Thank you

In all of my excitement I forgot to thank all the people who helped make yesterday a success. Special thanks to the team that helped plan and organize. Patti and Sonja we couldn't have done it without you. Also our Angel Nadine who stayed both days to help and was so amazing that she even got Maddie to talk to her. Thanks to my mother in law for all her help and to my friends who helped or donated items. Jill, Mandy, Shelley I was so happy to have you by my side. Thanks so much

Yeah God

Update.... we had our big fundraiser today and the weather held on for just long enough to make it a huge success. I will post pictures as soon as I can but the news is great. We raised about $26,000 today. Can you believe it? God has really blessed our family and shown us that what we are doing is right. I can't describe how we felt to see 140+ people march into the club today with cold rainy weather. They were playing a course that they can play any day for free and supporting us in so many ways. Joey has the most amazing people at his job and it truly is his second family. I want to thank so many people for such an incredible day. We love you all very much. I can't wait to bring her home!!!

Adoption Update

Well we are still waiting for homeland security to finalize our paperwork. I talked to Anya this week she is doing well. She told me in broken English that she was not happy because I had sent pictures of everyone except me. I guess I better send her a few of me too. She said in a sigh sounded voice "Father, Maddie, Grey, Grandmother, Grandfather, but no Mother" She is so sweet. I can't wait to get this girl home. How amazing love is that we can have such strong feelings for this girl. Thanks for all my friends and families continued support. Keep her in your prayers as the stablity of Russian and that region looks tense.

Fun at home

We have been spending more time at home and having a lot of fun. Maddie has begged to go in our big tree and finally today I let her. She was very brave up there.

Of course Grey has to do everything that his sister does. He is much more cautious.

Grey was afraid of his sisters driving in the jeep so he decided the trike was a much safer bet.

Maddie finally was able to drive the Barbie jeep her Aunt Megan bought for her two years ago. A funny story when we were kids we had some cousins who always had the best toys. We would visit them and not one single time in all the years we visited did they let us drive their fancy motorized vehicles. It is a sore spot to this day and we always told each other that we would buy each others kids one. To heal ourselves I guess. My turn is coming up as my nephew just turned two.

Halloween Night

We had such a great night on Halloween. A good friend brought her daughter over and we went around the neighborhood. This first picture is scary. Maddie wanted to be brave and walked into a yard and asked me to get the picture. She loves to be scared and is really into Halloween this year. Grey understood how this holiday works really fast. This is only about the 5th house and he is a pro. Notice the sucker in his hand already.

My sweet clown. She is such a joy right now.

Harvest Fest

Maddie had a harvest fest at her school this year. They don't have traditional Halloween celebrations but still want the kids to have fun. It was a lot of fun to see her with her new friends and really growing and maturing. We are not sure if we will be able to send her there next year but we are just cherishing our time in such a wonderful place now. We got to watch her praise and worship session. The kids just love to sing and learn about Jesus.

Sweet Girls.

Parents got to come and have breakfast with the kids. Joey was able to make it so it was really fun for Maddie and I to share this time with her.

Halloween fun

We went to a local church for a great Halloween outing. They have tons of things to do and it such an amazing event for the kids. Grey loved the games and Maddie had fun running around getting as much candy as she could. Grey has fun petting the sweet animals.