Look what God has done in 2007!

A new year coming is a great time to reflect all that God has done in my life this last year! It has been quite a year for me! I have grown a lot. Here are the highlights:
December 2006 Children of the Promise newsletter...


People were praying for Elijah to find a family. Meanwhile God was speaking to Jeremiah and I about adoption, but we weren't too sure about it.

February 2007
Kylie turned 4! She also began ballet lessons. How fun!
We began talking about adopting through foster care. I began going to classes through the state to become a liscensed foster care parent.

March
I continued going to classes for foster care and "graduated". I felt like it wasn't for our family. I began talking to Jeremiah about international adoption. I met with Sarah and talked with her about her adoption and the whole process. Jeremiah and I prayerfully made a decision to adopt from Haiti. I called a social worker to schedule the homestudy. We decided to adopt through Children of the Promise. Loren turned 10 this month.

April
We spent the month gathering paperwork, did our homestudy and had physicals. Jeremiah and I also had a weekend getaway in Bellevue for a Family Life marriage conference. Sarah and I became close friends and she told me of her work in finding medical care for 2 babies from Haiti. I was willing to help and made plans to go to Texas with her for a week during Jeremiah's days off.

May
We went to Texas! I met Helande and Christella at the airport with their escorts (Salem and Crystal). They were so fragile and I couldn't believe the strength God gave us to care for the these girls. We took them to the neurologist and the hospital and stayed at the hospital during surgeries and recovery. I left Sarah to go home. The girls were in Texas for a month.

June
Kylie had her ballet recital. We got to babysit our neice, Ambria for the night while her parents had a getaway before they moved. It was a blessing to care for her. Sarah and the babies got home from Texas and we were there to help. Jeremiah had training for work and was out of town so we had Sarah and her girls over for a sleepover. We also had our church campout. We got our referral for Elijah at the end of the month! I was so happy I cried as I opened the email!

July
We had our fingerprinting appointment this month, our garage sale, and Jeremiah began working a part time job for extra money. We took care of Christella and Sarah's daughter for a week while Helande had a shunt revision in Seattle. I drove down to see her, poor baby. Our family went to the circus, the kids went to VBS and we went to Lake Wenatchee with my family. Christella needed emergency surgery on her shunt while we were gone.

August
We had Helande to stay most of the time at our place to give Sarah some help, and because we loved having her here! We took her to a few appointments in Seattle and I learned a lot about her condition. I also was involved in massage and physical therapy appointments with the girls. I had quite the education! Maybe nursing school or physical therapy is in my future? Who knows. We went to Winthrop with some good friends for a few days.

September
I was really sick for almost a month, and the doctor didn't know what it was after many blood tests. It was some sort of virus they guessed since it affected my liver. They were worried about me going to Haiti, but I was better thankfully before we decided to go. Sarah and I decided it was time to bring the girls home to Haiti. We bought last minute plane tickets to leave at the end of the month. We had an amazing meeting with Lori, the parents and babies. We left for Children of the Promise and volunteered there for several days. I met Elijah! He was so precious. While in Haiti, Jeremiah's grandmother passed away. We all miss her. Mid September Corinn turned nine!

October
We came back from Haiti and stayed in Fort Lauderdale for 2 nights. At home it was a sad time for us. We really missed Helande. Loren was involved in soccer and the kids were taking swim lessons. We heard that Elijah was in IBESR.

November
We began getting ready for winter. We went to Jeremiah's parents house for Thanksgiving and saw family. Loren began wrestling. Christella passed away in Haiti on November 25. A very sad day for us.

December 2007
I enjoyed a night away to celebrate Sarah's birthday. I went to Seattle with my girls to see the Nutcracker. We celebrated Christmas early this year, because of Jeremiah's work schedule. We made plans to go to Haiti in March. We spent the Christmas season surrounded by friends and family. We are so blessed.

Who would have known we would be where we are now? God did! He knew we were Elijah's parents before we had really thought about adopting. How amazing is that? He has greater things in store for us in 2008, I just know it! I can't wait!

