A little of us

A lot of catchin' up means lots of pictures

2009-01-14T22:10:00.000-08:00

So...here's the scoop. For the most part, these pictures are in order from most recent to ancient history. I didn't put explanations on all of them...but did on many...especially if I thought it needed explaining. I will try to keep these updates a little closer together in the future. Sorry it has been so long!

Joy and Elle showing off their latest fun...jumping on the couch with no cushions!

Joy wanted Elle to ride on her back...how sweet.

Elle's little binky trick.

Joy loved her cousin!

The "Joy" of Christmas cookie baking.

Enjoying the Christmas lights at the train park.

I cut each of the girls' bangs...Joy's turned out pretty normal while poor Elle had to grow into hers...I think they are just now starting to look more normal.

(Elle's cut...thankfully she is too little to be mad at me.)

Papa's shoes.

Joy showing off her new jacket and mittens.

Reading with grandma.

Yum, gingerbread.

Elle can accomplish a lot with only 2 teeth.

An attempt at a family photo.

Our Santa picture.

Joy was hamming it up making these faces.

Ahhh...all the girls know the right team to root for.

They look like top teeth, but they are the bottom ones.

Yum, a sticker.

The fuzzy bee.

The cowgirl.

Halloween day.

First Starbucks beverage.

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

We now have a new camera and I do have a few pictures that I need to add from earlier...but I thought I would get these ones from today up on the blog. Enjoy...I know I do.

Aren't these 2 girls sweet as sunshine?

She picked this one all by herself, what a big girl.

A lovely self portrait.

Here we go.

"I think I'll hold onto this one."

Wheee.

Elle's turn.

Oooo...this feels interesting.

Wish Joy would have been willing to sit with Elle and I.

But we still took advantage of the moment.

Oh boy...what's next?

Elle is just so content...sitting on a bale of hay.

Happy First Birthday, Elle!!!

2008-10-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

First off...I apologize for being so long in adding updates. I misplaced the camera and now it is lost. We got a digital video camera right before Elle's birthday...but unfortunately the pictures are not very good. We just replaced our camera...but these pictures are all from the video camera. You can look forward to better quality and most likely more frequent pictures in the future. This was taken the day after Elle's birthday. Her birthday was on a Thursday but we didn't celebrate it properly until Saturday.
Joy has been full of facial expressions lately...this one is quite common.
Elle enjoying her birthday spaghetti dinner.
Elle opening her present with Joy looking on.
"What is this thing on my head?"

"Ahhh...a box!"
"This ribbon looks fun."
"I do like opening presents."
When you just turn one...a mouth full of food looks awfully cute. She really enjoyed her cake. I don't have a still picture of it, but it was a sunflower cake with a construction paper stem. The cake has a story. I baked the cake early in the day on Saturday and set it on the counter to cool. Suddenly I look and Joy has helped herself to some of the cake. I scold her and set the cake out of her reach. Then our whole group heads to Costco. My parents, my mother in law, my husband, and my girls are all included. My father in law stays at the house to watch the game. When we arrive home we discover that a whole petal is missing from the cake. My father in law noticed that someone had been nibbling on it and thought it was free game. So...I had to think of something to help disguise the missing petal and came up with a green construction paper stem with a bow around it. It actually looked pretty cute and makes for a fun 1st birthday story for Elle.
"Gotta wash that cake right outa my hair." What a happy girl!

Birthday for 2 year old Joy

2008-08-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

The following is the day in pictures of Joy's 2nd B-day. She had a very blue berry day starting with blue berry muffins for breakfast (each had 2 big fat fresh blue berries on top - as well as others throughout- in honor of the 2 year old). She then had fruit salad with blue berries in it for her dinner followed up with blue berries on her birthday cake. Then she ended the day eating blue berries and teddy grahams while watching Madame Blueberry. Enjoy the pictures.

First picture of the two year old right when she woke up.
After church, she had a long nap...so long that I had to go in and wake her, but I first got a picture of the precious, sleeping 2 yr old.
Welcome to the party.
What a smile!
She had fun opening her gifts.She even held the shirt up to herself on her own.Gotta have a picture of the cake.And one blowing out the candles. Here the sisters are playing with some of Joy's new toys.
We walked to the park in the evening. Here is Joy with papa enjoying the view.
A new polka dot nightie for the birthday girl.Joy cuddles with grandma and Elle while watching Madame Blueberry to end her 2 year old blue berry birthday.

