Another Day

So, I heard this morning and our court date wasn't successful. Our new court date is May 17th. I am pretty bummed, but I know that God is in control and He knows when is the perfect time for our court date and when to travel.

So, please pray that AAI, our agency, will get the correct letter from her grandmother to show her 4 yr old brother is not up for adoption. That was the delay.

Also, pray for my friend who has her court date May 3rd (tonight in the US).

Thank you all for your prayers, emails, and love. It means a lot to all of us.

Court Date

So, right now it is 7 am in Ethiopia. My soon-to-be little girl is probably just waking up. Today we have our court date to see if the judge thinks we are fit to take care of her. I am a nervous wreck! The last court date didn't seem so bad, but this one is. Hopefully by this time tomorrow I will know the outcome. I will keep you all posted in the progress. It looks like I will be travelling around the end of August as long as today (tonight) goes well.

Thank you all for your prayers. We covet them while we wait.

Love,
The Raskells

Funny things kids say

So, my kids really crack me up. It is the little things in life that are funny. Here are some of our funnier moments with a 7 yr old and 5 yr old:

The boys are taking their Friday afternoon baths. I can hear splashing and laughing. I listen. "Giovanni, did you smell dat? I farted. He-he-he" "OK, Caleb, let me try." More splashing and laughter. "I smelded that. Awww, that smells good. heheheh" Oh my children.

A few days ago Giovanni's eye hurt. I told him to quit rubbing his eye. Here is our conversation.

"Mom, my eye hurt."
"OK, it always hurts." (no, I am not a bad mom, he just rubs them with dirty hands)
"What if flower growing in eye."
"A flower can't grow in your eye."
"Yes it can. Seed get in eye (they got flower seeds from school) and my tears warter it (yes, water sounds like warter)."
"No, you need soil to grow."
"No, flower grow in my eye with eyes water."Caleb "I cry lot. I grow flower too!"

The best ever was today after lunch. Giovanni came up to me with a rock he found at school.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

Will this make me Superman?"

"No, honey, it is not Kryptonite."

"Where is Kryptonite? Can I get? What it look like?"

"It is green. If you can find some, then you may be like Superman."

"Will people talk to me then?"

"What people?"

"Like on Superman movie. People talk to him."

"Sure."

He also will be attending a college where he can learn how to be Superman. They also killed a spider so it didn't bite Sophia. "If spider bite us, will we be like Spiderman?"

Did I tell you my children firmly believe everything they hear and say? I really did try to explain not everything on TV is real and they were just crushed.

Is there anyone else out there whose child calls everything he? Giovanni's scab fell off his knee and "I blood today, mom. He gonna fall off and I bleed." Everything is he. I mean everything. Spoons, dinner, poop, dirt, bike, paper, shirt, etc. Everything! It is cute.

Well, there is a little insight to my children. Soon I will be posting my "day in the life". If I ever get a life and have time! :)

Did I share with you how much I love all my children? I always talk about the little ones and never much about the older ones. Nick is such an amazing child. He has been dating this awesome girl who has gotten him back to church! They go to prom this weekend, so I will post pictures. He has such a sensitive heart and he is so dear in my heart. The best thing, he loves his dad so much. He still calls him Daddy.

Kevin is definitely unique. How do I describe him. He is the kid that no matter how much you want to be mad at him, he has this smile that makes you not. That is why I am always mad at him when he isn't around! He has a girlfriend who is such a joy to be around. She has grown so much in the last year. We just keep praying she will be able to go to church with us. Kevin adores his little sister and is a terror to his brothers.

Malcom comes home May 4th! Yeah! Our lives are so much better with him in it. There is a void here that will never be filled. I know I will cherish every minute with him when he returns. We are so proud of him and all he has done. Keep in his prayers as he moves on in his journey of the Air Force.

I look at my life when I was a teenager, and I can't describe how much different these guys are. They don't drink, they don't do drugs, they just have a good time with friends. We are always welcome to hang out with them, but honestly why. Boys - to embarrasing for me! They typically just go bowling, dennys, the movies or the mall or our house. I couldn't ask for more.

So, that sums up the love I hold for each child. Of course then there is Nafkot and hopefully in 5 days she will be ours and we can post her picture!