Inspired

I woke up at 6:30am this morning. Oh it was hard, I have been very sleepy in the morning these past few months (I've been dealing with thyroid problems), but I made myself do it. I am so glad I did. I am VERY motivated to lose weight, eat healthy and get active. "What?" you ask, "It's not even January yet!" I know, I know... I can't wait. I have 12 weeks to get in a shape other than ROUND for our trip. We will be staying in Fort Lauderdale for 2 days before we can fly to Haiti, so we will probably be spending some time at the beach. I am not a beach bathing beauty at this point! Also, when we get on that little plane to Haiti, we must be weighed. I want to prevent any smirks or comments made by little Haitian men. And, in Haiti it is very hot and humid and more uncomfortable if you are overweight. Sooo, I am highly motivated to get on track. I have tried many times before, but I am ready now.

I woke up and got my walking shoes on and did a workout called Walk Away the Pounds. It is great for beginners and for yucky weather because you can walk 2 miles in your living room. Then I did some crunches and arm exercises and tried a new dvd called Holy Yoga. I actually bought it in the airport in Florida during my last trip to Haiti but have not tried it until now. It was great! It incorporated yoga exercises with bible scripture and prayer. I loved it and it felt so good! It came with a book too that I may try to find time to read.

Now, I am off to make a smoothie. Pray for me please to have strength during the day and the rest of the week, month, year, etc.!

We are going to Haiti

We just bought tickets for March! I am getting excited to go to volunteer at the orphanage for 9 days! We are discussing ways we can help with the kids as we are celebrating Easter and I asked if we can celebrate Elijah's birthday early so we can be there. I am also thinking about getting our church and community involved in a drive for items needed at COTP.
If you are interested in donating items, please visit www.childrenofthepromise.org and click on the NEEDS link on the left side of the page. It contains the mailing address and shipping costs for overseas. (which are reasonable)

We have been blessed to be able to send Elijah a few boxes to share with his buddies and he has also gotten a care package from his aunt and uncle in Germany. I am sure we will see some fun photos of Elijah enjoying his gifts!

"You can't change the world"

These are words I have heard frequently from people in this last year. It saddens me and makes me think. I wish I could, or at least try. I believe change must begin with me. I believe we are to live as Christ would live and love others as Christ would love others. I do not believe the world will change, but I do believe that I can with His help.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

"The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us?"
Dorothy Day

Merry Christmas To Elijah

Dear Elijah,
I miss you so much. I know you may not know me or remember when we met, but the memories I have of my short time in Haiti with you will forever be in my heart. I have dreams of Haiti almost every night and I long to be there again with you, especially while we are apart for the holidays.

I pray every day for you, for the time you will be able to come home to us and live together as a family. I pray the wait will be short and a miracle may happen so we can be together soon. Every day I wait is harder and harder.

I want to show you so many things, Elijah. I want to show you your new home, your sisters and brother, your doggies and kitty, your bed, your toys. I want to show you what a family is and show you all the love your daddy and mommy have for you.

I heard this song by Third Day. It is about an adoptive family who adopted a baby from China but I think of you when I hear the lyrics…

….But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire,
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine.

It’s Christmas time again but you’re not home,
Your family is here and yet you’re somewhere else alone,
So tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in His arms,
And I’ll tell you from my heart, I wish you Merry Christmas.

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights,
I’m warmed by the fire’s glow,
And outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
And make angels in the snow.
But half a world away you try the best to fight your tears,
And hope that heaven’s angels come to carry you here.

Christmas is a time we celebrate the Holy Child,
And we celebrate his perfect gift of Love,
He came to us to give His life and prepare a place for us,
So we could have a home with Him.

It’s Christmas time again but now you’re home,
Your family is here and now you’ll never be alone,
So tonight before you go to sleep I’ll hold you in my arms,
And I’ll tell you from my heart, I wish you Merry Christmas.

I can't wait to be able to tell you Merry Christmas and hold you in my arms. Merry Christmas from all of us Elijah.
I love you,
Mamma

Merry Christmas to us

The girls and I had a great time at the Nutcracker in Seattle. We loved it, and the girls loved staying at the Hilton in Bellevue. It was quite a treat and we were able to finish up our shopping. We celebrated Christmas yesterday because Jeremiah is working over the holiday. We had a nice relaxing day together. The kids of course woke us up early, then we read the bible together and opened gifts. We kept it simple this year and I have to say, it was very nice and less stressful. The kids got some fun toys and things and we received some money from relatives to go toward the adoption. We have about $2500 left to go plus airfare and any additional expenses. Thank you to all who have helped. Anyway, after gifts we ate a nice breakfast, played a game of Clue, watched a movie and ate a snacky type lunch. We had a birthday cake for Jesus. Kylie got to blow the candles out this year. We had a delicious dinner and I was so full by the end of the day. Just a few more days to indulge before diet time!

