Wow, Has a Week Really Gone By?......

It has been over a week since I made my last blog post---can't believe it. I don't think I have ever let that much time go between posts. Guess that just goes to show that we are entering the boring, day-to-day "real" life phase of post-adoption. And, although we are plugging along in this dreary month of March, I thought it might be a good time to give a brief update on what's happening in each of the Burckhard family members' lives.

Bella: She is still the light of our lives and brings so much joy and wonder to each day, that it's hard not to smile when you are around her. She is continuing to ride the "bum" (bus) and going to preschool and LOVING it. Another love: basketball games! She is totally into watching basketball on TV. She is such a hoot to watch as she gallops in place, clapping and cheering as she watches. And then as soon as a commercial comes on, she stops dead in her tracks with her arms at her sides. Once the game's back on---she's doing her galloping, happy cheer dance once again. I will get some video of it and post it one day...it's too good to miss! We jokingly refer to her as the epitome of "March Madness!"

Grace: Grace has been such a good girl! She is so kind and sweet to "Bella Bogdana" (as she calls her). She is now an orange belt at Tae Kwon Do. Every day when she gets off the bus, she asks if it is her night to go. I can't believe she will be ten in a few weeks. She is growing up and slimming down! Yay! She thinks it's great that she gets to stay up later than Bella and she no longer needs naps. That surely makes her feel like a big sister!

Sam: Sam is growing up and up! Both in maturation and in height! And, he is becoming quite the socialite. He can't wait to get home from school to be back in contact with his friends via the internet, texting, and the phone. And now, his thing is to meet up with his friends in the neighborhood (girls and boys) and wander around talking and wading through puddles. (OK, I don't think he is deliberately wading, but he sure is wet when he comes home.) Also, he is in the chess club at another middle school and is moving up the ranks. Think he is now ranked 4th!!! And, he will be joining the junior high golf team at his school in a few weeks. He LOVES to talk and laugh (just like another "boy" in this house.)

Elizabeth: My grown-up 16 year old! She is now done doing stats for boys BB but will start doing stats for Kevin's church BB league. Busy, busy, busy describes Miss E. She is also working hard on some musical pieces to compete in the Regional music contests with hopes of making it to state. She and I are avid Am. Idol fans and love cheering on our favorites together. She is a master texter and typist. When she types, it sounds like machine guns going off! (never even had a typing class either.) And, she WILL be getting her driver's license this spring....under duress, I know, but I need another driver to help out!

Kevin aka Daddy, Papa: Busy as ever as the Managing Director for Northwestern Mutual in northwestern ND. He is gearing up as the commissioner for the Minot area church league...which he has been heading up for the last 100 years (seems like to me :). Now he and Elizabeth will be gone two nights every week from 5:30 to 10:30 setting up, running the show & stats, and cleaning up. Oh well, with I may have to attend some games so that our Little Miss Basketball (Bella) can cheer on some Christian athletes. He is a great father and provider for our little family! Keeps us laughing and everything real around here!

Me aka Paula, Mama: Busy holding down the fort; taking part in Our Redeemer's Moms in Touch, Parent Expert on our Medical Home Team, taking Bella to speech at MSU, volunteering at the school, helping Reece's Rainbow with grant writing and the Connecting the Rainbow, gearing up to be an adjunct professor (actually it's called parents as co-teachers) for a university class next fall called Disability Issues, exercising, losing weight with Weight Watchers, AND has yet to buy any new clothes in her new clothes challenge this year. Whew, when I write it out, I guess I do actually do something!

Jake the Cat: Eat, sleep, repeat!

So there you have it, a synopsis of where we are to date in the Burckhard household. So does this mean I won't have to blog for another week again? :)