It's been a great 24 hours! It began yesterday when my sister Kim got engaged! Congrats Kim, and welcome to the family, Kevin and Sawyer. We are so excited for all of them and Wyatt will be thrilled that Saywer will be at Kim's all of the time now.
Then today's big news...We got a court date...June 5! What does this mean?? It means on June 5th our paperwork and Gabe's paperwork go in front of a judge in Ethiopia to determine if we can legally become his parents. The likelihood of passing court on the June 5th...pretty slim. It seems to be the trend for families to fail court the first time. The courts may want more paperwork from us or Gabe. If we do fail, most court cases are reassigned approximately one month later. But, having an initial date is a step in the right direction. We know he'll legally be ours soon, we just have to be patient. Then, a couple of weeks to a month after passing court we head to Ethiopia to bring him home!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Family Day
Once again, I'm late. We celebrated on time, but I'm late getting pictures posted from that weekend. Our family day with Wyatt was March 20. We decided to spend the weekend in Cincinnati to spend the night in a hotel and go to the aquarium. Instead of writing a boring old post, I've decided to write a poem.
Its so hard to believe
How fast three years flies.
It doesn't seem that long ago
We couldn't sooth those intense cries.
Now here you are.
Three quick years later
You cheer for the CATS
And despise the Gator.
You've developed such charm
And quite a bit of spunk.
We call it personality.
Sometimes a punk :)
Regardless, you're sweet as sugar
Most of everyday
You're quick to make friends
Your smiles brighten our day.
You like to push buttons
Mostly of Mom and Dad.
You make up for it with kisses
When you see us sad.
You'll do anything you can
To get a giggle.
Anytime time you hear music
You can't help but wiggle.
You are 100% boy
No lack of testosterone here
Airplane, helicoptors, trains
You hold all of them dear.
You're a miracle of God
We know this to be true.
Everyday we thank him.
For the amazing gift of you.
Its so hard to believe
How fast three years flies.
It doesn't seem that long ago
We couldn't sooth those intense cries.
Now here you are.
Three quick years later
You cheer for the CATS
And despise the Gator.
You've developed such charm
And quite a bit of spunk.
We call it personality.
Sometimes a punk :)
Regardless, you're sweet as sugar
Most of everyday
You're quick to make friends
Your smiles brighten our day.
You like to push buttons
Mostly of Mom and Dad.
You make up for it with kisses
When you see us sad.
You'll do anything you can
To get a giggle.
Anytime time you hear music
You can't help but wiggle.
You are 100% boy
No lack of testosterone here
Airplane, helicoptors, trains
You hold all of them dear.
You're a miracle of God
We know this to be true.
Everyday we thank him.
For the amazing gift of you.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Referral!!!
I'm a little late in posting this,but, we got our referral for Baby Gabe last Wednesday!! And when I say baby, I mean baby. He's only 2 months old!! LMI called us with the big news last Wednesday. We obviously accepted the referral and now paperwork is being processed to apply for a court date.
Sorry, the rules say that we aren't allowed to post his picture or other identifying information until we clear through the Ethiopian court system.
Wyatt had quite a spring break last week. First, he took a road trip with the University of Kentucky Band and Cheerleaders on a trip to South Bend, Indiana for the Wildcat Basketball game versus Notre Dame. Unfortunately, Wyatt's loyalty swung easily and he chanted at the game "Let's Go Irish!". He then spent the remainder of the week with his Grandparents in South Bend. Mom and Dad headed to Atlanta where Mom ran the ING Georgia Half Marathon. On Tuesday, Mom met Grandma in Indianapolis where Wyatt spent a 1/2 day in heaven (Indianapolis Children's Museum).
Next step in the process to bring Gabe home is for us to obtain a court date...we'll keep you posted.
Sorry, the rules say that we aren't allowed to post his picture or other identifying information until we clear through the Ethiopian court system.
Wyatt had quite a spring break last week. First, he took a road trip with the University of Kentucky Band and Cheerleaders on a trip to South Bend, Indiana for the Wildcat Basketball game versus Notre Dame. Unfortunately, Wyatt's loyalty swung easily and he chanted at the game "Let's Go Irish!". He then spent the remainder of the week with his Grandparents in South Bend. Mom and Dad headed to Atlanta where Mom ran the ING Georgia Half Marathon. On Tuesday, Mom met Grandma in Indianapolis where Wyatt spent a 1/2 day in heaven (Indianapolis Children's Museum).
