Catching up

No update on the job front, but I do have some pictures to show, and a few stories to catch you up on... For New Years we went to the Holiday Inn and had a lot of fun - they have a dance every year - this was the first time we were able to go. The kids had a lot of fun - Ter was still recovering from surgery, but he was a good sport and though he went to rest for awhile, he came back at midnight to kiss me! We realized at that moment that this was the first time we had ever been out for New Year's! Akaela also got her braces off and her teeth look amazing! She is getting so pretty and growing up! Nick and Akaela are both playing basketball - such a difference this year for Nick at Kearney High! He's doing well, though. And Akaela is doing awesome - she broke the girls record by 12 points -and in only 3 quarters! Noelle has been a b-ball fan since she arrived (most of last season she was yelling in Mandarin) but she hadn't had any actual playing experience in China. We think that they don't do PE there - her muscle tone was almost nonexistent at first and she couldn't even shoot a ball close to the net - and jumping is an issue, too. BUT, she has been working at it and last week she made her first basket! Since then when she comes home from school, she gives me an update - 2 today, Mom! One day it was 4! We also took her in for a checkup and she has grown 3-1/2 inches and gained 13 pounds since she got home! She is now in the 70th percentile for her age! I am enjoying being home - things I always meant to get to are getting done - like cleaning out the pantry! Unfortunately, our finances won't allow me to be a permanent housewife, but I am enjoying it while I can! Of course, there are some unpleasant aspects to unemployment - but I am doing my best to see the glass as half full. Again, I thank my friends for being so great - emails, phone calls and hugs - tears and sad eyes - they all tell me that you care. And that means more to me than I can express. Mostly I don't cry anymore - and I am learning lessons! Just today I saw a woman on tv that had lost her arms and legs from a flesh eating bacteria - she was such a fighter - taking care of her family - and her face was so full of light. I cried (no surprise) at her story and realized that my problems are so small! I'm grateful that God is showing me so much during this time...my eyes are open to more because I am not so "busy". Blessings all! Lisa