Coffee

We are starting our fundraising again(honestly, my least favorite part of this whole journey). We are trying to expand our efforts by doing multiple different fundraisers(more to come later, stay tuned). If you like coffee, check out our store here www.justlovecoffee.com/shattofamily (I know the page comes up with memeberships, but if you go the side bar and check out other merchandise, there is options for just single bags.)

Most importantly THANK YOU for your prayers!


- Shattos

Happy Holidays!

We hope that everyone has a WONDERFUL holiday season!

Quick Santa story: We were in Wal-mrt and there was a santa taking pictures with kids. I specifically avoided him becuase I knew D would be scared. So we were going down the isles and then who should come up from behind and scare the begezzes out of D, no other than the santa that we were trying to avoid. D jumped from the cart basket to up around me neck and then just clung there. the santa just kept talking to him, not clueing in on the fact that D is terrified of him. Anyways, we will just say that his first "santa" expereience may have scared him.

Onto the story behind the picture: Our friend's mom and dad are Santa and Mrs. Claus for the holidays. Larry looks like santa 365 days out of the year. D is so used to seeing him that when they went to change into their outfits, he didn't think twice about sitting with Larry & Carol. Our own personal sitting session with Santa & Mrs. Claus. (thanks larry & carol)

Diesel has been growing faster than a weed. He is talking up a storm and has been adding about 2-4 words per day to his vocabulary. He also has started to exert his independence. He is strong willed, determined and absolutely is a daddy's boy who is showing signs of seperation anxiety again. Glad to know he is typically developing :)

We hope that everyone has a great time with family and friends. Happy New Years too!

No Goldilocks here..but there were three little bears

We went as the three little bears and our costumes, as you can very well tell, were homemade. Diesel caught on quick that if he stuck his pumpkin basket out, they would put candy in it. I am sure he will be prepared for next year. Gretting is bubby, Isaac. We went to a Ethiopian gathering at the gym and Diesel had a terrific time. Bouncing, jumping, crawling, running, it wore him out. I think we need to invest in a trampoline at home, he loved bouncing on the big one. He also loved walking off the edge into the foam pit.
On another note, he gave a little girl her first kiss. She was definately surprised and we told Diesel he has to slow down and at least take her on a date first :) Sorry Zoe's parents :)

Playing with daddy at the farm park. We saw horses, ducks, turkeys, cows and pumpkins. Even though the weather was drizzling, we still had fun.

happenings around these parts...

This is one of his very favorite activity, he LOVES books. Enjoying dried apples. It takes him about 3 minutes to chew each one due to their rubbery texture. It's like watching a dog with peanut butter in its mouth.

D*iesel in his super jammies that Nana & Papa sent him. This is his "cheese" face for picture taking. After putting this apron on he just sat there as if to say "okay mama hurry up and take my picture so I can go and play".


We all have been busy, but we are making it. School, work, Master's classes, side jobs, house projects, adoption going ons, paperwork, laundry that doesn't always get folded, dishes that seem to multiple like rabbits, dogs that don't like the colder weather in the morning and have to be shoved outside, and chasing a 18month old are just some of the happenings around here.

When 2 became 3

Today is the one year anniversary of the day we met Diesel for the first time.

Our first family photo.

A family photo from a camping trip in August.

# 2 and # 3

Today we signed again on the dotted line to bring home more of the Shatto family. We had our 1 year post placement visit with our agency and we told her that we were ready to start for # 2 and # 3. We are ready and excited to extend our family.

Thanks for your prayers and support as we travel along this journey once again!

Summer recap

Well, this summer seems to be flying by. I can't believe it's the end of July already. The back to school sales are making me sad that summer is coming to an end and work is just around the corner.

Diesel has had a busy summer with many trips to the fountains, cousins visiting, minor surgery and time with Gramma and Grampa. Time with Nana and Poppy will be coming soon and a 3rd ET get togther too.

We all have enjoyed the slower pace of summer. I have been working at FireHouse pottery and Adam has been doing odd jobs for people, such as painting, car repair, lawn care and just about anything else. I am glad I married such a handy guy, he comes in handy around the house too.

The following pictures are just a small glimpse into the lovely summer we have been having.

At the Discovery center: finding a good looking baby

Locating his homeland on a map. What a smart boy!

Completely and utterly mystified with the magically floating ball.

Come on ladies, let's ride!

3rd of July fountain fun. He fell aslep before the fireworks and then woke up to the loud booms, he was not a happy camper.

Swimming with cousins, Tiera and Trinity

Found Aunt Milissa's pick. Ready to fro out the hair.

Laughing it up with Gramma and Grampa.

More cousins, Zeena, Zora and Annabele. The older cousins, Shelby and Jordan were somehow never around when the camera was out. Imagine that!

*more pictures on Flickr.

