As with the rest of the world, COVID19 has seriously changed the way we thought this month was going to turn out! Our hearts have been in much prayer for our friends who have compromised immune systems and for our friends in health care. God has been kind to keep us healthy, and we’re incredibly grateful for weather that’s allowed us to be outside and for social media so we can still be connected to others, even if not face-to-face. As with all things broken, God still is working things for good, and the amount of time we’ve had to slow down and simply be together as a family has been a gift indeed!
Posing at a rest stop looking out at the mountains
We got to the beach right at sundown. This was the first time Malcolm and Cheyanne had seen the ocean, so it was particularly special. Victoria lost her flip flop in the waves a couple of minutes after this (Hurricane Michael hit in Florida while we were there–though we were only on tropical storm warning, the water was super choppy the first three days). This pretty much crushed her little heart. Four DAYS later, Ariana was walking on the beach toward our room and found Victoria’s flip flop!!! I know it sounds so small, but it was huge for our whole family. One more way God just kept showing off all week.
The view from our penthouse balcony. Yep, had to throw that out there cause Bill is a ridiculous deal finder and found this amazing place for way cheaper than he could have found a hotel. It was seriously a penthouse and perfect!
We went running together the first morning there. I hate running but could run on the beach all day long.
The choppy waters brought in tons of sea foam, so our kiddos enjoyed making boots out of it.
Even though we were under tropical storm warnings, we had gorgeous weather every day but one. And the last two days were perfect beach conditions and water.
Lots of sand play and chilling 
Walks on the beach every day. These two little men started holding hands, so I joined in.
A sad boy finding comfort in Daddy
The one stormy day we stayed in the room except to eat out. This little one learned how to play this solitaire game after just watching me and asking a few questions one time. She became addicted!
That night, the storm clouds brought in the most gorgeous sunset of all times. Oh. My. Word!!!
We got this view almost every night.
And sunrises on the balcony. How great is our God!!!
She made a garden with peas, apples, and corn. Shells were the seeds.
Tabernacle Village. With a French accent.
And a hot tub
Chillaxin in the outdoor poor which had a lazy river.
We don’t have Krispy Kreme in Indy (glazed ones in the grocery don’t count!), so when we saw the “Hot Now” sign, stopping was a must.
This guy claimed Miriam as his (her?–we didn’t check…) pet.
At one point Victoria was interviewing me with her corn mic. I had no idea Bill recorded the whole thing. But oh he did and it can be used as blackmail for years to come.
Hayride!
Our friend captured this pic of Bill. I love it so much because Bill had no idea his pic was being taken, and this is simply a Bill look. Just quietly thinking and taking in his surroundings.
Drummer Drumming
Piper Piping
Lord a Leaping
Lady Dancing
Maid a Milking
Swan a Swimming
Goose a Laying–we forgot to have her hold an egg carton in this pic! 
Golden Rings
Calling Bird
French Hen
Turtle Dove
Partridge in a Pear Tree
Trunk or Treating in Franklin, IN
They actually get tons of trick-or-treaters in their neighborhood, something my kids have never seen.
And the last stop was Nana and Peepaw’s house. Andrew Luck, ahem, Peepaw was happily in the driveway passing out candy. So fun!
And here she is proving she’s my clone. Dramatic singing to 80’s music in public places.
And here are the girls. OK, the boys serve, too, as can be seen by Malcolm, but when I originally took the pic, it was truly girls serving and boys playing. 
Goofing off holding hands
Malcolm and Cheyanne’s case worker (she was Heaven and Aiden’s CW, too!) and CASA. Love these women so much!
Grafting them in our family tree
Our friend, Melissa, director of public events and family programs at the Children’s Museum, came by our house on adoption day with gifts of checkers and Chicken Toss. And then she stayed to play one with us. She is so great!
And the staff who work with our kids made these for our family and brought them by for breakfast on adoption day! This still makes me cry. Our family is so well loved by these people, and we are so grateful for each one of them!
She’s a mama bird feeding her regurgitated food to her chicks…
The Bell Family 