We got THE CALL!
10 years ago
August 31,2007
O.K. I missed a day of journelling but what a day. We got up yesterday morning and went over to the foster home to meet the girls. There were seven families all meeting their kids in one large room at the same time. Talk about emotional and chaotic all at the same time.
Thos
e of you who know Deb know that she is not crier, but we no sooner drove through the gates of the foster home and she started to cry. And when she saw Haregewain, the woman who runs the foster home....they embraced each other and balled.
After herding us into the meeting room they brought out the kids. When we saw Denaye and Maya for the first time we both lost it. I’m sure the girls were wondering ,"Who are these people,and why are they crying?"
We cried, we hugged...the girls were a little shell-shocked by the whole thing, But the meeting room quickly turned into a playroom when the balloons and bubbles and balls came out.
I have to say it was incredible to look around the room and just see the absolute joy on the faces of the chi
ldren and their new families. It’s something I know I’ll never forget.
I’m not sure how long the play session lasted....but some workers came to take the children and we all looked at each other and said "You can’t take them now." We were then told they were just going to have lunch. Whew!!
But shortly after, the discussion began as to whether this was going to be a visit or pick-up. As you might expect the parents all voted for pick-up. After some discussions with Haregewain it was decided we could all take our kids.
During the playtime and as we go them ready to leave, even though we had only known them for a couple of hours....there were moments of unexpected hugs and kisses from the girls. And
I’ll take all of those I can get.
Driving back to the guest house with Maya on my lap....looking out the window at the sad looking sea of humanity that is Addis,
I knew we were doing a good thing for Denaye and Maya. But that of course is not why we did it. We did this to complete our family....and is feels "VERY" complete
Thos
e of you who know Deb know that she is not crier, but we no sooner drove through the gates of the foster home and she started to cry. And when she saw Haregewain, the woman who runs the foster home....they embraced each other and balled.After herding us into the meeting room they brought out the kids. When we saw Denaye and Maya for the first time we both lost it. I’m sure the girls were wondering ,"Who are these people,and why are they crying?"
We cried, we hugged...the girls were a little shell-shocked by the whole thing, But the meeting room quickly turned into a playroom when the balloons and bubbles and balls came out.
I have to say it was incredible to look around the room and just see the absolute joy on the faces of the chi
ldren and their new families. It’s something I know I’ll never forget.I’m not sure how long the play session lasted....but some workers came to take the children and we all looked at each other and said "You can’t take them now." We were then told they were just going to have lunch. Whew!!
But shortly after, the discussion began as to whether this was going to be a visit or pick-up. As you might expect the parents all voted for pick-up. After some discussions with Haregewain it was decided we could all take our kids.
During the playtime and as we go them ready to leave, even though we had only known them for a couple of hours....there were moments of unexpected hugs and kisses from the girls. And
I’ll take all of those I can get.Driving back to the guest house with Maya on my lap....looking out the window at the sad looking sea of humanity that is Addis,
I knew we were doing a good thing for Denaye and Maya. But that of course is not why we did it. We did this to complete our family....and is feels "VERY" complete
We spent the day with the girls just getting acquainted. The language barrier can be frustrating at times but we’ve learned a few words that help us communicate. We’ve got the one figured out for when they have to go to the bathroom....so that’s good.
A loud party near the guest house kept us awake for a good chunk of the night last night. We’re still adapting to the clock so we were both a little wiped out today. But the girls seemed to have a good sleep.
This morning before breakfast we bathed our girls for the first time. The bathroom next to our room has only stand-up shower, so we went to someone elses room and borrowed their tub. But their taps didn’t work so we ended up using showerhead anyway.
I think we all handled it great. I must say, so far the girls have been agreeable about everything. They are both really good eaters...so that’s been a blessing.
This morning before breakfast we bathed our girls for the first time. The bathroom next to our room has only stand-up shower, so we went to someone elses room and borrowed their tub. But their taps didn’t work so we ended up using showerhead anyway.
