We Survived 2009!

It's the last day of 2009 and I have to admit I am OVERJOYED to be done with this year! Yes, there were high spots in the year, but overall it really stank!
I don't want to come across as a complainer, but here are the reasons why I am glad to be kicking 2009 to the curb:

• In late 2008 we bought a new house and moved into it. Tried to sell the old house, but the housing market crashed. Couldn't sell it. Spring of 2009 we moved back to the old house and I know manage the new house at the "Teddy Bear Lodge" for vacationers. I rent it out and clean it etc. It's helping us stay afloat, but it is exhausting and a full time job.
• January 2009, Gerry's knees started killing him. He couldn't take the pain anymore and decided it was time to have knee surgeries. He had a birth defect that finally got to the point he could hardly walk. He held off as long as possible. April 2009 - one day after moving back to the old house, Gerry had his first knee surgery and six weeks later his second. Thankfully the surgeries worked and he feels better than ever!
• Oct 2009 the highlight of the year - finally getting our baby girl assigned to us! Yeah - after 2.5 years on the waiting list!
• One week later Gerry lost his job. Now I must add that this didn't entirely suprise him. He worked this job for almost 20 years. This was our family business and thankfully we sold it 2 years ago. He has been managing it for the new owners. When the economy took a turn for the worse, so did the business. Finally the new owners decided to manage it themselves to save money. We were just hoping he could continue working there until we got the baby home. But, sometimes new jobs = new growth.
• Thankfully he got a job 2 days later, but making substantially less. But, in this economy we are thankful to have a job.

So, here we are the last day of 2009 and "WE SURVIVED!"
I know there are lots of worse trials we could have gone through, we've had many of those in the past such as Gerry's brother Rob's accident which left him with brain damage, losing my dad, my mom's stroke and other health problems, etc. Thankfully our kids are healthy and overall happy! They were overjoyed to move back to the old house - next door to their grand parents.

But, this year has left me completely exhausted in almost every regard.

I'm only setting a few goals for 2010 as I'm afraid I'm still going to be very busy with the lodge and blogging on my websites to supplement our income. I'm trusting in God that he knows our situation and will help provide the way to accomplish these goals:

• Getting our baby girl home and having the bright spark that only a baby can bring to a home!
• Hopefully being able to sell the newer home.
• Completely unpacking and getting pictures, etc. back up on the walls of the home we live in to make it a piece of heaven once again.
• I hope to work smarter and not harder.
• I would like time to exercise 5 days a week.
• Time to play with the kids and actually get the laundry put away.
• 10 minutes a day of spiritual renewal.
• Dinner made every night with a plan for dinner each day by 10 a.m.

Can you see a theme? It revolves around finding more TIME for the important things. I want us to enjoy life and not just survive in 2010!

Documents are On Their Way

Our documents have been state authenticated and have been through TECO. They are now at our agency and are being Fed Ex'd to Taiwan today. Hopefully we will start the court process soon and be able to bring our daughter home in the Spring!
I wish I could show you pictures from our December update, but I am not allowed to until she is legally ours. I must say, she has lots of hair that sticks straight up. Makes me want to put a great big bow in it!
We did get this personality update "she is so cute, and a good eater, she loves to suck her thumb, and interact with others. She is very curious, loves to see picture books. She is active."

A Fun Christmas Song - Enjoy!

"Silent Monks Singing Halleluia"

Introducing Our Baby Girl (Referral)

We are happy to announce the referral of our daughter. Tonight we received word that we are finally have orphanage approval and can now announce her to the world.
She is a healthy little bundle of joy and we can't be more excited.
Our referral came on October 23rd. We started this process in January 2007, so it's been a long time coming!
Anyway this is how the referral happened. I was on my way to Denver for a girls weekend with 5 of my girlfriends. We were all meeting at one friend's house loading everything up when I got a call on my cell phone. I was told of a referral, but that there was some conditions. We were able to meet the conditions and it was so exciting! My friends thought something terrible had happened as I was bawling uncontrollably. Fortunately I was able to have pictures emailed instantly and I ran into my friend's house to view them with all of my friends.
Then Gerry called. He wondered what was going on. Our adoption agency called him, but wanted to talk to me. I had no idea they hadn't told him anything. So we shared the moment by phone. Not how I imagined, but exciting anyway! As you can imagine I was a bit distracted all weekend.
So, we went from being so high to my husband losing his job the next week. We pretty much only had a couple of days to get a new job in order to continue the adoption. We prayed and worked like crazy and had a major miracle of being able to get a job in such a short amount of time. Praise the Lord! We have been blessed so much!
Now this family of boys is about to have their world changed forever with the addition of a sister! The timing can't be better as it's Parker's birthday tomorrow. What a beautiful birthday present! Parker is turning 4 and says all of the time, "When is Princess Lea coming home? I can't wait any longer!" I agree and now we know she's on track to come home.
It will take a few months to get through the court process, but we will keep you informed of our progress!
Update- I didn't realize I can't post photos until the adoption is finalized or give out any personal info., so no pictures.