Next step in the process to bring Gabe home is for us to obtain a court date...we'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Star Thrower Dinner
Just over a week ago we had our Star Thrower Dinner to celebrate international adoption and educate our friends and family about our process and Ethiopia in general. We were humbled by the turn out and funds raised through this dinner. The support was amazing and the night was perfect. A lot of people put a great deal of work into this evening and we cannot thank them enough!!
Gabe Update - We are still waiting for a referral. Fingers crossed, we'll see his little face soon!
Gabe Update - We are still waiting for a referral. Fingers crossed, we'll see his little face soon!
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Wyatt Quotes
We had an ice storm Monday and Tuesday, so I've been home with Wyatt all week. With Wyatt, that means lots of conversation. Here were some of the highlights:
1. Me: Sarah, Whistle and Brady are coming over for the Super Bowl.
Wyatt: What's in it?
2. Jason: Saying who knows what, just being a smarty pants (I know...surprising)
Me: Wyatt, Dad is picking on me. Will you stick up for me?
Wyatt: (Gives me a hug, leans into Jason's face and in his deepest voice and scrunched face says) Be nice to Mom or I'll make
bleed come out of your face. (then hugs me again)
3. Jason: Wyatt, do you want something to drink?
Wyatt: From where?
Jason: Starbucks
Wyatt: I want an appletizer (He had an apple fritter last time, and we've been talking about appetizers for the Super Bowl)
Jason: Do you mean an apple doughnut?
Wyatt: Yes, the one with speed bumps.
Never a dull moment.
1. Me: Sarah, Whistle and Brady are coming over for the Super Bowl.
Wyatt: What's in it?
2. Jason: Saying who knows what, just being a smarty pants (I know...surprising)
Me: Wyatt, Dad is picking on me. Will you stick up for me?
Wyatt: (Gives me a hug, leans into Jason's face and in his deepest voice and scrunched face says) Be nice to Mom or I'll make
bleed come out of your face. (then hugs me again)
3. Jason: Wyatt, do you want something to drink?
Wyatt: From where?
Jason: Starbucks
Wyatt: I want an appletizer (He had an apple fritter last time, and we've been talking about appetizers for the Super Bowl)
Jason: Do you mean an apple doughnut?
Wyatt: Yes, the one with speed bumps.
Never a dull moment.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Star Thrower Fund
As you have noticed, we have a new link titled the Star Thrower Fund. Great friends and family have developed The Star Thrower Fund (made possible through Kentucky Christian Foundation) to help orphans and families pursing international adoption. Our adoption of Gabe is the first beneficiary of the fund. Contributions to the Star Thrower Fund are 100% tax deductable and once our adoption is complete, our goal is the Star Thrower Fund will continue to serve its purpose with other families pursuing internatioal adoption. If you would like to donate to the Star Thrower Fund, please click the link to the right. Please enjoy the Star Thrower Story below:
The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker
Inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley
There’s a story I would like to share with you. It was inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley. Eiseley was a very special person because he combined the best of two cultures. He was a scientist and a poet. And from those two perspectives he wrote insightfully and beautifully about the world and our role in it.
Once upon a time, there was a wise man, much like Eiseley himself, who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently
throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer, he called out, “Good morning! What are you doing?” The young man paused, looked up and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”
“I guess I should have asked, “Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”
“The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don’t throw them in they’ll die."
“But young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can’t possibly make a difference!”
The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves. “It made a difference for that one!”
His response surprised the man. He was upset. He didn’t know how to reply. So instead, he turned away and walked back to the cottage to begin his writings.
All day long as he wrote, the image of the young man haunted him. He tried to ignore it, but the vision persisted. Finally, late in the afternoon he realized that he the scientist, he the poet, had missed out on the essential nature of the young man’s actions. Because he realized that what the young man was doing was choosing not to be an observer in the universe and make a difference. He was embarrassed. That night he went to bed troubled. When the morning came he awoke knowing that he had to do something. So he got up, put on his clothes, went to the beach and found the young man. And with him he spent the rest of the morning throwing starfish into the ocean.
The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker
Inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley
There’s a story I would like to share with you. It was inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley. Eiseley was a very special person because he combined the best of two cultures. He was a scientist and a poet. And from those two perspectives he wrote insightfully and beautifully about the world and our role in it.
