"Puppy"

Lyric feels it's time to introduce "Puppy" to the world...

May 1- Gotcha' Day

THEN...

One year ago we arrived in Uganda and held Mical and Moses for the first time. To say that it has been quite a year in our lives is such an understatement. We are thankful for all the ways the Lord has knit us together as a family of seven. I feel reflective at this one year mark.


I also miss Uganda. I really miss it. While there, we were missing Lyric, Gavin and Cole....and toilet paper...and maybe a few other things. ;-) So, if we were to return, I'd just need to pack ALL the kids....and tp.


We are regularly asked how the kids are doing and how everyone has adjusted. I guess I feel like we've adjusted much like any family who gave birth to twins on any given year. There are added challenges when kids are older, but then I guess there are added challenges with newborn twins too, right?


We are growing. We are all growing. God's not done with us yet.


The laundry pile also grew...and the grocery bill ... ;-)

NOW...

I had to include a tummy pic.

For those who have followed

Mical in prayer through this past year and three surgeries,

thank you so very much!

What a HAPPY tummy!

This handsome young man has been diagnosed with a

serious condition that should pass by his next birthday.

His family has diagnosed him as having "age TWO syndrome."

It can be terrible, but it's pretty awesome most of the time!

What a character!

the streets

Some Lyrics from one of my favorite Steven Curtis Chapman Songs.

I couldn't get enough of this song while waiting for Mical and Moses.

"Yours"

I walk the streets of London

And notice in the faces passing by

Something that makes me stop and listen

My heart goes heavy with the cry

Where is the hope for London?

You whisper and my heart begins to soar

As I'm reminded

That every street in London is Yours

Oh, yes it is

I walk the dirt roads of Uganda

I see the scars that war has left behind

Hope like the sun is fading

They're waiting for a cure no one can find

And I hear children's voices singing

Of a God who heals and rescues and restores

And I'm reminded

That every child in Africa is Yours...

And its all yours, God, Yours, God

Everything is Yours...

You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything...

Last April 30 we spent the day wandering the streets of London waiting for our flight.
But, our hearts and minds were already in Africa.

My heart goes out to those families who are waiting, still, for their children
to come home.

Gracie

This sweet girl is ONE today!

Happy Birthday Grace Mary!

We had fun at her party last weekend!

She did not appreciate frosting on her fingers...
We think she'll like it better by her next birthday =)

Last year, on the day of her arrival, we were on our way to Uganda!
Proud grandparents kept us posted as we called from airport lobbies.

Has it really been a year?!

Friends

I promised a couple of dear friends that I would post some pictures.

Here they are =)

We love you bunches.

Abigail

This is our friends' blog
allaboutabigail2009.blogspot.com

Abigail is four years old. Her mom has been in Uganda now for seven weeks working through the long legal process, but needs to come home for surgery on her foot. If you want to check out the beads they are selling to help raise adoption funds, check it out.

They are near and dear to our hearts!

A few things...

Life is full. And fun. And sometimes...tiring.

I'm not complaining. Really, most of the time, I'm not!

These are a few of the things we have had going on these past few weeks...

Gavin turned double digits.

We celebrated with friends early because he spent his 10th birthday at the wedding of our dear friends Amy and Brad!

Basement full of 9 and 10 year old boys...and we lived to tell about it!

The wedding led to a (almost) family vacation in Florida. Moses stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Thede for this one. He had the vacation of being an only child for a whole week! He'll never be the same ;-)

This past week Lyric had her first two track meets. She loves the hurdles...so much she decided to dance with one at her last meet. I don't have a picture of her knees, but she left some skin on that track.

We also said goodbye to our dear pet guinea pig, Penelope, who has been squeeking in our home for the past five years. Strange the attachment a family can make with a rodent.

Our family also grew by two pets recently. One grandfather, who shall remain nameless, decided to fulfill Lyric's ongoing request to have cockroaches as pets. "Puppy" and "Chow" are now being mothered by one of the only 12 year old girls I know, who baby creepy crawlies.

On a serious note, we also have friends who are adopting from Uganda. The wife has been there for 7 weeks and will be returning on Monday without their daughter. She will be returning in 6 weeks to their daughter in Uganda, but first needs surgery on her foot that she injured while there. They are in the midst of such a battle. So many adoptive families are. Prayers for this family would be so appreciated. They are also selling magazine bead necklaces to help fund the added expense of this adoption. I'll check with them if I can put a link to their blog...