Life Update

So a few weeks ago Leigh from our adoption agency called us and said that they were killing time during the slow adoption season and were talking to an agency in Florida that we didn't even know had a copy of our book. The director there said twice our book had been included in a group of profiles for a birthmom to view and twice they wouldn't even open the cover because "Mike looked mean." Now we haven't told that story to anyone that hasn't been shocked, but if that is the impression of some then we needed to change the picture. Below is the cover and family shot in the updated book. I changed a few more pictures, added two pages at the end of photo collage and brightened the backdrop. Fascinating stuff, huh. So will be printing it again and sending it to all our agencies.

House update-nothing to report. The world is potentially collapsing, financially. I am being (really!) patient about this. I think our house looks awesome. We're in a great location (for eeryone except us.) It is priced right....Blah blah blah. So we wait.

Saturday is another soccer game. Then Bella's free birthday party at Gymboree that her picture won at 4pm and Mike/Bella's birthday family birthday party at Catherine's at 6:30. We'll be grumpy and dead by then. Should be fun. Sunday is church and another birthday at 2pm.

Talia's first soccer game

This is Talia's first team anything and so she's had a steep learning curve. And her first real game was the first day she'd been let out of the sick house after a week. So...lowered expectations.... She ran her little heart out, not always in the most helpful direction, but tried. Hopefully this Saturday will be a little more focused. (I'm scaring myself! Sounding too much like an obsessive soccer mom! Next thing I'll be belting a parent at practice...I'll get help.)

A nut-a close up, with the good camera, and a suprise

So, Julie Macker and I are in Simpsonville again for another 2 days of Montessori training. We have become obsessed with a sushi restaurant name Blue Fire Grill. Most incredible food. Tonight we got our favorite waitress, Laura Lee. We order our sushi, ednemame, and Sapporo. Yum in all areas. And after a while another couple comes and sits in the Laura Lee's section, right behind us. They brought a weird little aura with them, too and was quickly confirmed, I noticed the older gentleman (60+) gave Laura Lee some nuts out of his pocket and asked her to give them to the chef to sprinkle on his talapia. She takes the nuts and goes to the kitchen. Later she comes back to our table with disbelief on her face. She said her manager cracked open the nuts and a freaking green condom came out! Insanity! I, of course, asked her if she any of the nuts left over. Scrool down to see what came out of the nut she gave us! Craziness. Who the hell would do that? What part of his internal conversation would allow for that?

More canoeing pics

Noah and his mom and dad, Wren and Chris.





One of Talia's better pictures...You can at least recognize who it is!

Canoe trip

Our adoptive family group went canoeing on the Congaree river on Sunday. Talia, grandma and I went since I had to have another adult with the 4 year old. This is Talia's new best friend, Noah. We've gotten together for a few play dates but obviously not enough! Noah grabbed her hand and wanted to be within 1 foot of her all day. So dang cute.

Playdough madness

So cousin Nicky brought an playdough set. I looooove playdough. The kids attended for quite a while. Talia ended up making footprints, knee prints, and shoes with it. Always out of the box.

More lake pics

Family fest at the lake

Elias is practicing winking to get the ladies...Wow.


We were off doing something when these guys came out having raided granddad's closet.


And of course Bella had to get dressed up like Granddaddy, too!