"It's a Wonderful Life"...

Just finished watching that classic with the fam. as we count down until the New Year...a little Risk action going on without me while I take a moment to reflect. Had a chance to hear from household members as they looked back upon the year thinkin' about what might be pleasing to the Lord. Here is what I heard:
* Learned to trust the Lord when He provided for us when our truck died when we were out of town.
*Feel like I've grown more in being patient with others.
*I have more purpose and direction now that I have passion for where I'm heading in the future.
*Have completed a whole year of journaling and quiet time with the Lord and know I have been blessed because of it.
*Have learned to step out in trusting Him when in the past I know I would have stressed more about things.

I hold those reflections as treasures in my heart as we close out this year of 2009. Since Esther can't report for herself, I am thankful for the immense growth and healing that has occurred in her this year. She is completely bonded in our family, has a security in her heart that gives me great joy, and is really just blossoming in so many areas.

Thank-you Lord for your blessings, adventures, and opportunities for growth this year! Bring on 2010!!

Thinking of you both...

Reflecting on our two weeks...games, outings, lots of food, more games, gifts, teasing, chatting, more games, puzzles, more chatting...thanks for the wonderful memories for each of us! You guys are golden!!!

"It's the most wonderful season of all..."

Some photos of holiday highlights...Esther loves our relaxing pace, opening gifts Christmas day, Alpaca Rob playing Gabriel in our annual Christmas day drama, and lots of jammy, snuggle relaxing time. It doesn't get much better does it? Emmanuel...God with us...Joy to the World for He has come! A time to remember He is the Gift and the gifts He presents us with in our life...our family, our health, our blessings of friends...ahhh He is good! A Merry Christmas to you all and a New Year with inspiration of what He has to come!!!

Little girls and Christmas...

Aren't little girls Christmas clothes fun? We have been blessed with several friends who bless us with clothes for our girls. I am so thankful for friends and little girls and all the excitement they generate at Christmas. I wonder what it will be like next year adding a little boy to the mix? We have had such fun reading our advent story...Ruthie has especially enjoyed this year's story as it is about a little girl. I hope you all are enjoying your traditions you share with your family this time of year. Anyone want to share one of yours?

Introducing Matthias... we are logged in!

It is with great joy that I introduce Matthias to you. His name means "gift of God". We were given this name last spring when we started this journey. We will call our new son, Matt. We have our Log in Date...11-25! This means our paperwork has been officially accepted and logged into the system. We hope to travel in late spring to early summer. We were allowed to send a care package to Matt a few weeks back and just received these wonderful photos from New Day after our package arrived. New Day is the organization that cares for Matt and many others sweet little blessings who need extra care and a family to call their own. In the photos are Matt's foster mom and foster brother. We thank the Lord for Matthias, New Day and their wonderful care, for the prayers of many who have covered us on this journey thus far, and for God's guidance and blessings.