And the Winner Is....

NATHAN ROWEDDER!

With the number guess of 282, You have won the iPad and cover!

A HUGE thanks to everyone who participated!! We GREATLY appreciate your generosity!! We are able to make our last adoption payment and can now focus on saving for the travel expenses to go get them and bring them home...You all have directly helped bring home these beautiful children!!

We will post some fun facts from the contest on our facebook page - it was fun to see how things progressed. Way to go Nate - We hope you enjoy your iPad Mini!!

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart

Sam and Laura

Est. 05.03.08

5 years ago, Sam and I got married.  It is shocking to realize 5 years have already gone by.  Like any marriage, there were times we were head over heels with each other, and times we just fell flat on our faces.  We have grown more in sync with each other each passing year, and I know there will come a time very soon (6ish months we are hoping) where we will again be challenged.  Not only as a couple, but then as parents.  Stay tuned for the humors of our attempts at balancing a household and each other going from 0 to 2 kids in a matter of a trip to Africa :)

This anniversary brings about a lot of excitement in almost every area of our lives.  As I look back to 5 years ago, I am drawn to pictures of our honeymoon.  We went to Hawaii for 2 weeks, and it was nothing short of amazing.  It was absolutely gorgeous there, and something that will forever be one of my absolute favorite times together with Sam.

We saw canyons...

Took walks on the beaches...

Rescued a very large snail from the road...

 










then found the tiniest lizard in our dining room... (look closely)

We watched sea turtles...

Ate enormous burgers...

Went to the absolute most hilarious magic show this world knows...

Involuntarily risked our lives trying to find a waterfall...

And voluntarily risked our lives to jump over one...

We relaxed....

Went hiking...

Searched for sea creatures...

Went out for delicious dinners (with chicken strips for Sam)  :) 

Enjoyed Hawaiian specialties ;)

And acted like kids...

And as we traveled back home...

 We promised we'd be back.

So, we made plans to go back to Hawaii for our 5th anniversary.  When we were there, we met older couples who went back every year, and we pictured ourselves many years later doing the same.  It was such a magical place, and we could definitely see why visitors returned again and again.

Little did we know, four years later, we would take a week long trip to Haiti that would change us for a lifetime.  Not long after returning home from Haiti, as we attempted to process the many feelings we struggled to understand, we realized we needed to change our plans for our 5th anniversary.  Making a trip to Hawaii for our anniversary was no longer a priority.  We didn't know yet that we would be adopting, but we knew the expense to go to Hawaii was selfish and unnecessary for us.  Don't get me wrong, I get a little saddened when I look at these pictures and know we won't be going back for a long time, if ever.  But my heart isn't sad knowing what we are sacrificing for.  We gave all of this up for our adoption, and to be able to bring our kids home.  We gave all this up to instead use that money to help those far, far less fortunate than us.  And as we celebrate our 5th anniversary here on this side of the states, I am so incredibly moved by our last 5 years.  I love Sam so incredibly much, and the moment he made me a mom by saying those sweet, sweet words "I want to adopt", the world spun just like it did when we saw each other for the first time on our wedding day, when we said our vows, when we got off that plane in 85 degree Hawaii...

I wish so badly that I could put into words our last 5 years, and the feelings I have now.  I want it documented, I want to look back at this 5 years from now when we're celebrating our 10th anniversary and marvel in the feelings experienced with my husband as we wait to bring our son and daughter home.  I want him to know and hear in words what he means to me, and that I will do anything for our family.  But, there just aren't quite words.  There are again, too many feelings to process, and so many more levels to our relationship than we had 5 years ago.  Making the choice to adopt, not because we can't have children biologically, but because there are kids who need homes - that is who we have become together.  We have decided we have no plans to have biological children.  We have been told it is strange to not want biological children, and while I agree it is a bit different, it feels right.  Never would I have imagined us in this place 5 years ago.  So, I guess it seems logical that we aren't returning to our honeymoon spot from 5 years ago.  I do still love the beach, sunshine, palm trees, and even the tiny lizards...but I love family planning with my husband more.

Thank you Sam, for such an amazing honeymoon in Hawaii.  It could not have been more perfect (aside from maybe the airlines messing up our ticket to Kauai, or the whales migrating too soon for us to see more than 3 and then being told they likely will die because they won't make the migration trip in time - that was a downer...) :)  From the Mexican place we would have eaten at everyday for the rest of our lives if we were allowed, to the life threatening walks across grates 4 times without needing to, and the many, many sights we saw while we were there, I would so very happily return to Hawaii any time you want.  But I want our kids more.  You are going to make an amazing Daddy, and I can't wait to hear their little voices call us Mama and Papa for the first time. Your faith is unwavering, and sets a foundation for our home that will forever bond our family.  Thank you for being a leader in our home.  I love your heart, your generosity in giving to others, and your smile :)  Those are probably my top 3.

I thank God He gave you to me.  But I also acknowledge that without your choices to strive to be better each day, you wouldn't be.  God can work in you if you allow him, and you have.  That is what makes my heart grow the most.  Happy Anniversary Sweetheart, thank you for blessing my life every day you are in it.