Let it Snow!

My neighbor called me this afternoon asking if I had looked out my window. Well no, but when she said "snow" I scrambled for the coats and shoes to usher the kids outside. I know all you northerners are laughing, but, this is all we get maybe once a year - so we gotta enjoy it if we get some. Besides, this was Caleb's first time seeing snow. Even Erik got in on the fun building a snowman when he came home from work! It looks like it will all be just ice and a regular school day tomorrow - darn!

Alexia enjoyed some snowball fights with dad and friends in the cul-de-sac


Daddy's snowman

The kids and our neighbor friend wanted to go "walking through the snow in the woods!!!" (I know it's pathetic!)

Sad News

I was greatly saddened today to learn of the death of the son of Tymm and Laura whom we have met through our First Friday group. This is a son they had not even held in their arms. He was a world away in Ethiopia while they were counting the days to go and bring him home. Our prayers are with this sweet couple.

Referral Update

Referrals were sent out the other day and it was yet again a dissappointing batch containing only a handful of days. The longer it continues handing out only days at a time, the more months it adds to our wait for our daughter.
The only thing that is moving along is the review room which we are "IN" right now. This is where the adoption authorities in China review our paperwork to make sure they feel that we would be good parents for one of their children. We are not anticipating any problems, but we are hoping that our month of Nov 06 clears the review room quickly for us and our fellow waiting families.

More Fun in FL

After Christmas we spent a few days with Erik's dad, stepmom, and grandmother at their home near Disney. We don't go to the parks with every visit to the grandparents, but we did enjoy some fun that the magical place holds. Caleb's favorite was riding the monorail and we had a very hard time taking Alexia home from one of the hotel pools with a volcano slide. We did a Mickey breakfast and enjoyed watching fireworks over the castle. We had a really good visit with all of the family and beautiful weather - we didn't want to leave!

Butterfly Garden

I had to put a few pictures in about a little place we all went to. It was a small butterfly conservatory that Alexia went to last year with her Mimi and Papa Jacques. It was a little cloudy when we arrived. They told us the butterflies were not flying and there would not be much to see. I think the lady felt sorry for us all with 5 children eager to see butterflies, so let us all in for free to see something. Well after a few minutes of wandering around they started coming out and showing themselves. It was fun to watch and my kids really enjoyed the morning.

No Snow Here!

We spent our Christmas with Erik's family in Orlando. His sister and family was able to make the long trip to join us all as well. Here are some pictures of Christmas with Mimi and Papa Jacques et al.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone from our family(and I am sure Mickey too!) Guess where we have been? I have a ton of pictures to go though and catch up on my holiday postings -hopefully real soon. But, I wanted to wish everyone a wonderful 2008!