What are you thankful for?

We made a spur of the moment decision - actually a few days ahead of time, but for us - 72 hours counts as spur of the moment. My brother and family were going to be at mom and dad's for Thanksgiving and we did not have any firm plans here, everyone was healthy and it was supposed to be Sept nice - so we decided to load everyone up and make a trip to IA for Thanksgiving. We had a great time - and we are so thankful for our family and all that we have been blessed with.

When we came home last night - Katie wanted to do some drawing - so she sketched what was on her mind. This is Nana, Poppa and Katie. Most days, Katie is a handful from sun up to sun down - but there is a sweetness about her and a recognition that she was thankful for her grandparents. Once in a while she talks about her Baba in Ukraine who would see her and give her bananas and crackers. I am so thankful that she and Emie are part of our family as well.

Pepper

Our son David asked us (about a month ago) to start calling him Pepper - instead of David. We are trying to get converted - and in fact today, we started a jar - if we call him David or Davey instead of Pepper - we owe him a nickel. He has picked up the habit of saying "Duh" - so we charge him a nickel what that word is spoken - (a little too much for a 4 year old to end his sentences with a "duh" - so that is how it goes.

Today he went out with Sam and Mom to the great land of Target and came home with some nice "Pepper-wear".

Enjoy the winter Pepper!!

A Royal Wedding

This past weekend we had the privilege of being at Kates' wedding. We have known Kate and her parents since she was about 8 or 9 years old. She was one of our best babysitters - when we lived in Wahpeton. We could always count on Kate; and we knew our kids would be in great hands and we would not have to worry.

Kate got married this past weekend and our own Miss Annie got to be in the wedding. Here is a picture of our little princess with Kates' sister Kelsey - who was the maid of honor. Annie was a flowergirl and did a tremendous job of carefully dropping her petals down the aisle as she walked with her buddy Maddie.

It was a super fun weekend and we wish Kate and Kyle the best of times and a life of happiness and blessing together - and we thank them for letting us be a small part of their big day.

Lunch @ Lincoln

The girls hosted me for lunch today at Lincoln Elementary School. I dined on chicken strips, carrot stars, tator tots, applesauce and cookie - which had to be split four ways. It was a great chance to see the girls in action. They navigate their world really well and there are always some great helpers to watch out for them too.

The girls bring their lunch (usually) and dined on sandwich, mandarin oranges, Go-gurt and strawberry flavored milk.

It was great fun to be with them for lunch and they were very excited to have their dad visit them in school today.

I also got to see them on the playground and they get around really well - up and down the slide and on the monkey bars and could not wait to get outside and play - which is great.

They have a great set of teachers as well - for which we are thankful.

School Conferences

This is the week for school conferences. At WBL - the teachers ask that the students also come to conferences - so on Friday, Karen and I went with Katie, Emie and Annie to their conferences. We took pictures of Katie and Emie at their desks. We send Katies' mom and dad in Ukraine a photo of her sitting in her desk, which in Ukraine never would have happened. They are thankful that Katie is safe, has a loving family and has the opportunity to go to school.

All three of the girls had good reports and are doing well. Monday night we go to Sams school and see how he is doing in 4th grade. We are expecting a good report. Sam is working really hard on reading - they have either 1,000 minute or 1,000 page challenges; which keeps him busy.

Til next time.

From Orphanage to iPad2

The world was reminded this week by the death of Steve Jobs that life is short. We are placed here for a short time to give glory to God, honor Him and serve people. Jobs - whether he knew it or not - was a profound philosopher; one quote that rings true now more than ever is,

"No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It is life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new."

Also interesting to read things that were not as well known before his death; Steve Jobs was also an adoptee, given up at birth and raised by an adopted family, he found a biological sister later in life.

Anyway, I found these photos of Katie, Emie and David playing with their iPad irresistable. Whether you like or don't care for Mr. Jobs - he created some great products; which have and will continue to touch, enrich and change our lives for years to come.

Sleep Study - Round 2

After Annie had such a great sleep study in January - now it was time for Emie to have hers. We did the same routine - Thursday night - in case the night is a disaster - at least there is only one work day to get through :). However, Emie did great; she was primed, had her bag packed, her jammies ready, movies and snacks all picked out. We drove down to Maplewood Mall and picked up her new glasses first, then went to St. Paul Childrens Hospital - for the study. Great staff, very caring and professional and after about 45 minutes of hooking up wires, probes, threading wires through jammies and other hooks ups - she was ready to go. She watched Princess Stories for about 20 minutes - then it was time to turn out the lights. I sat by her for about 10 minutes and she was out; didn't hear a peep from her until about 6:00 AM the next morning. And her results came back favorably too - no apnea or weird breathing - for which we are thankful.