Once upon a time, there was a wise man, much like Eiseley himself, who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently
throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer, he called out, “Good morning! What are you doing?” The young man paused, looked up and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”
“I guess I should have asked, “Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”
“The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don’t throw them in they’ll die."
“But young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can’t possibly make a difference!”
The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves. “It made a difference for that one!”
His response surprised the man. He was upset. He didn’t know how to reply. So instead, he turned away and walked back to the cottage to begin his writings.
All day long as he wrote, the image of the young man haunted him. He tried to ignore it, but the vision persisted. Finally, late in the afternoon he realized that he the scientist, he the poet, had missed out on the essential nature of the young man’s actions. Because he realized that what the young man was doing was choosing not to be an observer in the universe and make a difference. He was embarrassed. That night he went to bed troubled. When the morning came he awoke knowing that he had to do something. So he got up, put on his clothes, went to the beach and found the young man. And with him he spent the rest of the morning throwing starfish into the ocean.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
We've Landed...
Our dossier is now in Ethiopia! That always seems like a big step when everything you've done up to this point arrives in the same country as your child. I feel like I'm having deja vu from a couple of years ago! The anxious feelings I had nearly 3 years ago are coming back again :) I'm thankful that this time we have Wyatt to keep us so busy so we don't go insane again waiting! Next step = referral! As many of you know, we did not receive a referral for Wyatt so this will be a new experience for us. The time frame is 3-6 months for a referral, so it could be a while. Hopefully with the holidays, time will fly.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
Wyatt's Whoopie Cushion
Thanks to Kim, we've found one thing that can make Wyatt belly laugh like no other...a Whoopie Cushion! This video, however, documents the end of Whoppie Cushion #1 (listen for the pop). Note to self: Car seats and whoopie cushions don't mix.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Nursery Rhymes, Wyatt Style
Here is Wyatt's rendition of "Little Miss Muffet". Earlier today, he told me that he is the spider and I am Miss Muffet and he'd scream at me, similar to what you're about to see. He has to put that "boy" twist on everything!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Some Random Pictures
No really good stories to share, so here are some random pictures and a video.
We sat down to eat and Wyatt busted this out. I had never heard it before. It is one of my Wyatt favorites.
This is Wyatt's Fire Station that he made by himself. The firemen came to his school last week. We have heard no less than 50 times that playing with matches is dangerous. I am impresses with his "stop, drop and roll" technique.
Wyatt was a "sketelon" (Wyatt's pronunciation of skeleton) for the YMCA Fall Celebration.
These are the spider cupcakes we made for Wyatt's Fall Celebration at school tomorrow. I think the kids will love them...the teachers may not be fond of the spider rings, but hey, its all about the kids, right?
Wyatt gets a kick out of it when we make pancakes that spell his name. He loves that he can recognize a "W"!
"Sour Cream and Sprinkles" take pancakes from good to perfection. Wyatt refers to whipped cream as sour cream...you should see the faces when he orders that at restaurants.
We sat down to eat and Wyatt busted this out. I had never heard it before. It is one of my Wyatt favorites.
This is Wyatt's Fire Station that he made by himself. The firemen came to his school last week. We have heard no less than 50 times that playing with matches is dangerous. I am impresses with his "stop, drop and roll" technique.
Wyatt was a "sketelon" (Wyatt's pronunciation of skeleton) for the YMCA Fall Celebration.
These are the spider cupcakes we made for Wyatt's Fall Celebration at school tomorrow. I think the kids will love them...the teachers may not be fond of the spider rings, but hey, its all about the kids, right?
Wyatt gets a kick out of it when we make pancakes that spell his name. He loves that he can recognize a "W"!
"Sour Cream and Sprinkles" take pancakes from good to perfection. Wyatt refers to whipped cream as sour cream...you should see the faces when he orders that at restaurants.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Another first...and hopefully last!
Wyatt had his first (and fingers crossed, last) surgery today. He had hernia that he was apparently born with, but we just noticed it. Everything went well, minus the 3 hour wait prior to the surgery, which wasn't too bad, just long.. Thank goodness for the car for him to play with. His behavior was remarkable considering the limit space for 3 hours! We went around and around this little square to occupy ourselves. The procedure itself took less than an hour. By the time we were able to see him, he was sitting on a nurse's lap talking about dragons. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly suprised to say the least. We came home and except for a little dizziness at first, he was pretty much back to normal. He was ready to watch his new movie (Aladdin) and open his presents from Madeline and Grandma. In fact, those were about the first words he said to us...I want to go home and open my presents!
