Centers

In kindergarten this year, Rose is learning how to spell and read.  Her teacher is having the class sound words out to figure out how to spell them.  In addition, Rose has different "centers" in her class for different subjects: Math Center, Reading Center, Game Center, Art Center, Computer Center, etc.

Rose had a friend come over tonight (we are babysitting) and Rose decided to make different "centers" throughout the house with activities for them to do, should her friend want to.  Here are the signs she made with her various centers.

"Airplane For Vacation Center"

 "Art Center"

"Rest Center" 

 "Vacation Center"

 "Dress Up Center"

"Movie and Book Center"

Faith

This week, everywhere I look, there seems to be a message about faith.  I think God is trying to tell me something.  Maybe I should quit being stubborn and listen.  Below are some quotes I have read this week and are really speaking to my soul:

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.  Hebrews 11:1

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase." – Martin Luther King Jr.


"So it's important to have faith.  How do we get our faith to grow?  By reading and believing the word of God, and applying it to our daily life situations, by praying for others and seeing their situations change, and by simply allowing God to take us through hard times and good times.  This will grow our faith." 

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2012!

We had a great night ringing in the New Year with some FABULOUS friends the Lord has blessed us with. As the ladies were sitting around the table, we shared what our goals for 2012 are, (I don't seem to follow through with resolutions).

Some of my goals for 2012
Financial:

• Pay off at least 2 bills.
• Start the homestudy study for our adoption.
• Get gazelle serious with our budget and finances (Dave Ramsey).

Personal/Fitness:

• Exercise at least 3 days a week.
• Fill out and turn in paperwork for my US Citizenship.
• Strengthen the friendships I have with others.
• Make more time for crafting and enjoy the process, not just finishing the project.

Spiritual:

• Read my bible at least 3-4 days a week.  

So, there you have it.  I'm told if you write your goals down, you are more likely to succeed.  They are now written down and I have goals to reach for this year.

Hope your 2012 is the best year yet!

First Day of School and Kindergarten

September 1,  Rose started Kindergarten.  I can't believe my baby is in Elementary School.  She really wanted to ride the bus to and from school.  We compromised, she gets to ride the bus to school, and Mommy gets to pick her up afterschool.  Here are some pictures from the first day.

Neighborhood kids waiting for the bus

 Rose getting on the bus

 Rose sees one of her friends from 4K at school.  She really was happier than she looks

 Rose and her teacher

 Rose and Mommy on the first day of school.

Standing in line to go into school.

Agencies

Received some more adoption agency information today. Combing through it all trying to figure out what agency to go with and what country to adopt from. At this point we are leaning towards Haiti and Ethiopia. As I learn more, I'm reading that to adopt from Haiti, a family needs to be childless or only adopted families, so by that criteria we would be out. Think I'm going to call a few agencies next week to obtain more information.

Please pray for direction in adoption agency and country.

Graduations

We had two graduations in June. Rose graduated from preschool and Ryan graduated from High School. Both have big plans for the future.

- Rose will go into Kindergarten next year, and is hoping she can ride the bus to school.

- Ryan will be joining Americorps for a year or so, volunteering in the California area. He is waiting for his assignment, so he knows exactly where and when he is going. Check out the pictures.

Rose getting her diploma from her teacher Miss Cindy

Walking across "stage" with her diploma

So proud of my little girl

Ryan's Graduation - We were able to go out to Portland for a quick trip. Very proud of him!

The "brothers" - David, Ryan, and Kevin

Ryan and Rosie

Grandma Donna, Ryan, Papa Paul

One very PROUD family!!!!

Adoption

Andy and I have been thinking and talking about adoption for about 2 years now. This year, we decided to move from talking to making progress towards adoption. At this time, progress towards adoption means raising funds for adoption, researching adoption agencies, and being in prayer to follow God's will for our family on our adoption journey.

We'll see where God leads us in our journey, and are excited to be letting people know this has been on our hearts for quite sometime now.

We will be posting updates on our progress as they become available. In the mean time, please pray for us. Pray for our family, the process, and the journey ahead of us.