Is it really fall?

We have had a beautiful fall and lots of bright sunny days--today is 65 degrees and I am loving this little stretch of Indian summer!!. We are so thankful for the great weather and that the kids can still play outside without their coats. We have been busy with school, sports, work and church things. Kevin was able to take a trip out west to go hunting but sadly missed the "big one". He will try to do some hunting around home with Austin too. Mariah is enjoying playing basketball and Nolan will soon start it as well. Austin is done with football and enjoys a little break right now before baseball in the early spring. Anjali is loving school and doing well. Can't believe that in a few weeks we will celebrate Thanksgiving--Thank you God for our many blessings!

What a day!!

It has been a great day out here in Montana! We are having an awesome time and enjoying God's beautiful creation!! We arrived at the Bed and Breakfast in Whitefish yesterday and started checking things out. Today we went to the beach, white water rafting and had steak dinners on the riverbank after that. YUM!!! As we were finishing dinner we seen a black bear on the shore of the river who then went swimming across the river. It was so cool to see a bear (I was just glad it didn't come too close). Kevin got some pictures of it so hopefully I can post those soon. Nolan had a blast celebrating his birthday today and even enjoyed cake tonight at the Lodge that we picked up at the bakery. We are having and amazing time together and making some unforgettable memories!!
We are so blessed to be able to do this with our family!

Summertime

In the past Summertime has meant more relaxed days, less going on and hanging out with the kids. This summer has been so busy so far and I can't believe it is more than half over. I don't even want to think about that. We have been busy with so many different things but are enjoying the hot weather we are blessed with. We have camped, spent time at the neighbor's pool, been to the beach as much as we can, gone to softball games (lots of them), spent time at the lake on a friend's boat, hanging with friends and are getting ready to go on a long family vacation. We are so excited to take a vacation together and look forward to making many memories before school starts again. The kids are all keeping busy and enjoying the summer days. Here's a look at what we have been up to.

MJ playing softball


Anjali loves to tube


Austin learned how to barefoot at the lake


Having a ball in Grandpa's jeep


Hanging out at the lake on a beautiful summer night

From the beginning of time

Three years ago today our adoption application was accepted by Holt International. We knew that we were following God's call to adopt but also knew there were many unknowns in adopting. At that time we requested a girl between the ages of 2-4 from India. We knew God had an incredible plan with all the details already worked out-- the waiting and praying began. We were filled with excitetment as we began to think about the girl that God would bless our home with. We wondered so much about her--how old she would be, what she would look like, what her "story" would be and how she would get along with the other kids and so many other things. Even in the midst of our wondering and excitement God knew because he knows everything that this little girl was to be ours and was in His plan from the beginning of time. How could we have imagined this little princess would be part of our family?



We can't imagine our life without Anjali. He knew how she would touch us, change us and call our family her "forever family". We are so thankful and know that this was God's plan from the begining of time.

She was a gift

Last week Wednesday March 3 God called home one of his beloved saints who happened to be my Grandmother. She was 93 years old but one would never have guessed that if you met her. She was relatively healthy, remembered so many things about all of the kids and great grand kids, enjoyed getting out quite often and loved it when visitors stopped by to see her. She even loved to go shopping. As we laid her to rest today I was reminded of what a loving, dedicated, caring and sweet person she was. I can only imagine the conversation when she met God face to face and when He said "well done my good and faithful servant". What an awesome image that is! We thank God that she did not suffer and that she went to be with Him so peacefully! She was a very special gift to our family-- but Jesus is the best gift any of us can ever get. We have that assurance that we will see her and Grandpa again someday because of Jesus great love for us and his death on a cross. We love you Grandma and we will miss you!!!

How time flies

Christmas and New Years have come and gone and we're already alomost 2 months into 2010. WOW! We celebrated Anjali and Mariah's brithdays in the past week too. I can't belive our sweet MJ is already 12 years old. She is so much fun and enjoys life. Anjali turned 5 last week-She had a great birthday and had fun with cousins and grandparents at her party. She continues to learn so much and is as sweet as ever. She is so imaginative and loves to play with her horses and read books. The kids have off school tomorrow so we are heading up north to visit some friends and are looking forward to a fun time. There is usually not a dull moment around our house. We have been enjoying the Olympics the past week on TV too.

Where does time go??

One year ago today we walked off the plane with our new daughter and introduced her to her family and many new friends. We can hardly believe that she has been with us for a year. We had the days when we asked each other "what have we done" to days when we could hardly believe that she was finally here with us and we were all together as a family. We love that little girl so much and are so thankful for her loving spirit. She has adjusted so well and is getting so excited for Christmas and has a really long list of things she would love to have. It doesn't matter where kids are from but they all know about gifts and presents.We talk about Christmas and how we celebrate Jesus' birthday and how much he loves all of us.

She is getting ready for a girl's/cousin slumber party tonight at Grandma's and is so excited for it. I'm sure they will have a great time!

We love you Anjali!!

One year Ago-Part 2

Our first meeting


One year ago today Kevin and I walked into the orphanage to meet our daughter for the first time. It was an exciting time--I couldn't wait to see her face to face, touch her and just kiss her. It was an amazing day and she warmed up to us by the end of the visit. We are so amazed at how much she has learned since that day and how well she has adjusted to all the new things around her. She has learned a new language, eats different food, has new friends, goes to a new school, lives with her family, wears different clothes, goes to church and many other things. I am not sure how I would have adjusted to all these new things but we are so proud of her and that she has just learned so much. She seems to be very happy (most days--I keep reminding myself she is 4). She loves to sing, listen to music, eat KIT-KATS, color and doodle, go shopping for new clothes, play Legos, play house, ice cream, watching BOZ videos, popcorn, playing outside, camping, going to the beach, going in her sister's bed and even cuddling with mom on those days when we can sleep in a little.
We are so thankful for the many blessings we have and we continue to thank God for the amazing adoption story we have to tell. We know that he guided us each step of the way on our journey and placed Anjali in our family for a reason. Thanks for your prayers and thoughts for our family the last year--we couldn't have done it without the support of friends and family.

