Out and about

With foster baby with us, I was afraid that Samuel wouldn't be able to get out and about as much this summer. Thankfully, it has worked out so far. We just avoid the heat and try to do things outside when she is on visits to her family. She's had at least three visits a week, which I know is good for her and her parents, but it has kept us busy. Sometimes I just take her, sometimes her worker picks her up and sometimes I take her and stay to supervise the visit. Sometimes the visits are scheduled last minute so it makes having plans a bit interesting, but we're figuring it out.

Sam spent last Saturday on Smithville lake with my parents and their family. He was pretty proud that he drove the boat!


Sunday night we went to the zoo. It had special hours for "members" (yep, we're card carrying members of the zoo) and we were loving the cooler evening. It normally closes at 4:30 or 5... another reason why I'm not a fan of the KC Zoo. Highlights of the night for Samuel included riding the train, dancing with Bella and riding a camel with her and Vanessa.


I can't decide if Samuel and Bella's moves or Jimmy's make me laugh more...

My son, the photog

Samuel loves the camera. For Christmas he got one of the "kid" ones, but it didn't take long for him to realize that it isn't near as much fun as using mine. I see great improvement as he now actually gets people's faces in his pictures as opposed to things like just their knees or the carpet. Here's a few of my favorites...

Dueling cameras with post-surgery Amy...


Father's Day dinner with my parents and Aunt Blair and Uncle Billy


And his beloved firehouse. He took approximately 20 pictures of the firehouse. This was the best one... :).


We had a good Father's Day weekend around here... waffles for Jimmy in the morning, church, Waldo's pizza for lunch (Jimmy's favorite second to Imo's) and Cardinal's tickets. He still hasn't been to the new stadium in St. Louis so we're finally going this fall!

This weekend we have some house projects in preparation for a 4th of July weekend of fun. Our sweet college friends the Duggin's and the Artz's are coming in town so we're hosting a get together for our Truman buds... can't wait!

SAVE THE DATE!

As you know, Guatemala continues to have a special place in our heart! We returned there last fall (and plan to again this year) to partner with Kairos Christian School. I've talked about the school before... but just in case... it's a school for impoverished children and is run by an incredible Guatemalan family that we have come to know and love. They do an amazing job running the school and we want to help them raise funds. This fall, we are having a fundraiser for the school! We're having a dinner and auction. Mayra Garcia will be visiting from Guatemala to share about the school's progress and needs.

I'm sharing this NOW for two reasons! First of all, we'd love people to mark the calendars now and join us for the fundraiser on Friday, November 19, 2010. Second of all, we're recruiting people to help us with donations for auction items. If you've never participated in a silent auction, here are some items that I've seen donated before:
1) Homemade cards/stationary sets
2) Handmade jewelry
3) Theme baskets (i.e. "game night" with board games, snacks, "night on the town" with gift certificates to dinner/movies, "scrapbooking" with supplies, "spa day", "baby", etc.)
4) Tickets to Royals, Chiefs, etc. games
5) Services (i.e. pedicure, haircut, cake making, catering, lessons, photography)
6) "Big ticket" items (i.e. week at a condo, time share, etc)--> These would be part of a "live" auction.
7) Artwork / home decor
8) Mary Kay/Avon/etc. items
8) Christmas decorations - Since this auction will be just before the holidays, we are also looking for people to decorate and donate some Christmas decorations (trees of any size, wreaths, ornaments, etc.).

If anyone out there would be interested in donating an item/service for the auction, please let me know and when the time gets closer, I'll be in touch with more details. Our committee is starting early to gather donation commitments.

I'm so excited about this opportunity to bless some amazing children and families in Guatemala!

PS I went to court on Wednesday for Baby Girl. Family Court has to be a better place for people watching than the airport. Just sitting in the waiting area is an experience. Sounds like she will be with us another month or so. People keep asking me "Aren't you attached?" Duh. BUT, the more I interact with her parents, the easier it is getting to be ok with her going home. This is NOT always the case- I know lots of foster kiddos get sent home and there are still so many concerns with their home/parents. We are going to miss her like crazy, but I am going to enjoy sleeping through the night again!