizzas were AMAZING~!!!!!

Pizza on the left: Quinn~~Pizza on the right: Melissa

news...but not much new.

We here at the Collie household have not slowed down one bit, regrettably.   I have been taking pictures but our main computer broke so I have not posted any.  We are getting it back today so maybe I will make up for the slacker job I have been doing on posting pictures.  I have been working on my new studio.  It is a cozy little place that needed all new fixtures,paint and all new furniture and decorations along with many other things.  Every spare moment I have I am planning or executing.  

Asa's first birthday was last Sunday.  I cannot believe he is that old!  I think because we had four kids most of the time he was alive it just flew by!  Quinn loves her brother so much!  Just today she was teaching him how to dance and feeding him Nilla Wafers.  

We went to Indiana last week for Allie's baby shower.  Asa is NOT as good of a traveler as Quinn was.  I remember on Quinn's first birthday we took her to Oklahoma, a 14 hour drive and she just sat in the back and looked out the window and played with her toys.  Asa just screamed 3/4s of the way unless I had my hand on his lap.  I will admit, I have enabled him in his "mommas boy" syndrome.  I am trying to quit so I don't have a high maintenance child that no one wants to be around.  

Today I will continue work on the studio once Dru gets home.  I am redoing an old fireplace and a coffee table.  

For now I will leave you with this...so much meat to it...

"Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good."

Romans 12: 9-21

alicia and adam.

I have not been in too big of a hurry to post this on here because I feel like everyone probably knows whats going on with us through Facebook or word of mouth but...

Alicia and I sat in the courtroom on Wednesday to listen to a very nerve wracking decision.  My stomach was in knots and I felt so sick.  I was praying they would both get to go to their grandmas house.  Alicia told me the night before that she was having second thoughts and that she really wanted to stay with us-but it was not up to her at this point-it was now up to the judge.  She told me we were the only real family she has ever had.  Awww...

Anyway, the judge said they could both go home so that afternoon I took Adam to grandmas trailer and hung out with Quinn, Asa, Adam and Alicia (and a million of their family members) for about 3 hours.  It was hard saying bye to Adam.  He wanted to go with me and I can only image what is going through that little boys head.  

Alicia begged her grandma to let her spend the night at our house for one more night, so she did.  We had a good time together for our last night and the next day after school her grandma came to our house to pick her up.  Good-byes were sad but we are getting through.  Its nice to have more time and Asa is now in his own bedroom.  He has slept in our closet for 11 months!!  And I am glad to have my closet back!!!!  

OK, I have to go.  I need to save Quinns body from her destruction to her face.  She has marker alllllll over her face!!!

simply amazing.

The most AMAZING thing I have ever seen at church....these people are for real...these are their real problems and pasts. What if we all were this authenic??

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

update.

Update:

We have court on Wednesday at 9:30 am for the kids.  We will see if Adam and Alicia get to go to their grandmas to live.  We don't know if Adam will get to go but we are pretty sure Alicia will get to.  Her grandma only lives about 10-15 minutes from our house so hopefully we will still get to do some of our favorite things together occasionally.  

If you think about it, will you pray that Adam gets to go also?  We all think it is best for him and Alicia.  

I'll do an update either Wednesday or Thursday.  

godspell.

This is going to be a HIT and you don't want to miss it...trust me!!  Please mark your calendars for 

GODSPELL

April 10th, 11th and 12th at the Orange Peel in downtown Asheville

To get more information please go to...www.GodspellAsheville.com

got a studio.

Yep, thats right.  Here is a picture.  For more info go to my blog at www.CaptureEden.com

spas rock.

Last week I took mom to the Grove Park Inn spa here is Asheville for her birthday.  It was the most AMAZING experience ever!!!  We had an all day pass so we got to lounge in the lounge with free food and drinks and a fire.  We could also use all of the pools, saunas and hot tubs all day.  Oh, and they have music playing under water for when you swim.  It was so so so much fun!  I never thought I could spend a whole day in the water but the day went by too fast!  We were there 9 hours basking in the waterfalls, sitting by the fires in our robes they give you and inhaling eucalyptus and spearmint in the 140 degree inhalation room.  I think that is what heaven will be like!  We got to talk and just enjoy each others company and RELAX!  (Dad and Dru only called about 5 times while we were gone to see when we were coming back!  They really didn't think we could spend that long there.)

my quinny.

