Pumpkin Patch

Our first Halloween Season with Ella and we are having so much fun. She was a crack up at the pumpkin patch. We got to enjoy the day with with my brother Mikey and my nieces Mikala and Addison. We started the day with the "Cow Train" and ended up picking the perfect pumpkins of the season. All the kids had a fabulous time and we almost ended the day without a "hitch".....if it hadn't been for Trey learning to "pee outside". So...if you are headed to the Sauvie Island pumpkin patch....beware of the tunnel under the hay pyramid....there may be a puddle! Sorry!

Ella's 1st Movie & Soccer Game

Not the biggest moments to blog about, but seeing that Ella is only 18 months old and enjoyed her 1st movie at the theater without crying or falling asleep, I thought was huge. We went an saw "Dispicable Me" and although the movie was ok....it wasn't the movie that was keeping her attention.......THE POPCORN! She wouldn't let anyone hold it...and only gave everyone else one piece at a time...while she continued to stuff her face with as many as she could fit in.

In the same month...we took Ella and Trey to their first Timber's games. Although they didn't win....Trey really enjoyed the game and was hi-fiving everyone and chit-chatting away. Princess Ella on the other hand enjoyed......wait for it.....yep...the food!! She was perfectly content eating a "hot dog" and water and talking with all the people sitting by us.

2 years ago today....

Two years ago today, we accepted the referral of the most amazing, beautiful, intelligent and funny little boy. We knew in our hearts we already loved him more than life itself....but looking back, I can't imagine a more perfect child for our family. He makes me laugh out loud every day and challenges me to be a better mom. What a happy day to look back on.....how our lives have changed since that day.....couldn't have asked for a better life:<)

Here's the video of our trip to Ethiopia to bring home our son....we watch this about every other day. Trey loves it and sings along and points to everyone.

Happy Happy Day!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

and Trey now.....

Trey's 1st Dentist Appt

A sign of my little boy getting older.....he had his 1st visit to the dentist yesterday.

It helped that his "Auntie Rachelle" was his hygienist....but...he was still a little leary about the whole thing. He didn't like the mask she wore, so he made her take it off....then he didn't like the gloves (he thinks he's at the doctor's)...so he made her take them off. He drives a hard bargain....but the teeth got cleaned and he didn't even cry.

Family Visit

After coming home from Montana, my brother and his family came down for a visit from Oak Harbor. My sister-n-law and I went shopping at the Outlet stores (always a good - and dangerous - time) and the guys went golfing.

It's always so much fun getting all the cousins together. They are so entertaining to watch. We got some great pictures of the kids together......just priceless!

Montana Fun

We had an exciting 4th of July this year in Montana with the Schmidt family. All the kiddos had so much fun playing, riding on the 4-wheeler and exploring. We also got to float down the Kootenai River which was a blast.


Here's the Schmidt Boys and our two kids.....obviously having so much fun. How cute are they?


A stop on one of our drives in the Yaak...


Russ and the kids at the Yaak Falls.....


Ella was miserable wearing her life jacket and hated the sun in her eyes.....so this is how she spent her time on the "rafting trip".

Such a fun family trip.....definitely wanted to stay longer and play!!

Father's Day

Today we celebrated Father's Day with my hubby, father-n-law and my brother. After weeks of my husband being out of town....It has become readily apparent how much we (the kids and I) depend on him. He's the greatest husband and father I could have ever asked for.








Thanks to my husband for being AWESOME. We are so lucky to have you as husband and Daddy!

Preschool

Well....Trey has been asking to "go to school" ever since he learned thats how he would get to ride a "school bus". After mulling over the decision on when to send him......we finally decided and signed him up for the fall of this year. However, there is no "school bus" for 3 year old Pre-school (sorry Trey:<()

After we told Trey.....he immediately wanted to go "buy his lunch box". So after a little shopping...he made his choice....he looks so big...my little boy is growing up.

After I got home tonight I was reading another families blog about them interviewing a preschool teacher and their "horrible" experience. So far, I am so grateful for the expereince we have had and the school we chose has been amazing to deal with.

We wanted a safe, fun, diverse, educational, clean, cheerful preschool that centered around outdoor learning and where he will learn about different cultures. Is that too much to ask?

When we told the director that Trey was adopted from Ethiopia, she was really excited. She immediately said, "If he is comfortable, the day we learn of other cultures, he can share about Ethiopia....that's a culture we haven't learned about." She right away made me feel a little more comfortable with the decision we made as I didn't want to send him to a "glorified daycare".

So....with all that said.....I'm hoping they live up to our expectations......

Here's to preschool:<)

Colorado Adventure

Just got back from my first trip with two kids on a plane.....and boy was I nervous. However, my kids apparently took "Awesome Kid" pills, because they were indeed "Awesome". No crying, tantrums or anything.

We went to visit my sister and her family. We visited the zoo, Butterfly Pavillion (where Trey held a Tarantula) and had just a plain ole' good time.

Here are a couple pics from our trip.

One Year Ago....

One year ago this week, we accepted the referral of our gorgeous Ella. She has been home for 5 months and I can't imagine life without her. She is a wonderful daughter to Russ and I and a sweet baby sister for Trey.

This is our video from our trip to bring Ella home which being our 2nd time....was a completely different expereince. We had a little more time to enjoy all the bits and pieces that make this country, people and culture GREAT and such a huge part of our lives.

A daughter is a miracle that never ceases to be miraculous...ful of beauty and forever beautiful...loving and caring and truly amazing. ~Author Unknown

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Mother's Day

Today, I not only get to celebrate Mother's day with the two most wonderful children, but I also celebrate the TWO wonderful Ethiopian women who gave them life. I am honored to get to share this day them and forever grateful for the the two children that now call me Mommy.

I also get reminded of how awesome my own Mom is. Without her, not only would I not be here:<), but I also wouldn't be the Mom I am today. She is my best friend and I am truly a better person because of her. Happy Mother's Day MOM!! (pictured above with Ella)

What an amazing day......and at the end of it all......I feel so lucky to be a Mommy, Wife and Daughter and have this amazing family. I don't mind being "pampered" either!!

Blog Finally Started

Well......almost two years after we brought home our first child from Ethiopia.....and many, many, memories since.........I have finally decided to start a blog.

I have been asked over and over again if I have one and my answer always is......not yet, which really means.....(not ever). So....after all the procrastinating, here it is......

I am Rebekah and I am married to my best friend in the whole world, Russ. We have been married for a little over 5 years and have two beautiful children, our son Trey who is 3 1/2 and our daughter Ella who is 1. Both of our children joined our family through adoption (Holt International). Our son in 2008 and our daughter in 2009; both from Ethiopia. We feel like the luckiest people in the world to have our kids and have found parenting to be the most rewarding, fun, amazing, touching, trying, heartbreaking and loving experience.

Ethiopia has become a huge part of our lives and has captured our hearts. We were fortunate to have traveled there twice and feel like we leave a piece of us there each time. We are very connected to the people, culture and country and can't wait for our next trip (for another adoption or just a visit....who knows....you'll have to wait and see).

Needless to say, I couldn't have imagined our family any different, I get to wake up each morning and be called "Mommy" which is just about the BEST thing I've ever heard.

Life..........it's just Fabulous!!