So Sweet

Jason was in Washington DC on Monday and Tuesday so Karla and I didn't see him from Monday morning until Tuesday night at bedtime. Karla really missed her Daddy. As soon as she saw him she gave him a big hug. She sat down to have a piece of toast with him. She held his hand while she was eating!! It was so sweet I had to take a picture. Then I got them to turn around for a smiling shot.
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Karla and I are going to Vacation Bible School at church every night this week. Karla is in the 2-3 year old class and I am teaching the Pre-K/K class. It's keeping us busy!!

I am so proud of her going to her class on her own. Last night after class I asked her teacher how she was doing. She told me Karla was doing just fine. Then she told me a nice story. The teacher felt like none of the 2-3 year olds were listening to the bible story yesterday but when she got to the part about Peter walking on the water with Jesus Karla's eyes got really big and wide and Karla said "He walked on water???" She was truly amazed. :) She said she knew Karla was listening!

Funny Karla sayings

At Walmart today I told Karla I had a song stuck in my head. She immediately said "let me see" while pointing to my head and looking up on top of my head. I started laughing and then she seemed very confused. I tried to explain but I don't think she got it.

After our errands this morning I decided to stop at a farmer's stand to buy some corn (Karla's FAVORITE food). I parked right in front of the stand and left her in her car seat. I could see her, she could see me. I had to wait in line so she started to howl. I went back to the car to get her out and said "I must have pushed my limit with this last errand". She suddenly turned off the screaming and the tears, and said "Let me see it. Let me see limit". All I could do was laugh and take her the 5 ft with me to buy the corn. :)

The above picture was taken on Wednesday at our favorite Chinese restaurant. It was Karla's first time there (she ate tons of rice!). The 3 of us went in celebration of our 9th wedding anniversary!! :)

Staycation 1

I mentioned that Jason was taking some long weekends this summer. This was the first one and he was off for 5 days. He calls it "staycation 1".

I already talked about Thursday. :) Friday we took a family trip to the chiropractor and Home Depot - I know - very exciting! We FOUND a swingset that is just like what we have been wanting! We weren't even looking for it and we saw a picture of it! We (Jason and I) were so excited! I really think we are more excited than Karla. :) So we are going to cancel our one at Toys R Us.

Friday night we had our small group meeting at our friend's house. I was surprised because they had made a cake for me! It was really cute...wish I had had my camera.

Saturday we went to the zoo again. Jason and Karla love it. I do too but I'm not quite as enthusiastic as they are. This time we took Grammy and Pap-Pap. Karla and I were totally worn out when we got home so we both took a nap while Jason and Pap-Pap went out and bought everything we need for the swingset and the shed (yes, we are also getting a shed). Lots of projects!

Sunday afternoon we had our small group over for a picnic. We had some great "blog-tastic" pie and some homemade ice cream. Here is a picture of the pie - I think someone went a little crazy with the Reddi-Whip. Lemonade pie.

Here is a picture of the girls...it was hard to get 3 of them smiling at the same time! And yes, Karla is wearing a crown on her head upside down. The three girls in their Sunday clothes...in a sandbox. :)


Today we stayed home together all day. I ran out to get a haircut while Karla was napping. That was nice because it has been way too long since my last haircut. I won't say how long...but I guess if you have seen my hair lately you can tell. :) Next time I am going to take Karla with me to get her hair trimmed too. I think she'll be ready for it this time...and not cry the whole time.

Even though we've been having fun we've also been having some little struggles. Karla kind of regressed in her sleeping. At least the going to sleep at bedtime part. I don't know if I just got too comfortable and relaxed with her being "easy" to put to bed...and then she decided to take advantage of it...I don't know. She's also started to fake cry, okay, WAIL when she doesn't get something she wants or can't do something she wants to. I guess that is all normal stuff though.

