The Adoption Option

Scheri is back from her first year at Youth Camp. It was held at the ISU Campus in Pocatello.

Trying to get pictures of Steven and Caleb before heading down to the church for Mom and Dad's celebration. We got much more official family pictures taken prior to the celebration and I hope to post them as soon as the disc is available--they are good so don't miss out :) :) :)

Below are Scheri and Billy

Here are James and Billy. I was so proud of my kids.

Here's James by himself

Here are our two 13-year-olds--Teresa and Scheri--looking lovely. They helped serve the nuts and mints at the reception

Billy wanted to make sure everyone saw his new construction truck with it's lift extended. He got this for a smile and $2 (I think) at a neighborhood yard sale

Here's the cake table down at the church. Decorations were yellow and lavender which were Mom and Dad's original wedding colors in addition to gold in honor of the 50th milestone.

Pastor Bruce singing a beautiful 'love' melody in honor of my parents

My younger brother Mark (who is also a pastor) emceed the event. It was so wonderful to have so many family members and friends in attendance. Someone counted between 131 and 134 there in the Fellowship Hall. My parents have faithfully been in ministry here in Southern Idaho for 50 years (they actually 'tried out' for their first church while they were still engaged) so are loved and respected by many, many people. I would not know that this would be the last time I would ever converse with my cousin, Dan, on this earth.

Opening presents after everyone else had gone home

It was such a wonderful day. Our kids were incredibly well-behaved. My parents, Mark's family (except Jessica) and our family all headed to Gerties in Twin Falls afterwards just to finish it off.

July 4 The little boys, Caleb and Steven, get a chance to play together in the bathtub. They seemed to really enjoy themselves. Steven didn't seem scared of the water.

Sunday, July 5. It was my turn to do nursery duty during worship service at church so I decided to keep Caleb and Steven with me even though they are officially too old for that room. Here's Caleb with the dinner he fixed.

Here's Steven by the tool play area. Sorry he is in-motion. I couldn't get a still shot. He seemed to have a good time but didn't know (of course) how to play with the various toys and couldn't seem to be shown at this time.

Both boys at the table: Steven and Caleb

July 8, 2009 Caleb trying to prevent my Dad, "Poppi", from leaving the house

Steven and I were playing with the blocks

July 9, 2009 James, Caleb(blue undies) and Steven (white undies) in the wading pool. I sure hope to put some weight on Steven

July 10 and 11 Teresa's birthday celebration out at Murtaugh Lake. July 10 is actually Kevin's birthday so of course we celebrated that event as well. It was around 8:00 pm by the time the kids and I finally got out there and even later when we were all there and able to sit down and eat. Teresa had two friends, A and J who were able to come, play in the water, spend the night in the tent. J had to go home earlier on Sat morning but A was able to stay for the slaying of the pinata on Saturday. We had bought way too much candy for the beastie so much sugar was had by all. Also my parents are such good sports and were there for the chicken, salads, veggies and cake There was a big motorcycle club get-together at the camp site across the lake so we had live band music until around 1:00 am !!

Out at a picnic table for late dinner

Into our motor home for cake and presents

Caleb and Steven waiting for some cake

Scheri, Billy, Grandpa and Grandma

Saturday morning Teresa and A playing with the Polly Pockets after a swim in the Lake

Teresa and A wearing particles of pinata

Billy, Steven, Teresa, A, Scheri and James gathering candy

There's still some candy residing in that burro

Everyone ran for candy after each shower of candy rained down

Billy and his prize pinata particles

Steven and Kevin with Steven's pile of candy

July 15 Looking over the Snake River Canyon near our occupational therapist's office: Scheri, James, Teresa and Billy. This part is near the Perrine Bridge and looks down on a couple beautiful golf courses

Scheri, Billy and Steven (You can barely see Caleb's feet in front of Scheri)

July 16 A Star is Born: Steven's self-application of red lipstick

July 18 Caleb is "helping" Daddy fix the kitchen faucet while Steven looks on. We have been trying so hard to get various needed projects completed. This same day Kevin also worked on the faucet/stopper in the kids' bathroom. I (Joy) have been working on lots of paperwork projects: I got Caleb's social security card application done and back, got both State and Federal income taxes re-filed with Caleb's missing social security number, got paperwork sent to show Steven as dependent for insurance purposes, sent Steven's registration to the Ukrainian consulate in San Francisco, sent paperwork hoping to clear up the problem with getting Scheri's passport, filled out and mailed the annual report of use of one child's survivor's money. I still need to copy the necessary documents so we can get adoption assistance from UPS Freight and find out what documents I need to send for one-time adoption subsidy from the state. I even got the checkbook balanced!! And I'm updating the blog :)