Lucy's Adoption Day

This is a happy day! Lucy is now legally adopted. 

She's been ours for more than two years, but now we finally have the signed and stamped papers to prove it. :o)

This morning when the judge walked into the courtroom, he smiled and said, 

"This will be the best thing happening in my day!"

One of the best days ever for our family; we're looking forward to a day with Lucy in the temple soon!

Thanks to those who came and shared our happiness today!

Joel's 10th Birthday

We had a very simple birthday party for Joel this year, with iced donuts and ice cream because he likes donuts better than cake. :) Here he is in a picture taken of him on his day. We love you Joel! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Buddy!

Our Christmas

Lora is home safe and sound! (yes, plenty of sound, she still loves to talk! ;o)We're so happy! It's wonderful to have so many of our family here with us. Gabe, Robin, Milly and her little Garrett are also here to celebrate Christmas with us on the 8th of January, as well as Janina & Marty and their Collin, Genevieve and Marshall. We miss Katie and Mikelle and hope their holidays are also merry and warm. The local missionaries were with us again this Christmas morning; Elders Knight and Seabolt had stockings and breakfast with us on the 25th. There are many more pictures I hope to add, but here are some for now, as I'm away from my home computer that has the pictures from Milly's camera.

Christmas babies

There is nothing more awe-inspiring than having a new baby in the family at Christmas time. We've been blessed with this several times and even got to see our tiny Tim play the part of baby Jesus in the manger one year, just after we'd brought him home. He'd been a very sick baby for the first five months of his life, so small to have experienced so much, barely 9 pounds and a beautiful, black-haired, brown skinned, Asian baby Jesus with Down syndrome he was! Jesus loves the children and encourages all of us to be as loving, obedient and forgiving as little children are. Seeing little Timmy in that manger left an impression on my heart that I will never forget. Congratulations and blessings to all of you with babies this year! May you always remember that when you are in the service of even the least of these, you are in the service of your God.

The Kids and Santa

Thanks to the local Lion's Club, we have these wonderful photos of our kids with Santa Claus! Except for Lucy who couldn't go that night. The kids were each given presents that they LOVED! Thank you Lion's Club and also ShyVel Photography for these sweet gifts! And thank you to my niece Jasmine for the cute picture of Lucy! Merry Christmas everyone!

Rough times leave me grateful

The second half of this year was difficult for me. I had four trips to the hospital including a complete hysterectomy on October 18th and some other painful times and one very puzzling event in June.  I had help from some dear friends and Milly, my husband and other family members were troopers. Here's a picture of me in bed at home, where I was able to get some rest even though I'd left my glasses on, lol. This is to remind myself of how I can get through all things with the help of Christ who strengthens me. I'm SO grateful to HIM that the masses on the ultrasounds weren't cancer and I have many more years with my husband, kids and grandkids to look forward to!!!

My Babies turned Two, Five & Twentythree

Lora, Ella and Lucy each had birthdays on the 23rd of November!  Yes, they're our "triplets" ;o)

Lora is still in New York until January, but we put her name on the cake anyway. It'll be so nice to have her home again, she's been dearly missed these 18 months that she'll have been away, serving as a missionary for Christ among the Chinese speaking people there. We're very pleased with her desire and faith in action in serving.

Ella has turned five and Lucy has turned two! My goodness they keep us busy! They're so adorable and cute! I've had trouble keeping up with the blogging ever since Lucy hit her feet. Both girls are incredible and amazing in their own ways. Lucy is definitely a talker and a leader! She's very active and a climber. It'll be interesting to see as the kids grow how the dynamics go... Joel is now getting up in the mornings and getting Lucy out of her crib, this is a good sign because it means that she has become "one of the kids" to him.

Happy Birthday to my four-letter first and middle named girls: Lora Jean, Ella Rose and Lucy Noel!