We Have a New Blog

Please follow along on our new blog, http://gandtbell.blogspot.com/.  We are starting a new adoption. I will keep this blog up if anyone wants to read about our adoption in 2012 but I will only be posting on our new blog from now on.

Super Super Super Excited

We are going to be hosting a sweet girl from Ukraine for the month of August.  I am so thrilled as to WHO it is!  We surprised Peyton with the news on her birthday because this girl is from her orphanage.  Peyton is sooo excited. 

We got to know A while we were visiting Peyton at the orphanage and we became a little attached. She was so shy and sweet and standoffish at first.  By the time we were ready to leave with the kids she had pretty much attached to us as well and the river of tears were flowing the day we left.

It has been almost 3 years now and I thought I would never see her again.  But God lead me to follow a Facebook post about a hosting program needing families for kids from Ukraine.  So I looked out of curiosity and there she was.  I have never seen kids from this orphanage on a hosting sight before and I took a double take just to make sure. My heart took a leap just considering the what ifs! 

I have been in touch with one of the coordinators and we are working on the paperwork now.  The agency that did our home study last time is not Hague accredited and so we are looking for an agency that is.  If anyone has any suggestions of agencies that are accredited please let us know.  We live in Missouri. 

We would appreciate prayers for the financial part of this as I just left my job on June 1 to be home with my kids.  It has been one of the best decisions of my life!  My kids are now getting the best of me and not what was left of me at the end of the day. We also need prayers for the stirring that God has put in my heart to go and adopt A.  I am willing but again finances are a factor.  Anyone have any suggestions on fundraisers?   I have seen t-shirts and jewelry but who are the best businesses to use?  I want it to be a fundraiser where people can get something for their money as we don't feel right asking for donations. : )

So that is our exciting news.  I hope to post an update soon on the kids.

~Tina





  

  

Really, They Are Gone Again!

Sooo, there are so many things I could say but I better not.  I never know who is reading this.

I just wonder, who cares about the kids.  What they want, what they have to say about what happened, how they feel about their lack of education, how they feel with no routine, how they feel about loving and losing.  Then it dawns on me, God, He knows all of this.  He is in control.  He will take care of these sweet children.

So, I have to let go and let Him.

Praying for J and K.

~Tina

They Came Back

Our two sweet foster children came back a few days ago.  They were so glad to see us.  We just picked up right where we left off and every thing has been pretty smooth.  The poor children don't know whether they are coming or going.  It is just so sad, hard, ridiculous really, that a child has to be put through this.  We are glad we can be there for them and at least provide some sort of stability for a while.  It is amazing what they think and what is reality.  It is our hope that by the time they leave that we can put good in to their little hearts and minds and take away some of the stuff.

I saw the following picture today.  People question why we take more children; why we take on the extra stuff; why we put our family through this.  But I think, what would God do?  What does He ask us to do?  Are you just giving lip service or doing what He put you here to do?  I want to get to the end of my life and know that I have lived a life worthy of standing before Him.

~Tina



 

And, just like that, they are gone!

We had no idea that when we said yes to 2 more that we would only have them for 2 weeks.  It was hard to see them go, for us and for them.  He sat on Gary's lap and cried and cried.  He was happy here and we felt so bad.  But, when you are a foster parent, you have no choice.  You love them while you can and pray that the choices that are being made for them, by the system, are for their good.  We pray daily for them and just remind ourselves that God is in control.  He sees and knows what we do not.  But it still is just so! d a r n! hard! to love and let go. 

~Tina

Two More

This last week has been just a blur.  We had no intentions of taking in any more children.  We thought we had enough; that we were done; that our family was complete.  But God, He thought differently and we said yes.

They are familiar to us.  They were in our home before.  We couldn't say no.

We are now working to get our foster care license up to date.  You know, mountains of paperwork, meetings, appointments and how could I forget, training.