Here are my big boys last Easter!

Blessings!

The New Passover

Moses had announced to Pharaoh, "This is what the LORD says: At midnight tonight I will pass through the heart of Egypt. All the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on his throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest servant girl who grinds the flour. Even the firstborn of all the livestock will die. Then a loud wail will rise throughout the land of Egypt, a wail like no one has heard before or will ever hear again. But among the Israelites it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites. Exodus 11:4-7

What does Easter mean? Really? What does it mean to you? What do you celebrate? We hunt for eggs, we go to church, we have ham, and we thank Jesus for dying and then coming to life. But is that truly what it means?

I bought Prince of Egypt for the kids. I want them to understand why we are saved and how we are saved. Read Exodus. It goes into detail why the Israelites were to find a pure and spotless lamb. Durning their slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were to find a pure spotless lamb. They were to raise it and care for it until the right time. At that time they were to sacrifice it and place the blood on the door posts of their house. Why a lamb? Why the blood? What does it mean?

When Adam and Eve took the apple and ate, death came over them. They were separated from God, as we are now. The only way to get back into connection with God is through a sacrifice. This lamb was the Israelites sacrifice to the Lord. By spreading the blood on the door posts, the angel of death passed over them. This passover was celerated after that in thanks for the Lord.

So, what is the New Passover? First we need to recognize we NEED a sacrifice for our sins. We all sin. Whether big or small, we need that sacrifice. So, as time passed, God knew we needed the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. This was Jesus. Our ultimate sacrifice so that once and for all we were forgiven.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!" John 1:29.


But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own.Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away.*No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream.*But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.10 But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and cause him grief.Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants.He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's good plan will prosper in his hands.11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied.And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possiblefor many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death.He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. Isaiah 53:5-12

Jesus is our Lamb. He is our sacrifice. Lay your hands on Him. Feel the pure lamb under your hands. His blood covers the door posts of our hearts. Praise Him for His broken body. Thank you for the blood to cover my sins. They are so many. Acknowledge Him and for the Resurrection. Die to self and come alive anew in Christ - daily. We were all nailed on the cross with our Savior, but He bore the pain and suffering for us.

Without Him, there is no hope, no meaning. Why live if all we get is death? With Jesus and confessing our sins to Him we are no longer dead - but alive in Christ.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:1-2

So, as we approach the day of our Lord's Resurrection, remember why we are here. Set your eyes to Heaven and in everything you do, do it for Christ. He died for us.

Blessings,

Sandra

Ethiopia and we are in Group L

"For he issued his decree to Jacob; he gave his law to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them-even the children not yet born-that they in turn might teach their children. So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands." Psalm 78:5-7


This passage rings so true. It is God's promise to Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and Joseph that we will be blessed through them. Each generation is to teach their children so they will know the awesome power and love of our Lord. We are to rest daily in His arms for strength and mercy. I feel so blessed to know He is on my side. He knows what will happen. He knew from the beginning these children I am to raise. He knew how hard it would be to give up our will for His in adoption. He knows these children need homes. It is so hard to remember seeing all their faces - wishing for a home. What about the children left behind with no new mommy and daddy. Do they deserve less? I pray constantly for them. Ethiopia is so special. I can't believe I was priveledged enough to go there. Here are some pictures of our journey. I can't wait to travel again soon! I wrote below our good news. Pray for these parents, the children, and for continued grace for all of us!

We got word today we are in Group L. This means that we are being petitioned before the courts for a court date. So hopefully in 10 days we will have a court date! Then this is where the waiting begins. After court we won't be travelling for at least 4 months. It will be hard because she will be ours but we have to wait so long! I just know our Lord is faithful and will protect her and us as we wait for her homecoming. So please pray we hear soon of our court date and that the next four months will go by quickly!

Dossiers, Hockey, and a cutie

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart".

What a great weekend this is going to be! We just found out tonight our Dossier will be off to Ethiopia tomorrow. Now it needs to be translated, go to different agencies and then on the list for a court date. George and I went in yesterday with Kevy to get our fingerprints. Always fun with INS. I hope I don't have to go back. Being a mom to 6 has dried out my hands. Pray I don't have to!

