Sweet 16? I guess that is true for turning 16 years old, but waiting for a referral-- not so much. Waiting is hard. Tomorrow will mark 16 weeks of waiting. I really feel like it will come soon. I have been around international adoption just long enough though to know that we may be waiting another 16 weeks. I sure hope not......

Trusting in the One that has ordained these two precious kids to be Alexander's before the foundation of the world! That gives me peace.

We had a blessed Thanksgiving. We ate too much, enjoyed fellowship with family and friends, and played a serious game of catch phrase. We also had an unexpected snowstorm. What a delight it was to see the joy in the kids eyes when out of nowhere, it started snowing. It didn't last long and certainly didn't think about sticking, but it was wonderful while it lasted.

I am one of those that wants to fully enjoy Thanksgiving- so I don't listen to any Christmas music or do any decorating until the day after the big feast. All bets are off come Friday morning though. I hate to shop, so the thought of waking up at the crack of dawn to get a good deal, doesn't appeal to me AT ALL!! I will however relax a bit, enjoy my coffee and then hit it hard to get the house Christmas ready. Moody takes all of the Rubbermaid's full of greenery, ornaments, Santa's and nativity scenes down from the attic and we get busy. The boys stay interested for about 10 minutes, and the girls a little longer. This year Moody took the kids to his parents ranch for the day, and my mom came to help me. What a gift! We had so much fun and I'm so happy that the house is decorated. We have the fire burning, Christmas music playing and I love it!

I love the anticipation of Christmas. I enjoy celebrating the coming birth of my redeemer and King. Christmas is also so much fun through the eyes of a child. The wonder they bring, the notes to Santa (in our house, you have to believe to receive-- any age) and the excitement as it gets closer. I just love it!

May each of you enjoy the wonder of Christmas this season! (and may many referrals be received!!)

Today marks week 14 of waiting for a referral. I borrowed this image of 14 from Jaclyn. Go see her precious baby boy, Judah. They have been home for about a week now. Reading these stories encourage me to wait and trust in His timing!!

I don't know why my mommy is so mad at me! She had to run Wick to football practice and I didn't want to go. I hate to ride in the car. Of course Charlie and Tibbi hopped right in the car, they love to ride in the car. Tibbi hangs his head out of the window and lets the wind blow his ears back. Charlie sits in Hill's lap and couldn't be more content. I usually throw up in the car, so I didn't go.

Apparently mom and Avery worked hard preparing dinner for tonight. Apparently mom paid a little extra for some Organic chicken breasts! Who knew? All I know is they smelled really good as they were sitting on the counter, just waiting to go in the oven.

Mom was NOT happy when she came home. She made me go outside and I guess worked hard to clean up the mess that I made because when I came back in-- the kitchen was clean. She was still mad at me though.

Wow, that barbecue she went to pick up sure does smell good too! I wonder what time she has to leave to pick up Wick from practice??????

This is the crew getting our shots at the health department. I was so proud of the kids. They DO NOT like shots, but they did awesome! The kids didn't think it was funny when Moody said "Merry Christmas guys, hope you like your yellow fever shot!" :).....he was just kidding.

I realized that I haven't officially introduced Jessica. What would our family do without Jess?? Wow, don't want to think about it! The Lord blessed us years ago with Jess when she walked into Moody's office looking for a job. Praise the Lord he hired her and she has been a constant in our lives ever since. She can literally walk in the door, and we can walk out the door for a weekend + -- no instructions, no worries!! She LOVES my kids and my kids LOVE her. Our guest bedroom is called Jessica's room, and we all love it when she spends the night. She is family. She is fun! Fortunately for her I don't know how to post home video yet, but when I learn- you will see one sweet High School Musical 2 music video. She loves Jesus, and has fully embraced all things adoption related. She is traveling with us and we are so thankful. She will be an invaluable help, allow us to bond with the kids, and still give H, W, A and I the opportunity to experience Ethiopia!

Week 13 has come and gone....my mom's birthday is Tues, that would be a great present!