Allie's cousin-in-law posted this...

That is Quinn in July when she got into Allie's make-up!  Hehe

The article is funny too...I can totally relate!

ice skating.

This past weekend I took Quinn, Alicia, Adam and Asa ice skating.  Asa and Adam sat in the stroller or were held by one of my friends who did not skate so they are not in any of the pictures.  I have some of Alicia and I but they are on the other computer.  Here are some from my friends camera.  ENJOY!!

Quinn thought it was really fun to have Mel and I drag her.  :)  

PS-This is my friend who mom and dad bought land next to.

I am doing a toe stand.  :)  Not too graceful...its amazing I did not break my ankle.  

This is my favorite picture.  Quinns expression is priceless and I love that a friend took a picture of me taking a picture.  Holding Quinn is Mel's step sister...along with Mel.

still alive and kickin'.

Let begin by cheering you up with a little photo from our 3rd annual Asheville "Ugly Sweater Party" (If you own one of these sweaters please do not be offended-everyone has their own opinion what what constitutes "ugly")

Dru was most stylish in his "ugly" poncho...most likely straight from Spain or maybe even Mexico.

Here is our car PACKED on our way to Boone for the Collie family Christmas.  And yes, that present DID fall on Adam's head when Dru flew over the four foot speed bump going 25 miles per hour!!!!  (By the way, Dru packed the car)

Char always sets the table so nice!

Cousins: Asa (9 months) and Sydney (5 months)

Collie Cousins plus one.  (Left to right) Adam, Ingram, Isaac, Sydney, Quinn and Asa

Quinn loved her presents and posed for this picture of her new furry vest from CC

The Collie clan...

I just thought this picture of Asa was cute in his hat from Uncle Steve an Aunt Mere!  And, below, friends Shannon, Josh and Avenue...oh, and Quinn with their "ugly" sweaters on.  PS- Quinn did not want to wear an ugly one but "only a pretty one" she said...she picked out her whole outfit!

I know it has been FOREVER and a day since I posted any photos or even just a description of what we have been up to.  Truth be told-most of what goes on around here we are not allowed to post online because of confidentiality laws with our foster kids.  Much of the same things are going on around here.  Kids are getting big so fast!  Asa is standing and starting to "cruse", Quinn is very much a little lady and mommy in training, Adam is walking and almost running around the house now.  (He was Asa's age when he came to us) and Alicia challenges me everyday in the patience category but she is also such a joy to have around.  

We had a good Christmas.  My parents and Allie and Adam (affectionately named "big Adam") came to our home with Adam's parents.  It was good times!  Then, this past week we went to Boone to celebrate with Dru's family.  

So above are some photos from the past week.  Our old camera went to camera heaven with a bunch of our old pictures on it so here are photos from our new point-and-shoot.  

glasses.

I know it has been FOREVER since I posted-does anyone still read this?  I really need to post more often but this is the busiest time of year for me.  Everyone wants photographs because of the colors this time of year and then they all want them back before Christmas...some of them custom framed-which I do myself.  So whew, there is a LOT going on.  Plus just the usual.  I have still been going to a lot of appointments for the kids.  I was at home a total of one hour (and not all at once) yesterday and the rest of the time was spent in the car, or in a waiting room.  

One fun thing I did yesterday was to take Quinn to look for glasses.  This has been a long process and I cannot find a pair I like on her that don't make her look like we are correcting a cross-eyed child.  She will not wear her glasses all the time, but just when we are reading or working on school work, at church, watching TV or anytime she really needs to see details.  So-the nice people at the eye glasses store let us take 2 pairs home until today to decide.  There is one more frame we are going to throw in the mix but I don't think they will let us take them home.  The one that you will not see pictured are frame-less on the bottom and sides and are little rectangles with a metal frame on top.  

So, here are the other two...I had one specially ordered but I am just not sure which of these two I like better.  PLEASE comment and tell me what you HONESTLY think! (Sorry the pictures are blurry)

I just thought I would add this last one for kicks.  Alicia took this...all the kids in their PJs.  Asa is crawling and pulling himself up to get things.  

amen.

