More mini-golf pics

We had to have the pink ball of course!

Here are some pics of Makenna's first time mini-golfing! She spent more time kicking the golf ball like a soccer ball than using her club, but she had fun!!! It was a great night together. Just what we needed.

2 year Anniversary

Daddy & daughter

Mommy & her suddenly serious girl

Wow, time flies! Two years ago today is the day that we finalized Makenna's adoption here in WI. Technically it was re-adopting her, as we had already finalized in Ethiopia too. It was such a big day, and I was terrified I would answer something wrong and they would say no. I had never been in a court room, or spoken to a judge, so I had no idea what to expect. Little did I know that adoptions are the best part of a judge's case load. It's the only time they have something good come across their desk. So, needless to say, the proceedings went great. We were legally Makenna Aster Nelson's parents from that day forward. What a great day!





Each year we try to do something together that day, if not spend the whole day together. Well, tonight Makenna picked the Drive-Inn for supper and we went mini-golfing. It was Makenna's first time, and she loved it! She didn't get it, and cheated like crazy, but loved it none the less.





Here are some pics on our way to the Drive-Inn(including one while she is picking her nose--I told her if she didn't stop I was going to take a picture), while we were eating, and some of us together. I will add more of the mini-golf too.

DQ-Yum!

Fun at the Park

Okay, so still no news. We received an e-mail on Friday from our social worker that they had no news for us...still. But, they are hoping for more referrals, so again, we may still have hope. I am ready to settle in for the summer and resign ourselves to the wait, as it is exhausting otherwise. Anyhow, we went to the park today and although she wasn't her usual self, you would never know it by the pictures. She has been a little clingy and having some issues the last couple of days. I am sure that she knows that we are stressed, and is sort of understanding her life may change soon. She had a major meltdown on Saturday, and hasn't been the same since. So, we are trying to give her all the reassurance that she needs, and spend the time we have right now with her. She did end up having fun at the park, just needed more encouragement to do so than usual. She made it up the rock wall like a pro too. It was so cute!

The Mall-2 parents, 4 kids......they won!

Today I went to the mall with my sister, her 3 sweet kids and my cute little girl. We must be CRAZY!!! The kids are 7 months, 2, 5, 7. Now, it doesn't seem like it would be that bad right?? And, it wasn't bad, it was just hilarious! I heard my sister and I both say things that we heard our mom say when we were kids like: "stick together" "hold hands" "stop irritating your sister" "look with your eyes, not your hands" "no, we're not getting that" etc. Those are scary times, when you realize why your mom sounded like that. And, why with 4 kids at home we never went anywhere very often

Anyhow, we only managed to make it to 2 stores and lunch before calling it quits. I'm not sure who was more tired, the kids or the moms. I really started to laugh when I realized that we would be even further outnumbered when our next daughter comes home. YIKES!

But, I love my sister, my nieces and my nephew, so I would do it again tomorrow. I love getting to spend the day with them, and Makenna does too. She worships her aunt and cousins. So, one more day of waiting well spent. :)

P.S. tomorrow is another unofficial "deadline" for referral for us. Our SW mentioned maybe hearing something this Friday. We don't have our hopes up, so we'll see.

The Tough Questions Begin

Makenna is 2 1/2. Everynight we read stories before she goes to bed. She has a pile near her bed, and chooses 2-3 books to read before we pray and snuggle. EVERY night she chooses Over the Moon-an adoption tale. It's one of her favorite books (with no prompting from us, we want her to choose) and she knows the story. Because it's about adoption, we use it as a stepping stone to conversations about her adoption story. She listens, but has never asked, until tonight.....

There is a part of the story where it says the baby grew in another ladies tummy. So she asked me "me in mama Kari's tummy?" I said "no, not in mommy's tummy, but you grew in your Ethiopian mommy's tummy." "What her name mommy?" I just looked at her sweet face and tried to fight back tears. "I don't know yet baby." is all I could say and she didn't ask anymore. I don't know why, but I just wasn't prepared for the question. And, it re-inforced how much it breaks my heart to not have the answers for her. I really don't know her name. I really don't know anything, or have any of the answers to any of her questions. And, she's only 2 1/2--we've got years worth of questions to go!

We have practiced what we will say to her and have talked to her about her adoption since she came home. But, it so much harder than I expected it to be now that she is starting to really understand. I am overwhelmed and am feeling so many emotions. Ugh!

Daisy Daze-Part 2

Okay, so I could only get 5 on the first one so here are some more.