Camping one more time!

For this first weekend of Fall, our family took one last "summer" camping trip up to King's Canyon.  It was good for our family to relax together...no homework, no TV, no soccer or swim practice to hurry to...just clean air, lots of birds and deer roaming the meadow, a campfire to sit around and read further into The Magician's Nephew together.  All three of the older kids got to sleep in the motorhome (which caused LOTS of excitement on their part) while Randy and I slept in a tent with Isaiah (he still needs the confines of a pack n' play, which can't fit in the motorhome).  We managed to get a spot down in our favorite loop (the meadow), at the end of the big fallen tree.  Here's Isaac and Violet and I enjoying the sun (which felt great up in the mountains, with highs in the 70s).  There are a few more photos that include Isaiah here. I added them to our existing password protected album (same password as before).

18 months

Today Isaiah turns 18 months!  At the end of the week he'll have been with us 5 months.  I so wish that I could post pictures and vidoes of his cute little face, his gibberish talk, or his sneaky times of climbing on the table and sipping my latte (no joke)!  However, I don't wish these things so that you could see him (as much as that is true)...I wish that because of what it would mean.

It would mean that Isaiah would be a permanent part of our family.

It would mean that, according to the state of California and the United States, Isaiah would be our legal child.

It would mean that I wouldn't have to worry anymore if a blood relative is going to "pop up" and want placement and permanent custody of him.

It would mean that I could hear the phone ring and not have my heart jump out of my chest, wondering if it is the social worker calling with bad news.

It would mean I wouldn't have to constantly check in with the social worker to take him to see relatives, or drive the girls to a swim meet, or go camping outside of Fresno county.

It would mean that I wouldn't have to console my oldest daughter's fears that "they might take him away" because he fell, bumped his head and had to go to ER.

It would mean that I wouldn't have to hear my son regularly say, "I really hope we get to keep him, Mom."

It would mean that I can call him my son.

What a journey of faith we are on, this thing called fost-adopt!  As much as I want to prepare myself for the worst, I can't help but be thankful that Isaiah is in our home, right now, and give my love openly, and fully, and unreservedly to him as if this week was my last week with him.  I do love this child!  And I know, without a doubt, that he was meant to be in our home, whether for these few months or for "forever".  Thank you to those of you that have continued to pray for our family...for faith, for patience, for a quietness and calmness in our souls...as we wait on God and love Isaiah as he grows!

Happy 18 months Isaiah!

Man trip

This past weekend, Randy was joined by his friends Rod McNeely and John Schlesselman for a quick trip up north to see the Fresno State Bulldogs take on the University of Oregon Ducks in Eugene, Oregon (about a 10 hour drive).  We recently purchased a motorhome and had not yet taken it on a road trip, so the guys got to "break it in" last weekend.  From what I've heard, they had a blast!  They made it to Redding on Friday night and slept in a Walmart parking lot. They made it to the stadium with an hour to spare and enjoyed watching the game (apparently it was REALLY loud).  They tailgated a bit after the game then hit the road, sleeping in a Walmart parking lot in Medford that night.  No, Fresno State did not win.  They weren't expected to.  But they gave Oregon a run for their money and the guys had a great time "roughin' it" for the weekend while supporting their team.  

Breakfast burritos on Saturday morning!

Ready for the game...go Bulldogs!

Enjoyin' the game!

The view from their seats...not bad!

Labor Day weekend

Our family stayed in town this weekend, but still managed to pack in a whole lot of fun!  Here are a few photos we took over the weekend.

Thursday night Randy and I went to a Luis Miguel concert in town.  It was SOOO fun!  The concert was a benefit for Children's Hospital (Randy's work) and we managed to get tickets in the second row!  The atmosphere was fantastic; Luis Miguel has some crazy fans (Mexican flags waving, banners for fan clubs abounding, old and young ladies swooning, etc)!  Our ears were ringing for hours afterwards. 

Friday night we headed to watch the Grizzlies play in their final home series vs. the Tacoma Raniers.  Isaiah made it through the middle of the seventh inning before needing to head home.  We were hoping to stay for the fireworks, but life in an adjustment in progress these days and we had to remind our older kids that we need to be thankful for what we have (Isaiah in our home) rather than what we are missing out on.    

Audrey's idea of "watching" a baseball game.

Saturday morning we left our house right after breakfast to get to the Chaffee Zoo when it opened at 9.  This is the AMAZING new seal and sea lion exhibit.  We managed to beat the crowds, and were astounded at the huge line of people waiting to get in when we left at noon!  It was great to see so many people coming out to enjoy the zoo in our town!  We have a fantastic zoo (as well as Playland right across the way), and it needs our community to support it in order to thrive!

Saturday evening we went to our friends' house for a backyard campout (you can see Jane's longer post and more pictures HERE).  Our kids were wanting to camp again before the weather gets too cool and this was, again, a practice in being thankful for what we DO have (and being a bit creative), and making fun memories along the way!  Thank you Isaac family for hosting such a fun evening!  

After relaxing all day Sunday (a nap in the afternoon, as well as to bed on time), we had a whole other day to relax on Monday!  But since our kids don't do well just sitting around, we headed up the 180 to the Sierra Endangered Cat Haven for the morning (about a 45 minute drive), and packed a lunch to eat at their picnic area afterwards.  Randy had never been there (I have taken the kids twice with Mom's Group outings) and has always wanted to go see their lions.  We were not disappointed, as they were sitting right in front, on the fence!  That, at least, filled our morning, and the kids didn't complain that they were bored the rest of the day as we were able to be home for Isaiah to take a good nap and relaxed in the evening with pizza (so I didn't have to cook...moms have to get a day off too, right?), a DVD, and to bed on time again.

This week starts swimming for the girls and soccer for Isaac, so there won't be much time to "relax" in the coming months...but I do love the hustle and bustle of all the fall activities when school starts back up!  I'm sure I'll have pictures of sports stuff to post soon!  Hope everyone else is getting back in the rhythym of school and enjoyed the holiday weekend!