Enchanted Forest, Princesses and Puppies

The Enchanted Forest is a theme park close to Salem that I (Wendy) grew up going to. There are a lot of good memories at this place. It's full of fun imagination and creative-ness. Is that even a word? From different nursery rhymes to big name stories like Snow White, it is a great place to explore. There is even a fun Western Town to walk through. 

Below is Norah, preparing to walk through the witch from Snow White. 

The castle that greets all park-goers as they enter the theme park.

Our second adventure this summer was the Marion County Fair. It has been awhile since I've been to the county fair, usually we head to the state fair which is much bigger and busier. 

Here is Norah and Brian working on building a plane, all thanks to Home Depot

Below was probably the highlight for Norah. A theater group was there all dressed up like Norah's favorite movie characters! She was so excited to meet them, although she got very shy when it finally happened.

And check out the farmer and his cow!

We celebrated Karen's birthday while she was here.

And a new member of the family has arrived at my mom's house. Cute little Rosie. A golden retriever puppy!

A Summer with Friends

It was a good summer. I (Wendy) got to spend time with a lot of wonderful friends!!!

Darcy, Olivia and I doing a little hike back in the beginning of summer. Before all the smoke and forest fires started.

I also got to see my good friend Emily a few times! We were roommates our freshman year in college and have stayed friends since. She now lives in Sicily with her family.

HAPPY Fourth of JULY! We spent the Fourth with our community group. Small fireworks, but very enjoyable with our group of people. 

Esther and Norah on the Fourth

A quick trip to Sisters, Oregon with Sarah, Sarah and Darcy. 

There was a great view of the mountains! 

My Home Away From Home

Brian is from Alaska, so technically it is his old home. But I (Wendy) was lucky enough to live there for two years. I feel like it is my other home. I love the people, mountains, the channels and the wildlife we don't see often here. 

Hanging with our good friends, Hannah and Oliver. We headed to the beach to enjoy the sun and warmth. Some porpoises came by and gave us a small show while we were there too!

We had spectacular weather. Juneau sees a lot of rain and... more rain. But we only had 2 out of 8 days of rain. 

My favorite thing to do when in Juneau is hike up a mountain. And when the weather is prime, one must be on top of the mountains. 

Can't you see why?

Wildlife

Downtown Juneau now has a fancy whale statue. It was a great trip to Juneau this year!

CAFO 2018

In May my friend Sarah and I headed to Dallas, Texas for our first CAFO conference. Christian Alliance For Orphans. This conference was full of workshops/teachings/encouragements/worship times for anyone associated with orphans (which is basically everyone). Whether one is adopting or a foster parent or neither, we all can play a part in an orphans life.

To welcome us to Texas, we got to sit on a true Longhorn. He didn't move too much, but he is real!!

To make the trip even more special I got to meet the two women we have been working with for the last three years with Nightlight Christian Adoptions. Our agency is out of state for us. So we have only spoken on the phone and emailed as our communication. It felt good to meet them and I now have faces to match the names.

Brian and I keep praying and waiting for our next little child. We would appreciate prayer also. Specifically: that God would open doors for more kids to come home to their families, for our child to be safe, healthy (as healthy as can be as an orphan) and loved/attached. 

A Trip to Las Vegas

In May, Norah and I (Wendy) headed to Las Vegas area to visit a wonderful friend from college. Michelle and I had been suite mates while I was in nursing school in Portland. She was pre-med and is now working as a physician for the Air Force. 

Michelle is married to Alex and they have the cutest little girl named Natalie. She and Norah enjoyed a few days together with only a few minor squabbles.

So instead of heading to the Strip, where everyone else goes when they go to Vegas, we headed on a small road trip to the Lower Antelope Canyon via Zion National Park.

Here we are waiting to walk through the canyon. It was so beautiful! I took so many photos of all different angles and colors. 

Michelle and I.

Michelle and Natalie

and below, here they are again, this time within Zion National Park!

The girls playing a little in the river in Zion.

If you haven't been to Zion N.P. I highly recommend visiting! The vistas, mountains, canyons and hikes are so awe-inspiring. 

The Oregon Coast on a Foggy Day

Despite the fog, it was a warmish day at the coast. Norah really wanted to wear her swimsuit in the waves. 

There are really awesome tide pools in Pacific City where I saw all sorts of anemones and starfish.

Look at this cute guy. We've been married for nine years and still have a lot of fun!

There is also a huge sandy hill to climb in Pacific City, so of course we climbed to the top to see a view of...fog. There were a few dead trees up at the top which looked kind of eerie in the fog and clouds.

It was a fun day at the Oregon Coast. 

Springtime Fun

Norah with two of her friends from church. Dress-up at a local play place in Salem.

EASTER 2018

Norah all dressed up and ready for church. What a cute kid!

We are teaching Norah the skills of sushi making. And luckily she like to eat it!

This next picture is our photo profile for our adoption paperwork in India. We had been adopting from Kyrgyzstan until early spring this year. Then our agency encouraged all the families who were adopting from that country to choose different countries. So, with the help/advice of our agency, and much prayer, we picked India. 

It was a hard time. We had had our hearts and minds sent on Kyrgyzstan for the last three years. But life happens and God knows whats going on, so He is where I'm putting my faith.

We have finished our paperwork for India in July and now we WAIT. And PRAY. And WAIT some more.