Tomorrow eve. we are going to a friend's house for dinner and on Christmas day the kids and I are going to my parents house. I wish all of you a very blessed Christmas.

I600 Approval

We got it in the mail today! One less thing to worry about. I think God is trying to cheer me up!

One of those days...

I was very upset this morning, about such a minor problem. Lost glasses. Corinn had a vision checkup this morning and was supposed to bring her new glasses with her. I asked her to set them next to my purse (the brown one!) so that we would know where they are in the morning.
This morning, after a terrible night of sleep (weird dreams and nightmares) I got the kids and I ready to go. I went to grab the glasses case and noticed, no glasses. Corinn was NO help trying to find them at the last minute. We never did before we had to leave. I was so irritated and it was like a months worth of stress had just broken loose. I have been upset at the lack of respect the kids have had about chores, taking care of their things, etc.
Yesterday I put away some bicycles that have been out in the rain for about 2 months. One of them was very rusty and the wheels would not move.
To top it off, there is a mouse nest under our minivan hood. The tech. found it when he was changing our oil. Great. Wonder if he is friends with the mouse in the wall by our bed? I don't like this part of country living.
So I open my email today and got a very nice encouraging email from my awesome sister in law, telling me how much they miss us and what a neat family we are. I love ya Heidi, it was so nice to hear!

A good recipe to try...

Turkey Cranberry Wreath

2 packages refrigerated crescent rolls
2 cups cooked turkey or chicken chopped
1/4 cup celery (about 2 stalks)
3/4 cup craisins
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp honey dijon mustard
1 granny smith apple (peeled,cored and sliced)

Mix all ingredients together except for the crescent rolls. Place crescent rolls on a round stone, large ends overlapping. Place a scoop of filling on each crescent roll. Wrap crescent roll over top of filling. Bake for 20- 25 minutes at 375*F. Sprinkle cheese over top.

You can omit the apple, it is good either way! We will be enjoying this recipe at our early Christmas celebration.

Santa Baby

Just got these precious pictures today. I miss Elijah a ton and I can't wait to see him again.

My baby brother's gift

Guest blogger: Kylie
My name is Kylie and I am four years old. I wanted to give Elijah a present for Christmas, one I picked out all by myself. I wrapped up a penny in some paper towel and told mom it was for Elijah. She told me that he might choke on it. So I found a toy elephant in my toy box. I wrapped it in a paper towel and asked mom, "Does Haiti have a mail box, Mom?" Mom said that she already sent a box for Elijah and his friends to Haiti and that she would give him my gift when she goes there again. I wanted to be sure she didn't forget so I asked her, "Which purse are you bringing to Haiti?". Mom has lots of purses. She said she's bringing the brown one.

Our Christmas Letter

Christmas wishes from the Smith family!

We have had a wonderful year here in beautiful Western WA. We are still busy as ever, with three active kids, two spastic dogs, and a cat that hides under the house. We are in the process of adding to the chaos by adopting a 20-month-old boy from Haiti. His name is Elijah and we are so excited to bring him home in the next year (hopefully). Kim became involved in volunteer work for an organization called Real Hope for Haiti. She traveled to Texas for a week to be with two infants with severe health problems while they had life saving surgery. As a family we helped care for these babies while they were healing. One baby, Helande, was living with us for several months. The kids helped out a lot and treated her like their baby sister. In the fall Kim traveled with the two babies and her friend Sarah to Haiti to bring the girls home and volunteer in the orphanage we are adopting from. She met Elijah and gave him lots of hugs and bobos (Creole for kisses).

Last month, one of the precious babies we cared for died at a Haitian hospital. She is now in heaven and has no more pain. Ella will always be in our hearts.

