Adoption Update : PGN

We are thrilled to let you know that we received an email today informing us that our case re--entered PGN. Just as a little refresher : PGN is the final paperwork loophole that we have to jump through. Our time there could be a few weeks or a few months. After we leave PGN then we wait about 6 weeks and then travel to get Max. We cannot express how much we have appreciated your prayers thus far in the journey. We have experiences many emotions and feelings during this process and knowing that we have the prayer support of our family and friends serves as such a strength on the days that we feel like this will never happen. On that note we continue to ask for prayer. We pray that our paperwork will stay in PGN. That there will be no issues of any kind. We will keep you posted. Until then much love and thanks.

Just another day ......

Jack has himself one wild and vivid imagination. It is not unusally to have him greet us in the morning with his list of "projects" and activiites that he would like to do for the day. At our house we use a lot of hot glue, foil & paint sticks (is it wrong that I take a handfull each time I am at home depot even if I don't by paint?). We go through markers and paper like nobody's business- so much for being enviormentally friendly. Along with projects Jack likes to become the "whatever it is that day" by wearing a costume. This is sometimes difficult because the local costume store does not sell robot, pollenjock, or crown of thorn costumes. So he is left to create one himself. Thanks to he latest kids movie "The Bee Movie" becoming a "pollenjock" -those are the strong studdly bees who leave the hive and collect nectar and pollen- has become a daily event. It was the below photo op that made me relize that there is just to much craziness that happens in this house for me to keep to myself...I must share the shinanigans of our crazy little boy with you. (Yes, that is a bike helmet with a paper visor on his head and he is wearing a "nectar collecting" nerf gun on his back.) WHOSE KID IS THIS!

Easter Rain

He is RISEN. It was a fantastic Easter day made up of all our favorite traditions. The morning started early with the Easter Bunny's arrival. He left a map that led to Jack's Easter basket. We enjoyed the Easter breakfast at church with all of our friends and after church we headed over to Mormor and Morfars house for Easter lunch.(yeah more food!) The house was filled with family and friends. Delicious food and great conversation was had. In line with tradition we had an egg hunt outside...this years twist:it was DUMPING BUCKET OF RAIN. The kids and the dads were fearless and the call of candy in plastic eggs were just to much. Clothes were soaked and much candy was found. It was a memorable hunt. What a fantastic day of celebration and family.

Watching the kids find eggs.
Cousin Madison and Jack checking out their haul.

Adoption Update | No News, But HOPE

There is no news on the adoption front. We received a few new pictures of Max yesterday. He looks healthy and clean. He was sporting a fantastic little polo shirt, jeans (hiked up to his chest) and a sweet little belt. He is so freakin cute. Photos like this along with no news cause our hearts to ache. Most days the waiting is so frustrating.

The world of adoption and blogging have collided and for many months I have daily checked the blogs of a few other families who have been in the adoption process. Jon snickers as I check the blogs "of complete strangers". Yet to this mom they have been a source of encouragement and of strength. Adoptions ACTUALLY do happen eventually. One blog in particular has been so awesome as I read this mom's struggles and joys in bringing home a hurt daughter from china. Often she quotes a devotional she has been reading and gaining strength and encouragement from.

Yesterday I finally picked up "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. It sat on the counter all day with out me cracking it open. This morning though after a good cry in the shower I poured a cup of coffee and sat down with the book. I must admit here that I have never been really good at "devotional" reading. But it was with an overwhelmed heart that I prayed before I cracked the book - "Lord, may I hear your words for me in my circumstance. Would you speak to me and help my to accept your words and live them in my day". Let me share with you (as if this blog could not get any longer....) what today's words were:

WAITING, TRUSTING AND HOPING are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to form a strong chain. Trusting is the central strand, because it is in response from My child that I (God) desire the most. Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to ME. Waiting for ME to work, with your eyes on ME, is evidence that you really do trust ME. If you mouth the words "I trust You" while anxiously trying to make things go your way, your words ring hallow. Hoping is future-directed, connecting you to your inheritance in heaven. However, the benefits of hope fall fully on your in the present.
Because you are MINE, you don't just pass time in your waiting. You can wait expectantly, in hopeful trust. Keep your "antennae" out to pick up even the faintest glimmer of MY presence. -Sarah Young

So there it is. The adoption update. We will just continue to WAIT, TRUST AND HOPE and we will keep our antennae out...for a glimpse or a glimmer.

