Halibut cheeks

If you haven't had Halibut cheeks, you must try them. They are out of this world. I have been getting my fill of seafood. I am not at my fill yet so keep the seafood coming :) Yesterday we went on a harbor cruise and were able to go through the locks. That was so interesting. I am glad we did that even though it was raining quite hard. Then we went to dinner at Fin's and had the cheeks. Did I mention how delicious they were? YUMMY!! Then we went to a play that the local people put on. It was really good for a small production. It was "On Golden Pond." Aunt Jean says the musicals are outstanding. But we had a nice time. Today we are off to Sumner to visit my aunt and uncle's shop. We will also have dinner with them. I haven't seen them in awhile so it will be nice to catch up with them. I have enjoyed my time here to do some much needed thinking and to get away from everyday life for a bit. We have had a blast here. My aunt has been spoiling us rotten. I could get use to this!

Sunshine in Seattle?

Yes, there was a brief amount of sun yesterday. It has rained every day since I arrived. But that hasn't stopped our travels. We have seen a lot, have had a lot of excellent fish, visited good friends and am just enjoying being around family. Aunt Jean made excellent halibut! WOW was it good. I stayed with a friend last night and had a great visit with her and her children. I am so thankful for friends right now. It is so amazing how God has blessed me with the best friends ever. They have been so faithful to me and such prayer warriors! Thank you Jesus! I'll post pictures when I get home. Blessings to you and thank you for checking my blog.

Change in itinerary

Lance is driving to Maryland. I will be visiting my aunt in Seattle. I am looking forward to getting away for a few days and having some fun with family. I haven't been to Seattle in years so I am looking forward to doing the tourist thing. I just hope it doesn't rain the whole time. But if it does, I guess I will get to experience Seattle at her best! We will still have fun and just enjoy. I haven't found a lot of joy in my life lately. So hearing your joy may be a blessing to me.
Thank you again for faithful friends who are praying me through. I read Luke 12 on how God knows and cares about our every thought, our every need. Nothing that is covered up will no be revealed and hidden that will not be known. The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear: you are of more value than many sparrows. The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. So I am keep silent for now until God reveals to me what to say.

Whew

Life just doesn't get any easier. I am so thankful God is holding me up through this hurricane in my life.
Since we feel it would not benefit Gracie to be placed in our home during this storm, the agency must find another home for her. Please pray that it will be a good Christian home and that they will love her as much as I love her. We are doing what is best for her and I just pray that I will find peace in knowing God is in control of everything. I'll keep you updated as I travel through this storm not alone but with God and your prayers. We will be traveling to Maryland next weekend to be with Lance's parents. Blessings to you as you bless those around you.

Snow! Snow! Snow! in TN

My new hobby

Yes, I made these from clay and spun the clay into a bowl and a dish. I have a great time "throwing pottery" and will post more of my works of art?!?!?!?! Okay, maybe not art but at least they can be used for candy dishes :) Thanks Karen for showing me. You are a great teacher! I look forward to doing more pottery with you.

Travel meeting

Well our travel meeting is planned. What does this mean? It means we will be talking with people in our travel group. I don't know any details: when we will travel, how many people are in our group. So hopefully this Thursday we will find out all our questions. So I will keep you updated on what information is given at this meeting. It is a conference call and we just call in to the agency's office. So Gracie, we are almost there!!

Still waiting

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. Hubby is home (woo hoo!!) and it has been a whirlwind of activity around here. We are still waiting to hear our travel date to China. They have told us to keep Feb. 12th open but that isn't set in stone. So I am starting to by things on my list. Well I actually have about 3 lists right now so I guess I should consolidate them into one. We went Monday to Nashville to re-do our fingerprinting. For some reason they only give you 18 months to adopt with those fingerprints. Then they expire and you have to get them redone. I think it is to give them more money because I know our fingerprints haven't changed and we haven't been arrested or anything like that. I guess that is another China rule that I don't understand. I have lost count of the things we have had to do that I just don't understand. We will do everything we can in order to bring Gracie home. We are off to Alabama this weekend to visit friends there. We will stay in a cabin in the woods, overlooking a pond. It is so beautiful there! We are excited to have a retreat for a weekend. So I am sure I will have pictures to post when we return. If there is no China news, at least you can see Alabama :D

Christmas Photos

In The News

New Gracie Photos

Corinne (lady with blonde hair) just went to get her daughter, Loulee from the same orphanage Gracie is from. She found out Gracie is with a foster Mom (the lady holding Gracie) so she is getting good care. Here are some pictures from Corinne. YEAH! Gracie still has those kissable cheeks!

Bye Bye 2005

Well another year has bit the dust. Change calendars and do it all over again. Except each year we get older and make new friends. This year we have a lot to look forward to. I pray that you will have a blessed year.
I am finally home for awhile. I will have to start putting things together for China though. So I won't put the suitcases away. Oh how I am looking forward to that trip. I have had fun traveling seeing family and friends this year. I was able to see a lot of you and I am so thankful for that. I just hope I can bring Gracie to see all of you when she comes home. You can come visit her here too!