I think we all handled it great. I must say, so far the girls have been agreeable about everything. They are both really good eaters...so that’s been a blessing.
After we inhaled breakfast we did a little touring and shopping.
But our drivers took us to a pottery place off the beaten path...down a back road that you could barely drive down. It was our first up close look at the poverty in Addis. Children came up to the van begging for Birr..which is Ethiopian money. Luckily Jim and Heather Blake came stocked with granola bars so the kids got food instead of money.
The pottery was incredible, but I think it was a little much for some of the children, maybe a little too familiar. As soon as we entered the place some of the kids held on tighter than ever to the parents. And some wanted to leave. Who knows, maybe it was too vivid a reminder of their earlier lives. We quickly bought some pottery and moved on.
Driving from the pottery place to a weaving shop we saw more of the poverty in Addis. There were endless shanty-towns and road-side shops. But the irony for me was in the middle of all th
is were lots of happy people. I guess it’s true.....if life gives you lemons..make lemonade.
But our drivers took us to a pottery place off the beaten path...down a back road that you could barely drive down. It was our first up close look at the poverty in Addis. Children came up to the van begging for Birr..which is Ethiopian money. Luckily Jim and Heather Blake came stocked with granola bars so the kids got food instead of money.
The pottery was incredible, but I think it was a little much for some of the children, maybe a little too familiar. As soon as we entered the place some of the kids held on tighter than ever to the parents. And some wanted to leave. Who knows, maybe it was too vivid a reminder of their earlier lives. We quickly bought some pottery and moved on.
Driving from the pottery place to a weaving shop we saw more of the poverty in Addis. There were endless shanty-towns and road-side shops. But the irony for me was in the middle of all th
is were lots of happy people. I guess it’s true.....if life gives you lemons..make lemonade.The women at the weavers were using old foot-operated looms and creating the most gorgeous blankets. When you visit these places you don’t just watch...you buy. We had great fun and the old woman doing the weaving loved inter-acting with our kids.
After an afternoon nap...tonight Selemnah took us to a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, complete with a band and singers and dancers. The food was amazing, the dancers were incredible and of course I forgot to bring our video camera.
After an afternoon nap...tonight Selemnah took us to a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, complete with a band and singers and dancers. The food was amazing, the dancers were incredible and of course I forgot to bring our video camera.
Deb and the girls are already fast asleep. And I just wanted to catch you up on what’s been happening. We’re enjoying our time here but we’re eager to get home and show off our amazing daughters. 
After being pretty quiet yesterday, they started to come out of their shells today....especially Denaye. She was laughing and playing with Maya and the others. When we first got pictures of the girls they looked so sad and all we wanted to do was to make them smile.
This morning when Deb was dressing them up.....in pink of course.....she put a really pretty headband on Maya, and she broke out in the biggest smile. That alone made all of this worth it. I am extremely happy and extremely tired.
More thoughts tomorrow.
Rod
After being pretty quiet yesterday, they started to come out of their shells today....especially Denaye. She was laughing and playing with Maya and the others. When we first got pictures of the girls they looked so sad and all we wanted to do was to make them smile.
This morning when Deb was dressing them up.....in pink of course.....she put a really pretty headband on Maya, and she broke out in the biggest smile. That alone made all of this worth it. I am extremely happy and extremely tired.
More thoughts tomorrow.
Rod
August 30th,2007
Well after almost two days of traveling we arrived in Addis last night, tired but very happy to finally be here. It’s so different from Canada.
After arriving, we stood in line to get into small room to get our Ethiopian visas. Our paperwork checked out, and we paid our 20 U-S dollars...we then walked into this cavernous baggage claim area. The airport here is definitely bare bones compared to the restaurants and museums you find in airports back home.
People were everywhere grabbing bags. The had to be x-rayed before we could leave the airport. We no sooner walked into the waiting area when we saw the smiling face of our guide and driver Salemnah. There were four other families in our group all arriving at the same time. It was quite the haul of luggage out to the waiting vans. Luckily Salemnah had other guys with him who helped as well.
