Home run

They were down by 3 in the last inning - Mason hit a home run for the tie!

Market Day Success!

(and pajama day)

Adoption Update

We were told our I171H would take 4-8 weeks to process. I read online someone who emailed USCIS and it seemed to expedite it. It's only been 1-1/2 weeks since we got fingerprinted but I thought I would try it. I emailed at 5:33AM and got a response by 5:41AM saying that we were approved last Friday and we should receive it in the next couple of days!!!

I think we still missed the cutoff for court before the rainy season, but maybe...????

Adoption update

Today we visited our friends at Homeland Security. We got fingerprinted and are now waiting for the I171-H, which gives us preapproval to adopt an international orphan and have him be a citizen when he reaches US soil. This will take 4-8 weeks. Then our dossier can be complete. Bottom line is the current expected date is October for court, which is longer than we previously hoped. But there still is the hope of bringing him home for Christmas.

Here is an article that the social worker had written about our guy...

I went to see Ernie (not his real name, we will change all names in this article) yesterday and had a great time with him while learning his behaviors.

He is so active; talking and moving around.  He is also so sweet and entertaining. He speaks whatever is on his mind and wants to try everything. Whenever I went to their room he asks me “Is it me today going to hospital/photo/embassy?”  What he means is do I have a family and am being adopted, because this is where the children go who are. 

Ermie likes candy, chocolate and cake and he gets these on departure parties, holidays and other special occasions.

After I take his pictures he always tells me it is his turn to take mine, and as you can see on the pictures he tries to imitate me writing my observations and do interviews with the other kids. He knows how to use pencil and paper but doesn’t write well by himself.  

I told him to interview Madeline (name changed).  He started by saying 'Madeline, what is your name?’ This made my day.

He has the most beautiful laugh and whenever I ask him to smile for the camera he laughs with all his body.  One will never get enough of talking to him. He is SO entertaining.

Sporting the Durb

Felix gave us all birthday presents--custom-made t-shirts from his new business. They fit!

Braunschweig soccer

Borja will point out that they lost, Felix will point out that they made it to the Superbowl of soccer. Regardless, Mason got a jersey because I was just there. 

Market day entrepreneurialism

Kenzie has been working for weeks on her projects for market day. This girl is a motivated entrepreneur, putting hours into the crafts that she will sell for Shark Bucks that can be redeemed at the end of year auction. 

She made 29 rock critters and 18 magnets. (I bet she would trade out a few for cold hard cash if anybody is interested in buying one--they make a cute paperweight.)

Random shots

A far away week

I have had an amazing week. I traveled to London on business and was able to see several London-based friends in the evenings! The week was packed with taxis, tubes, and a lot of walking. I walked through Hyde Park on a couple of occasions, once finding these love birds. 

Our old neighbors, Mike and Michelle, happened to be moving out of a place 3 blocks from my hotel so I shared a bottle of bubbly in the midst of their boxes. Lanny and Lee met me for a fun night that included a brief encounter with the paparazzi as I was drawn to the popping lights. 

On Friday I hopped a plane to Hanover, Germany, and since then the Urbans have been treating me like royalty. It's been a great time and I'm so happy to have seen their home and village. 

We spent a day shopping in Braunschweig, then have toured around seeing Felix and Basti's schools, Saltzgitter Lake, and other key things that make this home. 

Today was extra special. First I met their dear family friends that I have heard a lot about. We toasted and shared some time and hugs. Then we went to Ulli's mom and husbands house. She made me three cakes with obvious love in every bite. I learned that she put a lot of thought into exactly what I would like, but was still concerned I might not find something perfect, but they finally convinced her to not make a fourth! 

Although her English and my German are at par (nil), when we left she touched my cheeks, and gave me the biggest hug I have ever had. Her tears almost brought out some in me. Makes me realize how special a grandma's love is and I hope everyone who has a grandma appreciates them--what a special gift. 

Harald introduced me to a mix of German beverages, including a delicious local Pilsner tonight, followed by Sambuca with coffee beans, then lit on fire. He has been studying English for quite some time now. Since I have been reviving my Spanish lately I understand how hard this is to do past our younger years, but he and I can converse just fine. Reminds me I need to take my Spanish more seriously...

I am so thankful for FaceTime as I have been able to see Cindy and the kids daily, including this morning when Cindy went into their rooms so I could see them first thing. 

