Lighthouses, Pirates, and Changes

Summer is finally here! I wish someone would tell the weather. We have not had much hot, sunny weather, but at least everything is green and growing! We have managed 2 trips to the ocean already. I think this might be the summer of Lighthouses. So far, we have visited Fort Williams/Portland Headlight, and Owl's Head. The day we spent at Owl's Head was just perfect, except that Garrett was away at a church youth conference.

The end of the school year was busy with concerts, performances and award ceremonies. Connor was amazing in his unicycle/juggling act. Garrett earned an award for "Most Improved" in chamber choir, and Meredith won a music award for the second year in a row! We were very surprised and delighted. It is the award for "Exceptional Dedication to Music and Community". We are so proud of them all!!

Last week we had a pirate party for the boys from homeschool co-op. I got some fun pictures. The weather didn't cooperate, so we weren't able to have the treasure hunt we had planned. We had a great time, even if we were stuck indoors. The next day we drove to the New England Pirate Museum in Salem, MA with one of the other co-op families. We had a bit of trouble getting started, but the trip was fun. We all wished we could have stayed longer in each room at the museum because there was so much we didn't get to see. The guided tour was much too short!

There have been lots of changes in our lives over the last few weeks. Connor is growING fast! He is almost even with Meredith.

The adoption is the one area where NOTHING has changed. We are still waiting for the "documents" from Estonia. I am still "okay" because I know Andreas is "okay", but I have my moments. Sometimes I could scream in frustration and sometimes I just want to cry.

Ups and Downs

The past couple months have been tough. Dan was not sleeping much and was not at all feeling well. Between migraines and my leg, I have been in alot of pain. The kids have been crazy-busy and overtired. There, I think I got all of my complaints out. Ooops! I missed one, still waiting.:(

Anyway, things are looking up! Dan is still having some stomach distress, but not as frequent. Overall, the gluten-free diet is helping him to feel better. My migraines have been less frequent, if much more intense, but I am seeing the doctor again today. Hopefully, we can find a way to manage them better. I went back to PT a couple of weeks ago. My PT is great! He has found a few stretches that seem to take the pressure off the nerve. I have walked without a limp for the last 2 days!!! The amazing part is that they were work days! The pain has been less intense, and I even have some pain-free moments!!

School is winding down for the kids. Connor will be performing in the talent show as part of a juggling/unicycling act. He is very excited! Meredith is sporting a new, more mature hairdo.:) Garrett still has finals to deal with. To make finals week slightly more difficult, he is starting a lifeguarding course the same week.:) Gavin will be hosting a pirate party next week to wrap up the school year.


I wish I knew what Andreas has been up to. I imagine he gets to spend plenty of time outside, or "oue" as he call it. He loves "oue"! The orphanage has a large, level backyard with a small playground and a few trees. The boys look like they are out at recess with the 2 caregivers standing guard like teachers on a playground. Last winter, Andreas amazed us when he took off running. When we had him outside in Old Town, he was slow and very cautious and unsteady. It must have been the cobblestones and uneven pavement that threw him off. In his own, level backyard, he was perfectly stable. I hope he is getting his fill of 'oue" and mild weather. He also loves "pime" or darkness. I am sure he is getting very little "pime" at this point! I sure wish we could see Tallinn in summer! I doubt I would sleep much with only 3-4 hours of darkness, but the partiers would keep us awake anyway.:)(click on the pic to see the lopsided grin I am missing)

Tuesday, was disappointing because I learned that 2 waiting families got their documents from Estonia. Instead of being happy for them, I was just miserable that it wasn't me who got the documents. :( I am feeling better now, and I am happy for the 2 families who will be traveling this fall to meet or bring home their children. Two more orphans will be blessed with a family. How can I not be happy about that!

So, the monster is once again caged. I am praying fervently that "today" will be the day our paperwork arrives. I know that this waiting has an endpoint even if I cannot know when it will be. There is a date set for the occasion. When I was praying through a migraine on Tuesday, I had an image of an invitation with a date and time set down in beautiful calligraphy. It was a private invitation just for me and Dan. I was reminded that our Lord, who is in control, has already prepared this invitation, and the ceremony itself, and all that goes with it. He is the Master Planner, all I have to do is show up at the appointed time. Isn't He amazing? So, I now have this visual of a date circled on a calendar. I can't read the day or month, or even year, but the date is set.

Every day is one day closer to that special day.

Every day, there is one less day to wait.