Hill Country Hyatt 2010

Mark and I figured out that we started going to the Hill Country Resort 10 years ago!!  Mark attends a CLE (continuing legal ed) conference here every summer.   Kailee was just three when we started going and we have only missed one year in the last 10 when Mark worked for a large, very non-family friendly firm....why he lasted less than a year and what led to our adoption...another story, another day....
Over the years we have gone from being with the kids every minute on the lazy river, to letting them roam the resort themselves to losing Jordan on the trip when he entered highschool and started two-a-day soccer practice.  That was the same summer Hudson joined the adventure and we were back to the sandy beach and no leisurely reading for mom all day.   This year we lost Madi as she is now in highschool and started two-a-day vollyball practices.  It was SO WIERD stocking the fridge and pantry with meals and snacks for my two oldest as they stayed by themselves all week.   Jordan made sure Madi got to where she needed to be and then some....their laundry was done and the house was even clean when we got home!!!!  There are pros and cons to them growing up but I really don't like not having us all together for fun times!!!


The Sanza's joined us again this year.  We realized they came with us FOUR years ago when we were both waiting for our referrals.  Pam and I dreamed of the day our kiddos would be playing together and so it was this week. 

  

Big sisters Hannah and Kailee spent hours building sand castles with the boys.  

We also have many good friends in the area as it was where Mark grew up so we loved having Mark's oldest, best friend Trey (whom Jordan Trey is named after) join us with his twin girls.

And Cole joined us also.  Cole's "mimi" lives with Mark's mom and Mark grew up with Stacey (Cole's mom).  We just call them cousins as it is less confusing and we spend all holidays together.  Cole and Hudson are only four months apart as are their older brothers (Jordan and Luke & sister's Kelly and Madi).....they are ALL the best of friends.  Hudson and Cole both have Uncles that live in Alaska (Stacey and Mark's brothers)...they married Alaskan girls that are related......to add a little more confusion, Trey and Stacey are cousins.....(i'm sure ya'll don't care but always feel the need to explain)....REGARDLESS it is so fun to have these four, four year olds playing together...bascially all family....

There was SUCH delight for these two carrying water and destroying the sand castle.  Such simple pleasures bring pure joy!  

....and back again....

Only one more full week for Madi before school starts and then the three others start the following week... SO NOT ready!!!!!

good buddies!!

Where is summer going???

I am finding it so hard to blog lately.  We are over half way through summer and I had not been "home" all day for the first time until last Monday.    I love summer and am not one of those moms that can't wait for school to start.  School with teenagers is so very busy with sports, lots of homework, studying, school projects and summer brings a peace that is hard to find during the school year.      There are so many projects I wanted to get completed this summer and I am frustrated I am just now finishing a HUGE painting project.  I have only spent 2 days in the water and have had no girl time for me BUT....life isn't all bad.   I have spent lots of time with the kids even though much of it has been driving from one end of the country to the other.

Our most exciting news is Jordan came home!!!!  He decided that home was where he wanted to be for his Sr year.   I think he has struggled with his decision for a few months but we knew this was one of those times we needed to "let go" and trust the Lord with him and that he needed to "own" his choice.    One thing our pastor says often is "God is in control of the outcome so we must trust Him with the process"...Wow!!!  Wish I would have grasped that over the many months leading up to a few weeks ago when he told us wanted to come home.   Last summer we made him come home from his MN summer before he wanted to and made him go to camp, this year he told us he wanted to be home in time for camp.   Jordan would have done fine in MN but it was hard to let him go and we are thrilled that he chose us!!!!  

As for the rest of the kids, Kailee attended cherleading camp in early July and was named MVP.  She was also chosen to attend a leadership camp for church and was gone last week.  SUCH a blessing for her as she has missed youth summer camp the last two years as we were in MN.  

 Madalyn said goodbye to her friend Libby that came home with us from MN...we so enjoyed her 18 day stay!  I love Madi's freckles in this picture...this week she is with Jordan at SR HIGH camp, how can it be???

Hudson had his sleep study and was SUCH a big boy as he was cleaned, glued and wired up.  The night was long as he was so uncomfortable but we are anxious to hear the results and hopefully can move on to the next plan with his reconstruction and speech.    He is growing SO MUCH lately, and is ALL BOY, loving life as always.

Please read the post below and pray for our special little lady!!!

Pray for Abby Grace

Abby Grace was Hudson's cribmate and best friend in Pingliang.  We traveled with her mom and dad when we met our sweet, scared babes together on March 30, 2008 in a crowded room in Langzhou.    AG had a cleft lip/palate also and much more serious heart condition than Jenn and Sean knew, requiring unexpected open heart surgery the week she came home.  Yesterday AG had the second part of her open heart surgery and is doing well with pink toes and fingers but please keep her in your prayers.  She recovered so well the first time and we are praying for the same this time.
 

I was able to see Jenn and Abby when I went to Charleston in May.  She has grown SO much and it was amazing to me how many characteristics and mannerisms she and Hudson share.  They both cut their eyes the same way and have many of the same facial expresions.  Hudson is only four months older than Abby but it was very obvious while we were in China together how he "took care of her".  He would feed her cheerios, clue into her cry above all of the other babies cries and Abby told me in Charleston, Hudson would rub her back as they fell asleep at night.  We have always wondered what Hudson remembers, he was only 2 1/2 when he came home but one thing he does say consistently is he "cried and cried at night in his crib"...he says "I would say 'mama, mama' " .  When I asked Abby if Hudson liked their bed she said "no, he would cry and cry".  Jenn told me Abby has asked since she came home for them to "tickle her back like Hudson did" at night.   From the first night we had Hudson in China he would tickle his face at night to go to sleep and refused to let us do it.  It was obvious he needed this self soothing to go to sleep and after Abby told me this I wondered if not having Abby next to him was the reason.  Nights were SO hard for Hudson until  about the last  9 months and he prefers a warm body next to him, no wonder if he spent the first 2 1/2 years next to AG.

We sure hope to get Hudson and Abby together again soon.  We love this girl and she will forever hold a special place in our hearts as Hudson's first sister!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

July 4th, 2010

We spent the 4th of July weekend in New Braunfels with family.  Madi's friend Libby is visiting from MN so we wanted to show her more of TX.  We spent Friday at the River Walk,  the kids and dads floated the river on the morning of the fourth while Stacey and I spent a quiet morning at home making dinner and today the girls spent the day at Shlitterbahn.  It has been a fun weekend, back to the real world tomorrow....hope all had a happy and safe 4th! 

Libby and Madi

A little volleyball before fireworks

Cole

The boys and their dads

Father's Day 2010

A perfect Minnesota Day for brunch on the deck at the Country Club...sure wish Mark would have been with us!  At least I was with my dad! Happy Father's Day to two wonderful men!