AFTER SIX VERY LONG MONTHS IN PGN...

Praise God!

WE ARE OUT!!

We are praying for a Christmas homecoming!!

It would be a miracle...

but I'm a believer.

RAFFLE

In an effort to offset our adoption expenses AND prepare for Josi's homecoming, (which means downsizing our *stuff*,) I thought that it would be fun to have a raffle.

Those who know me know that I love baby dolls. We have quite a few in the house, really too many. My girls still play with them occasionally, but not as much as they used to. Now that I am in need of space here at home, I have decided to find new homes for my collection.

This beautiful baby in a Walrus suit is one of 1000 made by the Lee Middleton Doll Co. This doll has never been played with, although it is perfectly fine and safe to use as a play baby. It weighs about 3lbs and feels just like a real baby. This doll will make a perfect Christmas gift for a little girl as she will have the most life-like baby doll ever. The face on this baby doll is used for both boy and girl babies by Lee Middleton. If you put a dress on this baby doll, it will look just like a girl.

I purchased it a few years ago and is still have the original box. You cannot find it anywhere now; and if you happen to stumble upon it, like on ebay, it is selling for around $200. It is signed by the LM artist, Reva Schick, and is No. 599.

If you would like to enter to win this beautiful doll, you can purchase a raffle ticket at $5 each, or buy five tickets for $20. Just click on the "Donate" button on my sidebar.

If you would like to send me a check, just email me at sweetpea31897@msn.com.

The raffle will close on December 1.

The winner will be chosen at random.

(Sorry, shipping limited to the US only.)

FFF - Josi shaved her eyebrows off!

If you get our Christmas card this year and wonder why Josi looks different, but just can't put a finger on it, you'll know why after you read this post.

I got an email from Josi's foster family informing me that Josi had gotten a hold of her teenage foster-sister's eyebrow trimmer and proceeded to trim her own eyebrows--almost completely off.

Her foster mom is so wonderful to tell me things like this and I am so thankful for that. She took some pics for me so that I can put them in her scrapbook/lifebook for her. (And to think, I could have missed this.)

Here is Josi with her eyebrows missing. She has katsup on her face because she was eating McDonald's.

I cannot wait for her to come home!!! The web cam visits and occasional pics are what keeps me going. Thirty-five more days until I get to see her again.

That is the eyebrow trimmer she is holding in her hand.

She is looking quite proud of herself, isn't she?

I LOVE this photo. I can't wait until the time comes where she feels safe enough, once she's home with us, to reveal her goofy personality. It's so nice to know that she has a sense of humor.

Even though she is still adorable without eyebrows, I do hope they grow back at least a little, because I do plan to take a good photo of her for our Christmas card this year when I am there next month.

This must be her intoxicated-with-pride face.

Samson & Delilah--The Bible Story put to Song--by Tim Hawkins, of course

My girls' favorite pastime is to watch videos of Tim Hawkins on the computer. They were browsing GodTube the other day and saw that there was a new one. Tim Hawkins is a really talented comedian, with good clean jokes. We all enjoy watching his videos and songs.

If you don't know the Old Testament story of Samson and Delilah, you can get a quick overview here. Here's his latest video:

Case Update and Last Camping Trip of the Season.

PGN UPDATE: We are back in as of October 3!!!

This last weekend, we spent four days in San Diego at the KOA Campgrounds. Our family friends came along in their new travel trailer and we had some great times together.

Shay and his best friend... daddy, on the day we arrived.

Caught you, eating on the job.

Time for roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. Mmmm... Yummy.

Sammy's marshmallow is a little overdone.

The kids love the recumbent bikes, or "layer bikes," as little Sammy calls them.

Haley taking Homie for a ride.

We rented a four-pedaled bike. We all had fun pedaling Shay around the campsite.

Trying out the ripstick. I was too chicken to actually try it without holding on to Sammy.

The fearless Shay tried it.

He actually balanced his body on it while it was propped up like that.

Daddy tried it and got the hang of it quickly.

See...

Is he cute or what?

Sammy and daddy played lots of ball.

Here's a clip of our future pro-baller

He got so good, he didn't even need the tee anymore.

It was so nice for the kids to get out and play in the good old outdoors.

The boys rolled down that hill I don't know how many times. Every time I see this photo, I can't help but think of the song at the beginning of Little House on the Prairie.

Aubrey looking cute on Shay's trike.

Josselyn, Rusty, and Haley.

Aubrey and Janelle.

The pool there is great. It is a salt-water pool. So much better than chlorine.

Michael and Sammy.

This was hilarious. Shay was in a time-out in the motor home and I went to take a pic of him crying and carrying on; but when he saw the camera, he stopped and said "cheeeeeese," then continued his time-out tantrum.

The boys being goofy.

Sammy dancing and Shay's boo boo.