Airplane

This was the contents of Miranda's purse as we were packing up before heading on the airplane. She is a funny kiddo. Complete with playing cards and whoopie cushion.
Miranda REALLY struggled the morning we were headed on the airplane to Hawaii. She was well aware that it would be a while before we were back in the continental US.
Once we were settled on the plane, she did much better and has done well ever since. Now that we are in Guam she has made friends with the fellow chaplain's daughters. The girls are already beginning to adjust and McKenzie had her first babysitting job last night.

On our way up to Seattle to catch our plane to Hawaii we stopped at Roloff Farms as seen on Little People Big World, but they were closed.
Mt. Ranier or Hood...not sure which one now that I have waited so long to post, but one of the mountains on the way up to Seattle....what a sight
The fish market was closed too!
But, we did make it to the first Starbucks just in time. It closes at 9:30 and we arrived in the door at 9:29!

More Friends

Dad, Mom & the girls

Mom, Dad and me
Voltin and Leonard kids
My friend who has been here for me the longest and through everything....thanks Aim!

Trying to catch up a little

John and Nancy
Dave and our prayer warrior Mary Anne.....thank you!
KiKi and Carrots with Miranda
Holly and I....thanks for a great weekend! We loved our time there
Ben Karryn and kiddos

14 years later we still have the heat!

This is one of Dave's favorite lines from Cheaper by the Dozen. We were able to celebrate our anniversary at Smith Rocks...the location of our first kiss.
Isn't it gorgeous?

We hiked to the top and this is the view!

Miranda goes to work with Papa Sugar

Miranda was able to go and ride with Grandpa on his carrier and the forklift.


Isn't this sweet?
She recieved a little tour of the plant too....complete with a dirty bottom!

Grandma and her granddaughters playing in the water
Kandie and Sadie retrieving a stick
Kyndall wearing Nathan's clothes and hat. We wanted her to try them on and see if they would fit (they are the same size)
Kyndall giving her daddy love.
I was quite proud of myself. I introduced my niece to the idea of bribery. She was conditioned to give me a kiss for an M&M (Kyndall bait) :) Bad auntie...I know, but it was worth it.

Time Zones

ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/GU/contact_us/PBA_Teleconference_Timezonechart.pdf

I have been able to call home and now have a cell phone! I have been asked to post a time zone chart. So here you go!

Still Tired

Sorry, no pictures yet. We had a busy day of doing not a whole lot. I didn't successfully get a cell phone yet but did get Dave's uniforms washed. We had a great time getting to know our fellow chaplains. Dave has already worked for Ch. C. Our girls were able to get acquainted as well as the wives. It has been a great first day on the island. I think that sticker shock may scare me from ever using my cell phone. I'm still in search of a better deal. We'll see what tomorrow brings. We have a birthday party and I have to get the girls to the pool. We have an enticing pool here and the girls haven't gotten wet yet. There were some extra tears on the way home from dinner when they realized that we weren't going to let them go. Tomorrow. Still be praying about the housing situation. I'm still leaving it in God's hands. Things aren't where we need them yet, but God is faithful to give us what we need. Well off to bed I go. I have successfully stayed up a full day and hope to be adjusting to Guam time shortly.

Hafa Adai (Half a day)

Greetings from Guam! We have arrived to the beautiful island. I can't wait to show you. It is dark outside. I'll hopefully get some pics up today. We have a busy day planned with paperwork to take care of at the base and...laundry. I know we are going to love this assignement. We were so warmly recieved at the airport by the staff on a very hectic day. I am so excited to explore Andersen and get to know the people here.

JD was gracious enough to let us mess up his room for a few days in Silverton. Thanks buddy! This was on his door. I loved his artwork.
This was the view out the back of the Voltin's house. What a way to wake up!

The Leonards loved feeding the calves.

Motorcycles!

Nathan is the child in the back. He is riding a motorcycle without his helmet! It is still nice to see updated photos.

Trying to catch up

This is the view right out of our back door! Can we live here?
Our Luau last night
We are in Hawaii and have had a ton of fun. We are looking forward to settling down in Guam. A few highlights include: Val's helicopter tour of Oahu (Dave's anniversary gift to me) McKenzie and Miranda's hula lessson. Luau at Hale Koa (Military hotel at Waikiki beach) I'll get more photos soon!

Prineville

We have arrived in Prineville. We enjoyed fireworks with my parents and brother's family. It was quite a long show for a small town. I was exhausted. It was midnight by my internal clock when it started. I am slowly adjusting to the new time zones. I am hijacking somebody's internet at the 7-11 parking lot. We are headed out to the lake in a little bit. I'll get photos of last night at a later time.

We have had a great time with Dave’s family in Boise. I didn’t slow down long enough to update the blog the last few days.

We were able to see:
Grandma & Grandpa
Bruce & Richelle (Kenzie’s God Parents)--Picture are on Kenzie's camera. I'll try to post soon.
Chris & Theresa (Papa John & Nanny Nadine’s daughter & SIL)
Rich & Lorraina Ryan and kids (Rich and Dave were prison guards together at the Idaho State Penn. They are now both in the military. We are hoping the will hop to Guam for a visit.)


Kallie June

The girls had a full schedule with lots of card games, fishing with Grandpa and Dad in Mr. Keith’s boat at Lucky Peak.
The girls LOVE going fast. That was the highlight last year too. I think they each caught one fish, but dad didn’t get pictures. Grandma and I also took the girls to see the American Girl movie, Kit Kitteridge. It was cute. McKenzie and Miranda loved the fact that they could also call themselves hobos because they don’t have a home. It is an interesting situation to be in for as long as we have……Have I mentioned that I am SICK of suitcases? I would really like to throw everything away, but then I would have other problems wouldn’t I!

I stayed back and met a fellow PAP with a daughter from the same orphanage as Nathan. It was so nice to have another parent in the same situation as us and hear her perspective. She and her husband have been waiting for their little An for almost a year. Please pray for her that Bien Hoa will release her file miraculously (it is being held for reasons that are not under adoption regulation, if I am understanding this correctly). Please pray for a speedy homecoming for An.

I am struggling with waiting on some of our paperwork. Because we are in the unique situation that we are (homeless) I’m not thinking that the US Customs and Immigration would be delighted to approve Nathan’s citizenship. We have decided that waiting the next two weeks would be best. The other prayer request that I have for you is for our house. We haven’t heard from the housing office recently. We are requesting a 4 bedroom house and have sent Nathan’s birth certificate to prove the adoption, but they are requesting more paperwork. Believe me, I have a mountain of paperwork that I can send. What specifically are they wanting? I’m not sure that they know. The problem is that if we don’t get a 4 bedroom when we arrive, we will have to pay our own moving expense when Nathan comes home and move again. If I was pregnant, the four bedroom house wouldn’t be questioned. I would have a note from my doctor and a done deal. Please pray that this will not be a problem and that we get the house that we need with an address so I can file Nathan’s citizenship paperwork ASAP. I feel that every day we wait to file is another day longer that we aren’t with Nathan. I know that it doesn’t play out exactly like that, but I don’t ever want the paperwork delayed because of me!