Merry Christmas!

I'm sitting on the computer waiting for webkinz.com to process the girls new kitties so thought I'd post a few pics from Christmas Eve.

What a special Christmas we are having this year with our angel boy, Silas. Liv was in the nativity pageant at church last night and we all enjoyed the kid friendly service to begin our celebration of Jesus' birthday. Sydney could not get to bed soon enough as she was so worried she would see Santa coming down the chimney. The cookies and milk were left out and the kids snuggled in their beds at least until about 1 am and then Syd was snuggled in our bed. Liv woke bright and early and tried to wait patiently for the rest to awake.

We had a fun morning of opening our presents and playing. Silas was happy to just sit on his new big wheel and watch the chaos! We are so thankful this year for our precious son to be home with us and for all the blessings we have been given.

Merry Christmas and we pray for a Christ filled day and year for you all.

Fancy Sydney's 4th Birthday

Today our sweet Sydney turned 4. She has blessed us with so much joy and fun over the past 4 years. Sydney is our family's constant entertainment with her hilarious stories and expressive nature. She loves to hold center stage and we love watching her!

Happy Birthday, Sydney Mae!! We love you!

Christmas Elves

Christmas Elves and Silas putting his first Christmas ornament on the tree.

now that I've seen, I am responsible...

"now that I have seen, I am responsible" a verse from one of my favorite songs by Brooke Fraser. (tried to add it the blog but not working so check it out on itunes!)


After a week in Ethiopia I was eager to return home. Eager for the comforts of home. I missed the girls terribly of course but I also missed my comfortable bed, my favorite foods, having power and the internet 24/7. And how easy it has been to fall back into life here in America with all of our comforts and blessings.

We have left Ethiopia behind and all that we've seen. But may we never forget. Now that we have seen, we are responsible. I pray that we will find our next chapter in living out this responsiblity. And I pray that others will have a growing heart for orphans not only Ethiopia but throughout the world.

If there were millions of orphans living in America today dying from hunger and AIDS would we all look away and do nothing. We as Christians have a responsibility. A responsilibity to use what we've been given in ways to serve Him and His people.

"...once our eyes are opened,we can't pretend we don't knowwhat to do. God,who weighs our hearts and keepsour souls, knows that we know,and holds usresponsible to act."(Proverbs 24:12)