What's a Pirates Favorite Letter?

Arrrrrr

Some pirates invaded our house over the summer.  Many an afternoon was spent outside hoisting sails, dropping anchors, and walking the plank on the playhouse and treasure hunting all over the yard.

One pirate was only up for one photo.

Moving into the house brought a few chores.  I needed the kitchen rugs scrubbed and it took some persuading to get the boys into their swim trunks and into the water and bubbles - but once they started, it was hard to get them to quit.

Here is Brok showing them how it's done

and Westley wetting them down.

Christian and Harve working together.

Having fun Harve?

Westley couldn't get enough!

This week is Spring Bread - the weather is so good - we'll have to repeat this activity!

Just a little off the top

After 6 1/2 years we finally found a great barber.  We've found some good ones, but their hours are irratic - but we found Mr. Freeman who has been barbering for 25 years and has regular barbers hours and he is fast and does good work - and bonus- he's only a few miles away.

When I took the boys in the first time he was finishing up a flat top on someone and my heart soared.  Then when he  put his hand on top of Christian's head to use the clippers I became his newest repeat customer.

He always jokes that when he gets done with Christian's hair he's going to have to sharpen his clippers because his hair is so thick.

Harve likes gettting his hair cut about every other time - so we brought a book to keep him occupied.  It seems that Mr. Freeman likes the movie Car's too.

Because Christmas isn't busy enough.....

My new friend Brandie needed her wedding dress altered for a summer wedding and asked if I could do it.  She asked Labor Day weekend.  Of course I said sure.  Then the wedding day changed to December 28th.  So, from Thanksgiving 'til nearly Christmas the wedding dress transformation took place. I wish I had a couple more pictures - like with Brandie in the dress -  but I don't so here are the ones I have.

This is a picture of the front before the alteration.  The dress fit great except that it was made for a bustier woman.  She found it at a Salvation Army store in Nebraska for a killer of a price.

I wish I would have remembered to take a picture before this one.  First I took ALL of the lace and beads off the front of the dress.  They sewed them on as though no one would ever take them off - because after all, who would have guessed that the groom would stand the bride up at the alter.  So, it took a while to get that all off and then I forgot to take the picture - but there is the picture when I got the lace back on.

Here it is partially done

I was able to place the lace like a jig saw puzzle back on and sew it with the machine - then the beads and sparkle went back on by hand.

Here is a close up of the front when it was finished.

Here is the back when it was done.  It was too low, so I inserted this new piece.

Brandie's mom couldn't tell that it was altered (except that now it fit her) - so I figured I must've got it right.  It went out the door on December 22nd and then Charles and I got Christmas together.  Whew!

Time Marches Forward

Yes, time wait for no one. Lots has happened since December.  I'll start with the most exciting.  Our adoption was finalized on February 22nd!!!!!  Here are some photos to commemorate that occasion.

Here we are waiting for the hearing to start.  Harve got to test the microphone. 

Charles and I, Laura, Brok, Westley, Christian, Harve, and Audrey drove over the night before.  Grandpa and Grandma Gladden came to the hearing with us (Grandma is taking pictures) and the kids Guardian ad Litum Therese Yanan came, Sue Mills from CYFD and I'm sorry to say I can't remember the nice woman she brought with her also from CYFD. 

Here is our nice attorney Patricia Simpson.  She and her assistant put everything together and represented us well.  Patricia made double-triple-quadruple sure that we understood what we are getting ourselves into and reminded us of our age.  Thanks a lot! (tee-hee)

Nancy promising to tell the truth

Signing the document at 2:40 p.m.

Charles taking the oath with Audrey's help and Westley in the background

Charles signing with Christian looking on at 2:43 p.m.

Judge Karen Townsend coming to congratulate the kids and us.  Judge Townsend had the difficult task of removing the kids from their original home and overseeing and ruling at all of the hearings leading up to this moment.  The adoption hearing is the moment that makes the process worth it - seeing a good resolution.

Congratulations Christian - you have a family that loves you and will take care of you and your brother and sister forever.

Here we all are with Therese Yanan, Judge Townsend and Grandpa and Grandma

Ms. Simpson was kind enough to take the picture

After we received the copies of the adoption decree, we went to the CYFD building and they had a candle lighting ceremony for the kids.  Laura was the appointed pyro which made her happy.  It was a nice ceremony honoring the kids, their birth parents, all who have cared for them and helped them through their journey and our new family.

Another picture of the group of us and then cake and juice for everyone!

Everyone that was in the office that had anything to do with the kids came and celebrated with us.

Those who drove them to and from appointments,

those who did paperwork,

those who walked us through the hearings and meetings,

anyone that knew the kids in any way - it was great to meet them all.

Some couldn't attend because they were out of the office.

How do you thank everyone who helped in any way - we have no way of knowing who you are. 

The few that we do - THANK YOU! 

Thank you Deb Yost, Terese, Judge Townsend, Patricia Simpson, Sue Mills and your intern, Brandin, Pam Bent and Ernest, and truly to everyone else in New Mexico that helped in any way.

No words can express our gratitude to Grandpa and Grandma Gladden, Vernon and Rosemil, JoGina, and the support of both the Bott and Gladden families.

As for Colorado - Thank you to Joni Bedell, Sarah Hall and Debra Mapp and to all the class teachers!

Well, that makes it official- One great big HAPPY family.

Oh, and the mailman - and yes he was a man in this case - just dropped off the new birth certificates. Hooray for us!