Christmas!

Wed night we had a special Christmas with Kyle's family

Thurs night we had a special Christmas with my

immediate family (all my siblings were there)

Friday we had a special Christmas with my

great grandma and family

Its wonderful to be able to spend time with

our families and make wonderful memories, but

Christmas morning we had our own special little Christmas with just

Kyle, Kinsey, Cali and I :)

Can you believe sometime in the early

morning they both wound up in our bed

and the babies and I slept in til after 9am!

My babies never sleep better than they do in our bed :)

And I just love my cuddle time with them.

Its neat to share with a two year old the

special things that they have never heard.

At the Christmas eve service at church

we were singing and one line just stood out.

"Born that men no more may die"

That sums up everything,

His purpose in coming,

His purpose in dying &

Our freedom in Christ.

The perfect gift.

2 weeks til Christmas???

Kinsey Cali & Chase

My friend Kyleigh came over today with her little man.
We had fun just sitting around talking - following our kiddos around.
Its nice to just relax and enjoy each other.
I wish we didn't live so far apart - but (almost) 2 hours isn't bad.
At least we get to see each other when I visit my family :)

The girls LOVE playing with and holding Chase.

I can't believe we are half way through December. Its crazy. Things are going great - with our house. I am thinking next weekend we will be able to start moving in. I am so excited!! Its crazy. It will be crazy living in a new home. New location. The same road I have driven on for the last (almost) five years from our home to my inlaws, I will never have a need to drive on again. At least not on a regular basis. Its just a change. I am excited. Excited about this new step in our lives. Excited to make memories in our new home. OUR HOME.

The last few days I have been visiting my family since Kyle went to Oklahoma with his parents to visit his sister who just had a baby boy :) I am jealous, of course, he gets to see the nieces and brand new nephew but I am SO happy for him. I know its something he has been wanting to do. We didn't make it out there this summer because I was worried about driving that far with the girls - the screaming. . . . the endless screaming on the drive :) Then of course my dad gave me a pep talk about how it may be a miserable drive but a year from now we will look back at what a great time we will have. Sooo... maybe we will attempt it this spring. We will see :)

Anyway - so I have been with my family. Tonight we went up to the Kessler center (huge gym/athletic facility) at Taylor U. We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. It was me, my parents, four of my siblings, my two girls, my brother's friend and another little boy (2 years old) who my parents watch on a consistent basis. My mom and I could push the girls in the stroller around the track while the kids ran around chasing each other, playing basketball and throwing a football. It was such a nice time. They go up there alot - I just really enjoy our time there. I love being part of a big family. I loved watching the kids run around just having fun - enjoying themselves. Yeah things can get crazy... but its great. Today I had my girls plus my siblings Shauna and Justin (7 and 10) - the girls LOVE playing with the kids...and I enjoy having them around. I miss them. Thankfully we visit every other weekend usually. I didn't want to be one of those situations where my younger siblings didn't really know me. Anyway - its been a good last few days.

One minor update on our next adoption - we have really just been trying to map out possibilities. Of course we just don't KNOW what could happen - anything could happen. But we don't want to get in too deep financially. We still have Kinsey's loan we are paying on and we just can't add another payment. Things are coming together and we received REALLY good news that will help us out alot as far as financing our adoption. Of course we are still praying for this grant but God is definitely showing us ways he will provide for this to happen :)

My active babies :)

Cali wanted to skate

Kinsey's first time skating!

We were helping grandpa in Bethleham Marketplace

Before our big break :)

My babies in some Christimas dresses :)

Each day I feel like my girls just grow older and older. For real. Its crazy. The cute little things they do together. They have had "no" matches... they just go back and forth saying no... Kinsey usually ends up upset because Cali told her no. Too cute.

The otherday I stubbed my toe... and Kinsey looks at me -

"hurts like dickens mommy?".

Yeah... in her Veggie Tales they say

"It hurts like the dickens"

... my kid is stinking cute.

And her prayers... the way she talks to Jesus. Precious.

The other night Kinsey says:

"I scared mommy. Jesus take care me? Jesus take care me mommy??"

I just melt.

Feeling Pretty Good

Kyle and I continue to discuss different scenarios and options as far as the next one. You know... do I fly out and he stay home... or does he fly out with me and leave after a couple days while I stay for Icpc... Who would we have go with me to help... that kind of a thing. We also crunched some numbers and I just feel really good about it.

I spoke with the local agency again... the supervisor this time. Turns out they dont work with families with children because the birthmothers rarely pick them... in their experience. The fact that we were open to race didnt matter. It was just frustrating since the other two ladies from the other two branches were so excited to add us... then when we finally get to the branch over our area... its a no go. Things eventually got better. Some how it came up that we had our foster care license and were special needs approved. So she then mentioned that they get calls from hospitals with infants born with drugs in their system and said that she could call us if that happens. We could do that without having to pay the first fee required and that the fees would be reduced even more due to the baby being difficult to place. All she needs is our homestudy... no profile or anything. I dont know if anything will come from it but at least we are available. I am still going to follow up and see if the other branches can work with us since ours wont (to be in the pool). I am still feeling really good about being with them even if its the last minute call from a hospital. Project Cuddle too ... I know we belong there. Even if flying out there would be difficult or stressful... we are talking about our child. I cant imagine not pursuing that ... pursuing a child because of a little stress :) The stressful part I am referring to is bringing Cali along to pick up baby. But if we dont get a call for several months bringing Cali along may not be an issue... she will just stay home. But if the call is sooner rather than later.... she will need to. I havent decided on how long I will be breastfeeding. I can just see that as soon as I stop we get the call. Formula isnt the worse thing that could happen :) but I would prefer breastfeeding if possible :) Anyway... I am feeling good about both places. Both places could potentially be a long wait but I am at peace whether it is or not. I know God knows who will be a part of this family... I am anxious to see what he already knows.

My girls are growing more everyday. Cali is booking it everywhere. It seems like yesterday she took her first step. I can remember being in my living room watching Kinsey take hers.....and now... now Kinsey woke up this morning telling me she needs tylenol. For real. Sorry babe... ya gotta be sick for that lol