One More Forever Family...

Not us...yet, but we are excited for the couple we met online who are also are adopting from the Philippines. They are close to our age and were accepted in Sept. 2007 as well. We have been following their story on their blog. They received a referral for a 15 month old boy on Monday. We are so excited for them. Yes, it brings about a little voice within that says, "What about us? We want a referral, too." But, seriously, I know God is blessing our adoption and theirs as well and this is all in His hands. Maybe our child isn't ready for us yet. I can be excited for them and know our day of excitement is coming. Besides, we can learn a thing or two or three or more from them about the whole travel experience. Check out their story...

http://ribaradoption.blogspot.com/

And keep checking back for our moment! Thanks for your continued prayer support.

Paradise....aka Hilton Head Island

Here are some pictures from our recent vacation to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. My sister and her family joined us for the trip. If you have never been there before, we recommend it. The weather is wonderful, the beaches beautiful, the island is pretty. It was wonderful!


Fourth of July Beauties, Ashleigh & Elena


Family Picture by the Palm trees


My Sister's Family...
Tonia, Ted, & Elena
by the palm Trees

More pokes...

Hello! We are back from a very relaxing trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina...aka paradise on Earth! We had a wonderful time with my sister and her family. We biked, we swam, we soaked in the sun, and we cried at the thought of returning to reality....

Back to life, back to reality...

So we are here. Today, the three of us ventured to Henry Cty. for our Hep A immunizations. Tomorrow I will get my second dose of Hep B. All part of the pre-traveling plans to go to the Philippines. I don't mind the shots-as long as I don't watch! Now, Ashleigh, she half enjoys getting shots. She likes to watch the needle go into her arm. Strange child-makes us wonder if some sort of medical career is in her future. I've thought of med school and nursing but I'm not sure I can get past the needle thing.

Anyways, we're home. I promise to post some HHI vacation pics sometime this week. It'll be a busy week as I help Ash finish her 4-H projects. She has her dog project judging this Thursday and her sewing project next Tuesday (which her grandmother is helping her with-I don't even sew on buttons!). I am also trying to finish up the last of my Activity Director Course modules 1-3 to send out. The fun part will be making copies of 500 papers so that if they get lost in the mail, I have back-ups. Well, we are off to bed. We want to be well rested for our first day back to work. Yuck...can someone take me back to the beach!

Short and Sassy

"They made me get a haircut! My fur was all matted so they took me to that groomer lady who cut me really short. She did give me yummy treats, though!" (in the words of Franklin)

Yep, he got a haircut. It's actually kind of cute but makes him look really ornery. He's still sassy but he's stolen our heart. We love our dogs. It's amazing how much dogs work their way into your heart. Check out the picture I snapped of Kody and Franklin actually sleeping side by side. Kody usually doesn't tolerate him that close unless they're play fighting!

Franklin's Diaper

Okay, I promised Kristy, I would post this picture. We were having a lot of trouble with Franklin marking territory on everything in our house so we resorted to a doggy diaper. Ashleigh took it one step farther and dressed the little guy. I had to snap a quick picture, he doesn't stand still for long. He actually stopped for a quick moment to let Ash pet him before running off again. He has what we call terrier fits where he runs circles around the house 100 miles an hour. We have to report, that he is doing much better now and the diaper is on the shelf in the closet. He is such a lovable little guy, full of energy, loves bouncing rubber balls, and always ready to play!

Alright, now back to that book report...

My little Junior Historian

Isn't she cute? Ashleigh is a Junior Historian at the local living history museum. It's a fun place to go and see history in a fun, alive way. She participated at Spring on the Farm and her job was to play with the old toys to demonstrate how children would have played back in the day. She loved it!

Homework

Homework is not as fun as it used to be. You're wondering...was homework ever fun? I always loved school, but now it's not so fun. Our social worker told us to keep busy while we wait, so I am, but it's not fun. I am working on the MEPAP, the course required to become a certified Activity Director. When I am finished, I will get three little letters behind my name, ADC. It's a good thing for job security, and I like what I do, but this course I could do without. I am writing a book report now. It's the last of my big projects for Modules 1-3 before I start Modules 4-6, the management aspect of my job. I do have to recommend a good book- "Life is so good" by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman. This man, George, was 101 at the time the book was written-he had never learned to read or write and finally realized his dream when he got to go to school at the age of 98. Can you imagine? It's pretty inspiring. Anyways, needed a quick break from the report. Now, back I go.

Still no adoption news so we'll keep waiting!