Jump Jump

Our journey for a trampoline for Aliya started around her birthday. She was outgrowing her Jump and Spin Zebra, but still loved to jump. I couldn't bring myself to pay $80+ and shipping, so I checked out craigslist and garage sales but there was nothing in our price range. Nothing. So, her birthday came and went. Then Christmas came and went. I was checking craigslist like it was my job. And finally it paid off!!! Last week I found an almost new (purchased in December 09) mini trampoline on craigslist. The listing was about a week old, I figured it was probably sold by now, but I emailed her anyway. Much to my surprise, she still had it! It was a bit out of our price range, so I offered her $25 less than her asking price, thinking she would counter, but she didn't!!!!!! Aliya was SO excited to finally find one that after her nap on Sunday she and I headed to Huber Heights to pick it up!! Come to find out, the family that we bought it from does foster care, and we've spoken of the phone several times since the pick up. They are a great couple and beautiful kids (both temporary and forever)! She even emailed me and offered me a free twin captain's bed for Aliya when we're ready for it!

Here are a few pictures of Aliya jumping. I was hoping to get an action shot of her in action, but it didn't happen!


(please don't mind the mess)

First Group

We just got home from our first While We Wait group. IT WAS AWESOME! Three couples came and we had a great time! Starbucks was under renovation, so we met at Graeter's Ice Cream (darn it, I know!). We were out in the middle of everything so it was a little difficult to really connect with people, but we managed. Next month Starbucks will be back up and running, thank goodness! I can't wait to see where this group goes! Hopefully next month more people will come, but I'm sort of glad the first group was small, that way we could get our feet wet and roll with it and it was a bit less intimidating for everyone I'm sure. YEAH!!!

Birthday

Since my sister in law's birthday is the day before mine we celebrated together this year!!! We met Jon's brother, Jimmy, and his wife, Leigh Ann (birthday girl), and their two boys, along with Jon's sister (Holly) for dinner at Applebee's the weekend of our birthdays.

Sorry these pictures are from end to start, but you know me, I still can't figure this blog thing out!

Just us girls (Holly, Leigh Ann, me)


The grandkids (Ryan, Jared, Aliy, Joel)



The Sibs (Jon, Holly, Jimmy)


Here's me trying to get a good self photo of me and the kids



Everyone




The birthday singers



Jon and Jared



Holly and Ryan



Jimmy and Leigh Ann












This one has nothing to do with my birthday, but Aliya's Great Grandma Lucy sent her a Dora blanket in the mail a few weeks ago, I took this picture to send to her with a thank you card.

Thoughts on 30

Today I turn 30. I'm actually REALLY excited about it! I think the 20's (although tons of fun) are a hard age to be in the working world. In your 20's you are still too young to know anything, but you're old enough to know better?!?! Am I right? At least that's how I feel in my line of work. So today I embrace 30 and am ready to start this new chapter in my life! Some days I feel much older (esp when people assume I'm Joel's bio-mom and I see them doing the math in their head with our ages) and others I freak out when given an assignment at work, "I can't handle this, I'm way too young" but then I think, I'm really not that young and hey, they wouldn't be giving it to me if they didn't trust I could do it, right?!? So, it's not so freaky after all! So I welcome 30 and look forward to a great year!!!

Our Flyer

While We Wait
…Support for waiting adoptive parents…


A gathering of waiting parents looking for support and shared
wisdom during the adoption process.

Meetings held the Third Sunday of every month
7:00pm Oakwood Starbucks
Far Hills Ave
(back conference room)

Co-facilitated by adoptive couples:
Jon & Kelly Bergstrom
Mike & Diana Keller
For more information please email:
whilewewait@yahoo.com

No need to RSVP for the group, just show up!