Christmas Part 2

This is Christmas part 2 we had this Sunday night after Mom and Dad got home from Virginia Beach. We had pizza and opened presents. One of the family traditions that we have is to take turns open presents. The opening involves passing out presents - Gabe was the guy and some ribbing to go with it.

Aaron liked the paper as much as anything. This time he was a better opener after the earlier practice.

This is a really cool collapsible tent from David and Kim and Anthony. Thanks for coming everyone.

Christmas Part 1

It has been a very fun Christmas so far. The presents are good but the people are even better and we are so blessed to have so many people in our lives. Our Christmasing began on Tuesday when Grandpop brought some mighty fine carrot cake. Then on Wednesday Grandpa and Mimi and Uncle Jonathan arrived along with cousin Ruby. Aaron decided that cousin Ruby was great. Then came Christmas morning and we had baked french toast with both grandparents this is so much fun. Aaron loves books and here Perry is reading to him.

It warmed up so the grandpas took Aaron for a walk. He soon fell asleep and slept a good while.

We of course ate way too much. In the last few years we have started a new tradition that involves ribs. So we consumed ribs and roast and generally ate too much. But we had fun eating and talking. We missed Aunt Cindi who wasn't feeling well as well as David, Kim and Anthony.

Jonathan brought his Wii up and so there was some serious competition going on. As well as some laughs as the grown-ups attempted to play. We also played some serious scrabble and introduced Jonathan to a strange game called In A Pickle.

Yes his mother dressed him as an elf for Christmas. Someday he will say I can't believe you did this to me Mom. Grandpa and Uncle Jonathan kept Aaron as the women chased the after Christmas sales. Overall it has been a great Christmas so far.

In all the chaos I am thankful that Jesus loves me and that He is the reason for the season. He makes everyday more meaningful.

Some Aaron Adventures

Aaron has discovered crayons and finger paint. The cool thing with this finger paint is that it only makes messes on the special paper. Aaron loves water as I mentioned before and here he is helping grandpop was dishes.

I met a couple families that also have children that are adopted. We had a good time visiting each other and telling stories. It is fun to visit with other families.

Well we begin to prepare for the Christmas season. I hope to post pictures soon.

ReAdoption

I know some of you are asking why are we readopting. We are readopting for two reasons: one so Aaron has a Pennsylvania birth certificate which will make our life and his easier. We don't have to use his Guatemalan documents. Second it allows us to his official name change easier simpler because it is just part of the process. So December 11th we went to the courthouse and completed our readoption. The picture is of us and the judge.

Misc

These are a few of the youth acting out the story of Balaam. We are doing Bible series called Weird, Scary and Gross. We have studied Lot's Wife, the Ten Plagues and now Balaam. It has been interesting to study some of the unusual stories in the Bible. Aaron is doing some new things lately including coloring. He is has finally stopped saying Ba for everything. He has added the words up and banana. He is saying wa for water and is getting close to saying a clear bath. Sometimes he says bite.

Growing up we always had a tree but it was artificial. Perry growing up always had a real tree. Well we have talked for a while about getting a real tree. So this year we decided to give it a try. With Dad serving as the director of straightness Uncle Jim and Perry manage to get the tree up. I will post the finished tree picture later.

Aaron's Weekend

Well Perry and I had a great weekend away. I must admit the first 24 hours was a little hard. We kept thinking we would be doing this or that with Aaron. As you can see we the following pictures Aaron did just fine. It was a cold weekend so Perry and I went to a little candle factory and we went and saw the newest James Bond. We also did our Christmas shopping at the outlets. Then back home. Did I mention that Aaron loves baths. Grandpop and Abuela don't have a tub so this how Aaron takes a bath.

I understand that he kept wanting to go to the sink.

He also learned how to ride the horsey. It is hard to believe that this horse is almost as old as me. I am not telling you how old it is or how old that I am.

Tina and Aaron are great playmates and Aaron has learned to blame Tina for his troubles. I am thankful Tina is a tolerant dog. Well a great weekend was had by all. Thanks Abuela, Grandpop Aunt Cindy and Uncle Jim and all who made this weekend possible.

Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this year and every year. A friend of mine encouraged us to post things that are good in our lives instead of complaining all the time so hear are a few things that I am thankful for:
1. That Jesus Loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.
2. That the Lord has blessed me with a family that loves me with no strings attached
3. For my church family and a great Choraleers concert for thanksgiving
4. For God perfect timing...who would of thought that in less than a year we will go from having no children to two.
5. I am thankful for a husband that loves me just as I am and does little things to make my life easier.
6. I am thankful for our jobs and understanding bosses
7. I am thankful for friends
8. I am thankful for a house - and as Charles said at church that I got out of bed to a warm house, a fridge and food in it.
9. I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to travel
10. I am thankful for health because it can be gone in a moment - will I be thankful without - I hope so
There are so many things to be thankful for and as I was reminded of yesterday we need to direct our thanks to the right person and that is God and not just when life is good. So today I give thanks and I pray I will learn to be thankful in all things.
Here are a couple of thanksgiving pictures. I made the turkey and a new sweet potato casserole. The turkey turned our okay but the sweet potatoes were not so successful. Aunt Cindy provided the buns and pies and Mom provided the veggies including mashed potatoes.

We played pass the boy.

We all said something that we were thankful for in the past year.

Uncle Gabe playing with Aaron.

Firsts and cheap entertainment

This is Aaron's first adventure into the snow. He wasn't sure what to think but decided it was okay and that mommy had a reason for putting gloves on him. Now for the cheap entertainment. One day this past week Aaron decided to get into our recycle bag. He found to milk containers and decided they would be fun to bang together. This provided entertainment for a while but made climbing on things difficult.

