So Overdue!

Well, as you can very well see I have not been a good blogger at all. To be completely honest I have been convicted that many times my time on the Internet takes away from more important things so I have been taking a break from blogging and have decided I will do it when I can but only when I am not sacrificing something else. I love to read everyone else's blogs but it seems hard to do that and update mine so it has been nice to just read about all of your families and not worry about blogging every time. I have however gotten some hate mail :-) for not updating the blog and I am constantly torn because I want so badly to use the blog to encourage adoption, I guess I have to take care of the home front first. Still getting this Mom thing down.

First of all...and a little late...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We trust you had a meaningful time celebrating the birth of our Savior!

We had a wonderful Christmas and this year more than ever really tried to take in the precious time we have with our family. James had a ball and called all of his presents "prizes." He now thinks whenever you go to anyone's house you get a "prize." We are working on that. :-)

James is 20 months old now and a busy, busy boy. He adores his daddy and carries a football around all the time. His new obsession are the little jibitz for his crocs, he just about can't handle himself he likes them so much. We are so thankful for such a happy little boy!

Chad was able to go to the Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans with his 3 brothers and they had a great time! He was glad he got to see Tebow's last game! We all love Timmy, go Gators! I stayed home with James and had a fruitful trip to TJ Max. :-)

Praise the Lord we finally found a new church home! We are so grateful for the Lord's leading in this process and are so overjoyed with this new opportunity to worship and serve. We are starting the new members class at First Baptist Lake Butler and Lord willing we will be joining after the completion of that class. I know, I know....Lake Butler, that's what my family said, it's in the middle of no where and the last place we thought we would look, but we feel sure it is the place God would have our family serve and we are so excited!

In other news, my brother Dave leaves Thursday morning for New York. He is starting the spring semester at Kings College in Manhattan. He will finish his bachelors there in Culture, Media and the Arts. His school is actually in the Empire State Building...I know, pray for Mom! We are very excited about this opportunity for him but very, very sad to say goodbye. Please be in prayer for Dave as he travels and begins this new chapter, please pray for our family as we adjust to him being gone.

While we are talking about brothers, Chad's brother Gavin is running for re election for Keystone Heights City Council March 2nd. Gavin did a great job with his last term and stood strong on important tax issues, please support him again and tell your family and friends as well! Please also pray for Gavin as he campaigns over the next month.

We begin the process this month for the search and adoption of our second or maybe even third child. We have no idea how long it could take or what all will be involved but we are thrilled to begin. We should know more come February so we will definitely update!

One last thing, we will be hosting a couple from the Ukraine for about 12 days starting this Sunday! We met Andriy and Katya about a year and a half ago when they were visiting the states. They returned for the Passion Conference in Atlanta and will be staying with us after their time there!

I probably won't be blogging much over the next two weeks but will try to update more!

Praying you all have a wonderful New Year in the Lord and the truth of His Word!

Amber