PART 1: RAIN, RAIN, AND MORE RAIN

OUR "POND" OUT FRONT

My garden is sure growing, but some of it is taking a real beating!

Another pic of the front yard.

It has been raining in our area for 16 straight days. We've received more rain in a consecutive period than ever before for our area in history. We are on the verge of hitting our average ANNUAL rainfall total in the next couple of days.





Over the last few years, Oklahoma has experienced great drought in the summertime, going tons of days without any moisture. Now, when we are used to 90s/100s and dry, we're in the 70s with no end in sight to the rain. Swimming pools are closed, lakes and rivers are out of their banks. All we hear on the news is about flooding, crazy people who risk driving into high water, and the forecast of more rain.


Our yard is beginning to look like a pond. We're a little worried about our septic system. Some people's trees are even being uprooted and toppled over because the ground is so saturated.


Today, Z asked me when it was going to stop raining. It was a good object lesson on Noah and the Ark. We tried to imagine how it must have been back then and were grateful that God will never flood the earth again. I know our sunny days will be coming soon.



PART 2: GOTCHA DAY ?S



Our first "Gotcha Day" is coming up soon. We were officially declared L and El's parent on the 4th of July. We didn't actually get them until July 14, that's the date on all of the paperwork. Therefore, I have some questions:



1. Is July 4 or July 14 our Gotcha Day? (We think July 4. )

2. How do you/will you celebrate your Gotcha Day, especially the first one?



I wanted to do it up big and thought it would be easy because it was a day everyone gets together with friends and family. However, the problem is...everyone gets together with friends and family. Any ideas? I know it will be a fun day no matter what. I know they will think the fireworks are for them. I did find out today that I think my parents might come down to help us celebrate!

CHECK OUT THE DONATIONS!!!

These are mostly reading books.

These are textbooks of every kind and every level. Believe me, homeschooling curriculum is not cheap. This is a huge blessing!

If you have time click on the link above for the Shine Foundation. Wow!

On June 1, we readopted the bwins in Oklahoma. This was a formality that will help in the future when we need birth certificates, etc. The process was extremely painless and lasted all of a minute or less. We made application about 6 months before, paid a small fee, and brought post placements with us. D's attorney skills came in quite handy for this. He was our legal representative. He even brought the statutes about readoption in Oklahoma for the judge to read since this is not a common everyday practice. Basically, D signed, I signed, the judge signed and it was over. I asked for a picture since we were not allowed photos in or around the courtroom or even courthouse in Russia. We did not even see our new sons on the day of our adoption. Therefore, the Oklahoma judge obliged, put on his official black robe, and posed for an adoption picture. Thanks Judge!

We made it a family affair!

This a pic of the kiddos all waiting to go into the judge's office. What a great crew!

Here's J on the left, his friend in the middle, and L on the right getting ready for birthday cookie! Watch out world, the Spidermen are on the loose!

J and his friend outside. He is from our church. They are the same age and are good buds!
J also lucked out this year because our church took a field trip to the zoo on his bday. We got discount tickets and went with our dear friends (the ones who are now in China getting their little girl). H was gone at church camp so she is not included in the picture below.
Upon arriving home from the zoo, it was time for dinner, presents, and more cookie cake. The kids always get to pick their favorite dinner for their birthday meal. J picked tacos. He even gave up eating pizza with the church at the zoo for mom's tacos. Then it was present time. J got this outdoor adventure kit that he had been wanting and a scooter. The tent is tiny and has been set up in his room ever since. He sleeps with his head in it and his feet hanging out every night. He is really into science-type activities. He got a Star Theater from his MeMa and PaPa, at his request. His daddy couldn't be happier. They lay in the dark study several nights per week and learn about the universe.
BONUS PIC AND INFO: This is J with his first ever trophy. Last night he had his end-of-the-season t-ball party and received this trophy. He was thrilled beyond measure. Can you tell?

CATCHING SOME SUMMER RAYS

LEARNING TO LOVE THE WATER (WITH A FEW PURPLE LIPS)

TOO MUCH FOR ONE DAY!

Playing with video games and obviously making "car" sounds.

Checking out the clown's horn.
El and L posing for "Picasso" to paint their picture.
All 3 boys being "volunteers" for the magic show.

I am now going to feel fortunate that my computer hasn't crashed yet and I will wrap it up for now. I hope to have more pics and catch up with everyone soon. Some things that I hope I can blog are a trip to the dino museum with my mom, the results of book sale donations for the Kenyan school, readoption of El and L here in Oklahoma, more of El and L's birthday, and J's birthday which is this week.

Six years ago today, twin boys were born to a 30 year old woman in Russia. According to our records, they weighed in at approximately a whopping 2 1/2 and 3 pounds. They would spend their next 3 years plus a little living with their grandmother. Their grandmother would eventually have her daughter's maternal rights terminated and would place them in a Russian orphanage. There, one of them would undergo 3 surgeries and they would be separated quite a bit. Until one day when they were almost 5 years old and a family would learn about these two precious boys. God would place these boys on the parents' hearts and would lead them to a small remote orphanage to meet them. A few months later they would come home to live with their forever family.

Today, they are still very small, weighing in at 28.8 and 29 pounds and measuring 39 1/4 inches and 39 3/4 inches tall. The shorts they are wearing in the picture(will post later, having Blogger trouble) are size 18 months, the only thing that will stay up on them. Their shirts say, "Little Guys Rule".

Today, they will go swimming for their birthday at the local pool, pass out birthday cookies at gym, open presents from all of their siblings and their parents, and will know without a doubt that they are loved.

Today, they will play with all of the toys they received at their first birthday party a few days ago, including a Kawasaki 12-volt 4-wheeler given by all of our church small group.

Today, we will all be thankful to God for bringing us together as a family.

Happy Birthday L and El!