Adoption Day

April 8, 2014.  A random Tuesday, but for us the end of part of a long journey to finding our family.  Judge Dillon presided and Ryan, our trusty attorney, led us through the court process.  I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I thought the "formal adoption" questions they asked were a little silly considering all the information we'd given them over the last year and a half.  Things like, "Are you 10 years older than the minor child you will be adopting?" and "Are you at least 21 years of age or older?".  Really?, that's what you're going to ask? My favorite moment was when Ryan asked Dean to "please state the date, place and TIME you were married".  He hadn't meant to say "time", but the look on Deans face was priceless as he tried to remember the exact time we were married.

And then it was over.  Their official names were read, Alan Blake Marturello and Sarai Jane Marturello, the judge banged her gavel, and there were 5, FIVE, 1,2,3,4,5!!  official Marturello's.

Ben, Alan and Sadie all got to adopt and name their own animal.  A sweet gesture from the State.

Cristina Duke, Alan and Sarai's case worker...the expression says it all.

Waiting for paperwork to make it officially official.

Dean says, "we got the pink slip!" ...The title to our children.

The place where it all went down and the family who was there for support.  It was a small court room, and the judge laughed when we all just kept filing in.  We wish we could have had everyone there who has supported us these many months.

A family dinner at the Sonora Grill.  Mexican food is kind of like Guatamalan food, right? Some words from Grandpa Dave about his own adoption experience (sniffle) and a tres leches cake were the perfect end to a beautiful adoption day.

A "sort-of end".  An end to caseworkers, and home visits, and paperwork, and lots, and lots, and lots, and lots of phone calls and emails. It doesn't feel different.  Life goes on, it's just that it's our life now and we don't have to share it with any government agencies. Hooray!!

A temple sealing is in our future and I think then we might feel a little closure; when all is safely gathered in.

Ben's Baptism

 April 6, 2014.  A special day made even more special because of one boy and his eighth birthday.

There was a special duet with Uncle Ryan (When I am Baptized) that set the tone for the service.  Grandma JoJo shared experiences from a recent visit to Jerusalem and The River Jordan as she spoke about Ben's progression along the "Covenant Path".  Grandpa Dave (and Gma. Kathie, SHH) helped Ben understand the importance of the Holy Ghost and how he works in our lives.  Then there was food and treats, and family and friends and best of all, a newly minted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

These two photos, above and below, are my favorites from the day.  Thanks to everyone who shared his special day with him.  It's GR8T to be eight!

Morgan's Marathon

Did you know April 2nd is National Autism Awareness Day?  I didn't, but I do now.  Morgan Byrd is a Mia Maid in our ward.  She has Autism, which makes it difficult for her to participate in most activities and nearly impossible for her to work on her Personal Progress.  So, the Dothan 2nd Ward Young Women decided to help her out.

We laced up our running shoes and put on our numbers to "race" through the Personal Progress value experience Morgan was needing.

 We all wore blue...the official color of Autism Awareness

We all raced once around the church and then the girls chose a spot and got to work on their value experiences.

We had oranges and water to perk us up for some short circuit training with Sis. Murphey (the brains behind this whole marathon idea.)

A tender mother-daughter moment

Racing towards the finish with Morgan in the lead.

Everybody was a winner.  Our medals have puzzle pieces attached so we can all remember to be more aware of Autism and it's effects.

Morgan's mom brought balloons for us to release at the end.  A fitting tribute to Morgan, and the specialness she brings to our Young Women family.

Impressions

"Hippity, hoppity, Easter's on it's way..."


I'm joining Mamabyrd in her weekly impressions post.  Feel free to add your own either here, or there...

Garbage Day

A few days after settling into our new house I was on a morning run.  You have to get up early here in the Summer if you want to beat the heat.  I crossed over into the neighboring subdivision and I saw a BEAUTIFUL dresser being thrown into the back of a big dump truck.  I remember chasing down the driver and asking what they were doing, and why, and more importantly, could I have it?  

Upon inspection the dresser was deemed too broken to remove from the truck (I think they just didn't want to get it down after putting it in), but the memory of seeing that beautiful wood trashed has haunted me ever since. Turns out, you can pretty much put anything on the side of the road and someone will pick it up for you.  And so, I find myself getting out of bed on Thursday mornings before children have awakened to take a quick glance at the neighbors trash piles. 

My findings so far have included....

a cassete player

a lovely metal bird feeder

a working Power Wheel that made a handy Christmas gift

fence sections that have since built our treehouse, pretend boat, and will be useful in making the garden boxes

and today, this wooden ladder

It's the thrill of the hunt that keeps me going.  The neighbors think I'm a bit odd, sorting through their trash before sunrise, but we're already the weird ones on the block so it doesn't matter.   When I miss a week I'm always left wondering what I missed.  For now, this ladder will make a great addition to the potting nook I have planned...

Treehouse 2.0

    We think it was a weed that someone just let grow.  It's ugly and growing right next to the garage.  It was scheduled to come down this week during some outdoor Spring cleaning. But, it also happens to be the only tree in our  yard.
   
      A few weeks ago I heard Ben and Alan making plans to put their self-constructed clubhouse up in it.  A few days later, the afore-mentioned clubhouse was pretty much destroyed during some high winds we had.  We knew the boys were upset and there were lots of grumblings about a certain treehouse we all loved and left.
   
     Then, one night as I was about to accuse him of "stalking" on Facebook.  I caught Dean searching plans for "one tree treehouses" on Pinterest.  I knew my plans for getting rid of it had been scratched when Dean hauled the boys out of bed before 7:00 a.m. on Saturday for a run into town for doughnuts and wood.

Before

After

     It took the whole day.  We celebrated with s'mores and hotdogs..in that order. There's no railing, but as Dean says.."If it wasn't a little bit dangerous it wouldn't be fun..."  Treehouse 2.0, smaller, but just as good for making secret plans and spying and tossing little plastic parachute men and inevitably,  jumping out of.

     I think Dean left the railing off just so he wouldn't have to sleep in this one...