Helen Keller's birthplace

Logan was out of school on Monday.  We took advantage of this vacation day to do something educational.  We headed to Tuscumbia to Helen Keller's birthplace.  Logan really enjoyed our trip.

 Bucky is the class mascot.  It was Logan's weekend to have Bucky, so we thought it would be good to take him along on this adventure.  Logan and Bucky are standing in front of the well where Helen learned her first word, water.

 Logan is on the front porch of the house where Helen was born and the house behind him is the one she grew up in.

 Though most of the family land was sold off long ago, there was still some beautiful land where Logan enjoyed racing me up and down the trail.  We really enjoyed our trip and were so glad CiCi was able to join us!

Adoption Fundraiser Necklaces

Our second order of adoption fundraiser necklaces and bracelets have arrived.  They are $24 with $12 going to our adoption.  Let me know if you would like one.  Thanks for supporting our adoption!

While we wait

We are now in the waiting phase.  Our dossier has been in the Ukraine for 1 week now.  It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to receive an invitation to travel to Ukraine.  Since we will be in the Ukraine for 60 days I am using this waiting period to strategize our packing.  We will most likely travel to multiple cities while in Ukraine by train or plane.  We will need to pack "light".  Light is probably a laughable word when you factor in all the extra food for the children, cochlear implant accessories, gait trainers, strollers, voltage adaptors, gifts for Ukrainian workers, etc.  I have started using Karis' room as a packing staging area.  I figure it is better to start this monumental task now than to be rushed at the end.

While we are gone we will need some help with the house: mail and lawn.  If you are interested in helping please click on the link and sign up.

Easter bunny and egg hunt at Nathan and Owen's school

Nathan and Owen received a visit from the Easter bunny today at school.

After the big visit they went on a hunt around the school looking for the Easter bunny again.  At that time Logan, who is off for Good Friday, and I got to hide the class Easters eggs for all the boys and girls to find.  We had so much fun!

Weekend with the Watts

This weekend we headed to Enterprise for a great weekend with the Watts Family.  We enjoyed playing together all day Saturday at their house.  After the three youngest woke up from their naps we had an Easter Egg Hunt in the backyard.  Each child was given a color of eggs to collect.  They did a great job.

Dossier in Ukraine

Just 5 months and 3 days ago we submitted our application for adoption.  Initially we thought it would take us about 18 months so we were shooting for summer of 2015.  We really wanted to go over a summer (for the boys schooling and Preston's job) since we need to be there for 60 days.  At our first meeting with our social workers we learned that Ukraine can move more quickly since the matching process takes place in country and all the post matching paperwork will take place there.  They told us of a couple who just completed the process in 8 months...a little more quickly than normal.  We decided to hit the ground running and see if we could complete everything to send our dossier to Ukraine to travel by this summer.  We had several nights staying up really late working on tons of paperwork and going through the hours and hours of education.  I am excited to say that today  we sent our dossier to the Ukraine.  Now we just wait for the Ukraine to send us a travel date.  The date should be for some time this summer.  We are really excited!

Bowling Adoption Fundraiser Pictures

Here are some pictures from the bowling adoption fundraiser!  We all had a great time.  Thanks so much to everyone who came out in support of our adoption.

Our dossier was apostilled today.  This means it was sent to the State of Alabama for their special seal.  The dossier will return to our adoption agency tomorrow and then will be sent to the Ukraine very soon!  We will definitely let you know when it is sent.  Our family is so excited to be so close to the end of our adoption process.  

Photography Fundraiser

My cousin, Daniel Frei, is an amazing landscape photographer.  He very graciously offered to have an adoption fundraiser for us.  By ordering one of his amazing photos, you can support us.  80% of the proceeds of each sale using the coupon code, "Hite" will go directly to support our adoption.  Check out his website, http://www.danfrei.com/michigan-fine-art-photography-galleries.  You will not be disappointed.

The 2nd half of Spring Break

After returning from our trip to New York we headed to Auburn the next morning for a conference Preston was attending.  As soon as he finished with his afternoon sessions we headed to Atlanta in anticipation of this arrival.

 Everyone loved meeting Hosanna.  Logan said it was the best part of his entire spring break!

For lunch Friday we ate at Toomer's Corner.  All the boys tried the lemon aid.  Owen loved it.  We bought a gallon to bring home for him.  He has been enjoying some every day.

                                      

 We all enjoyed walking around campus together one evening.  We were even able to go into my old dorm.

 We were able to find a hotel with an indoor pool.  We enjoyed swimming together while Preston was in meetings.

So, this picture did not happen during spring break but I thought it was cute and wanted to include it. Nathan loves writing his name so much.

Adoption Fundraiser Necklaces

As one of our adoption fundraisers we are selling these beautiful handmade pottery necklaces.  Each necklace is $24.00 and 50% of the sale goes directly to our adoption.  Each necklace has scripture on the back.  Please contact me if you are interested.  We always appreciate your support of our adoption.  We are so excited we are getting so close!

One big step closer

Today we received our approval from the United States government to adopt an orphan.  This completes our dossier.  Our dossier will now be sent to the State of Alabama for a final seal and then it will be sent to the Ukraine for translation and submittal.  We are really excited!