No Olympians Here

We may have been inspired by the Olympics but that's as far as we got ;)

Our form needs some work.

Owen's "flip"

 toe knee touch

dive?

 and the cute judges

I have not blogged about our time at the pool this summer, but we've gone quite frequently. ALL 3 enjoy it, which is so fun! Owen, of course, prefers if he has a friend there. Mason is perfectly content to play on his own. Ryan keeps me busy for his lack of fear for the water. But he naps oh SO good afterward ;)

Busy Bee

This summer has proved a very busy one. A different kind of busy. Our days haven't been too filled, but I have hardly had a spare moment in the evenings. Whether its writing/planning the bible study, filling out adoption paperwork, listening to training for the adoption, reading requirements for the adoption or just plain boring housework, it's been overwhelming at times. Thankfully most of it has not had deadlines.

I finished writing the 7th and final summer study Sunday night and it was printed yesterday. I can not tell you the relief I felt having it done.
I have LOVED working on each one, but it's taken A LOT OF TIME. I really wish I could have had all 7 written before the study even started. But that didn't happen. It was tricky being only being 1 week ahead in the final weeks. It was difficult to write one and also prepare for the current study in order to lead. Live and learn.
God was good!
EJ was sweet to help with the boys whenever I needed extra time.
It was nice to have at least the downstairs cleaned each week ;)
We had an amazing group of ladies. Between 11-16 each week.
Each were very excited for the topic.
The Sunday sermon's almost always related to the study I was working on and the extra insight was so helpful.
We meet tonight and one last time next week.

Retreated for the Day

I took the boys to my parents today. Just because ;)
It was pretty great!

I still CAN'T believe my boys will get in the lake (this is their second time). Owen especially, he doesn't like getting dirty, unless it's on a ball field ;)

I enjoyed some sun on the deck during nap time, reading and finishing prep for tomorrow's summer study. Thanks again for a great day!

Team Fogarty

This morning the older two were at it again. Arguing about some difference of opinion on the rules of their indoor beach ball volleyball game. Owen gloated big time over something and Mason was furious. It was ugly.
So I called them both to the dinning room table for an activity. (They were suppose to be heading there anyway for school time.) I delayed the start of school time to calm them down and put in my 2 cents on their attitudes.
The Holy Spirit was gracious to me b/c I thought of this in an instant. I gave them each a piece of construction paper and told them to create a flag for Team Fogarty. Then I preceded to explain that our family is a team. We work together, we play together, we respect each other, encourage one another, etc. Then I explained that Owen's gloating and Mason's quick temper would not be welcome on any MLB team or Olympic team (we've been watching a lot;). They got to work and their anger quickly ceased. Now I am no fool, tomorrow they will be at it again. But Mason did remind us ALL day long that about Team Fogarty ;) He got the picture.

Ha! Just realized Mason didn't write his own name on his.

While they were working, I was blessed in an unexpected way. They both wanted Sissy listed with our family. It was both their ideas at almost the same instant. I can't tell you how much my heart swelled at their mention of her. Just yesterday I was having such doubts as to how a little girl would feel entering our family. What a blessing that God would give me today.

Owen wanted a family picture for his, but then decided to wait until Sissy comes home.

Lots of Questions

I will never forget the evening we told our boys that they were hopefully going to have a sister. We didn't "plan" anything specific. We just kind of waited for an opportunity. It was a Sunday evening and we had packed a dinner to take to the pool. While we were there it started to thunder and rain so we came home before we had the opportunity to eat. Well, it was perfect at our house. No sign of rain. We decided to eat our picnic dinner right on the grass in the front yard. That's when we told them.
EJ worded it such that he could see their reaction to the idea of a sister before he mentioned "adopting." Owen immediately looked at my stomach, but quickly realized there is no way we know already know it's a girl. Smart cookie ;)
Their reactions were very mixed. Very excited for another sibling. Excited about the prospect of adopting from China. Not so excited about the sister idea, especially a younger one. (Owen would like his very own baseball team available with a moments notice.)
Since then, the questions have come by the hundreds. Most of which we can not answer, yet. Initially they wanted to know her name, see her picture, know her age, etc. (which we won't have for a while) Slowly, more serious questions have come up, like how will she understand us?, what if I don't love her?, how will you be a mommy to four? will she have something wrong with her? etc.
I am loving the opportunity these questions bring to light. I know that I am not always answering them with as much gospel truth as I could, but I am trying. I am thankful they are asking! I love seeing into their hearts. Each so different!
Our parents and siblings received the news without much surprise. They suspected it was coming. We have felt very loved and supported as we have shared our news. We feel very blessed and thankful!