Post Adoption Report #2 is due!

This week we meet with our adoption counselor for our Second Post Adoption Report. These reports are required to be completed every 3 months for the first year, then once a year until he is 18 years old. The report is sent to our placing agency, then forward to the Ethiopian agencies. We understand the importance of the follow ups and are glad to comply. Any chance we can have to brag about our happy little guy!

Here are a few pics we will be sending with our report, just wish I could include the stories that go along with them:

Ty enjoying a little rest on our tour of the Chattanooga Aquarium. Obviously, he never really 'rested'!

Wish I could send a video of him swimming, he loves the water so! I'd also like to send a thank you note to the nannies...their speedy baths didn't include shielding the eyes or carefully pouring water over their heads...and Ty has NO problem with the water on his face or in his eyes. Such a gift...wonder if they know that?

We've moved from cars to trains. He saw this shirt at Target and began crying as we pulled away from it. Between tears and little gasps of "ChooChoo" I was quick to back track and buy that boy his shirt!

Now we have to hide the shirt or he'll wear it every day!

The Roy clan enjoying an afternoon together. When Brian comes home all of the kids faces light up, and Ty now says "Dada or Dad" and runs with open arms to him. I don't know who I'm happier for!

My dad helped me to realize my heart's dreams, my husband is protector of my heart and my son (and daughters) fill my heart daily. He is momma's boy right now, and that's ok with me.

This is his 'no...I didn't just put my truck in your pitcher of water' look. Yes..that is a slight grin...and yes he's about to run!

Kindergarten Round 2!

Her first day of Kindergarten couldn't come soon enough for my sweet Mallory.
She was smiling before she even opened her eyes that morning!

She was bubbling with excitement!

The classroom has a beautiful Puppet Theater...

that alone was enough to walk through the door for!

Her first full day isn't for another week, but this 'phase in' day was a success! She loved her teacher and made a new friend. She saw 2 of her neighborhood friends on the playground (yay!) and one of the older kids in our neighborhood saw her in the cafeteria and gave her a hug. That, she said, was her favorite part. Thanks Sydney! You made her first day very, very special!

On Friday we invited a few of our neighborhood friends, and Kindergarten students, over for a Painting Party! The kids painted a rocket..they are now the newest Rockets at their school. They had a blast! Thanks to Jo and Les from A Painting Party for the fun! (http://apaintingpartywithlesjo.shutterfly.com/)

So now she's off on her next adventure. It's no surprise of course, we knew we'd get here..but as usual, it's the mama's and daddy's left wishing for one more day. Love this sweet girl!

Ty-Land

I have wanted to post pics of Ty's room for a while now, 'cause I love it so! My sweet friend Angela took my giraffe ideas and put them on the wall with her talented hand! I had imagined one large giraffe, she thought maybe a pair, Kendall wanted the baby handing the mama a flower, the flower needed to come from someplace so the tree was born! It was a collabrative effort and the result is just as sweet as can be! Around his room are items other friends have gifted him and we treasure them so!

He loves his room, and when he wakes in the morning he looks around for his Choo Choo book (thanks Beth Lockamy!) and points at his giraffe buddies on the walls.

To the right of the mirror is an Orthodox Coptic Cross, used in Ethiopian traditional and religious festivals given to us by the Bingham family as a celebration of our adoption process. Love it! Also on the dresser is a hand sewn giraffe that our friends the Fischers bought in Ethiopia as a gift for his room. And the lamp was purchased in Ethiopia, Brian loved the shade Ethiopian Alphabet. The ceramic shoes were given to Brian's mom when Brian was born. And above the mirror, on the picture frame is the phrase..The moment we saw you, we fell in love. A gift from Cathey Sweeney...one of the first items I hung in his room. I love all of these items!


So many talented friends! Jo Miller created these canvases for our little guy's new room. Perfect for our giraffe theme!

The tree that came to be! See the little branch and leaves in the baby's mouth?? Kendall's contribution, and such a sweet idea. We have had this crib for all three of our babies. There are 3 different sets of teeth marks! The lanterns belonged to the sweet little Schiro boys next door, and they thought they'd look good in Ty's room..and they were right!

Kicking Off Camp

Day One of Kendall's Summer Camp Adventure!

