The 'Girls' Room and Fingerprints

Our weekend began with a trip to Chicago with Derek's parents and Sam (our 16 yr. old) on Saturday.  Derek planned a trip to Wheaton to visit the campus, the Wade Center and the Billy Graham Museum.  It was so fun, educating and encouraging! Sam loves to read and write for those that don't know her!  She knows so much about authors, books, playwriting and writing in general. She amazes me with her knowledge.  That girl can finish a thick book in one day. When she has needed a correction in the past, I had to ground her from her books! well....almost! :)

Then we went to a shop in Lisle, Chicago from Kaylee's country.  It was so cute and had so many things!  We bought a plain stacking doll that Derek is going to draw our family on and I will paint them! That will be so neat! We wonder if Kaylee has ever seen one!  I also bought some tea, which I am really looking forward to trying yet.  'Giga', Derek's Mom or Babushka bought a Children's book written in English.  It was a neat experience talking with the owner. He is 2nd generation from her country.  His parents are from EE and opened the store years ago and now he runs it.  He has 5 children and was playing with his youngest in the store as we visited.  It was sweet.  He said he has never been over there yet, but they have family over there still and communicate often. We told him we would visit once we have Kaylee home with us and he welcomed that!  He speaks her language!

Then off to lunch at Cheddar's! An old fav of the Chirch family when Derek went to Wheaton.  It was delicious and very affordable! :) We loved it.

 We also loved making faces at the camera.

NOW OFF TO IKEA! OUR PURPOSE FOR GOING TO CHICAGO!

 WE CAME HOME WITH A FEW ITEMS FOR THE 'GIRLS' ROOM...NO LONGER SAM'S ROOM, BUT THE GIRLS ROOM.  SAM REALLY ENJOYED GETTING HER ROOM ORGANIZED WITH NEW BINS FOR HER SHELF AND GOING THROUGH ALL HER THINGS IN ORDER TO MAKE ROOM! HERE ARE 'SOME' OF THE PICTURES....MORE TO COME ON THE PROGRESS!

WE BOUGHT A SHELF AND A DRESSER FOR KAYLEE AS WELL AS NEW STORAGE BINS FOR SAM!

When she left for volleyball camp this morning, she said, "I am a little sad to be leaving as I was having so much fun doing my room!"  No worries Sam, it will be here when you get back! :)

This was a wall art 'map' and we pointed to the US and to EE!

Putting the furniture together! The boys willing jumped in to help! Cade has always been amazing at putting things together!

Logan liked to help!

Folding clothes to put in the dresser! :) We have so many clothes that have been given...since we don't know her size exactly, I have kept 2T's up to 6x's.

Cade randomly taking pictures of me as I am folding and talking.

HER DRESSER!!

The dresser in its spot with random things around it!

Sam working hard to get rid of things...and send them to the North Pole! (inside joke between derek and sam)

HER NEW SHELF FOR TOYS AND BOOKS! 

We put some of Sam's new storage bins in there as well that we will show later, 

since we got Sam some other ones as well.

Logan loved playing in the boxes! He is still young enough to enjoy them! This was a blessing to see him playing like this still! :)  Sometimes he tries to be like his brother and act too old! 

OH AND TO FINISH OUR DAY WE GOT OUR FINGERPRINT DATE IN THE MAIL!! WE GET TO DO THEM RIGHT IN MICHIGAN CITY! THEY ALSO TAKE WALK-INS SO WE MAY GO EARLIER THAN AUGUST 17TH! 

WE ARE ALSO FILLING OUT MORE GRANT APPLICATIONS AND KEEP RUNNING INTO MORE AVAILABLE! YEAH!!! THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS AND PASTOR THAT HAVE FILLED OUT REFERENCES! :)