These are old and new friends. I don't know why I still get blown away by God's infinite goodness and provision of exactly what we need at exactly the right time. As you may have seen in the Home Alone post, I had a fun little getaway to Nashville last weekend. My nearest and dearest, Corinne, lives there. She is that friend- the one that encourages your heart, speaks truth, allows you to be completely honest and loves you still!! The Lord blessed my life greatly by providing her as a friend over 10 years ago, back in Dallas. Thank you Lord for sweet Rinne.

Corinne is the link and adoption is the tie that binds this group together. We all had dinner Saturday night and it was a rich blessing. The disclaimer to the above photo is that this was taken immediately after we all had an incredible time of prayer - many tears of joy were shed. Gwen (far right) left early the next morning for China to pick up sweet Maggie. Please visit her site to follow her journey, pray for her time in China and pray for Scott and their three children while mama is away.

Lindsey is next to Gwen. I asked you to join her faith team as they are in the process of adopting a baby girl from Guatemala. Lindsey and her husband, Chris, have a deep faith and it was an encouragement to spend time with them. I'm excited to watch their road to their daughter and see God work in mighty ways.

Suzanne is in the middle. Have you ever met someone and felt an instant connection, just felt like you had always been friends? Corinne has told me for years that would be the case, and it was-- her family was incredibly gracious and hospitable. Suzanne will be a wonderful resource for me when it comes to raising children in a transracial family. They do it so well. Her fifth is a precious boy that was adopted domestically. They are praying for the Lord to reveal who their next child is soon and I am too:)

Sometimes this journey can be lonely and I am very grateful for these women. Each of their obedience to the call that Christ has put on their hearts, inspires me to press on. I can't wait for Moody and the kids to meet their new friends.

p.s-- It is now Thursday night and I just saw a picture of Suzanne and Mikes beautiful baby boy. He was born today. Suzanne was talking about longing to get the call but wondered when it might actually come-- Suzanne was keeping Gwen's kids during the day while she is in China. Doesn't God have a wonderful sense of humor?? Pray that all goes well and they can travel home with their new son.
Maybe we will get our call soon.....trusting in Him

One guess who wasn't very happy about their costume last night? I decided that this year we weren't going to spend a dime on Halloween costumes! Growing up, we came home from school on Halloween and threw something together. Maybe your mom sewed something, but we didn't have Halloween superstores all over the city begging you to come and spend a small fortune on a costume that may or may not make it through the evening.

Yesterday afternoon we started to discuss various options-- Avery decided to dress up as an Olympic gymnast with her friend Abbi. Easy: gymnastics leotard, boys baseball medal around her neck, hair up in a bun and she was good to go. Hill found an adult clown costume (Moody's moms) and threw on a cowboy hat-- a rodeo clown was born. Two down, two to go.

Wick honestly didn't care. He thought about wearing big baggy pants, hoody jacket, big sunglasses and being a rapper. Issy: nothing, she couldn't find anything that she liked. She isn't a "dress up" kind of girl. She likes to play sports and looking back, I should have had her wear a uniform of some sort- basketball, karate, etc. That would have been better:) I just needed more time to think.

Avery had the great idea for Issy to be a witch. We typically don't do any "scary" costumes- but I was willing to make an exception. She would be a cute witch, not a scary witch! Avery had an old dance recital costume- I can't believe she even tried it on. She said she needed a hat, so off to Spirit Halloween Superstore we go.

We walk into a huge warehouse that is literally wall to wall in Halloween paraphernalia!! We found a witches hat, she "needs a broom" and if meant we could leave sooner--grab the broom. Wick eyes a rasta hat. Cute hat with built in dreds. Great, you now have a costume too. All four down!!!

We get to the Halloween party (thank you C and C) and Issy won't go in. She hates her costume and doesn't want anyone to see her in it!! Wow-- we finally talked her into putting on a jacket, not wearing the hat and I carried the broom. We did manage to take this one picture first:)

So the Halloween that wasn't going to cost a dime, cost me $28 and all but the hat, didn't even get used!! Next year, we will start planning earlier!

We all ended up having a great evening with the kids and our friends.

Any creative costume ideas out there?? I would welcome the suggestions.