One Year Ago

We were warmly welcomed on our arrival in Mumbai


The long plane ride to Mumbai


Anjali's referral photo

It's hard to believe that one year ago we were on a airplane for many hours beginning our (physical) journey to India to pick up our daughter. We could hardly believe that we were going to meet Anjali who was already so loved in our hearts and who we had been praying for so long. As I rode on that airplane one year ago I kept thinking with each passing hour that we were getting closer to holding this precious little girl in our arms! I remember crying couple of times as I thought about her and that she was in for a really big change in leaving her familiar world to come home! We prayed for her and that she would bond with us and that God would give her peace about it all.

It has been an amazing year with many blessing and some challenges but God has shown his faithfulness and plan. This little girl is such a blessing and we are so thankful that God has given us the privilege to be her parents and family. We love you Anjali! I'll write more about her soon and what she has been up to in the last several months.

A Princess and an Army Ranger

Nolan and Anjali had fun tonight dressing up and going around the neighborhood with other kids. We are not big fans of Halloween day but it is fun for the kids to dress up and get some candy. Since it wasn't too warm Anjali did start getting a little cold, looked in her basket and told me "I have enough candy, let's go home now." I think she thought the whole idea of going to people's doors and saying "trick or treat" and then they give you candy was a neat thing. She and Nolan had fun tonight. Mariah stayed back at the house and passed out candy. Austin had some friends over and watched a movie and the World Series (and enjoyed candy).

A busy and fun filled week

The kids started school this week, except Anjali who starts in a couple of weeks. The week went pretty good yet it's hard to believe that school has started. This Holiday weekend has been a nice little break already.
Anjali's adoption was also finalized this week so she is legally ours!! It was a neat ceremony and we are so thankful that Grandpas and Grandmas and Aunt Amy were able to join us for that. Thank you! We really appreciate all of the love and support you have given us. We are so excited that Anjali is forever a member of our family. She is now a citizen of the USA!!!

Is it FALL?

With the cooler temperatures today it feels like it is more like Fall than late August! It sure has been a strange day with the weather. It was a nice morning for a bike ride though with great friends. The kids played inside for a while then when the sun came out they were back outside. Looking forward to worshiping our awesome creator tomorrow.

Lazy days of summer are almost over

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It is hard to believe that in one week from Monday the kids are going back to school. Austin is excited to be staring high school and is enjoying playing football. He is going to be one busy kid when he adds homework to his plate. Mariah is excited too for 6th grade and looking forward to be in Middle school. She is also playing fall softball for about a month so that should keep her (and her parents)busy as well. Nolan is looking forward to 1st grade and is excited that he has a couple of his friends in his class. Anjali is more than excited to go to preschool and I'm sure 2 mornings will hardly be enough for her. I can't believe that she is already going to school. I am certain that she is going to love every minute of it!!

Yesterday was the 9 month anniversary that Anjali arrived in America. I was thinking of all the things she has learned in that time and how proud of her we all are! She is an amazing little girl, sweet natured, sensitive, willing to try new things and so full of love. She is speaking English so well and using words in the correct context. I think so much of last summer when we thought about her constantly and how we wondered what she would be like and what kind of personality she would have. God is so good and his ways are perfect--his choosing our family for her was perfect. Sometimes it seems like she has been with us for much longer than 9 months. I know that adoption is not for everyone but if there are any of you out there considering it or having thaoughts about it take it to God on your knees in prayer. She has been such a blessing to our family and we can't imagine not having followed God's call for our family. When God led us down the long path of adoption we did have doubts at times about it but we have learned that when you do step out in faith and follow God's leading he will bring blessing. We continue to praise him and thank him everyday for his faithfulness to us!

Summertime!!

Can it really be that August is almost here? Where has summer gone? Our family has been keeping busy and yet we are trying to enjoy the days of summer that are going by too quickly.
Austin graduated from 8th grade and will soon be heading to high school--Yes, I did say High School. We can hardly believe that our oldest is already 14 and going into high school. He is very excited and is also going to play football this fall. He is looking forward to this and wants to give it a try. He has had a lot of fun this summer wake boarding and hanging out with friends.
Mariah finished up with softball last weekend. After the regular season finished she played on the All-Star team and had so much fun meeting new people and playing ball. We are so proud of her as she played very well and learned so much. She has been a big helper to mom this summer and watches her sister when I have some work to do. She hangs out with friends and enjoys baking too.
Nolan just turned 7 last weekend. Can't believe that he is going to be a 1st grader in just a few weeks.He loves to be outside and has been catching frogs in the pond (swamp ) behind our house. He also had a lot of fun playing baseball this summer with Kevin as the coach!
Anjali has been home now for 8 months. She continues to do well and is growing a little I think! She plays with a little girl in the neighborhood and they have lots of fun together. She has adjusted amazingly well since coming home. She had a blast camping and is learning how to swim. We love her so much!!
Our friends from Canada (Conrad, Rhonda and their son David) were in town this past weekend and we had a awesome time with them. We are so blessed by their friendship and we are thankful that they were able to come and spend some time with our family.
We thank God for his many blessings and praise Him for them.