Urban Goes Country

In the last few weeks:

-The cat has disappeared
-I ran over the dog
-We had 3 surgeries and 2 hospitalizations (if you include the dog)
-We went out of state twice
-Joseph had staples in his scalp
-Joseph had the heimlich maneuver performed on him at school
-Several people in our family have been treated for strep throat
-We got a french drain around our house
-I sent two kids to a state level music competition
-We had our last soccer game
-I decided to homeschool one more child next year
-We concluded this year's homeschool group


-We found out we are in the process of getting a new cousin, pictured below.....
:))))))))))))))))

Luke the dog is still around and doing just fine. He was supposed to be an outside dog, but well. You know....

Here is the french in the process of being laid. I think Simeon and Joseph have discovered their calling in life.

After watching the workers for two days, Zoya became pretty attached to them and  it was hard for her to see them go. She gave them big hugs, and two kisses on each cheek. Then she kissed their hands. ha

It is so interesting to watch her around people. She will go up to anybody, I mean ANYBODY, and hug them....grocery store clerks, strangers and church, random kids at school.  In the world of adoption and attachment,  this is considered a bad thing, but I personally love how loving she is. She really knows how to make somebody's day!

The girls like to sit up on Daddy's truck and watch him work in the yard. I thought they were so cute I had to take their picture.

John reminds me more and more of my Grandpa all the time and I LOVE it. He planted a garden in the back and is teaching our kids how to take care of it.

This photo represents the significant progress we have made with Joseph, and I just had to stop and take note, to document how far we have come. Do you remember there was a time when we never would have allowed him near a stack of plates, a full cup of ice water, and a table set with food? He has settled down so much both at home and at school, and has really become such a pleasant and sweet and obedient (for the most part) little boy. Miracles DO happen!

How sweet is this....Zoya was praying for Joseph and Ava the other night, tucking them in bed, and giving them both kisses. She even sang a little lullaby to Joseph. What a blessed mama I am!