But, we said yes and we are so glad that we did.  They have transitioned so well.  They may be with us only for a moment but we are thrilled for this opportunity to help these children along in life.

So we have 6 kids at home now, 7th grade, 4th grade, 2nd grade and 3 in 1st grade.  We are so blessed!

~Tina

Pure Joy

Yesterday, 2 years ago, my kids were freed from a life no child deserves.  That day didn't start off too well. (You can look back at my post on Oct. 8, 2012) Then my wonderful husband reminded me that I shouldn't let others steal my joy!  Was he ever right!  So many times we just have to change our mind set to see the joy in all things.  My sweet kids were just about to teach me the joy of -

• New clothes
• Walking through a gate 
• Riding in a car
• Meeting new people
• Being able to choose what to eat
• A bottle of coke
• A warm bath
• Clean sheets
• Light switches
• Elevators and Escalators

All the day to day things that just get taken for granted.

But above all those things,  the joy of -

• Belonging

They were finally wanted and they were “home.”  They never looked back.  That… was pure joy!

~Tina

Two Years Ago

Two years ago a judge in Ukraine said yes we were approved to adopt Peyton and Caleb.  How can two years pass so quickly?

Caleb is doing well in school and I think he will eventually catch up.  He can be quite ornery and stubborn but he is such a sweetie as well.  He loves to color and he loooves stickers. He still prefers to be outside although he has to be watched because he doesn't quite understand the danger of things. He always has some sort of injury on his body, a cut or scrape, usually because he doesn't always listen when he is told no.  Ha, typical kid right! : )  He will eat just about anything and was in heaven this summer with all the fresh vegetables we had.  His teeth are looking much healthier now and his breathing issues are doing so much better.  We took him off his daily medication and are giving him all organic products that he is just thriving with.  He has come such a long way and we are so proud that we get to be his parents.

Peyton has a happy-go-lucky attitude.  She is just so happy having food to eat, a warm bed with clean blankets, clean clothes and playing freely outside with her brothers.  That is great in so many ways but when it comes to school.  It seems to not matter to her whether she learns anything or not, just someone help me so I can get it over with.  This attitude is difficult for me because I don't like to do anything just half way.  The school is working with her the best they can since we have a small school with few resources.  Math is VERY difficult for her and she says she does not remember ever being taught Science or Social Studies.  Oh my goodness do we struggle with homework.  She does have someone working with her at school on her homework which helps with the time spent at home. I was finally able to impress upon the school that Peyton needed to be pulled out of the 7th grade math class as she only tests at a 3rd to 4th grade level at this point.  The math teacher, bless his heart, thought he could catch her up, no problem. He is an awesome teacher but my girl was falling behind and just in a daze when it came to doing math at that level.  We work at home with flash cards and her multiplication and division is getting better.  She is now working 1 on 1 with someone at school during the math hour using the Khan Academy online. She seems to like this.  Although we struggle with school, Peyton has also come so far.  She loves to clean house and help with cooking and laundry. She has such a sweet demeanor that everyone just loves. I still get the "I can't believe she is not your biological daughter because she looks so much like you" statement.  I just smile and say yes, yes she does and God surely blessed me.  We just love our sweet Peyton.

What a change 2 years of love, care and being part of a family can make.  Please consider adopting or hosting an orphan.  Your life will be changed and what a blessing you will receive!

~Tina

      

7 Today

My sweet Carson is 7 today.  Oh how the time has passed since we first got the call about he and his brother when he was just 3 months old.  That poor little baby that I brought home was just screaming and screaming because his belly hurt so bad and he couldn't even lift his head.  He never would sleep in his crib. He had to be held or be in his car seat to sleep.  Poor daddy slept in the chair so many nights holding him. But time and love have changed that some although Carson is still fearful of us leaving him.  He still asks about when he went back to his family at 2 years old and why we had to leave him.  Sweet, sweet boy, we had no choice and our hearts just broke that day.

