Ready for School

I know Elyse still has years before starting school, but I believe she is ready already. In fact, I have started taking Elyse to a adoption class run by our school district. It is set up for adoptive children to play with their parents and other adoptive families. Parents also separate from the children to have discussions, as well as watch the children interact with one another and their teachers through a one way mirror. We go on Mondays and so far so good. Therefore, since she loves going to what we call "her school" we decided to set up her table and chairs. She has spent much of her time there coloring, doing stickers and practicing her cards. I'm so thankful she loves to go to school, must get that from her Mama :)

Chloe Joy

Happy to introduce our newest niece, Chloe Joy Speckman.
Born Sept 27th at 7:53 PM, weighing 8 lbs, 3.5 oz and 20.5 inches.
Isn't she just perfect!?!? We can't wait to meet her over Thanksgiving. It just can't come soon enough.
To Steven (my brother) and Kim, we love you both lots and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Baby #2 Update

Tonight Nate and I met with baby #2's birth mother, birth grandmother, and social workers. The meeting went perfectly. God was with us the entire time and we felt so much peace and joy throughout the night. So much in fact that before we left, Mariah told us that her and her mother officially, 100% chose us to parent her baby due in December. We are so overjoyed and now look forward to meeting again soon with Elyse and her extended family.

Other exciting news is that we may find out the gender since Mariah didn't want to find out in case she would have slipped it out while talking to us if we originally didn't want to know. Super thoughtful of her, right!?! So who knows, I maybe posting a post soon saying, it's a ....

Oh yeah, computer is still broken, but did make some posts using Nate's work computer this weekend I can publish throughout the week of Elyse :)

Out of Order

That's right, our computer is out of order once again. Bought it in 2008 and has crashed twice already. I am still able to check my e-mail using my college computer, but that's about it. Can't upload pictures or videos, which means blogging will be a very rare occurrence. Maybe be able to do some using Nate's work one on weekends. Really has been a lemon of a computer and hope to get it up running again soon.

Things They Say

As parents we tend to capture our children saying things that we would never expect. It generally falls into the categories of being humorous, emotional or embarrassing. Well this weekend, Elyse stated two of the three. I just love unforgettable moments like these!!!

#1: Nate and I were in Lowe's looking at doors (need to repaint our front one) and they had samples on the wall for windows. They were in the shape of a cross and so Elyse runs to it looks at me and says, "Mama, look Jesus" she then continues by singing, "Jesus Loves Me". Nate and I look and smile. My heart was full of joy.

#2: I turned the news on yesterday to check the weather for today and a commercial was on. Hopefully you have seen it, if not it's a police ad for drinking while driving. It shows how driving while drunk is completely obvious. The part Elyse saw was when the policeman opens the door of the man sitting inside the car with alcohol all around him. Right after seeing it Elyse says, "Look Mama that man is swimming in pee-pee." I laughed so hard!

Of course a post wouldn't be complete without a random pic of Elyse

Four Generations

Today, my grandma and her husband drove up from Nebraska to spend the morning with us. We spent much of our time watching Elyse entertain. Having them up here was special for a few reasons. First, it was the first time they had been to our house. Secondly, and more importantly, they got time to play with their first great grand baby. We hope to do it again soon. We love you lots.
4 generations (My family, especially grandma are big Nebraska fans)
I still had to make sure to represent Iowa State for at least one picture

Coming to an End

That's right, I know many have already posted something regarding this, so I figured it was my turn. Pulling out the long sleeves and jeans, seeing the leaves change colors, watching kids get on and off school buses, turning lights on for dinner because the sun is already setting, and eating our last piece of sweet corn. Sad to say, but looks like summer is officially coming to an end. Even though I love fall, it's the thought that winter is just around the corner is what makes me sad (or sick to the stomach). Positive note is that means we are that much closer to being a family of four :)