Here is a little randomness

2008-07-28T21:17:00.001-07:00

So, I just love these pjs and had to get a picture.
Here is Joy listening to Papa's new MP3 player.
We thought Elle's spikey do was model hair worthy.

Papa's Birthday cake

2008-07-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

I had a special little helper for making Papa's birthday cake. I think Joy had lots of fun! Here are a few pictures to commemerate our time.

And...as this is lame poetry Monday...here is a poem about what happened to the cake:

On top of the car it sat
As Joy in the car did go
Then off we drove without a care
as the cake did balance there

We made it past the stop
On a right turn up the hill
There were cries of what was that
And explanations of the cake just went splat

We turned around to assess the mess
And gathered the plate pieces into a bag
Then we went on our way
But continued to laugh about it all of the day

Let Freedom Ring

2008-07-04T16:19:00.001-07:00

These pictures were taken today. Happy 4th of July! The Approach
The Pull
The Squish
The Cheese

The Kiss

Finishing June and beginning July

2008-07-04T16:09:00.000-07:00

This chalk was a first for us...but it was fun!
I suppose you can hardly see the dress...but I just think it looks idyllic, running through the grass without a care in the world.
She is always ready with a smile!
Elle loves her sister's teddy bear too!
They are so sweet together. This was from yesterday! What cute girls...thanks Dave and Jamie!

Let's Celebrate

2008-06-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

I meant to post about this last week...but didn't. So, no time like the present. We just finalized the adoption of our youngest girl, Elle. She is all ours (well, really the Lord's but I think you understand). It is meaningful to now be a mom not only in action and position but legally as well. The whole court proceding was very sweet and moved me. I think it moved most of the people present. While I was testifying I couldn't look at my family because they all had tears in their eyes. Special is certainly an overused word, but that is really what the hearing was. We forgot our camera, but thankfully my mom brought hers. Now, we just need to figure out a way to get the pictures on my computer instead of hers. (I know this should be simple, but miles can be a bit limiting, especially to quality.) We now are expecting to finalize Joy's adoption in the next couple of months. Even though Elle is the second born, as well as second baby in our home, it is kinda neat that she gets the distinction of being the first adopted. So...both girls will have firsts in our family. We are excited that (if the Lord wills) both girls will be officially ours before summer is over. In the meantime, here are a few pictures from the past couple of weeks. This is a picture of the whole family with our "kid" from Rwanda.

Recently, Joy has taken to wearing other people's shoes. She even mimics her papa by "sprinkling" foot powder in the shoes prior to putting on the shoes.
Elle is such a cute cuddly bunny!Ahhh...so sweet.I wanted pictures of the girls before church in their matching outfits, we just didn't make sure the the matching parts were displayed at the same time. Oh well...still fun.

The shirt says it all!

For those wanting up to date photos, this one is from today. Thanks for the outfit, grandma.

This too is from today...Joy was getting ready for a melt down
But she is still cute.

Ahhh...caught up: Here is Hindurwa

2008-06-04T19:02:00.001-07:00

My husband and I have sponsored a "child" through Africa New Life Ministries for the last 7-8 years. The child we originally sponsored dropped out of the program so we got a new "kid" about a year to a year and a half ago. ANLM has sent a group from Rwanda to the United States the last 3 years...they are called Hindurwa. Our "kid" joined that group this year and we got to meet him this last weekend. The group has performed in Texas, Las Vegas, and all over the Northwest. They perform Rwandan drums as well as songs in English and Rwandanese(?). It has been really special to meet this person whom we can help in a small way. What a blessing and gift from God.Hindurwa drumming...this is very fun to watch.
Joy dancing to the music.
Our "kid" and all the girls.
What a sweet smile.
I was impressed with how comfortable he was holding a baby!

Almost caught up

2008-06-04T18:49:00.000-07:00

So...I decided these photos don't need any explanations...they are just cute.

And still more catching up

2008-06-04T18:35:00.001-07:00

A friend and her little girl came over...the little girl loved holding Elle. Joy liked puckering up.

