Adoption Update

Here is the latest on our adoption.
-Preston has his individual home study interview Thursday at 2:00.
-We are in the middle of our Hague training.  We are doing one module a night so we should be finished with by next Monday.
-Our medical exams are scheduled for next Thursday.
-We are attending Crossings.  A 1 1/2 day seminar on raising an internationally adopted, older, specially needs child in mid-January.
-We are in the middle of reading the Connected Child by Karyn Pervis.  This is an EXCELLENT book.  We are learning so much through all of this on-line education.  I can definitely see the value in all of it and we will be way more prepared for parenting our new child.

Several of you have asked for ways to support our adoption financially.  There is a link on the blog to our Pure Charity adoption fundraising website.  You can also visit it by clicking here.  You can write a check and send it directly to Lifeline (our adoption agency), you can send the check to us or you can enjoy some yummy coffee while supporting us.  (some of the proceeds of coffee sales come directly to us for the adoption)  Click here for a link to the coffee.

Anniston day trip

Friday the boys and I went to Anniston with my parents to meet my Aunt Connie (my Mom's younger sister) and Uncle Wayde.  They live in Canton, GA so Anniston was a great half way point.  We spent 3 hours catching up.

On the way home we stopped by the Leed's outlet mall.  None of us has ever shopped there do we wanted to check if out.  The Christmas tree in the court yard was beautiful.

Eligibility for Friendship

Should the differences among people rank their eligiblity for friendship?  Should some groups of people be seen by society as less desirable?  If someone, let alone someone famous, befriends them...should it be a big news story?  Should we all cheer for the one who befriends them labeling it a touching story?

I have heard from many people about touching stories of people befriending a kid with CP.  Funny thing is I don't hear any touching stories of typical people becoming friends.  Am a supposed to rejoice that someone would "stoop down to the level of someone with CP"?  Am I supposed to see my children as less than desirable?  No!  Instead of praising someone else for making friends with someone who is different; go out and make friends with someone different.  You will probably find out it is one of the biggest blessings of your life.

Christmas in Huntsville

Yesterday we enjoyed Christmas in Huntsville at Preston's brother's house.  It was great spending the day just visiting with family.

Logan and his cousin, Evan, always enjoy playing together.

 The boys are opening their Christmas presents from each other.  Evan got Beyblades from Logan and Logan got Star Wars Legos from Evan.  The two were very excited about their gifts.

 Owen's favorite part of the visit was watching sports.

 Nathan too!

 Logan and Evan worked all afternoon on Logan's new Lego sets.  Here they are putting together the Star Wars set.

 Preston enjoyed bothering their dog by putting her in the Santa hat.

 All three of us got in the action to put together the Ninjago lego set Logan received from CiCi for Christmas.

Here are the boys playing with the completed Ninjago lego set.

Christmas Day

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Day visiting family and celebrating the birth of our Savior.

The boys very excited to open his presents from Santa.

                                      

 Nathan's favorite part was pointing to the letters in his name.  He would do this at least 10 times on each gift before we would open it.

 Logan also received a letter from Santa.

 Big House and DiDi joined us!  We had a wonderful time with them.

 The boys really enjoyed their big family present from Santa.

 Logan loves rain boots.  His last pair had holes in them.....so, Preston and I got him some new ones for Christmas.  I think he will be wearing these every day until we go back to school.

 DiDi and Big House giving Logan his Christmas gift.  A telescope.  Logan is so excited!

 The boys did not want to get out of the ball pit!

 Christmas morning breakfast.

 4 generations of Hites! (Nathan and Owen were napping while we took these pictures.)

 Preston's cousin Michele with Nathan.  She loves the boys and is so amazing with them.

 Cooper and Logan pretending to be in a cage, while under the kitchen table.

 Opening presents at Oma's.

 Philip, Ranae and Bella.

 Special treat from Oma.

 Nathan was NOT interested in wearing that Santa hat.

 Owen's special Mickey Santa hat.  He loves it!

 Nathan and Aunt Nae Nae spending time together.

 Logan with his new angry birds star wars game.

 Oma, PaPa and Owen spending quality time together.