The yellow shirt

Today, I was wasting time on the computer and Nick was off doing various loud things around the house and he came downstairs and said "look mom, do you love this shirt." He was holding his yellow shirt from the orphanage. We have talked about the shirt before and how we love it because he looked so cute in it and he wore it so much in the baby house. We were not allowed to take pictures of any of the other children or caretakers besides the baby house doctor and of course, we don't have any baby pictures, so I asked them if we could have the yellow shirt as a reminder/memento of the time at the baby house. They gave it to us and it has been hanging in his closet since we came home. So, Nick ran off and came back a few minutes later with it on.....it was a sniff, sniff moment and hilarious all in one! On one hand, it took me right back to the baby house and our favorite picture below of Nurik almost Nick Kitzman, On the other hand, he looked like an 80's muscle dude with his tummy hanging out of one of those hideous half-shirts and mismatched shorts! What is always so amazing is how much he has changed in 2 1/2 years. He hardly looks like the same child. The other picture of him at the babyhouse shows how he was always standing at the door banging to get out.....he sure loved us back then, hee,hee! and he was wearing the yellow shirt. We have tons of pics in the yellow shirt...I loved the yellow on him, still do! He looks so handsome in bright colors.......those strikingly handsome dark eyes and hair to match! :)


The YELLOW SHIRT 2007




The YELLOW SHIRT 2009

The really funny part was that my Kazakh boy had this crazy itty bitty bright puffy sleeved shirt with bears on it and was singing about bears in spanish! CLASSIC!

School continues to go well. We have grooved into a routine of sorts. He still is resistant to writing homework but I have seen improvement so I think it is just a matter of building his confidence (and patience!). We had one big war the other day and he was bemoaning....literally... the fact that he was hopeless (think total drama) and his name was the worst and he wanted to change his name (nope, not going back to Nurbolat) and on, and on, and on. He could have written his name one hundred times by the time he finished the "act". Oi! We are going to pursue at least an initial OT (private) eval for sensory type behaviors. They do not seem to be causing any problems at school but if there are ways that we can help him at home to focus or maintain composure when in an overstimulating environment, I am all over it. I will say that I still go back and forth on even doing this testing because it always seems if I just wait a few more months, he improves. I always second guess myself because maybe we are just having expectations that are ahead of the game. He wasn't cutting well at all 3 months ago and now, he cuts paper almost like a pro.....well, a Kindergarten pro but crazy improved even so! I think the initial eval will be good and then they can just give us advice on what to do next. I don't want to add more out of class time for him when he seems to be doing so well but also don't want him to lose out either if it will help him at all. Have I mentioned before that knowing the right thing to do as a parent is hard! ;)

I am working some now for the family that I nannied for several years ago. The mom always has projects so I am just helping her out. A very comfortable, flexible job that fits our needs and doesn't tie me down. We have been going thru all of her kids stuff and getting rid of the old, and with twin boys, broken! ;) Bringing back so many memories of when they were little. The twins were 7 months when I started and their daughter was born while I was there, Now, they are almost 13 and 10. Yikes! It is a great job for now so I can still do school things with Nick and a little mommy time to boot! ;)

Nick has his first field trip to an apple orchard on Friday. Stay tuned for apple pickin' pics!

How did you know?

What have we been up to lately? Besides having someone sick for the last 3 weeks, mostly Nick, we have tried to start venturing out every weekend to do something fun as a family. We have been bad about avoiding these things as the past bad experiences in the early days jaded us for further excursions but Nick has really matured so each new adventure gives us more confidence to take the next adventure....

We planned on going to Ikea in Cinci to get some wall units for my organization goals since I have some free time now. So, Patrick decided a small detour north to Dayton and the airforce museum would be a good family adventure. Recently, we had good friends move up there also so we gave them a call too. We headed up north after church. After we missed our friends for an hour or so due to bad cell connections in the museum and even funnier, we both were calling each others home numbers instead of cell numbers.(...can you say dorks!), we finally met up with them and the boys played on the planes and ran around. We love the museum! We did not have our cameras with us when the boys were playing but did have some shots of Nick before we met up. Nick and Pat when on the simulator and I actually think Nick was a bit disappointed that you really didn't leave the ground.

