Welcome Tamenech

Today we drove down to Hartford, CT to greet a new member of the Laughner family. Tamenech is safely home with her new family. It is always a great joy to see the Laughners and we are so happy for them. Four adults and NINE kiddos.

Tamenech warmed up to us quickly and was running around the airport with all the kids and with balloons in her hands.

A new coat for the good New England weather is a must and it was a big hit.

Welcome home Tamenech!

Another day with friends

I am a week behind on posting another blog entry.

Anyway last Saturday we spent a beautiful day with our dear friends the Laughner's. It is amazing to watch how much our kids changed the last few years. Two years ago Jo did not want anything to do with anybody. Look at her now best friends with Lori.

Dad's on lifeguard duty.

The kids spent close to 4 hours nonstop in the pool.

Well they did get out to jump right back in.

These two are a blessing in our lives. It just warms your heart how happy they are and how well they fit into our families.

Two years ago today ...

... we held our baby girl for the first time. I thought that day would never come. We hit so many bumps along the way. Here we are all together two years later. Two years later it feels like Jo has been part of our family from the begining. I know there is 9 month span that we know very little about. However, today it feels like I had her since the day she was born. I love when she runs to me screaming on top of her lungs: "mommy!!!!!!!!!". I love the way she loves her daddy and all her siblings. I love the way her siblings love her.

She is and always has been part of our 'little' family.

God has been good to us and we are very thankful.

BE MY VALENTINE

Starting this Friday, when you purchase a HopeChest Project T Shirt, you are providing an orphan in Ethiopia with a new pair of shoes and a new shirt. 1 shirt = 2 gifts for a child.

Your contribution will provide basic needs & the greatest gift of all - Love. Make this a Valentine’s Day you will never forget. Wrap your hearts around each face and pray for them every time you wear your shirts. Your gift of $25.00 is a special way you can show crazy love.

Go to

The Story of a Ring

With God All Things are possible

Go to our friends blog and read about their amazing second adoption journey.

Christmas shopping to make a difference in the world

How is your Christmas shopping going? I know we are all looking for the best deals out there so I put together a list of the best deals. Go and see how you can make a BIG difference in the world.

These are some of our good friends who are adopting again and like one of my friends says we will bring those orphans home one Tshirt at a time.

the Laughner family Tshirt fund raiser

the Gibson family Tshrit fund raiser

the David family Tshirt fund raiser

the Sloniger family coffee and decals

the Weimer family Tshirt fund raiser

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And here are some of my favorite web sites to shop.

Junk Posse

(beautiful hand made necklaces)

Have a great time shoping

2 Years ago today

we got the call.

Branson - Monday

I am still trying to process the whole Branson trip. I have never been to a reunion before. I came home tired (very tired). Do not get me wrong it was an amazing trip in so many ways. It is sometimes hard to explain to people who have never experienced a reunion with people you have never met. We've known many of these families for such a long time yet we never met face to face. I felt like I was seeing old friends and meeting many new ones. I wish I could put it into words what we experienced this week but somehow I cannot find them.

We got together with the remaining families for lunch on Monday at a park so the kids got their energy out.

It was fun to see the Laughner's family again (cannot wait to see you soon).

(with Brady in the picture)

Kari, Zoie and Kari's dad.

moms

dads

After lunch we ended up at a little water park next to the playground. It was the perfect place for us to relax and the kids have fun.

And for dinner we got together with some families at Danna's BBQ.

Since it says 'photo spot' the boys wanted a picture there.

So did Emma (with a bloody nose) however Jo was not interested.

I hope we will get to do this again.

Just in case you haven't noticed we had uncle Vit with us. He was a huge help with the kids and we cannot thank him enough.

Silver Dolar City Pictures