Happy New Year!

Well...we made it to California! Only 2 hours late! We had a pretty uneventful trip and have really enjoyed time with friends and family out here! The weather has been good and we have eaten a tremendous amount of food!
I am reading a book that has been really good. The title is, "23 minutes in Hell" I know it sounds twisted or weird, but for those who are Christians it is a great book and those who are not I think would find value in it. It is about a man who based on his account went there and came back to write about it. Of course there are those who say he was dreaming or that he is crazy, but I have really enjoyed the book. It reminds me of 90 minutes in Heaven which was another great book....just thought I would share that I was reading a book because that doesn't happen all too often!
Hope everyone is having a great week!

The Reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas!
Melisa and I are sitting in the Chicago airport hoping that we are not to delayed tonight! I always enjoy a good time to sit and reflect what we are thankful for! We have had such a tremendous year, from moving from Phoenix to Prescott to Chicago! We can't make up our mind and who knows what God has in store for us next. There is some uncertanty at work, but we are keeping our heads high knowing that we are not in control and wherever we are we are thankful to have each other! I think all this moving has brought us closer to each other and it has been wonderful!
There are so many who are in tough positions this year whether the loss of a loved one or loss of a job....just know that we are praying for you!
Heres to a great 2009! Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas!

We are heading out to warmer weather in just a week or so! It has been so cold here in the windy city, it was 16 yesterday.....as a high!!! People are not meant to live in that kind of cold! I always joke that it is -100 but it really felt that way yesterday, the winds make it bitter!
Tomorrow is Melisa's 28th b-day, we met her parents tonight for dinner, that was great!
Hope everyone is doing well!

Thanksgiving #2

We just got back from the Mersman family Thanksgiving and we had an awesome time! I can honestly say that I am glad to be finished with all the over eating I did over the last two weekends, but it sure was great seeing everyone! We got to spend some time with our newest niece McKenzie which was great!

Here are some pictures of the event, we even got some great family shots to go up on our wall....

hope everyone had safe travels this very busy weekend!

Hope to see you all soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008! What a wonderful Thanksgiving! It has been a great reminder of what we are truly thankful for this year! We made it out to California for Aubrey's 4th birthday and the famous McDougall family Thanksgiving! And today we are with the Mersman's in West Michigan for their annual Thanksgiving!

I actually filled up my tank for $1.59 today, I almost wanted to take a picture of the gas station, too funny!

Here are some pictures of the events!

Land of Gracious Living!

It has been a very long couple of days for a lot of my family in So Cal! They had to evacuate yesterday and have been allowed back in this afternoon, but there have been several homes around them that have been destroyed....it is so sad how many people lost their homes. There is one piece of positive news, there have been no reported deaths because of it, there have been 6 firefighters injured in YL so far. Please pray for them and their families! My Uncle and cousin are both firefighters in So Cal, but as of right now neither of them are fighting in these fires, but a lot of their friends are so your prayers would be greatly appreciated!
As I get pictures I will post them, it sounds like a lot of stores have been destroyed as well....

Adoption update #357

Well now that we are living in Illinois we have to get re certified for adoption in this state. It wasn't a big surprise that Illinois makes it even more difficult to do a domestic adoption, gotta love all this government control! Melisa has found an agency and has already started the process, she has done some classes online and we have an orientation class next week Monday! So we could be re certified in just a month or so if we really focus on getting this done!
Melisa also had a doctors appointment to get a referral to a fertility doc....she found out she has to go from our Primary Care Physician then to a Gynecologist then to a fertility doc even though we did all this in Arizona! So that has been put on a short hold as well, but we might be going straight to invitro fertilization once we get to the fertility doc.
Just wanted to keep everyone up to date!
Hope everyone is doing great!