Friends Come to Visit!

Owen and I had a wonderful visit from my oldest friend Bea, her daughter Brielle, and her Dad! Bea and I met the summer before 5th grade when my family moved in across the street and my Mom made me take cookies over to her and introduce myself. At the time Bea was suffering from chicken pox and our first meeting gave no hint as to the friendship that would develop, but through the years we've supported each other through thick and thin. She lives in Utah with her hubby and three other kids, and we only see each other every few years, but she's one of those friends for whom time and distance melt away as soon as we are together. She is the best!

Sharing some other pics of Owen ... he likes his new tub drums (thanks Aunt Maria, Uncle Todd and cousin Hannah); is really walking well behind either one of his two push toy options; gives us "high fives"; and finally, one of my favorite scenes, a boy and his Dad at the end of the day.

A Deep Creek Vacation

For as long as I can remember, my family has been going to the Jersey shore for vacation. A week of salty air, sandy feet, sunny days. I've always loved it. But this year we tried something new and packed up for the mountains of Maryland. Of course for the first time we also had Owen (as well as our nieces Samantha and Mackenzie) in tow, and there were quite a few differences ...

Vacations in Sea Isle City

1. Daily activities - working on tan while lazing on the beach
2. Reading tally for the week - 3 books
3. 10:00 am rise and shine - ah, the pleasure of sleeping in!
4. Main items packed in suitcases - flip-flops, shorts, t-shirts

5. Enjoy every minute

Vacation in Deep Creek Lake

1. Daily activities - feeding, diapering, playing with, chasing Owen
2. Reading tally for the week - half a book
3. 6:45 am stumble out of bed
4. Main items packed in suitcases - diapers, swim diapers, toys

5. Enjoy every minute

Our fun week started out with a visit to Nanny's house, where we were joined by Todd, Maria, Hannah, and then Kris, Jeff, Sam and Mackenzie (straight off their overnight drive from Wisc.!). As always, Nanny outdid herself with a yummy brunch spread and beautiful decorations for Owen's birthday, and what we dubbed the "Dr. Seuss" cake! Owen was a little hesitant to plunge in at first, but with Sam's able guidance he quickly learned sugar is good!

He also received lots of great presents, including an adorable watercolor painting of his beloved cups by Nanny (for those of you who don't know, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law are both incredible artists).

After the festivities, the Mommaerts and us loaded into our packed cars and headed off for Deep Creek Lake. There we met Mom, Dad, Aunt Cathy, Uncle Rich, Aunt Sue and my cousin's daughter Nicole. We all settled in, enjoyed a pizza dinner on the deck and then gathered around again to sing Happy Birthday to our little guy. This time he dug right into his cupcake and chocolate icing!

We are so happy that we could share Owen's first birthday with family and thank everyone for the great presents and most of all your shared joy. Cearra couldn't join us because she had a previous commitment - being the maid of honor for her big sister's wedding! - but she did call to wish O "happy birthday" and send her love.

The rest of the week flew by. As always we had theme dinners ... this year was Toga Party, Penn State Night, Wisc. Country Fair (complete with carnival games), Pirate Night which featured a treasure hunt, and our last night tradition, Mardi Gras. We also enjoyed an evening out at Bunnies, Pap and Charlene's restaurant.

The guys played golf, the girls took in a lake side art show and the movie "Ratatouille", and Bob helped Aunt Sue, Mom and Nicole catch their first fish! Owen took his first carousel ride (and didn't think much of it) and there was a fierce go-kart race underway until some kid wrecked Aunt Sue! We played many games of Hand and Foot and Loaded Questions, ate yummy ice cream every night, and enjoyed the antics of Sam, Mackenzie and Owen.

I'm already counting down the weeks until next year ...

More Pictures from the Lake

Cool Slideshows!

Toga Party!

Cool Slideshows!

Owen's First Birthday!

Cool Slideshows!

Happy Birthday Owen!

Owen at 4 months - love at first sight

Owen at 6.5 months - our first official visit

Owen at one! What a cutie!

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time & miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands. - Kristi Larson

Our children are not ours because they share our genes...they are ours because we have had the audacity to envision them. That, at the end of the day...or long sleepless night, is how love really works.- Unknown

One year ago today, in a small town in Kazakhstan, our future changed forever. Bob, Cearra and I had no way of knowing, but as we drove to the Jersey shore for our annual vacation our family grew with the birth of a 5 lb, 7 oz boy ... Owen.

From the moment we saw him, we knew. We knew that although at the time the pain and frustration and waiting had seemed a very crooked path, God had actually been leading us straight to Owen the entire way. I held him in my arms, and I saw in his big brown eyes and calm smile that he too knew he was our son.

I'm sure that today especially his birth mother thinks of him. I hope with all my heart that she is at peace with her decision and that she can sense he is healthy, and happy, and very, very loved. No words could ever thank her enough for the amazing gift she has given us.

And Owen is the greatest gift. He makes me laugh, he fills my heart with joy, he helps me be a better person. I love to hear him giggle, or watch him explore and learn new things. Every moment of every day I am thankful that I am his mom, that Bob is his dad, that Cearra is his sister, and that he (and we) are blessed with so many amazing friends and loving family.

One year ago today I didn't know that July 14th would be one of the most important days of our lives; today I can't believe our baby is already a year old! We want to thank you all for the support you have given us throughout Owen's first year, and we are thrilled to be able to continue to share his life with you.

We also want to wish Owen's fellow hamsters James (today too!) and Garrett (July 15th) a very happy first birthday and send our love to them and their parents!

Splish Splash

Today Owen and I visited Miss Sherry (aka GiGi) for a dip in her pool. Owen loved it, no fear or hesitation of the water, and had a great time splashing around and playing (I am just out of the frame in the picture, we did not set him on the float and send him adrift!). GiGi also gave Owen a fun birthday present - his own lawn mower - and gave him a cake and M&M's! Thanks GiGi!

We beat the heat by swimming, while Remy apparently thought the bathtub was a cool place to hang out because this is what I found when I walked in to our bathroom this morning.

Owen also wants to wish his buddy Jenna a very Happy 5th Birthday today!

So Many of My Fav People Have July Birthdays!

We were in PA again last weekend to celebrate my beloved Nana's 90th birthday! Lots of friends and family enjoyed the day, and Owen enjoyed hanging out with all his cousins (but we all missed Kris and the gang who couldn't make it in from Wisconsin).

Congratulations to Liora, Kevin, Uncle Gene and Aunt Pam on the newest member of the family - Haily Elizabeth was born on July 6th and everyone is doing great!

And of course no post is complete without a few cute pictures of Owen checking out his cool new ride (early birthday present) from Aunt Cathy and Uncle Rich; using his p.j. shirt as a pacifier; having a laugh with Daddy; and the return of scrunchy face!

P.S. Owen would like to take a moment to remind those packing for the mountains ... "No Toga, No Dinner"!

Happy Birthday Cearra!

Today our incredible daughter Cearra turns 17 ... where, oh where have the years gone? The first time I met her, she was a impish 3 year old in pink overalls and bouncing curls peering at me from behind her Daddy's legs. When Bob and I married she was a fun loving 6 year old who requested the "Macarena" at least five times at the reception and cried because she wanted to come on the honeymoon with us. Over the years we've celebrated her birthday with parties big and small; family and friends; and ice cream cake and Entenmann's raspberry twist danish (a special tradition for the three of us).

Now Cearra is a young woman of poise, grace and compassion. She is beautiful inside and out and we are so very proud of the person she has become. We know that her future is bright and we are so blessed to walk by her side through life.

Happy Birthday C - we love you so much!