Update

I just got a phone call from our worker at MAPS. The little girl that we have been pursuing is no longer available. I asked what happened and was told that she didn't really have a good answer. She was speaking to their in-country representative about us being matched with this girl and the representative informed her that she was no longer available.

I'm disappointed (to minimize), but we know that this is just God pointing us in a different direction. We continue to be open to a range of ages and abilities, so we'll see what happens.

Just hadn't posted in a while . . .

Not much is going on up here. We are enjoying some great skiing weather, and Maddie started swim lessons. We started her in level 3, but due to her freespiritedness she is now in level 2. She is way into the social aspect, not so much into the learning part. We love her for it. We signed Myles up for Peewee basketball. It didn't work out well. He stayed in the same spot for 20 minutes as all of the lines moved around him. When the coach tried to engage him, he held up his hand and said, "I have a Spiderman writsband." And then went back to his statuesque pose. And Max Rup is just a chatterbox now.

We also took the kids to Disney on Ice last week. It was ok. Max loved it, and still talks about the big crocodile eating Captain Hook.

That's about it. Here are some pics.

Myles was reading to Max Rup
Those dimples just kill me!

Having Mimi and Tom home made it finally feel like Christmas

The girls at the surprise 30th. Ugh.

FYI

According to our resident superhero expert, part of being a superhero is "going commando." Good to know, Myles.

Christmas, Family, and the New Year

It's certainly been a while since I've posted. Our laptop is not being cooperative lately. It's been pretty busy with the holidays around here.

On December 22nd, my Uncle was in a serious car accident. He scared us pretty bad, but he's on the mend now, doing rehab at a nursing home, which we jab him about often. Max Rup worries about him, often reminding us randomly that Uncle Mike has booboos in a sad little voice.

On Christmas Eve we gather at my folks house. This year was more quiet than usual. Uncle Dennis, Aunt Nancy, Corey, Carrie and their crews all spent the holiday in DisneyWorld! Uncle Mike's family obviously spent that day with him at the hospital. And this was my sister's first Christmas away from home. We enjoyed the company that was there, but Meagan, Mom and I kept saying, "this just isn't the same." So no more vacations or accidents at Christmas time!

We did have a lovely surprise that evening. We heard bells ringing, and couldn't figure out where they were coming from. We looked outside to see part of our extended family all decked out and Carolling!! My parents live on a dead end road, and these folks live two houses down. Carol, Louise, Jeannie, Albert, John and his family were adorable, and it was very touching.

Christmas morning was just the five of us at home. Myles was very into Santa Clause this year, and was so happy that he came! We enjoyed a quiet morning enjoying the new toys and then got dressed in our new clothes. Auriana was upset with Santa. Can you believe that he only put one thing in Austin's stocking! Why would he put lots of stuff in Auri's and only one in Austin's? Austin was a good boy - why would Santa be so unfair? She's so funny.

The Finley Christmas was as entertaining as ever with a Yankee Swap as the main event. It's always good to get that whole gang together!

A few days after Christmas, we were all able to gather at Dan's folks. We only got to see Uncle John for a few minutes, but Cameron got to stay, and we always love spending time with Uncle Paul, Aunt Missy, Peter, and Olivia. We still wish they lived closer. The kids get along so well with each other. We enjoyed snowball fights, fort building, and of course some hot cocoa once inside.

Every season we feel so lucky to be part of amazing, loving families. We thank God for a reason to celebrate the love that we get to experience every day.
And, of course, here's some pics of the week.

"Kissing Cousins"

Auri thanking Maddie for her India doll

Snowball fights at Grammy and Grampy's

The older kids enjoying "kerplunk"

Max Rup's new blankie from Louise. He LOVES it!

Max Rup and Papa Winnie visiting Uncle Mike. These two adore each other.

The guitar was a huge hit. Maddie is becoming quite musical.

Max Rup and Daddy. I love this pic.

Three amazing male role models for my children.

The 5 grandkids: Max Rup, Auriana, Austin, Madeline, Myles

In Regards to Others. . .

Congratulations to Heidi and Erin. They are going to have a baby, and have finally given me permission to blab :) I don't do secrets well :)

Also, my friend and fellow Dillon Mom, Pam, is working to expand her family once again through a domestic adoption. She is selling these gorgeous cards to assist with the funding. These would make great Christmas gifts, and would be great to have on hand for those special occassions that sneak up on all of us. The cost is $6.50 per set, 6 cards to a set. To order, email pamidoodles1@yahoo.com Also, check out the blog of the lovely family you'll be helping at www.theplacecalledhome.blogspot.com

Had to add. . .

Maddie's music teacher sent this to us after school today. I couldn't resist sharing. Just call me "Mama Rose" :)

"Just a short note to let you know that I asked Maddeline how her playwent. She asked if she could sing one of the songs. Her classmates( and I)loved it so much they asked her to sing it again so I asked her to singwith a mic since I had my PA set up. She is a star, what a gift she has ,like her parents!"

"A Star is Born"

Madeline made her theatrical debut in "The King and I." She played "Ying," the youngest daughter on stage. She was so ridiculously cute! Before the show she showed me all around backstage, and introduced me to her little theater friends. She was right on cue with every one of her parts, and spoke loudly and clearly (and very sweetly). I went to see her at intermission (to tell her I had to leave to take Myles to the ER - ugh). She was in a little Diva huff that the King had skipped one of her parts. "He always forget that line." The others assured her that he would remember the next night (which he did). I loved seeing Maddie on stage with my best friend too. Hannah played "Anna" and did such a fabulous job. I was so proud of both of my girls :)

This was the first time Dan and I left the boys with an actual babysitter. Usually my mom or sister or aunt watch them when we need someone, but of course they all wanted to be at Madeline's debut. The show had barely started when my cell phone (appropriately set to vibrate) went off. Myles had fallen into the piano bench and was bleeding quite a bit. My mom went to check on him and at intermission came back and said she thought we should probably get it checked out. He had a nasty gash on his lip, but more concerning were his top teeth and gums which were really swollen and black. So, off we went to the ER. Myles was very brave, and was way more interested in what all of the instruments were that in his injuries. He was all smiles, and charmed the pants off of the nurses. Those dimples will do it every time. In the end, no stitches were needed, dentist said the teeth might not fall out on their own, but that's no big deal, and he almost stole Maddie's thunder. When you're a true diva like Madeline, you don't let anyone outshine you. :)

OK, two comments on the video. This is my first time posting one, so I hope they work and I can't figure out how to flip the first one. And on the first one, I was laughing and couldn't hold the camera still. I can't believe how cute she is.