Happy New Year!

I'm looking forward to 2009 with much anticipation. This will (hopefully) be the year we officially complete our family. :) And yes, I have said that before. But I MEAN it this time!! LOL!

2008 was a great year. I decided to go back to school for my social work degree, a decision that has been in my heart for a long, long time. I'm completely enjoying my classes (well most of them) and can't wait to complete my degree (long time yet). 2008 also brought many fabulous memories with my great kids and husband. We all went to AZ in February/March to see my in-laws, then traveled on to Disneyland for a few days. It was the first time there for all but one of us (Todd) so it was a magical trip. :) 2008 was also the year we decided to add another child to our family...a decision that surprised and delighted all of us.

Tonight, we'll celebrate the new year quietly, all home together, just the way I like it. So, Happy New Year to all!

P.S. Today marks 9 months of waiting for Chloe's referral.

A Very Blessed Christmas

This year was probably my favorite Christmas yet. Jake was absolutely sweet and grateful for everything and Sara was so excited...she really "gets" Santa Claus this year and was really into every single tradition.

We had lots of fun on Christmas day opening our gifts, and we're blessed to be home with each other all day. Christmas night we hosted dinner for most of Todd's family and Christmas Eve we spent with my family. Then Sunday we had the official family Christmas for Todd's side. It was wonderful to be together with everyone we love.

Here's to 2009! Hopefully the year of our newest family member!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Santa, we're ready! :) The tree is decorated and lit. The stockings are hung (all five of them, one for Chloe too). The kids have been (mostly) nice, and are SO excited for all things Christmas.

Merry Christmas Everyone! Blessings and peace from our family to yours.

Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

Sorry, but the title of a GREAT song made the best title for this post. I stumbled upon this blog tonight. It's written by a missionary in Uganda. She's an angel from God, that's for sure. Anyway, through her, you can directly sponsor a child in Uganda. Better than spending money on a sweater for your Aunt Ruth who will just tuck it into a drawer, aye?

Just Watched an Amazing Documentary

If you get a chance, PLEASE watch this movie. It's called, "The Devil Came on Horseback" and you can rent it through Netflix. It's about the genocide in Darfur and it's extremely moving and disturbing at the same time.

Also, check out www.savedarfur.org. These atrocities are STILL happening. There are forms you can fill out on that site to send to congressmen and President-elect Obama to help stop the genocide. Additionally, you can donate to the cause as well.

Agency Update...

Well, we got an update tonight from our agency. Two more families received referrals, which is great news, but they were both boys, which means no movement for us. So, we remain around number 6 in line (I don't know where we are for sure). Of course, we were hoping for a little more movement, a little faster, but God knows when baby Chloe will be ready for us, and we have to wait for that perfect timing.

Hope you're enjoying the holidays!

Baking Cookies...

What else do you do on a snow day? Bake cookies, of course! The kids had a ball rolling them out and test tasting. :)

Ready for Some Action...

OK, now that the holidays are here, I'm feeling anxious to see my baby girl's face. Gladney has successfully submitted the two dossiers for the first two referrals they received from TWCA. This is good because it means that the TWCA should be ready to send Gladney new referrals at any time. I say NOW is a good time, don't you think? :) :)

Snow Day!

Today is the kids' first official snow day! We got about a foot of snow last night, and it's still blowing and snowing outside. Todd couldn't even make it out of the driveway this morning, poor guy.

And today we've been waiting for 8 months for our referral from Taiwan. 8 months...and how many to go?