Carolina Camper

They're off! Kendall and Brian are on their way to North Carolina where Kendall will have her first camp experience at a 4 day camp on the water. Last night she said to me "Mom, I'm a little nervous." I wanted to say "I'm terrified!" But I didn't. And like her, I know I have nothing to worry about...but worried I will be until she comes home with the same smile illuminating her face. That's just what I'm wired to do. My mother used to hide in the bathroom until my brother and I left the house, she was busy crying. I'm not that bad, though I did call for Kendall to come back to me for one last kiss...after she was half way across the sidewalk. Brian rolled his eyes. It crossed my mind to ask if she was still nervous..did she want to just stay and try this all next year?? But I calmed my inner-Donna (my mom) and blew kisses like a maniac as she walked away. She was smiling. Either happy for her adventure to begin or perhaps her "Oh my gosh, I can't believe she's doing this to me in public" apologetic/embarrassed smile? I love that girl. She is the oldest and again has taken me to a new place I had dreamed about years ago and got to share with her today. She is so independent, she is our family 'pace' car. The youngest are always getting blamed for needing so much attention. But truthfully, it's the oldest who has the show. We are gripping on tight trying to figure out this whole parenting thing, all the while she's living her life and showing us the next progression. Our family learns from her experiences and from our reactions to those experiences. She is what makes us better parents for our other two. Doesn't mean we'll get it right the next time around...but at least Mallory can rest assured it's not our first rodeo and that can either be to her advantage, or not. Who knows what the rules will look like by the time Ty turns 8. I'm guessing Kendall will be the disgruntled older sister declaring "I NEVER got to do that!".

After dropping her off at the airport I came home and laid down (it wasn't even 7:30a!). As I laid there I could remember that sweet little girl at 6 mos old laying in the crook of my arm enjoying a quiet morning in bed with me. She was so intrigued by my voice and would laugh easily and freely. Was that really 8 years ago? Be still my beating heart...I just want to stay here a little longer and remember that smile, that laugh, that sweetness. Have fun sweet girl, I'm cheering you on.

Busy Man...

What a busy man my sweet husband is! I wonder if he had any idea 15 years ago that his 'dating days' were just beginning? In the last 3 weeks he has taken Kendall to the Princess Ball, he has taken me on 2 separate dates one of which was the celebration of our 15 yr anniversary, and just last weekend he took Mallory on their first "official" date. She was over the top with excitement. Weeks earlier Mallory had pulled on her 'princess' dress and joined her sister and friends before they left for the Princess Ball. That event was sponsored by the Girl Scouts, and Mallory isn't a scout yet so she wasn't able to attend. She wanted to go so badly! A week after the Princess Ball we were eating at our local ChikFilA and the manager was posting flyers for the Daddy and Daughter Date Night. Bingo!! I had heard about this special event from a few friends who took advantage of this last year and knew it would be great fun! Mallory was so excited the day of her 'date', she was beaming from ear to ear! She insisted on new toe nail polish and mascara...yes I know, Diva! She and her dad met her friend Faith and her date at ChikFilA for their 6:30 reservation. The tables were covered with white table cloths, the 'servers' came to the table to take their order. The girls received a token ChikFilA stuffed cow and a carnation. Plus they were treated to a horse drawn carriage ride. (That was Mal's favorite part.) I think Brian loves doing this as much as the girls. I'm not sure if it's because he loves seeing the smiles on their faces and spending the quality time with them or if he knows he's setting the bar way too high for any little boy to come close to succeeding? I'm guessin' it's both! What a great dad and date that man is...so lucky to have him!

Happy Father's Day

"It doesn't matter who my father was;

it matters who I remember he was." ~by Anne Sexton

Let us celebrate the caring, strong, inspirational men in our lives today! I am always proud to retell stories of years past with my dad, and my girls love to hear them. Kendall is now 8 years old and she is beginning to have strong memories of times with her dad. I catch her sharing and giggling over those moments with her friends. My dad was always a source of comfort and protection for me and my family. He was, and still is, the voice of reason and calm. He showed us that 1. the adult is always right 2. you can watch t.v. with your eyes closed..dare you to change the channel! 3. potatoes can and should be served with each meal..fried is the best 4. you must finish what you started 5. Don't let them get to you...it's not worth it 6. the white-faced bumble bees don't sting..not at all true!! 7. Good cornbread is all about the pan 8. Courtesy does get you everywhere 9. Pester your kids as much as they do you, and feel free to do the same to their friends. :) 10. Have all your facts before you speak up 11. Actions speak louder than words 12. Sometimes you gotta take one for the team (for 35 years he goes to the ocean with the family and absolutely HATES sand and sun) 13. What your mom don't know won't hurt her (I must admit that was only fun as a kid eating junk for b'fast, but now I'm scared to death of this lesson!!) 14.Don't be afraid to try. 15.Family comes first, always.

So grateful for my dad (and for my mom for choosing him and keeping him!). I can't wait to hear the lessons my kids learn from their dad. My husband is a fantastic father! Love the lessons I continue to learn from both of these wonderful men in my life. Happy Father's Day to them both!