Bring on Summer

The other day I was bundled up from head to toe, out for a "Spring" run through a winter wonderland thinking... "this is crazy."  Although many of you  probably assume I am refering to running in general (which is a fair thought), I was actually thinking about the weather.  I realized it is a decent picture for me of how I will likely always look back at the year 2013.  Unusual and crazy....and it's only half over.

This will be the year we look back on as the year we met our kids..... the year we had less than a week to prepare for their homecoming.... the year that we were overwhelmed by the love and support of family, friends, and even strangers.  This will be the year when we almost lost Paul's Dad...and the year where hope was restored with an organ donation just in the nick of time. (Or in our 3 year old's words..."Jesus, yea. Him went to the store and buyed Grandpa Warren a new liver.")   This will be the year winter didn't want to let go.... the year we caved and bought a mini-van....and a new furnace and new windows (crazy how much more urgent that stuff seems when you have kids).  This will be the year we fell in love- head over heals- with our kids and hopefully the year we are able to celebrate their adoption into our family.  Needless to say, 2013 is off to a memorable and eventful start. 

As we look ahead to the rest of what this year holds we are obviously excited for summer to make it's appearance and are busy planning camping trips, all 3 kid's Birthday parties, and family outings that are "kid friendly".   Paul has spent the last few nights researching "family sized tents" for camping since we will need to upgrade a bit, and I have the itch to garage sale like never before. 

So that is our update.  Life is moving along with it's highs and lows as we get closer and closer to adoption day.  Until then, here are a few recent pictures....

April 23rd 2013.  The year winter held on with both hands.

What better place to hang out and pretend like it's summer than Menards?

Another picture from Easter my Sister in law finished editing. 

Checking out Grandpa's turkey.