Don't hate me all my friends from Asheville... :)

This is the most articulate article I have read that states why I believe what I believe about this election...(PS. I know I'm not black so no one needs to inform me of that) :)

by Huntley Brown - "Why I (as a black man) Can't Vote for Obama"

Huntley Brown is a popular Christian music artist and he told www.truthorfiction.com that he wrote this email to some friends who were inquiring if he was going to vote for Senator Barack Obama. Brown said that he wasn't asked if he was going to support the GOP candidate, John McCain, and that this email was primarily directed at his opinion of the Democratic candidate. He also told us that he has problems with both candidates but the differences he has with Senator McCain pale in comparisons with the ones he has with Senator Obama. Brown did not write this email to influence public opinion nor did he expect his response to be forwarded to others which resulted in wide distribution of his opinion on the super information highway. No matter the outcome of this election, Brown told us, that as a Christian, he could be counted to support the President in prayer every day. updated 10/10/08


A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:Why I (as a black man) Can't Vote For Obama By Huntley Brown


Dear Friends,

A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an e-mail with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but its worth repeating...

First, I must say whoever wins the election will have my prayer support. Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him.
Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads, I follow. I can't dictate the terms he does because he is the leader. I can't vote black because I am black I have to vote Christian because that's who I am, Christian first black second. Neither should anyone from the other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity. 200 years from now I won't be asked if I was black or white.
I will be asked if I know Jesus and accepted him as Lord and savior. In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning to name a few, wrong economic concerns will soon not matter.
We need to follow Martin Luther King's words don't judge someone by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I don't know Obama so all I can go off is his voting record. His voting record earned him the title of the most liberal senator in the US Senate in 2007. NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama: Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/2008) To beat Ted Kennedy and Hilary Clinton as the most liberal senator, takes some doing. Obama accomplished this feat in 2 short years. I wonder what would happen to America if he had four years to work with.

There is a reason planned parenthood gives him a 100 % ratings.
There is a reason the homosexual community supports him.
There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc loves him.
There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the supreme court.
There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill.
There is a reason he voted No on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.
There is a reason he voted no on partial birth abortion.
There is a reason he voted no on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito. These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial birth abortion. The same practice Obama wanted to continue.

Let's take a look at the practice he wanted to continue:
The 5 Step Partial Birth Abortion procedure

A. Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's leg with forceps. (Remember this is a live baby)

B. The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal.

C. The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head.

D. The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the hole.

E. The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed. God help him.


There is a reason Obama opposed the parent notification law. Think about this you can't give a kid an aspirin without parental notification but that same kid can have an abortion without parental notification. This is insane.


There is a reason he went to Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years. Obama tells us he has good judgement but he sat under Jeremiah Wright teaching for 20 years. Now he is condemning Wrights sermons. I wonder why now?

Obama said Jeremiah Wright led him to the Lord and discipled him. A disciple is one in training.

Jesus told us in Matthew 28 v 19 - 20 Go and make disciples of all nations. This means reproduce yourself. Teach people to think like you, walk like you, talk like you believe what you believe etc. The question I have is what did Jeremiah Wright teach him?


Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenants that said they have a

1. Commitment to the White Community
2. Commitment to the White Family
3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic
4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community .
5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions
6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System
7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System."
Would you support a President who went to a church like that? Just change the word from white to black and you have the tennants of Obama's former church. If President Bush was a member of a church like this, he would be called a racist. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been marching outside. This kind of church is a racist church. Obama did not wake up after 20 years and just discovered he went to a racist church.


The church can't be about race. Jesus did not come for any particular race. He came for the whole world. A church can't have a value system based on race. The churches value system has to be based on biblical mandate. It does not matter if its a white church or a black church its still wrong. Anyone from either race that attends a church like this would never get my vote.


Obama's former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a disciple of liberal theologian James Cone, author of the 1970 book A Black Theology of Liberation. Cone once wrote: "Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. Cone is the man Obama's mentor looks up to. Does Obama believe this? So what does all this mean for the nation? In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing: judgement.


Read 1 Samuel 8. When Israel asked for a king.

First God says 1 Samuel 8 v 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."

Then God says 1 Samuel 8 v 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day." 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."


Here is what we know for sure God is not schizophrenic .


He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one to vote for McCain.

