JB Ski Pictures!!!

So, I actually got pictures from Johnny's birthday weekend of skiing with Tamra (and 16 others). See above - looks like they had a grrrreat weekend... love the first picture, the scenery, and the "tough guy cadet" picture at the end.

Adoption news - first snag. Our agency is about to lose their only Md social worker (does homestudies) to pregnancy/childbirth, and is actively seeking another, possibly part time, contractor... but in the meantime??...

We're actively seeking solutions, like giving them names of SW's we know of in Md, or possibly using a homestudy agency other than our adoption agency, and such. We've run this race a-time-or-two before and we know not to let anything sit for long. But, God's in control (of the Grand Plan), not us, and He's much, much better at orchestrating than we are. :o) Your prayers are welcome.

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

Red envelopes for the kids and application approval for the parents!!!

We got a call saying our application has been approved and they'll be sending us the overview packet next (ugh - what fun). Didn't get the packet yet, but have already filled out the vital statistic forms for both our birth certificates and our marriage certificate (3 states). Also filled out the immigration form, tho it's way premature, given that you can't submit it until your homestudy is done... but I had to do something to feel like we've actually started. :o)

Next step - driving records from the MVA and making appointments for our physicals!!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!

Why?? - The Starfish Story

The Starfish Story

Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach after a storm when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.

”Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of thousands of starfish? You can’t make a difference! You can’t save them all!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…” I made a difference for that one."

And Happy Birthday Johnny too!!!!!!

Friday was Johnny B. Goode's birthday!!! And Faith's 3rd Gotcha! day!!!

Of course, Johnny's at school, so not much chance for pictures, but he also had company... the lovely Miss Tamra went to visit for the long weekend. They continued the tradition of skiing on Johnny's (and MLK's) birthday... so maybe, just maybe there will be a picture or two forthcoming. We'll see. Can't believe my baby's 22 and even more can't believe that he graduates this spring!!!

And for Faith's Gotcha! day, as is tradition, she got to choose the dinner spot... and of course, it was Chinese... then off to church for a deaf fellowship of playing Pictionary!!! Much, much fun!!! Gosh, who could believe she's been part of our family for three years - wow, how she's grown!!!! God is soooo very good to us!!! Dunno who said this, but it reminds me of the Starfish email: "Adopting a Child won't change the World, but for that child, the world will change."

Adoption news... our application was filled out online on Monday night and the first bit of $$ sent off on Wednesday. They called us today with a question or two about the application - which means it's in review!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAA-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Let's Roll!!

Happy 6th Birthday Abby!!

Ok - so 7 little girls "sleeping" in your living room - what could be more fun than that?!?! That's what we had on Friday and we're so very blessed!! You can't imagine how much little girl giggles will make you giggle... even if you're trying to be the tough guy and telling them to shhhh. Pictures attached.

Other news - the application is being filled out TONIGHT!!! Oh Father, You are so very good to us!!!