Happy 30th Birthday to ME!

Alright, after all these birthday festivity posts, I finally turned 30 on Monday, April 27th! It was a wonderful birthday because I just spent it with my two favorite boys...Brian and Logan :)

It was a beautiful day outside, so we just spent the day working in the yard. And it wasn't torture, we love landscaping!

That evening we went to Olive Garden for dinner and used the Gift Card that I received...Thanks Regina, Scott, Megan and Allyson :) I got the new dish that they have, Chicken with Lasagna rolls...Delicious!

Room with A View

Well, after Kari's bridal shower Brian and I headed to downtown Chicago and stayed at the Swissotel. We were on the 35th floor and the view was gorgeous...even with the clouds and rain :)

This venture was a continuation of my birthday which wasn't until Monday the 27th. It's funny b/c since he had the party for me a week ago, I feel like I've been celebrating my birthday forever! Oh well, I guess I'll always remember my 30th :)

On Sunday, we decided to drive-by our old neighborhood, Lincoln Park and take some pictures. It's crazy we haven't lived there for 3 years, but it seems like just yesterday we were walking around downtown with Brandon heading to a dog park. We really loved the city, but seeing where we used to live really makes me love our house with a big backyard!

The 2-Flat in the middle was ours. We had the top floor and the inside was actually really gorgeous because they had re-done the whole inside. It's still my fav kitchen with brand new white cabinets and tile.

Just in the middle of the below pic is the back of our place. Where the cars are is where we payed a hefty fee to park.
Salt 'n Pepper Diner was where we would walk to eat Sunday breakfast. We loved this place...Brian always got breakfast and I would get a cheeseburger (not a huge brkfast fan).

Vaughn's Pub was our local watering hole :)
This was the dog park that we used to take Brandon after getting our Chai tea's at Starbucks.

Kari's Bridal Shower

On Saturday Kari's wedding festivities started off with the Peterson bridal shower. It was held at Aunt Carol's house and there were 18 people that were able to attend. Carol always does a wonderful job hosting parties and so it was a very fun and relaxed shower...not too mention she is an amazing cook!

There were thunderstorm showers outside. We just said that Kari was getting it all out of the way now since on her wedding day it needs to be nice and sunny...it's on a beach!

Children Available for Adoption!

KidsFirst agency in Indianapolis (who we got Logan thru) has been contacted about a few Russian children that are available for adoption. These are children that the orphanages feel would thrive in a family environment and have great potential.

Here is the information about a sibling group available:

“I just received information about the sibling group. It is a brother and a sister who are 7 and 8 but will be 8 and 9 this summer and fall. They live in a very good orphanage and are well cared for now but came from an abusive home with signs of physical abuse from the parents. Both parents were deprived parental rights.

We are trying very hard to find a family for these children. They were very unlucky to be borne in the family who didn’t have a job and money and whose struggle to survive created a lot of stress and physical violence at home. Caregivers at the orphanage speak very highly of children; describe them as bright and capable and very much wanting to be in the family.”

Here is the information about a 9 year old girl waiting adoption:

“We also have one girl waiting; she will be 9 this summer. We received a request to find her a “very good” family. They stated that she is bright, social, likes to dance and sing, and participates in different activities at the orphanage. She was raised mostly by her grandfather but he is getting older and not in the position to care for her.”

For further information please contact Inna Pecar at KidsFirst Adoption Agency. Their phone# is 317-843-2300. They will try to talk to each family interested to evaluate the appropriateness of the match depending on the family situation, readiness of their home study and to make sure that they can answer any questions that the family may have.

I am trying to reach as many families as possible with this post because these are children that are desperately in need of forever families.

My 30th Birthday Suprise Party!

Well, Brian actually pulled off a Suprise birthday party for me! Regina, Scott, Megan and Allyson called last week and asked if they could take Logan out to eat and then we would meet them at the bowling alley at 3. So, Brian and I decided to go shopping while they were eating and I was taking my time since no child meant not having to constantly monitor anyone and I can just relax. Problem was that Brian was rushing me. We stop back at home first and then head to the bowling alley. My uncle Scott was upfront waiting on us and said they were on the back lane. We got there and no one was there. He opened the door and there was all my immediate family...including Brian's parents~ What a HUGE suprise!! I can't beleive no one in my family gave it away...they aren't the best with secrets like this :) Plus, I couldn't believe that they were all there. It was definitely one of the happiest days of my life...I just love and appreciate them all so much and to have them do this for me was so awesome. On top of that, what an amazing husband Brian is...he's been planning this since January and I never found out.

He had decorations all over, appetizers, and my favorite chocolate cupcakes with red icing! It was more than I could've asked for. And then on top of that, I walked up and bowled 4 strikes in the first 4 frames. I ended up beating everyone with a 171.

Happy Easter!

For Easter Sunday we spent it in Richmond with my family. First we went to Oak Park Church and then afterwards everyone headed to my parents house for a pitch-in lunch. As always, it was great to just be around family...plus the food is yummy!

And of course, what kind of Easter would it be without a basket from Grandma & Grandpa Peterson! He loved all the new books, toys and especially the "grass" from the basket.