Going to sleep on June 29th

Exactly one year ago tonight I was too excited to go to sleep. I was ecstatic, emotional and nervous all at the same time. June 30th is an infamous day for us...it's the day that we busted him out. The days of us "visiting" him were behind us. Orphanage life was about to be over...done with...forever. He'd been a Stone for a couple weeks by this time and he'd been our son for much longer. But the joy of knowing that we didn't have to say goodbye and leave him everyday like we had been doing for months over took me. I could hold him in my arms and not let go. He was mine now and no one could ever take him away. I thought that I loved this little boy this time last year and I did, but I had no idea how much more room I had in my heart. How that love continues to grow. I can't, not even for a minute, imagine my life without him. I just can't...I'm changed now.

I love you, Ryland Dias Stone.

Crazy Storms

Crazy storms in Dallas last night.  Hail, rain, wind, thunder, lightning...everything.  And I missed it.  I'm traveling for work this week.  Poor Dustin had to deal with a scared Ry, a scared Sadie, water leaking, trash blowing and everything else.  The hail was so loud in our room that he had to relocate the 3 of them to the guest bedroom and try to get some sleep.  He was rushing to leave to drop Ryland off at summer school and get to his meeting this morning and when he went outside to get in the truck, our trash was blown all over the place.  I can only imagine him picking up all that mess in his dress clothes as fast as possible.  I feel bad.  I wish I was there to help.  I miss my boys.

Making The Sky by Lori Anderson-Printy

Ever since I've read this blog post, I just can't shake it.  It is a beautifully written post by a fellow Kaz Mama that I was finally able to meet in Florida.  I urge you to go to the link below and read this story.  She is currently in China on a mission trip visiting orphanages.

http://fiveofmyown.blogspot.com/2011/06/making-sky.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FiveOfMyOwn+%28Five+of+My+Own%29

Pirate Cruise

Kindergarten Graduation

The beach and around our hotel

Ryland's first time to see the beach!  We were getting beach portraits done, so he was upset he couldn't get wet!

He loved swimming at the beach for about 30 minutes!  Then he was SICK of the salty taste in his mouth.  "Mama, can we go to the pool now?" Was asked about every 7 minutes the ENTIRE trip!  The beaches in St. Pete were beautiful!

Papa buried him and told him he would make him into a man mermaid...Ryland said "No thanks, can you make me a sand hockey player?"

On Saturday night, Ryland went to the resort's Pirate Camp and made pirate necklaces, went to the Pirate Show, ate pizza, had ice cream and went for a night swim wearing a glow in the dark necklace.  Needless to say he had a blast!  And Mama and Papa had a relaxing date night!!!

Florida sunset

Ry's catch!

Waiting to go on a paddle boat ride!

Ry made another fast friend...although, not from Kazakhstan.  Here is Ryland and Paddleboat Joe.  He was talking to him for about 20 minutes and asked him what happened to his tooth.  He then heard a story of a bar fight!  Quite entertaining!

Uh oh!!

Kazapalooza 2011 - St. Pete Beach, FL

Kazapalooza was AMAZING.  Words can barely describe how cool it was to meet such wonderful families, see such cute kids and know that we are starting a tradition for Ryland.  We got in late and missed the fun on Friday, but we jumped right on on Saturday.  We had a great luncheon and won some fabulous prizes at the charity raffle.  We are honored to be a part of the Kaz Adoption Community.  The families are great.  It was so cool to exchange stories and actually meet people that helped you along in your journey or have just literally gone through what you have gone through before.  It's amazing.  This is an annual event and we plan to go to every one!  What a great experience this is and will be for Ryland as he grows up!  It was awesome to go hang out at the pool and beach and let Ry play with other kids who were born in the same country as he was!  It was a great weekend!  On top of all the Kazapalooza memories, we had a great family vacation that we will not soon forget!

Pictures say it best...so here we go!

This pic completely sums up our first 24 hours in Florida!  Ryland was out of control!  We arrived to the resort about 1:30am Saturday morning.  Our sleep schedule, eating schedule...everything was OFF!  He was on overload.  Everything was new, fun and exciting!  By Sunday, he finally calmed down!

We made it!!!!!

Kaz Cuties

The Stone's - representing for Pavlodar!!!  There were 125 families there!  Super cute Kaz kiddos running around everywhere!

Our most favorite Kaz Cutie

He made a lot of new friends! 

More Kaz Cuties!

Chandler's Graduation

My baby sister graduated high school!  Class of 2011!  This is my brother, my sis and me.  (Please let the record show that she was wearing heels and I was in flats... but it's true...I'm the shortest in my fam...)

My parents with their baby

Ryland giving Aunt Chandler kisses!

Aunt Chand with her 2 nephews, Ryland & Talon

This is me with my Papa Ralph!  My grandparents came for the celebration!

Dust & Cort with the grad

Ry trying it on!  Such a cutie!!!

Kindergarten Graduate!

First and foremost...let me introduce you to my Kindergarten Graduate - watch out 1st grade...here he comes!!!

After MUCH thought, research, meetings, etc.  We have decided to send Ryland on to 1st Grade!  We have the full support of his teachers, his school, our social worker... pretty much everyone!

We are looking at it like this...EVERYTHING was new to him this year...EVERYTHING.  At home, at school, etc.  And he still caught up academically.  He's amazing.  We know next year will be hard, but we believe in pushing him to exceed.  He understands the concept of school, rules and how things work at home now.  We're hoping for a great year!  Thank you everyone for your advice - it has all helped us tremendously.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU RYLAND!!!!

Love,
Mama & Papa

Ryland with his teacher!!

Oma & Opa surprised him!

Showing us his book

Sad that Papa had to go back to work...

I read this today.  And started crying right at my desk in the middle of the work day.  It's fun being a woman.
I replaced the "hers" with "hims".


You gave her birth

We'll give her life
You gave her todays
We'll give her tomorrows


You gave her race
We'll give her identity
You gave her heritage
We'll give her future


You gave her possibilities
We'll give her potentials
You gave her up
We'll have to let go

You dream of her future
We'll work hard for your dreams to come true
You gave her hope
We will too.


- Tom Fisher -