August Fun

We try to get as much fun as we can out of our HOA pool!
We like having family and friends there with us!

Justin is the best swimmer in the family, but I can only get him to come to the pool once or twice a year!

Our little friends Matthew and Isaac.

And their little sister Norah.

Keelan was the best man in his friend Jordan's wedding.
We have known Jordan's family since we moved to Colorado 23 years ago.  His parents were some of the first people we met here.   It is bittersweet to remember the births and childhoods of so many kids who are now all grown up.  

Jordan, Keelan, and Graham have known each other all their lives.  So fun to see them in this wedding together.

These photos are not the best.  I took them from where we were sitting and had to really zoom in!

Graham came out from Indiana to be a groomsman.  I was his 3rd grade teacher.  I also remember the day his mama told me she was pregnant with him.  I am old.  And sappy. ;)  

Shenanigans at the reception!

Keelan gave his best man speech with an Irish accent.
I thought I had it recording, but I did not.

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We sold shirts to support our adoption.  

I think they're really cool.

 Jim completed his year in the School of Ministry at 

Calvary Chapel Aurora.

School of Ministry dinner at Maggiano's.

 And then school started again!  

Caylie, 4th grade at Global Village Academy Douglas County.

Samuel, 9th grade at Eaglecrest High School.

Justin, 11th grade at Eaglecrest High School.

Caylie likes Brittany's new doggie.

Justin and I did a lot of driving practice.  

We have a lot more to do.

Caylie went to a Turner Syndrome Colorado swim party, and met some new friends.

And the best news!  Samuel decided to give his life to Jesus in July, and was baptized at Calvary Aurora in August!  Please pray for him.  God is redeeming his life.   We are grateful for the pastors in these photos - and several others - who have come alongside him in this journey.

Raptor Rally!

Justin had the honor of beginning "Put Your Hands Up!" in the school pep rally!  So proud of him.

Video!
Put Your Hands Up!

EHS Fight Song

And Jim referee'd the football scrimmage.

Samuel was with the freshman team.

The marching band had their first parade at Western Welcome Week in Littleton.

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August Birthdays!

Elias, Justin, and Tessa all have August birthdays!  Elias was first on the 1st.  He is two!
(And wow, look at my so, so tan Caylie!)

Happy Birthday, sweet boy!

Justin turned 17 on August 28.  I do not know how my "baby" is that old.  That is just craziness.
(He always chooses Noodles & Co. for his birthday dinner!)

Always trombone paraphernalia. 

And he asked for a new instrument!  

He wants to learn the flute, as well!

Happy Birthday to my Little Trombone Jussy.  💜

Check out this awesome DQ cake!  

Tessa was born on her Uncle Justin's 12th birthday.  She is 5!

She loves rainbows and unicorns!

Happy Happy Birthday, my Tessa!

A Bump in the Road

Well, we have a bit of a hiccup with our USCIS paperwork. Just when we were expecting approval of our I800a application, which gives us permission to adopt a child in a Hague Convention country, we instead were sent a Request For Evidence. 🙁Nobody ever wants to see that pink RFE in the envelope, but there it was. 

I've been talking to our social worker and our adoption agency, as well as the USCIS officer for the last few days, trying to get it sorted out.  We need to send them exactly what they want so that we don't get yet another pink paper in the mail!  Hopefully it will be taken care of by the end of the week or early next week.  It's very frustrating to have so many wasted days in the middle of this process. 

However . . . we know that God is sovereign over all of these events, and that He knows and has ordained the exact day that we will meet our Rylee. He tells us to trust Him, so trust Him we will. Please pray that we would have favor with our officer, and that we would always respond with grace in these situations. We want always to point to Him and to reflect Jesus.

July

Lots of fun summer stuff!  Our neighborhood HOA swimming pool is very close by, and we like to go there most mornings before it gets too hot and crowded.

Elias and his friend Azariah

Tessa and Caylie with their shark friend!

Sam and his phone.

 Justin held a trombone sectional at our house between marching band camps.

Sam learned to mow the yard.

Tessa and Elias were dedicated to the Lord at Calvary Aurora.

Pastor Ed gave them children's Bibles, and then spent time looking at them with the kids after the service.

I had another birthday.

And so did Jim.  We always celebrate his with free 7-11 Slurpees!

Birthday dinner at MOD Pizza.  Yummy!

He wasn't really 501.

EHS Marching Band had their second summer band camp.

Hard work, but lots of fun, for both band kids and band boosters!

Trombone section.  There are 14 of them this year!

We put this sign out every day.  

But sometimes people just don't pay attention!

Performance on the last day of camp.  And then we have a fun and yummy BBQ with all the families!

For the second year in a row, we've had to miss the AAC Adoption annual picnic because it was on the same day as the band BBQ.  Hopefully that does not happen next year, when we are newly home with our Rylee!

And just because this was on my phone, I will post it.  😊
We had gone to the furniture store to look for a new bed for Justin.  He liked this cow painting, though we did not buy it.  But we did find him a new bed, since his current bed was part of a bunk bed set that now will be used for Caylie and Rylee!  (The same bunkbeds have been used for Taylor & Keelan, Keelan & Justin, and Justin & Samuel!)

New Photos!!

We have new photos of Rylee!  A family was visiting her orphanage last weekend and got them for us.  She has grown a lot since last winter!  Love her so much already! 
💗💗💗

Altman Adoption Shirts!

Friends, please consider helping us in our adoption journey by purchasing one of these awesome shirts!  If you know our family and have followed our story, you have seen for yourself that indeed "Adoption is Redemption"! 

Proceeds will help with adoption fees, travel costs, and donations to our little one's orphanage.  Shirts will be shipped directly to you when our campaign ends at the end of July.

There are unisex, women’s slim fit, and kids’ styles, each with several color options.  Thank you so much for your help!

Click here:  Altman Adoption Shirts