We got THE CALL!
10 years ago
It has been 2 years since we received our referral for Denaye and Maya. I can't believe how time has flown by. Some of the first pictures we ever saw of them are below. They came to us bald, scared, confused and unsure of where life was taking them. Today they are happy, secure, loved and full of enthusiasm.....and oh yes they have hair!!!!
Denaye's referral picture...she looks so sad.
Denaye's referral picture...she looks so sad.Maya's....referral picture....shortly after this was taken Maya's hair was shaved off as well. she had a fungal infection that required her scalp to be treated.
This picture was taken yesterday...spring is finally here. My how they have changed.
Denaye cute as a button. They have both blossomed into such beautiful girls...hard to believe it's been 2 years already since we first saw pictures of them.
This picture was taken yesterday...spring is finally here. My how they have changed.
Denaye cute as a button. They have both blossomed into such beautiful girls...hard to believe it's been 2 years already since we first saw pictures of them.
Our first morning in Vegas....the kids were excited to get going.
The kids went swimming almost everyday...it was 21-22 C everyday. Cold for Vegas...beautiful for us.
At Caesar's palace
Just outside the Coke store...Howard and Sue and the kids.
The M & M store.....can't believe it was 4 stories.
Playing the slots......not really....security came very quickly....we asked if we could just take a picture.We were in Las Vegas last week. We took 4 of our kids with us and we had a blast. The girls were so excited to get on an airplane. This was the first airplane ride since Ethiopia. They were most excited about the TV's that they could watch. The weather was beautiful....it was 20-23 all week.....we came home to -20...what a difference.
Some highlights of the trip were the 2 story Coke store...got some fantastic glasses from there. Right beside the Coke store is the 4 story M & M store. I have never seen so much m&m stuff....it was unbelievable. They even had a 3D m&m movie playing on the 3rd floor. The shopping is fantastic in Vegas....loved the factory outlet mall. There was also a Ross store right across the street from our hotel...it doesn't get any better then that. Some good friends of ours went with us...Howard and Sue.....it's always nice to have friends to hang out with on trips. We saw Danny Gans...loved it. I took Kyle to see Blue Man Group at the Ventian. It is a great show and Kyle loved it so much he didn't want it to end. We did a lot in those 4 days that we were there and the kids had a great time. Denaye and Maya both love to travel.....they were fascinated by all of the lights and all of the action.....makes home seem pretty boring. Sam and the girls love to stay in hotels, so this was one of their favorite parts. I missed my bed, but it was a fun trip for all of us.
Debbie
I started another blog...can't believe I did that as there is no time to keep up with this one as it is. The reason I did is for Sam. He is quite simply a miracle. When he was born the doctors gave him about a 10% chance of survival. Sam asks me all of the time about what happened to him, so I thought I would tell his story so he could read and look at it anytime he wanted. There is not much there right now, but I will begin his story and you will see for yourself that he is very much a miracle. Here is the link. http://thelifeofsam-dkurtz.blogspot.com/
Blessings
Debbie
My mom had a birthday and we all got together to celebrate with her. I am so thankful that my mom lives in Edmonton, she is such a huge help and a great friend to me. She has only been here for about 6 years so now I am so used to her being around that I would be lost without her. Happy Birthday Mom...God Bless You
Debbie
Maya modelling her new clothes from E-Bay
So this is the new phrase from Maya....COME ON.....she says it all of the time. She says it when she's not happy with something, when she's happy with something, when she's mad at something.......well you get the picture. I am trying to explain to her that sometimes it can sound very rude....she has a tone about it when she says it when she's annoyed. I mention this because it appears that Maya is very much a Canadain girl. She doesn't talk about her country very much anymore and when she does it is just a brief sentence about something she is doing that reminds her of Africa. She says shes from Africa not Ethiopia...not sure why, but that's her story. Her English is coming along...she still doesn't put all of the ands and buts in their proper place, but it will come. Her class at school has gone skating a couple of times this year and she loved it. What a huge contrast from what her life was in Africa/Ethiopia or wherever. She is a control freak and she makes it her business to know everybody's business....Sam gets so annoyed with her. She still is growing at a rapid rate, not like she was a year ago, but still a lot. She recently asked me what a model was and I explained it to her as best I could, so now she does the 'walk' all of the time. I recently bought her some clothes fom a wonderful lady her sells clothes on E-Bay and she spent the evening modelling them for me.....she told me when she grows up she wants to be a cheerleader and a hairdresser. I have no idea what the future holds for Maya, but I know that whatever she does it will be done big and boldly...that's just who she is.
