Okay, here is the next installment of Tate Time, thanks to my friend reminding me that she checks in with me here. Boy, she has not gotten much info lately because it has been so long in between postings. We have been a busy crew but here goes....

As of October 13, 2010, Sam celebrated his 2nd "gotcha day". We have had him with us for 2 wonderful and very blessed years. He has changed so much in just a year, it is amazing to watch him learn and grow. He has such a cute personality and is so sweet!! Max loves to be a big brother (most of the time) and Sam loves being the little brother (well, again, most of the time!) Both boys are doing well. Max is now a 6th grader and thinks he has arrived. I will welcome any comments on how those of you who survived the pre-teen, and then teenage years, accomplished such a feat...with you and your child remaining in one piece!!!! Well it has been said that what doesn't kill you will make you stronger. Let's hope that is true for us and Max!! I am so glad I can trust the Lord to bring us all through this because on my own.... I don't even want to think about it on my own!!!

Dave is still at New Prospect Baptist. We celebrated our 5th year in June....wow!! That's the longest we have stayed put since getting married 12 years ago(we celebrated that anniversary in August)! Oh well, time flies when you're having fun!

Okay, before I add any more cliches to this post, I will just add some pics and be done. Hope everyone is doing well and like always, I will try to post more frequently. Love to you all, Shannon

I didn't realize how long it has been since I entered a blog post! Well, here goes for anyone who may still be watching this site. We have had an eventful 2010 so far! Love having 2 boys, one finished 5th grade and the other is now finishing everyone's sentences!! Max is 11 and just entered the 6th grade! Going back to public school this year will be an adjustment but he was ready!! Sam will be 3 in November. It is hard to believe he has been with us for almost 2 years now. Well, actually, time has flown by and we wish it would slow down a bit!! Our summer started off with a bang and kept going. Between baseball, church, youth events, and mission trips we haven't slowed down. Youth camp this year was at Myrtle Beach where we went to SeaSalt and Missions (S.A.M)! We had a blast. Then off to Canada, eh!! Spent 8 days in Halifax working with a local community church. Beautiful country, beautiful people!! Back home to VBS at church and then off to vacation before school began. All kinds of other stuff was sandwiched in between. It would take many blogs to cover it all so I will just leave with some pics to highlight and then maybe I will try and be more diligent!! Love to you all, Shannon

Hey, I hope you all have had a wonderful new year! It has been several months since the last blog but hopefully some will still check in with me in from time to time. Max and Sam are great and I have started a new job at SRMC. Changes are good, but adjusting is difficult sometimes. I'll keep you posted! Here a few recent pics!! Love you all!!

Sam's Gotcha Day- 1 year anniversary 10-13-09

Today is a great day!! Not because of the perfect weather or the fact that Max had some really good grades this past week. No, today is most special because one year ago we welcomed a very special little boy into our family. Today is Samuel Davidson Tate's "gotcha day". October 13, 2008, in the lobby of the beautiful Gran Tikal Futura Hotel, a very small, shy, precious baby was brought into our world and immediately took his place in our hearts. Please celebrate with us today as we think on all of the joy he has brought to our entire family. We wish you all could experience the tremendous emotions that have come watching him bond, grow and learn with us. Everyone tells us what a blessing we are to him, taking him into our family and giving him a place to call home. That so pales in comparison to what he has done for us. Max has learned how to be the best big brother ever. Dave has learned that Sam loves to be 6'7" because he wants "dada" to carry him everywhere. I have learned that you don't have to wonder if you will love an adopted child just like you love your biological child... you do!! Grandi has learned that if Sam says get down in the floor with me, it is not always easy to get back up! Papa has learned that he really did hang that moon and if Sam ever wants it back then papa should deliver it immediately! Aunt Ally has learned that she can't make Sam laugh so hard because he forgets to breathe! (She also taught him to say "Go Cocks!" but we don't use that cheer in our house.) Carey and Amber have learned Sam is a great way to practice for when they have one of their own. (They also taught him how to say "Roll Tide!", another SEC term we don't use in our Gator Nation!!) Grandma Tate has learned that all the time she put in to crocheting those blankets was worth it. Grandpa Tate has learned that love has no borders. I guess we will continue to learn from Sam each day God blesses us with his smiling face. Here are some pictures of that sweet face from the past year. Thank you to our family and friends for all the prayers and blessings. We love you very much!! Shannon