Happy Decade Birthday Matt!

10 years ago Chris and I had a great but tiny surprise when Matt was born about a month early. My first thought when I saw him was that he was this perfect little tiny skinny baby. We sat and watched him for hours on end.

Now - Matt is my sweet, athletic, sports-intellect, PS3 addicted, considerate little man. He might have started out small but now he is nearing my height and his feet - well, I try on a pair of shoes and know that they'll fit him.

Chris and I took 5 little men to play laser tag, eat pizza and cookie cake and then had the big sleepover. I hate sleepovers so I limit it to the number of kiddos that won't drive me completely mad! Every year the number gets smaller! Hey - I'm no dummy.

Here's some pictures of Matt through the years. I am reminded that in 6 years he'll be driving, in 8 years he'll be moving out (we have a rule on that - graduate and go away to school) and until then, I get to savour all the good times and try to find amusement in the bad.

Matt lived in overalls!


Almost 2 years old - I adore this picture!


Old Navy Overalls - what else?

Always had big smiles for the camera.

Who came up with 3 year old soccer?

Big Baseball fan!

1st Day of School


Who knocked your tooth out?


Love Hubers!

Ohio State Champion! Don't mess with him!


One of my favorite shots!

Always a great brother! Well - most of the time!

1/2 Year Point!

To think - 6 months ago we "got on the list". It was one of the happiest & saddest days. The paperwork was over YES but we were told 20+ month wait to referral NO and it has shortened so now we're looking at 6 more months to referral. The first 6 months has gone really fast and I'm sure life won't settle down any before June so it will be here before I know it. Although - my disgust for the cold weather seems to make winter drag on.

So we're much closer than we were... #30 to #10 but other than that - everything is the same. Except did I mention it's a lot colder and I hate it? The boys are still extremely excited about their baby sister. We talk about Mia all the time. They are so excited to travel to Thailand and see where she lived. We pray this political instability straightens out before then. Mark still has not tried Thai food (and I'd be shocked if he does) but since Dunkin Donuts, Pizza Hut and Burger King are close to the Amari (our hotel), it sounds like that won't be the issue I once thought it was. And of course, I'll still be taking 2 weeks worth of Jiff travel packs, crackers, Doritos and Oreos!

My Pimsleurs Thai - I'm on Lesson #5 - doing ok with it. I'm actually learning some very helpful phrases. I'm not sure if I'll ever need them. But from previous experience (trying to find large cups in a Mexican Wal-Mart) it's good to know a bit of the native language. I got out Donde Esta Grande Cups? They laughed at me as I held my hand up to my mouth as I would a coffee cup. But they were very helpful in locating cups. Anyway - back on task - So I've decided to make note cards since I'm a visual person not an auditory person. I think that will make a huge difference. Let you know in January!

TOP 10!!!

We're in the top 10!

#10 to be exact! Our SW said hopefully we will receive a referral in June. That is such fantastic news. June referral means that hopefully we will bring Mia home in 2009!

Of course, this is international adoption so nothing is certain but we can hope.

6 months until we see her face, know her name, read her history.

We applied to adopt nearly 10 months ago.
We finished our Dossier nearly 6 months ago.