Happy 3rd Birthday Marcus!!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Marcus, Happy Birthday to you!!! We are celebrating Marcus' 3rd Birthday today. We had a farm-themed party last Friday with some of Marcus' new friends. We had so much fun. We played games, ate burgers and hot dogs, had yummy cake and ice cream! Marcus is very blessed with a lot of great friends here in Kansas. To check out the fun, here is link to an on-line album of pictures

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=501033118703%3A1041603706

Today, we headed out to Target for Marcus to pick out a new tricycle! He also picked out a cool new helmet and some new "race cars" (his new fascination thanks to the movie Cars)! Any car with a spoiler on it is a "race car"-- no matter what it looks like! It's so funny to be walking through a parking lot and hear him yell "race car" only to see an early 1990s Pontiac sedan with a spoiler on the back! We had a fun birthday lunch at Longhorn Steak House. Our waitress Renee was great. She doted on Marcus the entire meal after he told her it was his birthday. She brought him a cool twisty straw, a little trophy with a birthday sticker and the best part was the hot fudge sundae with 3 cherries for his 3rd birthday.

He's had so many phone calls from family and friends. Any time the phone rings he asks, "For me?" What a lucky little boy to have so many people who love him!

Happy Birthday Marcus! We love you so much and can't wait to celebrate lots and lots of birthdays with you!

Great news!

We received word and official paperwork that our Finalization Hearing for Marcus' adoption will be November 2! We are so excited that our request to shorten the wait time was approved and that we could get a court date so fast.

Marcus and I leave on Wednesday the 14th to head to S.C. for a visit. We are just going to stay around until November 3! Bryant will fly out on Oct 30 to celebrate Halloween with us and be there for the hearing. We'll all get to fly home together!

It's hard to believe that a year ago at this time, we were waiting to get our home study approval! Now we are about to officially in the eyes of the court have Marcus as our son -- of course, we don't need a court to tell us that!

We appreciate all the support, prayers, and love that everyone has given to us through this process. We certainly have learned a lot and hope that some day we can help another family navigate "the system" that is so complicated! We know every obstacle and delay was worth it when we look in Marcus' sweet smiling face. I guess that was our pregnancy, labor and delivery -- just took over 18 months!

We celebrated Marcus' 3rd birthday on Friday night. I'll wait to post some info and pictures about that on his actual birthday on Monday!

Fun at the Farm

On Saturday, we visited the Red Barn Farm in Weston, MO. What a fun day!! It was overcast and a bit chilly (especially when the wind would blow), but we still had a great time. Marcus was so excited to go to a real farm with animals and tractors!! Look out Grandpa Lee -- you may have a farming apprentice on your hands!

We took a fun tractor-pulled hayride out to the pumpkin patch where we were able to pick out the perfect pumpkins for our front steps! We picked out 3 -- one for each of us! Then we visited the animals -- chickens, turkeys, goats, miniature horses! Marcus even got to pet one of the tiny horses on the back.

We had so much fun that we know we will go back for another visit! Next time we'll take the horse-drawn hayride to explore into the woods! Should be fun. Check out our pictures at http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=3kgkaqjj.5z7rtmtj&x=0&h=1&y=ruwg7n&localeid=en_US

Where has September gone?

Somehow, August flew right past us and now September is almost gone too! We have had a busy start to the fall like so many of our friends and family. Bryant's schools are keeping him busy, Marcus is enjoying playtime with friends and the weather for playing outside, and I am keeping busy keeping up with Marcus and Bryant!

Last Friday, Sept 18, Bryant had his right knee "scoped" again. This time the doctor cleaned up some damage behind his knee cap from arthritis and repaired a "leak" that was creating a cyst. He told us that Bryant really shouldn't run any more -- ever. Then he laughed and said "I realize that I am talking to a Marine!" He'll do some physical therapy and then can start cross-training -- running only when mandatory! The procedure went well, and the staff at the Munson Health Center at Fort Leavenworth were great. Bryant even made it home about 5 hours soon than he did last time. Marcus has been Daddy's "big helper" -- bringing him things and following him around the house.

I started playing handbells with the choir at church a couple of weeks ago. I have surprised myself at how I picked back up with it after 10 years away. It's a lot of fun, and I am enjoying getting to know my fellow "ringers."

Marcus and I have enjoyed story-time each week at the Leavenworth Public Library. We have heard some fun stories and have made some neat crafts! Next week we will learn about wagon trains!

We are in full birthday planning mode too! Marcus turns 3 on October 12! We are planning a farm-themed cookout/birthday party with some of our new friends here in Kansas. I am trying hard not to go overboard with the planning! It's so hard because I keep finding so many cute things! Bryant is keeping me under control.

Hard to believe summer is behind us and fall is making it's way in. The leaves here are changing and there is a nip in the air at night. We are enjoying our first "real" fall in 3 years! Looking forward to fun fall activities and the holidays that won't be far behind!

Back Among the "Living"

Finally, after what seemed much longer than 4 months, we have internet access at our home! Yeah! I'm finally catching up on some neglected correspondence and updating our blog. We truly feel like we are back among the living! Having internet at the home has also allowed Bryant to be home more. He can do more homework and research from here now and not have to spend time at the library or at school. It is great to have him home (even when he is holed-up in his office)!

Lots has happened in the past month since I last posted! Marcus is still adjusting perfectly. Just a few typical toddler moments, but those truly are short lived. Thank goodness for a short attention span and being easily diverted by something fun!

