First Haircut

Grandpa entertained while Aunt Abbey gave Collin his first haircut.

Photo Update

Help an Orphan for Christmas.

Consider helping a child in need this holiday season, www.helpanorphan.org.

The Thanksgiving Blessing.

Thanksgiving came early this year with the arrival of our newest family member Shane Bradly Fish.

Happy Holidays!

10 Months. What a Differrence!

4 months ago we walked into the orphanage and picked up a beautiful little baby who hardly made a peep except when hungry. Wow, who was that kid!

In a short 4 months we've gained a talking (momma and dadda now) walking (yes, walking) dancing and singing (or rather humming) little Collin who is running our home.

We are so blessed that God called us to care for one of his orphans. Lately God is pulling our hearts towards reaching out to more of his orphans. That desire seems to be consuming our prayers and our thoughts. Whether it is through adoption, mission work or hopefully both, Jason and I can't wait to get our hands on more of God's children in need.

Please keep us in your prayers as God starts to lead us down the path he has planned for our family. Praise God, Jason and I now have a family!

International Justice Mission

Frog prince

Collin will be 10 months next Sunday. We started him on people food this month. He is doing great with that. It looks like new teeth are coming in. His nose is running non stop. Collin has also started jabbering more and is saying his first word, which unfortunatly is "dadda". Between the teething and the jabbering it feels like he is 18 1/2 (according to Doc Trainer) pounds of snot and slobber. Lucky for mom, dad and babysitters he HATES having his face wiped!

I purchased this halloween costume at a garage sale for $2. Given the froglike abilities Collin has with his toes this halloween custome was a perfect find. He looked adorable in it. We stayed in and greeted some 75-100 tricker treaters. Collin squealed and took off at a sprint crawl towards the door when kids arrived. Meanwhile family and friends kept him busy inside. He had to take a short knap in between from all of the excitement.

Fall Creek Falls State Park, TN

Three weeks ago we spent a nice long weekend with family at a cabin in Fall Creek Falls, TN. It was exactly the kind of vacation you want to take in October when the leaves are changing and the weather is just starting to get cool. We hike down into waterfalls and canyons during the day, spent the evenings in front of the fireplace inside the cabin and drank our coffee on the back deck while watching deer in the woods. We enjoyed the experience so much that our family already has another cabin reserved at Devil's Den State Park, AR for next year.

Collin, unfortunatly was sick most of that weekend, but thank god he is an outdoor boy! Despite the high fever, soar throat and congestion, we loaded him with medicine, put him in the carrier pack and took him hiking with us. The weather stayed between 60-70 degrees. The fresh cool air seemed to help him. Collin kept is eyes wide open and hung out in the front pack, taking it all in.

It is amazing how well matched he is with our family. Jason and I love being active and Collin is happiest when doing the same. We thank God for him every evening in our prayers.