Happy Birthday Jackie!

We got to spend time with Jackie on her birthday...her presence is enjoyed by all!

Easter Surprises!

Wow, the week was full of surprises...we got to spend so much time with cousins, Bethany, Abby, Cam and Christopher; Julia and her kids drove from Lawrence so we could hang out (thank you) and a huge surprise was Joni flying in from St. Louis!  We laughed and laughed just like old times...I haven't seen my dear cousin for years but we picked up right where we left off. 

All of us had such a blast as Grandma and Grandpa were incredible hosts to making Easter week always exciting.  Karis and Dawson went on their first Easter egg hunt.  When they figured it out, they didn't want to stop.  Dawson was running everywhere to find another egg...adorable.  I found Karis in a corner sneaking a few of her cousin's eggs.  We made resurrection cookies and the eggs even had the Easter story that Bethany put together. This year we started the tradition of wearing our Easter dresses for tea prior to Easter.  Going to G-ma and G-pas is always quite a treat. 

Fabulous Feldts

Elli reminds me often how she misses her friends Nora and "Gatorade" (Griffin).  Her dream came true in March to see them again.  We had a blast of a week with activities and hanging out and lots o' dirt!  Oh how we all miss them next door!

Summer/Spring Skiing

Paul's bro, Mark and kids, John and Lauren spent their spring break with us on the slopes...did I mention how HOT it was?! We had a great time and Elli started to learn how to ski!! I was going to teach her one day and guess who was teaching her kids how to ski the same day at Keystone...Maggie! The kids love their cousins and I even got a day to ski with Lauren and Maggie. I love spring break!

Redemption

One of the hardest things about not traveling to China last year was not connecting with Karis' orphanage mate, Maddie, and her family. But Saturday that all changed! Maddie and her family came to visit from Montana and it was a beautiful day! They are an amazing family and they felt like extended family coming for a visit. I have to admit I had a hard time not crying when I met them. Their girls loved on our kids and Dawson and Elli didn't want to say good-bye. Maddie was adorable in wanting to hold "baby" Zach any chance we gave her. What an incredible connection Karis has as she grows up knowing Maddie and the history they have together:)

Ballerina Elli

Elli had her first ballet class on Friday. No one told me how absolutely adorable that first ballet class is! She was one of the youngest and she followed the teacher around twirling and jumping. OH my! I told Paul when I am having a bad day, I will picture Elli in her tutu and will smile.

Ms. Anju...a beautiful woman

Ms. Anju is the director of the orphanage where Dawson is from. She has worked with 500 children, placing them in their forever homes. Wow. Talking with her I was teary-eyed in how God is using her with special needs children who will never be adopted. She is amazing. I was severely disappointed when I didn't get to meet her last May when Paul picked up Dawson, but last minute we found out she was in town this weekend and the Davidsons had us and the Hansons over for a reunion. They have beautiful children from the same orphanage as well. Bria pictured on the right was Dawson's crib mate! It was such an amazing time for me! I LOVE hanging out with the families, and Ms. Anju brought me in to her time with Dawson. A time that is pretty mysterious to me. He said Dawson didn't smile or play with the other kids. He cried a lot. That surprised me because he is our most outgoing, fun loving child. He has the best belly laugh I know. He teaches Elli how to be brave. Then she said something that made my day, my week, my year..."I can tell he is well loved as his personality has completely changed." As Dawson's mom, I did so many things wrong when we adopted him: moved 3 times, had a baby, hormones out of control, etc. and I have come to God crying many times asking for help in Dawson's transition. When those words came out of Ms. Anju's mouth (an amazing woman who has know Dawson a lot longer than I have), I almost cried in thankfulness and humility. I have been basking in those words ever since. Not that we did anything special, but God has answered my prayers with opening Dawson's heart despite the chaos around him. He is an incredible little guy who has so much adventure up his sleeve but yet wants to cuddle the better part of the day. His contagious laugh and HUGE smile catches eyes every where we go. Today I appreciated those smiles and hugs more than ever.