Isaac & Landrie's Gotcha Day Party!

For several weeks months, Corrie & I have been dreaming of a GOTCHA Day party to celebrate both Isaac & Landrie!  Isaac's adoption was finalized on Monday, April 26 in San Antonio, and Landrie's was finalized just one day later in Wichita Falls!  Our stories have been woven together so closely that we thought it would be extra-special to close out this part of our journeys with a joint party celebrating the finalization of both adoptions!

Corrie & I became dear friends as we struggled through infertility.  The two primary people God used in my life to change my heart toward adoption were Dave and Corrie.  I always used to hope that I could be pregnant at the same time as one of my close friends...and when we decided to adopt, I just figured that was something I would never get to experience.  But, God exceeded that hope by giving me Corrie!  (Isn't that just like Him?)  Dave & I are so thrilled to have shared our adoption experience alongside the Longs!  

Corrie wrote an adorable poem that we included on the Evite for the party:

  The Longs and Rinn are longtime friends

Each thought the waiting would never end

Last winter both couples chose adoption

Everyone was ecstatic about this option!

In September, Landrie joined the Long family

One month later, Isaac added to the Rinn family tree

These babies have brought us all so much joy

Let's celebrate the GOTCHA Days of this sweet girl & boy!

As Corrie so wisely pointed out, this party wasn't just about the finalizations of both adoptions...it was also to celebrate the end of this part of our journey.  For a long time, we were heartbroken about not having a baby in our arms...and though we still dream of larger families, this party was all about celebrating what God has done for us in ending our pain for a baby and placing these beautiful babies into our families!

This is a shot from Isaac & Landrie's "photo shoot" on Friday morning in their adorable outfits!  I honestly squealed when I first saw them!  Corrie's talented sisters-in-law sewed and embroidered them!

We had our party on Saturday at the pavilion at the Keller Sports Park.  There was a playground right next to the pavilion, and it was full of all the kiddos who came!

Both sets of Isaac's grandparents were able to be at the GOTCHA Day party, which was really special!

Landrie & Isaac with their proud parents!

Summer is such a busy time, but we are so happy that so many people were able to celebrate with us!  All of our guests loved, supported, and prayed for us during some of the tough parts of our infertility and adoption journeys.  We couldn't be more grateful for our amazing families & friends!  And, we especially couldn't be more grateful to our God....who is faithful & works all things for the good of those who love Him!

Celebrating Seven Years Together!

Looking back 7 years ago today!  It's been quite a journey, but I wouldn't trade one second of it.  We are truly blessed! 

My parents babysat Isaac yesterday afternoon so we could go to Fair Park in Dallas to see Wicked!  Dave absolutely loved the show!  My suggestion is that if you're going to see it, make sure you're familiar with "The Wizard of Oz."  There were so many things in the show that I didn't catch just because it's been so long since I've seen "The Wizard of Oz."  But, the music was fantastic, and this was my favorite song!  Dave was embarrassed at how loud I laughed snorted during this song, especially when the lady sitting in front of us turned around and looked at me.  After the show, we had dinner at Carrabbas, our traditional place to eat on our anniversary!  It was so refreshing to have time together as a couple. 

After Isaac went to bed last night, we watched our entire wedding video.  I've watched clips of it in the past few years, but it was so much fun to watch the whole ceremony and parts of the reception together!  Watching the video brought back a lot of memories from that incredible day!

One year ago today...

One year ago today, I was privileged to attend an ultrasound with Isaac's birthmother to determine Baby Rinn's gender!  I'll never forget my first glimpse of him on the monitor.....my eyes flooded with tears when I saw his healthy heart beating so quickly.  I'll also never forget how shocked we were that HE was a boy!  For some reason, Dave & I (along with Isaac's birthmom!) had all convinced ourselves that Baby Rinn was a girl! 

Now, I can't imagine anything but this handsome boy's smile filling our home with joy and laughter...laughter just like his name means!  It's amazing to think that, one year ago, we were looking at Isaac's ultrasound pictures and dreaming of life with him...and now we're loving every second of life with him! 

Thank you, Jesus!

"My favorite thing to do with my sippy cup is bang it

as hard as I can on my high chair tray! 

I think it's a new kind of percussion instrument!"

Memorial Day Weekend in Estes Park

  Last Thursday, Isaac & I drove up to Oklahoma City, where we met Dave.  (Dave's been working at a jobsite in eastern Oklahome during the past few weeks.)  Together, the three of us drove to Colorado to meet Dave's parents, Dave's brother Michael, and Dave's grandpa for a weekend in Estes Park!  It was Isaac's first BIG roadtrip (around 15 hours!), and he was a trooper.  We had to make a pitstop at The Children's Hospital in Denver for Isaac to have his ear checked out...he had an ear infection in his left ear about a month ago, and this time his right ear was infected.  (He went back to his regular pediatrician for a check-up today, though, and both ears are clear!)  The doctor who saw Isaac in Denver was fantastic!  I've never heard Isaac giggle as loudly as when that doctor checked his ears out!  (Or, maybe Isaac was just giggling because he was so happy to be out of his carseat!) 

At any rate, we arrived in Estes Park on Friday evening.  Our cabin was in the YMCA of the Rockies, which is an incredible place!  It was wonderful to see Tim & Susie again!  We all hadn't been together since Christmas!  We spent a lot of time reading, talking, and hanging out on the porch of our cabin.  There was still some snow on the tops of the mountains, and the view from our cabin was majestic!  The weather was so cool...which felt wonderful to us Texans! 

We were so glad that Grandpa Rinn was able to meet Isaac!  We know that Grandpa Rinn has prayed for Isaac, along with our family, a lot.  Isaac thought that his Great-Grandpa Rinn was pretty funny...and he really liked his glasses--especially when he pulled them off Great-Grandpa Rinn's face!

 

Four Generations of firstborn Rinns:  Benjamin Roy--Timothy Benjamin--David Timothy--Isaac David

(These four Rinns all have their fathers' first names as their middle names.  You can read the full story on this Rinn tradition here.)

We were also glad that Isaac got to meet his Uncle Mike.  Mike is currently living in the Denver area and drove up to Estes Park to see us all for the day on Sunday. 

We also took some great walks throughout the YMCA of the Rockies.  Tim & Susie brought their bikes, and Dave & I spent some time biking around the camp, too.  The YMCA of the Rockies has a huge stable with nearly a hundred horses, so one afternoon we took Isaac down to watch the horses.  He was mesmerized by them!  Maybe next time we're there he'll be able to take a pony ride! 

We're so glad that we were able to spend time with our family over Memorial Day weekend in such a beautiful spot.

"I'm all dressed up for my mom & dad's anniversary!"

On Saturday night, my parents took us out to dinner at Rockfish as an early anniversary present.  We didn't get any pictures of us with my parents...but we did get these pictures of Isaac before we left the house!  He was determined to get these sandals off...and before we even got to the restaurant, they were both off!  I'm not sure if he'll ever like wearing shoes! 

Isaac's first swim in Grandpa & Grandma's pool!

We had a blast swimming in my parent's pool yesterday afternoon!  Summer is here in north Texas, and it felt great to cool off in the pool!  It was Isaac's first time swimming there, too...and he loved it!  He definitely learned how to splash everyone within a few feet around him! 

We're looking forward to many more fun times in the pool this summer!