Adding a Family Member

John and I have talked many times about adoption and being foster parents.  We have gone back and forth regarding these matters.  We knew the day we had Gracie that we would not have any more children of our own, and we feel very lucky to have such a wonderful little girl.  There is not a day that passes that I am not very thankful to have her.  With that said, there has always been something standing in the way for us to have more children in our home; however, that all changed on Saturday. 

Saturday, we became host parents.  While this is temporary, it is an excellent option for us to add more children to our home.  It has been the best decision we have made in a long time.  Gracie is so happy to have someone else living with us too.  Being a host parent is not something we came by easily.  We had to complete a load of paperwork, have background checks, and then do A LOT of waiting.  It was totally worth the wait.

Nat is our new "son".  He actually wrote that today.  It was very heartwarming to see.  While technically he is not our son, and he will return home to his parents at the end of the school year, we are thrilled to share a part of his life...even a small one.  He is a wonderful boy.  He is very kind and considerate.  He is always willing to help with anything, and he spends time with Gracie with no complaint.  He is definitely a very positive addition to our family.  We consider him nothing less than our son!  :)

Nat

                                                 Nat and Gracie concentrating on the wii

Just cruising...

Well, after a very hectic Christmas, we have finally set our lives back on cruise control.  Things have returned to normal, for us anyway.  Gracie went back to school last week, and John started his new class this week.  We have been a little slower getting back into the workout routine, but it is still on the list to do. 

Upcoming for us:

*John turns 34 on Saturday!  We are still planning our day of fun.

*We are expecting our first foreign exchange student in the next week.  He is from Thailand, and I think Gracie is more excited than anyone.  John and I are just concerned that he will freeze to death here.

*We are in cookie sale mode again.  Gracie's goal is 2000 boxes this season!

*Indoor soccer began this past weekend.  Gracie's team won a game and lost a game.  We have several games over the next two months.

*John is playing in an indoor tennis league.  He lost his first match to a 17 year old, but he was able to hang with him for a good while.  Nothing like a kid to come along and put the old folks back in their place.  He plays again next week.

So, as I said before, we are just cruising along...