Memorial Day

We went to my brother's house for Memorial Day. With our busy schedules, we have a hard time finding the time to get together. It is nice when we actually can find the time to get together.

Teresa made a scumptious meal for us. Mom and dad brought over cupcakes in celebration of my brother's birthday that was on Friday. The big 40. T

The cupcakes were quite messy and left a nice bright pink smile on all the ate them.

The kids swam until a storm appeared to be moving in. What is Memorial Day if we don't have our annual storm??

We had fun and are hoping to get together more often.

Seat Alarm??

I have been wanting to update my blog for awhile now but I swear there is a seat alarm attached to my office seat. Just this morning, the kids were playing nicely by themselves and as soon as I sit in this chair, they gather around requesting my attention. There must be an alarm that only they are able to hear!

Come to think of it, the couch must have one as well. Anytime I get the chance to sit down, they are immediately there wanting me to get up and get them something. It doesn't matter where they are in the house, they know I have just sat down.

Wait a minute, my chair at the kitchen table must have one as well!!

If I ever figure out how to dismantle the alarms, I might be a consistent blogger!

Anyone else have this problem??

Field Trip

We took the last field trip of the year for Joshua's school. We went to the zoo. Unfotunately, it was storming. We tried to stay indoors as much as possible.

Our zoo has a new expanded elephant exhibit. The pond for the elephants is deep enough for the elephants to go in and be totally submerged. We watched while one swam and the other played in the mud. He was putting it all over his back. No wonder Joshua loves elephants so much!

Hey mom, look at my three leaved plant!

Oh, wow, I guess we have posion ivy out in full force. I think Sam is bringing it to us from somewhere in our yard. Paul went out to spray for it and said that he didn't really see any. Of course, he then said, I am really not sure what it looks like. I sprayed a vine that was growing on a tree.

Joshua, Delaney and I all have had posion ivy. Joshua was the one that was most affected. He required a trip to the doctor for it. It was on his arms, chest and face. It was approaching his eyes. He was placed on cream and steroids. The steroids then caused vomiting and diarrhea. He woke up two nights in a row vomiting. Poor guy!!

Summer Time Fun

We put the pool up two weeks ago. The kids love it and spend a lot of time outside when it is up. They actually get along better when they are in the pool.

The other day, I was doing work in my office and was not interrupted once. I finished my work and was sitting there thinking about how my kids. I was thinking about how they are now old enough to be pretty much self sufficient. I was pleased with the fact that there had been no tattling going on from them.

I proceeded to go outside to tell them how proud I was of them. That was until I found out what they had been up to. Joshua had made two large mud piles in our backyard (he has been told not to do so on several occasions. He was covered with mud.

I went to go get the water hose and noticed that the pool looked strange. They had let out half the water of the pool! After I washed Joshua off, I went to put the hose in the pool to fill it back up and noticed that someone had put said mud in the pool as well. AHHH!!!! So much for my uninterrupted time, I guess I still need to check up on them especially if there has been no tattling.

I will say that they did have a grand time though ;).

Eastern European Weekend

Last weekend we had our 7th annual Eastern European weekend. It was a small gathering (falling at the end of the school year is not a good thing) but we had a great time.

Joshua was so excited that he wanted to go back for a third day of activities. He even commented that it was more advanced this year. The children are getting older so we are able to do more things with them.

I would love for their to be new adoptees there but with Ukrainian adoptions slowing, Russia and Romania closed, I doubt we will see that anytime soon.

It breaks my heart to think that children are being kept in institutions when they could be at their forever home due to government regulations.

Quote of the week

Put blinders on to those things that conspire to hold you back, especially the ones in your own head. Guard your good mood. Listen to music every day, joke, and love and read more for fun, especially poetry. -Meryl Streep

Photo For Friday- a little late

Ukraine Video

Please consider adoption from Ukraine or supporting the orphans through An Orphan's Bright Star.. We have the pleasure of helping Joshua's orphanage in Zhytomyr each month. It is the least we can do for the loving care they provided to him during his stay there.

Photo For Friday

Quote of the week

The more deeply you understand people, the more you will appreciate them, the more reverent you will feel about them. To touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground. Stephen R. Covey

The Missing Link

We are so excited. We received two letters from Delaney's Biological Grandmother. We are still waiting on translations. We should receive them next week.

The real blessing we received was a picture of her birthmother. Delaney really takes after her. She looks so much like her birthmother. Currently, Delaney has chosen not to share the picture with anyone but her immediate family. I wouldn't post it on a public forum anyway. She is beautiful just like my daughter!

Invention Convention

Joshua's school creates inventions every year. Here is Joshua with his Light Reflector Protector. He was being a little shy that night.

Bye Soccer Boy

Joshua has decided that he will no longer play soccer. I really can't blame him. BA soccer club has really let us down. He was stuck on teams with brand new coaches and new players. He was never able to advance past basic skill training. His team was slaughtered all season. Not much fun for anyone!

Next Chapter: Soccer Girl!

Joshua Art

Joshua had his last Young Rembrandts art lesson yesterday. He was so proud of this picture. He wants to give it to his grandpa. It looks like his grandpa so I think that is so cute. I am not sure if he meant for it to look like him or not but it does! I am not sure that he rollerskates though!