5 Years a SERNA!!!

Five years ago today, our sweet Faith was placed in our arms for the very first time. 

5 Years ago our family was made complete.

5 years ago, Li Ren Lan - orphan, became Faith RenLan Serna - adopted, chosen, loved. 

5 years of love with a lifetime more to go! 

Happy Gotcha Day!! 

Gabe is FOURTEEN!!

Happy fourteenth birthday, Gabe!!! 

This has been a big year for our Gabe. He is taking his first class outside of the home and loving it. He also took the SAT for "fun" this year. I won't say what he made - but his first attempt was close to what I made on the SAT! He is a smart kiddo!!

Gabe plays piano and sings in the Denton Bible Church Student Ministry Praise Team and has been able to play and sing at the evening service a few times, too. He and Selah also serve the AWANA's Cubbies group by leading their music time. He plays his mandolin for them every Sunday evening. 

 Gabe has literally grown this year, too. He is especially proud that he is now taller than his momma!

His smile continues to light up each room he walks into. He is hoping that his braces will be removed in the next few months. 

He is a sweet guy, a great leader among his peers and an all around great student. It is fun watching him develop and grow into the man God has planned him to be. 

We love you, Gabe!!

Faith is EIGHT!!

Today we celebrate 8 years of Faith in this world!

 She is spunky and full of spirit!!

She is full of joy and determination.

The blanket in this picture was made and sent to her from her sweet forever friend, Maddox, who was adopted in the same group as she was 5 years ago. She wanted to include it in her pictures. 

Faith RenLan, we are so happy that God made YOU!! Happy 8th birthday! 

Gone Fishing!

The boys have really been loving fishing this year. We celebrated Mig's birthday with all kinds of fishing. 

 He woke up and opened presents.

Then we headed to Bass Pro Shop for their Kid Fish morning.

Faith had just gotten her casts and was still unsteady, so she fished propped up on a rock. 

It happened to be one of the first cold days this year and the fish were not biting much, but Faith caught one little guy! 

We ate at the Rainforest Cafe and then came home for a fishing themed cake.

After cake we headed over to our neighbor's pond for more fishing! As soon as Gabe walked up to the pond, he caught this guy!

Byron got a big one, too - but the one that got away was even bigger - and it took his favorite lure! 

Then Selah caught her very first fish! 

A few days after Mig's birthday pictures he woke up and told me about a dream he had where he fought to pull a HUGE fish out of the pond. After hearing his dream, I made him this picture:

Fishing has become a quick favorite past-time in our house!