Eli's New Website is up and running

Happy New Year to everyone!



May God bless you all in the coming year.



We have Eli's website up and running. . .


The address is



http://myadoptionwebsite.com/journeytoeli/

A BLESSING

Here's to the beautiful family we love so much. Missing our Dads and Grandpas. And longing for our Eli to come home.

Having a place to go is home;



Having someone to love is family;


Having both is a blessing.


- Donna Hodges

MERRY CHRISTMAS

May your Christmas be filled with the joy of the Christ Child this year.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours . . .

Grandma and Philip decorating the Gingerbread House

Ready to celebrate!

Look at all of those stocking! Two dogs, a mommy and a papa,
and three children's stockings!

(Sorry Ted, you are still our little boy even though you are full grown! Hee, hee!)

A Christmas puppet show!

What a cutie!

Luke 2:10 - 11

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

A new kind of Nativity Scene

Philip, under the direction of his big brother Ted, created this version of the Christmas Nativity. They are both so proud of their creation!

Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus are inside the stable.
(Jesus is played by Thomas the Train - Philip's
most favorite character!)

The wise men are the puppy and the cootie characters outside the stable. Do you see the angels above (played by cars)!! The shepherds, sheep, and other barnyard animals are played by the remaining trains. So cute!

Ted is home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh happy day!



Ted is home from Ball State after 4 1/2 years at college. He begins his student teaching at an area high school in January and will live at home with us! We are so happy to have him back with us. (Probably much happier than he is to be home! LOL)


When Ted first got home today, Philip ran outside without his coat on to leap into his brother's arms. So very sweet. :)

Christmas trimmings

Even though this holiday season has been marked by deep sorrow over Dad's passing, there have been light moments, too.


Like the "help" I got when I wrapped a few presents . . . (not!) Hee, hee

Philip enjoyed tearing the wrapping paper into tiny bits with the help of his bear.

Kevin and Disney weren't much help wrapping gifts either!

And Soccer was rather bored by the whole gift wrapping thing, too!

Oh well, so much for gift wrapping help. Tree decorating was much better! :)

Well, maybe not! LOL!

There - that's much better!

Ted's Project

We just returned from Ball State after seeing Ted's show he directed for his senior project. It was a collection of Cole Porter songs - beautiful! We are so proud of Ted and the young man of Christ that he is. We love you Teddy!

Sorrow

We miss our dad and grandpa so much that it hurts.

Ted, Dad, Philip, and Uncle Al (Dad's brother)
last May

Dad is home

Dad went home tonight a little after 5 P.M. He is out of his suffering - no more sorrow, no more tears, no more disease.

For us - an incredible sorrow at his passing.

But the victory is won. Jesus has overcome.

Sad day yesterday

Well, after seeing Dad decline rapidly at home, we had to make the difficult decision to put him into inpatient hospice. Such a sad time, but we know God will never leave us or forsake us. We know that no matter our present struggle, Christ has overcome this world. He has overcome death. Such comfort in the midst of sorrow.

Thanksgiving weekend thankfulness

Grandpa and Ted

Philip and one of his Virginia cousins

I am thankful on this Thanksgiving weekend for the time spent with family over this holiday.

My dad is still home under the tender-loving care of his family, and we were able to spend time with Mom and Dad, my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew on Thanksgiving Day. It was a gentle and sweet time, and we thank God for the opportunity of the day.

Mom and Dad's brothers, sisters, and a few of their nieces and nephews also have come to see him over the last couple of weeks. He is so loved, and what a beautiful thing for them to make time in their busy schedules to visit with Mom and Dad. Some have come from as far away as Missouri, Tennessee, and Virginia, and some have come from right here in Indiana!

Singing "Happy Birthday"

Loving being with family

Dad, Doug, Mom, and me celebrating our November birthdays this year

My brother and I also had the privilege of celebrating our birthday with Dad. Dad's birthday is November 10th (coinciding with the Marine birthday - that's always pleased Dad because he served our country as a Marine), my brother's birthday is November 15th, and mine is November 30th. For years we have celebrated our birthdays together. What a gift to be able to do so this year.

My dad needs prayers as his diseases (lung cancer and congestive heart failure) progress. Please pray for God's presence and comfort for Dad and Mom in this difficult time, for sweet time with his family, and that he gets to remain in the comfort of his own home.

We continue to thank God for all of our parents who have given so much love, support, and guidance to us along the way.

