Awww...

We played the Diamondbacks tonight and so we now have only one more game left. One more game of watching Jack hit the ball off the tee and running as fast as he can to first base. One more game of me lining the kids up (or coralling might be a better word) on the bench for their batting order. One more game of watching these 5 and 6 year olds have so much fun diving for balls and having so much fun. Part of me is glad the season is winding down because the heat makes it hard to enjoy being out on the field, but I will miss all the friends we've made this season.

Timber

We had some scary excitement at home Tuesday morning. Tita and I were working on the end-of-year movie for preschool and Jack, Hal and Ryan went out back to play with squirt bottles. No sooner did they go out back when we heard all 3 crying out. We ran out back and they were on the side of the house but all I could see was the tree that had just toppled over! They were trapped on the other side. Thankfully, no one was hurt. The boys said they passed under the tree and then heard the tree and didn't know what to do. They were so scared and so were we. I couldn't see them, so I dove under the tree and made my way through to the other side to find 3 sets of legs on the other side. Thanks to Russell, Kurt and Papa for taking down the tree and making the yard safe again.

Mayan Princess

Maya is now 6 months old and 12.8 pounds! I love her so much and long to brush her bangs with my fingers and kiss her little hands. Last night, Jack told me that he wants to pick up Maya more than anyone else and that he can't wait to stay at the hotel in Guatemala! Jack loves hotels and he loves Maya - in his eyes, the best combo!

It is a relief to get new pictures because this week has been hard. I dream at night that she calls out for me, but I cannot hear her. Seeing her face, I know she is being well taken care of and that eases the agony of waiting.

We are still awaiting news that our adoption is final with Guatemala so that we can get on with the last bit of paperwork before getting an Embassy appointment. Keep us in your good thoughts!

Mother's Day

This Mother's Day was spent putting Maya's room together. Thanks to Russell, Papa and Kurt - the furniture from IKEA is assembled and ready for baby! Jack helped out with his trusty tool set and later, Jack, Hal & Grammy tested out the daybed. Tita bbq'd the burgers for us as I seemed pretty useless - I think it was the fresh strawberry champagne cocktail I drank! Hope everyone had a great weekend! We are waiting for the phone to ring at this point and hoping the agency calls us this week and says we are out of PGN - the final court process in Guatemala. We'll then wait for her birth certificate to be changed listing us as her parents and for our attorney to secure a Guatemala passport for her. Then, these items are submitted to the US Embassy who gives us a date and time to be in their office in Guatemala. We are hoping for sometime in June. Please...

Talkin' bout my guys

Yesterday was Grammy's birthday and to celebrate, we took a trip up to the Shenandoah Valley for some wine tasting and a picnic. I forgot I had my camera with me until the ride home. We had a really fun outing and here are my guys!

More, more!

I couldn't resist posting more of the pics we received today!

She is adorable!

I know I am biased. Not even going to make any excuses! We received an update on Maya today, along with some pictures and well, my heart is so full of joy! She is so precious and beautiful. At 5 months, she is now 12 pounds and 24.8 inches long! She looks happy and healthy and I couldn't ask for more. Okay, I could ask for one more thing - that our process continue without and problems so that we pick up our girl in early June. Here she is!

We miss Cody!

Jack's dear cousin Cody moved to Rhode Island in January and not a day goes by that Jack doesn't say, "Mommy, I really miss Cody. When can I see him?" Well, we all feel that way about Cody! I came across this picture of Jack and Cody taken just over 4 years ago when Jack was a baby and Cody was 6 or 7.

Bad Mommy!

I just realized that I didn't take any pictures at Easter! We hosted the family and Jack & Hal enjoyed their egg hunt, searching for plastic eggs with coins inside! Fiver year olds love money, especially coins! My BIL, Kurt bbq'd salmon on a cedar plank and we enjoyed asparagas and roasted fingerling potatoes along with the delicious salmon. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! I'll have to check with Grammy to see if she took any pictures of the boys. It is kind of her job, you know!

No news on Maya. Hoping to get some pictures and an update anytime now. We are in our 4th week of PGN and still hope to be traveling in June. My bedside reading consists of Guatemala books and during the day, when I have a free moment, I'm obsessed with reading the blogs of other people who have or are adopting internationally, especially Guatemala. I get tremendous joy seeing these families with their child.

