So much to be thankful for.... and a small pity party too!

OK- let's start with the pity party and get that part over with. Yeah, we're still waiting. I really can't complain. It's only been 2 months.... and 4 days. :) But, I think that I let myself get caught up into thinking that our referral would come super fast since it seemed like we were the only family requesting a 4 year old boy. Plus, so many people thought the same thing, that I was just sure we'd have our referral by Christmas. So, I guess I'm just a little bummed today.

But..... my house is full of love and joy. I surely can not, and should not be complaining!!! We had a wonderful Christmas and we just got home from a little get away with my parents. (to the not as snowy as we had hoped for, Leavenworth, WA) Jake did get on downhill skis for the first time and loved it.... and Grace had fun snowshoeing for the first time. I will, however, admit that I made Mike pack the laptop.... just in case!!!

This little video cracks me up! Grace will fully entertain herself... and others watching.... if you just stick her in front of her own reflection! Seriously, this girl starts belting out songs whenever she looks in the mirror, reflection from the stove, window, whatever!!! I think we need to put a mirror in her room!!! (at the end of the video-- Mike had snuck outside and hit the window that Grace was singing to... and scared her!!)



And a few pics from the holidays!! :)

cute girls... and sweet friends!

Feeling blessed by wonderful friendships.....

Making fun Christmas treats! (and Jake thinks the big sisters are pretty fun too!!)

There are days....

that I'm in total awe of the sheer volume of my 2 year old's hair!!!!! (and what on earth is she doing having opinions about how I style it?!?!?! She had to have "only clips today, momma"!) But it goes right along with her new found STRONG opinions about the fancy dresses she has to wear every day!! (that's last year's Christmas dress with a turtle neck crammed under it) I'm learning to pick my battles!!!! :)

I could stare at the sweetness of this photo all day long!

Just a cool shot!

counting...

Yep!! One month of waiting under our belt. Not a long time, but since it should only be 4 months of waiting or less, one month down feels pretty good!!!



And, I know a couple of sweet kiddos who are excited to meet their brother. Jake will go with us when we travel so he's pretty excited and Grace talks about her brother in "Opia"!!

Top of the list..... again?

For Grace's adoption, we got on the waitlist on April 7, 2007. Our agency had just recently opened their Ethiopia program, so there really wasn't a waitlist. It seemed like we were the 1st family to request an infant girl. Well, with that news, I "assumed" the call would come any day. 10 weeks later, our wonderful call did come! But, with no one ahead of us on the list, it was a very anxious 10 weeks. Now, fast forward about 2.5 years. We're back on the waitlist, and again it seems like we're starting the wait at the top of "the list"-- this time for a 4 year old boy!! There isn't anyone ahead of us to "stalk" and see how quickly they're moving up the list. So, again... I find myself "assuming" the call is going to come any day. But, this time my mind tells me that it can easily be a 10 week..... or longer wait, but currently, my heart isn't listening to my mind. I need to get a grip! :)

**and please, in no way, take this post as complaining!! I'm thrilled to be "maybe" at the top of the list! I just think the similarities between both adoption processes is funny. Somehow I just thought it would be easier to wait the second time around. HA!!

A few photos of "life" lately.

playdough and coloring. Coloring has taken over life lately. Both kids color all. day. long!!!!!

For a brief moment, I thought Jake was playing with Grace's dollhouse. A few minutes later I notice that his army men had invaded and taken over the dollhouse!

This girl. She would play outside, by herself, all the time if she had her way. She doesn't care if it's cold or raining. She just wants outside. :)

Adoption Theme Song!

Came across this song today: "While I'm Waiting" Speaks to my heart. I have a feeling I'll be listening to it a lot!

Worship

The worship band from our church is releasing their first CD this month. Take a listen to one of the songs. It's GOOD. You just might want to get yourself a copy of the CD. :)