Jeremiah is involved on our church’s worship team. He plays drums, guitar, sings, leads the team once a month and has even played electric guitar a few times. He really has grown as a musician and loves to serve in this way. He has also taken on a second job working for a friend who builds custom homes. This has been great for those adoption expenses and travel costs. He has a lot of time off from his "real" job, so he can work a few days in a row with Doug. What a blessing.

Kim is busy with home schooling the kids. Loren and Corinn attend a program through the school district for home schooling families. It has been a great balance for us. The kids go to fun, educational classes twice a week and Mom enjoys the break. Her traveling with babies was the highlights of her year. She has learned so much and has really fallen in love with the children of Haiti. Her goal for 2008 is to learn to speak Creole.

Loren will be 11 in March. He was involved in soccer last fall and is now in wrestling. This is his first season so he is learning a lot. He is in 5th grade and classes at home are getting tougher but he’s up for the challenge. Loren has a big heart and is an excellent big brother.

Corinn is 9 and is so creative. She is always drawing or making something out of paper, clay, cardboard…anything! She has been doing very well in school this year and enjoys all the art classes she is taking. One of the classes at school is called The Art of Public Speaking. She told me that she was disappointed because they haven’t done any art, just speaking. I think the name threw her off! She also has a great love for animals. Our poor dog, Jackson, is always being towed around but he loves her anyway. He sleeps at her feet every night.

Kylie is going to be 5 in February. She loves anything girly. She likes to style hair, apply makeup and dress up. She likes to dance in the living room for whoever will watch her. She is taking ballet lessons and really enjoys it. Kylie can’t wait to start kindergarten in the fall. She has a lot of little friends at the kids’ school and church.

This year we are celebrating Christmas at home, and even a few days early since Jeremiah will be working on the 24th and 25th. I don’t think the kids will mind opening gifts early. For year round updates on our family including pictures, check out our website- smithshaitibaby.blogspot.com

We hope you have a very happy holiday season and God bless you in 2008!

With love,

Oh Christmas Tree!

This is Jeremiah's son!

Enjoying the two fistfuls of chocolate cake!

Elijah likes cake

We got some pictures of Elijah during some recent celebrations at COTP. "Elijah likes cake" was the title of many photos of him! So cute. We nicknamed him "Bubba". Doesn't it suit him?

Helande

Here is a recent picture of Helande. I miss her so much my heart aches. Jeremiah said that maybe when we go to Haiti we can pack an empty suitcase and bring her home with us. He was kidding of course! She is doing well with her parents and they are so happy to have her with them, healthy.

Nutcracker ballerina

Kylie is having her Christmas performance tonight. It's sort of an adaptation of the Nutcracker. This Thursday the girls and I are going to Seattle with my mom. She is treating us to see the real Nutcracker ballet. Then we are staying at a hotel in Bellevue. Can't wait!

Some hopeful news...

I saw this online today...
There is a meeting on the 18th of December between IBESR, MOI, and Parquet to discuss files that have biological children. I believe all dossiers will be signed before the new law takes effect. Our lawyer is certain of it after talking to Parquet.


I hope and pray that the situation gets worked out and that Elijah will be signed out of IBESR soon!

Prayer Requests for COTP

Please pray for Children of the Promise, Haitian adoptions and the people of Haiti.


"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6

Praises!!!

- Wilnise went home to Florida on November 30 to her adoptive family!

- Nadege went home to Alberta and to her adoptive family on December 4.

- Mathieu went home to Oregon on December 6 to his adoptive family!

- Lily turned 4 on November 22, Woosben turned 4 on November 25, Obenson turned 4 on December 5, Kassandra turned 4 on December 6, and Reggie turned 1 year old on December 7! We are so thankful for the lives of these precious children!

-We are so thankful for good volunteers! Christina and Nancy have been a huge blessing to us, the babies, and the COTP staff. Please pray for continued health and strength for them as they wrap up their time here!

-Mary Young is also here right now and we are thankful for the time she can be here and the love she can bring to our kids!!

-Maria and Arlyn had a wonderful time in the Dominican Republic. They are now back at COTP – we are glad to have them back! J

-The flu bug and the fevers are gone!! Thanks for praying!

-Jacque has his passport!

-Jeffley is out of MOI!!!