Another first Perry and I are going to go away after church and leaving Mr. Aaron for the first time exciting and scary. We will let you know how that goes.

Andrew Update

Basically we are in holding mode. We have done our part and now the paperwork is out of our hands. This process feels much simpler than last time but we really don't expect to hear anything until January sometime. Best case scenario Andrew could come home in February. Originally we were told late spring so I am trying to think spring. That way if it comes sooner I will be thrilled instead of frustrated. This is easier said than done. Pray for us a 4 year old will bring its own set of challenges.

More Pumpkin Pictures

Just some pictures of Aaron playing with the pumplins a favorite past time. He is not real thrilled with his winter coat so the light jacket has been the compromise for the the moment but the cold weather is coming. I will have to fight the battle eventually. He is into everything and loves to take things in and out including food.

Chili Cookoff Fundraiser

Here are 3 of the 12 chili's that we had. We put jars with numbers infront of each and the peoples names on the back. We used small clear plastic cups to serve. We had people from church bring their favorite chili. The youth raised over 200 dollars. Here are some of the testers.

A couple of our youth. I need to thank David and Kim for this idea orginally they were going to do this for fun for Anthony's birthday.

Pumpkin Fun

Aaron has really enjoyed this pumpkin. Carmela gave it to him I think it weighs as much as him. Well not quite but he does like to carry it around. Pumpkins always put me in the mood for fall.

Wonderful Weekend

Perry, Aaron and I enjoyed a wonderful weekend in NC. We left Friday after I got off work. A little later than originally planned. Aaron slept all the way down. We had a quiet relaxing day with Perry's family. Sunday morning we went to mass and then went to the farm to see the grandparents. After Perry got the fried food that makes him happy we returned home where Perry's mom feed us well again. We did do something other than eat but not much. Perry and I enjoyed the OSU vs Penn State game on TV. Monday we returned home but not before we had Perry's grandma's pancakes....which I have not mastered. I am sorry to say that my camera was giving me trouble. Anyone who has got pics please send.

Young Adult Retreat

Friday before the retreat we drove up early to make the trip easier for mom. He slept the first 2 and 1/2 hours. So we spent the day at the Columbus Zoo. It was a great zoo. Last time Aaron was at the zoo he really wasn't all that interested in the animals. This time he was totally fascinated. He especially liked anything that was in the water.
We then went to the retreat. We had a combination of married and unmarried. We talked about relationships - with others, with spouses/romantic and those in authority. We took time out and went to a pumpkin farm that included a hay barn and hayride.


All in all an enjoyable weekend.

Introducing

This is Andrew...Aaron's big brother. We got our official referral so we decided to post some pictures. This Andrew with his foster Mom.

We are told that he loves to play with cars.

Isn't he cute. Pray for us we go through the process. Pray for Andrew and Aaron as they adjust.

If Only...

The night before last we had an incredibly cute moment with Aaron and we didn't have a camera. So I will try to tell you about it. It began with Perry mowing the lawn. To which Aaron wants to watch and participate. We are mean parents we won't let him ride with Daddy. Aaron began our fun by pulling a few weeds. I then thought we have had our hose out for the summer and it needs put in the shed. Maybe he will walk with me while we put it in the shed. He did one better as I pulled the hose to the shed he held on the back and pushed. It was a cute picture but I was pulling and Perry was mowing. Maybe next time. I also had Aaron in the wheelbarrow as I collected grass also cute. The end result was a need for a bath.

Offically walking

Adoption Update

We are learning that each adoption process is different and has its own quirks. I must say that the second time around feels much easier. Today we finish up the last of the paperwork and we begin the waiting process. We have had our home study. We have filled out our forms and gotten reference letters. To those that wrote them thanks. We have collected pictures - this is new to us. Fun and weird at the same time. South Korea wants pictures of you doing things that you enjoy. So we took pictures of Perry throwing the football, a picture from a baseball game, and me at quilting class, etc... We both passed our physicals. These were much more in depth than the last. Guatemala just wanted to know you were alive and not going to die soon. Well that is it for now.

Samantha

Some of you know my friend Samantha. She is now living in Australia and is expecting her first child. She is a substitute(causal) teacher at a school there. I had a friend ask to see a picture of her. This was take at the beginning of the month she was 28 weeks. She is trying to finish up the school term - pray for her. Remember that it is winter is there. The fella with her is her husband Karl a very sweet guy.

Future Concert Pianist...Maybe

When Aaron goes to his abuela's he likes to play on the piano. Maybe we have a future pianist. Hopefully he will like practicing better than his mother did.

Walking...Sort of

For a few weeks now Aaron has been getting closer and closer to walking. He would cruise from furniture to chair around the room. He had become a serious stair climber and was to the point of holding one finger and walking. He was not quite ready to let go though but this week he has decided that walking might be okay but it is still not the best form of locomotion. His first excursion was between Perry and me after which he proceeded to fall over and hit his head. This damped excitement for a few days, but he decided that he would show off for the caseworker and take a few steps. This of course resulted in clapping and cheering. Now he is occasionally walking a few steps and even did so a little at church. So we will see if he becomes a serious walker over the next few weeks. My baby is not going to be baby much longer...does this officially make him a toddler. He definitely toddling but I am not sure I want him to be a toddler.

Pictures

We are discovering that every country has it's own requirements. In Korea they want pictures. We are to have two pictures in church clothes and then some pictures of you doing things that you enjoy. So here are a couple of those pictures.


This picture is for Mom. I finally put up the bathroom border after having the paper since we moved into the house.