I can't blieve he is 5!

Drew, Ryan & Tommy hiding out!

Jack Vader

Jack, Jonathan & Charlee

My Jack celebrated his 5th Birthday on Saint Patrick's Day. These 5 years have passed so quickly now that I look back. The other night I found a picture of Jack on a ride at Santa Cruz when he was 18 months old. I remember that trip like it was yesterday. His face isn't as round anymore, his voice is changing, he wants to learn to read so badly that he spells out every word he sees and asks me what it is and is even recognizing many words on his own. I guess these are what are known as "sight words." I love my little guy so much and enjoy our relationship. I just hope that he doesn't outgrow mommy too soon cause that would break my heart. I registered him for Kindergarten last week and it will be so strange not having Jack and Hal at the same school. They see each other every day and I know the independence will do them both good, but I will miss the everyday relationship. For now, we have the rest of preschool and a fun summer ahead. So, here is to my guy, the big 5 year old!

Let's play T-Ball!

We are officially playing T-Ball! Well, Jack, Hal and their friend Tommy are on the Twins and my BIL Kurt is the head coach, Russ is an assistant and I'm the team mom! Opening Day was this past Saturday and the kids had a blast riding in their team float, eating nachos, corndogs and snow cones and playing a 1-inning exhibition game! The boys are so cute in their big t-shirts, running the bases or being silly in the field.

More Maya

I have a few more pictures from Maya's lastest update. Here they are!

Maya in March

Here she is - 4 months old and 10.13 ounces. We are entering the last phase of the adoption process, called PGN. The average length of this legal process is 8 weeks, but could take longer. We can't totally predict or control this part of the process and so we must do our best to patient and hope that no news is good news. We are still hoping to travel in June. Hoping and wishing and praying...

In the meantime, we have lots to keep us busy. Jack and Hal are playing t-ball this year on "The Twins." Pictures forthcoming!

Pretty in Pink

Here she is again! This picture was taken at the end of January. Such personality. We can hardly wait to meet her!

Maya Update

We received new pictures of Maya this week. She is now 7.12 pounds and 20.8 inches long. This is the dress we sent her for Christmas and also the blanket underneath. This was taken at her regular well-baby check-up on January 2, 2007. The adoption is progressing smoothly, at this point, which means we'll be traveling in June to bring her home. We know that bumps can happen and it could take longer, but we are hopeful :)

Love is in the air...

We finally met our friend Sharon's new beau, Jeff. We had great conversation and lunch at Zocalo the week before Christmas. Jack took this picture of the couple with the camera upside down so I rotated the pic right side up for your convenience! LOL

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Christmas Eve at the home of Grandpa Bruce and Lola! The boys love to play with the train around grandpa's tree. This year, there were 2 sets of tracks and 2 trains so each boy could control their own - I think each of them were trying to derail their train on purpose! Lots of cookies to eat, cider to drink and wonderful presents to play throughout the year. Thank you Grandpa and Lola!

A Visit With Santa

Santa stopped by the James Marshall Preschool Christmas Party and my two favorite guys were able to tell the Man what they wanted for Christmas. Hal got the sled he asked for and Jack got his space station!

Thank you, Santa!

I've got braces!

This was taken in early December at the annual fundraiser for the West Sacramento Christmas Basket Project which provides food to families and seniors. Hailey helped me sell over $400 in raffle tickets - what a helper! Jack was in Carson City that weekend watching his uncle Billy 'Hey Yo' Johnson graduate from UNR with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Go Billy! I posted this picture cause it is the only one I have with my braces but I'm not sure you can see them!

Having Fun with Maya

Okay, so I can't snuggle her or tickle her feet, but I can put her picture in a pretty border! No new photos yet, just more of what we received at our referral. We sent a package down with some baby items and a cute little Christmas dress. My sister Christy had to help me shrink our items down to fit in the allowable 1 gallon Ziploc bag! I already have another bag filled and ready to go down in late January! Tom Petty sings, "the waiting is the hardest part" and he is so right! I bought some books about Guatemala and will teach myself about her culture while we wait for the process to happen in her country. Sometimes it seems unreal that Maya exists, but she does!