A few things to say...

First of all, camera snatcher was no camera snatcher at all. Camera snatcher was Mr. Maintenance Man who had been carrying around my camera... I guess waiting to turn it in. I got a phone call on it this morning and already have it safe and sound in my possession. Tomorrow, I see the plastic surgeon about having it permanently attached so we do not go through this again. =) So, THANK YOU Camera Snatcher/ Mr. Maintenance Man... I appreciate you taking care of my camera and bringing it back.

Second, have you all seen my little map to the left. It really cracks me up... I mean it is nothing like the ones I have seen on other blogs, but I had no idea where everyone was from looking at this until I got the map. I mean there is a dot in Germany, Italy, and Dominican Republic ( and I only knew that because Baylor brought home a book on David Ortiz yesterday- baseballs one and only Big Papi- and we read it together. Big Papi is from DR... OHHHH do you think HE is the blog reader- just kidding). You are reading from all over the US, and that floors me. One little girl, one little family and yet so much in common with people all over the world.

Third, I have been meaning to post one of the pictures I had made of Eliza at Portrait Innovations. We have a photographer that is taking pictures of Eliza for a "panel" but I just cannot afford to hand those out so we went with the most cost effective photographer for these. I really like how it turned out. Her eyes are just mesmerizing.

I forsee...

Years of teenage telephone talk in my future. My daughters first audible word that has meaning... HEY!... WATCH!!!

Memo

Dear Camera Snatcher-
I know I made the mistake of leaving my camera sitting on the bleachers at the baseball park. If you were me, you would have to set things down too. Between the running chaos, potty-trining runs and the baby up past her bedtime, I completly forgot that one of my most valuable appendages was sitting there. (Did I add that it was my night to provide snack for the team and I had to run to the car and get it and carry it around).
I know how much fun it must look to you to have a big fancy camera like that. Either to play with or to hawk for some cash. But, that thing is a lot more than a camera to me and you took it. There was a consession stand where you could have left it not 5 feet away and had a good warm fuzzy feeling in your heart. You could have called the office and let them know you found it, or you could have even responded to one of my many flyers, post, e-mails, etc. But no, here I am 6 days later and no news on my camera. Have you taken fun pictures with it, or did you pawn it? If so, I would love to know how much you got for it because it is pretty useless to you once the battery runs down or the card is full.
Camera snatcher... grow a heart...have some feeling... bring my camera back.

Felíz Cumpleaños!!!

I cannot belive that she is already one!!! It just blows me away!

We threw a "Centeral American Fiesta" tonight in her honor with a catered display of beans, rice and fajitas. Since we had a big party for her as her homecoming, we tried to keep it small.

She has brought us so much joy in her short time here. I can only imagine the life ahead of us!

We prayed specifically for her birth mother tonight. I have no idea what she is feeling today, that too I cannot imagine, but I pray that she is at peace in knowing that her child is loved more than she could imagine possible.

Here are some photos from the PAR-TAY!

A note from the Land of Eternal Spring

Late last night I got an e-mail from Eliza's foster mom... I had it translated and I was so happy to hear from them. I left her my e-mail address when I went in November to visit. I do not know if she just now found it, or just now was able to get to a computer. It is so sweet and you can tell how much she still thinks of her. She wanted to know if she was happy and loving and if she was chubbier.I plan on sending pictures down soon with another family. I am also sending them an e-mail back as soon as I can get it translated and gave her the blog address. She may not be able to read all my rantings, but she will enjoy the pictures I am sure.

Mom's Day Out

Today was the first day of Mom's Day Out for Callan and Silas. They were so excited this morning as we were getting ready armed with backpacks, lunch boxes and rest mats ( and several changes of clothes for my potty training Silas) they were ready to take on the day. I hope they had a good day... I will soon find out, pick up is in 30 minutes.

Eliza and I used the day to run to a local town to apply for her Social Security Number, run by Hobby Lobby... and take a good rest (for Eliza) because tonight starts the Fall Chaos of Baseball games and Soccer games, and Karate, and choir, and G-Force, and Team-Kid, and Bible Studies, and ...

That is just not right

Sunday as we were getting ready for church, I had all the boys dressed and they went in to help with Eliza. I put on her dress which had a slip with it and then I slid the BIG matching bow into her hair. My oldest looked at her and plainly said "that is just not right!!" Oh the things they will learn from a baby sister. He also expressed that he was concerned that I was making her wear 2 dresses and found it a hoot when I held out her bracelet to put on and she stuck out her arm as if she were some prissy princess.
You will be seeing this dress more later in the week. I bought it as her birthday dress... which is THURSDAY!