i'm back.

Hopefully I'm here to stay.  I have missed sitting down to discuss happenings and also share more of our adoption journey.  Life has just been a little busier than I like.  You know, packing up our entire belongings and moving from one coast almost to the other.  Not exactly my idea of fun when it's right about 100 degrees.  We survived, nonetheless, and had lots of fun along the way.  

Buddy was a huge help.  Kevin let him take over driving the truck occasionally so he could take a nap.  Who knew a little guy who dreams of driving an excavator would take to truck driving so quickly? 

We all made the 40-something hour drive from Virginia, including a two-week stop in Oklahoma to visit family.  Many of them hadn't met Sweet P yet!  She got to meet all but two of her older cousins on Kevin's side.  My sister's girls are below:

 Buddy with his favorite Uncle M:

I failed miserably to document our time with family in pictures.  Hopefully some of you can fill in the gaps, especially K's sisters.  My deepest apologies.  We had such a wonderful time home and I'm sad to have minimal pictures!

Along the drive, I had a lucky bag of new toys and books to give the kiddos.  Most were given by wonderful friends in Virginia, many who know how painful a drive that long can be with kids along for the ride.  It was a great blessing and I hope to pass on the favor when friends move.  

I still cannot figure out why all of a sudden one day in the car, Sweet P decides instead of asking for a snack, she'll eat the corners of a handful of books.  Delightful.  ...and it's all that more impressive since she's missing one front tooth and generally gnaws things with her chompers.  

Now we are all settling into life here in Nevada nicely.  Love it.  Despite the intense heat every single day since arrival, I don't know what it is about the desert landscape that has me.  Maybe it's the mountains.  I mean, the last time I was in Las Vegas I was plunked down on the Strip for a month while K was here for work.  I had no kids and had the luxury of tagging along for an entire month with no schedule and no obligations.  It was a blast!  My parents were in Vegas for a week convention - and might I add they were upgraded to a penthouse suite at the Mandalay Bay... but I digress.  


I had no idea there were mountains in Las Vegas!  It was a huge delight to drive into the city and see mountains surrounding the entire valley!  When you are down on the Strip, you are unaware of the incredible beauty that surrounds you.  Unfortunately, any great view is blocked by skyscrapers and billboards I'd rather my children not see.  

One of the best parts about our home here is the view out back.  We can sit out on our patio and have a gorgeous view of the sun setting over the mountains.  I can't wait for it to cool off so I can sit out there in the evenings and enjoy the Lord's handiwork.  It is meant to be relished.  


So, I will do my best now that the boxes are all unpacked to grab another cup of coffee and get back up to speed on things you'd overhear at our table.  Blessings, angela