But all that has changed now and you are our son forever.

We love you "Sabastian Boy."   Happy Birthday!

Time, Where Have You Gone? Peyton is 13.

Time passes so quickly when life is happening.  So many things since the last post.

The kids are doing great.  Learning is slow.  They are out of school now for the summer and I am going to try to work with them some so they won't get too far behind.  They really have come such a long way and I am very proud of them.  

So, I have a rant.  I am always amazed when people assume that just because my kid is 6, 7, 9 or 12, whatever the age, that they know how to do xyz.  And even after I have written it down and even after I explained it by talking, that my child grew up in an orphanage and they were not exposed to things like that, it still takes me explaining that 2 or 3 times before the light bulb comes on if it even does.  Even then, well, for those of us that have been inside the orphanages, that can never be explained to the strength and magnitude of what we have seen.  And you see, that is why my heart breaks for the orphans.  Because most people don't get it!  They see my beautiful children and outside appearances are deceiving.  They have no idea about what goes on inside them.  I am mostly referring to Caleb here as Peyton has really just adapted sooo well.  Yes, he is smiling and shaking his head yes but he may not have a clue what you just said.  Yes, I know, you told him not to do that but you will have to tell him day after day and be consistent and mean it.  And, when he smiles at you with that sweet smile and gorgeous green eyes when you are scolding him please don't smile back at him because guess what, it just became a game and he won.  You have to be strong and determined with him so that he can learn what he was not taught those first critical years of his life.  So people, pleeeease, listen to what I am saying, he is not like a "typical" child his age. And, please don't refer to him as "is he your child that has the problems."  Really!! Rant over.

The kids are having such a great summer, black eyes, teeth falling out (but the tooth fairy is having a hard time finding our house : ), baseball, Summer Day Camp, which means swimming every day and yes, Peyton is 13 today.  She likes to tell people she is going to be a "teenager."  She is blossoming in to a beautiful young lady and I am so very proud of her. She is a far cry from the girl we first met in that Ukrainian hospital that had her hair cut short with a somber face but oh how her eyes showed the hope that her heart knew.

Peyton often talks about Ukraine and the friends we left behind, wondering what they are doing.  We follow a blog,   http://bibleorphanministry.blogspot.com/,  that goes to minister at the orphanage my children were at. I do get to see pictures of her friends and that is very hard for me. They are growing up and I can't believe it has been almost 2 years since we were there.  Two years has really changed them from innocent children in to young adults that realize the reality that is going to meet them in a couple more years.  I see it on their faces.  I really thought when I left there that I would go back and bring a couple of her friends home but I guess God has other plans or it just is not His timing yet.  I am willing when it is.  I often have people say to me aren't you glad that you are not in Ukraine right now.  My answer,  actually no, I wish I were there bringing more kids home.

Hope everyone has a great Summer and I will try and post more often.

~Tina  

Kindergarten graduation

Carson's black eye - tough guy

Carson is the only one playing baseball this Summer.

Peyton is 13.

Do you see the difference that almost 2 years can make in the life

of an orphan?  I just cried when I saw my kiddos. Breaks. My. Heart!

Sept. 2012

April 2014

        

Confidently With Kindness

Be confident today.  You are in the place God intended you to be. 

When something happens in my home and I call all the children together to find out who did it, I am confident that my gut feeling about which child is right.  When that child is telling me through tears,  “Mama, I didn’t do it, why don’t you believe me?”  Confidently with kindness I tell that child that because you have lied in the past I have a hard time trusting you.  Trust is something that once lost has to be earned back and although you have done a great job since last time I still have concerns.  I then put said child in their room to think about what happened.  Thinking time is amazing and sleeping on it really has a way of bringing out the truth, especially when your siblings seem to be having more fun than you.  God gave me this child for a reason.

