He's been with us a Year!

One year ago today our family boarded a bus to drive across the city of Kunming, China to meet the little boy that God placed in our arms. It was the scariest, strangest way to "have" a baby...but I say, " my stomach grew with 3 biological children and my faith grew with 1 adopted child." God changed us forever with Luke. We are so grateful for his life and how it has enriched ours. He is funny, loving, fiesty, sweet and busy! Everything a two year old brings to a house! We know that he was created to be a part of our life and family and we pray for the woman that experienced his creation, birth and the sacrifice of giving him up. Whatever her circumstances were, I pray that she will be blessed and come to know the saving grace of Christ. I know that God used her in my life. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 "May the Lord of peace himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance." It is with this promise that we move forward with a second adoption! We have started the process and continue to go down the check list of things to do. There are a few things outstanding with the homestudy, my fingerprints have been rejected by the FBI 3 times. I just went for the fourth time! I guess the print isn't readable. We are moving a little slower probably because life is a little busier. We will go back to China, for a special need, and we marked either gender on our application. That was the big question when we started. Should we mark boy or girl. Needless to say we couldn't agree which is why we marked either. Cole and I think it should be a boy, for Luke, since they will be close in age and both Chinese. The girls think it should be a girl because we have already done the boy thing! Dave was neutral.
Anyway, we will keep you posted! Hope everyone's summer is going well.

Shelby's 8th Grade Recognition

Tuesday night May 26th we celebrated Shelby's 8th grade recognition. They have a lunch at school after the practices and give the class a gift. She got a t-shirt with all the kids signatures. Then they go to Grace Pres. for the recognition night. It's fun, the kids dress up and have a class picture taken and then get a certificate. We invite Grandma and Grandpa and then eat out somewhere after. Since I didn't have a blog when Cole had his 8th grade recognition I thought it would be fun to show some pictures from his night too! We will have two in high school next year. I can't believe it. Time really flys by. I just want to enjoy the summer with everyone home. Sleeping in, reading, boating, tubing, visiting cousins, the pool, VBS, all still to come. We love summer!

Weekend away!

It has been so busy the last few weeks, but in the midst of it all Dave and I set aside a few days to go to Florida. Matt (cousin in law) graduated from Eureka College and decided to treat his wife to a weekend of fun in the sun. When they invited us it was hard to refuse. We are very proud of Matt's accomplishment while dealing with daily life responsibilities and it was a priviledge to be a part of his celebration weekend. We had a blast and the kids did great! We flew down on Friday morning spent two days on the beach, 1 day at the International Plaza (mall) and attended 4 baseball games. Saturday night we celebrated with Shouses and Zobrists at a Brazilian Steakhouse. It was a much needed break for Dave and I!