Kids Lake & AHOPE!

Kids LAKE is a campaign to help kids all "pitch in" to make a difference in our world! The challenge for kids is to raise, earn or save money every month to be able to send to kids around the world so they may know God's Love. Every month, we'll feature a different organization that we'll be raising money for. This way, kids can not only make a difference through their donations, but also through their prayers! Every month we'll give you lots of details and stories of the country, kids and organization we are raising money for so you can use it as an educational tool!

How neat is that?! I love finding new ways to get our kids involved in ministry and Kids Lake is just that. Currently they are raising money for AHOPE. AHOPE is a ministry in Ethiopia providing care for HIV positive children. Kids Lake has a goal of $1300 for September and they are short. As an incentive AHOPE is offering some CUTE T's or a bracelet as a thank you for your donation.



I urge each of you to consider donating to this great cause. After your donation you can email Brandi and put in your request for a T or a bracelet. A reminder to pray for these sweet children affected by the HIV epidemic in Ethiopia. Cute shirt or bracelet, great cause, who wouldn't want to help? If you love the T's and want more check out the AHOPE store HERE.

Africa Quilts!

I know many people waiting for referrals or have recently gotten their referral and are anxiously awaiting their court date. My friend Sandi is one of them. They received their referral for a sweet baby boy recently and we are SO excited! As they wait for a court date Sandi has started selling some AMAZING quilts! I am not the owner of one of these little beauties but I will be soon. We are working on coming up with a custom one to hang in our Africa themed play room and I can't wait! Sandi is so sweet, very easy to work with, and she can do just about anything! Her work is beautiful, and I love the details. Lap quilt, toddler quilt, she can do it. Here's a link to her Etsy Shop. So go check them out! Seriously, you'll want one. Two. Or Three. Promise.

Exciting Times!

Despite this mama and sweet Olivia having strep throat we have reason to celebrate in this house! Silas has made the transition to sleeping in his OWN bed! Yep, he's growing up. :( He's slept with Skyler since we brought him home. This was an easier transition for him and something he was used to. He opted to do that over co-sleeping which has worked out great for all of us. We bought the boys bunk beds about 6 weeks ago and Silas recently decided that he was ready to sleep on his own and he wanted the TOP. He's done GREAT! He even goes in to take his nap, the other day I found him fast asleep wearin his shades when I went to put him down for his nap. In other news we recieved word on Monday that we have papers to sign at the court house for Silas' readoption! Our court appointment is November 15th! National Adoption Day! How fun is that?!? After this hurdle, our little man will be eligible for citizenship! WAHOO! We are so excited! So is Silas, the smile that melts our hearts.

Oregon Part 2 - Picture Laden Post.

I knew I was a picture fanatic but I didn't realize how many I'd really taken on our trip. I only covered Sunday - Tuesday in the last post!

Wednesday we spent with Davids oldest brother George and his family. We headed up to
Silver Creek Falls all ten kids in tow with the idea we were going to hike. A leisure picnic, small boy sliding down the muddy hill on his hiney, kids nearly falling in the creek, and we hadn't even begun our hike!

The kids had a blast going in and out of the caves and rock formations as we hiked up to the falls.
Sweet baby Henry and some other great kid faces.

Kyra babe!
Well now isn't that one good looking kid?!
I loved watching my nephews face while his dad put his sweater on.

And when mom came to the rescue the look was priceless.
Perfectly peaceful.
Faithy Baby.
Remember the small boy and the sliding? Man to man talk needed.
Isn't this just gorgeous?! Love it.

Anika & Olivia these cousins are best buddies, it was so sweet seeing them together.
All the cousins. Can you find my hubby making sure wee ones didn't fall? This is the sad part about living 20 hours from family. The kids miss each other and it makes us sad that they don't get to see each other as often as we'd like.
The long road back.
We hit up the playground before heading home. My nephew Georgie allowed me a photo.

We met sweet baby Henry for the first time. I love him. He's sweet and even though he's ignoring his uncle and the camera he really does love us.
Auntie Masha really does have the COOLEST things! She bought Skyler his own balloon making kit, he was in heaven. We had family dinner at Davids parents - it was great to hang out with the whole gang! Thanks mom!

A trip to the Nazaroff Farm. Davids grandparents own a 15 acre farm out of town, beings Dzeda isn't in the best of health we went to see him and check out the apples.
Silas loved picking his apples and eating them two at a time.
Because I'm the artsy one.

I love this picture. Baboonya loved watching all the kids run around on the property.
I'm sure my husband will love that I posted this.
All of our kids with Dres-Dzeda and Dres-Baboonya (Great Grampa and Gramma for those not versed in Russian) ;)
Thursday we went up to the military training camp where Mr. Pittman works. He set up the rock wall and zip line for all of us. It was so fun! Perfect weather, perfect company, some crazy daring kids, loved it. Thanks David!
Nichol and Silas ready to climb!
Silas has no fear - he was ready to go again as soon as he came down.
Look at that climbing maniac!
Skyler is pretty much a pro. He was made for climbing!
Ready to go again!
Little Liv waited for her turn.
Even daddy did it!
Way to go babe!
Nothing like a healthy challenge between brother and sister. Uh yeah Skyler is a force to reckon with.
Oh yeah, even mama got in on the action! So fun!
Yes,I did make it to the top! Thank you very much!
Then the zip line. Can you see that tiny boy on the telephone pole? Yes, that would be our baby boy. He was SO excited to climb up that pole.
Go Silas Go!
WEE!!!!!!!!
Isn't he the cutest little rock climbin' zip liner you ever saw?! Seriously.
Mom and Dad went too.
So did Liv. Daddy waiting in the background to un hook her. The rest of the kids went too but of course that was when mom didn't have her camera nearby.
Pretty much, fun. Yeah.