The Journey of a Lifetime
Ryan and I have decided to pursue our forth adoption and add another beautiful baby to our family. We couldn't be happier and are thrilled! Join us in our journey in adopting baby Schlenner!
....................................One wiggly tooth.................................
Last night after Jocelyn and I went to Kindergarten Round-up at HRS she decided it was time to pull out the very wiggly tooth! She was nervous...but determined that it was coming out!!! Either that or swallow it in her sleep.
Mommy was the one to win over her trust and was able to pull out the tiny little tooth!!!! This morning the Tooth Fairy come and graced her presence with fairy glitter, $1.00, and a gift!! The very first tooth is very special!! So of course, the tooth fairy bring a gift!
March Update: We were not matched with a referral for the month of March. The monthly matching was on March 21st from the China WIC "shared list." Our adoption specialist did not find a match for us that "fit" our family. More waiting.... Our adoption agency will only place children atleast 12 months younger than the youngest child in a home. We are waiting for a baby that is atleast 12 months younger than Ahnya with some minor correctable/special needs. For now, we wait for the middle of April to roll around with another round of matching. Hopefully, April will be the month! Until then we pray that God will bless us with a baby when the time is right. I ask for your continued prayers.
The Schlenner Family has a new lake home!! Grandpa Bob and Grandma Peg have decided to upgrade and get a bigger lake home to fit all the grandkids. So, good bye Minnewaska...hello Lake Reno!!!!! On Friday, April 1st we move into this beautiful 4+ bedroom log home on Lake Reno.
We can't wait for the warm spring weather to furry up and get here!
Today is Gabriella's Gotch'a Day Celebration!!!! Seven years ago today Ryan and I pledged to the Orenburg Court in Russia that we would be Gabriella Yulia Hopes parents and forever love and care for her! We went to the baby orphanage where Gabriella lived for 11 months and took her out of there as quickly as we could. It was one of the best days of our lives and forever changed our lives!!!!!!!!!!! Gabriella was 11 months old and 11 pounds when we left the orphanage. Tiny, sick, malnourished, and very weak.
Gotch'a Days are BIG events in our house. Almost bigger than a birthday!!!!!!!!!! The morning begins with breakfast in bed and stories of her Gotch'a Day. Then I prepare a cultural Russian meal for dinner, and we wrap the night up with videos of our travels to Russia.
Happy Gotch'a Day Gabriella! We so happy we Gotch'a!!!We love you!
Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone! Today the two big girls had a mini violin recital at the MAFAC Center! They did amazing!!! Gabriella and Jocelyn were sooooooooo proud standing in front of the audience...I think they amazed themselves that they sounded that good!!! When Gabriella was done with her piece I saw her wipe tears out of her eyes! She loved it. Jocelyn did too, but she takes it to another level. Jocelyn is very serious when she plays and gets into her music....very centered and pure concentration! It looked as though when she was playing that she was the only one in the room!
Here's Jocelyn and Gabriella with their music teacher Mrs. Diane Wright. I am so proud of them!
I've had some friends ask me lately, "what's happening with the baby news!" While I really love the thought of news and talking about potential news-I have NOTHING to share!!!!!! You'd think after three adoptions under my belt I'd be really good at waiting! Well, I'm not! My patience level in this waiting game just stinks! If God is trying to teach me patience and stress management through all this...I don't think it's working!
The next round of "matching" is middle of March. I'm not sure if that's March 14th or March 21st. We will know one of those days if we are matched with a baby from China. If we do not receive a referral middle of March, then we wait until the middle of April, or middle May, etc. Each month brings us closer, meanwhile, I go a little crazier!
I don't "feel" like this is the month for a referral for us. I am a very faithful person and I believe we will get a referral for us WHEN the time is exactly right. So when it happens-it happens! Doesn't make it any easier...I just know that above all else I need to follow His plan. Praying that we receive "the call" for our baby soon.
On Thursday, March 3rd the girls and I, along with our besties Terese, Ella and Annie, joined us on a road trip to Disney on Ice at the Target Center in Minneapolis! It was a super fun day and all the girls enjoyed the performance.
We took a community ed. charter bus and the girls just loved it!!! Jocelyn and Annie had a blast on the bus. I think their favorite part was having a bathroom on the bus!!!! They visited the bathroom atleast a 1/2 dozen times EACH!
Gabriella and Ella also enjoyed the trip and the bus ride was a highlight of the trip! Thanks for a very memorable adventure Bournes!!!! Disney on Ice was fantastic and we loved sharing the experience with our friends!!!!!!
