Still waiting

Just thought we would give you all an adoption update...yep, we're still waiting. As you can see by the ticker, it's been 13 months. I've been waiting all along for the one-year mark, but I'm not sure why. One year ago our agency in Indianapolis said their average wait to be matched was 15-18 months. Several months ago, we both picked the date we thought we would have our baby home. Michael picked November 17, 2009 and I picked March 5, 2010. Neither has passed yet, but we are getting closer to each date AND our baby!

In the meantime, we are very excited that our agency says they do not have to do another home visit at this time. But we do have to renew our fingerprints, background checks, and physicals since a year has passed. Also, we have decided to list with another agency in Fort Wayne. They will accept our info from our original agency so we don't have to do that paperwork twice, but they do want to come and meet us. (Is all of this confusing?) Basically what it means is that we will be on two adoption waiting lists and will have twice as many chances to be chosen by a birthmother.

Please keep praying for our patience during this wait!

Rest in peace, Yohan

As some of you already know, we lost Yohan last night. He was sick and we took him to the vet for surgery, but he didn't make it. It is very strange to not have him running around, meowing, and sitting with us. We will miss him.

Boo!

I (Mandi) found this really cool idea for Halloween cookies. So I decided to make them for this thing we are doing at school this week. They were very easy and turned out pretty cute...don't you think?

Argh, maties!

Brayden turned 4 this week and had a really cool birthday party. Let's see if you can figure out the theme...

Alison made the cake, and all of the hats and eye patches. (Very impressive!) It was lots of fun and thank goodness no one had to walk the plank!

Weekend Fun

We spent some time with Mandi's family at the lake this past weekend and had lots of fun!

Brayden and Audrey looking for fish

Alison shucking corn for lunch and dinner. Yummy!

This is what Michael and Eric do on a beautiful day at the lake. (Eric was on call for work, so he had an excuse...sort of.)

The grillmaster

Brayden enjoying the boat ride...

and the chilly air!

Alison, Audrey, and Mandi

Susie and Dan (Love that shirt!)

Not only is Michael the grillmaster, he is also a professional boat driver.

A very big blanket for such a little girl!

Mandi getting ready for many games of Hide and Seek

And a big thanks to Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Maurice for letting us use the lake cottage once again!!

It's a miracle!

Most of you know I (Mandi) had LASIK surgery on July 29th. It was the most amazing thing ever! I can see. Really...I can see without my contacts or glasses. In fact I ceremoniously threw away my contacts, and I'm going to give my glasses to other needy blind people! The surgery didn't hurt a bit. The worst part, besides having to wear my glasses for 6 weeks, was having to wear the "bug-eye" shields for 14 hours after the surgery. And I still have to wear them while sleeping for a few more nights.

They just want to make sure I don't rub my eyes and ruin the healing process. Michael took very good care of me during the whole process and keeps asking me if I can see various objects! AND I CAN!!! Wooohoooo!!

Golfing fun

Last week Mandi and Michael went golfing with Mandi's dad. Michael and Dan are pretty good, but Mandi is still learning.

Michael getting ready to hit the ball

Mandi and her dad...check out that cool hat.

Mandi and Michael

Michael and Dan

Michael patiently waiting his turn

Mandi may not play well, but she has some very cool golf shoes.

There was no cussing or throwing of golf clubs, so all in all it was a great day!