We no sooner arrived at the Weygoss guest house when Deb dashed off to see our friends Heather and Jim and their new daughter Samra. I could hear their screams of joy two floors up as I dragged luggage up four flights of stairs. Yes we’re on the fourth floor. It’s the top floor and it’s a beautiful room...but there’s no elevator. We should have packed lighter!!
Samra is beautiful and we can’t to meet Denaye and Maya.
It’s just after 6 a.m. and the sun is just coming up. We’ve only seen Addis at night. Heather told us you see the poverty in a very real way during the daylight hours. Even as I glance out our fourth f
loor I can see the shanty towns all around the guest house. I know we’re going to see things that will shock us, but on the other hand I’m glad we’re able to see this first hand. Then at least we’ll know the real need and maybe be able to do something to help in the future. Right now, our focus is our girls. We meet them later this morning and there is a possibility that we might be able to keep them with us right away. Hey, if they’re ready....we’re ready!!
The adoption has been an exciting process, but today it’s very real. I know our lives will never be the same and neither will the lives of Denaye and Maya. Even though they’ve legally been our daughters since June, this is the day when our adventure really begins. I can’t wait to hold them, love them and begin life together. More thoughts later.
Rod
August 28,2007.
Well, we are sitting in the Toronto airport, and Deb says she has butterflies. I’m not sure if it’s butterflies about the travel or butterflies about finally going to get our girls.It’s amazing to think that tomorrow (Wednesday) we will be in Addis and on Thursday we’ll finally meet Denaye and Maya . We are so excited about this final step which really is the first step of the rest of our lives.
I was looking over the list of Amharic words we were given so we can communicate with the girls. The word that leapt out for me was "konjoi" which means "beautiful". I can’t wait to hold them and tell them how beautiful they are, and how much we love them.
I don’t feel butterflies, right now I have just a sense of calm that this is exactly what we’re supposed to be doing at this time in our lives. I know there are going to be lots of adjustments ahead but we’re game!!
Even though we’ve had a crazy couple of months of mini-crises leading up to this, God has been good to us. We feel so blessed!!
And whatever challenges are ahead, we’ll face them the way we always have....side-by-side....hand-in-hand...Mom & Dad...sons AND daughters...with His hand in ours!!
LIFE IS GOOD!! More thoughts later.
Rod
Finally a picture of all of us together......I am hoping to start telling our story of our adventure in Ethiopia sometime over the weekend......now that I am feeling like I am in this timezone!!!
Happy birhtday Rod from all of us....your family.....Taylor, Jesse, Kyle, Sam, Maya and Denaye.....and of course me!
We are home.......we are exhausted, but very glad to be home. This is Denaye and Maya. It is very nice to see smiles on their faces. I will write more later about our adventures, but thought I would share a picture of them.
Here we are the day before we leave for Ethiopia. It seemed at times this day was never going to arrive, but yet here we are. Many people have been asking us if we are excited etc. When I stopped to think about what it was that I was actually feeling....it really is not excitement, although I am, but it is more of a feeling of contentment. I am so ready for this! I am anxious for the trip to start and at times I get butterflies in my stomache and other times I feel panic. This journey has at times seemed like it was never going to end.....and yet tommorrow we are really just beginning. I know many of you have prayed for us, encouraged us, and have been an incredible support.....we are so thankful for that. It is so reassuring to know that people are praying for you. Please continue to do that as we begin our travels tommorrow. I am going to miss my boys so much. Last night we had our last family night together as a family of 6. I made tacos (their favorite) and we played cards. It doesn't sound all that exciting, but it was important to me to have one final evening together where it was us.......the boys and us just hanging out. Tommorrow we will board that airplane and fly to our little girls.....our lives forever changed! Rod and I are both anxious to get going and begin a new life together as a family of 8.
I will not be able to update from Ethiopia....so I will make sure and post the pictures of the girls as soon as I can. I am so excited to introduce them to our friends and family. Please keep us in your prayers as we beging our trip to our girls tommorrow. Thanks again for all your support over this last year....it has meant the world to us!!!