-Landie is out of IBESR



The Staff and Volunteers

-Pray for Daryl and Sara, Blake and Katie, Maria, and Arlyn as they oversee the daily operation of Children of the Promise. This is a big job and can be overwhelming and very tiring at times! Pray for patience, strength, good health, and wisdom and discernment with all the decisions they need to make.

-Mary will be flying home to South Carolina on December 13, pray for safe travels for her.

-Nancy will be flying home to Montana on December 16, pray for safe travels for her.

-Christina will be flying home to Michigan on December 19, pray for safe travels for her.

-Pray for Antonio, Paulaine, and Clegy as they gather the paperwork necessary for adoptions and then get that paperwork to where it needs to go. Pray that the three of them will be able to work together effectively as a team and that they will not become overwhelmed and frustrated. Pray for them as they speak to our babies’ biological families and work with them to make the best decision for their children’s future.

-Fifi (one of our nannies) gave birth to a stillborn little baby on November 22. Please pray for her and for her husband as they go through this hard time that doesn’t make sense to them or to us. Pray for comfort for her.

-Continue to keep Suzette, our other nanny who lost her baby recently, in your prayers. She is doing better but still missing her little boy.

-Two of our nannies: Mme Ga and Nadia are pregnant. Pray for a good pregnancy and healthy babies for both of them.



The Children

-Pray that Christy will grow and thrive as she is transitioning from living at COTP to now living with her biological father. Pray that if she becomes sick that her father will take her back to us so that we can give her the medical attention/care that she needs.

-Wich-Love is our newest addition to the COTP family! She came on December 7 weighing 14lbs. She is 6 months old. Her mother is not capable of caring for her and her father is at a complete loss of what to do with her. Wich-Love is failure to thrive and is not interested in drinking at all. For the time being we are feeding her formula by syringe. Pray that she will start drinking from a bottle and grow into a happy and healthy little girl!!

-We have a lot of little ones right now. Pray that they will all grow, thrive, and gain weight. They are: Emmanuel (5 weeks), Jed (5 months), Richard (6 months), Nikenson (6 months), Wich-Love (6 months), Naomie (8 months), Yanise (8 months), Ruth-Nallie (8 months), and Daniella (10 months).

-Pray for our HIV positive children: Jeniflore and Samuel. Pray for good health for them.

-Yanise is in the hospital right now suffering from a sickle cell crisis. She is on oxygen and requiring IV fluids to keep her hydrated and IV antibiotics. Pray for wisdom for the doctors and nurses caring for her. Pray that the medications she is on will be effective.

-Continue praying for Ruth-Nallie’s health. She is growing and becoming stronger and healthier but she is still tiny and weak with a long road ahead of her! Her echocardiogram showed that she has an ASD – we are not sure of the severity of it at this point. She may need surgery, she may not. Pray for her heart to stay strong (right now she is showing minimal symptoms of having a heart defect which is a huge praise!) and that she will gain weight and not get sick again. Pray for wisdom for us as we care for her.

-Pray that God would be preparing Jesse’s, Moise’s, Isabelle’s, and Jacque’s hearts for this huge transition that is coming up. All four of them will be going home to their adoptive families within the next few weeks. Jesse and Moise are both 5 years old, Isabelle is 2 ½ years old, and Jacque is 3 years old. Pray that it will be a smooth transition for them and for their adoptive families.



Adoptions and Medical Visas

-Pray for adoptive homes for Yanise and Ruth-Nallie.

-Pray for patience and peace for adoptive families as they wait for their little one(s) to come home. We have had so many frustrating setbacks with papers and legalities and a lot of adoptive families are really discouraged. We, at COTP, are also really discouraged with how long things are taking. We are bursting at the seams and this makes it difficult to take in new babies that need care and have nowhere else to go. We need our children with adoptive families to start going home to their forever families so that we can decrease our numbers and be able to accept more sick and/or orphaned infants. Our kids are getting older and it’s also important for them to be home with their families before they grow up too much. L This may seem like a repetitive request but it is urgent.

-Pray that things in MOI would begin to speed up and that more of our files would be signed out soon. We are beginning to see files coming out of MOI and this is a huge praise. We have heard rumors that a lot of files should be coming out of MOI before the end of this year. Pray that that is true!

