Fun in Milwaukee

This past weekend I got to have some fun with my family. My sister and the rest of her family came in to Milwaukee to visit Grandma and Grandpa for the weekend.

So, together, we celebrated Robert's birthday (a few days early) and our nephews helped him blow out his candles. On the birthday cake I made, you will notice some airplane candle holders. Robert LOVES his airplanes! So, when I found those candle holders, I just had to buy them!

During the day on Saturday, we went to the Milwaukee Public Museum. What's better than having a butterfly land on your hand?! Not much. On Saturday night, we went to Irish Fest  - the boys had fun! (and so did we!) Check out my dad and Robert - aren't they just so tough?! (Yes, Robert got a temporary tattoo)

On Sunday, we went to the Auduban Nature Center to go to the beach and try skipping stones. They love their rocks!

Air & Water Show Weekend

Over the weekend, we got to spend some time with Robert's family and our friends along with Chicago's Air & Water Show. It ended up being a beautiful weekend. For us, the highlight is getting in some snuggling time with the nieces.

Here's a few photos from the weekend.

This is my wish

I don't know why some lyrics just resonate and others don't, but I just had to share this one with you. After listening to the song, I just had to find the lyrics. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

My Wish
Lyrics by Rascal Flatts

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

August referrals are on their way!

Well, it's official today - the CCAA completed their matching process and the official cut-off is May 15, 2006 - a 5-day referral month. Only 60 more days until we're matched with our daughter. Yippee!

Here's the official notice:

8/16/2010
CCAA

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before May 15, 2006.

Love this saying

I was at Archiver's (scrapbooking store) doing one of their "Make and Take" events and one of the items we got to make used this amazing stamp. I just loved it. It just made me think that even though we've been waiting over 4 years for our daughter now (our 4 year LID anniversary was on July 14th) I still need to remember to live in the moment and enjoy life as I have it right now. For once she's here - our life will cease to exist as we know it now.

July Referrals are in!

Well, this is HUGE! We had a very large number of days covered this month. Yippee! What a wonderful way to come back from vacation (I'll save that for another post once I've had a chance to download and sort through our vacation photos)

There were 14 days referred this month! Only 65 more referral days to go until we are referred our little girl. We are getting so close!! I can hardly believe it!

7/16/2010
CCAA

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before May 10, 2006.

Devil's Lake - West Bluff Trail

I'm a week behind on this post, but better late than never...

Last Saturday we went hiking again back in Devil's Lake State Park and hiked the West Bluff Trail. It was a beautiful hike once we got through the forested area and had wonderful views of the bluffs. The only problem we ran into was when I slipped on a rock and got myself all scratched and bruised up from a tree branch - even a week later, it's some lovely shades of blue, green, black and assorted other colors. I don't recommend it!

So, here are some of the lovely views from the trail. (Note: The bird is a turkey vulture)

Quilt is finally done!

Well, I finally got our daughter's lap quilt all done - the final touch was for me to hand sew the binding to the back of the quilt. It took me one evening and an afternoon of beautiful weather (nothing better than sitting on your deck in the shade!) and it was done. I just love how it turned out. My swap-mates sent me beautiful squares to work with. My mom did an amazing job of sewing. My quilting friend Debbie guided us as we worked - we couldn't have done it without her.

Next up, her 100 Good Wishes Quilt. If anyone has pattern ideas, I'm all ears!

Sewing on the binding

Yesterday, my mom came in town to get the binding sewn on our daughter's lap quilt I'm (more like my mom and I'm just there for moral support) making. It's been a labor of love. Every imperfection that we made is just more reason to love it. I think it is turning out beautifully, but I'm a bit biased of course! I can't wait for her to snuggle with it. Next job is mine - hand stitching the binding to the back. Something to do while watching a movie or TV at night...

Me holding the quilt after I trimmed off the excess fabric and batting.

My mom sewing on the binding. Just look at that concentration! Gotta love her!

Holding the final product! A sight to behold!  :-)
Just the hand stitching to go and it's done!

June Referrals are IN!!

Well, while it wasn't a stellar month of matches - they matched those logged-in with dates of March 22 - 26, 2006. A 5-day referral month.

Only 79 more referrals days to go until we're matched with our daughter!

As one of my adoption friends so wonderfully put it today - some of us could be holding our daughters this time next year! How wonderful a thought is that?!