~Debbie~
7 years ago today Sam made his entrance into the world. He had a very rough start......he was born with a heart problem that almost took his life. We did not know until the day he was born that there was anything wrong. The doctors didn't give us much hope for his survival and told us to prepare for the worst.....how does a parent do that. He had an emergency surgery the day he was born and then when he was a week old he had open heart surgery. There was a lot of prayers for our little boy and his story is really all about the miracles of God. He is simply a miracle! Today he is perfect little boy, full of life. He greets me everyday with a smile a hug and a "I Love You mom". It doesn't get any better then that. Last night before bed we were talking about his birthday and he asked where I got him from......I said what do you think....his reply "you just went and picked me up from somewhere" Everynight before bed we pray and thank God for the miracle of Sam's life. He is a gift from God...that is the meaning of his name and he truely is. He loves sports of all kinds . He plays hockey on a team and he is going into grade 2 this year. He is excited about being a big brother, but would prefer if we didn't have to leave him. He is a speicial boy full of life and he is tough......you would never know that he was so close to not being with us.....other then the scar on his chest. We love you Sam and Happy Birthday!!!
Sam is 7 years old...we are on holidays in Coeur D alene.....his 1st brithday.....he is 6 years old.....we were in Disneyland when we celebrated this birthday. We are having his party tommorrow......I will post pictures of all the fun!!!
~Debbie~
I came across this posted on someone else's blog. You have got to take the time to read it all the way through.....I have never laughed so hard. It is so funny!!!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130144061675&ru=http%25
~Debbie~
Today is our 25th wedding anniversary. I can't believe we have been married that long already. The years have flown by! We were just a couple of kids starting off on a journey that we really had no idea where it was going. 25 years ago today we were preparing to get married.......today we are preparing for yet another journey. Rod is my best friend and I am so glad that I chose him to be my husband. It has not always been easy and the road has had many curves and bumps in it. I am so glad that we had each other to go through the rough times. We've laughed, we've cried, we've celebrated, we've grieved.......we have experinced so much together. We have 4 wondeful boys who add so much to our life.....and now we are adding 2 wonderful little girls to our family. Together we will even be better then before.....it was good, but now it's great!!!
~Debbie~
This is my first attempt with our new program for editing and making movies....it's not perfect, but at least I know what I am doing now....sort of!!
We had a blast celebrating everybody's birthday. We went to the go-karts first then back to our house for ribs and birthday cake!!!
Over the past year since we started this journey I have met some wonderful people in the adoption world. Heather and her family are some of those people. They started their journey more then 2 years ago. It has taken a long time for them to reach this point. There have been many hurdles for them to overcome, but they kept going.....now finally they are leaving on a jetplane tommorrow to get their daughter!!!! I could not be happier for them. I do have to say though that because of all their setbacks during their journey, our journey has caught up to theirs and now we will be in Ethiopia together!!! Her trials have become my victories!!!! I am sorry for all she has gone through, but am very grateful we get to share this experince together. It will forever connect us and our children. Happy travels Heather and see ya in Ethiopia!!!!!
~Debbie~
~Debbie~
I got good news yesterday.....the visa'a for the girls have been approved!! The last piece of the puzzle has been completed. Now we start a new one once we touch Canadian soil. Oh well it's all good!!!!
~Debbie~
This past week 2 of our boys have been out a camp working as leaders. It has been just me and Sam for the most part. Every now and then I see Taylor....not so much as he is working nights and sleeps days. I was thinking about how much our life is going to change in 12 days. Right now the house is quiet and there is not a lot of activity. I have come to realize that as loud as it is here and as much as the boys mess up the house......I wouldn't trade it for the world. Denaye and Maya are going to be a little overwhelmed at first, but once we all find our groove it will be a very loud, messy, nonstop activity, house. Most of all we will finally be the family I always dreamed of....a house full of boys and girls, but mostly a house full of LOVE!!!!
