Esther's Last Day of School

So, every year must come to an end. This one has been a great school year for Esther. She has not only grown physically, but oh so much in character, security, & the love & affection quotient! I can hardly believe we are approaching the two year date of her "gotcha day" with our family! We are so blessed!

This is Esther's butterfly she made on her last day of class. It is really sweet to see how proud she is of her work. She always points it out when we hang it on the board near our dinner table.


This is Esther's best buddy and her teacher at preschool.


This is Ruthie dressing in her preschool shirt (that still fits somehow)in honor of Essie's last day of school. Esther just loved this that her Sissie had a matching shirt.

Spring Sports

This is to highlight the girls sports going on at our house. Ladies first I say...which is only fair since I am indeed a girl.


Don't you love the look of intensity?! What defensive form!!


This would indeed make Robert proud as the running form is picture perfect! Go Ruthie go!!


Swing batter, batter, batter...swing! No power yet...but we are oh so happy with contact:)


This may not be included in your list of spring sports...but pushing Sissie on the Barney mobile is definitely Esther's idea of a workout!

Fun with our Japanese Students

Well, our time came on Friday to say good-bye to our Japanese students. Boy did we have fun with them. The Lord knew the perfect two to send to our home:) Here are some highlights from their time here...

Cowboy shootem' up reenactment scenario...choreographed by CJ...I mean aren't all Americans cowboys?


Havin' some hang out crazy time on the guys last night with us...


Introducing the guys to candy necklaces and Sequence...a game that transcends language barriers. What fun!


This was by far one of the guys highlights. They spent a good part of a day on the boat with G-pa Bob. He let them steer, fish, and enjoy a scenic tour...they loved it!! They even had an adventure story with one of them getting a little crazy behind the wheel:) Thanks for your spirit of adventure Grampa!!

Easter Adventures

So, we woke up Easter morn' with Ruthie hot pink and swollen all over her face and hands. Turns out she had an allergic reaction to the amoxocillin she was on for her sinus infection. She got dressed up anyway even though she and I stayed home from church. So, here are the girls in their Easter outfits.


Here is the gang right before heading out in the rain to find the 80 Easter eggs Ruthie and I hid. The two new guys with us are our Japanese exchange students who are with us for a few weeks. It was great fun trying to explain the connection of the holiday Easter with eggs and trying to explain Jesus' dying on a cross and Him rising from the dead. I did my best...but I'm sure much was lost in the translation.


Here is the handsome crew, plus one cutie getting ready to head off to Easter service. Rob said he had fun watching the boys try to clap, sit, and stand appropriately at all the right times. I'm not sure what they made of it all, but I do know when they got home they had to take a nap as they were pooped! We have been having a lot of fun with them! Their English is pretty limited, but it's been great to have them hang out with the family and try new stuff. We taught them four square and the game sequence...they thought that was cool! And boy did they love pizza!


A visit with Grandpa wouldn't be complete if there wasn't a little drawing time with the girls. The girls usually compete for a spot on Babop's lap (as Esther calls him). Then the drawing and giggles begin...what a blessing to have grandparents right down the road:) I love it!

Growing up...

So, there are things in the life of a teen that constitute rites of passage...driver's education, the first shave, the first sweetheart, and playin' with the big boys. The following pictures conger up many emotions for me...which I would only dribble on if I tried to put them into words. So, I will suffice with letting the pictures do the talking and just say...my boy is growing up!

A New Teen & Ru's Races

E-Man became an official teenager at the end of last month! Wow! He topped it off with his request of a stir fry dinner and oreo ice cream cake...a birthday fav. at our house:)


This is Ru's princess car entered in this year's Pine Wood Derby...painted and decorated by the princess herself. The car was aptly named Queen Mobile. Her car place 4th in show for her age group and she earned a small trophy. The E-team felt pretty good about that one since we have had many a year with no trophy at all:)


This would be the crowd gathered at the annual Leprechaun Dash in our fair city. Ru readies herself before her first race. The school that had the biggest showing for this event earned $1000 for their PE department. We are very proud of Ru for wanting to help her school.


Ru finished her mile in just over 12 minutes. Pretty good for a first grader and probably better than I could do at this point. Way to go girl in pink!!

News Flash!!

Hi! I'm cute and I'm 2.5 years old and I don't know it yet, but my life is soon about to change!

We are on the ad@pti#n trail again! For those of you who know our story of the Josephs...this is the original little Joseph who came into our lives 1.5 years ago, but we weren't ready to pursue him at that time. He and Esther are the same age and it just seemed overwhelming to contemplate twin one year olds. This little guy came back into our lives several weeks ago now when our ad@pti#n doors closed in the direction we thought we were heading. I guess the saying when the Lord closes one door He may open a window comes into play. Anyway, this little guy has a pretty cool story of how it seems he was set aside for just this timing. If you would like me to email you how the Lord has put this story together thus far, just let me know as I would love to...it is just too specific of information to be included on a blog. Interestingly enough...the Lord has given us a new name...it won't be Joseph!