Want to see some kitties?

Want to see some of the cutest kittens ever? Here they are! These were taken yesterday, when they were 1 week old. Their ears are perking up and they are getting really active. And they are so darn sweet! Their mama is also doing well. She is so patient and so sweet to watch with them. Now, say it with me: Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww...

We love Nikki & Luke! (wedding)

Recently some dear friends of ours got married. I (Sindea) was at a birth and not able to make it, so I sent my point and shoot camera along with Geoff and the boys. Here are the results of a beautiful ceremony and day!
Nikki and Luke tie the knot

Meow!

We are the proud kitty-grandparents to 2 tiny white-ish colored kittens! Luna (my kitty I got for Mother's Day) just had her kittens tonight. So far we are pretty sure 2 is it. And they are very active, loud, and crawling all over their mama. One keeps trying to escape... We think they may be twins, they look identical so far. But who knows!

The mama is doing quit well, purring and looking pleased with herself.

Woohoo! Exciting news to share!!!

We wanted to share the exciting news we received today: we have been officially approved to adopt a baby! We are very excited. What does this mean? It means that we have been cleared, accepted, approved, and are allowed to pursue adopting. It also means that we are spreading the word, in hopes that by sharing our great news and hopes of a baby, that maybe it will not be an incredibly long waiting process.

We are planning to adopt a newborn domestically, anywhere within the US. So, if you know someone, who knows someone, who might know someone who is looking for a family to place their baby with (big brothers are hoping for a little sister), then feel free to share our info.

We are working with LDS Family Services in Renton, but they can help us work with potential birth parents across the nation. We are open to a child of any race, we are not concerned with race and such, we just know that our child is out there somewhere, and said child may or may not be of any one particular race/culture/background!

Our online profile with our agency is not quite up yet. But if you want to stay tuned, or have someone who wants to learn more about us, then feel free to share this blog, or you can subscribe to updates here.

Thanks and take care-

Sindea, Geoff, Raiden, & Teegan (along with various pets)

One step closer, and other updates

We had a great 13 year anniversary yesterday! Woohoo! Lucky 13!!! Our caseworker came over for our home visit, the final one before our approval (or we assume our approval!). It went well. And she said it should only be another week or so... We are not in a rush, but it sure will be nice to know we are well on our way to adding a new family member to our clan.

The boys are away at camp for a week. It is really nice and peaceful around here - and weird. Yep, weird. They are great kids with lots of great energy, so it is weird to have them both gone at the same time. Teegan was a little nervous the week before going (his first time at camp), but when we started packing on Saturday, he got excited.

I had to attend a birth (went quite well!) on Sunday, so was not able to go up with them. Geoff took the camera and the borrowed video camera we still have in our possession, and was able to keep me in the loop. They were both SO excited to be there. And the weather is gorgeous for it as well.

Last time Raiden went to camp, we were having fun sending him funny messages that said we were renting out his room to a polar bear, and that the polar bear had made a mess in there with stinky fish. When he returned home, he found a photo of the bear on his bed, literally ON HIS BED. I had found a great polar bear photo and photoshopped (is that a real word?) the bear onto a photo of his bed... He now has that photo hanging in his room.

Well. This year we sent a not saying the bear was back. And then we sent a note to Teegan, saying Raiden's polar bear had brought a friend, and that there is a Grizzly Bear hanging out in Teegan's room. It is now time to search for new photos!

Our anniversary? Well, we went by the hospital where Geoff will be doing his RN preceptorship to get his ID, and as we got off the elevator we ran into my clients from this past birth! That was cool. Then we did not get his ID, because the ID security guy could not find Geoff's paperwork...

We wandered and enjoyed Whole Foods- what a wonderful place. I need one next door. Then we wandered Bellevue Square for a few hours. The Discovery Channel stores are closing! ACK! Real bummer there. We were amazed at how many things there are really freakishly over-priced. Ah well. Then onto the Cheesecake Factory for the yummiest pesto pizza ever. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

What else? We went to Target, I now am the proud owner of a drying rack! No more hanging my shirts on the backs of chairs! Yay for me! We then went over to the mall here in town, and reserved the latest Harry Potter for Raiden's birthday. And we ordered dessert to go from Macaroni Grill. The bummer is that the cake was supposed to have this great whipped topping and they forgot it! Grrrrrrrrr...

And then we went to bed on time. A serious shocker.

Update on adoption status...

We met with our caseworker on Friday, and all went well. She liked our photo profiles (see post from earlier this week), all of our paperwork is complete, and she is just waiting on our 4 letters of recommendation, then the file is truly complete! We have our final visit, the home visit a week from tomorrow, and then, in theory, we should be approved pretty soon after that...

Our Niece's High School Graduation

So, on June 1, 2007 our niece graduated from Jefferson High School in Jefferson, OR. Here are the photos of the occasion- they are not fancy, just snapshots and have not had any editing done. Ah well.
Jennifer's Grad