Sweet Silver Lining

After what turned out to be the most emotionally draining/uncomfortable/depressing/sad 4th of July weekend for both John and I, (story upon request) it sure had a bittersweet most unexpected ending. I am more happy than I could possibly express on any electronic form of communication to announce that after almost 10 years John and I have located John's little sister Jay. After their Dad died in 1999, having different Mom's they split ways and since they were both so young they lost contact. I found her yesterday on Myspace. This was only the hundredth time I tried her that way but God had a plan I know it. Mind you, we had only and estimate of age and John couldn't remember what she looked like. I typed in Jay Ryan and got one result. She didn't look a whole lot like John and we weren't sure but she had a 1 year old little girl and I'm telling you, she is a female version of Johnny! We were given so much hope just then. I wrote her a short little message, named some key names. Last night late, she wrote back saying it was indeed her! So John and I talked with her on Yahoo Messenger for a few hours last night. It's all so exciting!!!!! I am so happy for John! I have a sister and niece, as well as a future brother-in-law now! We are going to try to make it out there to Wichita in the coming weeks for a long awaited reunion!

More posts to come, I have a lot of pictures and updates.

I just want to end this post with the biggest thanks, all the praise and glory is to God. He alone made this happen and his timing was perfect. Though at the moment we may not know why he chose Monday July 6, 2009, he had a Divine reason for us finding her on that day and whether good or bad things come in the future, (as I am sure there will be both after all, it's FAMILY) we couldn't be happier to have found her, her sweet Johnny look alike little Amaziah and her fiance. God is SO good and there is ALWAYS a sweet silver lining!

A little sneak peak for you all, look at how similar they look!

Johnny

Amaziah

Clean Slate!

This last weekend our church gave five families a clean slate. If you've seen Home Makeover Edition this was something similar. Rosa Parks Elementary School nominated many families of students there to receive this makeover. 5 were chosen and with over 600 volunteers our church pulled off the transformation of 5 homes and many more lives giving all of them a clean slate. It was a joyous and exhilarating experience! What fellowship as well!

Our community group of couples in their 20's & 30's joined up with 3 other groups to give the Bolt family a clean slate. We completely remodeled the kitchen and back and front landscaping; while giving the living room and office complete makeovers. They came home on the third day to a clean and remodeled home. I can proudly say that I grouted half of the back splash in the newly remodeled kitchen. I am sure my uncle will be proud and I can say that I know what a back splash is, lol.

It was a lot of fun and though the majority of the time husbands and wives weren't together doing the same type of tasks it was exciting and warming when you did see a couple working together on a project, however short a time it was. I enjoyed the many hours of fellowship with my group members as well as the members of the group we recently split from because of God's blessings and the growth of his kingdom!

I wish I had pictures but I don't... I have a camera phone picture of John and I as well as pictures of a neighbor's backyard. Mark my words, one day, I will have this pond or one similar!

See you next year Clean Slate!

A swim anyone?!

Saturday was Johnny's first dip in the pool. He was scared at first but he ended up really loving it. I have a feeling he will become our little fishy among other things. He liked going under water after a while. The first time was upsetting for him but after a while he laughed coming out of the water. It was a fun afternoon! We will have plenty more like it this Summer! Enjoy the pictures!

Johnny got a new toy this weekend from Mimi and Papa. He loves driving! I think John was more excited!

Johnny fell asleep on the ride to the pool so he chilled for a while giving Mom and Dad time to cool off together first!

Swimming with Daddy.

Going under with Mommy. He did actually like this, I promise I'm not trying to drown him here. LOL

He likes to eat my face often!

Drying off with Mimi.

Tulsa Drillers!!

This last Friday night was Johnny's first sports outing, definitely not the last! We went to see the Tulsa Drillers for Mimi's company outing. it was a lot of fun and Johnny really enjoyed himself. He slept a little of it but he was a great sport! We got a lot of great pics! Thank you Mom and Dad for inviting us. We had a great time!

Here is Johnny and John at their first Baseball game! I love this picture!

Papa and Johnny!

John and I at the game having fun!

Kisses from Mimi are always sweet!


He was thirsty and actually drank from the water bottle. It was cute.


Our little family, minus Buddy. It was a good night. We only stayed for half the game but the Driller's were kickin' butt in the first half so I have my doubts that Texas caught up! We'll say the Driller's won!



Johnny got A LOT of attention from those sitting around us. He was really acting cute that night... until we got home at least. The weaning process is going slow for both Mommy and Johnny. We may have to hold off a while longer.

Visit with Uncle Dustin and Uncle Brandon

John's Best Friends growing up are more like brother's to him and even though the distance and time inbetween visit's, it's as if nothing changed. I love it! They are both great Uncles and they adored Johnny. We also got to meet Hailey! Dustin and Sara had her 2 months after Johnny was born sothey are ver close in age. I can't wait to see them grow up together. I told Brandon that they'll either be Best Buds or Husband and Wife one day haha! We miss you all already! Can't wait to see you guys again this Summer!

Johnny is getting so big. I love to see his interaction with other babies! You can see how big he is here next to Hailey!


Yeah, Johnny that's called the 'death stare' meaning, back of Jack! LOL. This is a good picture of all of them. Brandon needs one now!

Visit with Unlce Mike

Johnny crashes a lot and he was pretty tired just before going out to Holiday Island to see Uncle Mike's new house but he was awake and alert in no time.

He is such a sweet baby.

He's getting faster Uncle Mike. The next time you see him he'll be crawling!


This is definitely frame worthy!

This is so cute, just before this Mike was trying to convince Johnny to crawl for him, lol.

We enjoyed our visit and your house is beautiful! We all love you Uncle Mike!

Our visit with Nana and Papa

We had a wonderful visit with Nan and Pa this last Memorial Day weekend. It had been nearly 5 months and a visit was far overdo. Though it rained the majority of our visit we had a fun holiday and did a lot. I think Nan and Pa REALLY enjoyed seeing their first great-grandson again. We captured a lot of memories as you can see!

Here is Buddy running up the dirt road.

And Norman and Buddy playing keep away, Buddy really needs a playmate, as soon as we get a house we'll be getting a girl lb for him =)



Norman wanted to come home with Buddy. It was so funny, I was saying goodbye to Norm and he jumped into the car before Buddy could and Buddy just looked back at me and whinned a bit and then climbed up in there with him and Johnny.

Here I am with all the begging dogs lol.

Saying goodbye...

We love you both so much and can't wait for our next visit!