Ada's getting MARRIED!

Do you remember THESE girls?

Well we had another reunion in Colorado at the beginning of August.....

 Mostly meeting this guy, (Cameron) who asked my girl Ada to marry him!  He's legit so I'm pumped! :o)

 Yeah... they are getting married TODAY! I know crazy, right?! September 22, 2012, Ms. Ada Anderson will be tying the knot!  The knot of 3 cords. (cheesy, yes... but I have this childlike freedom to talk cheesy when I'm in context of these 2 lovelys!

We had some great times together like usual! Hiking, Andy and Cameron went to Rockies game, out to eat, lots of chattin' and coffee, and oh yeah we even threw a little bridal shower!

But like usual, we had to have a Dress-up Girls Night on the town (and lots of picture posing)

and crazy-fun-unihibited dancing... we got some mad skills

My college besties.... How I love you so!

To my home girl Ada, 

I'm sosososososososo sad I can't be there today. I wish I could have a genie right now... Wish #1: Fly me to Denver! Wish #2: Make it be free! Wish #3: hmmmm... I'll save that one for when I need it.

But the fact is.... I don't have a genie... but I have a God who is way bigger than giving me what I want..... If God were like a genie, then God wouldn't rule the world, we would.  (scary thought!)

HE does what He does on His own time. He is the KING of ALL CREATION! So I will wake up in the middle of the night  (Lord Willing video skyping will work) to watch you walk down the aisle, cry, and praise Him for our friendship and what He has in store for you and Cam. I know your going to be absolutely stunning! I have peace that God has put me (our family) HERE for a reason. And I will try to celebrate with you unselfishly. Joy overfilling that He is uniting you with Cameroneh! 

(loud Indian war-cry)

xoxo

July 2012

We were busy each weekend in July.... One weekend we went to visit my sis, KT and my parents in Des Moines area.  Lots of relaxing and swimming.  Including diving into shallow pond water off this sweet pickup truck diving board! :)

Next weekend...Grant and Maggie Baker got married and asked Zander to be the ring bearer in their wedding. Their rehearsal dinner was at Fireside Winery on a beautiful night. The next day was also beautiful in the sense of seeing two people sharing a commitment with God and their closest family and friends (sweaty or not!) It was beautiful! (ohhhh and Zander did awesome, with a little bribery of a batman cape and costume) Still we were so proud of him, it actually brought some tears to our eyes. 

The Sunday after, we had a get together with awesome friends... , C. and V. Nelson, and G. and C. Nelson with all the kids.  Love these guys!


Then it was the big family reunion. We went with my mom and sister Alice in the motor home to Minnesota. Lots of Dax/Zander bonding time and singing "Red Solo Cup".


Next, we got together with high school friends Mandy and Bri. Then that Saturday Andy ran in his first 5K with a buddy at SugarBottom.  Zander was so excited that he wanted to have his own race. A little later that night my parents brought cuz Dax to Iowa City for a night and spent the next day at the beach.

Here's some other family snapshots from the rest of the month of sweet Z's!

June 2012

I wanted to give a little Summer 2012 at a glance this week. So first up JUNE!!!!

We landed in America the last day in May... first thing I did after a long day of traveling... 

Enjoyed some Starbucks with my little man!

OK now for real.... First days we enjoyed some much missed down time with our Family and Friends. Here's some memories captured in photos!

With my family......

 then Andy's....


We drove down to Nashville to spend time with our sending organization, Servant Group Int'l and our sweet team! So thankful for all of them!


And lastly... here's an assortment of times we spent as a family or with great friends!

What a blast!

Zephie at 7 and 8 months

So... I'm a tad behind, in case you haven't noticed! :) 

We left Duhok a few days after Zephie's 7 month birthday. So we took her pics on the roof the morning we left to go back to America. 

7 month stats:

30.5 inches long- >95%

22.5 lbs- >95%

So much for my "little peanut" I thought she was! Well she's still my little peanut! Luv her!

Here's what Zephie was up too in June:

playing. bouncing. giggling. making scrunchy faces

watching big bro do all kinds of "Iowa" things

first big girl swim

getting lots of cuddles from the G'pas!

this doesn't happen very often... falling asleep while being held (although its one of the sweetest things ever!) Speaking of sleeping: She's finally sleeping through the night.... Well most of the time! As I stopped feeding her in middle of night, then she started taking a paci. Whatever it takes!

 lovin' the easy access to strollers and nice sidewalks!

lots of blabbing. giggles!

 eating everything purreed... even Mama's Green Machines! (most of the time)

Then in July.........

 Dusty Blue eyes?? We were told her eye-lashes should be illegal. :)

Most mornings, she sits and plays with this basket of toys, emptying all toys out, chewing, chomping on them for up to an hour. 

Loves sibling "play-times"

Now eats a few finger foods.... LOVES the little puffs. This keeps her busy for awhile too, which is nice while I get supper on the table for everyone else!

Lovin' bathtime more and more. She will crawl from her room to the bathroom just to peek into the bathtub and hope that I will put her in there!

Getting stronger... and braver... maybe bc of playtimes like these????

Our 8 month old sweetheart!

Love you Sweets!

We ALL do!
xoxo

Zander is THREE!

It's been a while since we have given a post dedicated to our sweet first born; Elliot Alexander! On May 26th we celebated his THIRD birthday already! These pics are him dressed in the traditional Kurdish garb. Gellek Jonna (Very cute)

We celebrated first in Duhok.  We started the morning by having Birthday Pancakes (with sprinkles) with Dan, Julie, and Emily.

 Then we took him to ZERI PARK (Disney World of Kurdistan) for the first time.

The next day we had a pool party for him with all his friends!

Everyone sang him happy birthday, and we had some cake! Seriously... look at this happy boy!

It was a busy week, because we were getting ready to fly back to America a few days later.

Which for Zander was SWEET timing because then he got to have a birthday celebration with family in America too!

This 3 year old boy... I tell you what... He's pretty much the best! Look at im'... don't you just want to squeeze him!

Here's some things I love about Zander and what he's up to.......

Zander-
You bring us so much joy, and you seriously crack me up!  But you are growing up so quickly and definitely not a baby anymore.  I mean, you are able to try to talk us into you not going to sleep.  Saying you have to go to bathroom---ok, but asking us to itch your leg is not a good excuse for you to come out of your room! What will you come up with when you're older? Little stinker buns! :)

You have such a soft heart that God is going to use someday for something great! You are turning more and more into your Daddy. I love that and I love that he makes you so happy.  You follow him around with your little tool box like a little disciple. I pray you will continue to follow him as our leader because he is a man after God's heart.  That's what we desire for your life too.  Your on your way since you thought "Jesus is the coolest person in the world". :o) But I guess, you answer "Jesus" for lots of questions! ......... Ask us when you're older about the funniest Jesus answer you gave us a few months back.  TMI for blogreaders. :)

As for Zephie... she is already SOOOO blessed to have a Big Bro like you.  Thank you for loving her, cuddling with her, giving her kisses, making her laugh, and helping me take care of her.  She will continue to need your help. Keep guiding her and teaching her the ropes :)

We love you so much bud,
xoxo
Mommy