We also have my parents and grandma coming in from Montana for Giovanni's 7th birthday. We are frantically getting ready. Well, I am typing and my awesome husband is super cleaning the bathroom. Leave it to him to be my rock once again and keep this family together.

We also have Nick's championship Hockey weekend. Here are some pictures from last years games. The first one is Nick and the second is Kevin. I am going to miss watching them!































Other than that, like is still crazy and chaotic. We got medical about our sweet one and she is still sick, but they are taking care of her. Now we just need to get her home and safe and loved. It is hard because she has a new scar on her face. I feel so bad because I am not there to scoop her up and wipe away the tears. Soon, Lord, soon.




Here is our precious little girl eating her first popcicle. It was way too fun for her!













This is one of her 1 yr old presents - a Strawberry Shortcake outfit. Isn't she just so cute! And yes, she fully walks.














May God bless your weekend.

Changes...

So, we have been home for almost 8 months. It has been crazy, but such a blessing from God. I want to show you how far we have come.

This is Giovanni's referral picture. We know now he had never sat on a toilet, ate bread, potatoes and corn every day. He hearded goats, picked coffee, carried water and went to the market. He spoke his regional language Wolaittan. He came home with giardia, scalp problems and malnurishment.

This is Giovanni last December. He speaks English really well, can write letters, is learning shapes, colors, language, writing, and small words. He love to draw and color. He has such a gentle and imaginative spirit. He is my little smartie. His birthday is March 17th so that makes him an Ethiopian, Irish, Italian American.

Here is our little spitfire Caleb. He has changed SO much. He was supposed to 3 1/2, but is 5 going on 7. :) When we brought him home he had never seen a toilet, was whipped by his mom, only had eaten potatoes, had never held a pen or silverware, was full of giardia and bacteria, and was severely malnourished. He was a size 3.

Here is he today. He has grown 6 inches, gained 7 pounds, speaks english very well, Is learning shapes, colors, numbers, letters, words, etc. He is a very competitive and strives to be the best. He is very active and has tons of energy. He is going to be trouble.

Here are the boys 2 weeks after home. We went to Bozeman to visit family. I face painted their face with Spongue Bob and the Ethiopian flag. Look how much smaller Caleb was, now he is taller!

I couldn't get Sophia's referral picture to post, but here is a picture of her being held by her big brother, Malcom. Note no hair and she is wearing 3/6 month clothes. She was on formula, baby cereal, she could sit with help but was very active. She was 5 months when we go her and weighed 16 pounds.

Here she is with Great-Grandma Mabel 2 weeks after coming home.

Here is our baby girl at 12 months. She now ways 22 pounds and is in 12 month size clothes. She is a hoot to play with. She says so many words and has such a personality. Watch out, cuz her teenage years are going to hard!

It just amazes me at what a little food, love, and medicines can do. I look back at pictures of our trip and realize how far they have come. I just can't believe what they can do.

Language: They have lost most of their native toungue. They are doing so well with their Enlish. They love school and to learn. They are starting to recognize words.

Health: Other than colds, both boys are extremely healthy. We are still fighting ear infections with Sophia.

Ethiopia: It is such a love in my heart. I cannot wait to go back to wait for our new little one. The boys are excited to visit soon. I hope to travel to the birth area of the boys when I go. I will be doing a lot fundraising for the adoption, so stay tuned!

Activities: The boys get along so well. It is quite amazing. They are great kids. Sophia is walking everywhere now. It is hard to control her.

Well, I just pray we continue to have growth from thm. They are such a blessing!

A new forever family

I had the priveledge of visiting the airport tonight to welcome home our friends with their two new Ethiopian children. Just seeing them I remembered how hard the trip home was and how exhausted you are. So please pray for this family. Pray for their daughter they had to leave behind in Ethiopia. They don't have a Visa yet for her and so they have to go back again. Pray for their safety as they drive 2 hours home tonight. Praise God for their children and that they are home!

Miracle number 1 in Adoption

"I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High." Psalm9:1-2
A miracle to see - our Kevin sleeping with our Sophia. This is the boy who "will never hold her. She is your responsibility, not mine" has grown to "HI baby!"

