Staying Busy So We Stop Missing Daddy So Much !!!

Daddy is away this week with the "Big Kids", thats what we call the High School Students. They are on a Mission Trip to Minneapolis with PowerPlant assisting Church Planters.
Hope and I are staying busy. We visited and ate dinner at our new Wegman's last night. I think Hope made this little older ladies day. Hope kept turning and waving to her with the biggest grin. She may have reminded HVN of Miss Jane in the baby nursery (HVN loves Miss Jane). The sweet lady told me how cute Hope is in her big pink bow!
Today, we went shopping for the beach, since we will be at the beach with the "Big Kids" for HVN's birthday. We love The Children's Place, they had cute bathing suits on sale!!
Then tonight we played outside on the blanket with her ball and blew bubbles. She seems to enjoy those simple things in life and so do I. Hope got to swing in her swing which is usually her time with Daddy when he firsts gets home.
Then we came in, read books, climbed the mountain (which consist of a dozen pillows on the floor covered with a blanket) which is one of her other favorite inside activities. Then she swam in the tub, had a good rub down with cuddle time (my favorite) and now she's fast asleep!!!
We miss Daddy but know he's doing a great work...shopping at Mall of America tonight for us!!! LOL!!!!

Can You Tell HVN's Cousins are 8 Months Older?

My nieces Erin and Emma are eight months older than Hope, sitting by one another you really can't tell it. HVN had a great time today in the pool with Erin and Emma, she loves to be with other kids even though she's not walking like they are she loves to be social. These are sweet dayz!!!!!

One Year Ago Today

It was one year ago today that we first met Hope's birth mother. I often go through thoughts of what I would love to tell her; thoughts like we're still elated over her selfless gift, thank you a , million times over for such a priceless gift, HVN is happy, healthy and a joy to so many people and the list could go on! The bottom line is that the Lord continues to stir a love in our hearts for her and reminds us to lift her before the throne...and we do!!!!

HVN's 1st Pool

We knew she would love a pool since she loves the bath tub. She literally wore herself out in this; from splashing to the fountain to being outside she couldn't get enough!

To HVN, Its An Afternoon Delight to be Outside

Hope loves to be outside, what kid doesn't right?
I just had to show you this picture of how she grins when she gets tickled with something. She shows all of her teeth and it's the cutest thing we've ever seen.
She does this when she's playing, when she sees her little friends, she does this when we walk in the door or when she's learning something new. She is one happy baby and it shows in her smile!
The other picture I want you to notice is the bottom picture of her statnding up next to Rick. Many comment on how tall she is and she is. She's off the charts for her age and most of her 18 month pants are already too short. We think she'sll be as tall as me if not taller...God did that!

Ohio Department of Health & Vital Statistics

This past weekend we received Hope's official birth certificate reading HVN's full name! How exciting, I'm headed to the VA office today to apply for other vital cards and details.

Father's Day

Rick is a wonderful Father, Daddy and playmate for Hope. Her smile says it all.
Since Rick and I have anticipated this day for the last 10 years, Hope and I started doing something special with small gifts 10 days ago for Rick. Each day he was given something that revolved around Fatherhood. I think my favorite for him was a book entitled "I Love You So" and its a story about dads doing things outdoors with their children. He actually opened this when he was in Canada. The tshirt he is wearing says "Thanks be to God, for His indescribable gift". The dress Hope is waering was bought by her daddy a couple months ago, we saved it for a special day.
We spent the last two days celebrating with Grand Fathers and today we rested at home with Hope Victoria and her daddy, so they could have a special day together. I will try to have Rick follow up with his thoughts of Father's Day.

Day at LA (Lake Anna)

Now that summer is here, we took the "Big Kids" to the Lake for tubing, skiiing and some hang out time. I think Hope had more fun watching the students fall in the water and be silly more than anything else.

A Tribute to Our Birth Mother's Husband

While Hope was in the womb a very special man carried the roll as her father figure. He cared for her birth mother; he loved them both, he provided for them and kept his focus on the Lord. God used our birth mother’s husband as a vital roll in Hope’s life. On this day we honor him and thank God for his compassion, his commitment and love for his wife and her unborn child. We believe God used him to give peace and strength to our birth mother so she could make a wise decision for Hope Victoria. Thank you God for “K”, our hearts are forever touched by him.

