Last weekend, we enjoyed a Fourth of July cookout at Ken's aunt Louise's house in south Georgia. They have land, horses, and a really long tree-lined driveway I love. Kathryn was away for the week with her dad, but our other two kids went with us. "Anne" got to meet a whole bunch of family on Ken's side, including his mom and maternal grandmother. We had almost forgotten that two of Ken's cousins are adopted (because they're just though of as cousins, not "adopted cousins"), and his aunt Louise is raising her two grandsons (though they have not formally adopted them). So everyone was very supportive of our adoption, and welcomed Anne into the family. She's fun and personable anyway, so it's easy to like her.
Anne and Brandon played briefly on the little kids' obstacle course. She enjoys gymnastics, so it's not uncommon to find her cartwheeling in the living room or doing round-offs in the grass.
Anne and Brandon played briefly on the little kids' obstacle course. She enjoys gymnastics, so it's not uncommon to find her cartwheeling in the living room or doing round-offs in the grass.
We went walking down the long driveway to meet the horses. Twister really liked Anne, and probably would have followed her around like a puppy all day. 
Anne spotted a swing she wanted to try out, and big brother Brandon helped her climb in. 
She played Tarzan on the rope, too, and almost landed in a large pile of horse manure. Ewww! 
By the time we got back to the house, we were really hot and oh-so-ready for some tasty homemade ice cream!
Later that evening, not long after we got home, we were called for a NILMDTS session. We'd already told Anne about this volunteer work we do. She went with us and waited in the lounge near the hospital room while we did the session. She loves children, and whole-heartedly believes that no baby is ever a mistake in God's eyes, so although she doesn't think she personally could do what we do, she does see the importance of it.
After church on Sunday, Ken taught her a few guitar chords, since she'd expressed an interest in learning how to play. We may end up with a quite a musical family, since Brandon is going to pursue a degree in music education, and we plan to start piano lessons for Kathryn this year.
Yesterday we took Anne to get the rest of her belongings from her foster home. I think the whole day was rather bittersweet for her. Mostly happy, because she is very excited about being adopted by us, but saying goodbye to her foster mom and the other girls there was harder than she expected. She also had her last visit with her current therapist--one she loves dearly--and they said a tearful goodbye. (She'll be transferring to a therapist closer to us). All this happened because tomorrow we sign the "Intent to Adopt" papers that mean she is officially in our custody now, though the state still considers her a foster child until her adoption is finalized, something we hope to happen before the end of this year. Things are going really well, but she could use prayers as she makes this big transition in her life, and we could use prayers for wisdom and discernment in how to help her and support her, as well as how to best parent a teenager we're just getting to know.
By the time we got back to the house, we were really hot and oh-so-ready for some tasty homemade ice cream!Later that evening, not long after we got home, we were called for a NILMDTS session. We'd already told Anne about this volunteer work we do. She went with us and waited in the lounge near the hospital room while we did the session. She loves children, and whole-heartedly believes that no baby is ever a mistake in God's eyes, so although she doesn't think she personally could do what we do, she does see the importance of it.
After church on Sunday, Ken taught her a few guitar chords, since she'd expressed an interest in learning how to play. We may end up with a quite a musical family, since Brandon is going to pursue a degree in music education, and we plan to start piano lessons for Kathryn this year.
Yesterday we took Anne to get the rest of her belongings from her foster home. I think the whole day was rather bittersweet for her. Mostly happy, because she is very excited about being adopted by us, but saying goodbye to her foster mom and the other girls there was harder than she expected. She also had her last visit with her current therapist--one she loves dearly--and they said a tearful goodbye. (She'll be transferring to a therapist closer to us). All this happened because tomorrow we sign the "Intent to Adopt" papers that mean she is officially in our custody now, though the state still considers her a foster child until her adoption is finalized, something we hope to happen before the end of this year. Things are going really well, but she could use prayers as she makes this big transition in her life, and we could use prayers for wisdom and discernment in how to help her and support her, as well as how to best parent a teenager we're just getting to know.
