First snow of the year!

It snowed today! Not a lot, but enough for my girls to get really excited! We had friends over watching the big game...GO NAVY! Beat Army!...and so they had a friend to add to the excitement. They first went out on the deck in sweatshirts and crocs, came in to get coats and real shoes, came in again for snow gloves, and finally for snow boots! They were outside for over 2 hours in the snow. They made as many snowballs as they could on the deck and made the first snowman of the year, or maybe I should say snow-baby(see picture below). Hopefully this winter will bring more snow than last year. It seems all we got last year was a lot of freezing rain and that really stinks! If it is that cold we prefer snow! A fun day was had by all. Tomorrow is our 12th anniversary. It seems crazy that we've been married 12 years...but then I think of all we've done and it seems like it should be even longer. I am so thankful for the husband that God gave me. He is the perfect husband for me. I have known it since 1996 when we were married but I have grown to appreciate him even more in the last 2 1/2 years. Thank you, Lord, for that wonderful provision in my life. Enjoy the snow pictures!

Sarah and Ethan


The first snowman of the year!


Whew...2 hours later...Yes, Sarah refused to smile just because...well, because she is Shawn's daughter! No need to say anything else.

Homeschool science

Okay, so don't tell my girls but I really don't like science. I love history and English....science?? not so much! So today we have an issue on our street with the water. The water company is out and they are digging up the street with jackhammers and making lots of noise. The girls are so interested in what they are doing. They are sitting in the front yard, finishing math under a blanket while watching the local water company work. That's science....isn't it? Can't we find some scientific category to put this in? Surely we can!! I love homeschooling...ya wanna know why? As I type this, my 8 and 11 year old are snuggled under a blanket together watching a jackhammer and talking a mile a minute. You just can't get this time back and I am so glad they are spending it together and with me.



We had a great Thanksgiving with my mom and dad. We packed as much as we could into one weekend to make the most of Mimi and Grandy being here. So on Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving, Friday we decorated for Christmas, and Saturday we had a piano/harp recital and Emily's birthday party. Pretty good for a 3 day period, huh? But Mimi and Grandy were here for all of it and that was the important thing!



We haven't heard anything new with Anna. Please keep praying that we can travel in a timely manner. I just hate the thought of her spending a cold winter in an orphanage when we have a warm bed we would love to be sharing. Specifically, pray that our letter of approval comes by the end of the year. That is what we are hoping for. As of today we have waited 36 days...and that is not long compared to the wait that many experience. But still, for a mama, its a long time.
Enjoy your Tuesday! I'll update later about our "science lesson" for today! : )