And, then we headed to Ikea! We had it all planned out since you only get an hour of free childcare and it takes almost that long to walk thru without shopping!! It seemed we were not meant to get anything again as the shelving and color we wanted was out of stock. I opted for the available color and to my surprise it wasn't that much different than the other color that I wanted. So happy! So below is a picture of our first purchase. We plan to go back and get another identical to this one for our office. Nick was not originally supposed to be in the pic but wanted to show off Super Bear although you can barely see him on his head! I am just glad to have a place for everything and it has helped keep things organized except for all the playmobil/lego pieces that are a thorn in my side.......all I am saying is if you have younger boys, only ask for playmobil or lego stuff when they are about 15! :)

The imagination station brought us the Happy Meal helmet this particular week. He actually had the upside down M handles on his eyes like goggles too. He is so funny!

Last weekend, we ventured back out to our local hiking trails. Daddy had taken him a while back and had a fairly successful adventure so this time we were going to try a whole loop. We usually had to turn around and come back the same trail because we were afraid to get too far out! He made the loop! We were so proud and tired! By no means is he a quiet hiker so animals will be far and few between but we are considering it a grand success.

This weekend, we headed to the planetarium in a near-by town. It was fun and he really liked the stars and planets. I would say the "movie" was about circa 1980 but he sat and watched the whole thing. After also visiting my great aunt and uncle, we headed back home. Good family time!

As I said in the beginning, we have had lots of sickness lately. Nick started it all with strep several weeks ago. Pat and I thought we had it but mine was sinus and Pat just spiked a fever and then came down with the worst poison ivy that I have ever seen! It just kept spreading. He finally had to go get a steroid shot and now is on a steroid taper until after next week. The good news is that we are on the mend. Nick however is having a chest cold/bronchitis flair up? He spiked a fever last night to almost 104. Bless his heart! I am wondering if he picked up something at school or the doctor's office? We had a little emergency visit to the doctor on Friday because the teacher was worried that he had blood inside his ear. I was worried that he had developed an ear infection after his strep episode, and he just not being one to show pain, just didn't say anything and now, his eardrum had burst. Total Mom guilt! Well, Not exactly the case! The doctor started checking his ears and then said "hmmmm, Nick did you stick something in your ear" and in true Nick form...no denial, no confession...just "how did you know?" I couldn't believe it. He had stuck something in his ear. The eraser end of a pencil, we think. Luckily, not far enough to damage the drum or other important stuff but had traumatized (scratched) the canal enough to bleed. So now we have expensive ear antibiotic drops and I am kicking myself for not asking her to check his chest/throat again as it was only the next day (yesterday) that he started with this chest cough and fever. Will it never stop! He hadn't been sick for almost a year or more and then you start Kindergarten and wham! I thought he would have had more in preschool but apparently not! Bigger kids, bigger germs? So, we are thankful that this is a holiday weekend and hopefully, he will be fever free today and tomorrow and get back to school on Tuesday.

Speaking of school, he is doing well! He loves spanish and is always singing for us and saying random words in spanish. We are struggling with writing homework but I am just going to have to let it go and just let him learn at his pace. The teachers don't seem to be that alarmed about his lack of skills so we shall see. His scissor skills have improved so much since last year that I hope his writing will kick in as well. We always have OT in the back of our minds but we will see how the next few months progress. He improves every week so we shall see. We have had some battles after school as I am sure he is just about sensory overloaded at that point but we continue to try new rules or structure that keeps him from melting down. He tossed his backpack over the stair rail last week. It didn't hit anyone but the looks I got from the other mothers was enough to make me cry for hours after. Nick received punishment but I was ready to never go back into the school again. What is it about raising kids that brings up so many old feelings and behaviors in the parents. My sister is struggling with her daughter because it mostly reminds her of her days in 1st and second grade and the younger me avoided all things that would draw attention or would get me in trouble and all of those feelings came flooding back when Nick misbehaved and did something that I would NEVER do! I felt completely condemned not to mention there was a teacher at the bottom of the stairs asking "who did it"! Ugh, I was way more traumatized than Nick was even with the million consequences I tried to give him.....although I did realize I was going overboard after talking with a friend. It just goes to show that parenting often teaches us more about ourselves, the good and the bad, than we ever expected. Life is always about learning and growing. Good thing God has so much grace......I only wish I had a little more for myself! Really though, fellow moms shouldn't be so quick to give "the look"...you know what I am talking about! :)

Well, we have officially gone private. It took me a while to get all the emails and I am still not sure I have them all. I guess I will find out now. Happy Labor Day weekend to all!