Hiking Fun

Sunday afternoon we found ourselves with decent weather outside and a choice to make: stay home and do chores or get outside. And the winner was: GET OUTSIDE. We went on a hike with our friends the Johnsons. This was Jack's first hike. He did a great job. We enjoyed the hike, the beautiful scenery and good friends. After the hike was done and we loaded back into the car, Jack had nothing but positive comments. He can't wait for the next one. Yippee!

A Big Weekend

This weekend held a lot of entertainment for everyone in our family. Grab a beverage and settle in because there is a lot to share. Here are some of the highlights.

PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER : On Friday we ventured out with our cousins Robby and Gavin, our Auntie Heather and Mormor for a day at the Pacific Science Center. With so many activities and so many great things to do there we found ourselves there for several hours. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed ourselves very much.



SALISH LODGE : On Friday evening Jon and I were able to enjoy a Christmas gift from his parents, a stay at the Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls. We arrived early Friday evening and ate a wonderful meal overlooking the falls. Then we had a massage (delightful and spectacular says the girl who LOVES massages). Then on Saturday morning we enjoyed a 2 hour long luxourious breakfast in the beautiful dinning room. We capped off our stay with a walk to the falls. What a way to spend the weekend. Thanks Jeff and Robin. Thanks Ken and Nadine for watching Jack.




FIRST GOLF OUTING : Saturday evening was beautiful and so we decided to breakout Jack's golf clubs and take him to the driving range for the first time. The boys were kind enough to let mom come along to document this historic boy bonding moment. Jack loved being there with his dad and he had a great time hitting the balls with all his different clubs. Daddy showed of his skills. Quiet impressive. It was good to be in the fresh air and keeping our bodies active. Hello signs of spring. Yippee.

Brilliant Mom Award

I just have to share this self described "brilliant" mom moment that I had. I was busy cleaning the kitchen and family room on thursday when Jack said that he wanted to paint. I had just mopped and there was no way that I was going to be getting out all that mess right before dinner. So in a moment of sheer genius I told Jack that he could not paint inside, but if he wanted to earn a quarter (we are big into earning money these days) he could paint the back fence for me. He jumped up and down, "Yes! I want to paint the fence". So I filled a pitcher full of special paint (H2O) and grabbed a brush. Then I sent him outside to the fence. He spent 45 minutes working on the fence. He was so proud of him self and I got a clean kitchen.

Perfect Zoo Weather

With the weather being so lovely as of late it is a shame to spend it inside. In that spirit we hit the Zoo today with our friends the Blankenships. They picked us up early, we got coffee and we were off. Jack and his friend Luke loved looking for each animal on their own personal zoo map. The animals were all visable and the monkeys put on a very nice show. We enjoyed a tasty lunch and some much needed outdoor running and frolicking. In the afternoon we piled back into the van and in a matter of minutes small children were asleep. What a beautitful way to spend the day.

Beautiful Bellingham

Auntie Kendra lives in a beautiful place: Bellingham. Since Monday was a holiday and she had the day off Jack, Mommy and Mormor set off on yet another roadtrip. We left early in the morning and were up in Bellingham at 10:30. Auntie Kendra and Travis had chosen a wonderful park for us to go play at. The whole drive to the park Kendra raved about this place...with much anticipation and waiting to be wowed we drove into the park. It far exceeded our expectations. This mommy agrees-this is the coolest park. It looked like an amazing tree fort. Ropes and walls to climb, castles to explore and a huge tunnel slide. This great park was hidden in lovely trees and had a fantastic creek that ran right by. It was great. After time at the park we set out to have lunch at a delicious sandwhich shop and tour Kendra's new condo. After this we said good buy to Travis (we so enjoyed hanging out with him). Kendra then took us to her favorite Bellingham store: Deals Only. This is a wild,crazy and little bit trashy outlet store that lived up to all they hype. Super cool deals were to be had. You can imagine how excited Mormor was. As you can imagine after all this time and all this adventure we were toast and we headed back home. We had such a great day. Beautiul weather, lovely location and fun times with family.

Washougal Weekend

This weekend Jack and I set out on a mini road trip to visit our good friends the Springs who moved in June to Washougal. I picked Jack up from preschool on Friday and we hit the road. A mere 3 hours later we were deep in the country and ready to have fun. Jack was easily entertained by Brad(11),Shayne(9) and there 5 acres of woodland which ment that mom and Jennifer could get caught up. We enjoyed good food, great adventures in the woods and the river and a little guitar hero action too. Before we left on Saturday afternoon we were able to cheer Shayne on at her basketball game. We made our way home late Saturday afternoon. After being in the car for only 30 minutes Jack was sound asleep. It was a fantastic weekend with some of our favorite friends.