The Christmas Tree Hunt

We have had a long standing date on the calendar. On December 1st we would set out to find this year's Christmas tree. We awoke this morning, filled some prior commitments, ate lunch and began to get dressed for our annual stroll through the tree farm. Just as we are tying our boots we look out the window to see small white flakes fall from the sky. While they were large..they were sporadic. By the time we were on the rode they had somewhat subsided (such is "seattle snow"). When we arrived at the tree farm though a mere 15 minutes later the snow was much heavier and was falling fast. A nice crisp wind had also joined the picture. But let us not be detoured. We proceeded to walk up and down every row..jack stopping along the way to suggest that the smallest trees could easily fit in the truck. Finally, we found our tree. A little more narrow than we are use to...but snow is a great motivator. We chopped down the tree carried it back to the car and then....noticed that the roads were covered in snow. We made it safely home warmed up with some hot chocolate and TONS of marshmallow and will now set out to beautify our tree. It was a terrific and picturesque day for a tree hunt. ( Beauty is pending....so there may or may not be a picture that follows)

The Gathering

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. What a beautiful day here in the northwest. Our turkey day was fantastic. We started our morning off with enjoying cinnamon rolls and watching the parade. We were excited to have auntie Kendra here with us for the morning. Shortly before noon we all donned our "handsome" clothes and headed over to Nan & Pop's house. We spent the after noon with our whole family and with good friends. Good food, conversation and much fun was had. How rich are the blessings that are lavished upon us. They are to numerous to count. To God be the glory.

I will sign off now - I must head to bed.....a day of early shopping awaits. :)

Adoption Update

Hi Friends and Family,
Happy week before Thanksgiving! Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support in our journey to bring Max home.Many of you have asked about your progress. Here is the latest:

PRAISE
We received word last week that the powers that be have decided to delay the implementation of the Hague convention policies and procedures till April 1st rather than the original January 1st. This is good news. This simply gives us more time to have our paperwork in the pipeline.

PRAYER
Our adoption agency contacted us today and told us that our paperwork is still sitting exactly where it was 3 weeks ago. We are waiting for our reports to be released from both family court and the embassy. This is an anxious wait because the next stepis really the final stop (PGN). While our stay there could be long…we want our paperwork to be there.Also, Guatemala began its holiday schedules today. Half of the “important” people will be gone between now and mid Dec.and the other half will be gone mid Dec. till mid Jan. We are hopeful that paperwork will continue to make its way through.


So there it is folks. That is all we know.
Blessings to you and your families this thanksgiving.
There is much to be thankful for.

Gerbil Invasion

This weekend was one of new adventure. We had house guests of the rodent persuasion.We volunteered to watch the gerbils for Jack's class. This was so exciting for Jack. On Friday after preschool we loaded "chocolate" and "pearl" along with their high class abode into our car. We brought them home and placed them in a place of much honor- the coffee table-. There they sat all weekend. We would watch them run on the wheel, climb in towers and chatter with one another. One thing that was very amusing was if we placed an empty toilet paper roll in the cage...they would chew it gone in about 30 minutes. Gerbils love to chew. This morning there is a bit of sorrow (on Jack's part) as we will return the gerbils to the class pet mom. Thanks to the class pet excursion project..it looks like we will be having house guests often..but if you ask this mom, that is better then having a full time rodent resident.

Turkey Cupcakes

This week I have been the mom helper in Jack's preschool class. This has been something that Jack has been looking forward to for a long time. Each preschool day he would ask " are you the mom helper today?" In addition he would contemplate daily what it is that he would bring for snack the day mom helped. After spending Wednesday in his class it all clicked for me as to why this mattered so much to him. When your mom is the helper you get to be the line leader (very important job when you are four) And then when snack is set out all the small people in the room say things like "this is the best snack" or "i love go-gurt" and then in unison the whole class says "thank you Jack for bringing snack". This is why Jack could not wait, he loves to be the center of attention. And so, to help the kid get his praise on Friday, Jack and I set out to make a rocking snack. We decided that since the class is learning about turkeys we would make "Turkey Cupcakes". It was a process to cook with a "helping" four year old, but we are both excited about our product. Last night, Jack wanted to sleep with the cupcakes in his room because he was so excited for snack.

A Spooktacular Halloween

Well it is the morning after and we have deemed Halloween as a huge sucess. Jack was a pirate this year -duh-( and Max was the most adorable guatemalan we know -duh-). Jack wore his costume to school and was in a little parade through the other clasees. He loved it. "mom, all the kids waved at me". After school we came home to make preperation for our annual trick or treat party. Friends arrived for dinner and then we hit the streets with a pirate, fireman, and two girls in poodle skirts. Jack must have been practicing in the last year because he was much improved. He led the pack and hit every house like a pro. When we returned home Jack was self appointed to door duty and was a very generous candy dropper. After some door duty it was off to bed and time for the fun stuff...raiding his candy bucket. The kid did great- his parents are very pleased.

Preschool Field Trip | Pumpkin Patch

Today was Jack's first official preschool field trip. We spent the morning at Spooner Farms in Sumner. It was a fantastic farm. We visited and sang songs with "Annie Oakley" then we rode the cow train to the pumpkin patch. We met a few goats and ponies there and Jack selected a wonderful pumpkin. After that we wondered through the hay maze which proved to be lots of fun. Finally we ended our time with a delicious snack. It was so much fun to see Jack pal around with the kids from his class and to spend time to get to know the other moms.

Jack's Post | HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY

Today Jack asked me if he could put something on our blog. so here you go. this is an exact quote and the picture that he chose:

" Hi Dad. It is your real birthday day. Happy birthday. Mom and me made you a heart brownie. I got to lick the spoon. I like you a lot. I really, really, really, really, realllllllllllllllllllly love you. I like you when you wrestle me and play take down. Happy birthday dad. See you tonight. You are picking me up at Nan's house. I am bringing my golf clubs. Love you. Your friend Jack" - Jack

How cute is this post. I am one smiley mom\wife.

Friday Night Football

This Friday we took in a bit of local sport. We joined some friends as they cheered on their son in his high school football game. We bundled up and joined the enthused (and wee-bit crazy) fans as Kent Meridian took on Kentwood. Jack loved watching the game (and the eating the bag of candy that mommy packed). Each time the crowd would cheer he would ask "Did we win?". KM did not win, but the game and the evening were fun anyways!

Pumpkin Day

It sure felt like fall today. Outside our home leaves fell from trees. It was sunny but crisp and it smelled like autumn. Jack and took advantage of the day's theme by carving and decorating this years pumpkin plucked from Morfar's very own pumpkin patch. We scrapped out the insides and then used small lights and hammered them into the pumpkin. We placed a candle inside and now our pumpkin glows brightly with a bat. We also roasted pumpkin seeds, planted pumpkin seeds and baked pumpking bread. Finally we decorated Jack's room for fall/halloween. We had a blast. I think we have met our domestic quota for the month!