What happened to the good ol' days?

Basically, it is a kazamommy panic day! I have been thinking of going private on the blog for quite awhile. Maybe I watch too much TV or read to much but really our world unfortunately just has a bunch of people that have issues and I really don't want our family to be at risk even just a little bit to these scary folk. There has been reports of blog pictures being hijacked and used for crazy things. Now, I know all two people, OK, maybe 9 that read my blog will be challenged by the fact that they will now have to "sign in" to read the blog but really, just write it on a post it note and stick it on the computer to remember. I will need everyone who reads the blog to send me your email. My email is hensley k hensley @ aim . com (take the spaces out when you actually email me) I think I know most of you that read this and will send you an invite as soon as I learn how to go private. It will just involve you clicking on the invite and then coming up with your user name and password. I will keep the blog public until August 31st and then go private. I mostly use this blog to share pictures with family and friends so I don't want to be paranoid anymore about what I post or what pictures I use.....I want you to enjoy them all so it will be easier with a private blog. Sorry, for the inconvenience but I have to agree with my kazamommy buddies....it's just not worth the risk! :) You can leave me your email in the comments or email me directly. If I do not know you in real life but you are a friend of a friend or a Kaz adoption family, I need a full resume and 3 references! Just kidding! But, I would like some additional info and frankly, if I can't see a clear verifiable connection to our story, I may have to decline. Sorry, but people just don't tell the truth anymore and I need to be confident that you are not a sneaky snake! :) I don't see this as too much of a problem because I don't feel all 9 of you are a threat at all! :) So long story, short....going private on August 31st, send in your email for an invite if you wish to follow the further adventures of the Kazmanian Devil!

To Kindergarten and Beyond.........

A new adventure for the Kazmanian Devil........

We started out the First day at McDonald's with a family breakfast and all out Kindergarten pep talk!



It looks like they are deep in prayer here.....maybe they were, I know I was! :)




In front of his new elementary school! He is so handsome although not too sure about all this. It was a bit chaotic around the school with all the parents taking pictures and such....we were just glad not to be the ONLY parents who wanted to do the geeky picture thing. :)



Me and my boy! He was getting ready to reach up and grab my face and kiss it. Such a smooshie mushie boy!



We took him to his room and found his cubby .....he was just not too sure about all this hoopla!



Daddy was giving the last big pep talk......



Mommy filling out the last papers and Nick READY TO START THE DAY! What a smile!



Our boy is in elementary school! He has cried a little in the mornings but overall, he likes school! Pat and I were a bit overwhelmed at all the parental activity the first day. Parents were everywhere taking pictures and getting their little ones to class. I actually was impressed by all the fathers there. I'm glad to know that we will be a school with both parents involved and glad to see that actually both parents WANT to be involved.



All day/week on facebook and in blogland, I have been reading ode's to the first day of Kindergarten. Lots of introspective and weepy moms speaking their hearts. I'm not sure sending him to K was any different than preschool for me except for the length of time he is gone from us. My stomach was churning in anticipation. How was he going to deal with it all? How would he behave? Is he going to cry? Am I going to cry? The unknown just freaks me out.



I don't think we had the "typical" parent feelings because simply, he has only been with us 2 and 1/2 years. There are no baby memories, no amazement of how fast time flew, no reminiscing with fellow moms about "remember when", etc. We don't have that kind of time flow and memory recall. I don't dwell on those facts because I had no control over them. I try to remember that those 3 years in the baby house for good or bad helped create the boy that we have today and I really love the boy that we have today.

I have to admit that I was a school junkie....always loved it, always will. I loved to learn and I loved my teachers. So, I was generally so excited for Nick. He loves to learn and now he can have almost 7 hours of a constant learning environment, new friends, and fun challenges. I am just so excited for him and that is where all the introspection comes for me.