Hope Victoria at 11 Months Loves Her Baby

As you can see, our baby girl is growing fast. I have a picture frame that holds a picture for each month of her first year of life then a big one of her 1st birthday goes in the middle. Last night I filled the 11 month picture and had a good cry. I've been fortunant to be home with Hope and watch her grow and give her the love and attention we feel she needs. Each day, week, month has been sweet.
It's amazing to us just how God created the mind of a child. Hope is at a point where she understands some right and wrongs. Its obvious to us that she understands this by going after the things that are off limits to her when we leave the room.
When I find Hope in an unsafe place she understands what I mean when I say sit down and she understands when I tell her the remote is Daddy's toy so "give it to Mommy". We've taught her sign language so she understands and can sign "all done", "more", "bye bye" and "eat". We are working on please and thank you now.
Hope is very verbal, told you she's all girl; she can say Momma, DaDa, Hi and she calls our dog Riley= Ya Ya (we often call him RyRy). Then there are those things she's constantly saying that only she understands.
She is well aware of what she likes and dislikes when it is upon her, therefore we are going through a small struggle at night when it's bedtime.
You'll see here, where she is showing all 6 teeth that she does not like grass so that was a "get me up whynn". Then you'll see here watching the grass for any bugs or other things she's not fond of, see how big her eyes ae?
We think its sweet that she already loves her baby. She'll kiss her baby, hug it, smell its feet (like we do her and make funny faces), she even looks like she's protecting her in one of these photos from the grass.
We never knew when we prayed for a child that God would bless us so abundantly with an extraordinary child. We pray for her everyday that God makes her beautiful on the inside as she grows and that she would accept the story that God He has given her. We pray for her husband that he's being raised in a Godly home and taught how to love and respect the Lord. We pray that Hope has a desire for Jesus and the things of Him at an early age. We pray scripture and blessings over her life.
We've learned that parenting takes prayer and constant learning. We've ask for wisdom as all of this does not come naturally and we want to guide her the best we can.
We covet your prayers for Hope as she grows! Thank you for the many prayers you've prayed already and the constant love shown to her. We are a blessed family!

YAYYYYYYYYY! It's HVN's 11 Month Birthday Today!!!

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable GIFT", 2 Corinthians 9:15

The words of this verse are so true for Rick and I. We could never convey with words the precious gift that Hope Victoria is to us and so many others.

Each day she brings us an abundance of joy and laughter. There are days that are tiresome but no matter what we always have enough energy for her.

Hope is learning and discovering new things each day as to which she becomes so proud of herself for doing or learning. She wakes up with a smile on her face like each day was made for her and it is. God gives each of us everyday a new day of new beginnings. He gives us a reason to live, a reason to love, a reason to celebrate. We hope that today you can find a reson to celebrate, no matter life's circumstances.

See What A 10 Month Old Can Do In 5 Minutes

I just had to laugh! I put Hope in her room with her toys mind you, for five minutes while I sent a few docs via fax in the room next door.
The second I put her down she crawled toward her toys, so I thought. More like towards her dresser. She must have realized that she could reach the bottom two drawers on each side and open the middle cabinet because to my surprise this is what I found...see pictures!
She stripped each drawer and the cabinet of everything. Her shorts, shirts, towels, wash clothes, blankets, shoes, pajamas...yep all ended up on the floor. This first picture is of her crawling over to me and making sure we are laughin together. Isn't it just like a girl to want to play with all the clothes instead of her toys?? It does make for some memorable moments in our home and I'm so thankful!

I Love Having A Girl, Especially Hope Victoria

Today, We Had A Pajama Day

While Rick's been away Hope and I have allergy colds. At least I think her is an allergy. She's coughing, sneezing and has a runny nose. No fever but lots of congestion. One reason I don't think its her teeth is because she's letting me feel around in her mouth and normally while she's teething she presses those lips together firmly.
I thought you might be able to see her shiny upper lip in these pictures as I can't keep her nose from running. Can you believe she lets me wipe it? She sits real still til I'm done...such a good girl.
Until its bedtime and she's not feeling well, woo wee she's been a tough cookie to lie down and gets mad that I put her in bed. I mean mad and of course I don't like to lay her down mad so I rock her until she's asleep.
I have a girlfriend that has a daughter Hope's age and she lost her husband this past January. I sure have thought about her alot this week and its prompted my heart to pray for her. She's been single parenting for the last six months. I pray an added blessing on FJ for being a special mommy to baby MJ.

Daddy's On A Bear Hunt

Guess who's been calling and looking out the window all week for her daddy? Hope is crazy about Rick and I'm so glad of it. She's been calling him on her phone and looking out the window and calling "Da Da". She'll hold her phone up to her ear and speak those words only she can understand, it's darling.
DaDa is on a Bear Hunt that he won to Canada, I'm praying he sticks the Monster Bear and is safe while doing so.
Hope often makes me reflect and today as she was calling for Rick I sensed her desire to be loved on and held by him. I could tell she missed him playing with her and being silly. Nonetheless, it reminded me to call out to my Heavenly Father as I have a desire to be loved on by Him and held close these days.

Capturing Her Sweet Features !!!!!

"That's Enough Already"!!!!!!!

"HaHa, Just Play'n Momma, How's This?"

OK, Maybe I'll Give You A Fake Smile!!!

Here she is contemplating if she wants to pose or not and then she gives me a semi-real smile.

Get That Camera Away From Me, I'm Not Posing Today!!

99% of the time she's smiling before I have the camera on, NOT TODAY!!!! She was giving me the look of "no way, its gonna be my way today".