Cha-cha-cha-cha Changes!

Let me first start off with a big 'ol pat on the back for myself. After 22 months I did it! I left Avery overnight - 6 nights in fact. Impressive eh?!?!




I accompanied my very good friend Julie to Guatemala in order to bring home her newest addition Annie, and help her with her other two babies. It really was a wonderful trip, even with 3 kids under the age of two. We may have looked like a side show to the Guatemalan folks, but it was so worth it.

And yes, Avery did amazingly well. She barely noticed my return last Tuesday. In fact I didn't get a "Mommy I missed you", no she said "Hi Mom! I've got gum, wanna see?". I think it's safe to say that we survived!

Ryan started a new job yesterday. Very exciting. You can really see the relief in his face. After 10 years at CINTAS, he finally feels like he can enjoy his job.

Our house is on the market. We have found a house that we'd like to buy, but are waiting to make an offer. I am totally in love with this place! It really feels like home, and that's saying alot considering it isn't finished yet.

We are back to weighing our options for the next addition to our family. We'd appreciate your prayers for that. I'm trying to be more laid back this time around. I'll let you know how sucessful I am with that.

Our flip house, well, that is on hold at the moment, hey we own it, so it can sit for a while in order for us to get some of our ducks in a row.

Turning Three

Summer is just beginning and already we are busy busy!

Avery celebrated her birthday in true princess fashion. She had a nice little tea party and all the girls got their nails "done" - if you can call it that with 3 yr. olds.

A few days later Avery and I were off to California for my cousins wedding. Ok, for a place I've never wanted to visit, California is gorgeous. I could live there.

A little funny from our trip - Avery got some Gatoraide with her lunch one day. After eating I put her drink up and she was looking for it. She wanted to know where her "crocodile" was. Huh? It took me awhile - GATORaide - Crocodile. Silly kid!

We are still plugging away at the house. The progress is slow right now, because so much of what we are doing is structural. I promise to post pictures soon. I honeslty haven't been to the house myself in weeks, since they were reinforcing the floors - made me nervous!

Back to the center of our attention, the fabulous Avery. She is just blowing me away. So grown up, I'm telling you. She hadn't been showing any interest in the alphabet, or learning her numbers (by sight) she's counted and been able ot recite for some time. Well, lately it is all she wants to do. She will see a letter "J" and look at me and say, "Mommy, 'J' says 'jah' - JUMP!" She really is getting it. The water is still a hit! She is swimming like a fish. In fact this week she took her arm swimmies off and walked right in. Being the good mom that I am, did I immediately rush to her aide as she glug, glug, glugged to the bottom - trying as hard as she could to swim mind you, NO, I waited ot see what she'd do. The girl did nothing, so I swooped her up out of the water, to which she replied, "Hey, why'd you do that, I was 'wimmin'" I said, "No, honey you were drowning, weren't you scared", "Nope! Can I do it again?". Ugh! fearless and it does not do good things for a mommy's heart.

Stay tuned for more summer adventures!

We're Flipping a House

So, to fund our next adoption, we decided to get creative instead of going into debt. Ryan thought it would be good to do a project together and we are flipping a house, along with my parents.

Avery calls it her house, but the only person (thing) suited to live there now was the dog sized racoon family that inhabited it when we took possession. (gasp!)

I don't know how often I'll be updating since we are knee deep in demolition, but I thought a few pictures of our disaster, um, I mean house, would be fun for you all to see.

And BTW - I've never hurt so bad in all my life. I've trimmed bushes, hauled bricks, knocked out walls, and pulled out more nails than I ever care to count. Now I need a manicure, bubble bath and some aromatherapy to calm my nerves. Oops - about 10 weeks to go...

The Palace

Lovely Shed - see the vines growing from the roof - That's Class!

That's SUPPOSED to be a Gutter

The Dining Room

How Do You Like My LIving Room Color Choice

pepto pink not working for ya? - how 'bout the curtains?