The Ol' Hockey Post

I'm sure you all have been wondering where the hockey posts are this season [Ok, all of you might be a stretch. Maybe one of you? Or two of you? Anyone?]

We still have our season tickets, however this year games have been few and far between for us. With a new infant in the picture, hockey games have taken a back burner. 

However, we did have a fun family night and took the entire gang to the Arena so Charlotte could experience her first live hockey game at the age of only 4 months. She was absolutely intrigued, alert, and of course, the talk of everyone sitting around us. 

And per the usual, Max had a blast cheering, celebrating, and eating lots and lots of popcorn. ;)

Go Blue Jackets!

Family Photo Shoot

I just had to post these pictures. We wanted to capture Charlotte at the oh-so-precious newborn stage, so we took the opportunity to update our family photos. I think they turned out absolutely perfect.

Welcome Home Charley!

We were greeted by friends, family, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and even the neighbors when we arrived home with our sweet baby girl. From homemade banners and signs to a nursery makeover that had Sam and I sobbing, we were overwhelmed (once again!) at the thought of introducing our daughter and baby sister to our clan. 

Grandma and Papa 

Brit and Charley

Proud Aunts!

Grandma and Grandpa

Beaming Cousin Lauren

Uncle Tom

And many, many, many, many, many, many, many more.

Cardboard Testimony

Sam and I had the opportunity to share our testimony at the Easter Sunday Service. However, this wasn't the typical testimony. We were asked to sum up our adoption story in as few words as possible. And by as few, I mean it needed to fit on the front and back of a piece of cardboard.

Let me pause here to say, Excuse Me?

How do you possibly sum up our story? Or anyone's story for that matter. 

But, Sam and I were up for the challenge. And I have to admit, it was a really incredible exercise for us. We had to work through exactly what we wanted the message to be so we shared our story, related to our audience and ultimately, gave glory to God! 

To check out cardboard testimonies click here [this is an example from another church, however I will definitely put up our church's video once it is ready to go]. 

So, here you have it. Our way of expressing our cardboard testimony.

Thank you Jesus for our story. For the gift of life. And for sweet Maximus. What a journey that was truly worth the wait. 

Starbucks Sizes

Meet Tall, Grande and Venti. 

Max with his buddies today: 

Tall - Phillip [3 weeks old]

Grande - cousin Shayden [8 weeks old]

Venti - Max [7 months old]

WOW! It is amazing how quickly time flies and how fast these little guys can grow!

Kid Quotes

I just wanted to jot down a few of my favorite moments from the last few days.  We have had a blast watching our 3 nieces and 1 nephew this week.  Conversations with kids are the best! [Can't wait until you can talk Max!]

Gabriel [age: 18 months]  

"Aun Nen, Aun Nen, Aun Nen, Aun Nen..." x100! 

No joke, I now have a glimpse into the world of "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy..."  :)

Lauren [age: 3]

Playing with Max this week:

Peek a boooooooooooooooooo

Peek a boooooooooooooooooo

Peek a boooooooooooooooooo

Peek a boooooooooooooooooo

Abigail [age:5]

"This is the MOST DELICIOUS dinner EVER, Aunt Jen!"

[of course it is, I am serving you chocolate chip pancakes for dinner!  And btw, the pancakes were packed with fiber and protein, Kristen!]

Madeline [age:7]

"Aunt of the Year is not up for grabs Aunt Jen!"

Where did she hear this?  

And yes, I will accept the award.  Do I need to prepare a speech?

Out of Office

So it seems like it has been forever since I have made a post on the blog.  First, we were out of town. I have several blog-worthy stories to tell [including Max's first plane ride!], however that is going to have to wait until another day.   

The main reason I have been MIA from the blog world is due to my beautiful nieces and full-of-action nephew.  My sis-in-law is off on a 3-night getaway with her hubby so I volunteered [am I crazy?] to watch her gaggle. Maybe I am hoping she will return the favor someday??!

So Sam and I have grown from a family-of-three to a family-of-seven this week. And since this could be what my future holds [yes, we would LOVE a big family!], I would like to put in an early request for a nanny! 

OK, back to work!

Dinner the first night!

Madeline - 7, Abigail - 5, Lauren - 3

Gabriel - 18 months, Maximus - 5 1/2 months

WHEW!

Late night s'mores with the girls

Day at the Farm

Every autumn we spend a day in Millwood, Ohio.  Sam's aunt and uncle have a beautiful farm complete with a renovated farmhouse, wraparound front porch, pond, acres and acres of colorful trees, and of course, hayrides for the kids! It is something Sam and I look forward to every year.  

How exciting that this year we spent the day with Max: introducing him to family, showing him around the farm and taking him on his first hayride!

College Fund

My grandma is completely gaga for Max. To prove my point, I looked up the word gaga in the dictionary.