He seems to be in very little pain - just a few complains here and there. He has been on a pretty regular motrin/tylenol schedule though. We'll see what tomorrow holds. Here are some pictures from today.
Wyatt in his car. They took him up to the Operating Room in this. It kept the tears away...well at least until he was out of our sight.
Wyatt reading Mom a book. I never knew "The Last Lecture" was about Nemo, Dora and a pond.
Wyatt checking everything out.
Dad and Wyatt in the waiting room.
Dad and Wyatt calming their nerves by watching some construction while waiting for our name to be called.
He seems to be in very little pain - just a few complains here and there. He has been on a pretty regular motrin/tylenol schedule though. We'll see what tomorrow holds. Here are some pictures from today.
Wyatt in his car. They took him up to the Operating Room in this. It kept the tears away...well at least until he was out of our sight.
Wyatt reading Mom a book. I never knew "The Last Lecture" was about Nemo, Dora and a pond.
Wyatt checking everything out.
Dad and Wyatt in the waiting room.
Dad and Wyatt calming their nerves by watching some construction while waiting for our name to be called.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
We LOVE Fall Break!!
I've been on Fall Break all week, which means lots of Mom and Wyatt time. He still goes to school while I "work" on my graduate school portfolio. But before and after school, we've enjoyed reading, making craft, playing outside feeding the duck and going to the playground.
Wyatt's quote of the day. He came up to me with a picture of me, my sister and my Grandma.
Wyatt - "That's you. That's Kim."
Me - "Yep"
Wyatt - "Who is that?" (pointing to my Grandma)
Me- "That's my Grandma."
Wyatt - "Where is she?"
Me- "She died." (instantly thinking that was going to prompt way to many questions!)
Wyatt - "Why?"
Me - "She went to be with Jesus"
Wyatt - "You need a Grandma. I'll share mine"
He automatically got on Santa's nice list for the day!!
The simple fact that he is sitting still warrants a picture!
The ducks can be a little aggressive, so Wyatt stands on the bench to avoid any contact.
We always get the "Don't throw rocks at the ducks" speech before throwing rocks into the water.
This is my new favorite picture.
Yes, my kid is from Kentucky. He is giving out a big "Yee-Haw" in this picture. Sad, but true.
Wyatt's quote of the day. He came up to me with a picture of me, my sister and my Grandma.
Wyatt - "That's you. That's Kim."
Me - "Yep"
Wyatt - "Who is that?" (pointing to my Grandma)
Me- "That's my Grandma."
Wyatt - "Where is she?"
Me- "She died." (instantly thinking that was going to prompt way to many questions!)
Wyatt - "Why?"
Me - "She went to be with Jesus"
Wyatt - "You need a Grandma. I'll share mine"
He automatically got on Santa's nice list for the day!!
The simple fact that he is sitting still warrants a picture!
The ducks can be a little aggressive, so Wyatt stands on the bench to avoid any contact.
We always get the "Don't throw rocks at the ducks" speech before throwing rocks into the water.
This is my new favorite picture.
Yes, my kid is from Kentucky. He is giving out a big "Yee-Haw" in this picture. Sad, but true.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Carving Pumpkins
We had a great time carving pumpkins today. Wyatt amazed us when he referenced carving pumpkins at Grandma and Grandpa's last year. This year, the highlight was when the seeds flew all over when Wyatt was trying to scoop them out.
Wyatt's Quote of the Day:
(After being warned that if he keeps making bad choice he'll be on Santa's naughty list - no, I'm not above bribing with Santa in October) "I want to be on Santa's Airplane List"
Wyatt's Quote of the Day:
(After being warned that if he keeps making bad choice he'll be on Santa's naughty list - no, I'm not above bribing with Santa in October) "I want to be on Santa's Airplane List"
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The Circus
1 bag of cotton candy stuffed in a cheap hat = $12
1 1/2 packages of fruit snacks = $0.50
1 1/2 boxes of popcorn = $4.50
1 sprite = $3.00
1 coloring book = $4.00
Wyatt's first circus = Priceless
1 1/2 packages of fruit snacks = $0.50
1 1/2 boxes of popcorn = $4.50
1 sprite = $3.00
1 coloring book = $4.00
Wyatt's first circus = Priceless
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