stonewall & jackie...

Some of you might remember that for the 2 months I lived in Lubbock, our family had a cat named Jackie that we placed for adoption to one of our RUF gals! (Mommy & Daddy figured they could only take one of us to Virginia with them... I'd say it was a pretty good trade!)


And even before THAT, long before I was born, Mommy & Daddy also had Jackie's brother, Stonewall, (yes, Stonewall & Jackie...) and it was only natural that we placed Stonewall in a loving home with former neighbors, and original "birthparents" Loyd & Ruth. Stonewall & Jackie were born at their house, and Stonewall really never got the idea that he lived at our place two doors down anyways...


Loyd & Ruth were such sweet neighbors to Mommy & Daddy for many years and really took us in as part of their family. When Ruth had a bad stroke a few years ago that left her mostly paralyzed and took much of her mental quickness, it then became our family's turn to serve them. And they love me so much that now I, Caroline Corbett, officially declare I'm adopting THEM as unofficial grandparents!


Whew! With a schedule like they've got me on around here, you've gotta catch some zzz's when you can...

party animal...

Our first night in Lubbock, our former RUF students threw a surprise party for us! Remember Alyssa? She visited me in Lynchburg this summer and now I'm visiting her!


I was a rock star! I had the boys fawning all over me...


The students went through my bedtime routine with me, ending with the classic "Goodnight Moon." :)


Mommy & Daddy said it was so great to see everybody again! We love these guys!

howdy...

Sorry no pictures on this one... just a quick note to let everyone know we made it to Lubbock after a LONG day of traveling. Caroline did AMAZING, especially considering she was up at 2:30am Texas time. She slept most of the first long flight, and was quiet on the second flight into Lubbock. Can't tell you how many people just stopped, walked up to me, and said, "I just have to tell you... you have the most beautiful baby!"

Had a great visit with lots of folks today & saw our old RUF students at a surprise party they held for us! (pictures soon) Needless to say, we are exhausted, but so happy to be here! More soon...

get your guns up...

I'm all packed and ready to go to Texas, the great state where I was born!


Look at my creative way of "crawling" right now... if I could just figure out how to coordinate my upper half with my lower half, I'll REALLY get moving!


Lift my tummy off the floor? Okay, I'm on to something here...


Get your guns up, Red Raiders! I'm comin' to town tomorrow!

gettin' ready...

I'm gettin' ready to go to Texas! I haven't been on a plane since I was 2 1/2 months old, so this time will be more of an adventure! (especially because I've recently started to how-shall-I-say-it, "find my voice." :) PLUS, I'm still teething and we have to be at the airport by 5am on Thursday, so combine all of that with the stress of traveling with a small infant and things are bound to be interesting)


So while Mommy's been packing, I've been hanging out...


I'm ready to FLY!


Let's just hope the people on the plane think I'm as cute as Mommy does...

just like mommy part 1...

My Mamie sent me my first violin in the mail so that I can be just like my Mommy! You wanna hear something?


Well, first I have to rigorously study the instrument and make sure it's set-up to my exact qualifications. Oh, look how it lights up when I did pizzicato!? (for those of you NON-string players unlike MOI, ;-) that means to pluck the string)


A concert violinist must achieve perfect bow technique.


And we all know how important it is to hold the bow OVER our heads, don't we? :) To be continued...

just like mommy pt. 2...

Hang on. I'm still preparing for my solo debut... I promise it's coming! A professional musician ought not rush through warm up, you know.


First, Daddy thought he would inspire me with his own sonata...


Okay, silence! Maestro, CUE THE MUSIC! This is it! Here I go! And now, performing her first masterpiece on the violin is Caroline Corbett!


(um, I needed a little help. So sue me...) :)

the secret's out...

We're headed to Texas later this week! For my adoption to be finalized, we have a court date in Lubbock next Monday, Oct. 13th at 9:00am. (what we're calling "Gotcha Day"!) We are so excited! A friend from our former church is a lawyer, and he has graciously offered his services to us for free. Wow!

There's nothing scary about this court date-- it should be short and sweet, ending in clapping and pictures with the judge! (hopefully he or she will have time!) The judge will make Mommy & Daddy my legal parents and change my name legally to Caroline Elizabeth Corbett! (Right now I "legally" still belong to our adoption agency because Texas adoptions take at least six months to finalize.)

What makes this even MORE wonderful is that not only do we get to spend a long weekend with our former RUF students, friends, and church family, but we get to eat MEXICAN FOOD AGAIN!!! (well, I don't...) :)

puttin' on the ritz...

Hey! Back from a roadtrip weekend where we went to Miss Shannon's funeral, saw family, and Daddy preached this morning in Danville, VA! whew! Oh, and I forgot to show you I've upgraded to my next carseat! (a big thank you to Auntie's friend, Katie!)


Speaking of family, what do I call the children of Mommy's cousin? Can anyone help me out here? Well, anyway, that's how Jonah, Eva, & Luke are related to me. I loved seeing them again.


Eva & I really hit it off when we're together!


And how much cracker can I shove into my mouth and all over myself at one time? I guess I really love to put ON the ritz... :)

come on, teeth...

It's been a rough few days around here. Would you believe I'm getting MORE teeth?! (the average baby gets their FIRST tooth about right now at 7 months-- I've got 8 so far.) And this has been the worst round yet.


You know it's bad when I won't even eat. I skipped my supper altogether last night and just opted for milk. I've screamed and screamed at all times during the day and night, and yesterday there was nothing you could do to make me happy. I even bit Mommy's shoulder bone while she was holding me! (ouch)


But soon enough after these teeth show up, you can bet I'll be back to my happy, shrill-y old self! Come on, teeth!

timber!...

Who knew how much excitement was waiting for me after I woke up from my nap yesterday afternoon? Some guys came to our house to cut down two HUGE trees in our backyard and I loved watching!


See the guy with the chainsaw? Watch out- here it comes!


Timmmmmberrrrrrrr!!!


Yay!

heavy hearts...

Last night, our dear friend, Shannon, went home to be with the Lord. Our hearts are so heavy for her husband, 2 young boys, and her family, but in the words of Tom, Shannon's husband, last night: "In this time of sorrow we have an even greater hope that we will see Shannon again in a day of joy when she shall have a body that decay cannot touch." Our hope is in a coming day when "He will wipe away tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." -Revelation 21:4


Shannon and Tom, even from across the country, meant so much to our family. Having been involved in RUF at Clemson University and Shannon having attended Liberty, they were so excited and supportive of our new ministry here. With two adopted children of their own, Jakob & Tae, it was Shannon and Tom who encouraged us about the joy and beauty of adoption when we were going through difficult times of infertility. Shannon was SO excited to be apart of our adoption journey, and as you can see from the 1st picture, she was also "Crazy for Caroline" to the very end. We will miss her so much.


Please continue to pray for Tom, Jakob, & Tae. "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep." -1 Thess. 4:14