I have one funny story from yesterday to tell. Karla has been getting lots of Mommy AND Daddy time over the past few days and on Saturday we had been talking about sharing kisses between the 3 of us - meaning Karla had to give kisses to both Mommy and Daddy, not just one of us - just joking around. So Sunday at church during the singing I was holding Karla as I usually do. It is hard though to hold her that long and it makes my arms hurt if I hold her the whole time - but I do it anyway (I missed too many Sundays without her). :) So Jason tries to help me out by holding her too although she doesn't always let him. Anyway, I was holding Karla for a while and then Jason took her. Then Karla reached for me and wanted me to take her back. Just as I got her in my arms she said very seriously "thank you Daddy for sharing Karla". Thank goodness everyone was singing because Jason and I started laughing. She looked confused like she didn't understand why we were laughing. It was so cute because she was so sincere!

Two Adoption Emails/Issues

1)Orphan movie
I received the following email from the "Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute". I regularly receive emails from them and actually talked to a few members during our adoption process. I do not plan to see the movie "Orphan" but thought I would share this email because I had seen the trailer on YouTube and was slightly disturbed by it.

Over the past several weeks, millions of Americans have viewed the trailer for the new Warner Brothers Studios horror movie 'Orphan'. If statistics prove true, another 3 million people will see the feature length film next weekend. Sadly, all who do might be left with the impression that orphan and foster youth are extremely troubled and will bring harm to any family who adopts them. The real horror story is that in the US alone, 129,000 children are growing up without families.

By combining our voices, we can counter this message and inform millions of people that youth in foster care are worth our investment.

Speak for the truth by forwarding this video made by real young people in care to your friends and family and call on them to do the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUqnZ15h2-4


2) JCICS
I also received the following email from Joint Council of International Children's Services. I have posted information from them before.
CALL TO ACTION: Families For Orphans Act

Dear Friends and Families,

Anshula has recently come into an orphanage. She is four years old and alone. Where should she spend her childhood? In an orphanage? In temporary foster care? Or in a permanent and loving family?

The answer should be obvious: a safe, permanent and loving family. Unfortunately, the U.S. government and many aide organizations do not seem to agree. In fact, the U.S. sometimes spends millions of dollars, ensuring just the opposite. And while beloved organizations such as UNICEF keep millions of children alive, many believe it is better for children to live in temporary foster care than in a permanent family. The children of our world need your help to make a change. They need your help to live in a permanent family.

As a founding member of the Families For Orphans Coalition, Joint Council is proud to announce that the first step in making this much-needed change is upon us. In a bi-partisan effort, landmark legislation was introduced into Congress, which will ensure that U.S. government programs, policies and funding are directed towards a singular goal: a permanent family for every child.

The Families For Orphans Act (Senate Bill 1458 and House Bill 3070), sponsored by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and James Inhofe (R-OK) along with Representatives Diana Watson (D-CA) and John Boozman (R-AR) demonstrates our collective commitment to the millions of children living outside of permanent parental care and proactively addresses a global gap in the most basic of human rights - the right to a permanent family.

While the introduction of the legislation is an important first step, there is much more to be done. Now we must ensure that the Families For Orphans Act becomes the law of the United States. To do this, your voice is needed. Speak for those to cannot speak for themselves by supporting the Families For Orphans Act and joining our Call To Action.

What can you do?

Sign the Families For Orphans petition, make three simple phone calls, and get the word out! Here are the details...

1. Sign our Petition!

* Sign the Joint Council Families for Orphans Petition
* The Petition will be delivered to the U.S. Congress

2. Call Congress!

* On July 28th, 29th, and 30th, call your three Members of Congress (two in the Senate and one in the House of Representatives).
* You can find your Representative at http://www.house.gov/
* You can find you Senators' at http://www.senate.gov/
* Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff
* For maximum effect, we are asking you to make these calls within this 72-hour window!

3. Get the word out!

* Send this email to friends and family. Post to your Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, blog or website

What should you say or write to your Members of Congress?

* This is an issue that is critical to children in need, so speak from your heart. Tell them why ensuring more children living in families is so important to you!
* Ask your Senators and Representatives to become a Co-Sponsor of the Families for Orphans Act.
* Please feel free to use the following text as a guideline when speaking with your Members of Congress.
o "As a constituent of we are requesting that you support the Families For Orphans Act by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the legislation. For information on becoming a Co-Sponsor, please contact Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator James Inhofe, Representative Diane Watson or Representative John Boozman. Thank you for representing your constituents by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the Families For Orphans Act (Senate Bill 1458 and House Bill 3070)."