Elle looks fairly content being held.
The two girls playing.
Elle can be so enthusiastic...my dad says that she is all rays and sunshine.
Joy loves animals!
Just had to throw one in of the jacket that grandma gave Joy.

A trip down memory lane and then still more catching up

2008-06-04T18:03:00.001-07:00

See how small Elle was when we met her?
See how small she was when we brought her home?
This picture was from the end of December/beginning of January.
This is Elle in at the beginning of April, see how big she is?
Ain't she sweet?

I love that little shirt.
Here is the sweet little cowgirl on her horsie.
Joy looks "cool" in papa's sunglasses.
More sunglasses.
They are so sweet together. The other day I was at Safeway and Joy turned around and was talking with Elle in the basket and they were both just giggling and giggling...definitely one of those priceless make your mommy heart swell moments!

More catching up

2008-04-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

Lately, this has been one of Elle's favorite past times...she really likes her fist.
Doesn't Joy look happy with pudding all over her face...she heard that it is really good for your skin.
Opening your mouth is what you do for the camera, right?
Here Joy is opening a little gift celebrating her one year anniversary of being part of our family.
Elle is starting to enjoy hanging around on a blanket. Sometimes her eyes get so big.

Catching up

2008-04-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long...but here are a few pictures from March. I will update with more posts throughout the weekend until things are mostly up to date.

Here Joy is showing a new skill...she can take things to the sink after she is finished with them.
Elle has fallen asleep in the middle of play with her giraffe in her hand.
I love this little look on Elle's face...it makes me think of her grandpa.
Joy enjoying one of her favorite activities...food...and fruit snacks are certainly up at the top of best choices.

Joy loves to talk on the phone...I can just imagine the teen years. :o)

Elle looking sweet in one of her cute outfits. And yes...that is my slipper.What a goofy grin...but don't you love it. I know I do!

So...I thought it was time for more pictures...

2008-03-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

or perhaps more acurately, grandma thought it was way past time for more
pics...so, here they are:

So here is Elle, showing off that sweet smile.

Joy got a horsie, plus a new rain coat...what could be a better combo than ride
'em cowboy in your jammies and your neat coat?

Maybe ride 'em cowboy in your new cowgirl hat!?

Hmmmm...what does this do?

Elle had to model her new outfit. She is sitting on our little love seat
that is no more. It met with a tragic end...two broken legs.
Thankfully, no one was hurt while breaking the love seat.

Strangling is one of the 5 love languages, isn't it? Yep, physical touch.

Another modeling moment.

This is what happens when papa watches Joy all day...she gets to try adventerous
new things. This time it was shaving cream...we decided whipped cream
would be better for next time.

This picture shows off Joy's favorite coat a bit better. She was having a
moment, but she is still cute.

Too cute

2008-02-15T13:30:00.001-08:00

I decided that I needed to start putting some of the bigger clothes on Elle even if they are a little big, otherwise she won't get to wear them...and they are far too cute for never being worn. So, here she is in a very, very adorable little outfit. (Perhaps I am biased...but doesn't it make you go ahhhh?) Below she is offering one of her melt your heart smiles.
Joy didn't want to be left out, so here she is having a drink of water at her table.

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T10:28:00.001-08:00

I made Danish Pastry for breakfast...it is a holliday morning/special occasion family tradition. And boy...did Joy ever like it. The rest of the pictures are for grandma who bought these sweet little outfits for the girls for their first Valentine's day as part of our family. Thanks grandma/mama.

Ain't they sweet...

2008-02-14T10:13:00.000-08:00

Now she can watch what comes out of her mouth. :o)
Ahhh...they're cuddling.Those smiles melt my heart.
Had to show off the sweater and the cute look.
Another modeling moment.

Pictures

2008-01-16T15:20:00.001-08:00

Life has been really crazy lately with lots of unexpected things...but here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.Here Joy is opening one of her gifts on Christmas morning.Papa is putting together his first kid's toy.Joy is sitting at her table reading a fun book. Elle has just started smiling...here she is showing off for us!More smiles.
What a sweet girl!
Joy mixing it up in her kitchen.
What a happy smile.
She's turning on the water to wash something.

Elle at 3 months in the outfit I wore for my 3 month picture.
Here she is in what my sister wore for her 3 month pic.
Joy's hair is finally long enough for pigtails and I had to get a shot.
Here is another one....so cute!