When my child comes to me and says, “Mom, is it faster going backwards to Asia from Hawaii than forwards?” or “Mom, starting from New York, if you go 56 degrees N and 45 degrees W, would you end up on land or water?”  You know, things like this really don’t enter my mind.  But I am confident that just because it is not important to me, does not mean I can dismiss the questions.  I, confidently with kindness (not frustration), show this child how to find the answer.  God gave me this child for a reason. 

When my child is playing games on the tablet and all of the sudden the battery goes dead, you would think that life is over.  The tears start falling and oh my, how frustrated this child is.  I, confidently with kindness, point this child in the right direction.  It is great to realize how happy we can be with books, puzzles, blocks and cars that have been tucked away.  God gave me this child for a reason.

When my child, who loooooves sports, is watching the Olympics, football or basketball, stand back because this one is just so involved.  Don’t dare find the remote and turn the channel because the angry monster will emerge with shouts and stomps and fists a flying.  Goodness, how I just don’t know where that anger wells from.  But, I confidently with kindness show this one that there are choices to make that are far better than that ugly beast.  We have kind words and a gentle voice we can use.  God gave me this child for a reason.

I am confident that God gave me these children because I have so much they need to teach me; trust, patience, perspective and calmness.  Thank God for these beautiful children.

~Tina  

Caleb's 7th birthday

Baby blue eyes

Cash's 9th birthday

Peyton, growing up too fast.

Peyton made this bracelet with her loom.

Googley Eyes Carson

Daddy just trying to get some rest. : )

    

Wow! Do Something!

Love this video.  Do Something.  If not us then who?  Praying for God to show me His way concerning my heart's desire for this year.  His will and not mine.  Praising Him for the blessings He has already given me.

~Tina

A Couple of Pictures and a Video

Here is a picture of Peyton ready to leave for her first dance.  She had such a great time and talked and talked and talked about all she did and who said what and who did what.  So funny to listen to her.

Next is a picture of her artwork from school.  Pretty Awesome!  She got an A.

Last, and sure to entertain, a video of Caleb and Carson.  Funny boys!

~Tina

One Year Home

Where did the time go?! My kiddos have been home 1 year. They are doing so well and I really couldn't ask for it to be any better. Lest I sugar coat it, we have had some struggles but nothing that really took us by surprise. Peyton is doing so well with her English and will now speak up if she doesn't understand a word that was spoken to her. Who knew English could be so hard when you have several meanings and spellings to one word; to, too, two and by, buy, bye. You know what I mean. School is a struggle since she is so far behind but she seems to be up for the challenge. Some days it takes all that I have to try and teach her that to take a test you have to study and when the teacher says homework you bring that work home to do and the textbook as well. Reading anything to her takes a lot of time because it all has to be explained over and over and over. Reading or labeling a map is new to her as well and man oh man is that a struggle! So many basics that she just never learned or was taught. It is so hard to build on something that is not there. But it is so awesome to see her face when she finally gets it. I am just thankful that she picked up speaking English so quickly. Socially, she is still a little immature and that is why we have her in the 6th grade which is where she should be for her age. The school has done pretty well working with her and her teachers are really so patient and they keep in touch with me. She enjoys being outside, playing with her brothers, jumping rope, riding her bike and playing with kitty. She also likes to color, build Leggos and watch movies. And I guess I am going to need to learn how to braid hair. Her hair has grown so much and she wants me to braid it. I have tried but I am really lousy at it!