For detailed information on the Families For Orphans Act visit:

* The Joint Council website (www.jcics.org)
* For minute-by-minute updates, see Joint Council's page on Facebook
* The websites of any Families For Orphans Coalition Member (see below)
* The Families For Orphans Legislation

On behalf of Joint Council, the Families for Orphans Coalition and the children of our world, we thank you for helping through your support of the Families For Orphans Act.

July 16th

One of my favorite days every year! This year was extra special because Karla was finally here, not just in our hearts but in person!

This morning Karla drew a picture, handed it to me and said "Happy Birthday Mommy". I asked Jason if he told her to do and say that and he said no. So, that was really sweet! Then I went and got a massage, followed by a quick trip to Starbucks.

Jason is off for the next several days. He is taking off a few long weekends this summer instead of one big week or so. He's calling it our "staycation" because we are just going to be doing things in the area. We had plenty of traveling last year.

Back to my day -
After lunch I got to open a present and some cards from Karla and Daddy. Jason said the gift was not only birthday but also to celebrate the fact that 10 years ago today he proposed to me! They had picked out a necklace for me. I was pretty surprised and excited! Wasn't that a sweet thought? :) I can't believe it has been 10 years because I can remember it like it was yesterday...and I can't be that old, right??

Next, Karla helped me mix up a cake. While she napped the cake baked and I got things ready to decorate the cake. I really wanted to make my own cake this year..and I wanted a Dora cake. :)

After K's nap I watched this for a while:

Then Grammy and Pap-Pap came over and we went to one of my favorite Mexican places for dinner. The waiters sang to me and I got a free dessert (that we all shared).

Then we came home and Jason had bought me fireworks...just what he, I mean I, always wanted. :) So we set off a few fireworks in the driveway.

Then we ate this cake! (I am too tired to figure out how to rotate this pic right now...will try later)

Grammy put on ALL the candles (don't count them) with Karla's help. Dora got a candle in the mouth and the eyes. It was pretty funny all lit up.


I got another present from the whole group. An organizer for my scrapbook stuff! I am excited and can't wait to start organizing!

I had some phone calls from friends and family today...it was just a great day! The best part had to be this....the two of us together.

Quick Post

I haven't blogged much lately. I've just been enjoying summer days with Karla. :) Here are two pictures from today. I uploaded a bunch of pictures to flickr today too.

Karla and Daddy ate breakfast on the deck. Daddy had leftover casserole and Karla had spaghettio's. Like father like daughter. I try to get them both to eat breakfast foods for breakfast....doesn't work so well. It was a beautiful morning!

Karla and I went to Lilliput to meet Austin, his brother and mom. It has little play houses for kids to play in and a Rainbow playset. Here's the website. The first picture on the website is a picture of where Karla played. http://www.lilliputplayhomes.com/playhouses-commercial-use.asp
The pictures I've posted here is my favorite picture of the day! :)

Happy 4th of July and a zoo trip

The three of us waiting for the fireworks.


Hope everyone had a great 4th of July! We went to the park in the morning to play on the swings and slides and then after Karla's nap we went to Jason's parents so we could have a picnic with Tio Ryan, Tio Kevin, Grammy and Pap-Pap. Then we went to see fireworks in Butler where we ran into more family - Uncle Larry, Aunt Kim and cousins Kelsie and Taylor.

We were a little worried about whether or not Karla would be scared. A friend set some fireworks off in our driveway Friday night and Karla was scared! So Saturday we talked about fireworks and how loud they are, etc. to prepare her for Saturday night. Well, Karla liked the fireworks! She was just as interested in the glow sticks that her second cousins had brought...and was busy trying to make them into bracelets. She did watch them though and seemed to enjoy them.

Today we went to the zoo. We've been wanting to go for a while now as a family and it hasn't worked out for one reason or another. Today was great! Karla was a little afraid of the animals at first if they were very close to us but the longer we were there, the braver she got. She asked to leave the penguin exhibit because she was "scared" but then she didn't want to leave the aquarium until we went back again to see them. The second time she stood on the ground right in front of the glass and watched them (the first time she was clinging to Jason for dear life).

After walking by the deer once, Karla was brave enough to pet him - with Daddy right there with her.

Karla and I in front of the gorillas.