Things to do to keep us busy

Some might ask what are we doing to keep ourselves busy while we wait for our son's referral. Well, on a normal year I'd say, 'same old same old stuff'. This year we've had a lot of events so I find myself meeting myself coming and going.

Luke is in kindergarten and Anna is in preschool which keeps them busy. Then there's piano lessons, basketball, t-ball, and tumbling.

Spring found us helping Kelli move to Chicago for work and with that came the realization that she's definitely out on her own now. Which she has been for quite a while, especially since getting married, but moving to downtown was a lesson in letting go as a mother. Through her eyes Chicago is exciting and full of cultural possibilities and through our eyes it's danger and just too much traffic. Oh, to be young.

Then, May brought family college graduations and also students leaving college to go home so pizza sales go into their summer mode.

Now our main focus is on Ryan and Emily's upcoming nuptials August 8th and making preparations for that blessed event. Yesterday and today the 'shower planning committee' got together to firm up our plans for the bridal shower. We're having their shower in a beautiful building here in town that used to be the Star Brewery. The Star Brewery went out of business and the building sat vacant for a number of years until a group of local investors took on the challenge of bringing her back to life. They've done a phenomenal job and now the building houses a wonderful restaurant on the top level along with offices, space for future offices, and a wine tasting room. We're having the shower in a wine tasting area that's decorated with large wine barrels topped with rounded glass that makes them into tables. The atmosphere of the room is vintage winery and is quite quaint. So, I'm very excited for the shower scheduled for July 5th and I'll post photos after that.

No matter how busy things are around the house I still find plenty of time to think about our son in Ethiopia and wonder what his life involves at this moment. This time next year he'll be home (unless something crazy happens in the world of adoption) and life will be crazier than ever, but normal for us.