Baby Shower!

A couple of my dear friends from church, Jennifer and Tami, are throwing us a baby shower on April 20th!

I'm so humbled by their love and generosity, I don't quite know what to do with myself. We don't have any family in town, so our friends at church serve as our family here. They have loved and embraced us just like family, and we are truly blessed.

This shower will be such a treat, especially considering how tough these past days and weeks have been.

I don't even like to talk about it, because there's nothing I can do to change it, but every day that goes by without getting our LOA ends in sadness for me. It's another day Kelly has spent in an orphanage, no closer to coming home than the day before. It kills me too, knowing her first birthday is on the 29th of this month. I so hoped to spend her first birthday with her- or at least knowing I'd be traveling to get her soon after. Now it looks like we'll be lucky if we travel before the fourth of July, the way things are going. I honestly don't know how to handle the sadness of that reality- the sadness that comes with each day that I don't hear anything. I'm just functioning the best I can and trying to stay productive- but on the inside, I'm just sad sad sad.

I look forward to this baby shower- even though I've been sad and it's been hard, it will be a wonderful day to enjoy our precious friends, and a day to focus on all that we have to look forward to.

I'm so happy to know Kelly will one day come home, not only to her mommy, daddy, brother and sister who love her so- but also to a warm and loving church family who are all so eager to wrap their arms around her and embrace her with all that they have. We are so blessed to be surrounded with such loving people. Kelly has no idea what's waiting for her, but boy is the love that she's going to be surrounded with going to knock her socks off! She's going to eat it up, I'm sure!

Precious Friends

While in the Bay Area, we were able to pay a visit to some very good friends- a very special family we have grown to love over the past several years. Here the kids are, climbing trees and having fun together.

It was so wonderful to see them- Blake and Britney have grown so much! What sweet children they've always been, and what well-rounded individuals they're becoming! They're such a solid, loving family.

I just have to say- Debbie went above and beyond the call of duty! Knowing Camryn was away from home for her birthday, she baked a birthday cake for Camryn and had candles for her to blow out and everything! Thanks Deb, for making Camryn's birthday away from home so special!

It was great to reunite with good friends- we're blessed to have such great people in our lives.

OOTM

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND- STATE COMPETITION!




What an amazing bunch of girls!
Camryn had a blast with her team-
all six girls are pictured below
in their classic pyramid pose!


Here they are with their awesome coach, Mr. Frolli.

After all their hard work, the girls didn't end up moving on to the next level in the competition. They ran out of time while they were finishing the technical element of their performance, which ended up costing them crucial points and put them in 7th place. They were all pretty disappointed, but considering there were 50 teams at the beginning, coming in 7th isn't so shabby. These girls really shined and should be very proud of themselves. I know I am!

Guitar Hero & Pre-Birthday presents

Since we were heading out of town the day before Camryn's birthday and we'd be gone for her entire "birthday weekend," we decided to let her open a few birthday gifts the night prior to our leaving.

Notice how Caleb finds a way to entertain himself while his sister gingerly opens her presents.

Oh Caleb!

Lots of fun "My Scene" Barbies and accessories came from Nana! Such fun!

Oh My Goodness! What is this????

Guitar Hero?!! NOWAY!!!

Of course, she had to break it open and begin the jam session immediately!

This is serious business- just look at that concentration.

Of course, Caleb had to get in on the action!

What fun this game is! If you've never played it, or watched your kids play it- you should! It's quite an experience.

I've got more pictures from our weekend to come soon...

Odyssey of the Mind

Our daughter, Camryn, has been involved in the extra-curricular activity called "Odyssey of the Mind" this year. Back in February, Camryn and her team won first place in the Regional competition! Now they are preparing to compete at the State level this weekend! These girls are a smart and creative bunch- I have no doubt they will do great!

We'll be traveling to the competition, and it just so happens to be on Camryn's 11th birthday, so we're going to make it into a fun birthday trip for the entire family to celebrate Camryn, her birthday, and her accomplishments!

God speed my little sweetie! We're so proud of you!

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Here's my niece, Hannah, opening an early birthday present from us when she was here.




Today is Hannah's birthday! She's FIVE YEARS OLD today! Look how BIG she's getting!

Where did the time go? I still remember when she was an itty-bitty thing when we first met her 2 1/2 years ago. (Well, truth be told, she's still pretty itty-bitty!)

We love you Hannie, and we miss you terribly. You are a precious gift from the Lord! We pray He blesses you with a year full of wonder as you learn a little bit more about HIS GREAT LOVE FOR YOU.

Congratulations on turning 5! Have a fun-filled birthday, sweetheart!

Here is a verse from God's word, just for you today:

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is with you,

He is Mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

I pray you hear His singing as He rejoices over you!

My Pilot

As most of you may know, Clint has been taking flying lessons for the past several months in pursuit of becoming a pilot with the department. Well, last week, he took his test to become a private pilot, and he passed with flying colors (no pun intended ;)!
Here he is with his instructor, Jack, after he passed the test--


He is well on his way, and I'm so proud of him. I admire his drive to go after what he wants and his energy and perseverance to carry it through to the end.
Now he will continue with getting his IFR (Instrument Flight Rating) as he must be "instrument rated" to become a pilot with the department.

You go, Babe!
I love you!!!

Sweet Treats!

Our neighbor, Emily, who's almost 3, and her mommy, came over to deliver us some Easter goodies yesterday. We have the BEST neighbors- they are always so thoughtful and generous.

Aren't these little bunny cars the cutest thing ever? (Okay, except Caleb's didn't survive long enough to get a picture taken before he devoured it!)

God's Little Wonders

Happy Easter!

Even though it's been a little sad and lonely around here since my sister and her kiddos left yesterday, we were blessed to enjoy an unexpected little visitor today!

We were all laying in the backyard, just sunning and chatting with each other. Camryn was sitting on the rock waterfall, and all of the sudden, she spotted a ladybug!

Now it's always special to spot a ladybug when you're in the midst of this adoption process- seeing that tiny, spotted creature in this great, big, busy world just gives you that ray of hope you need to keep holding on- that your lucky day is coming soon!

How special too, that Camryn spotted her today, on Easter Sunday of all days- a day where we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord. It just feels significant- reflecting on the new life this day represents, and the new life we can't wait to begin with Kelly once we bring her home. I know God is reminding me that He is with her today- just like His love raised Jesus from the dead, His love will raise Kelly up and bring her to us in His perfect time.

You know, that reminds me! It was Easter Sunday, 1994... I was pregnant with Caleb, and we had come home from church and a nice, big, yummy Easter brunch. I laid down on the couch and took one of those nice, long Sunday afternoon naps! I'll never forget- I woke to the strange and wonderful feeling of Caleb's little legs, kicking inside of my womb. It was the first time I felt him kick! Oh, the wonder I felt that day!

It may not be the same experience- I can't feel Kelly's kicks inside of my womb, but the feeling of wonder I have is the same. Even though the flutter may not be in my womb this time, it is in my heart, and I will cherish the significance of this day just the same!

Avila Beach

Yesterday, we took a trip to the Pacific Ocean! This was Eli & Hannah's first time to see it. Here are some pictures of everyone enjoying our day at the beach!