Gift #516- One Step Closer

That's our little guy!  Right in the middle!  Our new friend Mike Rottina (back row) is in China this week.  He raised money to take some of the kids out for their birthdays!  This is such a treat for the kids.  They went to a park and then to McDonalds!  We received our final approval from US customs this week!  Our last approval gave us permission to adopt 1 child from China.  This approval gave us permission to specifically adopt Bo!  His name is on the approval notice!  The notice is officially called a Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative.  I just love the sound of that!

Gift #515- The Avery Aftermath

This is what happens when I get preoccupied- Avery Grace entertains herself!  I am not quite sure how this qualifies as a gift.  But it does make me smile (after I finish crying.)  :)

She loves to knit!  She and her Mimi are going to get along famously!

When she runs out of yarn, she likes to play with the toilet paper.

And when the toilet paper runs out, it is always fun to put the dog food in the dog water bowl and watch the food swell up to four times its normal size.  All really fun things!

Gift #514- Empty Cupboards

It probably seems strange to be thankful for empty cupboards.  But in this case, the emptiness is welcomed!  It means that we are heading home soon.  A few months before each PCS we start going through the pantry and cooking with the items that we have on hand.  It is actually kind of fun.  We have come up with some strange dinner combinations over the years.  Each time I looking the pantry, I am reminded that we are almost home!  I am thankful!

Gift #513- Henry is 2 months old!

2 months old!

Gift #512- My Valentine

Hank and I had a very happy Valentines Day.  Our friends, Frank and Jamie, came over and hung out with the kids.  Hank planned a fun evening of restaurant hopping for us.  Our time here in Iwakuni is quickly coming to an end and he wanted to visit our 3 favorites all in one evening.  We went to the Chicken Shack for appetizers- chicken and gyoza.  We sat at an outside table under a warming blanket.  The food, atmosphere, and company were unbeatable.  We then went to Taj for the main course.  We have come to love warm Indian curry and nan bread.  We enjoyed the food and our time together.  We tried to hit our favorite dessert spot, G Labo, for dessert, but they were closed (or "close" as the sign read).  We wondered over to a nearby restaurant called Japanese Modern Dining.  We ordered white chocolate cheesecake and hot fudge cake.  The two of us have only 10 days left here together, (Hank is going to DC for the commanders course).  but we hope to make it back to Japanese Modern Dining!  The desserts were delicious.  Hank commented that it was nice to just be Hank and Amy for a little while.  Sometimes we get so busy and forget where we started.  It was nice to spend a little time remembering.  Thanks for a memorable evening Hank.  I am so lucky to have you as my forever Valentine.

Gift #511- He Sleeps

We moved Henry into his room last night for the first time.  Ok, so it is not a typical baby room- its more like a storage closet.  Ok- it is just like a storage closet.  But it is very nice one and Henry does not seem to mind.  The little guy slept for 6 hours!  Hank and I are feeling hopeful.

Henry's "Room"

Gift #510- Sweet Henry

It has often been said, for one reason or another,  that God has a funny sense of humor.  I believe this to be a true statement.  I remember wanting a little girl so badly and getting the news that one was on the way- along with another little boy.  God was smiling that day for sure.  I think that He smiled when Henry came into the world also.  Hank and I thought that we had everything figured out.  The big kids were pretty self sufficient.  The middles stayed busy with neighborhood friends.  The two groups together helped tremendously with little Avery Grace.  And then came Henry.  He has turned our world upside down.  He likes to be awake all night and held all day.   I think that God thought that Hank and I might be getting a little too comfortable and complacent with our parenting.  So He gave us a Henry to bring us back down to earth.  We are firmly planted these days for sure.  But, if a Henry is what it took to ground us, then I have never been so grateful to be grounded.   He has been sleeping a little longer this past week.  He has started smiling and talking and has the sweetest little voice!  I think that we are starting to figure things out- but we will certainly not get overconfident.  After all, God does have a funny sense of humor. 

Gift #509- Babies in Beanies

There is something about a round little face framed by a cute little hat that makes me smile!

Gift #508- Our Reading Rock Star

Sam got an award last week for being the most improved reader in his class!  

We are so proud of you Sam!

Gift #507- Time Well Wasted

Sam and Jack on the lift at Geihoku Ski Resort

Hank's replacement showed up a few months back.  Since then, his work load has significantly decreased and he has a lot of time to spend with the kids.  He has taken them skiing, and snowboarding, to the pool, to the movies, and to play racquetball!  He and the boys have logged many hours working on their RC planes and flying them whenever the wind permits.  He has continued to work and help out around the house all while playing.  We have all enjoyed having him home with us.  We know that the days are about to get busy again so we will take advantage of our time together.  I have always loved the Brad Paisley song "Time Well Wasted".  We have definitely wasted our time together well over the past few months.

It was time well wasted

And there's no way I trade a few more dollars in my pocket I could've spent

For a day I'll never forget

No, I didn't get a thing done

But I sure soaked up every minute of the memory we were makin'

And I count it all as time well wasted