A whirlwind weekend!

We made a round trip journey to Atlanta, Georgia this weekend! We were able to watch Bethany and many of her team mates climb at the National's gym! It was amazing! Grandpa and Mimi were wonderful to keep the little one's for us, so we could spend the weekend together!

Bethany is now off outdoor climbing with her team in Kentucky! We miss you sweet girl!

Here are some photos we took at the gym:

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary to my favorite guy! Wow, 14 years, seems like I've known you all my life! John says to me this morning....another 14 years and we'll only be in our early fifties....so romantic :-) Really, though, it has been a journey and an amazing one that only God could have orchestrated. I love you and all the ways that you love me and our kiddos!

Kindergarten Graduation!!!

This post is a little late.....better late, than never ! :-)

Our sweet Gabbrielle graduated from Kindergarten this year! She is now "officially" a big first grader. Time really does fly.

We are so proud of you Gabbrielle!!

WhooHoo!!!

Bethany had her Divisional Championships this weekend and she did awesome! She placed 4th overall in sport climbing and 5th overall in speed climbing which qualifies her to compete for both at Nationals!!!

Sport Qualifier 1 (tied for 1st place)



Sport Qualifier 2 (tied for 7th place)

Sport Final (3rd place)

Speed Qualifier 1

Speed Qualifier 2

Speed Final 1

Speed Final 2

Milestones....

As the wait continues and the precious pictures come in, I can't help but think about the milestones we've missed......his first smile, his first step, his first word, his first foods......But, as I was thinking about this "again" today, the Lord gently spoke to me about the milestones that we won't miss. The first time he smiles at us, the first time he takes a step in our direction, the first word he says to us, the first time he says mommy and daddy, the first foods we'll have together, the first time he comes to us for a hug when he needs comforting. The Lord is good about making a half empty glass really really full.

Bethany's Birthday!!!!

Bethany is 12!!!! Wow, how time flies. We celebrated her birthday with a few friends at a hotel! They watched movies, did "spa" time, played the Wii and swam! She had two of her "favorite" chaperones, her Mom and Mimi! :-) We too had lots of fun!

Happy Birthday sweet girl!!

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.