Let Freedom Ring

We celebrated the 4th of July in our hometown of Sacramento which included a neighborhood parade, swimming, block party complete with dunk tank, cupcake walk, watermelon eating contest, water balloon contest, seed spitting contest, neighborhood potluck and BBQ, music and of course a fireworks show.

This year was especially meaningful as it was Sofia's first 4th of July, her first American holiday and one that symbolizes so much for her. She has a brand new life here in the United States. She has a future that is bright, so much brighter than the four walls of the orphanage that she lived in just 3 weeks ago.  We are so happy to have her home now and settled into her new life...full of freedom!

More pictures to follow soon. We finally got the camera out since returning home from Ukraine a couple weeks ago!

I also promise an update on all the "goings on" since we've returned. It's been a busy couple weeks and I'm still adjusting to life with four children. We are truly blessed. The house is full and happy and lively...and sometimes crazy but it's all good.

Future Plumber

LOVE him!

Can he get any more edible? This photo was taken by a friend on her iphone so it's not the best quality but I just LOVE him and his face and his green eyes. I swear I kiss him a thousand times per day!

Sofia's First Playdate

On the same whirlwind day that the news reporter came to our house to do a quick interview on our little "star" Sofia, we rushed off to attend a music therapy playdate at a friend's house. We were so excited to see a HUGE group of friends attending the group and Sofia got to meet so many of her new girlfriends. There must have been about 10 children there (not including siblings) and all with DS and when Joaquin arrived he was the only boy (with DS) in attendance and he sure poured on the charm for everyone. Sofia was a little social butterfly and happily was passed from one mama to another and even participated in the music therapy session. I swear this little girl LOVES a crowd and enjoys all the attention! She really lights up around big groups of adoring people.

Here are a few snapshots from the morning playdate. Check out Sofia taking a ride in the big drum and Joaquin at the front of the class practicing his animal "signs".

We look forward to LOTS more of these in the future! We are so blessed to have an amazing community of families touched by DS and we (the mamas) affectionately call ourselves The Sisterhood. I love my "sisters" as if they were family. They have been an incredible support and it's just a wonderful feeling to have so many great families to experience this journey with. We hope to raise our children together and watch them grow and thrive and build friendships based on these early playdates. It's so exciting to think of all the kids when they get older. And judging by the numbers at today's playdate, Sofia will have LOTS of sleepovers and princess dress up playdates and tea parties at the park with all her "girls". And Joaquin....well, the odds are in his favor when it comes time for a homecoming date!

Joaquin Stealing the Show!

Sofia & Joaquin on TV Today

Happy 4th Anniversary to Reece's Rainbow!

Video Montage for Reece's Rainbow on their 4th Anniversary!

Get your tissues ready. This is a very powerful video. I am in awe of what Andrea at Reece's Rainbow has been able to accomplish with her adoption ministry. I am honored to be a part of it. Look for faces that you will recognize in the video (my dearest Leeza and precious Anna both still waiting for a family!). Please open your hearts and consider adoption or please continue to support other families trying to save the life of an orphan. Like Andrea said, there is no shortage of families wishing to adopt, only the funds.

Thank you so much for taking this journey with us!