Seeing is Believing!

No news from the agency. However, we didn't expect any. It's holiday time in Vietnam and most of the offices are closed for at least a week (if not three).

What we did get to see are pictures of the children who have already been matched with families from our agency. They are beautiful!! So healthy-looking and happy. They are obviously getting lots of attention and love. Somehow, just seeing these children who are seemingly so close to our Addison makes us feel like this really might happen. It's funny how you begin wondering who your child will resemble... I imagine this is how pregnancy is. That is... before the days of 4D ultrasounds.

In the meantime, we do piles and piles of homework and barely see each other, despite living in the same house. Sometimes I think I talked to Edward more when we was deployed than I do now. It's unfortunate, but almost over. If we can survive until May, I think all will be well.

Happy Valentine's Day

XOXO to everyone on this beautiful Valentine's Day! We have much to celebrate today. First of all, we're snowed in for the second day in a row. We got about 12-15 inches that turned into 2-3 foot drifts. Classes have actually been cancelled at U of I, which is an anomaly. They haven't been cancelled since 1979, according to reports... and they weren't cancelled for one day, but two. WOOHOO!! Edward-- on his way to shovel the driveway and get a workout!
Our neighbors' house had snowdrifts halfway up their back door!
Ed takes a break to play with Izzy, who practically disappears in the snow.

Aside from that, our friends are in Guatemala with their baby girl, Reagan, for about 5 days. This is their first meeting and we've already received pictures. She is precious!!! They say she's a happy baby and so beautiful. She's six months old and her big brother, Ryker, is not so sure about her. That's not surprising, but pretty funny considering he's been talking about his Rea-Rea for about 5 months. We're thrilled that this family is getting to spend some time together, especially on this Valentine's Day.

In other news, our friends in Kansas are enduring hip surgery for their two-year old little girl today. Our prayers are with you, Cappadoros. We love you , ME! Keep us updated on her recovery.

The most recent health news about the babies in our orphanage is that they are all growing and developing normally. They appear to be happy, well taken care of, and loved by their caretakers. This is so reassuring for us.

And the latest with our agency is that we are waiting for a "final" document to be translated and filed. As we understand it, the translation is being completed right now, but cannot be filed until after the New Year celebration that is going on now. Tet is actually on February 18 this year and the government offices close for a week to three weeks during this time. We hope to receive word that we have the license by late February or early March. We're keeping our fingers and toes crossed.