Caleb, where do I begin. ;) He is speaking a little more English since starting school so that is encouraging. They have him in the regular class room because he is not that far behind. After all it is Kindergarten and that is where it begins. They get such a kick out of him at school because he just has not had the stimulation from birth like the other kids have therefore everything is so new and interesting to him and he needs to touch it, explore it etc. He is doing so well with learning his letters and the sounds. He knows his colors and can count to 20 without missing any numbers. (Seeing how well he is doing in school makes me feel bad for Peyton, that she did not have this same opportunity from the beginning and catching up is just hard!) Socially he seems to be doing pretty good, just a little behind. He has his things he does at home that still need correction, some just being a kid and some because he was never disciplined. The lying is happening a lot less but there is still an attitude he has if he doesn't get to do or have what he thinks he should. The result, he wets the bed on purpose. We always know when it is going to happen and it is really a struggle to figure out how to stop it. We are a work in progress on that, time in/out, time in his room, yeah, not really working. Aside from that, Caleb is a sweet boy and loves being with his siblings. I think he would ride his bike alllll day if he could. He loves to be outside and he is a little daredevil. He has the scrapes and bruises to prove it. :)

All I can say is, WOW God, what a journey you have given us. I am so thankful you chose us to be their parents!

~ Tina

Court in Ukraine, One Year Ago

One year ago we woke up in Ukraine nervous and excited about what this day had in store. We were going to court today and would hopefully be given the opportunity to adopt Yulia and Bodgan. Of everything that happens in the international adoption process, this is the one thing I dreaded most, speaking in court. I am not a public speaker. I have the introverted, shy personality and I just wasn't sure how I was going to be able to do this. But, I didn't have an option, there were 2 kids depending on me and my sweet, sweet husband, well, he is just not much of a talker to those outside his comfort zone.

At 2 pm we left our hotel room and swung by the orphanage to pick up the kids and a nanny, their escort. We had no idea that Bogdan would be coming with us to court. Wasn't he too little to speak for himself and why were they putting him through this, were my thoughts. When we got to the courthouse there was a guard manning the doorway and we were not allowed to have our camera inside. We sat on a long bench in one of the hallways as people scurried by here and there. After a bit, the social worker and the orphanage director arrived. We tried to give them our seats but they refused and told us to sit. The kids sat so well and quiet and it was noticed by the social worker. She commented on how good they were and that we looked like a happy family. She was concerned that I would be cold with what I had on but believe me, I was hot and sweating because of my nerves.

Court was to be at 3 pm that day but the judge was about 30 minutes late. At 3:35 pm we were all called back to his courtroom. In the courtroom were, the stenographer, the social worker, the orphanage director, two town witnesses that sat on either side of the judge, the orpahanage nanny, our facilitator, the kids and us. The judge entered the room and everyone stood up, just as ususal. There were things said that we obviously didn't understand and so we just took our cues from our facilitator. We had to stand and state our names, address etc. The social worker and orphanage director each stood and answered questions. Bogdan was asked to come and stand in front of the judge. He walked so slow up there and stood and shook his head yes and no to the questions with the biggest smile on his face. (This boy always has a smile on his face even when he is being scolded for a bad choice that he makes.) They must have asked him who his mama and papa were or where we were sitting because he turned and pointed to us. When he was done he sauntered back over to us and jumped back up on Gary's lap. Next it was Yulia's turn and she acted so shy and quiet.(Ok, so this girl is not shy and quiet once you break through that shell of hers.) She answered lots of questions and it eventually got around to, you know you are leaving everything and everyone you know and you are going far away and that this is your mama and papa. And, she said yes she understood all of that. As I sat there that day I was amazed at her bravery but as I reflect back on this I have come to the conclusion that she was not seeing it that way.(the leaving everything and everyone part) What she was seeing was what she had dreamed of for a very long time, a family that wanted her and a life in America where she could be free to be what she wanted. She was seeing the glass as half full not half empty. My awesome daughter!!!

Next came my turn to speak and oh goodness was I nervous. I stood and the judge asked me questions, through my facilitator, for what seemed like forever but was only about 20 minutes. The judge was suprised that I was answering some of his questions with just yes and no because usually "Americans like to talk." Well not this girl! After I was finished, the judge said a few more things asked if anyone else wanted to speak and then took a recess to decide if he would grant us our wishes. The children were then wisked out to a waiting taxi and off they went back to the orphanage. I wish they would have been allowed to stay as this was a very important day for them. Needless to say that all happened so fast that I do not have 1 picture from that day. :(

We went back inside the courthouse and waited. Then we were called back in to the judge's chambers to hear the sweetest words, I will grant the adoption, they are your children, Peyton Mae Bell and Caleb Fredrick Bell. Praise God!

