Friday, August 18, 2006

Sad month

Tina and Elizabeth have been in Cincinnati most of August. Tina had to have some relatively minor surgery. (Minor compared to, say, open heart surgery.)

It's a do-over of one she had back in December. Its purpose is, stated vaguely, to repair some damage done by Ellie's delivery. It didn't "take" last time and we think one reason is that she couldn't really rest like she should have. So now her mom is taking care of her & Elizabeth so Tina can just rest and recover.

It's no fun at all to be without them, of course. I've done it for a week or so a few times but never a month. I'm hoping Ellie doesn't miss me, and I'm fairly sure she's having fun without me. But I'm also hoping she doesn't get too comfy being without me.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Dear faithful readers,

I'm very busy with my dissertation these days and won't be posting too often. I know how much you must love getting pictures and news of Ellie -- well, who wouldn't? I promise I'll do my best and will report as I can.

But please be patient -- I do want to graduate at some point and get a job, you know, with a paycheck and stuff? So I have to prioritize. In the meantime, go back and re-read all the archives (links at right, or maybe at bottom depending on your settings) for a recap of the last couple of years, which have been truly amazing. We have seen the good and loving Lord work in our lives, and for that, all praise and glory to Him.

I'm thankful to Him that I was able to spend as much time as I did writing about this. It's a great record of Ellie's beginnings. Several people have suggested I make a book out of it. I may just do that; the only question would be when to wrap it up and end it.

I hope I do this with all our kids, conceived or adopted, in the future.

Best wishes and God's blessings to you all.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

The sky was full of balloons

We saw them at the park across the street. Pretty cool for a podunk little town. Posted by Picasa

"Patches, I'm depending on you son..."

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Barn balloon again

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Barn balloon

It was up too high for us to get a good shot, but this balloon is in the shape of a barn, complete with silo. Posted by Picasa

Dragon-shaped balloon

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Hot air balloons over Jackson

Our fair town's Hot Air Jubilee was a success this year... Posted by Picasa

Ellie's close up

The evening sun makes her hair look a little red.

And she has a bit of a rootbeer-sherbet-slush mustache.

But she's still gorgeous. Posted by Picasa

Ellie, feeling dramatic

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Ellie starring as King Kong

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Ellie doing some shipping

Grandma's going to love this picture.

Grandma loves the post office. Posted by Picasa