Kendee Part 2

Well last weekend Jason took Kendee to Hot Springs, Arkansas (her birthplace).  He showed her all around the town.  He took her to the "Hot Spring" and she was afraid to put her feet in as she said it was really hot.

He took her to the hospital where she was born.  She enjoyed getting to see where she came from.  They were invited to dinner with Jodee (Kendee's birth mother) and her family.  They gave her an authentic Arkansas dinner of fried catfish and fried okra.  When I asked how she liked fried okra she just told me that she tried not to think about it, but she ate it.  (I don't think I would have been able to swallow it).  She is much braver than I am at trying new things to eat.  They took pictures that evening.

This is Kendee, Jodee, Mindy (Jodee's mom), Stephanie (Jodee's sister) and Ashlynn (Jodee's youngest).

The same except that Jodee's oldest, Brittany is in this photo.

Then just as they were leaving they had this next picture of the three of them together, Jason, Kendee and Jodee.

This is not something I thought I would see, the three of them together.  I'm so grateful that they are all so kind and think of Kendee first.  She is such a special girl and we are all lucky to have her in our lives.  I'm so grateful to these two special people who chose to share her with us.

The next day Jason and Kendee spent the day with Jason's mom.  Kendee really enjoyed meeting her and spending time with her.

Yesterday Jason took her Galveston, Texas to a water park.  They had a real good time.  On the way home he took her to eat and she tried Oysters Pappadeaux.  Again showing her courage.

She is having a great time.  We miss her and I think she misses us a little too, however she is enjoying herself. I am so glad that she has so many people who love her.  This whole experience of her getting to know her birth family has been such a blessing.  I know that not every adoptive story can have these joyful happenings but I am sure grateful that this one does.  She still has another couple of weeks before she comes home.

Kendee off to Louisiana

Well it's been so long since I've updated.  I so wanted to do better at this than I am, but onward and upward.  Well we decided to let Kendee go to Louisiana again only this time it is for a month.  She was a little nervous but very excited.  She will get to spend a more relaxed time with Jason and his little family and not be so busy craming as much as they can into a few days.  She left on Thursday June 9th and will be back on Friday July 8th.  It is a little weird around here without her but we have talked quite a bit on the phone.  I'm including the picture she sent of her first official crawfish boil dinner.  She was excited to try this and actually really liked it.  She said she ate the whole thing.  She said her Dad would like it and her Mom not.
Then on Saturday night Jason took her to Houston to see a Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves game.  Needless to say she loved it.  Her Grandma Owen has been an avid fan of the Braves for a long time and  so she was excited that they won the game at the top of the 10th inning.  After the game Jason drove her by to see the Houston Temple.  She said it was so beautiful and that the picture doesn't do it justice.

That was very nice of him to volunteer to drive her by.  She really appreciated it.

Sunday after going to church with Jason, Mr. Ralph and Mrs. Peggy they just had a nice relaxing day.  Kendee was holding Berkley and Jason was trying to get Berkley to look at the camera and she wouldn't then Kendee said she just looked up at her and gave her a great big grin.  I'm so glad that Jason got this picture  I think it is priceless.

This weekend Kendee and Jason are going to Hot Springs, Arkansas, Kendee's birthplace, where Jason can show her around.  They are going to have dinner with Jodee, Kendee's birthmother, on Friday night and Kendee will get to meet still more family.  Jason's mom also lives in Hot Springs so she'll get to meet her too.   So Ken and I are just getting a taste of how it used to be and also what's to come in a few short years. 

ARIZONA (Not so warm)

This is our team when we checked into Crown Council.  We had a great time.  However Arizona was not warm.  When we go there they were under a freeze warning.  It was the coldest it has been in 25 years.  (Go figure)

This is a picture of the shrubs in front of the Biltmore where we stayed.  It was beautiful and very nice.  It was been there for a long time.  Many celebrities have stayed there.  They said that Ronald Regan honeymooned there. 

These are pictures I took (with my phone camera) of the grounds.  They had an 18 hole putting green scattered around behind the area where this orange tree was. 

We ate outside in the courtyard for lunch both Friday and Saturday. It was a little cool but okay.

On Friday our first speaker spoke on Living our best life:  1) live today like it is the last, might be the last time you get to do that one thing. 2) Live dynamically 3)  Live Grateful 4) Leave a light 5) Live a life of love.  It was really good.  Our 2nd speaker spoke on avoiding procrastination and taking the stairs rather than the escalators in life.  Instead of being a "Shouldhead" and asking ourselves Should I ask "How will I?".   3rd speaker spoke on how to change things when change is hard.  How to create triggers for ourselves for change.  Saturday morning we watched this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ0zqo1opv8.  Talked about rising above adversity.   Our next speaker was on creating "moments of magic" with our patients and families.  Friday night we were entertained by Jeanne Robertson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YFRUSTiFUs.  This is one of the many stories she told.  She was hilarious. 

It was a good time (not quite as good as last year).  I was told that last year was probably the best in all 16 years.  I count that as a "tender mercy" as I learned so much and needed it a whole lot. 

At the airport on the way home our "boss" got the pat down so we had to take pictures.

Then from the plane I took pictures of the "Grand Canyon"

On my "bucket list" to see close up someday.  All in all a great trip...next year it's at the "M" resort in Las Vegas.

Arizona Here I Come

I leave one week from tomorrow for Arizona for a dental convention.  I am soooo excited.  They have a great program and when I went last year I came away with so much good information for my own personal life as well as professional life.  I can hardly wait.  Last year it was life changing for me and I am looking forward to what awaits me at this one.  

We are going to be staying here: http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/.  It is sure to be a great time.  The weather is supposed to be in the 70's, perfection. 

Jessica's "Daily Affirmation"

How about we all start our day like Jessica...what a great day we would have.  We can do ANYTHING that we set our minds to.  Remember each day we might only have that one chance to that one thing.  We need to take the opportunities as they arise.  Remember each day to say  "Today is My Day". 

Can I just say...

...I love this picture and my family.  This picture was taken in 1966.  Probably one of the only times Dad could hold all of his girls on his lap.  I have this picture on my desktop and look at it every day.  I smile every day.  I sure do miss my Dad and sometimes wish I could still sit on his lap and give him a big hug.  He would be so proud of his family and I know that he is.  I am truly blessed with the best parents in the world.  I know that they were chosen just for me and I couldn't be more grateful.  My Mom is my hero and I'm so glad to live close and see her whenever I want.  I am one lucky woman.

New Years Eve

We have other seating, but it is a love seat and they do love being with each other.

Kendee had a little party with some friends.  They had a great time.  They played a game we got for Christmas called "Dicecapades".  It is similar to Cranium but there is no sculpting involved and there isn't as much acting.  Kendee likes it better.  They ate sausage bites done like little smokies, spinach dip, relish/cream cheese dip and sodas.  Then at midnight we had to have our sparkling cider in our "plastic" champagne glasses.  It was fun to have them in our home.