Just had to share this picture of Joy walking around with her bear and her blankie.

I just found this...

2007-12-21T11:47:00.000-08:00

Our computer fizzled sometime in September and with it I lost access to many of my documents. Well, my fine hubby has just rebuilt the computer and with it many of my documents are back. Christmas made me think of our Christmas letter from last year and I had been trying to remember my wording on a little note that I had written. I just came across it and wanted to post it here.

Last year we mentioned that we were planning to pursue adoption and asked that you would pray with us in this. We are again asking you to pray for us as we move forward with the adoption process. Our biggest hurdle at the moment is completing our home study (which involves a bunch of writing and looks intimidating). Please pray we get it done quickly as well as that God gives us wisdom in all aspects of this process. We have also received a very generous gift to aid us in pursuit of adoption. This has confirmed in our hearts, along with other things, that we are headed in the right direction. In the meantime, we are beginning to say that we are expecting. We fully anticipate and believe that we will have a child/children within the next 9 months. Thank you for walking with us! We appreciate your prayers and your support.

The red phrase is the one I was trying to remember. I know that God led us to make that statement of belief and He has been true to fulfilling it. Joy came to live with us in April and Elle was born exactly 9 months after Christmas. Wow!!! How exciting and overwhelming for me to see the way that God answers His child's cry and how He rewards her faith.

This is for Grandma

2007-12-20T15:20:00.000-08:00

My mom was complaining that there were no pictures in my last post so I had to add a few of my recent favorites. Elle was just given this sweet sweater with booties and hat. The booties fit perfect and are so tiny. The hat doesn't really fit (is too small) but I had to get a picture of her in it.
Joy is perched on one of her favorite spots...the dog food can. I just thought her hair looked so cute and curly so I had to take a picture.
Joy loves her teddy bear. It seems to be becoming a more desired item. Isn't she cute!
Elle is in her sweet lavendar outfit. It is newborn size and is fitting her well.
I started taking pictures of Joy and she started tilting her head...so sweet.

Rejoicing

2007-12-15T19:46:00.000-08:00

We recently learned that Joy's birth father is currently planning to voluntarily relinquish his rights. This is huge. We have been praying for God's will and His direction in what is best for Joy and are trusting that this is part of His plan. We still don't know if we will be able to adopt her, but things are certainly looking possible. I wouldn't say probable, simply because so much can happen. But, oh, how encouraging to not have great barriers at this point. We must keep trusting God and His plan.

This year as my birthday and as Christmas approach, I must say that I have a gift that I have longed for for many years...I have 2 little girls under my care. Not only are they under my care, but I am mama to each of them. Right now I know that there is some legal risk with each of them, but oh, what an amazing gift. Jesus came to us in the form of a human baby and Mary pondered all these things in her heart. I have been trying to ponder these two and store up precious memories of them. I am amazed at the way God is answering this heart's desire of mine. I mean we would have been thankful to have one little one in our home this Christmas (last year we really believed we would have a child in our home by this Christmas) but to have TWO is incredible! It makes me want to shout for joy and cry with gratefulness! Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing and is blessing us with earthly blessings as well.

They very much remind me of the hope and ultimately joy that became available to us at Christmas time. May you sense that same hope and joy this Christmas season.

Shameless, I know

2007-12-11T10:40:00.001-08:00

I just think the girls are so sweet and I want to share them with ya'll. I know that my blog hasn't been much of a place for deep thoughts or profound insights, but right now, my life is full of my family. It is amazing to me to have 2 girls in my house this Christmas. Especially being last Christmas without any. I do have to quickly share that Joy had a visit with her birth grandma last week and during the first part of the visit, her grandma was naming various family members who were interested in adopting Joy. I have to tell you that my heart was beginning to do little twists and turns. Eventually the grandma said something along the lines of, "Because I heard that you don't want her anymore now that you have your baby." Wow! I quickly tried to let her know that nothing could be further from the truth. I told her that we "love this little girl" and that "we think it would be a special gift from the Lord to raise two girls so close together in age since my sister and I are so close together in age." I didn't tell her that when we found out about the possibility of Elle, I called to ensure that adopting Elle wouldn't jeapordize our possibility of adopting Joy. I was so thankful that I was told it wouldn't...I don't know what I would have done if they had said it would. Anyway, by the end of the visit, Joy's grandma said that she thought it would be best if Joy stayed with us. She said it about 3 times. I have to tell you that it certainly filled my heart with hope that we might actually get to be Joy's parents for always. I do realize that the grandma doesn't get to choose where Joy goes, but it is nice to know that she is for us and thinks that Joy is in a good place. In the meantime, we keep trusting God. He knows what is best. His will be done. Okay...now for the pictures.