As the scripture says a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God. Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it. For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say "Father based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion. He might have to nominate three or four supreme court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy." I could not see Jesus agreeing with many of Obama's positions.


Finally I have two questions for all my liberal friends.
Since we know someone's value system has to be placed on the nation,

1 Whose value system should be placed on the nation.

2 Who should determine that this is the right value system for the nation?


Blessings,

Huntley Brown

slacker.

So, as my good friend Tara would say... "You're such a slacker."

I have really been slacking on my blogging.  I really just don't have time!  My days are filled with dressing kids, putting away clothes, laundry, changing hundreds of diapers (or so it feels), shuttling kids to doctor appointments, dentist appointments, eye appointments, therapy, visitation, government programs, dance class, Starbucks (cause Quinn needs her daily "caffeine" IE chocolate milk), grocery shopping and a million other things.  Wait, I just summed up my last month.  I do love what we are doing!  I really do.  I get stressed when you add into what I just mentioned...PHOTOGRAPHY!  (Which I also still love).  This is the busiest time of year for my business and we are officially BOOKED until January!  I cannot believe it!  Business is rockin'!  Dru and I are working hard on making it rock even more so that also takes up time!  

Well, I have a ton of super cute photographs to post. We went to the apple orchard last week and I took Asa's 6 month photos and Adam's one year photos.  Oh yes, that brings me to...birthday!  On Friday we celebrated Adam's one year birthday and last Monday we celebrated Dru's 31st birthday! We had a joint birthday party on Friday at our house.  It was so much fun getting to hang out with friends at our house with food and fire. 

Quinn will be going horse riding soon so we will pictures of that. :)  Today we are skipping ballet and I am taking her to her first MOVIE at the movie theater.  Then we are going to a mom and children cafe.  We are going to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua.  I cannot believe I am taking her to see that but I read the Plugged In review and it said it was good sooo....

She will be bringing her little stuffed chihuahua dog and wear her dog leggings.  :)  We are going with her friend Mya! 

girls.

Alicia and Quinn...two cute.

just life.

Here are some photos from our little point and shoot that have been itching to get on this blog.

This is Asa "drinking" Ma's Starbucks drink.  He was holding it so strong Ma could not take it away.  She was lauging histerically!

So, Quinn has to get glasses.  This is one of the shops we went into to look.  Dru was not with us so we took some pictures of Quinn's two favorite to show daddy.  Turns out we are not going to get either one of these frames.

These red ones are "Snow White" so she loved them.  They are too big though.

Quinn took this picture at DSS (Department of Social Services).  We were in the waiting room waiting for the kids to get out of their visitation.  Adam's mom bought those shoes for Asa.

This is our case manager and Dru waiting...Quinn took this too!

photos from the last week.

Quinn's Tot Trot...they are backwards in sequence.  Woops!  

Above is Quinn at the finish line, of corse staring at her daddy!

Quinn is in the STAR...

Above: This is a random photograph Dru took while we were at the park last Sunday.  Quinn LOVES to ride her trike.

Introducing Adam.  He is 11 months old here.  Such a cutie with a HUGE smile!

Quinn with her prize from the race...not sure what kind of animal it is!

And, introducing, Alicia..she is on the far left.  On the right is her friend who spent the night and "ran" the 5K with us.  Actually, she was complaining the entire time.  It was good for her.  :)

Quinn taking a photo of us after the race.

Dru had to get to the park to set up Starbucks for the race at 5AM so it was still dark outside.  

Dru, taking a break outside resting on our stairway.  I saw this and said, freeze!  I have to take a photograph of you!

Above: Dru said Quinn thought this was SOO funny.  She was laughing so hard and said, "I have to take a picture of this!"

There I go- above on the left.  They don't make stars big enough to put around me!

This little girl was a clogger and Quinn thought she was SO cool!  She was trying to get on her little stage (see the girl sitting on it) so she could dance!

Asa fell asleep like this in Dru's arms on the way to the car.

Quinn and Dru camping

Notice the popcorn on Quinn's baby's lap.

This last week has flown buy!  Above are some photographs from today, at the 5K run for autism.  The other photographs are from Dru and Quinn's camping trip in our back yard last Saturday.  I went on a women's retreat with our church and so Quinn and Dru got to spend some quality time together.  They stayed up late and slept in a tent in sleeping bags.