~Debbie~
Yesterday we had a BBQ with other families who are also adopting from Ethiopia. We are all from the Edmonton area. There were 7 families who came and we are all at different stages of the journey. One of the families had left when we thought of taking a picture.....next time we'll make sure they are in the picture. There are 3 families who are leaving this month for Ethiopia to finally bring home their kids. We are one of those families. It is so cool that we are all from Edmonton and get to travel and experience this together. We will forever be connected because of this. There was also 2 families who are beginning their journey. We pray their journey is quick and smooth. There was one family 
who had just received their referral.....good friends Rob and Tracy. Their referral was for 3 beautiful children age 4, 3 and 2. We celebrated with them. The star of the day though was the family who just returned about a month ago with their son. He is so adorable!! We look forward to doing this again....the next time we come together their will be 4 more children who will be home with their families!!! Can't wait!!!
16 days and counting untill we leave!!!
~Debbie~
I celebrated my ? birthday on the weekend. It was not a huge celebration as we are getting together with family on the 19th to celebrate all family members bithdays in the month of August. Rod bought me a gift certificate for a pedicure from a spa. It was amazing! I had a pedicure done once in my life and it was not even close to the treament I got on wednesday. I loved every second of it and decided that this was now going to be a part of what I do. They recommened a pedicure every season.....well I'll just have to follow their advice. I am thinking that this would be a great thing to do with friends/family.....make a day of it.....pedicure, lunch, shopping......what do you think......any takers!!!
~Debbie~
In the adoption world all you seem to do is wait, wait and then wait some more. Throughout this whole journey we have done our best to hurry up and get our part done (the paperwork) and then leave the rest up to our Adoption Agency. As the saying goes.....Hurry up and Wait. We leave in 3 weeks from today for Ethiopia. This part is going by really fast......now I am almost feeling like I am not ready for all of this. We have been praying for our girls since before we knew them and now that they are coming home......well I just feel so blessed. The room is ready, clothes are bought, toys are in place and most of all our hearts are ready to welcome these precious girls into our family. This has been an interesting rollercoaster ride of emmotions. Last night we met a couple who are at the very beginning of their journey....we are so excited for them. I am selfishly excited that there will be a connection for our girls to their birth country. The journey hasn't been easy......I am not a patient person and this has been all about patience....waiting and relying and trusting in other people and more importantly, God. These next 3 weeks are going to be our last as a family of 6. I want to create special memories for our boys before we go. Rod and I will also be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this year.......I was 12 when we got married!!! This year is a year of change......and it has been wonderful. We look forward to where God is leading our family.......like I said before......I think the road is leading to Africa.
~Debbie~
A friend of mine told me about a website that sells t-shirts. The logo on the shirt says "I Love You" in Amharic. They come in 3 different colors and all sizes. Check out this website for more information. http://www.cafepress.com/buy/ethiopia/-/pv_design_prod/pg_1/p_storeid.103468644/pNo_103468644/id_17205134/opt_/fpt_/c_360
We have waited 13 months and 27 days to get the phone call that said we could go bring our girls home! I cannot express the excitement or the joy that we all feel. When I first heard that we could make travel plans, I screamed at the top of my lungs. Jesse had no idea what was going on. He thought I had hurt myself. It has felt like a part of our family has been missing since April 5th....the day we saw their faces for the first time. We will become a family of 8 on August 31st. Denaye and Maya have no idea how wonderful their life is going to be. They have 4 brothers who love them and want to be the protective brothers! Rod and I have loved them before we even knew who they were. Our lives will forever be changed because 2 little girls have stolen our hearts. I can hardly believe that this is happening...we are going to get our girls!!! Denaye and Maya were born in our hearts long before we ever knew them. We contiue to pray for their safety and their health and that the visa's show up on time!!!!! Thanks for your support, your comments, your're prayers and your frienship......as always it means the world to us!
P.S. The above picture is for my benefit!!
~Debbie~
YIIIIIPPPPPEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just got an email from Roberta and we got the o.k. to travel........Girls here we come!!!!
