3 Years Old!

Oct. 20 we celebrated Luke's 3rd Birthday. This day was actually uneventful. The day before my Grandma had surgery and she was in the ICU so postponed the party a few days so there would be more time to enjoy it. We had brunch and enjoyed a couple hours together on Sat. morning. I can't believe he is 3 already. This year has gone so fast. His birthday was Thomas the Train. Everything he does is about trains. He loves them. Sometimes he wants to sit at the computer and watch Thomas the train videos on Youtube. I don't mean show I mean kids taping their real thomas the train tracks with the trains sitting on them. Really....The other kids are so great. Cole is almost half way through his Junior year. We went to our first College Fair the other week. That was weird and exciting. Shelby just finished her Freshman Volleyball season. She is doing great in high school and Piper is really busy with school and gymnastics. She also has a lead part in the church Christmas play. We will be looking forward to that. Dave is well and we are all enjoying the fall time in Illinois!

Our Homestudy is done. We sort of sat on it a few weeks for personal reasons, but finally finished all the forms. Now it will be translated by our agency and shortly sent to China. After that we wait for a Log In Date which is the beginning of the real waiting time. God is totally in control of the timing and we are just following through with our responsibilities.

There is lots to look forward to in the next couple months. I will be more diligent with postings. Thanksgiving, Christmas play, my brothers wedding, Christmas. Hope everyone enjoys these fun family times!

So Big!

Just a little update on Luke. He is having a great summer of "growing up" and learning lots of new things. He swims like a fish-almost by himeself. It's so great! We joke about taking him to the pool last summer in China thinking he was going to be scared and he just threw his head under without even flinching! He's jumping on the trampoline, hitting his baseball and going to speech every other week.

Just wanted to say Thanks to Orlando for the bike to practice on! The leg strength is almost there!!!!

Where did August GO!!!!!!!!

Ok seriously I haven't even sat down to look at my blog let alone post something new! There are a few reasons why. I've been introduced to facebook, our computer took a "break", and school! Needless to say time is flying by. I'm so excited for the next few weeks. It is the midwests redeeming season. Autumn harvest time. We love it! Tanners, Pumpkin Festival, the crisp air- yet is still warm, Chilli, football, etc. God is very visual in the leaves changing colors and the fields coming down and I just love it.

We had a great August though. I was able to visit my sister for her 40th birthday. My mom, Sheila, Susan and I flew down and spent 3 very fun and relaxing days in honor of Jenny! She is such a wonderful Godly woman and I'm so grateful for her as a sister and a friend!

My fingerprints finally cleared after being printed 4 times. They ended up doing a name-based clearance so on we go with this second adoption. We will see. Cole started his Junior year, Shelby is a Freshman and Piper is in 6th grade. They are all doing well and I praise the Lord for them and what they mean to our family.

Hope everyone is great! Happy Fall!

July 21, 1994

15 years ago Shelby Renee Nicholson came into this world and has been lighting up the room ever since! We celebrated her birthday over the last week with a few friends over and then the family gathering. She also finished drivers ed and got her permit this week. She has been busy this summer and soooooo helpful with Luke! She's such a joy! Happy Birthday Shelby!