I am overwhelmed and amazed at all our boy has accomplished in 2 1/2 short years.
*learned how to be a son and a part of a family
*learned how to belong to a group in a different capacity than in an orphanage
*learned how to be a member of society at the store, in church, in school, etc
*learned how to speak a new language and new way of communicating
*learned how to receive nutrition in a non institutional and unregulated way
*learned how to be a friend
*learned how to play and pretend
*learned how to spontaneously laugh and to recognize fun and joyful moments
*learned how to be safe and avoid danger
*learned how give and receive affection and love
*learned how to swim
*learned about God's love and His hand in all of our lives
*learned to develop a love for books and reading
*learned to apologize and also to forgive

I think I could go on and on but you get the idea. This boy has done amazing things in almost 2 1/2 years.....sure all kids learn those things but he had to do it in half the time to be ready for Kindergarten. AND, he is starting on time at 5 1/2! We feel so blessed. We know so many adoptive and biological parents that have struggled so much more to get where we were this week and I just feel thankful. The potential and infinite possibilities that I hope our boy will be able to fulfill in the coming years gives me chills and tears most days! It is these kind of days...big days...that make me ponder for a short time the "what ifs"....

what if we had chosen fertility treatments over adoption
what if we had said, NO, we really want an infant.....he's too old
what if we had chosen the other child
what if we had decided not to pursue being parents
what if we had chosen Russia, China, or Guatemala

I know God would have had blessings and trials for us in any or all of those situations had we chosen them instead but God chose for our lives to cross with Nick's and we are all forever changed........ us by the journey and Nick by no longer remaining an orphan. It is the thought that another "Nick" or "Nicole" full of potential, full of love, full of worth may not get the same chance as our Nick did that haunts me. When I look at Nick's picture in front of the school, I think of them and then I cry. So my tears are flowing but not necessarily for the same reason as most other moms. I am honored and humbled to have crossed paths with Nick by God's grace but I am also brought to my knees in pain and conviction about the others.

Our church has been discussing what we as Christians are really called to do here on earth. They have been talking about "IT". What is IT for each of us that makes us more like Jesus, that causes us to take risks, to LOVE deeper and sacrifice more. Our pastor has called us to make a difference in Kentucky, the US and the World.......we are called to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, house the homeless and take care of the orphans....father the fatherless. Do we need the latest techno gadget, biggest house, fastest car, best schools, coolest clothes to be like Jesus to others? I say absolutely not. When are we going to get a clue? If we all decided to take on God's call to us then what would happen? Would we wipe out hunger, would everyone have a place to sleep at night, would there be no orphans who aged out of the system with nowhere to go but the street or crime, would one more "Nick" go to Kindergarten just like everyone else with mom and dad taking pictures and whispering I love you as you backed out of the doorway.....WHAT IF? I don't know at this point if we will adopt again but I know our hearts have forever been changed toward orphan care. We can make a difference, we DID make a difference in one life, one kindergartners life.......how many more can we help/love/serve? Yep, that's the stuff I thought about this week as my boy went to school, what about you? :)

Fever, Trauma, and Drama........

I'm not one to get into the drama of it all but our lives have been quite a saga for the last month. We are slowly regaining normalcy in our lives....whatever that is!

My fever which started around July 6th and lasted thru a hospitalization 3 weeks later has basically been a fever of unknown origin. We tested for just about everything. My liver enzymes were elevated which was the confusing factor. They were stuck on Hepatitis B for several weeks which delayed other tests but we have now moved on to checking for auto immune hepatitis. Now, that I am feeling better, my guess is that we will never know what caused either problem. I see a GI/liver focused doctor today and I am expecting a "well, we just don't know" answer but at this point, I can accept that answer. I did find out that I may be seeing a doctor that I worked with alot during my research dietitian days. He was a very nice guy but it will be weird...hopefully, helpful too since I know him, but we shall see.....

In the midst of all my fever/fatigue and generally feeling like a truck ran over me issues, Pat had his own medical saga. He came home from work complaining of chest pain and pain under his arm. Now, neither of us are alarmists by nature, especially Pat, but we were alarmed! He has a strong family history for heart events and well, we just didn't want to risk anything! So he headed to the ER. I was feeling really bad at this point and really didn't want to go to the hospital and get more germs so my dear friend Laurie delayed her vacation and came over to sit with me until we found out if he was having a heart attack or not. If yes, then she would stay with Nick, if No, then she would head out. We did not hear anything for a long time so she finally drove me to the ER so I could check on him (yes, we could have called but we only live 3 miles from the hospital). I went in to check on him and found out that he did not seem to have had an event but during the check out stage, they had given him nitro and then stood him up which caused him to black out and fall and hit his head and tush. Luckily, he did not hit his head too hard or maybe his head was too hard! ;) The bad luck involved his rear....he took all of his weight directly on his coccyx apparently and STILL 3 weeks later has trouble sitting for long periods of time. He could barely walk around for the first few days. They did an incident report but no xrays. There is not much you can do for a coccyx (tailbone) injury so he has just grinned (not so much) and bore it! Bless his heart (which thankfully checked out healthy). We had to just laugh but it was not fun....we are blaming his heart ailment on added stress of the sick mamma!

