And then there was five...

The last few weeks we have spent breaking the news to family and friends that we are now official guardians of Vinny.  Just so I don't repeat myself too much here is the notice that went into our church bulletin - it really sums up what's been going on:

During the past eight years we have had the opportunity to open our home to many young children who were in the foster care system and we have been blessed by it in many ways.  A little over 2 1/2 years ago we took home a tiny newborn from the hospital named Vinny.  As time passed and he stayed with us longer than usual we obviously grew to love him a lot.  More and more we were made aware that Vinny was indeed an “orphan” in the real sense of the word and God was making it clearer to us that we could be his “forever family”.  This past April 29^th we were granted legal guardianship by the courts and just a few days ago the courts granted a name change – Vincent Lee Klos.  We understand that it may be difficult to explain to younger kids what guardianship means and we don’t mind if you use the term adoption to explain things – in essence they are the same but legally there are some differences.  We would like to thank everyone for the support shown to us whether through prayer or in practical ways during the last few years.  We look forward to receiving the sacrament of baptism soon as an expression of God’s covenant love also to him.

Ephesians 1:4-6

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

This past Sunday Vincent was baptized - it was a beautiful day spent with family and friends.  Here's a few photos we took after all the excitement was over...

Lorelle's Grad - Dordt College 2013

Last Thursday we flew out to Sioux Falls, SD to attend Lorelle's graduation from Dordt College.  Lorelle and Jake drove down from Winnipeg and picked us up from the airport Thursday evening after a relaxing flight from Seattle - Denver - Sioux Falls (with a good book I might add...)  We attended the Senior Talent Show that night and spent a nice evening afterwards chatting with the Bulk's.  The next morning we attended the official graduation ceremony - a beautiful sunny day - a day of thankfulness to God for His goodness in providing and protecting these last four years...   We enjoyed a reception at the Rec. Center following the ceremonies and then it was time to say goodbye to professors and fellow students.  That evening we thoroughly enjoyed a dinner out with the Bulk's and the Dyck's at HuHot in Sioux City.  The following day was our final goodbyes and Lorelle and Jake left for Winnipeg and we spent some time waiting for our flight to return home.  (We spent Sunday with good friends in the Gig Harbor area - but unfortunately forgot to take out the camera...)

A boy and his dog...

I just had to include this - here's Vinny just chilling with Carman our most patient dog...  As they say, "a dog is a man's best friend".