Regional Climbing Competition

Bethany's Regional Climbing Competition was this past weekend and she did great! In difficulty (sport), competing against a total of 12 other girls, she tied with 4 of the girls by completing all 4 routes. Those 5 girls ended up in a super final and Bethany took 5th place. In speed climbing, she took 1st place! This means she qualified for Divisionals in both sport and speed! Here are her difficulty (sport) climbs:

Route 1

Route 2

Route 3

Route 4

Super Final

Sweet Hannah

Sweet Hannah passed away early this morning after a long battle yesterday. She is a very brave sweet girl. She endured diabetes and blindess for the last four years with no complaints and lots of love to still give. Even with all her medical issues, she loved to travel with us. Her last trip was to Michigan just a month ago. She will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Mothers.....

Whew....what a realm of emotions I feel today on this Mother's Day. I think about Mom and what a great example of a mom she was for me. I think about how God has blessed me with Sherry, who just radiates "momness" to me. I think about my kids and how blessed I am to be their Mom. I think about birthmothers who love their children so much they make a sacrifice I am in awe of. I think about Mom's who have lost their children or don't have a relationship with their children. And I think about Mom's who would give everything they have for their children. All Mom's are a blessing.
Happy Mother's Day to all Moms!

Didn't make the deadline

We found out yesterday that we didn't make the deadline for the new court procedures. It's ok,though, we didn't really expect to. I had forgotten that our caseworker had said they would be calling "all" families on May 7th and letting them know one way or the other. So when we got the call, I was thinking 'no way, it couldn't happen this fast'. Well, we continue to wait, but now we know for sure that we will see him at court, sooner than we would of previously when we didn't travel twice. It will be hard to see him and then leave him, but I know God has a plan for this change. I thank Him for the opportunity to meet our son sooner and I pray we leave a lasting impression on his heart that will remain 'til we return to bring him home.

Grandpa....a man who loved his family and never met a stranger

Grandpa passed away a couple days after we arrived in Michigan. We were all able to be there to see him and talk with him. When he looked at Bethany, the biggest smile appeared on his face. We were blessed to be there and to be able to spend time with all our family. His last words to me (on the phone before we left) were "kiss those babies for me and take care of that little boy."
We'll miss you Grandpa.

Chloe's Adoption Day and Mom's Birthday

We celebrated Chloe's Adoption Day! This year we celebrated her adoption day with many family members because we are in Michigan visiting my Grandpa in the hospital.

Chloe's adoption day is a very special day, not only because of how blessed we are to have such a special little girl, but also because it's my Mom's birthday. Mom passed away 3 years ago and a couple months before she passed away we found out that Chloe's court date was going to be on Mom's birthday. God is so good to give us a reason to continue to celebrate this day with joy! This day is a celebration of an amazing daughter and an amazing Mother.

We miss you Mom....

They said this wait would be a little harder.....

Now there is a face in my prayers....and where the last 4 1/2 months of waiting seemed to fly by, the last 4 1/2 days has seemed like eternity. Oh the joy I feel when I look at him, think of him, talk about him, but the longing I feel to be with him is so incredibly strong! He's been growing in our hearts for months and months, but now I can see him, and yet not hold him. I know the Lord has his loving arms wrapped around him. I know that the Lord's timing is so much better than mine. Thank you Lord for your amazing love and perfect timing! How clear it is when I look at the beautiful gifts you have blessed us with already, and the way you have woven our family together!

We have a referral!!!!

We received our referral today!!! We can't hardly sit still! He is so adorable, we just want to wrap our arms around him!! He has such a great smile and his eyes just light up! He definitely has one of those smiles that lights up a room. He's on my computer screen and I can't help but smile the minute I walk in the room! We love you sweet boy!

Just had to share :-)

Gabbrielle loves to play teacher on the art easel she got for her birthday. A couple days ago she and Chloe were playing and this is what Gabbrielle drew for Chloe.



This is a picture of Chloe and here are the translations for some of Gabbrielle's sentences: "She is cute." "She is smart." "She is beautiful." "She has beautiful skin." "She is a rock star." Now this is good teaching!

Mother Daughter Birthday Party!

Bethany and I went to a Mother Daughter Birthday party for one of her small group friends a couple weeks ago. We had to dress like "twinkies" :-)