Sweet relief!

We just completed our home visit with our second adoption agency, based in Fort Wayne, this afternoon. The lady who came to meet us was very friendly and funny, so it made our visit much easier. It wasn't at all like our home study with our other agency that lasted 4 hours and consisted of interviews and an in-depth home inspection. Since that was already complete, she was able to just sit down with us and chat about whatever we felt like. We asked her several questions and felt really good about all of her answers. This means we will now be on 2 adoption waiting lists and will have a chance for more birthmothers to choose us!

Merry Christmas!

We had another very blessed Christmas this year! Here are a few pictures.

Michael and Mandi

One of Michael's favorite gifts...pajama pants that look like jeans. Yes, he wants to wear them in public, no I won't let him.

Michael getting kisses from his dad and Carolyn's dog, Izzy.

Michael in the elf hat that Brayden and Audrey got him. You can tell he really likes it because he's wearing it in every picture!

Brayden and Audrey. Audrey wanted to wear a hat too!

Check out Brayden's socks. He's being politically correct here...an IU sock for Grandpa Dan, Grandma Susie, and Aunt Mandi...a Purdue sock for Mommy and Uncle Michael!

Michael's brother, David, with one of his favorite gifts, a turkey decoy.

Tom, Bryce, and Shadow

We had lots of fun spending time with our families for Christmas!

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!!