Everyone is helping

Dad is home now with hospice services, and everyone is helping him as they can. It is so sweet to see the different ways our family helps. Some people come and sit with Dad, some bring food, some send well wishes and prayers, and some people make things (like Philip)!






(Philip keeps making pictures for his grandpa! Below is his newest creation. He began to draw this morning and stated that he was drawing a church with a cross on top of it. The drawing even has parking lots and sidewalks. Too cute! I am glad he explained what it was because his drawings tend to all look the same! LOL!)

What does an artist do when he has finished a creation?
Go for a wagon ride with some friends
- of course! -

Prayers needed for my dad

My dad is in the hospital again and struggling not only with lung cancer, but also his congestive heart failure is acting up. He is really miserable, and we are praying round the clock.



Certainly God has allowed the highs and lows of emotions right now with the sadness of Dad's struggle and the joy of Eli's coming.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.



We are joyful that God has given us Dad. He is such an example of courage, honesty, love, and a quiet faith. We are joyful that Eli is coming home to us soon. We give thanks for Dad and Eli. Amen.

Provisional Approval in Ch*na now!!

Last Thursday our CIS Provisional Approval and our signed LOA was sent to Ch*na!



Whoo-hoo! One more step out of the way!!!


Our agency says that our TA (Travel Approval) could take 2 - 3 months. Let's pray it comes way before that. We are getting packed and ready to go . . .


Hang on Eli - we are almost there!

Our Dad and Grandpa

We got some devastating news today. My dad has stage 4 lung cancer in his right lung. Oh, how our hearts are hurting for him at this moment.



This man . . .



Is one of the greatest examples of a father we could have . . .



Happens to be a sweet and proud grandpa, too . . .



Is so very brave and courageous in the face of immense struggles . . .



Loves our mom and grandma with all his heart . . .



Is an honest, caring, and strong man . . .



Who loves God . . .



Who happens to be a dad and grandpa we all love so very
much . . .

Philip's new bedroom

When we first talked about adopting Eli, we realized we could not put two little boys in Philip's "tiny" room. We gave Ted (who is still away at college but coming home in December to begin his student teaching) the option of staying in the "bigger" room and "sharing" it with a little brother . . . or moving to the "tiny" room and having it ALL to himself.



He picked the "tiny" room. Who can blame him?? Wouldn't you pick the "tiny" room, too??




Hee, hee! He even asked if we could put a lock on his door for him. Now why would he want that?



Here are a couple of pictures of the newly redone "bigger" room that really isn't so very big!!

Notice the lighthouse bird houses. We put this border up years ago when this room became a den. Then Philip came, and we moved Ted back in here. He was stuck with the border. Now Philip and Eli have it! Oh well, it works - so it stays! The walls are really a tan and not the pink they appear in these pictures.

Sweet little fireman

Philip had great fun dressing up as a fireman and getting lots of treats from family and friends. That is about the only part of Halloween I like. Here are a few pictures from his candy gathering adventures!

First a stop at Gram's house

Then on to Aunt Nancy and Uncle Fred's house

Also a stop at Aunt Jo and Uncle Doug's house

Ending the evening at Grandma and Grandpa's house for cider and doughnuts!



What a sweet evening!

(Missing Aunt Susie and Uncle Dan and wishing they lived closer!)

Oh Happy Day!

PSALM 118:24

This is the day which the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Newest picture of Eli received just today!

Fire Chief Philip

Today Philip got to wear his costume to preschool. He thought he looked mighty fine!

The Phone Call

We are praising God for amazing news today . . .






We got it!






Our Letter of Acceptance









Whoo - hoo baby! We are going to

C h i - i - i n a!

Hang on Eli. Here we come!

Our special little boy turned two today in China

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Eli

Today is Eli's 2nd birthday! It will be the last birthday he spends separated from his forever family. We celebrated this afternoon in honor of him! Hope he will enjoy his presents once home. We certainly enjoyed his cake and ice cream!

First, we enjoyed a homemade pizza by Chef Kevin!

Then we had yummy carrot cake.



Oh boy, this is good!

Eli's birthday presents -
A toddler sling, some bright colored loud toys, and
two curtain rods from the four of us and even a snowsuit and backpack
from Grammy.

Eli -

Your family wishes you a "Happy Birthday" and wants you to know that you will be home celebrating your third birthday with all of your family and friends next year! We love you and can hardly wait to hold you in our arms.

Hurry LOA!