What????? No Pictures?????

What kind of mother am I?? This week I have forgot my camera EVERYWHERE we went! We have even done a few great things this week!!

My aunt, uncle, cousin and her two children came for a quick visit and a "dinner date" this past week. This was the first time Anne Marie had met my cousin and her girls. WHY did I forget my camera that day?????

Then another day this past week, Anne Marie had her first visit to the Children's Museum in a nearby town. That was a really fun visit! I hope we can visit there again this winter when we're looking for something to do indoors. WHY did I forget my camera that day??

Then, this past weekend, we went to visit friends of ours that live about an hour away, and spent the night. We had a nice visit!! WHY did I forget my camera this weekend?

Well enough about that ... it's not like we haven't taken almost 800 pictures in the 6 months we've been home. Yes, that is NOT an inflated number it's very close to 800 pictures!! So I guess one week won't hurt!!!

Speaking of being home 6 months -- today we had our first post placement report. For those of you who don't know what this is, this is where our social worker comes to visit 6 months after our homecoming. SIX months?????? WOW!! Can you believe it? This darling little girl has been in our lives for 6 months now. What a different world we live in now! She is such a different girl from 6 months ago. That little child who seemed so afraid, and so quiet. Now? So verbal, so funny, so independent!! She ran around while the social worker sat down to ask us questions about her. She showed off a few of the new words she knows - "up" - "down" - "bye-bye" - she even showed off a little sign language - "please"! Then when it was time for our social worker to look over Anne Marie's room, we told her "let's go show this nice lady your bedroom" - she ran down the hall laughing all the way, and produced every toy she could get her hands on showing how they made noise, played music, or rocked when she climbed on them. She asked us how are things going -- how do you like being 1st time parents -- do you feel you're adjusting ok? Well, adjustments? Yes! 1st time experiences? Yes! Totally in LOVE and we could not imagine anything else in the world we would want to do more than be adoring parents of this child that God entrusted us with!!

To our past travel mates -- here's hoping you have a great 6 month post placement report & just think -- only 1 to go!!

Mike & Melissa & Anne Marie

Happy Birthday Great-Grandma & Stephanie & Katie & Ryan!!

Again, this past week has been a busy week for us! Last Sunday we went to a birthday lunch for Mike's grandmother's birthday, then later that evening we had a birthday party to go to for friends of ours Kaite & her brother Ryan (they had a joint b-day party). Then a little later in the week was my niece Stephanie's birthday, and we had a little party at my moms house for her. Anne Marie had a great time at each b-day party -- of course having cake at each party doesn't hurt.

Lunch w/ Great Grandma for her B-day!!

Anne Marie & Katie @ Katie & Ryan's B-day Party!

Cousin Stephanie & Naomi & Anne Marie celebrating Stephanie's 12th Birthday!

Then this Friday we went to a little get-to-gether at our local Library. They were having an "end of summer" bash. They had hay-rides for the kids, face painting, food, give-a-ways, and you could make your own lei's. (Of course I had to help Anne Marie make hers, but she was so cute with it on).

Anne Marie & daddy showing off her "craft".

Then Saturday, the three of us went to a near by lake & lodge with picnic areas and walking trails. We decided to go enjoy the beautiful weather and have a little picnic. We had a wonderful time!! Just the three of us, no schedule.

Picnic @ the lake.

I just can't believe that all the kids are getting ready to go back to school around here. Summer is almost over!!! Ahhhh!! I'm just glad our vacation isn't until September, so it seems like we can stretch our summer out a little longer than most!

Here's to another busy-fun-filled week!!

Melissa & Mike & Anne Marie

Nice Day for A White Wedding

To quote Billy Idol..... "It's a Nice day for a White Wedding"..... (The bride will appreciate that I used Billy Idol for her post!!)

Last weekend (7/27) we attended a wedding of a very good friend of mine. I was actually in the wedding. (So was my niece Stephanie - she was the "guest book attendant") My mother, youngest sister, her daughter Naomi, my niece Stephanie (my middle sister's daughter), Mike, myself, and Anne Marie all drove down on Thursday morning.

First the girls had our nails and toes done at a local salon. Then Thursday night the grooms parents hosted a lovely rehearsal dinner. Then Friday evening was the wedding. What a beautiful wedding & beautiful bride!

We all ended up staying until Sunday so that we could enjoy the beach while we were in town. The girls had a great time. We went to the beach 2 days and shopping one of the days as well.

It's just so much fun to attend a wedding. Watching a couple so in love promising to commit to each other & to start a life together. It just makes me think back on our wedding. Almost 12 years ago (this October) how young we were!! How much we didn't know and how God has brought us on this wonderful journey called "Life" -- ups and downs, rough spots and joyous ones. The adoption of the most perfect child he could have ever given us -- what a great trip! You just really never know when you say your vows what really is waiting for you down the road. I'm just so glad that God picked Mike for me!!

Waiting to walk down the Isle.

Me, Mike, Brian (groom) and Diane (bride)



Anne Marie @ the hotel trying on mommy's "fancy" shoes.

Anne Marie & Cousin Naomi enjoying the beach!

Anne Marie's 1st Merry-Go-Round ride in the Mall

Summer Wishes,

Mike & Melissa & Anne Marie