Beach trip

The kids had a day off and so did my mom so we headed for the coast for the day.  This was Hope's second visit but I forgot my camera the first time.  Also this was her first time actually on the beach and in the water.

We first ate at one of our favorite places Mo's.  We got clam chowder and it was delicious!
Then we walked along the bay front and showed Chase's friend Seth the sea lions on the deck.

Then it was off to the aquarium.  We now have a membership so we are planning on going more often.  They had part of it closed for a new display that will be opening soon.  The kids enjoyed touching the starfishes and other creatures.  Also watching the seals and otters.

We then had a little time left so we let the kids run on the beach and even get in the water for a bit. 
Everyone had a great time, Hope especially enjoyed running away from the waves with grandma.

Parker's 8th grade Basketball

Basketball has officially started and this year we only have one child in Basketball.  Our boys have always loved playing but had a change of heart after coaching issues in the prior years.  This will probably be Parker's last year and we are trying to enjoy it.  His first game was tough.  They lost by quite a bit and his best friend broke and dislocated his arm during the game and is out for the rest of the season.  Since then they have won one away game and lost one.  On Wednesday they played their second home game and it was really close all the way to the end.  They ended up losing by a few.  Parker played hard and I really enjoyed watching him play.

Hope Update

So we have been home just over two months now.  The transformation has been amazing and we have one very special girl.  When we met her in the civil affairs office in November she was scared and traumatized.  They had just removed her from her foster care family that morning and she didn't understand what was going on.  She cried and cried, nothing helped until we were back in the hotel room later.  She opened up immediately to the kids and started playing.  In China she was quite quiet and really didn't talk much.  Now she is a little chatter box and today I wrote down the words she can say on her own and she has over 30 words and now is putting together two words at a time.  She repeats everything and is very clear when she does.  Her appetite has slowed down and she doesn't eat as much at meal times and is not asking for snacks in between as often.  She's still taking the bottle and we will probably keep it that way for awhile.  Her sleeping has been the main issue.  When we were in China she slept fine all night.  Once home however she started having night terrors and wakes up at least once a night crying from them.  Some nights are worse than others.  Nights started getting better and then she got sick last week and we are back to where we were.  Tomorrow I start back to work.  It is really bittersweet.  I really have enjoyed my time home with her but also love what I do.  She will go to daycare three days a week.  She's been a few times already and has seemed to like it. So overall her transition into our family has been amazing and I stand in awe each day of what God has done for our family.  I still look at her and can't believe she is here but then on the other hand feel like she has been here forever.

Faith's Adoption timeline

Faith's Adoption Timeline:

1/6/15 Inquired about reusing dossier

1/8/15 Seen Faith's picture listed as Amaris on Holt's website

1/9/15 Inquired about getting her file

1/15/15 Received file and review it

1/16/15 Learned that we were the only one's reviewing file

1/19/15 Decided to pursue adoption of Faith and reuse dossier

1/21/15 Selected as family for Faith

1/22/15 Started compiling paperwork

1/23/15 Jennifer blood work done and spoke with specialist

2/2/15 LOI uploaded

2/6/15 1st Homestudy visit

2/9/15 2nd Homestudy visit

2/20/15 3rd Homestudy visit

2/23/15 Finished adoption classes

2/25/15 4th Homestudy visit

3/13/15 Homestudy approved

3/ 19 /15  Received homestudy in mail

3/ 20  /15 Sent off I-800A

5/8/15  I-800a approval

5/ 9 /15 Approved I-800a received

5/ 12/ 15  Papers sent to be authenticated

5/29 /15  DTC

6/ 3/15  LID
7/ 15  /15  LOA
7/17/15 Mail off I-800
8/3/15 I-800 approved
8/7/15 GUZ,NVC, DS-260
8/10/15 Article 5 dropped off
8/24/15 Article 5 picked up
8/27/15 Travel Approval
10/13/15 Leave for China
10/15/15 Arrive in Xian
10/18/15 Fly to Wuhan
10/19/15 Faith Gotcha Day
10/27/15 Consulate apt
10/30/15 Fly home!

Chase qualifier Wrestling meet Grants pass

So I haven't been very good about taking pictures in the last few weeks.  We had a great New Year's with friends.  We started the New years with decluttering goals.  We want to simplify this year and get rid of a bunch of stuff.

This weekend we took Hope on her first road trip and went down to Grants pass so that Chase could wrestle in the qualifier.   We let Conor bring his friend Caleb and Chase had a friend that rode down with us.  We stayed an Steve's parents house and had a great time.

Chase did really well even though he didn't qualify.  He lost the very first match by points.  His weight was 56 lbs so he was the bottom of that weight group with kids up to 60lbs.  He won the next two rounds and then had two left.  The fourth match he lost by points at the very end when the kids made a move and flipped him.  Chase was upset but he was over it soon and realized how close it really was.

We were so very proud of him and how hard he worked.