What we've been up to

Hello everyone - We've been busy! Here is the post I started last night, but after uploading the video it was a bit late. So enjoy our recent highlights -

On Thursday, our good friends Lisa, Kaitlyn, & AJ stopped over with gifts for Hope. Here is the outfit...this shot is for you guys. Thank you so much. It fits great! We thought Hope could model for you. She's practicing her runway walk in this pic. Not sure about the open mouth, but hey, maybe that's part of her "signature" moves. :) P.S. - She loves the ball popper too. She's still figuring it all out. So far, she likes to try to stand up with it, which in turn causes the whole thing to topple over. If she successfully gets up though, then she likes to reach down into the tube for the balls. She's not much into chasing them all over the living room. I guess for now, that is a job for Mom and Dad.

Friday afternoon was great! Hope's Great Aunt Karla, Great Uncle Jim, and cousin Bobby stopped by to meet her. They were on their way to the metro area for a baseball tournament and were able to visit on the way by. Ella (the pooch) was TOTALLY spoiled by Bobby and they all thought Hope was pretty sweet. As it turned out, the ball games for the evening were rained out, so some of the family was able to meet for dinner. We had a great time and Hope has loved meeting more of her new forever family. Everyone is so special. So here are a few pictures of Hope's 1st time coloring at the restaurant. You can see the progression: (1) YEAH! COOL! CRAYONS! - (2) I can do it MOM! - (3) Hmmm...How about a quick taste while nobody's watching.



Saturday was a pretty low key day, just us. The three of us did a little running around but that is about it.

Sunday started with church. Hope met a few more members of Gethsemane. She is doing so great with everyone. She clings to me (which is a good sign - we want that right now attachment-wise), but she will smile and wave. We're very proud.

After church, Hope got to meet one of our best friends (Keri, that's you) and some of her family. We heard from a little birdie that she was in town, so we stopped by for a quick moment before lunch. Hope also discovered the sand box there and we were near meltdown when it was time to leave. We all survived though, and it was great to see Keri. Our visits are few and far between and we miss her. Sorry I don't have photos here. I think Keri's mom has a couple I'll have to track down.



After our nap then, more of our dearest friends were in town. Tricia, Brad, and Lauren stopped over to meet Hope and the girls spent some time splashing around in the pool. Why does everyone have to live so far away? Can't everyone just move back to Baldwin so we could see each other more often? I know, I'm a bit selfish, but think about it...PLEASE? :) Here are the bathing beauties. Please disregard the lady in the white shirt. She had to keep the beauty on the right from sliding under water.

Sunday night we were spoiled with dinner from Uncle Brian and Aunt Tami. AND, guess what! The brought dessert, too. MMMMMMMMM! Hope had her first taste of ice cream. Check her out! (P.S. - never mind Ella getting a bit scolded in the end. It is tough for her to stay away when there's food around.)



Here is Ella who is looking cool and refreshed after getting in the way of the ice cream hose down.

And here is the diva on her cell phone while driving - post ice cream and all clean. We had a great evening. Thanks guys!


It is hard to believe that we met our daughter 3 weeks ago today. We just love her so much. I hope you're all enjoying the photos and video. We are amazed every day by the things that Hope is accomplishing and by her resiliancy. She is been through so much, not just over these past few weeks, but during her entire first year. She is incredible and we are so blessed to have her home. Her smile and laughter brighten our days and we are just so thankful for her light in our lives.