The power of prayer

It's hard to believe that four years ago we received a phone call telling us that my brother in law, Dave, had been diagnosed with cancer and he had six months to live. After several aggressive surgeries to remove the cancer that was embedded in his brain he fought. He fought to survive and praised God every step of the way. In the past four years we have seen miracle after miracle in Dave's life. Here we are almost 4 1/2 years later and Dave is still with us! Unfortunately the cancer has spread and Dave is quickly declining. Surgery is no longer an option. Those of you who know me well, know that Dave has played a significant role in my faith over the past few years and it is with tearing eyes we will soon say good bye. We got to spend some much needed time with Dave, Sarah and Rachel twice in the past month. Dave looked great and we enjoyed our time with them! We received word that Dave's healthily and physical ability is quickly declining and arrangements are starting to be made. PLEASE PRAY!!!! God is not done yet!!! Please pray for Sarah (my sister), Rachel my little niece and Dave's family. I cannot imagine! The below picture is Dave meeting Aliya for the first time on June 27, 2008.

Four is better than two

Saturday we tried 4 piggies... I tired my best to get pictures of them, but for some reason they wouldn't turn out well... She looked so cute in two, I decided to try four. They stayed in much better. She wore them Saturday night to church and again all day today. I'm still not sure how I'm going to fix it for finalization (in 8 days!!!). And her outfit has been narrowed down to two, Daddy will make the deciding vote!

Look in the mirror of these pictures, you can almost see the back of her head!







**A few updates on our lady bug**
~Laughs at EVERYTHING
~Is very much a mommy's girl
~Says "mammamamma", "babbabbaa", and the occasional "daddaadda"
~Can pick up her puffy's and actually find her mouth with them now
~Eating everything (esp paper!)
~Hasn't met a food (either baby or adult) she doesn't like
~Still in size 2 diapers
~Wearing 6-9 month clothes/size 2 shoes
~Will "spin" her way around the room or to get where she wants(on her belly, in a circle)
~Opens and closes her hands to wave, show she's happy, show she's upset, all the time
~Fav song is Happy Birthday
~Praise Baby is still her fav DVD
~LOVES to look at herself in the mirror and pictures
~Still no teeth, but lower gums are white and swollen
~Drools, drools, and drools some more
~Can "walk" when you hold her hands and walk behind her
~Loves to Jump, either in her Jumperoo or on your lap
~Still a good sleeper, wakes up happy most mornings
~Gives kisses (aka: eats your face off!)
~Still likes her passie, more to chew than to suck right now
~Makes noises from the minute she wakes up until the minute she falls asleep, no wait, she even makes noises in her sleep
~Sits in highchairs and carts like a big girl
~Turns heads everywhere we go
~Will be completely ours in 8 days!!!!

Piggies...

On Sunday Aliya sported her first pair of pig tails to church. She was quite the poser when I tried to take her picture. She looked like a completely different baby with them!!

Her left side...


And then the right...


Of course I couldn't get a good straight on shot. We'll try again some other day soon!

By the way, for those of you counting down with us...just 14 more days!!!!

18 Days To Go!!!

Our countdown is almost done until we finalize!!! We can't believe it's been 6 months already! We are still trying to pick out the perfect shoes for Aliya to wear to court. (Our judge likes to see babies in shoes, not sure why, but we don't ask questions!) Here are a few cute ones!

and some more...

Here are a few July 4th pictures.

Izzy


Proud big brother!!!


Very happy Aunt Cindy


Hey there!


She's funny!

A few more

Here are a few more pictures...

Getting ready to head to the ball game


Getting their awards


Her nickname was "Hollywood"


Lining up after the final game


Kisses for Grandma Syliva

It's been forever

Okay, so it's been FOREVER...but in my defence it's been a really busy month! Here a few pictures to show you all what we've been up to.

Aliya and her friend Gage asleep at the adoption picnic, big brother keeps en eye on them


Sharing some morning snuggles


Joel's new look


Don't mess with the Bergstrom's!!!!


One happy man!