He's Baa-aak!

Yesterday we had a rare Sunday soccer game and I must report that the sport-loving Joshua is finally back. I had a feeling based on last week's almost normal soccer practice that this game may be different. He did start out kicking the ball out of bounds on purpose, which is kind of his new nervous coping mechanism--act silly and awkward. But then he straightened right up and was really into it, not even wanting to take a break when other teammates took a turn to play. I'm definitely glad he's playing now, though I know it's only a matter of time before he'll be out there scoring goals and Gray will still be struggling to get his chance among the bigger kids. Hopefully this won't play out in disappointment and jealously, though I guess that's just a part of life sometimes!

We were also able to go see Matt's grandfather yesterday to celebrate his 89th birthday. He is not doing well and it's sad to see him suddenly so frail, when it seems like just yesterday he was quite alert and moving around fairly well when they came to Joshua's birthday party.

I also have to say a late Happy Birthday to my mom, who had a birthday yesterday as well. From the pictures of her party in the park, looks like everyone had a great time. We miss you and love you, Mama! Hope your day went well!

I am feeling quite thankful for all the fun events I've been going to lately! Friday night several of us from church got together to here two ladies talk about their experiences with adoption and foster care. Their stories are just so fascinating and they both have a wonderful testimony of what God has taught them through all they have been through. It was a great evening to listen and talk and get to know them better. One has a recently adopted baby and has fostered 27 children, mostly teenage boys (I know who I'm coming to for advice when Joshua and Gray are teenagers!) and the other has been through several adoptions, international, domestic, babies, and and older child. I could have listened to them for hours on end!

Then yesterday afternoon, after church, lunch with Matt's grandparents, and the soccer game, I got to go to a baby shower, which was lots of fun. I've never played so many shower games in one party, but it was great!! Thanks, Matt, for watching the kids for these events:)

And on top of all this, I am super excited to get to go to a women's retreat this weekend and we have yet another baby shower the weekend after. It's really been great getting to have so much "girl time" these days and I feel very spoiled!

Hope you all had a great weekend. Sorry for a long post with no pictures!! (But I guess you don't have to read it if you don't want to!)