Resurrection of the Blog

I have realized that I do not document the day to day happenings in our family at all. I want to scrapbook, but never seem to have the desire. The other day I was showing this blog to Owen. He thought it was so much fun to read what I wrote about him and see pictures of what he was doing back then. So, in an effort to provide a scrapbook for our children, I am resurrecting our blog. I am thinking of changing the name, though. Throw Refrigerator was the original name. I chose it because Owen was really mad at me one day (I think he was 2 years old) and he told me that he was going to throw the refrigerator. I busted up. It became an inside joke in our house. But, it doesn't make sense, so I will come up with something new.

Our focus lately has been getting our house and hearts ready for a new addition to our family. We have been in process to adopt a 9 year old girl from Ethiopia since last August. The process is finally coming to a close and we will travel to Ethiopia for the first time in June to meet her. We will then travel back to Ethiopia about 8 weeks later to finish the adoption and bring her home with us.

For years we have wanted a tent trailer, and this spring we finally caved and bought one. We already tried it out a couple of weeks ago in Boardman. The kids had a blast playing with their buddies. We had some issues getting the refrigerator started, but with MY engineering brain, the electricity finally started working and we had a working refrigerator.

 

The Royster-Dempsey Clan

Here are some pictures I took of Janell and her family while they were visiting us in the Tri-Cities for the weekend.

Spiders, Mud, Tents and Ladders

Owen is growing like a weed, seriously, I think that pants we had to roll up a couple of inches two months ago are almost too short. He makes each day interesting and an adventure. I don't think we have encountered an insect or bug that he doesn't want to pick up and hang out with. The other day he found a big black beetle. He picked it up and brought it over the the hose water and said "I am going to wash the beetle. There you are beetle, all nice and clean." I bet the beetle was screaming inside "hey kid, easy on the torture techniques."

We just love this kid!


Playing in the mud is tough work, but someone has to do it.


Mommy and me slept in the tent in our backyard one night. It was cool because spiders crawled on the top!


I love spiders and I love to kiss them.



I am super cool because I can climb up the ladder at the park all by myself.

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe that it is already April and I haven't updated our blog since the first day of March. Oops. Time goes too fast. We went to visit Auntie Kim and Uncle Greg last month and had a great time. We went to the Aquarium. I took Owen last year, but he doesn't remember it. So this was like a brand new experience for him. We have been doing some hiking, too. Owen is going to be an entomologist...I can just feel it. He loves to explore nature and find bugs. His favorites right now are rolly-polly bugs and stoneflies. I am going to have to look up the official name of the rolly-polly bug. I can't have a future bugologist walking around calling it a layman name.


Hiking near the Tietan River.


Look, I found a stick...and isn't my mommy hot?


Eating snow in Snoqualmie Pass...don't worry, we found some "unaltered" snow.


I think Auntie and Uncle are getting lots of good pracice.


Posing with the catepillar that was traumatized because it was carried around for 2 hours.

Adoption is going super SLOW. The country is still trying to put together their adoption procedures. We don't have any idea how long that will take them. I am still holding on to the idea of traveling this summer...but won't be surprised if it spills over into Fall. Now we have this empty room with a crib in it.

A morning at the wildlife refuge

I have spring fever. I don't know how I survived for so long with the long winters up in Cheney. The ones in Tri-Cities are a little shorter, but still too long. In order to coax Spring into being, Owen and I ventured to McNary Wildlife Refuge on Saturday. The weather in the morning was clear skies all around, no wind...the appearance of a perfect Spring day. We waited to head out until about 10 a.m...had to let the frost melt away. By the time we got there the clouds had rolled in and the wind had started ruffling the grass. This is Owen, though, and it didn't stop him from exploring. We walked along the trail, seeing lots of ducks and a group of trumpeter swans. Owen picked a feather to carry in his pocket. As he got closer to the water the birds startled and all flew at once. Probably a thousand birds in the air at the same time. The sound was amazing. It got a little cold, so we ate our picnic in the back of the van. Owen protested...wanting to eat on the grass with the birds...but I had to object. As much as I complain about my Town & Country (gosh, that is a terrible name, no wonder they are going under), it was nice to have all the space in the back to lay out the blankets and be protected from the weather. Owen got to walk around while he ate lunch. We had a great time. I can't wait to take him there when we only have to wear t-shirts and shorts.

Adoption news: paperwork is being prepared at the Burkina embassy. Just waiting for that very special phone call.

Finally, an adoption update

We got the long awaited I-800A approval this week. We sent our packet out the last week of October '08 to US immigration. It was quite the wait...seems too long...but I don't remember much of it. Time goes by in a blur. Now we are ready to receive a referral for our baby. Another period of waiting. Not sure how long it will take...a week...a month? My hope is before the end of February. We are the only family ready for a referral, so it shouldn't take too long. Once we receive a referral, more paperwork must be filled out and sent back to immigration. Of course, I will post pictures as soon as I am able.

Do you "Facebook"???

Well...I do now. After several conversations with some friendly Facebookers I finally decided to try it. So far, it is a little addicting...but I have to get my account set up, right?! I have already "talked" with a couple of friends who I haven't seen in years...which is nice. I think I worked my persuasion magic on Janell last night and she will be joining today. Girl...I know you are reading this...so don't let me down.

Owen is sick...really sick. He has had colds before, but this one tops them. He doesn't sleep well at all. Poor kids looks like he hasn't slept in days. We are currently watching the Cars movie for the 3rd day in a row. And, if you know me, I really don't like him to watch tv every day. Just looking at him would make you want to give him anything he wants.

He has been in some good spirits though. Who wouldn't be with their favorite dude in the whole world (aka Dad) swinging them around.


Yes, those are Lightning McQueen slippers. He also bought himself some Lightning McQueen shoes on Friday. They were strategically placed on the bottom shelf in the middle at the shoe store. He saw them the minute we walked up the to the toddler boys section. "Owen want to buy these ones." I couldn't resist. They light up. I remember seeing a little girls shoes that lit up several years ago and thinking to myself 'my kid will never wear shoes like that." Well...those days have come. He is so proud of his choice. The kid definitely knows what he likes.

No new adoption news to report. :(.