A Year Ago

We actively began the adoption process a year ago! Just to give you all an update, all of our paperwork is in Ethiopia. Basically, we just wait to be referred a child at this point. That has been taking around 8 months on average. Because we have a newborn, we're not allowed to accept a referral before Isaac is 6 months old, which would put us at mid-February. The adoption is still happening, and we're getting more and more excited and we know that God's timing is perfect. We may be waiting another year for this child to join our family- we hope it's less!

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201 lbs

So, those of you that know Riley know that
1. He's pretty competitive and
2. He's always up for a challenge
3. He'll take on almost any dare

Apparently, his latest challenge was to weigh 200# (Riley normally 165-170, although he did add a few extra lbs for me while I was pregnant). Riley accepted this challenge and was able to gain 19lbs in 9 days weighing in at 201.3!!! Isn't that crazy? I'm sure he's out for a run now because I know he was pretty miserable :) Oh, and I think the next challenge has to do with dropping weight. We need to be praying against heart attacks...seriously!






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4 Week Old Bubsy

It's hard to believe that "Bubsy-Wubsy, Bubb-Bubb, Little Bubba" (I know Ry, I'm sure all of those babyish nicknames are making you cringe, but we girls can't help it) is 4 weeks already! He's starting to coo and smile a few times a day (almost always after a feeding). I'm starting to feel my rhythm again, but still have my ditzish moments---like shipping my online order to Iraq instead of Tennessee...and then doing it again a 2nd time! The girls seem "back to normal" to me. Ellie spent all day yesterday at Caleb's house and when she got home she made a b line straight for Isaac and cuddled with him...until Saedi wanted to sit on her lap, too, saying, "I missed you Ellie."

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...and Riley says we need a van

(photo courtesy of Natalie)

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Purple Dinosaurs

Ellie before the "Big Game"Coach Kristen with the Dinosaurs

Best Buds, Ellie & Caleb

Ellie's first soccer game with the Purple Dinosaur's was yesterday. I'm so proud to see how much she has improved since her first season this past Spring. She's definitely more aggressive on the field, and she understands which goal the ball needs to head toward. She didn't have any bad attitude spells or crying sessions during the game so that shows me she's more confident in herself. Yay! My friend, Kristen, is coaching her team and it's a special treat for her to be playing with her buddy Caleb.

Busy Busy Busy

Phew! I'm definitely not going to be bored these next 7 months! Ellie has accustomed to mothering her new baby brother and Saedi is adjusting to her new role as the middle child. Mimi arrived on Friday and Papa got in from Africa on Sunday night and both have helped our transitioning immensely! Ellie and I have stopped butting heads and little Saedi is getting the attention she craves. And Isaac? Happy as a clam...especially in the arms of another human. Riley took off on Tuesday (delayed a day...hooray!) and we're so grateful he was able to be with Ellie during her first day of "school." We're starting a homeschooling program with her called Classical Conversations. It's kind of like a co-op. Every Monday we meet from 9-12 at a local church where the kids go to their assigned classes and have a tutor who models what they'll be learning for the rest of the week. Parents sit in and help during the sessions, and then everyday we review that material at home. I'm amazed at how quickly Ellie is picking up on some tough vocabulary..."Charlemagne," "interjection," "Mediterranean," etc. So proud of that girl! Ellie has also started soccer back up and is getting more and more aggressive on the field (in a good way). Little Isaac finally got his first bath on day #13...can you tell he's #3? I'm feeling good...stronger and stronger by the day. Just so thankful for wonderful friends who have helped and for the amazing Mimi who just keeps going and going...cooking, cleaning, bathing, holding, entertaining, etc. God is good!


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Photo Gallery is Up

Last Wednesday we got family pictures taken and the full gallery is available here for browsing and/or ordering. Click on "clients" at the bottom and type in "post" as the password. Happy viewing!

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