The end of one journey is the beginning of another

Like I said on Aaron's blog, I'm sorry it took me 2 weeks to update the blogs. We really are not tired. We just have been enjoying the babies so much plus to keep things under control my attention has to be re-directed from the computer to the demands of our home and children and so far, we are doing well, we are happy and very well adjusted. Each time you bring a child home it seems there is a huge adjustment period but we don't seem to be facing that. Everything feels so normal, so right! We are thanking Jesus for that and all of you for your wonderful prayers and support.

Lily is doing so well. She sleeps through the night still. Both babies adjusted to the the new room and cribs very easily. They go to bed and down for naps without protest. Lily is eating very well and will try new foods we give her. She also loves our Bichon, Frosty, very much and he loves her. She yanks his hair and he licks her fingers. She really loves watching the big girls dance around and put on *shows*. She will get so excited, giggle, jump up and down and shake her whole body...especially when they played the guitar for the babies and sang them songs. The big girls love to touch nose to nose with Lily so that she will pull their hair. I don't know why but they like it and so does the dog!

Lily also went to the doctor with her brother, Aaron. Lily is also very healthy and doing fantastic.

Again, thank you for praying us through Lily and Aaron's adoptions. It's been amazing to see God's hand at work in this and to see how fast he brough our children home and to see that we have not one but two! We are still amazed at "How Great is Our God".

We will start a new web location for pictures and updates, for the next journey of our life....just being a family of 6. Amazing feeling! It's been a long 4 years since we applied for our first adoption in 2003. We have met many friends, changed our social circle and changed the entire tenur of our lives. We spent the better part of 4 years bringing our children home, filling out forms, being poked with needles, fingerprinted, interviewed and anxiously awaiting the arrival of the next child. It's been 4 years full of anticipation and emotional roller coasters. I am beyond greatful that God trusted us this much and gave us this calling and gave us those 4 years of our lives and I am now greatful they are over. It's a whole new way of looking at the future and we are excited about it. We will never close the door to God if he says "It's time to go back" but for now, there is no current calling but to be parents to these wonderul and amazing 4 miracles he's blessed us with.


Last morning nap in Guatemala. Lily is actually asleep here! And we couldn't move her.


Lily's first airplane ride - She's on her way home!!!


Lily is meeting her Meema and Aunt Hope. Protective Big Sis, Kya, is over-seeing the meeting.


First night home, all the kids are playing in the living room. We are so blessed to have a large family.


1st morning home! Lily's new Uncle Joel is giving her morning bottle. (Joel's actually really happy. He just doesn't smile for photos.) Again, Kya is over-seeing the situation.


Lily being so cute here on her first full day at home.


She easily went down for her first nap in her new crib.


Lily's first bath at home.


I have a picture of Kya just like this, in this very towel from our hotel room in China. I had to take this snapshot of Lily.

Here is big sister, Kya's, picture taken in 2004.


Lily is loving the new exer-saucer and is generally this happy! Thank you Jesus for these precious babies (all 4 of them!)