Like I said before, I have a lot to blog about. I've been keeping a list of things on my iPod I didn't want to forget to mention. It's getting a little long so it will most likely end up as two posts. I'll start with the pictures though and go from there.
First of all, we had a fun visit with some old friends a month or so ago. This family used to live close by and I fell in love with them. CaMarie and I were visiting teaching partners and I had her identical twin girls for Activity Days. For anyone that doesn't know, that's a program for the girls ages 8-11. We met twice a month and did fun activities together. It took me awhile to be able to tell Anna and Emily apart, but pretty soon I could...even when they weren't together. :) Anyway, they now live in PA but were here for a visit so we stopped by. It was SO good to see them! Anna and Emily were very excited to meet Ira. Their next younger sister, Mikela, is a week younger than Ira so that was pretty cool too. What dear people they are!
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| Mikela, Emily, Ira, Anna, CaMarie, me, Little One |
Next, on to birthdays! As I mentioned before, mine is first. Most of the pictures are of Ira's birthday, but I had to include one of mine and my brother's as well. :)
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| Me and Little One with my present from my brother |
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| My brother opening the one from the girls and I |
One day this last week I found Little One like this when she was supposed to be getting ready for the day. LOL Usually Ira wakes up and gets ready and then I get Little One up and we do our devotional before Ira heads to the bus. Then Little One gets ready and we start school with her before I have to get Ira from the Jr. High. I guess she was a bit sleepy still.
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| Sleepy Little One |
Next was the homecoming of a friend! Debbie is one of the few people I got to know before the hosting program started. We sat by each other once for one of our pre-hosting meetings and we hit it off really well. We talked to each other a lot before the kids arrived and then again while we were getting paperwork all underway. It was fun to follow her blog as she was getting her two new kids. Like when Stephanie came home (oh yeah...haven't blogged about that yet. I'll do that in my next post) I missed Debbie and the kids actually coming out, but at least I had my camera this time so I still snapped a couple. Not good ones, mind you though. Welcome Home, Debbie and family!!!!!!
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| Illia and Lydia with Pasha (yellow shirt - Kassing's boy) |
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| A few of us at the airport. Ira refusing to smile as usual.... |
And then...last Sunday was Ira's 13th birthday. We prefer to do birthdays fairly low-key. I figure they can have a party at 8, 12 and 16. Other than that, Mom makes the dinner and dessert of choice and we have a nice visit. Presents too, of course though. :) Draney's came over too, which was super nice. They got her an Amazon gift card. We haven't shopped for what she wants yet though. :)
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| First, she got some earrings and a super soft, fuzzy blanket |
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| Little One got her a cute thing to put earrings on and another pair of earrings |
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| My brother got her a deck of magic cards |
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| My parents got her a "poofy" pillow and her own barbie. She's been complaining her pillow is too flat. LOL |
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| Little One, Lexi and Ira putting earrings on her holder |
Then, on Wednesday it was Mom's birthday as well. She's pretty birthday-ed out by then though, so no pictures. :) 4 birthdays in one week. Actually, we just added one more. Patrice had her baby this morning so now we've got 5 in 12 days. :) By the way, for anyone that doesn't know, Patrice is my very good friend. We've been friends for 11 years now and they do all kind of family things with us. I used to watch Lexi, her oldest, as a baby and then Mom watched her too, becoming super close with them as well. They are now adopted family. :)
