This playground will be the death of me!

My dad came over tonight to measure out where the playground would go.  The one I like best with the best ramps would take up most of our grass area.  Sigh.  We have other options for the play area, but this is the most accessible for Madi.  The other play sets will fit in our backyard better, which is great, but will also make it to where Madi can only access the smaller portion of the play set and not the bigger area with the big slide.  I know for a while I can carry her up to the big slide, but I was really wanting her to have her independence.  GAH!  This playground will be the death of me, I swear!

A Good Playground Lead

I *may* have found a great playground for us!  It would be coming from Cedarworks.  Though it is made of wood, they guarantee no rot or splinters for 10 years, and say the set should last at least 15 to 20, even in Phoenix, Arizona.  It would be made of Northern White Cedar, which they say is both long lasting and splinter-free without chemical treatments.  I am working with a guy there to see what they think would work best for Madi and our space, and so far, we are thinking something like this:

It's a bit more than I was invisioning, however, it would have ramps already and would not need a shade overhead, so it really wouldn't be more expensive than any other set we had to add a shade to or customize.  You can't see it on this photo, however, it would have a steering wheel and periscope on each level, as well as a little play telephone.  The tallest structure also has a rock climbing wall leading up to it.  I've forwarded the sketch to Madi's physical therapist and I'm anxious to see what she thinks.  I think it would work out really well!!

A backyard update

My dad called me the other day ready to start our backyard.  That's when I froze.  We had all of these amazing backyard plans to make the backyard usable for the kiddos.  We had money saved up for the backyard.  I had worried and fretted and spent countless hours on planning the backyard.  But then, we started our adoption process, and I forgot about the backyard.  I was not sure if we should still work on our backyard, even though we had the money saved for it, as we are now trying to pay for an adoption.  While the backyard wouldn't take away from the adoption, it is money that could add to the adoption.  Decisions, decisions. 

After much thought, I decided we'd at least get grass in and the covering that makes the grass wheelchair accessible, even if we do not get a play structure (though two very wonderful and generous family members have offered to help us with that part, so that would hopefully not be too much extra expense), so that our backyard is more usable.  We are very fortunate to have a nice pool that the previous owners put in before they, sadly, lost the house, which I am very thankful for (not that they lost it, I hate that we got an amazing deal at their expense, just that they put in a nice pool).  The rest of the backyard, though, is all rocks.  Big, sharp, pointy, crappy rocks.  The dog plays fetch and comes back with torn up paws.  He digs in the rocks and cuts his nose up.  Madi cannot crawl or walk in her HKFOs out there because the rocks are big and sharp.  They are hot and miserable in the summer.  I hate them.  The summer is almost upon us and I want the kids to be able to play on a cool surface, run (or ride ;)) through the sprinklers, and be able to enjoy the grass beneath their feet.  Once I start homeschooling, I want them to be able to play without having to drive to a park.  We have been talking about our backyard plans with the kids, taking them to playground stores, and they (mainly Conner) have been asking about it a lot.  We cut corners, had garage sales, and saved and saved and saved for this project.  But the truth of the matter is, I feel selfish.  When you compare something optional (grass in the backyard) with something as huge as adopting a child, it just seems.... selfish!  I was really, really struggling!

When we found out we were getting a tax refund that would pay for our home study, as well as the next two big chunks of fees we have to pay to Wacap after our home study is approved (fingers crossed!), we decided to go ahead with the backyard.  God has provided abundantly so far, and I believe He will continue.  Hopefully we will have three precious children to be able to enjoy it!  I'm not sure if this is the right decision, but I pray it is.  I will share a few pictures of our backyard progress, but first, I had to share a few sweet stories...

- Conner told me he really wanted to go to the snow.  I told him that would be a lot of fun and that we can try to drive up next winter to see it.  He told me that first we need to go and get "the little girl that needs a family" so that she could see it too.  He said she would really like to see the snow and that we should bring her and be her family.  Oh, dear child, I wish it was just that easy!

- David was talking to the tax guy and telling him why we were needing to know if we will be getting a refund.  He told her he was hoping to use the money towards adopting his daughter.  It made my heart melt.


And a verse that has been in my mind and on my heart a lot lately...

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:5

Our backyard before....

And our work in progress...

My dad is a general contractor and is heading up the project for us.  The kids are LOVING having him around in the morning.  They wake up asking for him!  It is also amazing to be able to get such a great deal on things and it helps SO SO SO much!

Digging out the rocks

Hauling away the rocks... 3 dump truck loads full!  There was SO much rock!

Conner got a ride

Digging footings for a retaining wall

 Leveling the ground





My dad hard at work

Madi loves the wubble (shovel)