I don't recommend starting off your day by hitting a squirrel.

Josiah and I were having a perfectly honest conversation about the brutality of war on the way to school. He takes this kind of conversation like a trooper, not like a 6 year old.  I noticed a squirrel frantically racing across the street. I slowed down like any good humanitarian would. It appeared as though he would have plenty of time to cross the street in front of me, except that he must have dropped a nut or become demon possessed or suicidal. He switched directions and then switched directions again just in time to meet the rubber end of my back tire. He didn't feel like much, but he certainly wasn't pretty in the rearview mirror. I was thankful that Josiah missed this whole interaction with nature and prayed to the Lord, "Please let my day get better than this." 

My entire day wasn't terrible. I had a delicious coca-cola on the way to work after dropping Josiah off  at school. This is one of my great pleasures in life. In fact, the Chinese name for coca-cola is "Delicious Happiness." Can I just say that those people know how to name a drink? So, anyway, I was fairly productive at work and things seemed to be going fairly well. Then, I heard someone mid-day mention that I-5 was closed going North to Seattle. It just so happens that I just solidified plans this week to travel to Seattle to visit some people I really care about and attend a breast cancer conference. It worked out that my work needed to have someone take Friday so I volunteered to make traveling a bit easier for everybody. I was reminded that I was going to be paid for Saturday when I attended the conference and for just a bit I got to think about what it was going to be like to be a giddy bachelorette for one weekend. No kids, off to the big city all by myself. It all came crashing down with one photo of I-5 submerged beneath something like 10 feet underwater. That put the grand kabosh on that. 

Anyone who knows me knows that I can take a while to commit to an obligation away from my house. When I do commit, however, I'm in 110%.  It took me a while to commit to the idea of heading toward Seattle.  It took me a while to get to the place where I was excited to sit in a conference all day. However, I got there. I was excited. I was so excited I had trouble getting to sleep last night. 

I have lived that kind of excitement over and over about the idea of our girls coming home from Haiti. At the end of each step with the promise of the next step I have let myself get excited. (sometimes even when I say I won't I do...I just can't help it.) With each step has come more waiting and disappointment. It is for this reason that I can barely stand the disappointment today. My heart is full of all the disappointment it can take. I wonder Lord, how much I can take. I would prefer it if we not continue to test this area. 

On a tender note, my heart was filled with joy when I walked through the door and my little people grabbed my legs and loved on me. Elijah and I practiced kissing. He would kiss my ear and I would kiss his trigus. He would kiss my cheek and I would kiss his clavical. He would kiss my forehead and I would kiss his xyphoid process. As I kissed each of those places I would name them and for some reason these silly names made the boys giggle into hysterics. It is for this reason that I am not completely broken. I look for the joy even through my veil of sorrow. Here is to my friend the squirrel. May he rest in peace. 

Winter Wonderland

As most all of you know by now we have had the largest December snow storm in 40 years this week. It has slowed things down. Josiah got a whole week added on to his winter break. Vanessa has had fewer hours in the clinic, but thankfully, Jamie's clients are die-hard and his business has been all but unaffected. Thank goodness our old jalopy of a 4x4 gets around great in the snow! The Lord had his plan for not allowing us to sell this vehicle during the summer. So, here are a few photos of the boys enjoying the winter weather.

Christmas season is upon us

Getting in the Christmas spirit has been a bit tough this year. We had anticipated celebrating our first Christmas with Geslande and Joravena. Due to long delays in the handling of our paperwork we are frustrated and saddened they will not be here with us. We are attempting to find joy in the wonderful blessings we have. Our boys and their sweet smiles bring joy that help fill the void.





Elijah was a bit wet from helping choose our tree. We all decided it was worth it in the end.



This is my fabulous husband cutting down our little tree in the pouring rain. Way to take one for the team honey!!




Elijah being goofy at the tree farm.


On our way to find our triee this is Josiah hearing "All I want for Christmas is my two fron teeth" for the first time. He wouldn't let me take a picture of his awesome toothless grin. Maybe he's the grinch.

Elijah turns four!

What is a birthday party without a pinyata (or peeanta as Eli calls it)?



Eli and Miana and their birthday crowns!

Nana generously provided a copy of Peter Pan for Eli's birthday, feeding his new obsession!! At least he wants to be Peter Pan and not tinker bell...

Elijah got a whole bunch of new Rescue Heros for his birthday. He was so excited about the police car, little did he know at that time that the huge box beside him had many, many more! Thanks Denise. You saved the birthday!!

Happy Birthday Elijah. We love you!

Meet Brad

Some of you have met Brad, some of you have merely heard of our new addition. We have aquired a new roommate whome we have termed "The Brad." He is quite amazing and has quickly become a comfortable extension to our family. He helps with the kids and he even cleans bathrooms...but don't tell his mom! We are thankful the Lord has delivered a caregiver that gets along with the boys so well. He has a nice balance of authority and fun with them. Best of all, he plays Legos!!

Some Fall Photos Too!!

Halloween was a little crazy this year. Jamie and two other guys went as the blue man group. I'll try to get the pictures of all three of them up soon. I went as Rocker Chick complete with goth makeup and piercings! (Fishnets omitted from this page!)





Just a few pictures of the boys out in the cold fall air.




I can't get over how handsome my boys are!




This was our 10th anniversary. I think we look better now than we did then, right? We had a great weekend together. Jamie surprised me with a corvette ride into town and a posh hotel. We had dinner and a movie and a really fun time bumming around town together. We should have a 10th anniversary more often!





Overall, soccer season was fairly disappointing for everyone involved, however, we did have some fun.


He's got his foot near the ball!!!

I'm hopeless

I was instructed by a friend today to update our blog. The pictures I wanted to post aren't on this computer, but I'll put a few pictures of our summer on here.


Elijah is getting so big!


Notice toothless grin!