Another busy weekend...............

It actually started on Thursday night with Evan's choir concert. It was very nice. The kids did a great job.

Friday night Evan played basketball. His team won! They are having a good season, so far.

Saturday morning was busy. Mike and I took the girls to have breakfast with Santa. This was Bethany's first encounter with the jolly old elf. She was not shy at all. She told him she would like some new toys. The breakfast was yummy and there were lots of activities for the kids to do. They colored, did puzzles, played Christmas bingo, and made snow flakes. They really had a good time. Saturday afternoon was spent making Christmas treats. We filled bugles with peanut butter and dipped them in white & milk chocolate. They look like little ice cream cones. They don't last long around here, but we will make sure we send some to Colorado & save a few for Auntie Dianne.

Sunday, after church, was spent watching the Packers win! A nice way to wrap up the weekend.

Oh the weather outside is frightful.....
but having school canceled is so delightful!!!

Helping out a friend in need........

If you followed our blog back in 2006 when we adopted Macie, you know that we took a care package along for another girl at her orphanage. We had the privilege of meeting Wen Tao in Chengdu. I spoke with her mom several times on the phone before and after we were both home.

Well, that family is adopting again. They started out petitioning for one more girl and low and behold, they are on the path to bringing 2 girls home in January. The girls they are bringing home are 13 and 13 1/2 years old. They must travel by January 11th so the older one does not 'age out' and become ineligible for adoption. I know the financial strain an adoption takes on a family. I am asking that you check out Kathleen's blog. If you have the means, please help her out. No amount is too small. I know we were blessed by friends and family contributing to our raffles, now I am trying to "pay it forward". You can find Kathleen's blog here. She has 3 beautiful girls at home and 2 waiting for her in China.

Thanks,
Jill

So many things to be thankful for........

This past year has brought us so many blessings. Bethany enjoyed her first Thanksgiving celebration as did her cousin Eli. Macie, MaryKate & David led the prayer before dinner. We had 47 people in the house! It was tight, but lots of fun. Fun to hear the kids giggle and play, fun to visit with family. The dinner was excellent, as always. Two 23 lb turkeys and 14lbs of ham covered it. Plus all the trimmings.... mashed potatoes & gravy, macaroni & cheese, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, jello, salad, beans, relishes, rolls, corn pudding and of course enough desserts to cover my dining room table. If you went home hungry, it was your own fault !

Halloween and a little craziness.........

Just a few pics from Halloween. Bethany was very excited to get LOTS of candy! She was the cutest little ladybug. Macie was a dalmation again. The boys did their own thing. Grant trick or treated for UNICEF again. When we were in Harbin for Bethany's adoption, we rode around in a UNICEF van. It was really cool to see where some of that money goes.

And we have a few pics of Evan being, well, Evan:) Hairdos with the vaccuum & headstands. The kid is full of surprises:) I keep teasing him that he will have to put his hair in a ponytail for basketball.

Bethany has decided that she wants to take piano lessons. She begged me "Paahhllleaasssseee Mama! Bethany take piano lessons!" We took one of Macie's old books along to her lesson so her teacher could give Bethany a song or 2 to work on. When we got home, Bethany sat right down and started practicing. She turned to me and said "Thank you for piano, mama!"

November is National Adoption Awareness Month