It's a zoo out there

Last weekend Dustin and I made the trip to Indy so see my brother, Tyler and his wife, Janna.  We had a great time!  They took us at a really neat restaurant called the Boatyard.  It was right on the water (overlooking the reservoir that provides all the water for the city of Indianapolis) and had live jazz.  We ate dinner and then went back to the house to celebrate with my annual birthday request: no cake for me...I want pumpkin pie.

On Saturday we went to the Indianapolis Zoo and had an amazing time!  It was perfect weather (60's and sunny) and the animals were all out and sooooo active.  I made a mental note to take our children to the zoo in the fall, rather than in the heat of the summer.  :)

We got to pet the sharks.  Or, really, Dustin got to pet the shark and I just got wet.  I tried to pet him but my arms were too short to reach him without ending up in the pool myself.

This little girl was tossing the ball in her hand up in the air and catching it.  This seal followed the ball over and over.  So cute!

I couldn't resist a picture of this lazy dude!

The giraffes are my FAVORITE!

Shaking off the water after he got out of the pool.

Brother and sister.  One got the beauty, one got the brains.  Which is which?!?

Tyler and Janna and our friend the Polar Bear.


I highly recommend the Indy Zoo for a great time!

In the STILL of the NIGHT

I love waking up early.  There is so much peace in being in a dark home before the sun comes up.  This morning, I stood, looking out the bay window in the kitchen from 6:30 to about 7:45.  I stood watching the sky lighten up, praying, thanking the Lord for the blessings I have in my life. 

One of the things I am so thankful for is the help we have received in preparing for taking children into our home in the next few months! 

*Friends from my Bible Study group (Thanks Rebekah Trulock, Jessica Crosby, and many other ladies!  We are truly blessed!)

* Former neighbors (Thanks, Lisa Rosier!)

* Distant cousins (Thanks Klint & Sarah Fiechter)

* A group in Bluffton known as the Salt & Light group (an AWESOME group of people with loving and Christ-like hearts!)

* Many other friends (Julie Call, Kelly McFadden, Nikki Surface, Destiny Dice, Laura Stieglitz, Jamie Bultimeier, Trent and Mandy Regier, Brenda Fiechter)

*  And many more...If I left someone out, please know it was not on purpose!  Clothes, a crib, toys, book bags, diapers, stroller, car seats, beds, bedding, furniture, games, etc, etc, etc. came piling in and we are SO grateful!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!  We could not have been prepared without each of you!  Seriously!

AND......DRUM ROLL PLEASE!.........

I BELIEVE WE PASSED OUR HOME STUDY WHEN THE SOCIAL WORKER WAS HERE YESTERDAY!  She said everything was in order and that if she had any other questions, she would call us and finish over the phone.  She thought our license should be completed by November 1st.  :)

A sincere thank you to you all!  I tip my cap to you!

Birthday Blessings

Today is my birthday!  Those of you who know me know that I LOVE birthdays!  Mine, yours, anyones!  I love celebrating special days: birthdays, holidays, any celebration, really. 

I think I get this love of special days from my mom, Ricki.  She always made our special days extra special.  Since my birthday is in October, she would bring cupcakes and apple cider to my elementary classrooms on my birthday.  Other kids brought smarties or tootsie rolls to hand out, MY mom brought yummy cupcakes with halloween themed sugar sculptures on the top.  YEP....I was spoiled!  Still am, really. 

We always got to pick something fun to do for our special day:  a movie, a trip somewhere, a nice dinner out, etc...and usually got to take a few friends too.  My mom made us feel celebrated on our birthdays!  She still does.  Today I received a box in the mail full of goodies she sent to celebrate with me.  A pair of earrings, a doxie notepad, chocolate coffee, gift cards, cards, sunflower salt and pepper shaker (I LOVE sunflowers!)and even a package of beef jerky for Dustin. 

She excells at finding special things!

I also got another fun package from my step-mom, Deb, today.  In it was a beautiful candle, cards, a gift card, and candy.  I have a sick obsession with candles so this was a perfect treat for me! 

I love that both of my Moms take the time to make sure I feel special on my special days when they can't be with me (one is in Illinois right now for work, the other in Ohio).  Both boxes made me ache with homesickness!  Sometimes I wish I lived closer to my family...I miss out on a lot being 4 hours away.

So....knowing how much I love birthdays, what do you think hubby will do to celebrate with me? 

The first year we were married, he forgot my birthday. Since he forgot, I got to pick my gift. We came home with Augie, an English Springer Spaniel.

 

The next year, he forgot.  I picked out Schotzi, our mini dachound. 

After that, he at least remembered to say Happy Birthday!

  This year, we are heading to Indianapolis to see my brother, Tyler, and sis-in-law, Janna.  I'm really looking forward to the weekend away and to spending time with D, Ty, and Janna.  I woke up this morning to a beautiful sunrise, went and got a mani-pedi, and am looking forward to time with family who are friends too.  

That is birthday enough for me!

Caught somebody snoozing...

Somebody in my house claims he doesn't like our dogs.  I think he's not telling the truth.  What do you think?

Watching football

 How do I put clean sheets on the bed when its occupied like this?!?!

A man and his dog...it's a beautiful thing!

A SINCERE and HUMBLED Thank You!

Dustin and I would like to extend a sincere and humbled thank you to all who have given us donations towards our foster children so far!  We have been blessed beyond measure with friends and family who are willing to help out.  THANK YOU!

Beauty All Around

This is my favorite time of the year; the leaves are beautiful, the weather is perfect, the humidity is down, football is on, we celebrate my birthday AND our anniversary, and the holidays are coming.  What more could a gal ask for?  I've always been moved by pretty pictures and this time of year leads to lots of those.  There are so many things to praise the Lord for right now....just look outside your window.

A few things of beauty I have found lately.