Tree Guys and a Pair of Pantyhose

The tree guys were back today. Ryan decided to go to the museum with his friends after VBS, but was thrilled that they were still here when he got home. As soon as he got out of the car, he went and got his work gloves and helped pick up leaves and sticks. The guys got a kick out of him.

A whole new spot to plant!

Ryan loved bringing the workers cookies, and the workers loved Ryan bringing them. One of the guys dropped one, and the other picked it up out of a pile of sawdust, claimed the 10-second rule, and ate it.

Tonight was family night for vacation Bible school.
The kids sang songs and we got to see their room and some of the things they did during the week. It was just a great time for Ryan. Yesterday he came home and said, "I'm sad." I asked why and he said, "because I want to keep on going to VBS." Seeing as I had to coax him into going, it was fun to see how much he enjoyed it. Truly, the highlight tonight had to be the lady next to me. I had to do a double take...she was in her 70's and had the smoothest legs ever. And then, much to my delight, I realized she was wearing a nice tan shade of panty hose with her shorts and sneakers! Way to go!

The Boomerang Express!

Eucalyptus Down

We had an exciting day at our house! Ryan was anxious to get home today to see the tree guys at work. They were amazing to watch. They thinned the front trees and they look beautiful. The big eucalytus took most of the day. It was fun to watch the guy shimmy up the tree and take it down piece by piece. One of the pieces hit the fence and bent the top bar. They were really sorry about it, but as I pointed out that nothing could make this fence any uglier than it already is, they seemed to agree and not worry about it. Secretly, Harv and I were hoping they would knock the fence down and have to replace it.

It was so grey this morning I couldn't get a good picture.

This guy was the star.

Just a few of the millions of leaves and acorns I'm not going to have to rake up this fall!

You didn't know Ryan was so strong!

The cutest tree guy!

It's gone!

I was kind of surprised at just how sunny it is now on the back patio. I am glad that the magnolia is there to keep it from looking too bare. I am so happy about the patio being much neater.

FYI

Seeing as I am not so savvy on the computer, I just figured out that if you click on the pictures on the main part of the blog it will enlarge them. The blog pictures are pretty small. So, if there is a picture you want to see more clearly, just click on it. Hit the back arrow to return to the blog. It doesn't work on the pictures on the right side of the blog.

It's Time! (No, not the baby)

My Bible study always takes the summer off so we had a little get-together today to catch up with each other. Almost everyone was able to make it and we had lots of fun and food. They have been a great support to me as we have been going through the adoption process. I can't wait to introduce Yoo Rok to them.

My MIL made this beautiful tablecloth for me. It's probably a little late for me to ever reach this level, but I am really wanting to learn to do some simple things on the sewing machine I inherited. It's old, but a good machine. My sister gave me a tutorial about eight years ago, but I never did a thing so that was a big waste of her time.

One of the gals brought me some beautiful flowers, also in the 'friendly' category.

Our tree guy was supposed to cut this baby down on Monday. He stopped by today to see if he could do it today. Fortunately, Harvey remembered I had my group coming over today. That would have been quite the distraction! He came by again today to see about tomorrow, and tomorrow it is. It's really a pretty tree so I am sad about that, but it ends there. We have six of these and they are messy beyond belief. Our back patio is covered with leaves and little seed things every day. It's also nicknamed "widow maker" so I wasn't so keen on having it three feet from my house. I don't want this thing falling on my man!

My magnolia is going to be so much happier! Now we have a couple of weeks to replace it with another tree. I wish I had bought that crepe myrtle at Costco for $30!!! Ryan was going to go do something fun with some friends after VBS but begged to stay home to watch the tree man. I promised to pick him up after VBS. Hopefully he won't miss too much of the good stuff.

Now We're Ready!

So it was excitment mixed with 'man these are expensive' buying our first box of diapers for the little guy. I forgot how thrilled I was when Ryan was totally potty trained, and I didn't have to lay down any more serious cash for these. It's mostly exciting though (until I remember what changing them is like!).

