Saturday, January 3, 2009

First, I'd like to thank so many of you for your private emails of encouragement, your prayers, and comments on our blog. It truly means a lot to have so many people praying for us!! Please keep it coming! It's a process, and will be a long one at that. We seem to take one step forward and three steps back. We've made progress with the "boundary" issue with me, but continually work to teach her appropriate behavior with Kailey & the dogs. It's hard and sometimes very conflicting because our parenting style tells us she needs to have clear, logical & natural consequences for her poor behavior choices - yet counselors tell us not to spank, flick her in the lip when she mouths off, or put her in time-out. We'd love to hear from families who are experienced in adoption on the subject of discipline!

Other news... we had Tim's two older brothers and their families from Washington down for Christmas and New Years this year. It was the first time in 11 years all 5 siblings were together! We had a great time spending time with the whole family. Tim's brother, Marty, has been battling leukemia all year, but his latest test showed no cancer in his body! He will get checked every other month to make sure it doesn't reoccur. Tim's oldest brother, Steve, married a beautiful gal from the Philippians 14 months ago. They are expecting a child in August!

My 98 year old grandmother, Nanny, had a massive heart attack last week. It's been 8 days now and she is doing amazingly well. She's in a Christian nursing home and seems to be doing better. She only has 10% of her heart functioning, so she has completely shocked the doctors and family with her strength. She knows and loves the Lord and says she is ready to go. As much as we know that day is coming, and I know I will see her again someday, it still breaks my heart. I plan to fly up to Washington soon.

Austin continues to like High School and made Honor Roll this semester! He's spends a lot of time on his phone with girls and is very involved with the High School Group at Church. He leaves this weekend on a retreat in Flagstaff and will snowboard for the first time! Kailey also did very well and made Honor Roll this semester too... as well as the Cheer Squad. She is a typical girl and begs to go to the mall often. She is also involved with the youth group at church and leaves for Prescott in two weeks for a winter retreat. We are so proud of them - from the inside out!