We had a lot of fun in August when Nana Roe (Bryant's mom) and Uncle Kevin came to visit! Marcus had so much fun playing with them and showing them around his new house and town. We even went to the Leavenworth County Fair (I will post pictures of that soon). It is a true, rural, small county fair -- the best kind! Marcus had a blast! He loved seeing the animals and getting so close to them. He had a hot dog for dinner (one of his favorite meals!). He rode lots of rides (including one that made Mommy very nervous). He finished off the night with a bowl of chocolate ice cream! That same weekend, we went to a cookout for Daddy's small group at school. The best part was Marcus got to feed some horses and go fishing. He even saw a skunk (which he insists was blue)! We had such fun with Nana Roe and Uncle Kevin. Can't wait for them to come back and to bring Papa Lee with them.

Marcus has had fun making new friends. Nathan lives next door. Zach lives at Fort Leavenworth and his Daddy went to the Citadel with Bryant. Will lives up the road and is a fellow USMC kid! His Mom and Dad and big brother Trae are friends of ours from Quantico and Camp Pendleton. Marcus has meet sisters named Grace and Caroline (not to be confused with his cousins Gracen and Caroline)! Their mom Miss Sydney is one of Marcus' favorite people (we are pretty sure it's the M&Ms she gives him!) All in all, he is surrounded by a bunch of fun new friends!

On the horizon, we have First City Festival here in Leavenworth this weekend. We'll be helping with the booth that our church is sponsoring and looking forward to exploring downtown a bit more. Next Friday, Sept 18, Bryant will have surgery on his knee. . . AGAIN! Yes for those paying attention, he had his knee scoped back in January. They are going back in and hopefully finding out what is causing pain and swelling (and fixing it!) In October, we are planning a 3rd birthday party for Marcus (he turns 3 on October 12!). Then Marcus and I will be taking a trip to SC for a visit -- our first trip on an airplane just the 2 of us!

I am amazed each night as we put Marcus to bed at how much I can love someone! He brings us so much joy. I tell people we are "over the moon" in love with him and we truly are!

2 + 1 = Family!!

I can not believe it's been 3 weeks and 3 days since we received that phone call to say we could bring Marcus home! It feels like we have been a family forever!!

My Mom, Marcus, and I arrived in Kansas the evening of Saturday July 18 in time for dinner with Bryant. Marcus was a champ on the long 2-day car trip (975 miles give or take!) My Mom was a huge help both on the ride and getting settled in the first couple of days home. She had to head back to SC on July 21st for the Elliott Family Beach Trip! (we hope to join them for that trip next summer!)

Our new church family at First Presbyterian in Leavenworth has been such a blessing. We are amazed at the number of families there who have adopted children! There are several kids in the church who are adopted and they all get so excited each Sunday to see Marcus. Today was a BIG milestone because Marcus stayed in the toddler nursery rather than staying with us for the service. He had fun playing and is really getting comfortable with the new friends he is meeting.

Marcus loves to go fishing with Daddy! Really anything outside makes him happy -- blowing bubbles, playing in the sprinkler, going to the park, etc., etc. He has a great new wagon that he loves to ride in too.

We are already in a nice routine, and so far Bryant's work schedule has allowed him to be home a good bit. One of my favorite times of day is when Bryant gets home. There is nothing like hearing Marcus squeal "Daddy" as his laughs and giggles and runs to the top of the stairs!

I could write a novel on the past 3 weeks! I will hold off and update with more stories soon. There are 2 bits of good news I will share before closing. First, we received some critical paperwork last week from the Adoptions Office in SC. Our attorney there should be able to file our complaint for adoption in the coming weeks. Then we will be closer to finalizing the adoption. Second, we may finally get internet service at the house!! Yeah! Time Warner has finally decided that they can run the lines across one street to get service to the rest of the neighborhood! Maybe by the end of September. That will make blogging easier! :)

Life is GOOD! No really, it's GREAT, AMAZING, PERFECT!! Marcus is adjusting really well to his new home and family. Bryant and I feel like we are complete (at least for now!!) :) To check out some pictures, go to http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=3kgkaqjj.cgqgylxz&x=0&y=dk0s0w&localeid=en_US&cm_mmc=site_email-_-site_share-_-core-_-view_photos_button. Or you can click the title to this post entry.

We got THE CALL!!!

Finally!! After 14 months of "home study" work and 7 months of waiting since being officially "selected", we finally got "the call" that we can bring Marcus home to Kansas! YEAH!!! Yes, that loud scream you heard around 3:00 pm eastern time was me getting the call!

Needless to say this afternoon has been quite busy as we made phone calls, sent emails, and tried to spread the word. Plus I was busy packing up to get ready to make the long drive to Kansas. Thank goodness my Dad is the world's best car packer because he was able to get everything in my trunk and leave the backseat open for things we will need to travel and things we pick up with Marcus. Most of his toys and clothes we had already packed up. His foster mom Peggy had done that for us and it was a huge help!

On Friday, my Mom, Marcus and I will being the 974 mile trip from South Carolina to Kansas. We hope we can make it there by Saturday night-- our goal for the first day is to make it at least to Clarksville, TN. We have lots of new movies and music CDs as well as some new books and toys to entertain Marcus. Thank goodness he is a good rider and he sleeps well in his new car seat!

We will keep you all posted as we begin this next amazing chapter in our lives. After 4 years, we can hardly believe we are finally growing from 2 to 3! We are so blessed and so excited!

Thank you all for your prayers and support! Keep them coming as the next few months will be filled with new opportunities and growth as we bond as a family!