And, last but not least, Drama....of course that involves Nick! hee,hee!

He has definitely been a trooper thru this whole saga but we have had lots of "drama". He has no problems getting his feelings out when things are unsure around him. The day I went into the hospital was on the Friday of the first week of spanish camp. I came home from the dr. and told Pat that they wanted to admit me. Nick was just getting ready to get in his blow up pool. He was a little upset to stop what he was doing and Pat tried to explain that we were going to take me to the hospital so I could get better. While we were getting stuff together, he was just walking around and I heard him say from upstairs, "I'm a little worried about my mommy" and then in the car, he said, "I'm just really confused". I'm telling you, I just wanted to BOO HOO for traumatizing my sweet boy. He sounded so worried and so innocently concerned. He was understandably overstimulated at the hospital with all the bells and whistles so they did not stay long after I got to my room. He just got the biggest crocodile tears in his eyes and held onto me and said, "I'm going to miss you so much"....It absolutely was torture! Our friends swooped in to help and keep him distracted so I don't think the mental torture will be long-lasting, at least for him! ;) He did awesome at spanish camp although my hospitalization messed with his ability to be dropped off easily. He did NOT want me to leave him after I got home from the little stay in the hospital. He would cry big tears and hang on to me. Broke my heart!!! His teachers allowed him to call me at home and "check" on me that second week. He learned so much in those short two weeks that I can't imagine how much he is going to learn in Kindergarten and he really picks up the spanish quickly! Being young is such an advantage to learning a language! I am a little worried how he will use his second language to annoy us after our dramatic doctor visit yesterday. He had his 5 year old check up and because we had earlier that morning visited his new classroom, he had a bit of an overstimulated attitude going. He did not want to leave his fun classroom to go to the doctor so he decided to "take control". He was "hands on" everything from the time we walked in the clinic. I was literally trying to wrangle the Kazmanian devil. I think that it appears to those who don't "know" Nick that I am a docile mom but really when he gets like this, you just have to survive. He did lots of impromptu timeouts in whatever chair I could find but short of Duct taping his mouth, I cannot control what comes out at the moment....I ignore alot! I am sure it is shocking to most, heck, it is shocking to me. A Dr. Jekyll/Mr Hyde transformation is never fun for anyone. I just happen to know it will be fine when I get him home in a "known" environment with "known" parameters and "known" consequences. So, the funny story comes when he is being a "brat" and not answering any of the doctors questions. He was not being cooperative AT ALL. She was asking him his colors. He would not answer her. I told him that he needed to stop this behavior and answer her so in his most timid but hiding all out rebellion voice, I hear him start answering her in SPANISH! Yes, my little 5 year old decided that he would not come under the control of these two adults and still do it HIS WAY. So I hear Amarillo come out of his mouth for yellow and then Rojo for red and it took everything in me not to laugh as I explained to the Dr. that he was answering correctly but in spanish. We are sooo in trouble as he gets older...this boy is strong-willed and extremely smart!! :) Lucky for him, he is the cutest boy ever! He had so many consequences to serve once he got home that I had to list them! He paid his dues and then was fine the rest of the day....just like I figured he would be...... parenting is an adventure. Now, if I can just get over worrying about what others think of my parenting skills....ugh!


So, I can't end the long boring up-to-date post without a brief happy side-note about our visit from Cincy Karen and Max. Boy, we love those peeps! I love my Karens.....whenever I am with them,it is like being with a friend you have known forever. Maybe God arranged it so we would all be named Karen thus creating an immediate weird kinship but the rest is just pure fun. Not only do we have our Kazboys in common but we really enjoy each others company. Cincy brought me the best donuts and besides way too much sugar, I really did feel better at the end of the day. The boys are so cute together. Nick called Max his "brother" several times and I will steal a few pics from Cincy because they are so darn cute and sweet!






Kindergarten starts tomorrow.....stay tuned!!!!!

