A recap of 2009...

Well, the day after Christmas marked our 1 month anniversary of being home as a family!! We've have been blessed beyond belief this year and it's had to believe that it's almost over. It was a year that I thought was never going to end. Pala's adoption seemed to drag on with one delay after another but I was reminded over and over again that EVERYTHING is in God's timing and IT will make for a perfect story in the end!! We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas as a family and plan to bring in the New Year quietly together this year playing "Dance Dance Revolution" and "Rock Band". :)

2009 brought our family many many joys!

In January my brother-in-law and his wife accepted the referral of their 4th daughter "S" from India. Although at the time I was extremely jealous because as you know I was still waiting for our "call". By the way they will be leaving to bring "S" home on the 10th!! I am so glad we were able to visit her while we were in India... it's a memory that can never be erased.

March was the birth of my niece Elly, both Austin and Cooper's birthday's... and the much awaited "call" about our precious Sweet PEA. I think I was on cloud 9 for quite awhile don't you all agree?

April began our LONG dreadful 19 week NOC wait.

May brought us another niece, Lexi... born on Shad's birthday!! He kept telling his sister that she was just going to have to wait until his birthday and what do you know... Lexi listened to her Uncle Shad!! :) Treyton's OM team traveled to Iowa for OM World's Competition. We all had a blast... it was a great trip for all of us and it helped keep our minds off the adoption for a week...and we also lost our dear friend Bobby unexpectedly.

June, July were our typical camping months along with our Compassion child's birthday. So glad the Lord allowed us to visit him in India... emotions are starting to flow again...

August was Treyton's birthday. Wow how time flies!!

September we celebrated Miss P's 1st birthday without her but found out we were granted guardianship in record time!! This began our wait for her passport.

October was Tony and Meghan's wedding.

and... November... well what more can I say... November was the month that we were finally able to meet Pala in person!! An emotional trip that will never be forgotten!! :) As much as I had screamed and hollered because the day wasn't coming fast enough... it was HE who knew what was best. The Lord had it all planned out right from the start. I was meant to be be here to witness the birth of my new nephew Cameron... he was born and the very next morning I received the call from our caseworker giving us travel approval. Coincidence? I think not!! Through faith and prayers we were brought home to celebrate Thanksgiving as a family. November also began Shad's dream of being in politics... uhg, let the fun begin right?!

We end the year with December and the birth of Christ... what better way to celebrate!! (and the engagement of Bridget and Tom!!) :)

Although we experienced a few hiccups along the way the Lord blessed us many times over in 2009 and for that I am thankful. May the Lord walk with you and bless you as he has blessed our family in the New Year!!