Fake Birthday

Last Friday was my fake birthday. It's a real thing- a fake birthday. It is celebrated every year in our house on September 13th. When we were first dating Adam would pretend that he thought that was my birthday. I thought it was a joke -but then he actually celebrated it. I thought he was proposing the first time he celebrated it...I ended up with a fishing pole instead of a diamond. Every year we celebrate my fake birthday with doing fun things that are hobbies or interests of Adam's. It is always a good time.

This year was very fun! Here are some pictures of the day.

First we got a massage. It was so wonderful.

 Adam's grandparents bought all the grandkids a fence post at a local playground when he was younger. We found it!

 This is blurry :/ but we went to the shooting range. This was a blast!

 Apparently I'm a natural at this...

 Hoping this means an intruder wouldn't do us much damage...

 Of course we went to Adam's  my favorite restaurant. Buffalo Wild Wings.

I did get one of my all time favorite cupcakes from Camicakes. 

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 We went out on a canoe ride at sunset. My handsome, blurry chauffeur. 

 We went to an island with a bunch of birds in trees...to use my new BB Gun. Oops. Haha.

 It was such a pretty night.

 I'm pretty hard core with my BB Gun. Please laugh at this and don't think this was supposed to be a good picture of me.

As you can see- my fake birthday is a big deal. I won't complain about extra time with Adam and extra birthday celebration. I'm so thankful for such a creative, and fun husband.

Praise

Just a quick update.
The courts are back in business again in Uganda. Praise the Lord. It didn't take long at all! Our last thing of paperwork is still in process, but hopefully by the time it's done at the end of September- we will be able to quickly get a court date and travel.
Please continue to pray for all of the officials that we will interact with- that we will find favor in their eyes. Pray that our tickets will miraculously be cheap- buying international plane tickets last minute is costly but that's the only way it can be done. Pray that Jonathan will be loved on well by his care takers until we get there. Also that he will stay healthy. Pray for our preparations as we get ready to become a family of 5!
We are getting immunizations for the boys next week. Pray that they react well, and cooperate at the doctors office. Shots are never fun...
I'm almost giddy because the time is so near to go meet our little boy!! Thanks for carrying our journey in prayer, and for caring for us so well.

Goodbye Summer

Well...summer is gone. We had our Breakaway retreat with the Senior High students this labor day weekend. That is always the last big thing before "normal" life in the Fall starts. I've come to learn that "normal" in student ministry is always chaotic.
Matthew started school the Wednesday after we got back from Breakaway.

3 YR VPK

Handsome guy

Opening a letter from his teachers on the first day of school. We went to our favorite pancake place for breakfast.

He loves his daddy!

That smile...

How is our first baby getting so big?!

You can see the blue blur of Matthew's backpack on the left. He was so excited to be at school he didn't even care to say goodbye. 

Headed straight for his cubby

He bothered to look at me for one picture before he ran off to play.

Since Adam had been really busy with summer things and the retreat he took Thursday off and took us to the zoo. We had a great time as a family. The good thing about summer being over when you have little kids is that summer really doesn't end. Glad our schedule is still so flexible.

My sweet boys

Those eyes. Ugh.

Happy to be riding the train. Handsome dudes!

He doesn't wear a hat usually- I was so happy he kept it on for a few minutes.

We got the see the penguins be fed. 

Stole a kiss

Rode the carousel many times. I was very dizzy...

Got to feed the giraffes!

Licking Adam's leg. Haha

Pretty sure these were my favorite!

Got a family picture! *miracle*

Being giraffes. We also have the perfect photo bomb!

Got to pet the sting rays...well Adam and I were the only ones brave enough.

A squirrel came VERY close to me!

Second best part of the day. The elephants were drinking, splashing themselves, and making mud.

Flowers that Matthew picked for me...from the zoo. Oops.

Too much party for this one.

So now we are into the "fall" I guess. School is started. Weather is still as blazing hot as every in Florida though. We are hoping to go pick up Jonathan this fall. There are some issues with court right now so pray that all of that will be settled quickly so we can have a court date scheduled when all of our paperwork is finished at the end of September. We have sent away our Dossier!! (all the papers below) We are waiting on approval for the last form we sent away last week and then we will be cleared to go as soon as Uganda will have us. So excited to meet our little man!!!