Distractions

Wow, it's been a long time since I blogged. And I guess the main reason would be: facebook! Yup, I finally gave in and signed up. So I've been spending my computer time on facebook. Trying to figure it all out, finding friends, stalking the friends I have found. So if you're on facebook and I haven't found you yet, look me up, I'm finally there.

I've also been focused on cleaning and cooking and getting my house together for lots of company this weekend. My sister's coming home and I'm hosting her bridal shower on Sunday. I'm excited about seeing Laura and Brian! Hey, we even pulled up all our pinestraw and replaced it with pretty red mulch, just for you. Well maybe not just for you. :) But anyways either way, I'm glad the pinestraw's gone.

In between all the yardwork, spring cleaning, house projects we've started but not finished, we spent some time with our nephew last weekend. He's so cute and it's been so great to get to know him a little more, watch him and Ryan play, and see Sarah and Christian becoming wonderful parents! I just wish they lived closer so Ryan and Maxim could play more often.

I promise to continue posting and not get so caught up in facebook and other fun online adventures that I forget about my blog! I'll write again soon!

Thanks Lindsay for my blogger award! I've enjoyed posting to my blog, knowing that family and friends can keep up with us (alright, I know they really just want to keep up with Ryan!), and being able to see what my friends are up to as well.

So here are the rules:

1. When given the award you write about the seven things that you love

2. Pass the award to 7 bloggers that you love, and be sure to tag them and let them know they've won. (You can copy the picture of the award and paste it on your sideboard.)

Seven things that I love:

1. My family! I'm blessed with a wonderful husband and the sweetest baby!

2. My extended family! We have the best family and support network. Thanks for always loving us and being there for us.

3. God and church and community!

4. My friends! I have great friends who are there when I need them and can hold me accountable and encourage me.

5. Summer! I'm so happy that the sun is out and Ryan and I've been able to play in the backyard.

6. Scrapbooking, blogging, pictures, I love remembering all our good times and sharing them with family and friends.

7. Experiencing life. I love to get out and travel and see the world and be intentional and do fun stuff

Now I give this award to seven friends and bloggers.(this means you get to put this cute little award on your blog so don't let me down by not participating and passing it along.)

I give the award to:

1. The Zering Family

2. The Spaniers

3. Crystal Corn

4. Carol Jones

5. The LeFiles Family

6. Trent Hope

7. Alrighty, Lindsay already tagged the other blogs I read and I don't want to get anyone twice! So I quit at six!

Maxim is home!

Check out the links on the right to my photo album and a video of Ryan and his cousin Maxim. I'll actually post about meeting him sometime soon, but for now it's too late at night and I'm off to bed. Just wanted to point out that the pictures are there if you want to go check them out!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Coleson!! I love you so much and I hope you have a wonderful day!

birthday kisses

Yesterday I got the best possible birthday present ever... a kiss from Ryan!! It was the best feeling in the whole world!! We've been trying to teach him kiss off and on for awhile and last night it finally clicked. He first kissed his Daddy several times and it was so sweet to watch. Then he kissed me a few times and Grandma too. Those are the times that make everything worth it! I love being a mom and I love my baby!!

our nephew!

Yay, the waiting is finally over! I have a nephew! This is little Maxim Nikolai! His adoption was official on Monday and this is him in the car with his parents leaving the orphanage. There is still some stuff to finalize before he can come home though (passport, visa, etc), so they are living in the hotel room together for about 10 more days. He's so stinkin' cute and I just can't wait to meet him and give him a big hug. And hopefully he and Ryan will hit it off and become best of buddies! We love you Sarah and Christian and Maxim!

We think he'll fit right in with our family - he's got that same silly, hamming it up grin that Ryan does so well!

Happy Easter!

Ryan went "hunting" for eggs with Nana and Pop-Pop!

Uncle Tyler and Aunt Jennifer came for an Easter brunch.

Sea World & Magic Kingdom!

Here's our Spring Break trip pictures! There's plenty more in my online photo album too! We had a good time and we hope you enjoy looking at our pictures. We highly recommend Sea World to those of you with little guys; Ryan loved it!

Sea World! Ryan didn't really like Shamu, but the rest of the day was fun

 Checking out the Sea Lions and then taking in the Shamu show

My sister's college roommate is a trainer for Sea World so we got to go backstage and meet some of the animals! This is Lex the Lemur.

The Lego Superstore in Downtown Disney - taking in the Russia display and learning more about Ryan's cousin

Ryan was not a fan of Pluto!

The castle at the Magic Kingdom

man's best friend

Ryan and Sampson love to look at the window and spy on the neighbors! The two have become quite good buddies and are always getting into some sort of mischief together. Sampson is so good with his baby. We just wish he wasn't so protective and fond of nipping our guests. :)

Tomorrow morning we are off for Orlando, so you won't hear from us for a week. But hopefully we'll have some good stories and fun pictures to share when we get back!

it's official...

Sarah and Christian are back in Russia! Court was this morning and it's all official! They are parents and I'm an aunt! Yippee! Unfortunately we still don't know details yet - there is a 10 day "waiting" period during which appeals could be filed. But on April 13th he's allowed to leave the orphange with them and there's no going back then and they'd better tell his name and send his picture! Hooray! We're so happy for them and us and the whole family. Ryan can't wait to meet his cousin. We love you Sarah and Christian and "Napolean Boris" :)