Rehearsal dinner

We are back from the wedding! We actually got back on Monday but it has taken me a couple days to recover from the 4 day extravaganza! I will spend this week rewinding last week and sharing some of the wedding events. From all Danielle and Brian's family and friends I expect 1000+ pictures to be posted to their website.

The rehearsal dinner was on Thursday night. We had the rehearsal at the church and then we went on a dinner cruise. It was a perfect night for a cruise! The food was great and of course so was the company! Danielle and Brian presented gifts for their bridal party and parents. The girls were given earrings to wear on wedding day and a white robe with their initial on it. The guys were given a money clip. The parents were given a beautiful picture frame with one of their engagement pictures in it. It was the perfect start to the big event!

Packing stresses

We leave next Wednesday for my sister's wedding. Yesterday I started to get everything together and it was way more challenging than packing for vacations in the past. For the wedding festivities (which is more like a four day event) I am trying to pack for each day and remember exactly what needs to go. Yesterday I had Ethan and Logan try on their dress clothes because we bought them back in April and I vaguely remembered that Logan's pants needed altered (yes a remembered with a couple days to spare!). As soon as I pulled them from the closet and looked at them the stress of having to possibly trying to get them altered was upon me. Luckily when he tried them on and put his belt on they we just a tiny bit long so to save myself any additional stress we are leaving them as is. When Ethan tried his clothes on he was less than thrilled saying "I feel like a dork," "I am NOT wearing this shirt tucked in," and "how long are we going to have to wear this?" Maybe he will feel better when he sees all the "other dorks" dressed up. My boys seldom dress up. They are basketball shorts and tee shirt kids all the way.

Most of the clothes we are taking are set to the side so that the boys do not wear them before we leave. However I am thinking, "do we have suitcases big enough to fit all of this stuff?" Yet another stress but everything will work out in the end. There is no way I will allow this "stress" to take away the excitement and anticipation of this week!

Why?

~Why are my kids always bored? They are bored at school, they are bored at home.

~Why does everyday start with someone asking "where are we going today?" hoping that they will hear some place they like? Do we have to go somewhere everyday?

~ Why has this summer seemed extra "expensive"this year? No I am not talking about gas prices or food I am talking about entertaining my kids! Basketball camps, soccer camps, football sign ups, soccer sign ups, swimming lessons.

~Why does the laundy seem to pile up so fast even though I wash a couple loads almost everyday?

~Why does school start on August 20? Doesn't it make more sense to start after Labor Day?

~Why am I concerned about when school starts when we still have 1 1/2 months of summer left? Maybe it is because this summer has really flown by and I know it will be here before I know it or am ready for it.

~Why does my 11 year old now want to order off the adult menu because he is now "11." Is 11 the magic number?

~Why am I normally so good about watching what I eat but this week I could have cared less? Birthday cake on Sunday, leftover birthday cake on Monday, Buckeye Blitz ice cream on Tuesday, and Olive Garden tonight. Oh well tommorow is a new day and the cake and ice cream are gone and no I did not bring home any leftovers!

~Why does that ticker at the top of my blog seem to move ever so slowly? I feel like we have been at "waiting for 21 months" for 21 months!

Happy Birthday Dani!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Birthday fun!

To celebrate Ethan's birthday we went to a local family fun center that has a rock wall, minature golf, batting cages. bumper water boats, basketball, and go karts. He brought his best friend Michael with him and they had 2 1/2 hrs of unlimited fun! Ethan was so excited that he was able to ride the bigger go karts by himself! I went on the first round of the big track with him and that was enough for me! I was so dizzy by the time we were done. They had a smaller track for ages 8-10 so Logan and Michael were able to ride by themselves on this track. Christian had to ride with Dan on the go karts. They loved the bumper boats (probably because it was hot and humid and it cooled them off). A great time was had by all!

Happy 11th Birthday Ethan!

Happy 11th Birthday to my Ethan! It is hard to believe that 11 years have already come and gone and my first baby is 11! I think back 11 years ago and we were so young. Too young some would say to be having our first baby. I was two months shy of turning 21 and Dan was 26. After over 20 hours of labor followed by an unexpected c-section and some drama in between we were blessed with the most beautiful baby boy. I remember the nurse bringing him into my room around 4am for the first time and handing him to me. I remember feeling nervous and thinking "what am I suppose to do with him?" He was so tiny weighing in at 6lbs and 3ozs. He quietly slept as I began to unwrap him from his blanket and examine his ten little fingers and toes. It was just the two of us.

On June 27, 1997 he blessed me with the amazing gift of motherhood. I have always said that it is because of Ethan that I knew I wanted more children. Never could I have imagined how much love I would feel for this tiny little person. How could love possibly be that instant? But it was. He taught me patience(which I was in desparate need of) when I was struggling to figure out how to soothe him. He taught me to how to "enjoy the moment" when it was 3am and I was so exhausted. He slept quitely on my chest in complete peace. He taught me "joy" when he smiled his first smile. He taught me "unconditional love" the very moment he was born.