So, you could give timelines of adoption just as a pregnancy. It is after all a birth of a child. Isn't that what a pregnancy is, a birth? Nafkot has been growing in my heart day after day just as all my children did. So, you could say we are in the first trimester. I sent off the dossier this week and it is on its way to Washinton D.C. What is a dossier? Some crazy french thing I guess. :) It is a whole bunch of paperwork, birth certificates, marriage certificates, bank statements, medical statements, reference letters, tax forms, power of attorney, etc. I will



say the second time around is soooooo much easier. So our next step is waiting for a court date. I am hoping to get one in the next 3 months. I'll keep you updated. Please keep our new little one in your prayers as we got some medical tests and her blood work doesn't look great.

Sophia is growing like crazy. She can now say Meow, Woof, justin, caycay(caleb), kevin, mama, again, nick. She is finally mostly walking (and falling). It is fun to watch her waddle. She loves to hang out with me in the kitchen and help fold clothes. She is already at a 12-18 month size. She is definitely a curious girl. She loves playing with all her brothers.
Caleb continues to amaze me with his funny personality. He is just always smiling (unless he just got in trouble, which is often). He is starting to figure out how to sound out words and spell. He understands it so well. Everything is just so dramatic with him.
Giovanni continues to be our quiet serious little guy. He tries so hard to do things. He is slowly understanding word sounds to spell. He really wants to learn. His writing skills are great and he understands how to write. He loves to draw pictures. He drew one of Nick playing hockey and Kevin farting in his face (I guess I could say tooting to be more appropriate, but then it wouldn't be the Raskells).

They love to dance and I introduced them to Toby Mac (a Christian rap artist). They have fun dancing in the kitchen.
Kevin is working like crazy and going to school. Nick just started tennis, so he is going to be busy. Malcom should be home in about 2 more months. We MISS you Malcom!
So, such is our world of chaos. Giovanni's birthday is in a couple of weeks. My parents and Grandma are coming to visit that weekend. It should be fun.
Well, kids are going crazy. So, time to go.


I know, not the safest activity, but man it is funny. STAIR SLIDING! This is Giovanni's 5th attempt. He had a ball!

Carnival Raskell - All the boys wrestling and having fun.

Our friends who are in Ethiopia right now picking up 2 of 3 children. They are going to get pictures of our beloved new little one!

Even better, Kevin stair sliding. Note the cell phone pictures.

You can't really see it, but we afroed (did I spell that right) the boys' hair and put the pick in it. They liked it.

La-la-la-la we have smurfs!

Giovanni sporting the fro.

A new Raskell

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27

So, I know it has been awhile since I posted. Life has been, well, busy. I really never thought it would be so tiring to be a mother of 6, work 40 hours, and still manage a household. Sheesh, I am tired!

I wanted to let all of you faithful friends and readers know that we will be adding another Raskell to our family. Her name is Nafkot and she is a 2 yr old Ethiopian girl. We met her while in Addis Ababa at an orphanage and she stole my hubby's heart. We are about 6 months away from picking her up. I am hoping to be better about posting here and keeping everyone updated. She is really a sweetie and she looks like Sophia!

We are waiting for documents from our agency to start our dossier. I have already started compiling parts of it thanks to a heads up from my friend. Once we send in the dossier it will be sent to the agency, then to Washington DC and then on to Ethiopia. From there we will wait for a court date. Once our court date is successful (assuming God still wants her here) we will wait for our embassy date. We are using a different orphanage and agency so our embassy date will be later than before. We are assuming 8-10 weeks after court we will travel.

This was a tough decision. Before we left Ethiopia, George had said "I think we should bring her home." I said "Yeah, right. If you are serious YOU are doing ALL the paperwork." Well, months later, through prayer and God's leading I started the paperwork not HIM. I guess working on the paperwork helps make her a reality a little more. Some moments God comforts my heart and I know everything will be ok, other moments I want to fly overseas to hold her and take her to the doctor to make sure everything is ok. She had TB a few months ago. I prayed to the Lord "If you want her Lord, take her. Let her be healthy and free. If you want her here, heal her and prepare my heart for her." Monday morning I heard she was in recovery and doing well. God had answered my prayer and my heart now loved 7 children instead of 6.

God has been so faithful to us since we followed His will and not our own. This whole process is in His hands and He has made every step possible.

