Christmas 2012 - Wonder and amazement.  For both Martha and the rest of us....so overwhelmingly blessed to have 5 children around the tree this year on Christmas morning.  And, for those of you still waiting....for your child, a new job, a love worth waiting for, etc.......God is faithful and His timing is Perfect.  As you look towards 2013 - remember that!

6 months already!

Today marks 6 months since we brought Miss Martha home. In some ways we can't believe it has been 6 months.  And, yet, it seems like she has been here forever and has always been a part of our family.  We look at the first picture of our family with Martha and she looks so quiet and calm.  But, as she has gotten more and more comfortable here, her true personality is just shining through.  She is feisty, determined, entertaining, curious, charming and very, very busy (and sometimes quite sneaky).  Recent Martha events include:

**Stitches in her forehead from tripping and hitting the corner of a wall
**Dave has used Bungees and ropes to tie up our kitchen chairs each day because she wants to climb on the chairs in order to get up to/on the table
**Moving something in front of the front door in order to stand on it to unlock the door and try to open it. (Nothing wrong with her problem solving skills!)
**Starting Speech Therapy - she is pretty much on target in other developmental areas right now, but needs to catch up on her speech.  She is starting to make progress and we're thrilled - though we are a little worried about what she will do when she realizes the power of the spoken word.  :-)

Recently, I resigned my position at work and the Monday after Thanksgiving, began working at Home full time.  I am doing some Childcare - God has provided me with this wonderful opportunity, that I totally see as a  blessing straight from Him!  Leaving a job that I loved so much was difficult, but I don't regret my decision at all.  I am right where I belong.  It feels so good!

Here's a picture from our Pumpkin Patch time this fall - I love each of these kids so much!  They make me proud each day and continually help me to be a better person!

Ethiopia and orphans everywhere continue to be in our Family's hearts. During this time of year, with the craziness of Black Friday, shopping and buying, spending too much, over scheduling and stressing, I am really struggling with the need vs. want, how many gifts are really needed, how we can do more to help others and all sorts of other questions.  We are all so blessed, but we take it so much for granted and don't stop to think how blessed we are in relation to the rest of the world.  As you reflect on Christmas, reflect on that Baby Jesus and that He was sent in to the world for YOU - because God the Father wants to adopt you into His forever family!  Out of gratitude for that - do something to make a difference this Christmas season.  You will be blessed!