+ 365 days

One year ago today we received "the call". One year ago we became parents. One year ago our lives were forever changed. One year ago we had new names; mama & dada. One year ago God placed a little life in our care forever. One year ago we fell in love with this little one.

Diesel Alazar Shatto

Abdisa( lives in MI), Isaac Takiso ( BFF & lives 5 miles away), Diesel Alazar
All three little ones are home!

Summer so far

Diesel is on the go ALL THE TIME!!! He can't get enough of being outside. He has blisters on his hands and feet from being on the go. This child is busy!

Diesel is starting to be more outwardly expressive about his feelings and what he really wants. This was a meltdown while we were at a fireworks party and he wasn't done with a wagon ride. He let us know that he was not happy with us.

Daddy and Diesel reading his favorite book. He chooses this book everytime. Even when we don't have the book, if we just start to recite the book he stops and listens. He also bounces up and down sometimes with the rhythm of the book.

Diesel enjoys filling up the pool more than he does being in the pool. Go figure!

#1 Daddy! Diesel just absolutly loves his dada. Adam is amazingly patient with him and is completly in love with his son. These two will be great friends!


FYI:

So I finally got tired of having to blog with every photo( I know I am lame), but I started to load pictures onto flickr so that people can keep up, and I don't have to feel guilty for not blogging. It's a win-win situtation.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12312959@N05/ check out our newest pictures

H2O+daddy+good weather=a great night at the fountains!

We had a spontaneous pizza picnic with our friends the Denbows at our local FREE water park. The weather was overcast, but warm and there was hardly anyone there. Adam and Diesel had a good time splashing in the water.

Oh yeah, we just got a new camera tonight so better quality pictures will be accompanying our future posts :)

busy, busy, busy

Diesel is inspecting the wash job dad did

Now that Diesel is a biped, he is constantly on the move. He has kept us VERY busy these last few weeks.

He is now exploring crawling and climbing into and onto things. Here he is under the side table in the living room.
Yes, we are guilty of letting him watch Thomas the Train on Sunday mornings. He stops and dances to the song. Unfortunately I know all the words, sorta scary.

Even after the multiple times of saying "no" to him about the dog's food and water, he still mananges to get into trouble. Sometimes he looks at us while he is about to play in the water or try and eat the food. Persistant child!

Nothing says fun like a bowl of water, bubbles and a plastic spork. He played with this for a good 30 minutes.

Likes to "help", more like cause more work for us.

First time washing the cars with dad. He laughed and ran when Adam sprayed the water over the Jeep.

We can't wait for the summer time when we can spend more quality time with this little guy. He is growing up so fast, we want to freeze time.

growing up fast!

For Diesel's b-day, we went to Branson and here are some of the snapshots we took. He is growing up too fast!

As for walking, the last video is way out of date by now. He is a super walker, arms are not high up in the air and his balance is great; hardly falls.

Well, the journey continues and we are off to KC to celebrate a friend's graduation.

Daddy and his boy!

First ice cream come. He dug in!

This is one cute 1 year old!

At the end of the day, we wandered onto Ben and Jerry's free cone day. To our glorious surprise, Adam's favorite weather man was serving ice cream. Tom Trtan was a good sport and took a posed picture for us. Fun times!

can't stop me now

no explaination needed....

cupcakes+ friends= a darn good 1st birthday!

Diesel is 1! Can you believe it??!! We had a BBQ birthday for him on Sunday and it was a great turn out. There was 33 people in our house at some point, it made for a cozy setting. I am glad our friends like sitting on the floor :) I am so glad that everyone got to come spend time with us and celebrate our awesome little man. Thanks everyone!

First cupcake ever! He was hesitant, but then ate with pure delight.

A new toy from Uncle Andrew.

another post soon to come, re: birthday trip to Branson

time well spent

We spent a beautiful day at the park with some friends. It was a last minute plan, but turned out to be a wonderful time to gather and refresh a friendship. Diesel had his first egg hunt and he turned out to be a pro. Sebastian graciously shared the egg hunting field with Diesel and they both had a good time.

Diesel has been fighting another ear infection and he has been a tropper. He also is walking more steps by himself when we help him. He still resorts to crawling when wanting to move quickly.

Around the house he is a mess maker. He enjoys finding the one cabinet that has the bags in it and taking every single one out each day. You'd think we'd move them,but it is pure enjoyment for him and it occupies him for a few minutes. He also makes a bee line for the dog food and then stop just short of it and looks back at us. He's a sneeky one!

Well, it will be his 1 year birthday next week and we are celebrating this Sunday with a BBQ. I can't believe that he's been home 7.5 months. He has enriched our lives more that we could have ever expected. Pure JOY!

** Pictures from Rachel( thanks for letting me swipe them from your flickr :) )