Thankful

Tomorrow is our first Thanksgiving together as a family. We are so very, very thankful for the many blessings God has given us...but the absolute best is our son. Last year at this time, he was thousands of miles from us in a small crib in an orphanage. We were busy preparing for his arrival and so excited that we would soon be traveling to meet him. This year has brought many changes to our lives.

Tomorrow comes with an over abundance of thanks for us. But, it also is filled with just a twinge of sadness. Last week we lost a very dear friend. The strongest and most courageous man I've ever know passed away almost two weeks ago. At his memorial service, his pastor said..."I thought I knew what courage and hope was, but then I met Tim. HE was courage and hope." So, so true. Last year, he was at our house for Thanksgiving making his delicious corn casserole. He had been sick for a long time and we prayed that he'd be around long enough to meet Ian. Not only did he meet Ian, he was able to give him his first haircut. I'll treasure that memory forever.

My heart also is saddened now for some of the Dillon families that are waiting for their little ones to come home. There has been a terrible delay in the guardianship process and it's not over yet. One family that lives here in Oklahoma is waiting to bring their precious little Jadyn home. Jadyn turns one tomorrow. Happy Birthday Jadyn. I know how much her Mom and Dad wanted to have her home by her first birthday. We're praying that the guardianship goes through soon and perhaps they will have her home for Christmas.

OK...enough sadness. God has been so good to us. He is a gracious and loving God that led us to our amazing son.

This year Thanksgiving has a whole new meaning for us. May God Bless all of you and your families during this busy holiday season.

Our Precious Monkey....Cuter Than Cute :)

It all started on Saturday with the Boo Ha Ha parade in Brookside. The top 3 pictures are from Saturday. Notice the one in Starbucks....he's starting early :)

Then we move on to Tuesday evening Fall Festival at First Baptist Church. The first picture is of Ian and his friend Henry. Henry and Ian are almost exactly the same age. Henry is from Guatemala and came home around the same time Ian did. They are in Sunday School class together.

We move on to the pony rides. It was Ian's first time. He seemed to like it, but it was really cold and windy in Downtown Tulsa. The final two pictures are of him walking around in the Church. He loved watching everything that was going on.

We may be a teeny, weeny bit biased, but we think he is absolutely THE CUTEST MONKEY EVER!!!

Halloween was fun....I can't wait until Christmas.