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.

Palindromes

Palindrome (noun)
A word, line, verse, number, sentence, etc. reading the same backwards as forwards, as Madam, I’m Adam, or Poor Dan is in a droop

Saturday morning, Rose woke up at 6:00 am, comes into our bedroom and asks if she can sleep with me until it’s time to get up, Andy had to work on Saturday. At 7:00 am Rose wakes me and asks if it’s time to get up.

Mom: “We can get up now, let’s get some breakfast.”
Rose- jumps to her feet, and says very excitedly: “Mommy, did you know a palindrome is the same forwards and backwards, like Mom and Hannah?”
Mom: “Yes, you’re right; those are palindromes, where did you learn this?”
Rose: “Miss Cindy from school taught it to us”

I think she was waiting all morning to tell me that.

For the rest of the day and weekend, we tried to think of other palindromes and here is the short list we came up with.

Mom
Dad
Hannah
Noon
Kayak
Poop

Rosie's 4th Birthday Party

This year Rosie decided she wanted to have a Princess Tea Party. She invited some friends from her new school and old school. We were very excited when two friends and their mom's were able to join us for a Royal Tea Party to celebrate Rosie's 4th Birthday.

What we had planned was, when the girls arrived, they would put on their Princess clothes (crowns and tutus), make their Princess Wands and Princess Jewelry (necklaces and bracelets). Then they would play "Kiss the Frog", have a tea party, eat a hot dog lunch, open presents, eat cake and play. What was planned and what actually happens are not necessarily the same. When the girls arrived, they went straight to Rosie's room to play. We did have them put on their tutus and crowns. After gathering the girls, we decorated wands and made necklaces and bracelets. The girls then had a tea party and filled up on juice, apple slices, and graham crackers. While the parents ate lunch, Rosie showed the girls her play room and played outside on the swing-set. After lunch, Rosie opened presents, had cake and ice cream, played "Kiss the Frog" some more and played with her gifts. She had a great time! Happy 4th Birthday Rose!

Before the party began. Tutu's, crowns, and table set for a Royal Tea Party.

Decorating Princess Wands

Cece, Rose, and Kalli

Rosie playing "Kiss the Frog"

Like Pin the Tail on the Donkey, but you put the Lips on the Frog.

The Frog has been Kissed. Where is the Prince?

He will come MANY, MANY, MANY years from now.

The Little Princesses enjoying their tea party

Playing on the swing-set.

What a BEAUTIFUL day!

Kalli, Cece, Renee, Rosie playing on the swing-set.

Rosie opening gifts

Wow! A jump rope. Now I just need to follow 3 special steps just like on Special Agent Oso to learn to jump rope.

Yeah! A new Dora movie. Can we watch it mom, can we?

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday Dear Rosie! Happy Birthday to you!

Eating cake.

The Three Little Princesses

Cece, Rosie, Kalli

A year ago today...

...we arrived in Wisconsin. Andy, Rose, and I drove across the country and arrived in our new town a year ago today. What a year it has been.

Fall Colors

While there were still leaves on the trees, the fall colors were AMAZING. Here are some pictures from outside our front window.