Bolder Boulder 10K...

After 11 years of watching Dad and Brant run this race, I finally got to join them on Memorial Day! No pregnancy, nursing, or recovery from surgery stopped me this year. Smile. Was really teary before the race started thinking back over all the years I've sat in the bleachers for one reason or another... and realizing that God had removed every barrier for me this year. Just 2 years ago, I sat there with an ileostomy bag attached to my abdomen, wondering if I'd ever run again. Such a blessing to FINALLY run with everybody else! Booker and I ran the whole thing together... triumphantly crossed the finish line with our hands held high! Had a great cheering section, too... 55,000 other finishers and my dear family.

Last of Gotcha party...

Party, party, party!

Even more Gotcha...

Gotcha cont...

Lots more Gotcha party...

Gotcha party continued...

Even more Gotcha party...

More Gotcha party...

GOTCHA PARTY!!!!

One year ago today, we threw ourselves off of a bus in Ethiopia and went racing to the doors of an orphanage to gather Bella and Bode in our arms. Nine years in the making, that day was... and it is a day that will never go unnoticed in our house. We intend for it to be a private family celebration year after year. But this year, because it is the first anniversary, we wanted to invite everyone who's had a part in bringing Bella and Bode home to celebrate all that this year has meant for our precious children. It has been quite the 365 days for our entire family, to be sure. We are feeling so settled as The Schelhaas Seven, and thank God every day for the blessing of getting to be a family. What a party we had! We started the day by enjoying a family lunch at our favorite Ethiopian restaurant. Kids left the Gotcha Party on HUGE sugar highs from the ice cream sundae bar, and the adults enjoyed Ethiopian coffee ("Buna" to us). It really did take a village to get these kids in to our family, and the thankfulness we feel runs way down deep in our bones...

Video of dedication at Cherry Hills Community Church

Mother's Day in the mountains...

After the dedication, we enjoyed a wonderful day in the mountains near Buena Vista, CO with my mother. We threw lots of rocks in to a Colorado stream, and then helped my mom get settled at Frontier Ranch for "work week". She helps the camp get ready for the summer campers -- has done it 7 years, and loves it! Kids had a BLAST running around the camp, slurping down ice cream delights, and running through the forests. Enjoyed a fun dinner together on our way home, but sweet Bella got carsick and puked 7 times before we arrived back at the house. Poor girl!

Last of dedication...