I don't know any details, just that we get to travel. I will update once I know more. I am over the moon excited. Some good friends told me we would hear good news today.......thanks for your encouraging words........you know who you are!!!
~Debbie~
Today Rod and I had a chance to meet some other families who were adopting or have adopted children from Ethiopia. It is always so nice to have an opportunity to sit and talk with people about their experiences. There were 3 families there who had their children home already.....what beautiful kids!! Rod and I went away from that more anxious then ever to get over to Ethiopia to bring our girls home. I know it will happen, but it's just taking sooooooooooo looooooooooooong!
~Debbie~
It's hard to believe that Jesse is old enough to drive. He is actually 17.....so he could have had his license a year ago, but because of some foolish choices had to wait an extra year. He has been looking for a car for awhile and found one and bought it yesterday.....the same day he got his license. We are so proud of our boy. He is very excited to be driving now. He hated taking the bus. Congratulations Jesse .......well done!!
Last night my sister, Jody, my mom and I went picking strawberries. I have never done this before....it was a lot of fun. The 3 of us staked out our territory and when anyone came into their territory.......well let's just say words were flying! We had a great time. We discovered Jody reacts to hay......she broke out in hives. 
The strawberries are so tasty. Rod made a strawberry milkshake and Sam ate 3 bowl fulls himself. Strawberies are his favorite. We just found this place, but this is the last year it will be open......we will have to find a new place next year. Fresh strawberries.....there is no other way to eat them. Store bought ones are not nearly as sweet. We'll go back when we need more.
The Frog Princess is an animated film currently in deveopment and is scheduled to realease in 2009. It is an American Fairy-Tale musical set in New Orleans in the 1920's during the jazz age. Tiana will be the first African American princess and will be played by Anika Noni Rose. She was recently in the film "Dream Girls" . The title of the film has recently been changed to 'The Princess and the Frog".
I am exctied about this film....it is about time Disney came up with a princess who is African/American. It is long past due. For more information on the film check out this website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Frog_Princess_(film)
I was hoping to hear something today about that status of immigration. There is no news to report. I guess that's better then it being delayed. Deborah from Cafac emailed me today and said she was not able to get information about whether or not the medical forms arrived. She is leaving for Ethiopia next week and she will update me from there. She did say that issueing passports and Birth certificates is very slow....due to the high volume of court cases being pushed through the system before court closures. I am back on the rollercoaster and I need to ride this one. I am going to learn to like rollercoasters if it's the last thing I do!!!
~Debbie~
Tommorrow this couple gets on an airplane to fly to Ethiopia to finally go get their girls. I have never met them, but feel a connection to them simply because we are going through the same thing. Our story may be different as to why we are adopting, but in the end the result is the same.....we have chosen to expand our family through international adoption. Lisa has been a great source of encouragement for me and I couldn't be happier for them that this day has finally come. I wish I could be there when they get off that airplane to welcome them home, but know that I am thinking of you. I look forward to seeing pictures of the 4 of them together and hearing the stories of what it was like. You can read about their story here http://thegoguenfamily.blogspot.com/ God Bless all of you as you begin a new chapter in your story......
~Debbie~
Yes the girls are taking over and they aren't even here yet! Imagine what it's going to be like when they get here......I can't wait. Our upstairs family room is now being taken over by little girl stuff.....and I love it. Rod and I realized about a month ago that the girls were going to need a space to play and to store all of their girl toys.....so we made room in the bonus room. The boys have the downstairs family room and the girls 'own' the upstairs one.....it's all fair. It is such a novelty to have girl stuff around here that Kyle and Sam have been playing with the kitchen set since Rod set it up last night. Sam especially loves it. Kyle put all the dishes and food in their proper place and made sure that the table was set for breakfast. I'm not sure which family member is more excited about having girls, but I do know this, we all can't wait!!!
Rod reading directions......and you thought this sort of thing never happened!
Sam loves the kitchen set.....so do I!
Kyle had set the table for breakfast....he even videotaped it!
