June 2007 Update...

As for the adoption front... we have seen some movement, but have not had any situations that have stuck at the moment. We are a bit limited this time around as we would prefer to go to a region that waives the 10 business day stay in country. There is no leniency to families with children (even adopted ones from Russia). So we continue to wait and let fate take its hand.

Waiting has been fun though. Summer is here and we kicked it off with a trip to Chris's Aunt and Uncle who live here in Florida.
They have a gorgeous home on the beach. I think Jordan and Garrett spent the days, literally, in the water. Their pad to their fingers and toes were raw and we all had a blast. The next few days we spent at Disney and then we headed up to visit my sister and her family in South Carolina. It was a great week! Jordan spent some time playing T Ball while there with her cousin Logan. Logan plays for a team and Uncle Bill is the coach. She has gotten us up every morning since we have been home asking to play ball. We got to do some fishing in their back yard where you practically caught a fish with each cast. Taking the fish off was a real treat for me. Spending time with my sister is time I will always cherish.




Jordan has started a camp this week at our church. She loves going and has already met some new friends. Garrett and I swelter at the park most days and spend a considerable amount of time doing what he enjoys most... swimming. (See right)



We are hopeful that the Russian program will open its doors and allow a more consistent adoption program. Jordan periodically asks us about the new baby. It seems like such a hard concept for her, but she knows how to be a big sister and has become quite the pro. Garrett on the other hand may struggle with the newest addition. He has grown to appreciate his role as the youngest and the one that gets his way most of the time. (Or so he thinks) I thought Jordan was strong willed... Garrett has become rather savvy with his approach to become the what he thinks is the leader of the house. It is hard to believe we have only had him just over a year.



We hope everyone is having a great summer so far... we appreciate all the inquiries about the next adoption and love hearing from you all.

Guess who got glasses???

Well, not much to update on the adoption front. We are slowly moving up on the list, but not stressing the load with the extended wait period and the current activity in the house. It is obvious that good things can come to those who wait. Jordan and Garrett are eagerly awaiting the next Carey addition and we will keep you posted as we gain more information.

Guess who got glasses!!!!!! These glasses have given new meaning to low jack... aka "low garrett." Just another thing to keep track of. He really looks cute though and seems to be adjusting to them well. Occasionally, he will hand them to us when he has had enough, but for the most part, he keeps them on. I thought Jordan would be a great help in picking out his glasses. Instead, she spent the majority of the time on the floor crying that she needed glasses too. By the time we got to the car, I took a pair of her sunglasses and popped the lenses out of them and it appeased her. Who would have known. Phew!

Jordan is finishing up school in a few weeks. We have enrolled her in a camp this summer at our church and she is very excited to have fun with her friends from school. She has one more year of pre K, but for some reason, she THINKS she is going to kindergarten. She is far more prepared then I am. Garrett will be joining her a couple of days next year at school. It will be nice for him to release some of his communication skills on someone else for a few hours. He doesn't stop talking!


While Jordan is at school, Garrett and I can be found cruising around in the "crusher" or at a local construction site down the road. He is obsessed with cranes and "digger up backers."
I have a date with Jordan tomorrow for a mothers day tea. She is very excited to give me the present she has been working on for a couple of weeks. I have a hunch it is yellow as that is the color paint I have been spending my evenings scouring off her clothing. I can't wait.

Have a very happy mothers day!!!!!!!!! I know I will...

Adoption #3 Update...

We are currently #4 on the list. There have always been challenges with international adoptions and this one seems to be no different. Our agency was to be accredited in May 2006 (all agencies are awaiting their accreditation's). While referrals are coming in very slowly, most regions are waiting for this accreditation to be in hand before opening their regions to international adoptions. There are some proactive regions that are moving forward and continue to finalizes adoptions despite this delay. This is one of the reasons why were are slowing creeping up the list. This is so hard to go through each year, but it is also a stress that we forget about once home with our children. We are still very hopeful that we will be traveling this summer/fall. As many of you know, referrals can come at any time and travel can be with very little warning. While this presents a challenge with childcare for Jordan and Garrett, it certainly adds to the excitement of the adventure. We will continue to keep you posted and welcome any special thoughts.

We spent the beginning of April celebrating Spring break and the Easter holiday with my family on the West coast of Florida. My sister, Jennifer and her 4 boys were down from South Carolina. I cannot believe how big her kids are getting. We are starting to hit the teenage years and I am just so grateful she has to go through it first. I seem to reap the benefits of being the younger sister and watching her pave the way for most milestones. We successfully inundated my parents with a lot of energy and laughter. I think we may get invited back... but the jury is still out.

Jennifer celebrated her 40th birthday this year. (She so doesn't look it.) We took all of the kids (Minus Garrett who spent the day with Pop Pop) to Busch Gardens. After frequenting the Busch Complimentary beer tent and drinking a few Trojan beers, somehow Jennifer got us in line for the Sheikra roller coaster. The kids that were tall enough wanted no part, but we managed to walk on with "single mom" passes and got prime time seating. I was too far into it before I realized that it was probably not the best idea. I was thinking after being strapped in and trekking up the clanky hill... I hope my beers taste as good coming up as they did going down. All was not lost and we had a blast! A true sisters moment that I know only she could get me to do.

Today is another day to celebrate for Chris and I. It was 10 years ago today that we went out on a "date night" in Baltimore and he asked me on our roof top to marry him. We are grateful we made it past the 7 year itch... and laugh at how far we have come. I have never looked back once (OK for sake of honesty, maybe a few times) on my decision and feel grateful that I was blessed with meeting my soul mate.

Hope everyone is doing well... Will keep you posted.