Wednesday, July 10, 2013

One Month Later...

It was one month ago today that Lorelai dislocated her elbow. I had NO idea what a long recovery this would be for her. She still does not have full range of motion and is going to physical therapy twice weekly. 

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[Straightening out her arm as best she can.]

Physical Therapy:
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She is so anxious to get back to cartwheels and back handsprings! I can't tell you how many times she has told me that she is 'tempted' to try something. But she resists!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

The Fourth of July ~ Part III

Fireworks  
by the 
River

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Boom!
Boom!

Monday, July 8, 2013

The Fourth of July, 2013 ~ Part II

Swimming!

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[Let's all take a moment to notice Lorelai's arm (purple swimsuit). 
Yes, she is strong. Yes, she is a gymnast.]

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Sunday, July 7, 2013

Photo of the Week

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I was snuggling with Elisabeth when all of the sudden Brigitta jumped up onto her lap. Oh, how pleased Elisabeth was! 

And then Brigitta curled right up and took a nap.

Friday, July 5, 2013

The Fourth of July, 2013 ~ Part I

Red, White, 
and Blueberries!

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Thursday, July 4, 2013

You're a Grand Old Flag!

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[Alexandra and Lorelai, Independence Day, 2006] 

Keep your eye on the  
grand old flag!!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Snoozin' by the Pool

Lately, we have been spending our afternoons at the pool. It's the perfect activity for Elisabeth who - I feel - gets a little bored at home. When I sit her in the water she splashes to her hearts content.

Sometimes - most of the time - it wears her out.

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Check out those curls!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Every Penny Counts

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We received some incredibly generous donations at E's benefit concert on Saturday night. As we watch ticket prices to Ethiopia rise steadily each day, we find ourselves grateful for friends and family that have contributed towards our adoption fund. 

One donation in particular simply melted my heart. It was from a neighborhood friend who comes over to play with Alexandra and Lorelai often. Her willingness to give the little bit she had towards bringing E home was a great display of generosity and love. 

In a few short months E will arrive here in the States. How beautiful it will be to see Emma meet our little E, and for her to know that she played an important part in bringing E home; in changing E's life.

Emma is right, every penny counts.


**Today is a big day. It is our first official court date in Ethiopia! We have an attorney there to represent us and E's birth mother will attend as well.


Monday, July 1, 2013

Guitar on a Summer Evening

Bring 'E' Home 
~A Benefit Concert~

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Alexandra, warming up. She was the opening act.

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Our guest artist was Mike Edmondson, classical guitarist. His performance was inspiring, to say the least. We are so grateful that he donated his time and talents to perform a concert on E's behalf.

Thank you to those that came and supported us.
What a delightful evening it was!


Alexandra, doing a sound check before the concert started:


We should be traveling to Ethiopia in just a few short weeks. While this is very exciting, it's also very expensive (ticket prices are climbing by the day but we can't schedule our flights until we get the actual A-OK from Ethiopia). If you would like to donate towards the adoption, simply click the link below. 

Thank you for your love and support! 

Thursday, June 27, 2013

We've Been Flocked!

Last night we were 'flocked'. 

A slew of flamingos appeared in our front yard. 

Ha ha! Classic!!

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To whoever it was that 'flocked' us....thank you! 

What a fun surprise! 

Now Alexandra and Lorelai are convinced that we must always have flamingos in the front yard...


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

"It was a long time ago..."

I started a new book yesterday.

You see, I have been craving a good book. Lately, I have struggled to find one that I connect with. Truth be told, I abandoned two out of the last three books I started due to lack of interest. And the book I finished two nights ago wasn't much better. But I forced myself to finish it.

I couldn't help but reflect back on the book that I love most, The Giver. The way each word speaks to me; connects with me. I wanted another book like that. I wanted that experience again.

I went to my bookcase and pulled from the shelf a book titled, Autumn Street. It's written by Lois Lowry, who also authored, The Giver. My mother-in-law loaned me Autumn Street months and months ago but I hadn't gotten around to reading it. Perhaps, I thought, this would be a book that would capture my attention; a story that would suck me in. Oh, how I have craved that!

I opened to the first page and read this:

"It was a long time ago.

     Though it seems, sometimes, that most things that matter happened a long time ago, that is not really true. What is true is this: by the time you realize how much something mattered, time has passed; by the time it stops hurting enough that you can tell about it, first to yourself, and finally to someone else, more time has passed; then, when you sit down to begin the telling, you have to begin this way: 

   It was a long time ago."

I read and re-read that first page. Over and over again. It was beautiful.

I think I found what I've been looking for.
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