Christmas

This was Liam's first Christmas and it was a great Christmas indeed.  All the kiddos were so excited for Christmas to be here.  Lily would ask me everyday if it was Christmas yet.  Morgan, my oldest, was even very excited for Christmas this year.  All the shopping and wrapping was done early this year and it left for a relaxing few days up to the big day.  We celebrated with friends and family and enjoyed the quite moments together as well. 
The morning began with Morgan and Mason (the oldest) waking up first around 7:00 am.  There was no turning back.  The little ones were woken up next and the fun began.  Lily and Liam were beyond excited to see what Santa had left.  They were very patient while waiting to open their gifts since we all take turns in this house.  Otherwise it is just too chaotic.

                                                                   Christmas morning!

                                                  
                                                                            Morgan

                                                                           Mason

 

                                                                         Lily

                                                                            Liam

After naps we went over to my parents house for Christmas with the rest of the family.  Aunts, uncles, nanas, pawpaws, sisters, brothers, cousins - that's us and we love every moment of it! 

                                                            Logan & Mason (cousins)

 

                                                         Liam opening his race car track!

 

                                                           Lily opening her princesses!!!

 

                                             All the cousins (my kids and my sisters kids)

 

                                                                      Our family

                                             I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! 

'Tis the Season

I haven't been out here in a while, so this post may be a little long.....
A few weeks ago Fred and I took a trip to New York for a little getaway.  The weather wasn't what we would have hoped for, but we got through it and had a wonderful time.  We had rain all day Friday and Sunday.  We went to see Elf on Friday night.  It was entertaining, but I was a little disappointed when they took out some of my favorite senses.  We were able to meet up with our first exchange student, Meishaung, while we were there.  She is going to college in NY right now.  It was really great to see her!  We hosted her in our home 8 years ago and have kept in touch with her ever since, seeing her periodically.

 

The Christmas tress are up (all 5 of them) and the house is decorated.  We will be having Fred's company Christmas party here tonight.  Hoping for some great pictures to share later.  I love Christmas time!

 

 

And last, but definitely NOT LEAST, we received our court date!  We will be leaving on Wednesday, January 9th for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  We will meet our son for the first time on Friday, January 11th and our court date is Monday January 14th.  I am hoping that we will pass court while we are there and I will be able to show you all our sweet little guy's face.  I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

 

 

 

Santa

We went to see Santa last night out at Birkdale Village and then grabbed some dinner at one of our favorite restaurants there, Dressler's.  Lily was so excited to see Santa and was talking to him from behind the fence before we got up there.  A huge difference from last year when she wanted NOTHING to do with him.  Liam did okay as long as he didn't have to sit on his lap.  He was not cool with that. Lily's request this year was for the "Princesses".  She is very into all the Disney princesses right now.  I love it!  Liam's request was for Spider man of course! 
The weather has been in the 60's here for the last several days and it has been just wonderful to get outside and enjoy it.  Tonight we will celebrate my nephews 18th birthday.  I can't believe it.  I can still recall the day he was born like it was yesterday.  They grow up way to fast.  Can we slow time down a little????

Court Date #1 - December 7, 2012

We received our first court date today.  This court date is for Miles and on December 7th the judge will review the files, submit the case the the Ministry of women's affairs (MOWA)  for their comment and  then assign a court date for us (Fred and I).  Once we receive our court date, then its time to make arrangements to get on that plane and go see our boy!

Thanksgiving

My kids and My sisters kids - All together

 

                                           Nana & Paw Paw with all the grandkids (minus 1)

 

We have so much to be thankful for!!

Court...

Today our file was submitted to the Ethiopian court.  One more milestone, one more step closer to getting on a plane and heading to Africa to see our little man. 

Life as we know it....

will be taking a turn for the better.  With two surgeries down in the last month we should be surgery free for a long time!  This has become "life as we know it" for the last 2 1/2 years.  It just becomes part of what you do.  Lots of doctors appointments and lots of love and care. But, this is going to become of thing of the past for us and I am so happy!  My little ones have been given the care and attention they needed and I am so happy to see them healthy.  Between the two of them we have had 5 surgeries in the last 2 1/2 years and lets not forget the transition of bringing two special needs children home during that time.  Its been a crazy ride, but a good one.  Some days are harder than others, but I wouldn't change anything - the good, the bad or the ugly.  They are all components of what make us who we are.  Teaching moments from God to grow us into the people He wants us to be.  I have grown and changed in so many ways.  Thank you to all my children who help make me the mom I am today and to my husband who encourages me and loves me through it all.

We had a great weekend around here.  We started it off with a bang on Friday night with Chris Tomlin!  He was just amazing.  On Saturday night Fred and I had yet another date night and headed out to help celebrate a friends birthday.  Two date nights in a row - well that NEVER happens.  I did enjoy it however.  And we ended the weekend with a beautiful day out at the barn for Morgan's horse show.  We had a rough start but ended the day very well!!  I am so proud of her perseverance.  This girl is growing up right before my eyes and I want to stop time immediately!  I love the young lady that she is becoming.

 

Hoping to hear that our papers have made it to the court in Ethiopia this week!  Then the wait will being for getting our court date.  I can not wait to be able to show you all a picture of our little treasure that is waiting for us in Ethiopia....