Joy likes holding Elle and asks to do so often. She was trying to hug Elle, Elle wasn't too happy.
I was baking some brownies with nuts in them and Joy needed something to do, so I gave her a cup of flour to play with. This is the end result.
I thought Elle looked quite cute in this little outfit. It is short sleeved, but I tried the layering approach and think it worked.This isn't THE Christmas picture, but it is a preview of what the picture will be like.
Again, I just thought Elle looked too cute not to take a picture.
This picture shows my first attempt at putting a little pony tail in Joy's hair. She doesn't sit still for long so I don't have time to experiment. But, isn't she cute?!

SNOW

2007-12-11T09:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning we woke up to a world of white. Actually...it started before we went to bed and I was up at many various hours during the night so I saw it progressing quite nicely and it looked lovely. Before bed, I prayed that there would be enough snow so that Joy and I could go out and play in it. That was a fun answer to prayer. Joy looked like the marshmallow man all dressed up in her snow suit. She was so cute. I helped her make her first snow angel. I also introduced her to eating snow...she couldn't get enough. She seemed to like the snow and loved being outside. Even though her hands were getting cold, she cried when we came in. Here are a few pictures of the day.

New hobbies and more

2007-11-29T13:18:00.003-08:00

The other day I found Joy beginning a new hobbie. She was combing through our book shelves and stumbled upon a book she decided to look into a bit further. Can you see the Biblical Preaching title? Hmmm...wonder what she will grow up to do?!
Here is a picture of Elle's hand in her papa's hand. It's so tiny, but it is starting to get pudgy.
I had to add a couple pictures of the girls and their papa. I love them all so much!

On another note, we had a bit of a sad incidence here. Our sweet golden retriever bit our Joy. Thankfully it was in the arm. She had a fairly decent puncture wound that they ended up putting 3 loose stitches in. It is healing well and she doesn't seem to be scared of the dog; though he isn't spending much time around her these days. I know he was just being a dog and protecting himself, but oh, how I wish I could reason with him and convince him to never do it again so that he doesn't have to be so isolated. Poor guy. But I need to protect the girls.

Dress up, laundry, and girls

2007-11-29T12:59:00.000-08:00

About the middle of the month, I decided to try a few things on little Elle. So here are a couple pictures. This first little outfit is actually preemie size and fits her quite well. She is just getting into newborn sizes, but those are still large.

Here she is in a 0-3 month dress and little newborn shoes. I don't know if you can see how big the shoes are on her, but they are ginormous.
In the meantime, Joy spends time playing in the laundry basket. Oh, so much fun.
She climbed in there all by herself.

Here is a picture of all the girls. It may not be the best posed picture, but it is fun to have us all together.

The girls

2007-11-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

I finally decided to take a couple pictures of the girls together. I was pleased with how well the older one did with the younger one. That is until she wanted to find out about her eyes. I didn't include that picture. The other day we went on a couple hour car trip for an eye appointment and the older girld was very excited to be in the back seat with the younger one. She kept pointing and smiling. So, here are a couple sweet pictures.

This one is after her second home bath. She always seems to be so alert after a bath. This time she didn't cry but seemed to enjoy it.
Lately the older one has been doing this to the couch cushions because then she can climb up on her own. She has also been reading a lot lately. I thought this was very cute.

First home bath

2007-11-05T18:55:00.000-08:00

Now, I don't have any pictures of the actual bath, I was too busy scrubbing, but I do have a few after shots for you all. She didn't like her bath much and seemed to cry much of the time, but we both survived. She was very alert afterward and had her eyes open more than usual. We are curious to see what color of hair she will have and what color her eyes will be. But I guess we will have to wait it out. She is starting to look a little plump here.

This is a hand towel that I used for drying her off.

All in all, I would say the bath was a success and, Lord willing, we have many more to look forward to.

