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| My amazing garden |
How cute is he?
This is me with my good friend, Regina. Regina lives in New York
and we met online, where I have met many of my like-minded
friends, mostly fellow adoptive moms. But Regina and I soon
discovered we were kindred spirits with many of the same values,
and outlook on life. We both have four internationally adopted
children, and are in the process of adopting more. We
corresponded by email, and soon our little ones became
penpals, and we Skyped a few times. Then a couple months ago
Regina's husband contacted me and said he wanted to surprise
Regina with a trip to see me for a weekend. He assured me she
would be delighted, so we put our heads together and ironed out
a plan. And that is how Regina came to visit us recently for a
long weekend. The time went too quickly and there are so many
things we have yet to talk about, even though we talked into the
night. My whole family loved her, and we are all looking forward
to the next time we can all get together. Only this time we will
plan something where her family is included too!
and we met online, where I have met many of my like-minded
friends, mostly fellow adoptive moms. But Regina and I soon
discovered we were kindred spirits with many of the same values,
and outlook on life. We both have four internationally adopted
children, and are in the process of adopting more. We
corresponded by email, and soon our little ones became
penpals, and we Skyped a few times. Then a couple months ago
Regina's husband contacted me and said he wanted to surprise
Regina with a trip to see me for a weekend. He assured me she
would be delighted, so we put our heads together and ironed out
a plan. And that is how Regina came to visit us recently for a
long weekend. The time went too quickly and there are so many
things we have yet to talk about, even though we talked into the
night. My whole family loved her, and we are all looking forward
to the next time we can all get together. Only this time we will
plan something where her family is included too!
Regina taught Maggie how to
wash dishes, which she loved,
and then Maggie taught Mrs.
Long how to jump on the
trampoline!
wash dishes, which she loved,
and then Maggie taught Mrs.
Long how to jump on the
trampoline!
Canaan doing a back flip.
| This picture was interesting I thought. For some reason, I can see what Silas would look like when he is much older. You can see past his little boy face and see a glimpse of his man face here I think. |
Hannah was recently given the
opportunity to design and paint a
mural for the bedroom of a toddler
boy. She did a great job.
opportunity to design and paint a
mural for the bedroom of a toddler
boy. She did a great job.
Her trusty, grey haired
assistant.
assistant.
This project was the impetus for finally trying to
launch a mural painting business. Click on the
logo to go to Hannah's webpage. Hannah is
hoping that more people will be interested in
having her design and paint wall murals for
them. She is so talented, and really enjoys
this. It would great to see her succeed at this.
launch a mural painting business. Click on the
logo to go to Hannah's webpage. Hannah is
hoping that more people will be interested in
having her design and paint wall murals for
them. She is so talented, and really enjoys
this. It would great to see her succeed at this.
What big eyes
you have!
you have!
Recent creative projects: A banjo
cutout I cut for my Dad, and a Mittens
shirt I made for Canaan's friend.
cutout I cut for my Dad, and a Mittens
shirt I made for Canaan's friend.
Maggie working on a
paint by number.
paint by number.
In the spirit of the World Cup, Canaan
marked off a little soccer field to teach
the littles how to play soccer.
Cuteness ensued.
marked off a little soccer field to teach
the littles how to play soccer.
Cuteness ensued.
One of Hannah's friends
was getting rid of riding
lawn mower and very
graciously offered it to us
at no cost! What a
blessing this has been,
and the kids have fun
getting rides too.
was getting rid of riding
lawn mower and very
graciously offered it to us
at no cost! What a
blessing this has been,
and the kids have fun
getting rides too.
Vacation Bible School! Well, since the week is still not over,
perhaps now isn't a good time to ask me my thoughts on this. But
here are a few pictures of the week so far, and the preparation.
Here is Hannah painting a scene for the kids to take photos with
their heads sticking through the hole.
perhaps now isn't a good time to ask me my thoughts on this. But
here are a few pictures of the week so far, and the preparation.
Here is Hannah painting a scene for the kids to take photos with
their heads sticking through the hole.
How wholesome and
alll American can you
get? Gee whiz!
alll American can you
get? Gee whiz!
| This is a mural that I painted for the wall in our room. |
Jordan's Magic Birthday!! This year Jordan turned
23 on the 23rd of June, hence her "magic" birthday.
Canaan had to work, so she opened his present
before he went to work. He got her a medicine ball.
23 on the 23rd of June, hence her "magic" birthday.
Canaan had to work, so she opened his present
before he went to work. He got her a medicine ball.
She requested a French Silk pie for
her birthday. This pie is so rich and
delicious. Your stomach will be telling
you it's going to barf from the richness
of it all, and your tongue just keeps
saying, "a little more, a little more!"
her birthday. This pie is so rich and
delicious. Your stomach will be telling
you it's going to barf from the richness
of it all, and your tongue just keeps
saying, "a little more, a little more!"
Jordan showing how
old she is (with a
little help).
old she is (with a
little help).
Silas picked out a scented candle for her.
Eden chose a head band.
