Hooray! Readoption Day!

Hooray! Hooray! This morning at 9:00 am was Holly's readoption hearing! I know that it seems like I should have done this a while ago, but I didn't actually have all the documents I needed to file the paperwork until late February or early March. At that point, I did not want to have to miss a day, or part of a day, of work for the hearing. Since there wasn't any rush, I figured I would wait until school got out for the year. I finally got the paperwork filed Wednesday of last week, then Thursday scheduled the hearing for this morning.

Here is a picture of Holly sitting on the bench in the hallway, waiting to go into the courtroom. She needed a little slurp of milk before seeing the judge.


Of course, the hearing was short and sweet. They had initially said that they would just do it in the judge's chambers, but must have changed their minds, because we did it in the courtroom. I had the court reporter take a picture of Holly and I with the judge for her baby book. Then she asked if she should take another one, "just in case," since she wasn't very technologically savvy. Sure, I said, figuring it would be nice to have two to choose from to put in her baby book.

When I got home and looked at the camera to view the pictures before downloading them onto the computer, imagine my surprise when there were NO PICTURES that she had taken! I turned the camera off, then back on again, switched it to video mode, everything to make sure I wasn't just missing them somehow!! Still no pictures. I am very disappointed and sad about this. This is a big day in both of our lives, and I really, really wanted a picture of us with the judge for her baby book. I feel like I should have looked at the camera at the courthouse.

We live in a small county, and I am half tempted to drive back up there and ask if we can take them again! But I know I won't do that because it would be an inconvenience to the judge...

The important thing is that the readoption is completed and now I can have her name changed on her social security card and Certificate of Citizenship, then apply for a U.S. passport for her. When that is done, there will be no more paperwork left that have to do!

Relay for Life

Our Relay for Life team has been making beaded bracelets as our fundraiser. We decided to sell them at the Demo Derby this last weekend, both at the car derby on Friday and the combine derby on Saturday. We had a booth set up with bracelets, purple hair extensions, car antenna toppers, and a few other items. All of the money that each team raises goes to the American Cancer Society.

The bracelets are silver and colored beads, with each of the colors representing a different type of cancer. For example, melanoma is the black bead, orange represents leukemia, and breast cancer is pink. Here is what the bracelet looks like. This is actually my bracelet that I got about this time last year and have worn every day since then. Holly likes to tug on it, but it is incredibly sturdy!

They come in purple mesh bags (purple is the ACS Relay for Life color) with a card that lists which cancer each color represents.
We have also had a lot of requests for bracelets that represent only one specific cancer. Of course, breast cancer is one that is requested often, however prostate cancer and lung cancer are also ones that we make a lot of. We also make larger or smaller ones for people with different sized wrists; since the bracelets are stretchy, the average ones fit most people. Here is a picture of the regular bracelet and a larger breast cancer bracelet. This isn't the best quality picture, but you get the idea.
These have been very popular in our area and we have sold a lot of them the last two years. We are hoping to branch out and sell them to people in other areas, as well. While I am not really the "salesperson" type, I thought I would post about it for anyone who might be interested. The more I talk to people about the bracelets or Relay for Life, the more stories I hear of people whose lives have been touched by cancer. Whether it is their own battle, a family member, or a friend, it seems like everyone knows someone who has or is fighting cancer. Walking in the Relay for Life is my way of helping fund cancer research and celebrate the lives of family and friends who have won their battle with cancer.

PS - Here is Holly's demonstration of how to reduce skin cancer. Always wear a cute hat, sunscreen, and an adorable swimsuit with UV protection in the fabric!

Combine Demolition Derby Weekend!

As some of you know, this past weekend was the annual Combine Demolition Derby in Lind. This is a BIG DEAL in Lind and it is always so fun! My parents came over for the weekend to watch and to play with Holly, of course. The weather has finally gotten nice, so we relaxed out in the back yard Thursday evening. Holly and Maddie played in the water; they shared very nicely, I might add. Holly has decided that Maddie is like a horse. Whenever Maddie is just lying around trying to sleep, Holly climbs up on her and goes for a ride. Maddie is so very patient and never really gets upset about it. If she doesn't want Holly on her, she just rolls on her side and Holly falls off (or can't get up).
Saturday was a jam packed day of fun!! Here is Holly at the parade that the town has in the morning. Someone gave her a little flag, which she waved the entire time. This earned her lots of candy being thrown from combines in the parade because everyone thought she was so cute! Never mind that she can't eat hard candy...but she did get a cookie, which she has in her other hand!
I had to commemorate Holly's first combine derby for her baby book, so I found a former student, whose family always enters a combine in the derby. Here is Holly with him in front of their combine. I always root for them to win, and they usually do! They did it again this year, too!
I have to say, pictures just don't do this event justice, but I had to try! There is nothing like seeing 6 or 7 combines in a rodeo arena, bashing each other up, tearing parts off of each other, and popping tires. I'm telling you, THIS is a good time! Holly really liked it, too. I have pictures of her on another camera that I will have to post later.

On Sunday, we went to my brother's house for the "Day of Troy" as his wife calls it. It is not only Father's Day, but my brother's birthday, AND their anniversary (so he would never forget). Here is Holly just hanging around with Grandma. This is her favorite new position and wants to be upside down all the time. I would have a headache, but she hardly wants to be right-side-up when she is playing and gets it in her head that she should be upside down.
I just had to throw this one in to prove that Holly is not always happy and smiley, since that's what you always see on this blog! I have no idea what she was upset about here, but I think she changed her tune pretty quickly.
Grandpa got a Father's Day card that played a song. Holly pretty much took that card for herself and entertained everyone with it for a long time, while both Grandpa and Uncle Troy opened presents.
Before we left for the Derby on Saturday, I snapped this picture of Maddie and Holly looking out the front door. Grandma and Grandpa had gone to the motor home for a minute, and they were both anxiously awaiting their return. How cute is this picture?!
I will post more pictures of the last week soon, but I have to get them from Grandma. Just wanted to show you all the fun we had. The title of this entry *should* be a link to the Lind Combine Demolition Derby web page. The pictures at the bottom are from the 2007 derby, but they may get updated soon. It will give you an idea about what the entire weekend is like, though!