Grace's Dancin' Stance!

Grace started Dance this year at Just 4 Kix. She LOVES it, especially getting to wear her "red" outfit. Here she is at a recent performance:


The other girls totally include her and are so kind to her. She loves performing and being part of the group!

That's what being included is all about!

Grace's Dancin' Stance!

Grace started Dance this year at Just 4 Kix. She LOVES it, especially getting to wear her "red" outfit. Here she is at a recent performance:


The other girls totally include her and are so kind to her. She loves performing and being part of the group!

That's what being included is all about!

Adoption Update

In the adoption world, papers swirl about you like Pigpen from Charlie Brown. We have most everything completed, and now we wait on the next step.

We received notification on Saturday that our biometric fingerprint appointments are scheduled for February 12th at 9:00. Because the appointments are in Fargo, we will have to go down the night before. Thank goodness for Grandparents that can hold down the fort so we can do this!

I will have to call immigration services (USCIS) this morning because Kevin's name has a typo on the official fingerprint appointment letter. Makes me feel better that even the government can make mistakes!

Kevin and I will go to Catholic Charities' office today to start our face-to-face interviews with our social worker who is preparing the home study. We are looking forward to getting this underway as well.

So now we wait: for the completed home study and then approval from USCIS to finish up our dossier. It's true what they say, "hurry up and wait!"

The swirling paperwork follows me around--maybe not literally, but at least in my mind!

Adoption Update

In the adoption world, papers swirl about you like Pigpen from Charlie Brown. We have most everything completed, and now we wait on the next step.

We received notification on Saturday that our biometric fingerprint appointments are scheduled for February 12th at 9:00. Because the appointments are in Fargo, we will have to go down the night before. Thank goodness for Grandparents that can hold down the fort so we can do this!

I will have to call immigration services (USCIS) this morning because Kevin's name has a typo on the official fingerprint appointment letter. Makes me feel better that even the government can make mistakes!

Kevin and I will go to Catholic Charities' office today to start our face-to-face interviews with our social worker who is preparing the home study. We are looking forward to getting this underway as well.

So now we wait: for the completed home study and then approval from USCIS to finish up our dossier. It's true what they say, "hurry up and wait!"

The swirling paperwork follows me around--maybe not literally, but at least in my mind!

Grandma & Papa

Bella will be blessed to have some terrific Grandparents! Grandma & Papa are such a blessing to our family. Grandma is a huge support for our family and Papa can fix anything! Both of them are loved and cherished by the five of us.

We like to do things together--camping, Scrabble, walking, and playing "duck, duck, goose" with Grace. Every Monday we have "soup & bread" night at our house and then on Friday, it's pizza night. The kids love these traditions with their grandparents. I'm sure Bella will fit right in!

Over Christmas break, we took Amtrak to the cities to take in the Vikings, go to the Mall of America, and just plain relax. We had a great time!

Here are some pics of our very first train ride:



Grandma with Grace:

Sam & Papa:

Elizabeth & Grandparents:

We had a very memorable trip! Lots of fun, laughs, and food. Maybe we can do it again next year--with one extra little bundle along with her new Grandma & Papa!

Grandma & Papa

Bella will be blessed to have some terrific Grandparents! Grandma & Papa are such a blessing to our family. Grandma is a huge support for our family and Papa can fix anything! Both of them are loved and cherished by the five of us.

We like to do things together--camping, Scrabble, walking, and playing "duck, duck, goose" with Grace. Every Monday we have "soup & bread" night at our house and then on Friday, it's pizza night. The kids love these traditions with their grandparents. I'm sure Bella will fit right in!

Over Christmas break, we took Amtrak to the cities to take in the Vikings, go to the Mall of America, and just plain relax. We had a great time!

Here are some pics of our very first train ride:



Grandma with Grace:

Sam & Papa:

Elizabeth & Grandparents:

We had a very memorable trip! Lots of fun, laughs, and food. Maybe we can do it again next year--with one extra little bundle along with her new Grandma & Papa!

Winter Wonderland

We have had quite the winter in North Dakota. Thought I would post some pics of Daddy, Grace & me playing in the snow. (This is especially for you--Texas Cousins....)



Here's Me Standing on a massive snow "hill".....



Here's Grace & Daddy sledding in the street:



Silly Grace! Just don't stick that tongue on a metal pole!



MMMMMMMM.....Back inside, by our fireplace, with hot chocolate and ESPN in the background.....This is the life! (according to Kevin, that is....)