Gaga: 

1. Excessively and foolishly enthusiastic

2. Ardently fond; infatuated 

Check and check. If you have been around her, when she is around Max, you know what I am talking about. And gaga is the perfect word to describe her.

She stopped by for a surprise visit the other night to bring her dear, sweet baby boy a gift. A piggy bank full of change for his college fund!

Max loved his new gift and it is obvious that GG is gaga for her great-grandson [she can't take her eyes off of him even for the picture!].

Church Dedication

On Sunday, October 5, 2008 we dedicated Maximus Samuel to the Lord in front of our family, friends and church congregation. We wholeheartedly expressed our commitment to raise this young man to know God in a deep and intimate way. 

We invited our family up to the front of the sanctuary to take part in the dedication. What a sight I am sure! Max was surrounded by his great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  Twenty+ people!

This was truly a day we won't forget. 

Our pastor gave our family members the opportunity to share a word or Scripture during the dedication.  I wanted to make sure these words were recorded.

Aunt Kristen [shared this verse because she knew it was one of the passages of Scripture I went to endless times to gain strength and encouragement during our journey to Maximus]

"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!

May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!

May He send you help from the sanctuary

And support you from Zion!

May He remember all your meal offerings

And find your burnt offering acceptable!

May He grant you your heart's desire.

And fulfill all your counsel!

We will sing for joy over your victory,

And in the name of our God

we will set up our banners.

May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know the Lord saves His anointed;

He will answer him from His holy heaven

With the saving strength of His right hand.

Some boast in chariots and some in horses,

But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.

They have bowed down and fallen,

But we have risen and stood upright.

Save, O Lord; May the King answer us in the day we call."

Grandpa [Sam's dad]

"And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him." Luke 2:40

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52

Grandma [my mom]

She gave Max the gift shown in the picture.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Maximus ~ 

You are one loved little boy.

You are the answer to so many prayers.

You have a destiny.

You have a plan that will prosper and not harm you.

You have a hope and a future.

You have the the favor and grace of God on your life.

We love you precious one,

Mommy and Daddy

Apple Orchard

Max and I spent the afternoon hanging with Kristen & kids [and don't let me forget Brit - our cool college-age cousin that loves to hang with the little ones!].  

Kristen and I decided to be quite adventurous and go to a pick-your-own fruit farm. What a perfect autumn day to be outdoors picking delicious apples.

Now one would think that the apple-picking part of the day would be my favorite.  Well, it was fun, but it is definitely my SECOND favorite part of the day.

My FAVORITE part of the day was when my seven-year-old niece, Madeline, asked if she could wear the Baby Bjorn and carry Max around the orchard! Then she proceeded to tell me she "practiced" earlier in the day by putting Gabriel [her 20+ pound brother] in their Bjorn.  WHAT??  

So what did I say? "Absolutely girlfriend, you go for it!"  [Do not judge me; if someone [who happens to be only seven?] is willing to help carry my 16 pound son around, I won't hesitate to take them up on the offer!]

Doesn't she look like such a proud older cousin?

And a picture of all the kids. 

On a sidenote: I would love to know what Gabe is thinking.  

Probably something like, "seriously, when can I get out of this backpack?"

Ummmm...sorry buddy you aren't!

Well my pain-free, Bjorn-less afternoon did not last long. Madeline decided after about 10 minutes of toting Max around that she needed to get serious about her apple-picking [and it was hard to do with Max strapped on...REALLY? Are you sure?]! So I took the little guy and the Bjorn and we spent the afternoon picking apples together.

 What a fun memory!

Look how proud Max is of his very first apple-picking adventure! The owner of the orchard told me to peel and slice the apples and stick them in the freezer to use as a teether! What a great idea!

 

Sleepover

The fun has definitely begun! Max and Gabe [Max's older and, oh-so-cooler cousin] spent the night at our house for the boys' first-ever sleepover.

Rise and Shine Boys!

Gabe, you make suspenders look goo-ood.

We might have just started war with Ron and Kristen. We decided to surprise them by dressing Gabe in this Amish-looking outfit and bring him to church this morning.  We just happened to have this gem hiding in Max's closet.  Kristen's face was priceless.  "Gabers!" [arms outstretched as she waits for her boy to greet her from a night away...and then she notices The Outfit] "Oh...oh my...what is that?"

I have a feeling it's on.

'08 Summer Vacation

Family Vacation

Silver Lake, Michigan

July 12-19, 2008

One big happy family!

First Boat Ride

Naptime 

Playtime with cousin Eli

Maddie with Max 

Inseparable this vacation

Tubby Time

The "New" Tuesdays with Aunt Jen

For the past few years, I have devoted Tuesdays to my sis-in-law Kristen and my nieces (Madeline, Abigail, Lauren) and nephew (Gabriel). 

Keeping the tradition alive, I have continued to spend Tuesdays with Kristen and the gang. But, who is the new center of attention...

Max of course!