I found this on another blog. It is an amazing story. This couple shows incredible strength and faith in a situation where they didn't want to be. It helps put things into perspective.......
~Debbie~
Adopting is an emotional rollercoaster. It is the unknowns that are hard to handle. We are still waiting for Immigration to send the medical forms to the Foster Home where the girls are. They need to have a medical done to complete our application for visa's. This is the last step that needs to happen then they can issue a Visa for the girls. I am not sure why this part always seems to be the most unpredictable. I am very frustrated.......the process so far has gone good. We are so close and the longer this takes the farther away a travel date is. I could really use some prayers right now. We are so blessed to be able to adopt these 2 beautiful little girls, I just want to get them home. It's hard to think of them without a family. I know they are well taken care of, but it's just not the same as having a mom and dad and brothers who love them and want to be the ones that take care of them. I am trying to stay positive and I appreciate that Immigration is very busy right now.....it's just hard at times. The ups and downs that you go through are just like a roller coaster ( I hate roller coasters), in the end it will all be worth it and all of this won't matter.....I know that, but untill then, it does matter.
~Debbie~
We were on holidays this past week. We went to Coeur D Alene, Idaho. It is about a 10 hour drive from us. We had a great time. The weather was hot....not less then 35 everyday. The day we left it was going to 42....their hottest day in 70 years. The country is beautiful. It is on a lake and their is lots to do. The shopping is great too.....I found a couple of Ross stores and a few other places to shop. Here are a few pictures of our trip......
Sam and Zack.....this is one of my favorites. We were just starting our trip. This was where we had lunch.
Zack, Sam and Kyle at the lake in Coeur D Alene.
We rented wave-runners......we had a blast.
We rented wave-runners......we had a blast.
Sam, Zack, Kyle, Rod and my mom....this is where we stopped to have lunch on the way home
Simpson river.....the boys skipped rocks and climbed the rocks on this river.
~Debbie~
I have a dear friend who is adopting an adorable little baby girl. She has been going through this process for 2 years......a lot of ups and downs to say the least. She was supposed to travel to Ethiopia on thursday (in 9 days), but was notified she couldn't because some paperwork wasn't completed. How very disappointing for her and her family. She will travel in September now and yes she will get her daughter, but it doesn't make it any easier. The wait is very hard at times....believe me I know. I won't mention her name to protect her privacy, but if any of you think of it.....say a little prayer for her and her family. Adoption is a wonderful thing and I am so glad that we are doing this.....I know my friend dispite the setbacks she has endured would say the same thing. She is trying to stay positive, but her heart must be broken. Thanks for all of your support and this time my friend could use a little of that.....
~Debbie~
The beginning is a little slow.....but worth the wait!
~Debbie~
Our niece Bonnie her husband Dave and their 3 kids came for a visit to our house. It was really good to see them...we don't see them often enough. She was our flowergirl at our wedding....kind of freaks you out when she now has 3 children of her own. Sam and their son, Liam hit it off great....they both like sword fighting and other rough boy things. The house was never quiet and the kids were exhausted by the time they went to bed....sleeping was not a problem for any of them. Bonnie and Dave need to go home and get some rest!!! Great to see them.
All the kids just before we went and saw the fireworks on July 1st.
Sam, Liam, and Carter sucking on freezies.....life is good!!!
Bonnie, Dave and their 3 children.....Liam, Carter and Katelyn
This was the supper that Dave ccoked for us......kids called it 'Beer Up Butt Chicken' what ever it was it was tasty!!!!~Debbie~
Happy Canada Day everyone. I hope you are all having a wonderful long weekend. We are spending Canada Day with my niece Bonnie (she was our flower girl at our wedding!) her husband Dave and their 3 children. They are visiting from Saskatoon. We are going to see the fireworks tonight and Dave's cooking.......I am the most excited about that. We live in the best country and we are excited to bring the girls over here to be a part of this great country. Next year we will celebrate because they will be Canadian citizens!!!
God Bless
~Debbie~
;;
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