Adoption Update

Not a lot new. I talked to Anya last week. She is doing well. Says she misses us and she is having a hard time waiting. We are now just awaiting Homeland Security. After that we will submit our papers in Ukraine. The window for this year is Nov 27Th so we are praying the paperwork will be ready.

Day at the park

We went to a fun birthday party and then spent some time with friends at a park. Grey loved the ducks and made me crazy getting so close to the edge. Not water you would want to swim in. Maddie went on a paddle boat ride with her friends. The little boy on the left is so in "love" with Maddie and talks about her all the time. On the morning of the park trip she informed me that she was not going to marry him she was going to marry "Peyton" a little boy who left her old daycare almost 2 years ago. Oh boy I am not ready for this kind of talk yet!!

Maddie on the Paddle boat.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the Flower mound Pumpkin Patch. Such a great place and free!!! Grey thought he was surrounded by hundred's of balls.

An exciting hay ride. The kids really had a great time.

The Chipmunks are Maddie's favorite movie right now!!

My Girl

I was looking through my pictures and found these self taken pictures. Yes she will kill me when she is older but I think they are so funny.

Newest update

Well we are working hard on fundraising this week. Let me tell you Joey has really stepped up for this one. He is working so hard and planning a big tournament for us. He has it all together and I have really enjoyed watching him shine. In case you don't know I tend to always take over and this time he really is in charge. I know that this little girl has really taken his heart and he is very committed to getting her home.
I got to talk to her finally today after a long 2 weeks. She has given the cell phone away to her "Aunt" it was her birthday and she had no gift so she gave her the phone. She is very upset about it and it trying to get it back somehow. I was very nervous not reaching her for 2 weeks but today she sounded great but was worried we had forgotten her. I know it is very real for her and she can't possibly know how much we love her as she hasn't ever really had love in her life. She asked if I have her picture and if I look at it. She said she looks at ours everyday. What a sweet girl. She really is a gift. We are now awaiting our immigration papers. So pray that homeland security is not overbooked and we still have a chance for travel in December.

Adoption Update

Well not really anything new. I haven't blogged in so long because we were going crazy trying to get all the paperwork in last week. Now we wait. On the 9th we will know more about the time. We are hoping to secure a place in line in the Ukraine. So please pray for us over the next few days. This is a huge step and can mean we could get Anya home sooner then we ever hoped. Thanks for all the continued support. God is working miracles for us everyday. We hope to have a big fundraiser in November. This will be a great relief to have at least some of the financial burden lessened.

Zoo

I have been sad lately because my friend went back to work full time. This is a friend that has been my other half for the past 4 years. It has been a real adjustment for us. I had to snap out of it and I begged a great friend of mine to go to the zoo with me. We had a wonderful time and the kids all loved to watch the the animals. I am so lucky to have some of the greatest people in my life. I really am glad to know such amazing people. Thanks Victoria for letting me have a pity party for myself and then for coming to the zoo with us. :) I am so glad we went the sting rays exhibit is about to close. Maddie loves to touch the little guys. Grey however was a little scared.
Maddie played in the water.
What does he think he's all grown up. Climbed up there like a big boy.

Coming out of her shell

Maddie has made such an amazing turn around in the past month. I attribute a lot of that to her school. It is an environment that she thrives in. I am very happy with our decision to put her at Prince of Peace. The class is filled with adventure, fun learning and God. What fun. A month ago she would have been worried about people looking at her. Here she wanted to wear this to wal-mart. I packed extra clothes because I was prepared for her to not get out of the car and to be worried that people would look or laugh at her. Not today!! She was snow white and very proud of her outfit. She smiled at people, didn't talk but hey it is a huge step in the right direction.

My Boy

Grey has grown up so much in the past few weeks. We are really having such a great time watching his personality come out. He finally started talking and he is quite a funny little guy. Here he was finger painting and I think he forgot to use paper.
He has finally found Maddie's tower. I was sort of waiting to show it too him. Now that is all he wants to do. I can set him at the sink for an hour, but he does make a big mess :)

Quick Trip to Austin

We had to make a quick trip to Austin to have some adoption papers completed. I loaded the kids up at 4 am and set off on an adventure. When you don't have people to watch your kids it is a juggling act but I have learned that it is usually always fun. They slept the whole way and after being the best kids ever in a line for hours I took them to the museum. What a fun fun time.
Here Maddie is making snow!!!!Does she realize her mom use to get to milk a cow every morning with her great grandpa. What fun.
Grey and Maddie have become quite the music fans. Maddie dressed up and rocked out to some country Texas music. They both put on a show for the camera.

Maddie playing animal doctor. I can dream can't I.

Planet Pizza

We got to go to one of Maddie's favorite places for her cousins birthday party. We had a great time. Maddie loves to see her cousin and even when Ashlee is 20 years old she will most likely still be "baby Ashlee" Grey had a good time. This was his first ride.
Grandma took him on the bumper cars. Not his favorite thing.
Ashlee and Grey riding the ponies. Happy Birthday Ashlee!!!