We are hoping to pay for this adoption solely on grants and donations and fundraising. We have been blessed so far and we are only about $4000 short (travel and embassy stuff). He has blessed us with everything else so far. So, keep posted. I am working on eventually selling bracelets and tshirts as a fundraiser. I know God will mutliply these too! He is so wonderful and faithful to those who trust in Him.

So, on the other home front (yes, Ethiopia is a home front and I will always have a special place in my heart for it). Sophia turned 1 last week. To match her age, she has 1 tooth. I think all the other teeth will pop in at once. She has done really well after her tubes and we haven't had 1 ear infection since. She loves daycare and they love her. She is starting to throw tantrums which is quite funny. She still refuses to walk as crawling is easier. She has added nice, thank you, shoe, caleb, reading and singing to her list of accomplishments. She loves to dance too!

Giovanni is doing well. He loves school and enjoys to continue to look at books and magazines. If only he would look at the words and not the pictures. He is such a lover. He loves to just sit and cuddle. What a sensitive little man!

Caleb, is well, Caleb. If you have ever met him, he is our funny man. Everything is always funny. He laughs and laughs and talks and talks. I think we will have our hands full. He enjoys video games. Kevin is very proud of him as he has "skills" for video games. Too bad he only gets to play them when Kev watches them. :)

Nick is doing well. He just started working with his brother Kevin at the car wash. Only a month and we have already heard "I don't want to work." Too funny. Hockey is going great and he is the superstar. He had a luncheon he was picked for for sports. He put together a dodge ball team and won the tournament last week. He is just a natural sportsplayer.

Kevin continues to go to school and work. We see him more and more as he matures and wants to hang out with us. I even got a Valentines hug! (we never get hugs from him) He has matured so much and he loves his little brothers and sister.

Malcom is at Sheppard AFB and will be shipped to Germany after Tech School. He is pretty excited. I wish it were closer so we could see him, but what an experience!

We have another young man living with us, Justin. He is a friend of Nick's and he is staying with us while attending school. He is also working at the car wash.

George is doing well. He has a cold now so he will be out of commission for awhile. :( He continues to amaze me as a father to a little girl. Boy does she melt his heart!

Well, now that I have babbled forever! I hope all is well with you all. I will post more pictures later as I haven't downloaded a lot them.

Blessings,
Sandra

So, Kevin and his friend decided to attempt this crazy jump. Kevin landed on Jake. It was hilarious!

Kevin and his baby sis!

Kevin, Jake and the little boys.

Contentment and Joy

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory." Colossians 3:1-4

Do you ever have those moments in life where you realize everything is as it should be and you are truly content. God has revealed to me, through friends, prayer, His Word, and His Spirit, what contentment and joy is all about. I have realized that it really doesn't matter if we get a boat, or if we have the coolest car, or the Nordstrom's clothes. We have food, laughter, water, heat, love and our Lord. I just love my life. I have my moments of stress (like tonight trying to feed a screaming angry baby, two little boys and two dogs), but in the end, I am only here to glorify our Lord.

So, what have we been up to since Christmas? New Year's, of course. We lit off fireworks and only had one go astray into the neighbor's car, Nick's car and our other neighbor's. It was fun to see their excitement. Sophia had tubes put in her ears. For the first time since arriving home, she has NO EAR INFECTIONS! Yeah! The day after her surgery, hubby and teenagers and I went to San Antonio to see Malcom's graduation. It was a wonderful week full of sadness, sickness, friends, and family. It was so nice to get away! My mom drove over from Montana to watch the kids. Below are some pictures of our journey.

So, aside from ER visits, fever, chills and tears to see Malcom go again, what was the highlight of the trip (aside from seeing Malcom and his graduation ceremony that is), you ask? Meeting the most wonderful people in Texas! I have been corresponding with a group of adoptive parents (ok, mostly moms with a few dads) from all over the US. We are tight group of believers who support each other through anything. Well, I finally got to meet two of them. We had been talking for a little bit, and I am so glad we met. I can't wait to see her again! We had to work hard at our meeting, though. Through the ER visit for George and I (um yes, potential blood clots and vaccine reaction), our friends saved the day when they picked up our boys from the Air Force Base, took them to the hockey game while waiting for us to show up. Then they had to leave early the next day because of an ice storm. I just have to say, next time WE WILL have more time together. Can you believe we never even got a picture of them? Crazy it was! It was such a blessing to get to know them more. I just wish busy lives didn't get in the way of visiting with all my friends.