Through the years he continues to teach me. At 11 years old he is still kind, loving, and affectionate. He still comes up to me and hugs me during the day for no reason. He still tells me "I love you" every day. He will ask (almost every day) "do you need help with anything?" He is a good student, a good friend, and most of the time a good brother. He loves to play and watch soccer. That is his sport! He is a wonderful son and I love him so very much!

Time for a new do

I have already decided that I am going to have my haircut before my sister's wedding. I have a hair appointment next week and I need a change. My hair was cut something like this awhile back ago but I let it grow out a little because I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it for the wedding. It was more of an angled bob and it was cut off my neck which I loved! Now that summer is here my hair has grown down my neck and can be pulled back into a ponytail. It is driving me crazy! I decided I didn't want my hair up for the wedding or anything too formal looking because that just isn't me. I found this picture of Jenny McCarthy and love the cut!

Enjoying a cool summer day

Basketball camp

This week Logan and Christian went to a basketball camp hosted by the local high school. I know I have mentioned before about Logan's love of football but they both now have a passion for basketball. They are always shooting hoops in the driveway so we thought this camp would be a great idea for them! The camp was for boys entering 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade but the coach allowed Christian to participate even though he is only going into first grade. The hoop really was too high for him to shoot but he played hard and had fun anyway. Today was the last day of camp and they played finals today. Wouldn't you know that Logan and Christian's teams played against each other for first place! So who do you think won? It was a close game but ultimately Logan's team beat Christian's team 8-6.

*I apologize for the quality of the pictures. My camera is awful at taking pictures in any type of gym setting! I think it is time to invest in a better camera considering I have missed way too many awards ceremony moments because of a lack of good lighting.

The Dress

This is obviously not "the dress" but since that cannot be revealed until the wedding, here is a picture of the bridesmaid's dress for my sister's wedding. This was taken after I had it altered and you can't tell from the picture but it falls mid knee and it is a very flattering dress! Like Danielle I LOVE PINK so I, of course, agreed with this choice. I will say that my sister is the "dream bride" in my opinion. We tried on sooo many dresses and it came down to this dress and two others. The first one was her favorite and I hated it so she was kind enough to not even consider it. No bridezillas here! She has been the easiest bride to please and I will always treasure the special memories we have made together planning for her BIG DAY!

Heartbreaking story

Please keep Steven Curtis Chapman and his family in your prayers. His five year old daughter Maria was killed yesterday. Steven Curtis Chapman and his family have been huge supporters of international adoption and have inspired many to adopt. They adopted three daughters from China including Maria. Tragically, thier son was driving the SUV in the driveway that struck Maria. I can only imagine the tremendous guilt this young man must be going through as the result of this accident. Please keep this family in your prayers and pray that God releases this young man from any guilt he may feel over this accident.

Soccer

The soccer season is winding down with just three more games left. It has taken me nearly two months to actually take pictures and post them~bad mom! The weather hasn't cooperated and it has been cold or rainy or a combination of both nearly every Saturday. Instead of taking pictures I have stayed huddled under a blanket holding my umbrella. Luckily I don't have a picture of that! I still need to take some pictures of Ethan but for now Logan and Christian will have to do.

The soccer season is winding down with just three more games left. It has taken me nearly two months to actually take pictures and post them~bad mom! The weather hasn't cooperated and it has been cold or rainy or a combination of both nearly every Saturday. Instead of taking pictures I have stayed huddled under a blanket holding my umbrella. Luckily I don't have a picture of that! I still need to take some pictures of Ethan but for now Logan and Christian will have to do.

The Earthquake

My heart is so heavy and sad for the Chinese people. I cannot even begin to imagine the devastation that has occurred. The images I have seen are absolutely haunting to me. One in particular is so very upsetting because I cannot comprehend this kind of pain.

This mother lies by her child's body in what must be sheer pain and agony from the loss of her child. Quite possibly this might have been her only child. Yes the image may be disturbing to some but this is just a small glimpse of what must be going on in China. Many have asked me how I think this earthquake will affect our adoption process. The simple answer is "I don't know." I can think of many scenarios here. It may slow down the process because China will be more focused on the devastation from the earthquake and adoptions may go on the "back burner" so to speak. It could possibly speed up adoptions because tragically many children have now been left orphaned. At the moment though I have thought about our adoption, I almost feel guilty wondering how it will affect ME when there are so many others who are suffering. It almost seems selfish. As I type this post I am listening to my children outside playing basketball and laughing. We just finished dinner so their bellies are full. They will fall asleep in their beds tonight and wake up tommorow with their basic needs and beyond being met.

Our adoption agency has set up an earthquake relief fund to help purchase tents, food, diapers, medicine, clothes, and post-quake building repairs and construction. To make a donation please visit www.chinesechildren.org or mail your donation check to Chinese Children Charities marked "ERF." Please keep China in your prayers.

Field trip pics part 2