And so today it is hard to believe that it has been 1 year. One year of some difficult times but much more good than bad. One year of learning so much about myself and just how much patience it takes to raise not 2 but 4 adopted children. Yes, I know, it takes alot of patience to raise 4 children whether biological or not but it is different when they were not born to you. They have "things" in their past that are so much harder to break through and overcome. But I love them the same as if they were born to me. God took us down this adoption road and I am so very thankful. He brought us the children we are supposed to have and oh how blessed we are. ~Tina

PS - Yes God, I am still willing to go back to Ukraine for more children if you want me to. : )       

The Day I Had Waited For

Today, 1 year ago, is the day I had waited so long for.  This is the day we "officially" met Peyton.  She was in a mental hospital being evaluated to see if the diagnosis of "mental delay" in her file was accurate or not.  If not, which is wasn't, she would have been moved yet again to another orphanage for higher functioning children.  (These are not my words but the words as translated by my facilitator.)  I was so excited and really did not know what to expect.  When we got to the hospital we, the social worker, orphanage director, our facilitator and us, all got out and waited at the gate to be told to come in.  Once inside the gate we walked down a long path, down another path then another.  I remember thinking how pretty and peaceful it seemed on that walk but how run down all the buildings were.  I know I must have had a permanent smile on my face as very soon I was going to meet my daughter.  We went in to the building that she was in and waited for what seemed like an eternity.  They were very hesitant about us coming in and the words flew back and forth for a while.  Finally, we got to go in and we were told no pictures, put the camera away.  So we sat down where they told us to, a little lobby area with some toys and books, and then down the hall came Peyton.  I walked very quickly to her and just hugged her so tight.  There she was, finally,  after all these months but wait, what had they done to her.  Her hair had been cut, at least 8 inches, and she was not as neat and clean as I had seen in the pictures of her.  But none of that mattered, when I saw that light in her eyes and smile on her face that said finally, finally you are here.  The social worker asked her who we were and she said mama and papa.  Then the social worker commented about how much she looked like me.  The orphanage director asked her if she wanted us to adopt her and go to America and she said da (yes).  They gave her paper and had her write her wishes.  They then grabbed it up and said time to go.  I was really shocked as we had just got in there to see her less than 5 minutes earlier and now we had to leave.  Didn't they know how long I had waited but further more how long she had waited for her parents to come?  Didn't they care?  We were rushed out the door not knowing when we would get to visit her again.  Little did we know it would be more than a month later, the evening before court, before we would see her again. I treasure that 5 minutes we got to be with her as that day it all became real.

~Tina

my sweet girl

The Day We Met

One year ago today we met Caleb.  We were able to pick up his file early that day from the SDA and we travelled 2+ hours west out of Kiev to Berdychiv.  We met with the Social Services Director and she was so nice.  She really didn't ask us any questions, just looked at our passports.  She commented to our facilitator that we were so quiet, not typical for Americans.  She pegged us right on as we are both so shy.  After we got the paperwork, we headed to the orphanage which is in the country outside of Berdychiv. I was so excited to finally get to meet him and we were both just a little nervous.  We had no idea what he would look like as we had only seen a baby picture and he was now 5.  We met with the orphanage director and the orphanage doctor who went over his file with us.  Nothing we didn't already expect but the orphanage doctor and our facilitator exchanged words as she thought we already had too many children at home why would we want more. When they got to Peyton's file there was nothing to tell.  They knew nothing about her before age 9 and could only say she was moderately mentally delayed.  Then they told us Peyton was in a mental hospital getting evaluated, just routine.  She would be there until the end of August.  Caleb was in the hospital for Bronchitis but they would go and get him as he was to be released the next day anyway.  So we waited for what seemed like an eternity to meet our new son. Then in he walked and sat right between us.  The social worker, two nannies and our facilitator were all watching.  He played with the toys we brought, ate some candy and leaned in to both of us.  It was like he knew he belonged. The social worker, our facilitator and one of the nannies left the room and we got to play with him for about 10 minutes.  Then they whisked him away and told us we could come back to visit two times a day for two hours each time.  Our facilitator talked with the director and social worker at length about us visiting Peyton at the mental hospital.  They had to call and do some talking as outsiders are not allowed to visit.  They were able to schedule a visit for the following Monday as they had to get her written consent if we were to proceed. 