Halloween

2007-11-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

Now, this is a holiday that can be hard to decide what to do with. I realize that there is certainly a group who values this as a religious holiday, yet most think of it has just a fun day to dress up and eat candy. This is the first year that I have had any children for the holiday. So, with the new little one being so, well, little, we just stayed in. But we did a few fun things, one of which I think I may make into a Halloween tradition. We dressed the older girl in an elephant costume and took a few pictures, ran over to the neighbor's house so she could "trick or treat", and then came back here to pass out candy. In between candy passing, we made cookies. The cookies are the part that I am thinking of making a tradition. We made candy corn looking shortbread cookies. I am such a sucker for shortbread! I think that the next time I make them they will look a little more like they are supposed to...but in the meantime, these looked fairly cute and tasted really yummy. Here are some pictures of the cookies as well as the very cute little girl elephant.

They might not be shaped right, but at least they taste right.
The trunk hung down over her face, so I helped hold it up.
A picture with papa. This is how she looked most of the night while helping to pass out candy.

Sorry, no pictures of the littlest one, though I have a little story. I was feeding the baby a bottle when a couple cute little kids knocked on the door, so I set the baby down and gave out candy...the little boy said, "I know you have a baby...she's cute." So the baby got noticed on her first halloween.

We are all home

2007-10-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we brought the littlest girl home from the hospital. She weighs (as of Saturday night) 4 pounds 8.7 ounces. As most of you who have had first newborn children can imagine, last night was a virtually sleepless night. I am hopeful that it will get better. It doesn't help that I have had a sinusitis and need my sleep to get better. I guess God will have to protect us from each other and from other illnesses. It amazed me how much noise that little girl can make. I think tonight she will be at the far end of our room so that we can all sleep a bit better. The 14 month old is very curious about the new girl. She had such a happy look on her face when she first saw her. She continues to have a smile when she sees the baby. I hope that continues as she learns that it means she has to share...everything. Having a preemie is different than having a newborn, at least that is what I have been told each step of the way. We are going to have to be a bit protective of her since she is especially vulnerable due to her size and her gestational age. That means that I might not be able to take her to the store with me or to church or anywhere where there is a large crowd until April...when flu and RSV season is finished. Life is going to be very different for me for awhile. Anyway, here are some pictures from the hospital and finally our leaving for home.

I thought this bow was sooooo sweet!!!!

Her going home outfit.
Proud Papa holding a wireless baby girl.

Here she is all ready to go.

A picture of us with the newest addition to our family. I hope to have a picture of our whole family soon. Stay tuned. :o)

Time for an update

2007-10-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, so 2 months is a long time to not update things, so, here is an update. Last Tuesday we got a phone call regarding a preemie baby girl and whether or not we were interested in adopting her. We then started praying and elliciting lots of others to pray with us as we made a decision. Wednesday we decided to go for it. So, for a week now, we have been the proud parents of (at most recent knowledge) a 3 lb 2 oz baby girl. She is still nameless, but we have been working on that of late. It is amazing. We got to meet her Thursday and everything looks really positive. We don't know when we will get to bring her home, but we trust that God's timing is good. In regard to our other little one, things are still up in the air in regard to her permanency plan, but we are trusting God. If we do get to raise them both as our daughters, they will be 13 months and 15 days apart in age. We will certainly be busy, but God knew all that as well. It has been amazing to see how God has gone ahead of us on so much. He has provided a place to stay when we are at the hospital, He has provided women to take over for me for the ladies retreat I was working on. He has a place for the college gal that lives with us to be when I'm not here. He has even brought together people to help with Bible study. He is a great and mighty God and is worthy of praise and adoration. I feel very blessed by Him! And, now for a few pictures! Here I am with my tiny daughter.
Our hands by her to show her size.
Celebrating at Red Robin...our favorite chain restaurant!
Our other little one playing the piano!

First Birthday gift of the baby girl's 1st birthday

2007-08-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine came over last night and brought the baby girl her first birthday present.

She enjoyed the package and had fun shaking the gift...perhaps she was trying to figure out what it was.

The bow was easy for her to take off the gift as well as lots of fun to play with once it was off.

This is what was in the package. A very sweet dress that my friend had made.