Other than that, things are well. Life is great. The kids are doing awesome. Sophia has grown so much. She is walking occasionally and has just sprouted. She can say daddy, mama, kitty, doggie, thank you, all done, uh-oh, wall, tries meow and high chair, hi, cracker. She loves to dance to any type of music. Her little tush goes back and forth. The boys are getting bigger, too. They keep outgrowing their clothes. They are doing well at school and love to go.

Well, I hope all is well. Below, as usual, are the pictures my dear friends remind me they want more of. :) I pray you all find the joy and contentment that God gives you!

Little steps to Kevin! Boy does she adore her Kevin. :)

Nick, Dad, Kevin at the Riverwalk in San Antonio. Notice George's $7 cup of coffee.

Grandma and little Sophia after eating birthday cake.

This was at the wax museum we visited. It really was life like.

The Alamo at night (it only took like 2 hours to find).

The morning of Malcom's graduation.

Malcom is in the front corner. We are soooooooo proud of him!

The Raskells (minus little ones) in front of the Alamo.

Christmas - Well, maybe a little much

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son,and they will call him Immanuel,* which means `God is with us.'" Matthew 1:23

And so we entered another Christmas. This year, our house had so many changes. I remember sitting on my couch last year reading a book about one families adoption story. For 4 hours I sat and read and cried. This is when God first called me to adoption. It was a long road over the next couple of weeks. I so wanted to bring home a baby girl. Finally George felt the calling too and so we started 2006. Our year has been crazy. We went from 3 teenage boys to 3 teenage boys and 3 little children. God has been so amazing in His blessings and His provisions in our life. This Christmas I had a whole new outlook on what it means to celebrated Christ's birth. It is so hard to get caught up in the "holiday" season of shopping, food and family. I forgot what it truly meant. I took Jesus out of the equation of Christmas and put so much emphasis on it being "the new children's first Christmas". So, as we try to contain the sheer overload of emotions from 2 little Ethiopian boys, I am trying to regain my faith and living for Christ.

The last couple of days has been hard. For three days I have tried to get to Urgent Care to get meds for this cold that won't go away. Instead last night we ended up at the pediatrician's office for Sophia. Her eye looked like she had been in a boxing ring and lost. She has cellulitis of the eye (aka a deep tissue infection). They gave her a shot in her leg of antibiotics. By this morning, she wasn't any better so they gave her another shot. Tonight we gave her more antibiotics, but it still looks the same. We go in in the morning to check again. If it is not better, we will admit her to the hospital. Poor baby! I think I am more concerned than her.

We heard from Malcom. He is doing ok. Not great, not bad. Basic Training is hard and he is counting the number of days until he is done. It sounds like he is the top of his class. I am so proud of him. I miss him terribly. My heart still aches to hear those footsteps stumbling down the stairs, or the funny stories he comes up with, or just his listening ear. There is a huge void in my heart. I can't wait to see him in just 2 weeks!

We have another boy moving in with us. This time it is Nick's friend. His parents moved to Vegas but he really wants to be here to finish school. At least this time we know he has parents who love him.

We also have another surprise in the making, but it is not ready for cyber space yet, only a select few friends and family members. Once the time is right I will reveal all.



I leave you with some funny pictures of our Christmas. Have a wonderful New Year!






The yearly tradition and my father-in-laws. My family even went this year. It is chaos, but we love it!











Our insanely packed with presents Christmas Tree.
















Grandpa made his first granddaughter a rocking horse. It is so cute and she loves it!












Look who got robes. Hmmm, doesn't seem right.











Wait, this is the right one!












Sophia opening my best friend and sister and neighbor everything a girl could want in a friend - yeah her present all the way from Mexico.












Caleb's sombrero and maracha's from Mexico!














My brother, Uncle Bob, got them Captain Jack Sparrow costumes. They are so cool looking! They love to play pirate.










Here is Giovanni with his sombrero and a plaque Grandpa made for him with horses.