Have you ever wondered if there is such a thing as 'too much granite?" Well, I'll tell you...YES! I don't know whose idea it was to cover every surface of the dining room and kitchen with it, but it wasn't one of their best. I've had a mixing bowl (plastic mind you) break after falling off the counter, a bowl, two small plates, and Ryan's head twice. The floors are so hard that the arches of my feet ached after two days when we first moved in. We ended up putting cheap carpet in the kitchen because Ryan always wants to be in there with me. (You know, because I'm always in there baking...Harv wishes). I know, it's only a step up from carpet in the bathroom, but really, it has to be covered! The carpet had gotten so gross I just cut it up and threw it out today and scrubbed the floor.

I am a big HGTV person. I love to watch House Hunters and all of the house hunting shows. Maybe it's the rebel in me (I have a little), but the fact that every singe person says every single time, "Oh, I want granite countertops and stainless steel appliances" makes me want anything else. Of course I'm on granite overload so maybe I'll change my mind if we ever get to change the kitchen. If Yoo Rok isn't walking, a few days crawling on this should do it!

Getting in...


a little shooting...



getting out!

I still can't believe that it will be Aug. in a couple more days. I'm starting to get butterflies! Almost time for "Little Couple", gotta go! : )

VBS

Today was Ryan's first day at VBS. He was really pushing to stay home, but I talked him into it, and as expected, he had a great time. It helped a lot that two of his friends were in his class. Once he saw them and got to line up with them he was fine. As I talked with my friend outside of the auditorium the kids began singing. It was so great! I have a special place in my heart for VBS because I became a Christian (you guessed it, over 30 years ago) at VBS. Our group leaders were Chip and Dale and we were the 'nuts'. We loved it. (just Google Chip and Dale if you weren't around yet in the 70's).

We got more paperwork in the mail today. I think (hope) it's the last paper we need to get notarized. (I'm worried about our notary's wrist). We are just days away from August! Wow!! Ryan and I are sleepers, Harvey is not. Even when he didn't have a weird work schedule he was an early riser. Every morning I wake up and wonder if this kiddo is going to take after his momma or daddy. I think I'd better sleep in the next few weeks just in case he takes after Harvey!

I wish this was from my yard, but I took the picture at our friends' house. Some day I hope to take down our lovey chain link fence (which I just learned has been illegal for the last 40 years) and plant hydrangeas all along our side yard.

I walked in to check on Ryan before I went to bed and found him sound asleep like this. It's blurry because I didn't want to turn the big light on. Now that' pooped!

Staying Alive!

Ryan has never been a huge music guy. One problem is that our stereo broke years ago and another is that I only have a cassette player in my car, and ummm, I haven't really mastered the ipod, which I hear solves the first two problems. When Ryan and I drive around town we either listen to one of the few cassettes that we have or it's quiet because Ryan doesn't want any music on. I think he just wants to be able to talk. Anywho, a week or two ago as we were driving I turned on the radio and Tears for Fears was on. Oh how I was hoping he would go for it. And he did! Only to be topped by the Bee Gees who followed. It was the best drive ever! So today as we drove over to my brother's house I turned on the radio and Thompson Twins came on. My boy is all 80's! It gets better...he says, "I want Bee Gees!" Okay, he remembered their name! Could I be prouder or happier? No! (For all of you youthful readers, you'll have to Google Bee Gees to find out what I'm talking about!). So next round we try Abba and Barry Manilow. You know, a girl can dream!!

Party!

We had another movie night. This time we had several friends and it was all the more fun! The kids had a late night...they sat glued for two hours. It was the easiest entertaining we have ever done. There will definitely be more movie nights!

Harvey manned the fire, since he's so manly! We had s'mores and coffee by the warm fire while the kids snuggled up for the show. Doesn't get too much better!

So instead of finding a new solution to the blue painter's tape....we just used a whole more of it!?

We went to a birthday party today. This is one of the 20 trains that Harvey made for each child at Ryan's third birthday party. My friend kept it this whole year and decided to make it into a pinata for her son's party. Don't worry, I warned Harvey before showing him the result.

Mission accomplished!

With how much time it took Harvey to make these, it was nice to see that it was enjoyed for two birthday parties.

Our first veggies! Count them...1, 2, 3, 4!!

