Let Freedom Ring

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

The Kiss

Finishing June and beginning July

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

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

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

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

And still more catching up

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

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!