-We have many children that are out of MOI and in the final stages of the adoption process before they will be able to go home. Pray that these children: Jesse, Moise, Isabelle, Jacque, Kassandra, Noah, Pierre, and Jeffley will be able to go to their forever families soon!

-Pray that passports would be issued for Pierre and Jeffley soon!

-Pray that the papers for Jesse and Moise would be fixed this week so that they can go home to their adoptive family.

-Pray that the paper situation with Jacque will be straightened out this week so that he can also go home. Pray the same for Noah.

-Kassandra is out of MOI but she has a sibling, Robert, that is still in MOI. Pray that Robert will exit MOI soon so that Kassandra and Robert can go home to their adoptive family soon!

-We are helping another missionary with getting a little boy out on a medical visa. This little boy is living with his family outside of Cap-Haitien. He was born with his heart in his abdominal area. His heart is just underneath his skin – there is nothing (like a rib cage!) protecting it. One little fall could cost him his life. He is now 2 years old and Antonio is working hard at getting him to the US for surgery. He does have his passport now!! Pray that the rest of the pieces will fall into place quickly so he can travel soon. Pray for protection and good health for this little boy until his visa is ready and pray that all the paperwork will come together quickly!

-We are also working on a medical visa for two hydrocephalic children whose families have come to us asking for help. These children are still living with their families. Henri is 4 ½ months old and Joanise is 15 months old. A doctor, along with 2 hospitals – one in Pennsylvania and one in Delaware, have offered free care for these two children as well as many other hydrocephalic children that another organization here in Haiti is working to get medical visas for. This is a HUGE praise but now we have to raise the money for Joanise and Henri and get everything in place so they can head for the States. Please be praying for these two children!!

To Ella's mom and dad

This is a letter I wrote this morning to Chrstella's parents. They are going to be at Lori's clinic tomorrow and Sarah is gathering notes, pictures and letters from people to give them.



December 10, 2007

Dear John Robert and Guerda,

I wanted to write to tell you how very sorry I am about the loss of Christella. You must miss her very much. My family and I miss her very much too. She was such a blessing and joy.

I can’t believe how much she has endured in her short life, but she was so brave. I remember after meeting her at the airport and taking her to the hospital, she never cried, even in so much pain. She was so sick, but most people would have not have ever known.

When she was healthier she was such a happy little girl. She brought so much joy to everyone she met. Our family was able to care for her in our home over the summer while Sarah was in the hospital with Helande. She was so sweet and lovable and was a delight to care for. I loved to play with her; she would clap her hands and smile her silly grin.

I was so honored to have been involved with Sarah in helping with Christella and Helande. It was a blessing to travel to Haiti and bring Christella to you, healed and recovered from surgery. I will never forget how I felt when I saw her reunited with her mother. It was so good to meet you, Guerda, and hear your kind words. I will always be praying for you and your family.

We grieve with you for Christella and we hope that you will find comfort in the Lord. He is a great and loving Father who loves us all. He is playing with Christella in heaven and she is smiling her silly grin.



With love,
Kim

New Haircut

I got a haircut today with my friend Sarah. She called me the other day after watching Oprah saying that we need to go get a new do. I was so thankful for her hubby to take my kids to school today. Her daughter watched Kylie too! It was so nice to get pampered. Then we went to a tea/restaurant place in Lynden for lunch. Yummy. We stopped in a few little shops and found some fun things to buy. It was a very nice break with a great friend. Loved it.

Kylie also has a new haircut. She cut her hair last week for the third time in her short little life. She loves the scissors! I am a bad mom for having them accessible (just ask my mom). I now have all scissors up out of reach of four year olds. She cut her bangs very short. (at least this time it is just her bangs) She has ballet pictures tomorrow morning and a recital for Christmas next week. I am praying that they will grow fast before then! I tried to put her hair in a bun to practice and her poor hair looks hideous. I am also telling everyone that SHE did it, not me, in case they were wondering.

Girls Night in Canada

My friend Sarah's birthday is today and to celebrate we went to Harrison Hot Springs in Canada for the night. It was so nice and relaxing. Driving home we got a good sprinkling of snow, and there is about one or two inches at home right now. I hope it continues for a bit. I am not a fan of driving in snow, but if we are home, I love it. So pretty with all the trees around our house.