Adoption Update

I kind of hate to even post this for fear that somehow it will jinx us but...

We have been presented with another sibling group (g-5, b-3, b-2) with our agency. 

About a week and a half ago we were sent the profile, along with these three there is a newborn sibling that we will need to be open to taking if his case goes that way.  Last Tuesday I had a phone conference with the current foster mom (they are not an adoptive resource) to find out more about the kids.  On Thursday we received a picture and sent in our official "we are interested" e-mail.  On Friday a BIS (best interest staffing) date was set for Aug. 9.

We are the only family being considered.  The kids need to move more quickly than usual so there won't be a transition plan. 

We are excited for the possiblity but very cautious of really believeing that this could be happening finally!

We do still have two sibling groups with another agency that we have our homestudy in on but a BIS hasn't been scheduled for either of those yet so we are not withdrawing on those yet and just letting things work out how they are supposed to.

Caboose Junction

I found a new experience for us to try after we decided that we wanted to get away for a long weeknd, Caboose Junction Resort at Table Rock Lake in the Lake of the Ozarks.  We left early Friday morning for the four hour drive...a nice relaxing drive until the last hour or so when the roads began to be twisty and hilly for about the last 100 miles!  We all survived :) (momma seems to be the only one with a queasy tummy in the car thankfully). 

Our caboose was right by the lake where we played in the water (well mom did only until she got bit by something and refused to go back in!), relaxed in the hammocks and took walks along the shore.  We also enjoyed playing card games together, talking, laughing and just spending time as a family. Staying in the cabooses was really a fun and unique thing for us.  We loved that there was a small kitchen (with supplies) and a grill so that we could make most of our meals.  The beds were a little hard :) and the bathrooms were TINY but definately a new experience for all of us!

We also took a day trip to a drive thru/petting zoo and ate dinner at a great little diner.  And on our way home we took a drive through Joplin, MO to look at the damage/rebuilding of the tornado last year.

Summer - weeks 8, 9 and 10 (continued)

We also have enjoyed...

Jumping Jax - Lexy and her friend Jaidyn had a great time bouncing around on the inflatables and going on the zipline...

Bowling - Daddy, Mommy and Lexy played a couple of games  (Lexy beat us fair and square on the 2nd game!)...

Legoland - A little expensive and we had to wait outside in over 100 degree heat for over an hour but Lexy really enjoyed it!...

Roller Skating - Lexy and Avree were both wore out by the end of the two hours...

Swimming - Lexy and Jaidyn...

Midwest Kid Fest...

And LOTS more that we didn't get pictures of!!!

Weeks 8, 9 and 10

Opps I got a little behind while focusing on having fun and enjoying the summer :)  So in no particular order, this is what we've been up to...

Spending time together...

Taking a weekend trip to the Lake of the Ozarks and staying in a real caboose (pictures to come).

Sister time - Lexy allowed Brooke to pick her outfit and do her hair for the day...

Lexy learning to do dishes (she begged to help but only lasted about half way through before the novelty wore off!)...

Lexy pretending to be a puppy...

Flarp fail - we attempted to make flarp again this year but something went terribly wrong and it turned out to be a mess...we'll be attempting this again soon...

Playdough play...

Slushy magic - Lexy wanted this as seen on tv item really bad - she earned it by helping mom do the grocery shopping...

Making Shrinky Dinks for the first time...

Lexy relaxing with Rex...

Playing in the rain (this was a novelty since we haven't seen rain in FOREVER!)...

More to come...

Summer- Week 7

This week we...

Made smoothies (we've been making lots of these)...

Went swimming, Lexy's friend Jaidyn came with us, no pictures :(

Celebrated the 4th of July...

Lexy and Mommy made oreo balls and red white and blue strawberries and jello.
We made fire works art.
We had a hamburger/hot dog cookout
We shoot a few fireworks and watched our neighbors displays.
It was well over 100 degrees so we didn't get to do much playing outside this year.

Lexy had her friend Avree over for an afternoon of fun...

We had snowcones...lots of them :)
Lexy and Avree made rock art. 
I put the rocks in the oven 350 for about 10 min. and then they colored on them with crayons...these turned out GREAT!

Summer - Week 6

This weeks fun included...

1.  A new flannel doggy blanket for Lexy (made by mommy)
2 & 3. Two new outfits for Lexy...the yellow shirt says "smart + cute = me"
4.  Ready for a Movie and lunch with Robin, Shilah & Kim plus kids
(Molly, Ryan, Sierra, Sahara, Shyann, Anna)
5.  A shoulder massage for Rex...you know because he has so much stress :)
6.  Momma's 4th of July toes
7.  Lexy's 4th of July toes
8.  Hot cocoa on a 100 degree day....why not?!!
9.  Playing school with Daddy

 Lexy's new Haircut!  She got 5 inches chopped off and she says it's much easier to take care of now!

 

 

 Lexy's artwork.  We found (in Family Fun magazine) and made a recipe for paint that when you microwave it dry it puffs up.  Lexy loved this.

 

 

Brooke spent the week at cheer camp.  Her squad won several awards and the girls had a good but exhausting time (Brooke slept for pretty much two days straight afterwards)!

 

 

Lexy saved up enough money (from allowance and turning in cans with Daddy) to buy herself another build-a-bear.  She chose a sweet little fox, named him Rudy and got him a karate uniform.

We noticed that there was a stage set up in the mall parking lot so we decided to check it out.  When we got out there they were announcing that Blake Shelton was there to perform.  We stayed and listened to several songs before we had to seek air conditioning again because of the sweltering heat.  Brooke was sad that she had decided not to go with us to the mall, she loves Blake Shelton!