Mayberry of the North 2009

I will finally be caught up with pictures with this post! woo,hoo! Our usual trip north for the 4th of July was altered in a good way this year. We decided to go visit Pat's brother and family in Eau Claire before we headed further North to Pat's folks house and cabin. We had never visited them at their house since we got married and it was about time. I also had the idea that they were not far from Minnesota so the trip had to include a side visit to Minni Karen's neck of the woods.

We arrived in EC on Saturday and had some awesome hometown Pizza. Now, since we had all just seen each other in Mexico a mere 8 days prior, we didn't have a bunch of "catching up" to do so we ate some awesome food, and watched Wal-E (sp?) with Nick. We decided to meet up with Minni and fam at the Minneapolis zoo on Sunday. It was absolutely gorgeous weather...mid 70's/low 80's and we just had a great time.

Garrett and Nick had a fun time and kept us hopping and shaking our heads all day. They both have so much energy! Kaz warrior blood I suppose! It was so special to finally get our boys together! Can't wait to see them again, soon I hope!

We left Mike and Julie's on Monday morning and headed on up to Mayberry....funny thing was the temperatures were dropping as we drove. We had 40's and 50's for the first 3 days there....totally rocked. We had to adjust our schedules a bit but we adjusted. It did finally warm up to some good boating weather and usual fourth fun was had by all. Because of the chilly air, we saw an abundance of Movies. They were all good and we even took Nick to one...Up!...He talked a bunch but the theatre was pretty empty so we made it thru the whole movie. We also saw the Night at the Museum sequel, Transformers 2, and the Proposal. I was able to read 4 books as well. I love the slower pace of a small town. We had a little adjustment to our usual 4th proceedings and were able to spend part of the day with Pat's extended family/cousins at his cousin Jeff's house. They have a fabulous place on the lake (different lake than Pat's folks)and we enjoyed visiting with family we don't always get to see every year.


We returned home to KY on Monday after the 4th and collapsed exhausted from our Month long vacation/socializing extravaganza! It's great to have family and friends that you actually do want to visit and spend quality time with but I think we will try not to have that all occur in June next year! ha! Enjoy the slide show of Pics from Wisconsin.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I have been sick since the Monday we returned home with a mystery illness. Still have no diagnosis despite dr. visit, blood draws, and everyone's "opinions". So far, not swine flu, mono, or pregnant...could be just a viral "thing", long case of the normal flu, hep A, meningitis, beriberi, typhoid, or malaria....yeah, those last ones are from my parents...they are a little worried to say the least. So, I have had a 100-101 fever for almost 2 weeks and I am fed up! You cannot have a fever with a 5 year old. They don't really care and I just can't lay in bed cuz that's what I "feel" like doing so we have had playdates, bouncy place visits, and outings ...soooo don't tell me a fever put you to bed.....some of us don't get that luxury, being a mom is not for the faint of heart...although, I have felt like fainting. All I am saying is Nick has watched many, many shows this past two weeks. Luckily, he has spanish camp for the next two weeks so hopefully, I can mend and he cannot be bored out of his mind. He has been a trooper and so has Pat. I am glad my boys are there for me...I'm a lucky girl! It is one of those times you just want your mom though. She unfortunately has had her hands full with my dad who broke his tibial plateau (top part of your lower leg bone) after tripping over some carpet playing ping pong. Freak accident but a quick surgical repair and now he is mending well with really good Physical therapists by his side and my mom......lucky him!

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer and for us the unseasonably cool weather...no complaints from me especially since I am generating enough heat of my own. I will let you know what my final diagnosis was and I hope it doesn't require a "Dr. House" type doctor although I did enjoy the show in the early days.

Mexico Trip 2009

I am not sure I did the Smile Box the right way because I could not get all the pics on one show....so there are 5 shows...sorry! We had an awesome time and Nick had a fabulous time with his cousins. Many Thanks to Bob and Ruth who chose to share this special event in their lives with their family. It was a once in a lifetime experience to have everyone together for that amount of time and they said that was exactly what they wanted for their Anniversary present! Bob had a very sweet speech for Ruth and presented her with her first wedding band and said..."With this ring, I thee Wed" Yes, tears all around. He had a list of things that had made their marriage work for 50 years and I don't have a copy but the shortened version and definitey not as eloquent version is that making God, each other, family, and generosity your life's priorities will always bring joy and happiness! Enjoy the pictures!


-------------------------------------------------------------

If you have not used Smilebox, Just click on play and it will upload the video of pics and play them for you. Very easy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow