Adoption update

So....still waiting. I have two tickets to leave Friday at 6:45AM, but no court date. Supposedly court closes a week from today...yet sometimes stays open longer. 

Tap, tap, tap....

From 16 years...to 6

Today we put Basti on a plane to go home and this marks the end of 2-1/2 years of having 16 year old boys in our house! He is such a great guy we are sad that we didn't have more time together, but grateful to have most of the summer with him here. We went out to dinner and talked about how much richer our lives are after having gone through this time with these great guys. The kids have not only a deeper love of soccer, but also a clear idea of what it means to be a great older sibling. With our new guy coming soon, we are so grateful that Kenzie and Mason see the influence that an older sibling can have, and how important it is to be a great example of patience, interest and love. Plus we have a rich extended European family! We are so blessed--but it's hard to say goodbye!

Well timed

Sometimes things just turn out perfect. That was this weekend. Even though we only had a short break, it was just what we needed to escape our daily madness and the uncertainty of the upcoming African travel. Today we hiked four miles over rocky hills and down to the water, explored sea life, kayaked, and just hung out with friends. We were all sad to leave but our ferry timing was perfect and we made it back to the mainland with extra time. Sometimes we need to remember that, as we travel the world looking for adventure, we have a paradise in our backyard. 

Island escape

Not matter how quick the trip, coming to the San Juan's always feels like a full escape. Our friends rented a great place on Agate Beach for the week, but our schedules would only allow one night. So, we are making the most of it. We left the house at 6:30am, caught the ferry, hiked into Shark Reef, hung out on the beach, cooked dinner for the crew of 13, then went to bed before the kids who were hanging out with the other kids until who-knows-when. 

Adoption update

Although we still don't have a court date we got some news today. We learned that our little guy's biological family showed up at court and officially released him. While this step makes my heart heavy for them and for him, it also means that we are making progress through the court system and should be receiving an official date soon. 

But... still waiting...

Adoption update

Placed a wager today...I bought airline tickets, leaving next Friday. Please pray for a court date the week after next!

Mariners

Mason was sick, Kenzie had conditioning, so Basti and I went to the Mariners game with Keegan plus Randy's family. Weather continues to be amazing here so it was a perfect night for a game. I think they won even. 

But, we missed this by just one night:

Pride

Our little man is rather proud of his gun...singular, as in the one on the right side. 

Remember the movie "Twins?"

Camp

Another successful week at camp. These guys are great at creating an environment where kids are comfortable and safe. We got lots of great comments about our amazing girl. 

Counselor Jean made a special connection with Kenzie, and cried when she told Cindy how much she appreciated Kenzie. 

Adoption Update

Yesterday we learned that our new little guy now knows he has a family. The social worker said that every time she goes to the orphanage he now runs up and hugs her because he is happy. 

My travel date is either within the next 3 weeks...or not for another 3 months. 

...still hopeful. 

Back at camp!!

There are sometimes that it's helpful to have a pushy mother. Today was one of them as the camp nurse reluctantly agreed to allow Kenzie to return. After bringing her home with a fever, yesterday  we quickly got her into the doctor's office, where she was diagnosed as having an infected tonsil and started on antibiotics. So, after a bunch of leg work today to prove that she wasn't contagious, she was granted permission and Grammy and Grampy drove her back to Port Orchard! One happy camper to return!!

Sick little camper

We got a call from the nurse at camp today letting us know MacKenzie had a fever. Cindy had to drive the two hours to pick her up and bring her home. We weren't given much hope of her being able to return to camp. She said she looks forward to this all year long--sad camper. 

Party Day

Yesterday we had my annual 200+ person work party yesterday at our house, complete with 50' bouncy house, food truck, face painting, water wars, and lots of sun. 

And, what's better than one party? Well, two! Lauren's band performed their first concert at night. It was great sounds and a cool evening. 

Keegan made a "deal" with Mason that if he danced in front of everyone, he could paint his face. Keegan is still finding "sparkles" on his head.

Camp

Kenzie left for camp today. There are only 21 kids in camp, 11 boys and 10 girls. So she should enjoy the focused attention, as well as the gorgeous weather! She took her swim test, and then the rest of us caught a ferry home. Lovely day!

Chirpie goes too...

Tough first tourney

Mason's team lost all three games. Mason had a penalty against him that flipped and spun him in the air, and earned him a free kick--and the only goal scored by their team in the tournament. He said his favorite thing was that everyone picked him up after the goal!

Vacation pictures

 

First soccer tournament

Mason was so excited about his first soccer tournament that he could barely sleep last night. They lost 0-3, but it didn't really seem to matter much. He played left defender the first half and then striker the second half, which is when he woke up. He loves the chance to score so much more than defending against somebody else doing it. (We're working on that.)

Two of the guys on the other team got carried off the field--both after collisions with Mason. (Grampy told him "2 down, 8 to go"--wonder where he gets it.)

Desayunos

We ventured a bit this morning and found a cute restaurant with a wood burning fire cooking the tortilla and the coffee. It smelled like an old fire that had been burning for years. The inside was lush with plants and even a small waterfall. I had huevos rancheros and Mason had a burrito. I'm glad that he's showing some adventure in his eating--I consider this training wheels for Ethiopia.

Another day, another sand coffin

Caballeros

We felt sorry for the horses on the beach. At first we didn't want to give money to support people who tie horses up, but then we decided we could break the horses free for a bit.

Water colors

(Yes, from my iPhone).