Then they got to see Ulli feed Gustav, the pet lizard. She patiently dangled grasshoppers in front of his mouth until he would chomp, while Kenzie, Mason and Cindy witnessed from Issaquah. Ulli enjoyed the painted rock lizard that Kenzie made her. Gustav seemed threatened. 

Because of the 9 hour time zone difference it's hard to overlap completely, and I miss them all tremendously. Home tomorrow but a week well spent!!

And a major round of snaps goes to Cindy for carrying out the duties of three kids, plus helping Kris, Cheyenne and Lane get settled in, AND doing an admirable job as chief blogger! 

Vacation Day Fun!

The kids have a four day weekend and have been looking forward to it for sometime now. They started the first day off by a much needed sleep in. The boys spent the rest of the day jumping from video games to soccer outside to iPad to basketball. They finished their day off with pizza and a movie. Kenzie and I had some mother/daughter time having lunch out, shopping, and hanging at the birthday party. A good day!

Saturday was spent hanging with Grammy, Grampy, Eric, Diane, Keegan and two of his buddies at Donald's Brewery getting some delicious lunch/dinner. Then the kids and I headed to Golden Gardens Park right up the street from the brewery. We got lucky on parking and found an open spot right next to a big grassy field where some guys were kicking a soccer ball. Boys were thrilled. Within 5 minutes Borja and Mason joined them for what turned out to be an almost 3 hour game. Kenzie started out at the swings/climbing dome, joined the soccer game, then she and I walked the beach. The boys were exhausted. We then came back to Issaquah and stopped at Yummy Yogurt for dessert. This turned out to reenergize the kids and they finished the night by shooting baskets, kicking the soccer ball and scooter races with Cheyenne and Lane. What a great day!!!  

First picture shows Mason as goalie (getting a brief rest)

Leap 5K Walk/Run for Special Olympics

Kenzie joined her BFF's family to run this 5K. She set her goal and came close to achieving it. We are so proud of her for doing these 5Ks. Mason was going to join but had a slight fever and sore throat. Way to go Kenzie, Gabi and Gabi's family!! 

Sharks of the Week!!

Fine Arts Night

The kids and I attended Clark Elementary's Fine Arts Night where Kenzie performed for the second time with her school choir. The first time was four days prior at the Issaquah farmers market (Video soon). We also checked out their artwork being displayed. 

Olivia and Cameron Morgan joined us and then had a play date playing volleyball in the driveway with hockey nets and a small soccer ball. 

Mason continues to hit hard!!

Video to come soon when tech support gets home :))

Another spa trip

Kenzie's BFF Gabi celebrated her 11th birthday in style by getting pedicures and manicures. 

Girl Scouts

Kenzie has been in Girl Scouts for several years now. Her troop is made up of girls from her school, some of which are on her soccer team. They just completed another year and are now bridging from Juniors to Cadettes. Kenzie, along with several other girls, earned a bronze award (the highest you can get at her level) for their extra work put in on child safety. 

Family Time

Cozy Hideaway!!

Reading!

Mason struggled with reading as he entered second grade this year and tested barely at grade level. We decided it was critical to not only get his skills, but also his confidence, up. So we put him in Hunttington (a reading tutor program) for 2-3 days every week. It was a big investment in both time and money, but we have seen him grow tremendously. He now grabs a book by himself and just reads! He also just tested above grade level! Yay Mason! We are proud of this kid for putting in the hard work--he gave it his all and quickly...which earned him the title of favorite student. (The director told us all the teachers argue each week over who gets to work with Mr. Personality.) On top of all the sports, play dates, etc., he did it!

Batter up

Grammy and Grampy came to Masons chilly baseball today, while Grandma and Grandpa went to Kenzie's soccer and choir concert...all by 10AM. 

Pedicure

I have been going to the same pedicure place since we moved to Issaquah. Kenzie has upgraded to the big chair and got a full pedicure alongside me. This girl likes to be pampered. 

Uh oh

Coach is worried...and it's the other team's coach as Mason runs over his third baseman. The runner looks unphased.

The little Giants - sneak peek

Another good day

Mason had a sleepover last night with Moreno, a donut run at Top Pot, a baseball game, and a playdate with Tyler. At his game he got 3 or 4 doubles and a triple. Unprompted he said, "I had a good day today."

Girls soccer...yay!

Jump

Never slept with dolls

At least one takes me seriously...

Great day

Yesterday a bunch of family came over and the guys, ranging in age from 8 to 23, played soccer. There was wrestling, pogo sticking, and who knows what. He's sufficiently bruised to prove it was a great day.