Art Day at the museum

One of the "perks" of homeschooling

is all of the amazing (and educational) field trips we can take.

 

 

 

Some are with our homeschool co-op,

and some of with close friends.

 

 

 

Today we spent a lovely day with dear friends at the art museum.

 

 

 

 

We toured the grounds before going into the museum and found many colorful gardens.  Some even matched the kids!

 

The orange garden

(These two sweet littles came home from Ch*na on the same trip.  We met her family half way around the world in 2008 only to find out they live just across town!)

 

 

The white garden

 

 

The pink one

 

 

Another pink garden

 

 

After walking the gardens, we spent fun time inside the museum in the American gallery.  I love art, and it tickled me to be able to explain the art pieces to my children who really soaked up the information and enjoyed their time.

 

 

Then it was outside again for a picnic lunch and some creative art time of their own.  The kids had packed their art supplies and kept busy sketching, coloring, and painting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone had a delightful time and can hardly wait to go back soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Today is . . .

Today is . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 14th . . .

 

 

 

 

Sophia Yilin 8/14/2011 (with her little brothers)

 

 

Sophia again with her little brothers in 2013

 

Sophia's 2nd anniversary of her 2011 Gotcha Day

 

 

 

 

Wendy and Ted's half birthday - they are both Valentine babies

 

 

 

My aunt's birthday

 

 

My mom and dad's 59th wedding anniversary (which they are celebrating in Heaven with Christ)

 

 

 

 

What great events to share your Gotcha Day with . . .

 

 

Happy Gotcha Day Sophia.  You are sweetness and light itself, and we love you so much!

 

 



 

This is what it looks like to try to take a good picture of everyone for our dossier!

 

 

 

Hmmmm, there seems to be a junior member or two not cooperating . . .

 

 

 

Oh, will we ever get it right?

 

 

 

Oops!  Where did the mom go?

 

 

Ok Kevin.  Where did the rest of us go?

 

 

 

Finally, I think we have one!

 

 

It only took Ted 50 shots before we got the right one!  If you are wondering why Ted isn't in the picture with the rest of us, it is because since he doesn't live at home anymore, our agency prefers he not be in the picture!  :(  Kind of sad if you ask me.

 

But Ted was a good sport and took our numerous pictures in what could only be called a "chaotic circus" outside while our puppy was busily pooping all over the place in the house!  What a day.  We sure know how to have fun!

 

 



Oh Puppy



Our puppy Wendy has been home with us about six weeks now.

 

 

How can something so tiny and naughty have us so completely wrapped around her little paw?

 

 

 

We are hooked.  She is just stinkin cute.  We are in love!

 

 

The last few months have been so very painful.  I have wanted to begin posts about it, but I would start and couldn't finish.

 

 

 

We just buried my mom yesterday.  It has ended a long and agonizing time period for her and for us. 

She was diagnosed with dementia at the beginning of this year, and while taking the medicine for that issue, she developed severe stomach pains.  After two long months of many, many doctor appointments, tests, and even ER visits, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. 

 

 

Shortly after that, her oncologist admitted her to the hospital so he could help bring her pain under control.  Two days later she was taken to hospice where she passed away thirteen days later. 

 

 

I don't really know what to write.

 

 

Our hearts are broken.

 

 

We miss her so very much.

 

 

Her passing has also reopened the wound that was beginning to heal from Dad's passing.

 

 

 

It feels really strange and oh so sad to be parentless on this earth.

 

 

But,

 

 

Throughout all of the pain and suffering of the past few months, one thing is for sure.

 

 

We aren't alone.  We are not orphans.  We are loved.  Loved beyond measure.

 

 

 

We have a father in Heaven who cares even when we can not see. 

 

 

Walking by faith these last few months. 

 

 

Not by sight. 

 

 

That is what it was. 

 

 

 

When Mom and all of us came to the end of ourselves during this time, we still held onto our Lord's strength.

 

 

 

And He got us through.  He took Mom home and healed her completely.   He loves her even more than we love her.  He loves us just as much. 

 

 

 

Thank you Heavenly Father.  We love you so.

A picture is worth a thousand words

I love this picture of my mom and dad.  They were married 56 years.  Kevin and I feel extremely blessed to have grown up with moms and dads who truly loved each other and their children.  We had the most happy of childhoods!

                                 This is such a tender photo.    Young love - lovely sweetness!

Introducing our newest family member

Sophia and I have spent the better part of last week combing through Petfinder.com in search of our newest family member . . .

 

 

 

We drove to Robinson, Illinois yesterday to a tiny little county animal shelter run by sweet, sweet people.

 

 

 

This is who we came home with last night!

 

 

 

She is a love.

 

 

Our new furever family

 

 

Look at that face!