Sometimes Life is a Circus

Yesterday some of our kids and a friend were playing on our basketball court when something unusual happened. All of a sudden the friend yelled, "a bird!" and Natalie ducked as something flew at her and tried to land on her head! I was in the house and someone ran in and yelled, "Mom grab the camera there is a green bird on Natalie's head!" Well actually he was on the basketball court. He willingly went to Daniel's finger and we made him a makeshift cage in the garage. Since he doesn't exactly look like a wild bird we put some calls into the vet clinics in our area to see if anyone reports a missing bird. This afternoon we are supposed to be making signs for a "found" bird, but nobody is too eager since everyone has decided he should stay. Actually, I keep referring to him as a he, but they are calling this bird Lola - they even have Nathan saying it.



In the middle of finding a cage for him we found that the container we wanted to use for him had a ton of baby praying mantis' (about 1/4 inch long) in it, as one of the kids had put an egg sack in the container and they had all hatched. Than Molly stepped on a bee, that didn't sting her but it upset her. Than we looked and Nathan had walked where they had attempted to let the praying mantis loose and he had several crawling on his feet. It was crazy for about 20 minutes, that's what you get when you have "wild" animals - you get "wild" kids!


Oh, and I didn't mention that this all happened when we were trying to get dinner ready because we were surprising the kids with a night at the circus.

During the Pre-Show the kids could try on some costumes.

We all enjoyed the circus, after all it is "the greatest show on earth"! And then we came home to our zoo.

Every Child Needs a Michael

What's a Michael? An adult who takes an interest in the lives of your children. Yep, that's Michael. Many times while I join my girlfriends for dinner Stacey's husband Michael visits my hubby and our kids. We can't tell the younger two he is coming until that day because it is all they talk about. A couple of the older kids try to think ahead to what homework they have to make sure they don't have much that night. (Unfortunately Daniel had quite a bit this time.) Michael talks to them, plays with them, will often play a game with them. Oh, and by the way, Ken enjoys his company greatly too. :)


This visit he rode his motorcycle and Molly and Brandon got to take a ride. How fun! Brandon said he was scared at first but he did it!



Molly liked it that he beeped the horn several times. I was told that a little girlfriend of Molly's walked by and said "who's that?" watching Molly ride by. Brandon said, "It's Michael" like "of course that's Michael."

We are so grateful for friends like Michael. Adults that add to our kids' lives are such a blessing.

Re-adoption- Check!

Waiting with Grandma.

Well we finally got it done. This morning we went to court and completed the re-adoption of Nathan. Because so many had met us at the airport and the hearing was in a different county a little distance away for most we decided to keep the event just our family, including my older sister and mom. It took all of about 10 minutes in the actual court room but it will make things easier for everyone in the long run. And of course he is officially Nathan Rodolfo now! Yeah!!

Our daughter Allison was the first grandchild and my dad said that my mom had waited a long time for grandkids. Today she remains a magnet for her grandkids. They love her bunches! Here some of them are hanging out at the court house waiting our turn.

Nathan decided it was time for a snack.

He's thinking, "surely someone will get me something out of here."

Daniel, Grandma, and Allison.

Outside the court house on a beautiful day.

Oh no, what happens when seven children have to wait for papers to be filed and copied. Well, the camera becomes entertainment!


The kids then decided that they would wait outside and when we came out we found them taking pictures of all sorts of things. They thought the old gun-thingy outside the court house looked interesting so here they all are hiding behind it, if you look closely you can see Molly peeking through the opening. (Just wanted you to know that we hadn't lost one.)

When our attorney walked out of the court house this is what he saw. He just smiled and kept walking.


Lastly, we topped off the morning with brunch at IHOP.

Though this court date was really a formality it brings us almost full circle as it was a year ago June that Nathan came home. He is a true blessing in our family and we are enjoying watching his personality develop. We are so thankful for the Lord placing him in our family and we pray that he will become a young man of God.

The Boys

How did it happen? One day he was playing with trains and cars

and the next day..........

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He had a driver's license!

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Now Daniel is thinking about when he can get his..................



I hope this isn't any indication of how Brandon will be behind the wheel!...

And it seems that Nathan has a fascination with cars also.

They must be born with it!