They're starting to change colors!

Is there a friendlier looking flower?

"Let me think..."

"I give up!"

A Day with 'Bob'

A few months ago I was thinking of places that would be fun to take Ryan to. I remembered a wildlife museum that I had gone to ummmm, maybe 30 years ago. ( I can't believe I'm recalling 3o year old memories...and I wasn't an infant!). I looked online and sure enough they're still there. What I really remember was that there was a playground right next to the museum and our whole class got to have lunch and play there. It's a small museum but really great for little ones and of course there's the playground (updated in the last 30 years too!). It made for a great field trip.

The owls were my favorite. There were several of them and they were just beautiful. Sorry to blow your childhood image, but did you know they aren't all that 'wise'. I just read that they're not the smartest bird in the nest.

AKA: 'Only a face a mother could love'. I felt bad about thinking this once I read the sign saying he was blind, then I felt kinda bad for him. He on the other hand, didn't seem to care one way or the other and seemed to be living the life in his little box of paper strips.

"To each his own phobia" but I still think this is scarier than Bugs Bunny! The polar bear next to him had huge scary teeth and looked like he was about to maul someone. As you can see, Ryan loved them.

This did not come from his mother.

This was a bobcat eating demonstration. They dangled deer meat from a string and we watched him get it. They also hid meat in newspaper around his cage so he could 'hunt' for it. His name is 'Bob'. So once we got home, Ryan turned into 'Bob'. We spent about two hours with me pulling up his cage door so he could roll around the floor and sniff out towels that he put seaweed crackers in. It's too early to see if Shamu is out and Bob is in, but Shamu could be in trouble.

Beautiful!

Tonight we are having a few friends who can handle a late bedtime to watch movies outside. It's a big night of Clifford and Peep. I'm off to pop the corn!

Meeting with Agency

We talked with our agency today. I am so happy to be working with them. So apparently there are several more things that need to happen before Yoo Rok is ready for travel. He needs a visa and that takes a little time and some papers need to go to the American Embassy, they have to be confirmed...So he isn't just waiting for no reason, he still needs a little more legal stuff to go through. That was a big question for me. We talked a lot about going to the airport, about Ryan (should he go if we go to Korea, should he fly if Yoo Rok arrives in L.A., a gift for Ryan from the baby...). She had covered some of this on our trip to Arizona but it was good to go over. She talked to us about bringing him home. She suggests that no one come home with us from the airport or for a couple of days. We talked about his response to us. She thinks Ryan is going to be very helpful in helping the baby settle in. The thing I think of most is being his mommy, but not being able to comfort him. I know it will happen at some point, but I already ache for the trauma that is ahead for him. I know all of the things people say to this: it's for his good, it will all work out, kid's are resilient...but true or not, he's going to mourn and we'll mourn with him. We're looking forward to all of the laughs and 'firsts' as well. We are so excited for so many friends and family, who have prayed for us for many years to have another child and for Yoo Rok and this journey, to meet him. Thanks for all of your support and please pray for Yoo Rok, his travels, and transition into our family.

Helmet Head

As cute as the strap across Ryan's mouth was, I couldn't stop imagining him crashing on his bike and having his helmet not do its job. A friend of mine came up with this great headset idea and he loves it! A kid a little older came up to him at the park and asked what was on the helmet. A bit of panic set in me fearing the kid would say something horrible about the headset, but he says, "I wish I had one of those for my helmet." Proud, oh so proud! Ryan couldn't have been happier (me either).

Chasing Mommy with grass.

The End!

(How could I not?!)

Delving into Romans: Ryan was out in the yard digging in the dirt, as usual. I sat down to watch him play and watched as he wiped his filthy hands all over his shirt, to which I responded, "Why did you do that?" (As a mother I have to ask. I can't help it. It's not that I really expect an answer, I just have to say something). To this he replied with the frustration of Paul, "I did it, but I didn't want to". I think I need to buy stock in Spray and Wash! By the way, I got the raspberries out of his shirt! And the dirt too.

I had a fabulous trip to Target! I got most of the things I wanted to have before the big arrival. I think a trip to Costco will do it!