Nostalgic

A year ago today we were driving to the cities with luggage and paperwork preparing to go get Liv - and super excited in the midst of it. What an amazing week. A year ago Friday - the 3rd - we met Liv for the first time. I don't think I'll ever forget those emotions of standing right out side the door and crossing the threshold to see this tiny, beautiful little girl - our daughter. And next Wednesday the 8th is our Gotcha Day as it's called in the adoption world - the anniversary of when you "get" your child. A 36 hour day for us - but we survived the flight and the week of jet lag that followed. What a blessing Olivia has been. Amidst all the uncertainty and unknowns, the Lord has far exceeded our expectations. I never get tired of being amazed and grateful at who she is and how she's fit so well in our family. But the Lord knew and he kept us going. She is such a delight, and I am so blessed to be her mother.

A Nice Day to go to the Zoo

Well, a few pictures before we get to the zoo pictures. Here's my good friend Jill, Aunt Jill we call her or "Ah Ju" as Livie says. They get along pretty well... We Love you Jill!

Post-bath in her towel. Daddy gives Liv her bath and Mom does the dishes :).

We went to the Como Zoo in St. Paul yesterday. The weather was great as we ventured out with Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Cory, Aunt Cindy, and Cai. They didn't quite have things all set up for the warmer months, and most of the animals were indoors. Liv loved seeing the giraffe and zebras (mo zeebas? she'd say).

Liv LOVES her cousin Cai. He's such a cute nephew and sweet baby :).

Let's walk Grandma and Pop!

Attached to the zoo is a conservatory. We quickly strolled through 15 minutes before they closed - Liv was hurtin' for a nap :).

Here's the "kids" and their kids :).

Overall, we've been doing well lately. We had spring break this past week and stayed home so Aaron could plan the summer project he's co-directing this summer. We didn't quite get done all that we had wanted to. Life throws stuff at you like a computer crash, etc. But it turns out we're going to get our other "dead" laptop refurbished. So that one will be like new, and we'll be back to 2 computers. It'll be nice. How spoiled are we, but Aaron works from home a lot, and we really do use both.

Liv continues to be a delight as we approach the first celebration of her "Gotcha Day" as it's known in the adoption world. I call her my Sweet Pea to which she responds, Fwee Pea. I love it. Her new favorite thing is helping to put the dishes away, which she'll even ask to do as we're driving or doing other things. We carry her and lift her up and down and show her just where each thing goes. She's starting to learn where things belong which amazes me. It's a nice way to get this chore done but still have it be play with Liv as well. Overall, she really likes to help and does a great job. I'm trying more and more to figure out ways to get things done and involve her in that. We're just enjoying her so much. She has such a sweet personality and is tender towards other little ones. She's learning to count a little and knows her animals and sounds really well. She continues to love books, and in her Dr. Seuss alphabet book she knows what some of the letters are.

Well, there's a litte update. We hope you're doing well as spring slowly makes its way in! Yay!

Much love from the Joneses.

I Love Sundays

I love the Sundays we get to stay home. Today was a typical Sunday. We went to church in the morning, then came home and had lunch. When Liv goes down for her nap, Aaron and I read or rest or lounge on the couch. Sometimes we do a little laundry, but for the most part we just rest on Sundays. Now that it's nicer out, we went for a walk after Liv woke up. We play in the basement and chase Liv around. She laughs and squeals. It's so fun to watch her personality and her play. Before children, Aaron and I followed his family's tradition of a simple supper of popcorn, fruit slices, cheese and crackers... whatever we feel like munching on as we watch a Sunday night movie or TV. And so now with Liv we're keeping that little tradition. She's old enough now to munch on things in the basement as well. I just love the day to lay low and be together as a family. It's so relaxing and both good quality/quantity time together :).

Red Envelope Day

Hi! I just wanted to pass on a great (and simple) opportunity to make your voice heard. Anyone that knows me (and read this blog around election time) knows that I'm pro-life. There's something coming up on March 31st called Red Envelope Day. It involved sending an empty red envelope to the white house. The empty envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion. To see more and to see what to write on each envelope go to www.redenvelopeday.com.

Snapshots of life

My dear friend, co-worker, and boss has taken a huge step of faith and has moved to Brazil for a good part of 2009 to reach college students there for Christ. She left the beginning of February, and I miss her a lot (as does Liv - "Lana? Lana? Bye, Bye Lana.") SO GRATEFUL for the 4 1/2 years I've been able to work under her and learn from her. Definitely a gift from the Lord.



We had the AIA retreat in the Dells a week and a half ago. All the students stayed at the Kalahari, but because there were so many students the staff stayed at a hotel nearby. Our hotel had a little kiddie pool that was perfect for Liv and not at all crowded. The reason the window behind is blinding white is because it was snowing 4 inches outside - what a mess!

Also at the hotel, Liv sporting dad's hat and gloves. She loves to put them on :).

While Aaron was in meetings, Liv and I wandered around the Kalahari. She loved playing on this little truck - and I didn't even have to put any money in it! She just liked to push the buttons. She probably spent 10 or 15 minutes in there.

Liv is starting to get the concept of smiling for the camera. Is she not just the cutest! :) More and more becoming a little girl...

She's loving her baby more and more. She'll go in her room and pull out some diapers and put them on her. She'll cuddle her and hold her gently. It's so sweet.

This was just this past Sunday - She fit into a dress Nama had gotten her awhile ago.

Always Daddy's Little girl :).

In other news, I got to speak at a nearby campus' weekly meeting. I gave my talk about God adopting us that I've mentioned. We had to drive through the snowstorm last Thursday to get there (so grateful for the Lord's protection), but I think it went well. I'm so glad to have that talk done and in the file. I know I'll be able to use it again.

This past weekend we just stayed home which was so very nice. Last week was nuts, and it was so good to rest a bit. We watched the Karate Kid which was on TV Saturday morning. Ah, what a classic :). I'm always so grateful to down time and time together as a family. Dear friends from the cities drove over for fajitas on Sunday, and we really enjoyed the time with them. That pretty much rounded out the weekend.

And I just finished a little night snack of frozen mango - so good! Who knew! Thawed a little it's fantastic. Just a healthy snack I've found to recommend to any of you who are interested.

Much love to you all and have a great week!