Isaac got her orange nail polish.
And Maggie had two gifts: a headband
and a necklace that she made herself.
and a necklace that she made herself.
Hannah's gift was a big
exercise ball. Funny story -
after they finished blowing
up the ball (which is huge)
Jordan playfully set the cat
on top of it. Yes, the cat is
declawed, but her back
claws are not, and she
bolted off the top of the
ball. We heard a sickening
"s-s-s-s-s-ssssss" sound.
So now we are looking up
ways of patching up an
exercise ball!
exercise ball. Funny story -
after they finished blowing
up the ball (which is huge)
Jordan playfully set the cat
on top of it. Yes, the cat is
declawed, but her back
claws are not, and she
bolted off the top of the
ball. We heard a sickening
"s-s-s-s-s-ssssss" sound.
So now we are looking up
ways of patching up an
exercise ball!
And last of all, some new recent
photos of Baby Joy. Isn't she
adorable? Just look at that smile!
photos of Baby Joy. Isn't she
adorable? Just look at that smile!
06-24-2010 UPDATE:
I was kind of shocked to see that I have not updated since May! Busy, busy...
Silas had his surgery on June 4 to adjust the rods in his back. This was out patient and went very
smoothly. He is a real trooper and is doing very well. He will go again in another six months.
Baby Joy turned 2 on June 10th. We are supposed to get news this week of when our court date
is. We really don't know much of anything until they tell us. But we have gotten some new
pictures and have corresponded with those who have visited her. Everyone says that she is a
very happy and content baby and that everyone loves her. She sure does have a great smile!
Art's Dad is not doing well, and we appreciate your prayers for him. He has been in and out of the
hospital and is back in again.
This week our family is teaching a Vacation Bible School class of kindergarten kids. We are not
used to this every day pace! It has been a lot of work, and we have had a lot of thoughts about it
all.
Jordan turned 23 yesterday. It is hard to believe my little baby is so old now! When did that
happen?
We are all greatly enjoying the summer weather. My garden is exploding with produce. This, too,
is a lot of work, but it is rewarding seeing all the neat things that my garden produces. I still have
so much to learn.
The Tooth Fairy has been very busy around here. You will notice in recent photos that both Silas
and Maggie are toothless now. Eden still has not lost one yet, and is very eager to!
Hannah is back to work after six weeks off work following her surgery. She is happy to be back to
work, and I am sad to give up having her around all the time.
And these are the updates from the busy Baker house for now.
I was kind of shocked to see that I have not updated since May! Busy, busy...
Silas had his surgery on June 4 to adjust the rods in his back. This was out patient and went very
smoothly. He is a real trooper and is doing very well. He will go again in another six months.
Baby Joy turned 2 on June 10th. We are supposed to get news this week of when our court date
is. We really don't know much of anything until they tell us. But we have gotten some new
pictures and have corresponded with those who have visited her. Everyone says that she is a
very happy and content baby and that everyone loves her. She sure does have a great smile!
Art's Dad is not doing well, and we appreciate your prayers for him. He has been in and out of the
hospital and is back in again.
This week our family is teaching a Vacation Bible School class of kindergarten kids. We are not
used to this every day pace! It has been a lot of work, and we have had a lot of thoughts about it
all.
Jordan turned 23 yesterday. It is hard to believe my little baby is so old now! When did that
happen?
We are all greatly enjoying the summer weather. My garden is exploding with produce. This, too,
is a lot of work, but it is rewarding seeing all the neat things that my garden produces. I still have
so much to learn.
The Tooth Fairy has been very busy around here. You will notice in recent photos that both Silas
and Maggie are toothless now. Eden still has not lost one yet, and is very eager to!
Hannah is back to work after six weeks off work following her surgery. She is happy to be back to
work, and I am sad to give up having her around all the time.
And these are the updates from the busy Baker house for now.
| Sprinkler soccer, invented by Canaan. :-) Canaan is teaching them all about soccer and maybe they'll be able to play in the spring. They love it. |
| Goalie... |
| Heading the ball |
| My flourishing garden. The sunflowers are so tall. |
The world's most perfect pumpkin!
What a shame we couldn't cut it up for
Hallowe'en. Next year I will know not to
plant pumpkins in April. But I did cook
up all the pumpkins I harvested and
they made a pretty good pie. I've got
enough puree frozen for a couple
dozen pies I think!
What a shame we couldn't cut it up for
Hallowe'en. Next year I will know not to
plant pumpkins in April. But I did cook
up all the pumpkins I harvested and
they made a pretty good pie. I've got
enough puree frozen for a couple
dozen pies I think!
And the window sills are full of
tomatoes again. If you want any
tomatoes, COME ON BY!!! We have
way more than we know what to do
with. I am freezing some, but we are
off to Africa this week, so I'm afraid
they'll be some wasted. :-(
tomatoes again. If you want any
tomatoes, COME ON BY!!! We have
way more than we know what to do
with. I am freezing some, but we are
off to Africa this week, so I'm afraid
they'll be some wasted. :-(