We had to get a picture of the girl with the dress maker. I can't believe that the baby girl is going to be a year in such a short time. She is growing by leaps and bounds. What a delight she is to us!

some of my favorites

2007-07-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to add a few of my favorite pictures of the baby girl for friends and family to see.

This was from Easter Sunday...the first weekend after we started caring for her.This was from one morning when I had to get her up so I could go to work. I love her hands behind her head and her feet crossed.

(This pic will be back shortly.)

She loves eating and does a great job of feeding herself bite sized foods.

(This pic will be back shortly.)

My mom and dad's beagle also loves eating and is paying close attention in case there is anything left over.

(This pic will be back shortly.)

She just looks so happy and content!

This picture was taken at camp, within minutes after she took her first full step.

She thought the slide was really fun. She actually even climbed up the whole thing backwards. (I, of course, had my hands right behind her in case she needed help, but she didn't.)

She looks so studious in this picture. Just studying the book.

And this is her first experience with sand. She even tried tasting it and didn't find it to her liking.

Adoption Update

2007-07-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have been pursuing adoption fairly actively since for almost a year. Along the way we have seen God answer some prayers in neat ways. (like making room for us on a plane and providing money for us). But we are still waiting. We did, however, find out that right now we are the only family in the adoption agency we are working with that can adopt. We know it won't be that way for long, but for right now we are the only option. The state we are going through just made an adoption law that all adoptive parent need to have FBI clearance. The state we reside in already had us do this, so we are all clear in that regard. We got an email today from the agency saying that they received the info and that they currently have one family (us) that can adopt. Now, since we are out of state, we may not be as desirable with some birth moms, but if we are the only option, we just might be more so than before. Ahh...we will have to wait on God and see if He pulls a power play. :o)

Ponderings on a can of worms

2007-07-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I think I will open up a can of worms here. Lately I have been thinking about politics. For one thing, it seems there is so much to know that one can spend all of their time with it and I know that isn't something that I want to do. So, I probably err on the side of somewhat ignoring it. But what I have been pondering lately is whether or not it is good to be involved. There is part of me that doesn't want to have to answer to God for putting someone in office who didn't kill babies but who did ignore the poor and the widowed/orphaned as well as God's creation or the flip side, who tended to God's creation and the poor as well as widowed/orphaned but continued to kill His children. Both of them are wrong. Neither party seems to have a complete Biblical view. (I do realize that these are secular parties, but I still want to make decisions in a Godly manner based on His word.) So then, it leads me to consider not voting for either and instead asking God to put who He wants in leadership. But then, perhaps I will have to answer for sitting by and not making a difference through the opportunities given me. All that leaves me going in circles. Do I vote, do I not? If I do vote, who do I vote for? What grid do I run the candidate through to decide? Sometimes I feel like a handsoff approach is much easier, but I am not sure that is right either. hmmm....what do you think?

Boy, that girl likes to swim!

2007-07-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post a few pictures of the baby girl enjoying swimming. She thinks it is fun whether a pool, a lake, or a river!
This was her first swimming experience. The pool was a nice 86º and she thought that was just right!
But then we tried a cool lake and she didn't mind that either. This picture is taken in a river. She loves to splash the water.
She didn't mind the cool of the river. She just likes the fun of kicking her legs in the water and splashing her hands. She almost seems like she could take off swimming.

Hello and other ramblings

2007-07-10T22:38:00.000-07:00

I decided that the website I was using for blogging didn't really meet my blogging needs. I wanted people to be able to post comments and such and there wasn't anyway to do so unless they opened an account. Anyway, I opened a gmail account and then created a blog. Fun!

The hubby and I went on our first real date in 3 months, since having a certain baby girl enter our lives. We had a nice time. It was nice to be out together without worrying about the little one. Though, I must confess that I did wonder how she was doing and if everything was okay.

She is getting so big. She is now 11 months old and is so close to walking. I'm not in a hurry, though there is a part of me that is proud of her making steps toward growing up. :o)

Now that we have had her for 3 months, I am thinking that I need to begin to work on molding some of the traits that I want to see in her. And...I have no idea how to do this. She seems to be kinda whiny when things don't go her way or when we aren't fast enough at getting what she wants. I really want to try to curb this, but am not sure how. I am open to suggestions. I certainly pray about it and ask God for wisdom on how to raise her as long as we have her.

Well, I think this is a decent start. I will be back again later!