Happy New Year

Greetings and Happy New Year.  Because it is the last day of the year, I have been thinking about this past year, and the changes that have taken place.  What a difference in our lives.  We were sad last year when we knew we had a daughter out there, but she was not with us to celebrate Christmas.  We were anxious to know who she was.  We were preparing for traveling to a foreign country to get her.  We were finishing our stacks and stacks of paperwork and we were waiting.  Thankfully we can turn around and look at the year and say it wasn't that bad, the wait wasn't that long, and it was all so worth it.  Grace is here with us this year.  She celebrated her first Christmas.  She opened presents and found her stocking.  She joined us at her first church service.  It was such a glorious day when I knew she was getting to hear about her Lord and Savior surrounded by her church family.  The kids have learned compassion and caring.  They have realized how unfair life is.  They see the world through bigger eyes.  They have learned to pray, and be thankful when prayer is answered.  I loved this year.  It has been a big one.  I have changed.  I am feeling the need to simplify life and embrace every moment.
Grace is doing so well.  She is making noises that could eventually be words, and has picked up on various signs very quickly to convey what she needs, especially if it has to do with food.  Her appetite is awesome.  She is adventurous and likes many of the new things she tries.  She doesn't seem to have any problems eating even though half of the roof of her mouth is open.  She is healing very nicely from her first surgery.  We will be going in for her next one mid spring.  She continues to remind us what being faithful looks like and how joyous it is when we hear God's plans, and follow through with them.

 Grace dancing around with excitement even though she didn't know what was going on.  Her siblings were so excited, that she just joined in.

 We visited Grandpa Kelly the day after Christmas and had a great time seeing him and Evie and her family.

 The five kids all dressed up for the boys Elementary school concert.  They were precious.

 We went out and watched the bald eagles that come into the area to eat the young fish in the lake every year.

 We visited Jenny and her family and spent a day at the beach.  It was so nice.  No wind and very little rain.

 Grace was walking with daddy on the beach.

 Ainsley getting some sand time.

 Ainsley and Kaylee enjoyed digging holes.

 Holden started up his own game of soccer.

 Love my kids.

And lastly, Braden was not very impressed with the waves at the beach.  He was a little nervous.  He was happier watching from the car.