Today is the Day.

He's getting his tonsils and adenoids taken out this morning. Yikes. Please pray for a quick recovery and not much pain.

CaMp PhOtOs

I got a few photos when I dropped the kids off at camp.

Family Time

I just spent a few days in Longview with these special people. This is my big brother and his wife. My brother is 17 years older than me and is one of the smartest, funniest guys I know. His sweet wife has been a part of our family as long as I can remember. She is in every way a sister to me. When I was growing up, my sister Joan and I would spend part of every summer with them. I have wonderful memories of that time spent playing games, riding bikes, playing putt-putt, and going to Six Flags. They have three grown children that I love dearly. They have ALWAYS supported and loved us.

This is my nephew and his wife and their little cutie pie, K. K and my kiddo are big time BUDDIES. They had so much fun and played non-stop for 4 days!

My adorable niece and sister in law. My niece recently got engaged and they are having so much fun planning her wedding.

Meeting Kaiya

Many of you know how I met Angel on her blog (http://www.thevoiceofadventure.blogspot.com/) and ended up traveling to Ethiopia with her in April. She was my roomie and we got to know each other during that trip. She is so much fun to be with and at the same time inspiring and challenging.

Recently, I think about 6 weeks ago, she brought home their newest daughter, Kaiya, from China. During a recent visit to The Woodlands we got to meet up with Angel and meet Kaiya for the very first time. She is a precious little girl with personality plus. She is adjusting to her family and two big sisters very well.

I loved watching two of my kiddos interact with Kaiya. They were so sweet with her. I know they are going to be great big siblings to our little brother or sister.

NatureWalk

Last week we were looking for something fun to do in my small hometown and we decided to go on a nature trail nearby. It was fun! The entire trail was about a mile. Nothing too scenic, other than big trees, but fun nonetheless. We were amazed at the huge trees that had been blown over by Hurricane Rita. There was one spot where a huge tree was blocking the path, and we thought we might have to backtrack, but it was fun figuring out how to get past it.

It reminds me how the simplest, often totally free, things we do with our kids are some of the most fun and memorable.

Summer Camp

I took my two big kids to camp today.

They were both very excited and didn't seem a bit nervous or scared.

I left them in the hands of some of the most enthusiastic, Jesus-lovin' young people I've ever met.

I wish I could be there and see them experience all the wonderful, fun, new adventures.

But, then it wouldn't be camp if your mom was there.

Praying real hard for them and their counselors this week!

I'm Happy

I got an email that says our "new" homestudies are on the way......wah hooooooo! The agency is even sending a copy to immigration in Greece for us. Isn't that nice!

We have had a busy couple of days. We drove to the Woodlands yesterday so that our son could see the orthodontist (a bracket came loose) and after that spent the night with our good friend in Tomball, Texas.

This morning our little guy had his pre-op appointment for his tonsillectomy next week. They had to draw blood and he was so brave.

Then we drove (4 hours) to my brothers house for a visit. My big kids go to summer camp on Sunday. We are going to spend tomorrow finishing up all the packing and preparations for camp.

I am tired, but happy!

adoption stuff

I wish I had some really great adoption news, but we found out that our homestudy was accidently date 2006, instead of 2008....I know, pretty big mistake. Anyway, it is taking a really loooooong time to get this mistake corrected, so our dossier hasn't gone to Ethiopia yet.

we will keep you posted!

Uh-oh

We found out last week this little guy has to get his tonsils and adenoids taken out next week.

We will keep you posted!

Beach Livin'

Photos from our beach vacation in Florida!

Back in TEXAS

We are back in Texas after a 12 hour road trip. Thanks in part to two MONSTER energy drinks!! Those things really do work, the only problem is I am still buzzing and it is very, very late at night.

We had a great two weeks in Seagrove, Florida with my sister, niece and nephew, and mom. I took lots of pictures, and hope to find a USB cord somewhere, so I can put some on the blog. We stayed in a small condo complex directly on the beach. Depending on where we set our umbrella up each morning, we were 10-25 steps to the beach. Superb location.

Fun things we did in Seagrove (just in case you ever go there!)

• Walk to Eastern Lake for a swim. Our kids loved swimming in this shallow lake that is right next to the sea.
• Drive 3 miles into Seaside for ice cream and a free show or concert in the outdoor theatre. We saw Sleeping Beauty and it was so cute.
• Gulf World marine park in Panama City. Stingray touch tank, cute dolphins, extreme divers in "oh my" speedos, and even an Elvis impersonator.
• Thomas' doughnuts in Panama City.
• Beach livin' - swimming, boogie boarding, looking for shells, building sand castles, people watching, and catching critters in the ocean (mostly jellies, which is part scary/part fun)
• Angelina's for pizza and MarketCafe for seafood.
• 4th of July fireworks on the beach!
• Spending the day with my brother and sis in law. They were vacationing in Destin and drove over one day to visit us.

The ABSOLUTE best part was just being together with family!

I haven't been around much lately. We are at the BEACH and have been without internet service for over a week. It has been about to kill my 12 year old. We are having a great time. Wish you were here!