Hanging out...

We are so thankful for our girls. 

Geo-Cacheing!

We went out Geo-Cacheing this afternoon...

The five of us were out searching for a little over fifteen minutes, it was getting a little chilly.  It was time to "call it a day" and head back to the car without finding our cache.  :(

THEN!  Joel started kicking a snow covered log....we were discussing which way to the car, "uh guys...I think I just found it!"  HURRAY for JOEL!  Geo-Cacheing hero of the day! 

JOEL!

We had a great time with my cousin Joel!  He drove out from Grace- we loved having him.  He left this afternoon, we miss him already.  Before he left he made a short video for Aaliyah- she LOVES IT!!

The Night Before Thanksgiving...

Hello All-

I am sitting up with Gabrielle, she is just about ready to doze off... I have been doing a little thinking.  "What am I MOST Thankful for this year?"  I have SO much to be thankful for, so much to PRAISE GOD for, so much to remember, so much to learn from...SO MUCH.  I was thinking this and focused in on the word and attribute of my GOD- omniscience.  What a comfort and relief that HE IS OMNISCIENT!

I am thankful that "I didn't know then what I know now"- or I never would have had the courage to get out of bed!   The last 12 months have been amazing- heart breaking-long-FULL-breathtaking-stressful-BEAUTIFUL-dangerous-abundant....

This brings me to my main thought- we have friends and family waiting to bring their children home...from other countries, from foster care, from the hospital.   I am thankful, SO SO THANKFUL....and I am praying for the formation, completion and healing of the families  around me.   

"The Purse..."

This is a photo purse that "Me-Me" made for Aaliyah.  She is thrilled with it and reminds us all that it is HERS!  She carries it around and names all the family and friends pictured in the pages.  WHAT A FUN IDEA!!  Thanks Grandma!

Our Morning...sdrawkcaB.

Today is "Hair Day."  Aaliyah has another cold-poor thing woke up a dozen times last night trying to catch her breath, congested and scared.  But today was HAIR DAY! So here are some photos from the morning...well, LOTS of photos of our morning.  (Please ignore the snot.)  (And the fact that I loaded the photos Backwards...so you see the finished product before the towel head photo.) 

Sneek Peek...

Beautiful Girl...and BLANKET!

ONE WEEK AGO....

We have had a busy week!  Aaliyah has been "post-op" for a whole week this evening.  She is such a trooper!  She is fighting a nasty cold and cough, but is otherwise back to her "old" self. 

Gabrielle had her well check, but was not given shots due to her congestion and cough.  The sisters are apparently sharing a few germs. 

SURGERY and RECOVERY!

The night before surgery...and all through the house...

Aaliyah was very intent on learning to work Gabrielle's swing.  Both girls were up late on the night before her date with surgery.