Vacation to Maryland

We had a wonderful summer vacation!  This was our last vacation as a family of three and we made some great memories.  We left early on Sunday morning and made good time until we were just about 20 miles from Jon & Julie's house in Derwood, Maryland.  We hit a bit of a traffic jam due to an accident and construction.  Liam was such a good traveler.  Thank goodness for the DVD player!

Liam was very excited to see his cousins!  We made ourselves right at home at Jon & Julie's house.

On Monday morning we took a day trip to Washington DC.  Jon & Julie's house is located near a Metro station.  It was so nice to ride the Metro into the city instead of driving.  We ate a picnic lunch and then walked up the Mall.  We had the kids with us, so it was quite a hike for them, but they were troopers.  Ava and Andrew helped push the stroller.

In front of the Washington Monument

Andrew seemed happy to have Uncle Dave along

Ava was such a big helper with Liam

World War 2 Memorial

Indiana Section of World War 2 Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial Wall

On Tuesday Julie was kind enough to watch Liam for us so we could have a day out.  Julie took Liam to the park with Ava and Andrew.  They had a great time.

While Liam had fun at the park, Dave and I did some more sight seeing in Washington DC.  We also had a lunch date at an American Tavern.  It was so nice to have some time for just the two of us.

Arlington National Cemetery

President John F Kennedy's grave sight

Arlington House

view from the top of the hill

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Arlington National Cemetery with the Washington Monument in the background

Department of the Treasury

White House

Washington Monument

National Archives

 

Capital Building

On Wednesday we went with Julie and the kids to the beach in Ocean City, Maryland.  It was a prefect two days.  We stayed overnight in a hotel, since it was a three hour drive.  We wanted the most beach time possible. Liam absolutely loved the beach.  This was his first time seeing the ocean.  He was very brave on Wednesday and went right in with Dad.  On Thursday, he preferred to play in the sand most of the time, but still enjoyed some time in the waves.

Bridge to Ocean City

Our little monkey - climbing the rock wall at the park

Of all the things to play with, Liam wanted to play with the cones - go figure

beautiful sunset to end the day 

Liam's footprint

On Friday it was time to head home.  We decided to stop in Gettysburg on the way.  While there, we bought a CD from the gift shop that gave a tour.  We stayed in the van for most of the tour, since it was so HOT and muggy.  The weather helped us appreciate what the soldiers endured on those hot July days during the battle.  It turned out to be a great thing that we stopped on the way home.  It re-directed our route home, which helped us miss all the severe weather that passed through Indiana and Ohio.  We only drove through a little rain and some lightning.  Our guardian angels kept us safe through our whole trip.

Liam wasn't too excited to try on Abraham Lincoln's hat

Little Round Top

For supper we ate at Skyline Chili in Ohio, which was new to all of us.  Liam at four hot dogs, and enjoyed an oreo afterwards (I thought it was kind of an odd kids meal - I would have preferred some fruit and veggies in there, but at least he drank milk).  It was a good thing we stopped when we did, because all the towns after that were out of power.

traveling in comfort - what a life

Next summer we will have to forego our family vacation, since we will be flying to China to get our daughter.  We are so glad we have time now to devote all of our attention and energy on our little Liam.  We have enjoyed making great memories and being a family of three.  We are very blessed!

Coffee for a Cause

In order to defray the cost of adoption expenses, we are raising money through Just Love Coffee.  This organization was started by a family who adopted themselves and wanted to provide a way for orphans to connect with their forever family.  Each month we are mailed a check based on the number of orders placed through our storefront.  The coffee is delicious!  If you are a coffee drinker, please order some and try it for yourself.  We promise you won't be disappointed.  If you're not a coffee drinker, but know someone who is, order it and give it as a gift.  

Please visit our storefront at www.justlovecoffee.com/hermanfamily

Another Heart Update

Liam went in for his three month cardiologist appointment today.  It was a good check-up.  The main purpose for this visit was to check the fluid around his heart, which has been there since January.  Although he still has a little fluid remaining, the amount has decreased.  This means his body is healing itself and medication is not needed.  This is good news.
The nurse also checked the hole in his heart.  It remains the same size.  There is a chance that his body could heal this by the age of four, which would be wonderful.  However, the doctor said that since it is such a small hole, we won't have to fix it surgically even if it stays open.  It is a very minimal hole and Liam's heart is not leaking too much for it to be a concern.  We will check the other two heart problems (aorta and valve) at our next check-up, but from today's echocardiogram they look to be stable.  Overall, it was a good visit.  Liam is getting so good at sitting still and letting the nurses get all the pictures and videos they need.  The nurses are always so smitten with him - he is such a charmer!  I can't help but think that he is leaving quite an impression on the staff there.

Thank You

The words thank you don't quite seem powerful enough to convey the gratitude I have for the outpouring of love shown this weekend.  I am overwhelmed!  Our garage sale was a success in so many ways.  Many people donated items.  The yard looked more like a church rummage sale than just a garage sale.  We had many large items, some of which, were donated by people who do not know us personally, but heard about what we are doing and wanted to help.

I was also impressed with how many people offered to help set-up and organize the event.  Our dear friends, the Castens, offered their home, which was more centrally located.  Only true friends open their homes and arrange their lives to host such a big event.  We are so grateful for their generosity.  Our other great friends, the Zielinkis, who were the inspiration behind the whole event, helped organize things ahead of time, and make sure everyone knew what to do.  Sara put things on Craigslist, Phil was sweet enough to make dinner for us Friday night, and their five daughters were so helpful loading the Goodwill truck at the end.  Sara was also the "boss" during the sale, for which I am so thankful.  I would have been lost without her.  Our friend Deb helped by watching Liam on Friday morning.  Many other dear friends helped arrange and price things Thursday night and work the sale on Friday. 

We had a great turn-out of shoppers.  A couple church members showed up to show their support.  Some people made donations in addition to their purchases.  It is a humbling experience to accept money from people, but also so encouraging to know that so many care about our daughter already.  One couple gave us a $100 donation on Friday, which was also the day their father/father-in-law passed away.  They shopped the sale right after returning from the nursing home and saying their good-byes.  Isn't it amazing how people's lives intersect in the midst of sorrow and joy?  It just reminds me that the Lord gives and takes away - blessed be the name of the Lord.  This was emotional for me as it reminded me what our group of friends was doing on June 8th four years ago.  We were gathered for the funeral service for Christopher and Connor.  They helped us through that terrible time of grief and now have helped us in our time of joy and excitement.  Look how much has changed since that sad summer day - God has brought joy from the ashes.

Our summer of fundraising is off to a good start.  We still have a lot more to raise, but are encouraged that since God has called us to do this, He will also provide the funds we need.  God is so good!