Why? Well, I’m headed to the airport to pick someone up. Anyone want to guess who? We have prepared our guest bedroom so here’s a small clue.
…and since that text is super tiny, I will just tell you that the top part is in Russian and the bottom part is in Ukrainian…
Today, I’m thankful for my friends. I have tried to come up with some brilliant words to tell you how much I adore my friends, but I can’t. Everything we’ve been through in the past few years has shown me what it means to be a friend– not by my own actions, but by all of the love I’ve been shown. I’m thankful for the friends who stuck it out with me and for the friends who got to know me in the middle of all of the craziness that is my life and love me anyways!
Today, I’m thankful for all of the sweet moms who have helped me become a better parent. Who have offered advice when needed, who have encouraged me and just listened when I needed it. I’m thankful for all of the people who have told me, “that sounds hard.” “You are doing a great job.” “I’m happy to listen.” “I love your kids.” Et cetera. Just sweet wonderful that have helped me through frustration and encouraged me to be a better parent.
This blog post really challenged me today. I hope you’ll take the time to read it!
It seems appropriate that I start my 30 days of thankful with this guy, after the year we’ve had. We’ve had a rough last 2 weeks together, I won’t lie.
But, today, I went to the bathroom, leaving my 2 younger kids playing in our living room. When I got back, Gus was in the pack and play and the front door was closed. It had been opened, and the screen door closed and locked. Or so I thought. But, the screen door was not really closed and Gus went out the door. Where he could have wandered off or into the street. Or a million other places.
Fortunately, a friend was just leaving our house. She spotted him and brought him in and put him in his pack and play. I don’t know or even want to think about what would have happened if she hadn’t seen him!
So, today, I am extra thankful that Gus is here, in our house and safe. And for my friend who brought him in.
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The funny part of this story is that when I asked Lena what happened, she told me that a stranger, a man with black hair in a black shirt brought Gus into the house. I thought she had gotten him into the pack and play somehow herself, and was lying, since she knows she is not supposed to pick him up. When I realized that it was probably just my friend and text her to ask her, she apologized for not letting me know. But, most almost 5 year olds would have just told me what happened in the first place, but my girl had to make up a crazy story.
Reed had a 3 day weekend, so Aaron took a day off and we snuck off for a quick trip to Colorado.
We spent Friday in Denver.
We went to Dinosaur Ridge, where you can see some fossilized footprints.
Saturday, our friends took us to their favorite places. We didn’t really “know” these friends before this trip. Our family’s adoption stories are woven together and we have a mutual friend. After countless emails over the last year, it was great to finally get to know them in person.
The kids had so much fun together. The oldest 2 are just a few weeks apart and they really seemed to enjoy each other’s company.
Yesterday, we headed up to Pikes Peak before we went home. You can drive all the way to the top on a slightly intimidating road.
It was the perfect day. Even at the summit, it was in the high 30s. It turned out to be a bit of an adventure. Someone in our family did NOT enjoy the high altitude or the temperature.
a moose in moscow 