I will leave you with a picture of us and Caleb from that first meeting.

~Tina

     

One Year Ago Today We Saw Their File...

and we knew that we had just been given a blessing that we had waited so long for.  It was our third and final visit to the SDA.  Our first visit in July we found out that Peyton was not yet available and wouldn't be for several months.  Our second visit 2 days later, we found out that Caleb would be available soon and so we came back to the SDA on this day one year ago. 

I still get emotional when I remember that day.  We had waited oh so long and not even the pouring down rain was going to stop us on the 20 minute walk to our appointment. I knew in my heart that God had this and we were going to see the children that He had already chosen to be ours.

As we sat there in that room at the SDA it was so surreal.  We were soaked from head to toe and the rain was still coming down as we looked out the window.  This was our fifth time to be in that room (two times from our previous attempt at adoption in 2010) and all the technicalities and hoops you jump through were thrown out the window.  They had Peyton and Caleb's files ready for us to see and then they asked if we wanted to see any other files?  No, not a chance!  And let me tell you, at that moment the rain stopped and the sun was shining bright through that window that just a few minutes earlier had rain beating against it.  I remember thinking, thank you God for showing me you got this. 

(I will be writing more about our adventure in the days ahead.)

~Tina

First Day of School

Today was our first day of school, two in Kindergarten, one in 3rd and one in 6th.  They were all just so excited and the older two couldn't wait to see their friends.  They all road the bus and Caleb had the biggest smile when he saw the bus coming down the highway.  The day went well and when I arrived home they were all talking over each other, trying to tell me about all the things that happened. Looks like it is going to be a good year. 

~Tina

  

End of Summer Fun

We took the kids to opening day of the Missouri State Fair and that also happened to be Gotcha Day for Cash and Carson.  Has it really already been a year since we adopted them?  Time sure does fly!

The Summer Day Camp that the kids attend had a Talent Show for their end of Summer Finale Week.  Carson's talent was showing how well he could kick a ball, Cash did some silly skit with his friends and Peyton decided she would sing a Ukrainian song.  On one day each of the different age groups performed against the others in their age group.  Peyton got first in her group and moved on to the finals the next day which included 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place from each age group.  She ended up winning 1st Place and was soooo excited to tell me when I picked her up at the end of the day.  The camp teachers said she did such a great job and she has such a pretty voice.  I was so proud of her!

The kids have enjoyed there last few days of Summer playing outside blowing bubbles,  drawing with sidewalk chalk and of course, playing with MR Kitty, yes you read that right, our cat is actually a male.  When we got him as a kitten and the couple told me it was a female I never questioned it.  : )

School starts next week and the kids are excited to go.  I am excited that they will all be in school.  It has been quite a Summer of juggling. 

~Tina

at the gate and we can't wait

 

 

 

 Carson loves to play drums and the
tongue sure helps.

 

 

 

 

 

Caleb loved the roller coaster.

Carson thought these cars were awesome.

 

Cash couldn't wait to go on this very tall slide.
Do you see the speck of blue towards the
top of the orange lane?  Yep, that's him.

 

Peyton loved this surf board the best. 

 

the Butter Cow 

 

 

 

Peyton with her winning sash and trophy.