We're Still Here!

I know you may be wondering where we are and why we haven't posted in nearly 10 days. We are still here, don't worry. I can give you a lot of reasons, excuses really, about why I haven't posted. Things like: Allen and I are both in school, Daniel has basketball, I wasn't feeling well yesterday. The real reason would just be that I just haven't gotten around to it. So anyway, on to what's new with us.


I had a CT scan today on my sinuses. I'm still hoping that I won't need surgery, but I am preparing myself to hear that I will. The weather here has been really cold, just like everywhere else. We even got some snow flurries today. Daniel has played 2 basketball games now. They have done really good. They are all 7/8 year olds, so they are still really working on their skills.


The next post I will make will be an update on the adoption. No, we more than likely will not get a referral this month, but it is starting to get exciting. I will wait until I have confirmed dates until I post anything.

New Ticker

Notice the new ticker that I've posted. We are on the countdown until retirement. I think if Allen could load for his entire career, they would have to make him retire. But he's often said that it's just not the same anymore. He's not much of an office person. We've often talked about "what if he makes Senior Master Sgt?". At this point, I don't even think that can keep him in. We'll just have to see what happens in the next 22 months, actually less than that since you have to drop your paperwork atleast 6 months prior. By the way, can you guess what he wants to do when he retires? The ticker should be a pretty big hint!

Nothing New

It's been a few days since last posting. There's not really been anything new happening. The rain is back, but the temperature is up a little also. Allen's mom had surgery on Wednesday. His sister said she did well and is home recovering. My decongestants ran out and I was hoping things would not go back to what they were, but they have. I am again congested and not able to breathe. Guess I'll have to make another appointment.

I took Caleb to get new jeans the other day - 31x32!!! Give me a break! He's only 13. How in the world did that happen? Did I mention that he wears a size 11 1/2 shoe? Apparently he's also a popular one with the girls at school. Good thing we live off base and we can't have visitors just hopping over whenever.

Joshua is growing like a weed too. I think he's now in a 14 but wear an XL hoodie. No one likes a small hoodie, not even me.

I think we are all looking forward to the holiday on Monday. Otherwise, we're just hanging out.

Side Effects

So, I finally got some medication so that I would feel better. I can finally breathe, which is good, but the side effects of the medications are horrible: upset stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, headache. So in one way, I am feeling better. In another way, not so much. I have delayed the inevitable for several years, but I'm sure I will have to face it soon. I've known I've needed sinus surgery for a long time, just didn't want to have to deal with it.


Caleb went to a semi-formal for both middle schools last night. He said he actually danced. It was one of those "I can't wait to be back in the States" moments when we realized at the last minute that the boy has really no dress up clothes and he outgrew his dress shoes since last month. I think we will be going on a major shopping spree for the boy soon!

Finally Some Meds

I've not been feeling well for quite some time now, about a month to be exact. It all started with losing my voice, they just went downhill from there. Anyway, I finally went to the doctor today. Allen saw him on Monday and we both really like him. He gave me a decongestant and antibiotics. Hopefully soon I will start feeling better. It really stinks when people ask how my Christmas break was and I tell them I was sick.

Happy Birthday Joshua!!

The birthday boy and his new scooter!

(L to R) Joshua, Brian, Gunther and Chandler

Can you believe that Joshua is 10 years old today? Doesn't seem possible to us. He did remind us often that he is now in DOUBLE DIGITS! Yes, we know. Thank you for reminding us. So now we have two in double digits. Where did the time go? One thing we will never forget about this day is that Dawn's mom got a speeding ticket on the way to Clovis. Guess she was so excited to see her new grand baby that she forgot to watch her speed!

We took Joshua and three of his friends bowling today before we went to church. I think he had a good time. He said he had a good birthday. He will get an extended birthday, thanks to the postal system here. Oh well, what can you do?

Two Years and Waiting

Today is the two year mark that we have been logged in with the CCAA. Who would have thought we would still be waiting to bring our little Sarah home? Only God. It's kind of ironic that yesterday my devotion tied into how I was feeling. It is from the Daily Guideposts 2008. The verse was from Mark 9:23 "Everything is possible for him who believes." The devotion was about being open to the possibilities. At the end was a prayer by Carol Kuykendall. It said, "Lord, I don't know what this new year will bring, but You do. Awaken me to Your possibilities, one day at a time." How long will we have to wait until we get to bring Sarah home? I don't know, but God does. One day at a time, we will get through this wait.

Adoption Update

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before December 19, 2005.

Referrals are in. We were hoping that they would get to at least the 20th of December. Our agency didn't have and LID's until that day. So as of now, they are 16 days away from us. I am fairly certain we will not get a referral in February, but March is not out of the question if they do at least 8 days for February and March. So for now, we continue to wait.

Happy New Year!

Four of us were awake to see the New Year come in Germany. I was in bed since I am not feeling well. I was awoke, however, to what sounded like a battle field. It seriously sounded like our house was under attack and the windows would shatter at any moment. I soon found out that this was only our Germany neighbors shooting off fireworks. I have never in my life been so close to the type they were shooting off. All I kept thinking was, "Someone would go to jail if they shot this off in the middle of a town in the US." Talk about a difference in cultures.

So now here we are in 2008. It is so true that time goes by faster after you have kids. Ten years ago I was so very pregnant, ready to have Joshua at any moment. I can't believe Joshua will be 10 in 5 days.

Happy New Year everyone!!!