Marina is Loved, Gone, Missed...But Not Forgotten!

We have been so fortunate the last two summers to have the pleasure of hosting Marina, our Basque daughter. We love her so much! She hasn't even been gone 12 hours and we are wondering when we will see her or talk to her again! The last couple of days have been an emotional roller coaster of saying goodbye...see you later...expressing our love for one another...knowing that the time was coming to an end.

Our THREE daughters!

We enjoyed a special evening out to dinner

on Thursday evening.

The "American Flag" pedicure!

The group of Portland & Gresham Basque students.

We gave Marina a few goodies to go home with!

An American flag, Old Navy flip flops,

a few things from Pac Sun, and of course some

chocolate and chocolate chip cookies!

The five of us at the going away dinner that the Basque kids fixed for us last evening!

Marina...be sure and thank your parents for allowing you to spend this time with us. We love you, God loves you, and you will always have a place in our home and in our hearts.

As we said...it is not good-bye...it is see you again sometime...hopefully sooner...not later!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Wildlife Safari...Winston, Oregon!

The Camel came right up to our car!
This photo is for Barry!
Amanda's favorite animal...one came and
walked in front of our car, but we were so
excited we forgot to take the photo!

Amanda and Marina pet the miniture horse.
Sleeping bear!

Nicole's favorite animal...just ask her!

We had a great time at the Safari and in Medford!

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Marina Cooks for Us!

She was very busy for many hours preparing a traditional Spanish/Basque Dinner!
Peppers...garlic...and oil...YUM!
Frying the peppers!
Asparagus, peppers, bread, salad, chicken and more! I can not pronounce or spell what we ate...so that was the English version!
Family dinner...compliments of Marina! Thanks Marina...it was delicious!

SEASIDE in the Rain!

Were else but Oregon can you go to the beach at the end part of July and have worse weather than you may have had in February??

Pretending it wasn't raining!


Camping under the umbrella!
They were singing in the rain!
Smores!
Pouring down rain...we still had to have those smores!
The five of us at Seaside!

Our Daughters are Back from WildHorse!

Basque group before camp.
Girls cabin after morning hike to "Communication Hill"!
80's night!
Girls and Boys at 80's night
Girls before the go cart rides.
Communication Hill!
Nicole and Desire - Cabin Counselor
Thursday evening...Formal night.
Cabin bed making!
Sisters! Nicole and Marina!
The girls had a great week at camp...but are glad to be home to better food, beds and cookies!

We are Official!

We finished...

• our 24 hrs of classes and got our certificates
• our required reading
• "Books" of paperwork
• our home study

and now...we can start the selection process of adding a new child or 2 to the Harding home!

We are very excited and will soon post photos of how we are working to combine the girls into one room and getting Nicole's old room ready for their new sibling(s)!

Pray for us as we continue down this journey...we are excited and anxious for what God has planned for our family. We will keep you posted!

Wildhorse Canyon Young Life Camp

Marina and Nicole are in Antelope, Oregon at Young Life camp. I talked to her today, and she says she is going to make it...homesick and out of her comfort zone...but going to make it. She has gone rock climbing, climbed communication hill, rode the zip line, swim, ropes course, and hopes still to get to ride the go carts, plus much more! Pray that she and Marina have a great time together!

Sunriver!

Marina rode horses for the first time...with our horse lover, Amanda!

Nicole, Amanda & Marina at the play ground at the park!

Marina plays tether ball for the first time!

The Family~

Marina with her American Grandparents!

If you can't tell, we had a blast! Not only did we do all these things, we all went bike riding, swimming, shopping, hot tubing, and much more!

For Borja

This is your beautiful Marina and Nicole!

Ready for dress up in the 1980's night at camp!

July 4th & 5th Activities!

The five of us on the 4th of July...matching Old Navy T's!

Nicole and Marina on the Alpine Slide...Amanda carrying her sled.

Laying in the snow at Timberline Lodge.

Amanda, Rob and Nicole at Timberline Lodge on the balcony.

Marina caught a butterfly in her hand at Ski Bowl!

A fun day had by all...except Mom who had to work!

Marina is Back! YEAH!!!

The three sisters!
Posing for mom!!
Trampoline fun!
The entire Gresham Basque group.
"Princess Rose Bud" aka Dad, dressed up by his three girls at the welcome BBQ.

We are all so happy that Marina is home! We have been having so much fun together as a family, and the girls have had a blast.