Christmas Gifts

   Our lives can be so busy and filled. This Christmas was so wonderful because I feel that we slowed down some as we tried to recognize the many gifts God has given us and truly focus on Jesus. We enjoyed giving small "happies" to neighbors and others who bless our lives each day. I desire for our children to want to give more than to receive because it does feel so amazing to watch the happiness a gift, big or small, can bring to another. This was also a great opportunity for us to share with others the true reason we celebrate Christmas.
  We thank God for His presence in our lives and for the sacrifice of giving His Son as a baby to become our Savior. We also thank God for leading us on this journey of bringing Grace home. She is already such an incredible gift to our family! As we already believe her to be a part of our family, we wanted to include her in our Christmas celebrations. We surprised the boys by having a gift for Grace under the tree. I saw this precious sweater and had to get it for her!

I can't wait to see her wearing it! Maybe next Christmas...
  Aunt Jenny also surprised us with a beautiful gift she made. She made stocking holders for each of the boys and also one for Grace! Our Aunt Jenny is so talented! I pray next year we will have three children waiting for  their stockings to be hung!

For our Big Boy Robby

For Big "D"

For Sweet Grace Elizabeth

  Just in case you would like an update of where we are in the process, I thought I would let you know. We are waiting for the official written copy of our homestudy paperwork. Once we receive this paperwork, we will send it off to the Immigration office. Then, the Immigration office will have it for a month to a month and a half. After they process the homestudy paperwork, we will receive an official fingerprint appointment and then also be able to turn our dossier into our agency. All that said, we are still dealing with lots of paperwork and waiting. Pray for us to wait graciously and that God would show us it is on His timetable and not ours!