Looking for Ryan

Avery had her follow-up GI appt yesterday and we also met with a surgeon. I really like both Doctors. I am glad this is where we were led to start. We are only at the very beginning of our journey. It's much harder to put a puzzle together when you don't have the whole picture to look at. Both Drs. seem up to the challenge.
Ryan spent the night with my parents on Wed so that Avery and I good head out of town Thurs morning. I didn't really anticipate the confusion that would bring Avery. I knew Ryan would be thrilled that his sister was pinning for him, so I got it on video. You can also see how much steadier she is on her feet. She hardly every crawls anymore!

Orphan Sunday

Our church had a lot to celebrate this year and we did just that. In recent years we've tried to make Orphan Sunday an educational time for folks interested in orphan care. This year, for several reasons, we choice to PARTY. 

Our church has welcomed 3 new children home since last Orphan Sunday. One more is to be finalized in the next week and one more coming home very very soon!

That's 5 children who have a family to call their own. Praise the Lord!

Our church has also been very involved in fundraising, supporting and caring for these families and other families in our community.

As EJ and I know 1st hand, it takes a lot of people to complete 1 adoption. We have a lot to be thankful for.

This time last year, our dossier was being prepared for China. It was the beginning of the next big step. On Sunday, it was such a joy to see Avery WALKING around among lots and lots of children and adults who were with us each step of the way.

Good Excuse

We celebrated our right to vote, the end of election phone calls & no school day with donuts!! 

Avery's first election and donuts ;)

 They were more excited than they looked.

We had a good day together minus a lot of spats between Mason and Ryan :(

Piles of Fun

The boys raked some leaves for jumping.

 Avery caught on fast. So much for texture sensitivity.

 They took turns completely covering each other in leaves and each popped out to surprise Avery. 

I love Owen and Mason's expressions, they love to make their sister smile.

 Where's Owen? (Doesn't that make you want to sneeze)

 Kind of confused, but she found him ;)

I got SO LUCKY with these pics. They are hardly ever in the same spot at the same time. Yay!

Lots of Treats

Here's my crew plus a Blue's Brother ;)

 Quite the group this year ;) 

Scary clown, black ninja, pirate and a strawberry.

 

 

She had a great 1st Halloween. Couldn't you just eat her up?

A little confused at first, but quickly got the hang of grabbing handfuls of candy.