Adoption Video

It seems like 100 people have posted the following video on their blog. I have to make it 101, and here is why. Honestly, adoption is so "out there". I still have the thought sometimes, "Are we really doing this?" It is very difficult for me to wrap my head around the numbers and facts. 143 Million Orphans. One little boy half-way around the world. He will join our family within the next 12 months. Then, it will be 143,000,000 minus one. Really?!

Anyway. I have to admit that I gain courage when I see something concrete about adoption. This video is just that. I hope it gives you a better picture of adoption, especially from Ethiopia. We are not using the same agency; however, I imagine our experience will be similar. Enjoy the Adoption of Lucy Lane!

Happy Birthday, Reagan!

Raegan was very ready for her birthday! She woke up and had lots of phone calls. She loved talking to everyone as they wished her happy birthday and sang her silly birthday songs (Uncle Pat).
We waited all day for the party when all our family came to celebrate. We had yummy princess cupcakes and banana split parfaits. Yummy!


Then, the girls opened their gifts.
(Sydney had a few to open from family members.) Here is Sydney with Great Grandma LeFevre. It was a fun, fun night! We're grateful so many family members could come celebrate with us.

Happy Birthday, Sydney!

Happy 9th Birthday, Sydney!

She woke up to donuts and some special cards, and then we prepared and waited all day until the American Girl Tea Party at 5:00.

Jackson got all dressed up and served us as the butler.


We served mini peanut butter muffins, cheese & crackers, veggies, fruit kabobs, mini pbj sandwiches and mini egg-salad sandwiches. Finally, we sang happy birthday to Sydney before she blew out the candles on her "tarts". Chris joined Jackson as another butler!
After eating, we watched Sydney open her gifts. Her friends were all so sweet and thoughtful in what they got her. Next, the girls went on a treasure hunt, looking all around the house for clues to the prize. They ended up in the basement where they found "movie treats"! While we popped our popcorn, they played with their dolls or they challenged each other to air hockey.
Finally, it was time for the Felicity movie.
We all had such a great time with all these girls. I'm thankful that Sydney has such sweet friends. I am also thankful for such a sweet daughter. I have thoroughly enjoyed the past nine years. What a gift she has been.

Room Make-Over

For their birthdays, we decided to do a make-over on the girls' room. My friend, Lesli, found these two twin beds at a garage sale for a whopping $25 total! Thank you, Les! They are a great find, and we simply painted them white. There are plans to monogram the girls' initials on each. We'll see if that gets done!
As you can see, the girls were really excited. They love their "Girl Room"!
After painting furiously, we put it all together! We still have to put some items up on the walls, but the basics are finished.

July 5th Birthday and Fireworks

On Sunday, we celebrated Mom's birthday. It was a fun day because our kids got to do their own fireworks with their cousins. Fun!

July 4 Wedding

On July 4, Chris had the honor of standing up at his friend's wedding. Stephen and Holli got married that evening in the beautiful outdoors. It was such a fun wedding. The weather was absolutely perfect, and the atmosphere was just fun. (There was a dance and fireworks after the wedding.) Doesn't my hubby look like a movie star?!

Examples that Inspire

Hey. I just found this video, and I thought it was so neat. Again, I don't believe everyone is called to adopt, but I love the challenge this family issues. Plus, it just gives me courage. If they can do this many, surely we'll be o.k. with one. Watch and see what you think!