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.