The other night I was putting Sam to bed and we were having a conversation...it went something like this. Sam when you get up and get dressed tommorrow for school, don't forget to change your underwear. Sam responds.....I did already.....I say "when"...his response, 3 days ago!!! After I chuckled I told him that it was a good idea to change his underwear everyday...it's good hygiene. His response "WHAT!! how about I change them on the weekends!!!!!" I still haven't stopped laughing...boys gotta love em!!
This year on December 27th we started a new tradition. Years ago my family (as many as could make it) used to get together at christmas every year and celebrate together. We played floor hockey opened gifts etc. Those years were some of the best memories I have. We decided to bring back that tradition with a few changes...the point of it though is reconnecting and being together with family.
So on December 27th we had the first Verity Christmas classic. It was held at our house this year. We had such a blast!!! We started the day off with some old fashioned outdoor hockey. The weather was perfect...it was the only nice day we had amongst the -25 degree weather we had before and since that day. Those who didn't play hockey went sledding...the girls thought this was great fun. Denaye even had a good time. Last year she only went once before she said she was too cold to continue. After the outdoor activities we headed back to our house for chilli and pizza and then lots of baking. We had a chinese christmas gift exchange that was a lot of fun....next year we are going to have a theme for that part. We then played games and had lots of visiting time to catch up with what everyone is doing. We learned that my cousin Chad is getting married next year and so is his brother Jeremy....what wonderful knews. Jeremy only just shared this knews with us after the event. We were sad that some couldn't make it, but there is always next year.....we all agreed that we will continue on with this tradition as it was so much fun. We have some great video footage that maybe I will post if I get around to it. It was good to reconnect with extended family and we all agreed that this is one tradition worth doing so mark your calendars for December 2009....................it is going to be a blast!!!!
My brother Don
Uncle Rae, aunt Linda and Nathan.....we haven't seen Nathan in years it was great to see him again.
chowing down on some chilli
Kendall and Shauna
Denaye and Emily running across the ice.
Getting ready for the big game
My 2 brothers, Rod and Sam
Heather, Mike and Kyle
Mike in a brawl with Matt the goalie......
Heather, Mike and KyleMike in a brawl with Matt the goalie......Team picture
Waiting to get downstairs to see what Santa had left them....
Our kids on Christmas morning.
Bagels and fruit at Jody's
My sister and her husband Mike
Grandma and the grandkids on Christmas Day
Christmas dinner.......at our house
Sam woke up at 4:30 in the morning and wanted to get started on opening gifts......I sent him back to bed. He finally did go back to sleep, but I had to wake him up later on. The kids were very excited to get their day started. We opened presents first thing in the morning and the kids opened their stockings and then we headed over to Jody's house for bagels and friut. It was very loud and full of excitement...just how it should be when kids are around. We had christmas dinner at our house.....my mom made the turkey this year.....it was wondeful. We spent the rest of the day putting toys together and then playing games. We all went to bed early that night...we were so exhausted. It was a great day with family.
Santa has arrived.......
We went to church Christmas Eve and then headed back to our house for our annual Christmas Eve party. We enjoyed an evening full of food, family and friends. The kids each got to open 1 gift as usual before they went to bed. Denaye and Maya knew what to expect this year so they really enjoyed all of the festivities. They played a mean game of Risk and I believe Eden won...she has no mercy. My kids love Christmas Eve and this year we had a great time. It all came so quickly, and it is over so fast, but we all love this time of year. The magic of christmas and all that it represents......God sent hope that night.........Blessings to all of you!!!
Playing Risk.....Eden was the youngest player, but she won.
Some of our friends and family.
Opening their 1 gift before bedtime!!
It has been so long since I have posted anything. It's not that nothing has happened it's just we are busy being busy. Maya is in grade 1 and loving it. She is actually learning to read the English language....that amazes me because a year ago she could hardly speak it. Denaye is growing so fast and becoming quite a lovely young lady. She loves her grandma....the other day she told her that she was the most perfect grandma ever!!! How Sweet is that. Sam is the proud big brother. He would be lost without his sisters. He is very protective of Denaye and Maya and sam have become playmates. They fight like crazy, but he wouldn't know what to do without them. We tried to get some good pictures to send out with christmas cards this year, but Maya has lost both of her front teeth and she is not willing to smile her big smile......I have to try and be sneaky. Christmas is fast approaching and I hardly feel ready for it. The girls have christmas lists this year.....last year they had no idea what it was all about. This year they get it!! I am looking forward to the holidays...this year will be the last year that all of my children will be with us for chjristmas. It makes me sad to think about it, but I know it's part of life......kids grow up and start to have a life of their own. This year will be special and I want to create lots of great memories for them to take with them....maybe they will want to come back!!!If there is anything I have learned in the this life, it is to enjoy the moment that you are in because the moments are what create great memories.
Merry christmas
Debbie
This is a raw video of Jesse singing....what a gifted boy he is.
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