Still No Snow

We still don't have any snow. I sure wish we would get some. Yesterday was one of those days that we really wished we were back in the States. We went to another base that is bigger than ours in search of a new rocker recliner and computer chair. We found a computer chair, but no luck on the rocker. I cannot even express how much I can't wait to get new furniture once we get back to the States. Allen's rocker is 13 1/2 years old and you can really tell. It would be really nice if we were able to get decent furniture here for a decent price.

Other news on our side of the world, I had to take Daniel to the doctor today. His leg got infected somehow. He got a blister on this leg filled with puss. So they drained the blister and gave him some antibiotics. First, they gave him pills, which he spit at me. So we had to go back for liquid. Now, I'm starting to not fill all that great. I think I'm starting to come down with the Eifel crud (as we call it here). Hopefully I will not come down with it too bad.

No news yet on how far the CCAA got on their referrals for January. I will post as soon as I know more. Rumor has it that they got to the 19th of December 2005. I was really hoping for the 20th. I know it's only 1 day, but in the world of adoption, 1 day is a huge deal. So, please pray that they get farther than what is thought at this point.

Lazy Days

We have had a wonderful Christmas break. Allen has been off all week and we have done nothing!!! Allen did go check the mail yesterday and we had 4 packages. What a good mail day. So we got to open presents from Allen's parents and sister. Yesterday we had some friends over who have a 5 week old baby. It was nice to visit and cuddle the baby. Then Caleb had his friend spend the night who is moving next week. Tonight we are going bowling with them, so that should be fun. Otherwise, it has been lazy days for us!!!

More Christmas Pictures

Just waiting for our little China doll

Let's go skate boarding!!

Love those Yankees!!

Hope you enjoy a few more Christmas pictures. It's amazing how fast the boys have grown. We are really looking forward to being home with family for Christmas in 2009. Even more than that though, we are looking forward to having our little Sarah with us next Christmas. We have forgotten what Christmas with a toddler is like, so I'm sure it will be a lot of fun.

We miss you all!

Merry Christmas

Our family with our friends, the Barti's.

From our family to yours, we wish you a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!

We had a wonderful day today. Our friends, the Barti's, came over and spent most of the day with us. We have known them since the week after we got here. Their oldest son was in Caleb's class and we both had told our kids that we had to meet the parents before they could go to each others house. The boys made sure we met immediately. We then found out that our three children were the same ages. And the rest, as they say, is history. We have so many memories of the last four years (yes, we've been here that long) that include their family. Sadly though, when you are in the military, there comes a time to PSC. They are on their way to their next assignment soon. So they came and spent the day with us. It was a lot of fun. The kids played one of their new games most of the day. Then we got some fun pictures. I don't know if you can tell or not, but in the picture of our family, the boys are wearing Santa ball caps. It was perfect for them! Only 1 more Christmas overseas and we will be home for good! Next year we are looking forward to having a toddler here!!!

New Websites To Check Out

I posted some new websites to check out. One is to Shaohannah's Hope. This is the organization Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman started after they adopted their first daughter, Shaohannah, from China. One of the things they offer is adoption grants, which we are blessed to be a recipient of. The second link is to a video from Steven Curtis Chapman called "When Love Takes You In". The video is awesome, but sometimes the comments are a bit out of control. These are just a little bit to help you understand our adoption journey.

MOS Christmas Party

Allen's squadron had their Christmas party last night. The first picture is us in front of our fireplace. The second one is at the party. It was an ok party. We didn't win a gift certificate, but we got 2 bottles of wine and the centerpiece from our table. It was also nice that we didn't have to hire a baby sitter, since we already had one at home. Caleb has babysat every Saturday this month for someone going to their Christmas party.

Christmas Program

Christmas Program at the chapel

Our friends the Kirks. They're from Texas. Can you tell??

Daniel and his friend, Koby!

One of our chaplains, Ch. Smith. He's awesome (and not from Texas)!!!

Caleb - he's just a little confused!!!!

The boys had their Christmas program at the chapel. It was really cute. I just had to post the pictures of our friends, the Kirks. They are very much from Texas. Laurie found these hats in Koln and they fit them so well. We were messing around with them after the program. We even got the chaplain to put it on. And I am toast if he sees it posted on our website. And then there's Caleb. Well, he's just confused on what kind of hat he wants to wear.

Christmas is Coming!

The 1st grade classes had a small Christmas program today. It was really cute. Daniel had a speaking part. He did really good. Allen was able to get off work to come and they let me find someone to watch my class so that I could watch as well.

It has been so much fun watching the boys this year buy gifts for each other. They put a lot of thought into this. This year they have used their own money to get each other their gifts. Today I took Joshua and Daniel shopping to finish up. They still have to do the traditional Christmas Eve shopping with their dad. As long as I get to stay home until it's time for church, I'm happy.

I am able to work the rest of the week. I'll be in 3rd grade. It's a really good class and I had a wonderful day. I'm looking forward to the rest of the week.

12/06/07

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before December 14, 2005.

What does this mean for us? Our documents were logged in on January 4th, 2006. As of now, they are 21 days away from us. In December they matched 6 days, in November it was 8 days. They haven't matched in double digits since March. So it may take another 3 months before we get our referral. I can remember when we got within counting range though. I think I started counting "log in days to us" when they were still 60 some days away. So to be 21 days way, is really awesome. The referrals usually come out around the first week of the month. I was really hoping for a January referral, but God obviously has other plans. It's kind of like waiting to go into labor. Only instead of wondering which day it will be, we wonder which month it will be. Oh course, a "normal" pregnany is also 9 months, not 23+ months. Oh well, it will happen soon!

12/05/07

The boys with the coach of the Harlem Globetrotters

Today was a fun day. The Harlem Globetrotters did a European tour of some of the bases here and ours was one of them. I have never seen so many people show up for an event since we've been here. We got in, but I've heard they had to turn away around 200 people. It was amazing to see the line. It was a really good show and the kids loved it. I tried to get individual pictures of the boys to post, but our internet connection must be too slow.

Afterwards we got to go to our new gas station. We are so excited that we finally have a 24 hour gas station. If you aren't in the military or have never been stationed overseas, you may not know what it is is like to be limited on when you can get gas. We may not have pay-at-the-pump yet since our gas is still rationed, but at least we can get it whenever we want!!!