Getting Here: My Journey to Now

You can read the beginning of this story last Monday.

From there God laid a path of adoption before me.  I was Cubbie Director in an Awana program that was 80% to 90% unchurched-almost all low-income families. I saw the hurt.  Working with those kids led me to want to work with kids.  I knew I wanted to work with low income, hurting families.  However, I wasn't sure how.

My youth group leader in high school was a preschool teacher.  She wisely told me that Children's Ministry and Preschool Teacher was not where God was calling me.  Laura introduced me to FCS, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Home Ec?  What?  Actually its so MUCH more then that.  There is a component to FCS that is Human Development and Family Relationships.  One of the best schools for this major was Illinois State University.

I entered ISU with a desire to adopt and a plan to work with hurting kids and families.  But God wanted to teach me more.  He led me to a church where the Youth Director had started just a year or two before.  He was married to an amazing woman who was passionate about orphans.  What I didn't realize was the year I arrived God was stiring in her heart a desire to start an Orphan Care Ministry.

Almost two years after arriving at that church I approached her about joining her team.  This woman has been amazing and encouraging friend.  I am so thankful for her.  She has educated me, pushed me, and helped me to learn when to hold back.  Her passion encourages mine, and her wisdom helps me stay grounded.

All of this led to Tony and I saying yes to two precious girls.  God would shut the door on those amazing children, but use it to draw my heart to where it is now.    It is amazing to see where God put each piece of the puzzle into place.  Without taking me through the hoops, I don't think I would be were I am now.

Getting Here: My Journey to Now

I've shared how we started foster care.  How God drew my very opposed heart to this point.  But I was sold on God's plan to care for orphans way before that.  Adoption was a part of the everyday conversation when we got married.

God began drawing my heart to adoption in high school.  I went on a missions trip to Brazil with Awana.  In my training six months before, other teams began talking about going to orphanages in India.  My heart began to stir.  When I asked my mom if they would adopt a child from another country if I fell in love with an orphan, I was shocked that with six kids she said, "yes".  That "yes" showed me things like adoption were real, not just dreams.

On my team was Erinn, an on fire for the Lord, spunky, fun, teenager.  There was something unique about Erinn.  Her family was currently waiting to bring home two precious treasures from Africa.  Those kids' picture captured my heart.

I may have asked a few lot of questions about adoption those two weeks.  I may have slightly really annoyed Erinn.  However, she answered every single question.  I'm not even sure if she remembers that.  But God used her at a strategic time in my life to capture my heart for His future.  Her parents would be really proud of her.

You can read the rest of the story next Monday.

Being Thankful

We are doing Awana at Home with our kids this summer and into the school year.  We absolutely love it.  There is no planning involved, very little supplies, and our kids have so much fun.  One night we talk about God is the Creator.  We talked about what we were thankful for that God made.  Then we went outside and drew it on the side walk.  I loved to see what my kids came up with.

Being Honest About Being Honest

The other day our kiddo had a rough time in Sunday School.  I felt like a miserable failure.  We had put some things into place so that the teacher would not have to go through this, but those things didn't work out.  The extreme agitation stemmed from Mommy and Daddy being gone the night before, so he didn't get everything the way her normally does....then Mommy and Daddy turning right back around and plopping him in Sunday School.

When I picked him up he was the worst I had ever seen.  Tony and I worked to get him calmed down, and we partially succeed (he was still pretty edgy, but not terrible).  We had a potluck at church, so lots of people.  I walked through most of that afternoon on the brink of tears.  I asked Tony if he could tell, he said he couldn't.

Really?  I'm not so good at hiding emotions.

Lots of people asked the, "how are you?" question.  And I know some of those people really did care.  But on my face was a smile and a "I'm alright."  I was NOT going to cry at a church potluck.  I was not going to blubber my way through a story that most people wouldn't understand anyway.  I was NOT going to be honest.

I think most of the time, that's the way it is.  I know that this person and this person and this person are struggling with all these things, but when we come face to face we plaster on fake smiles and say we are fine.  It is hard to find people to be honest with.

Why is that?  Fear of judgement? Fear of understanding? Fear of vulnerability?  Feeling like the other person lacks interest? Or time? Or compassion?  I know that this is true for why I don't take the time to listen to others.

I want to be a better listener, a more empathetic friend, a person to take the time.  I want to be that, because I seriously need others to be that for me at times. 

Curtians from Mama Made It

A few weeks ago my friend Rachel at Mama Made It had an awesome give away.  I was so excited when I won.  We added this super cute book to our library:  

 

We love books about little girls who don't fit the typical mold.  Chloe is no exception.  The book is quickly becoming a favorite.  I also won a gift card to Joann's Fabric.  It took me a week to look at my list of projects I wanted to do and decided (with some help from my husband) to complete the curtains for these windows:

 

I love our window seat but it is a massive area to cover with curtians so it has gone undone for a year and a half.  

I snagged this beautiful fabric at Joann's.  I adore it.  And one of these days when I finish this project I will show it to you!! 

 If you are looking for unique, adorable, and affordable little girl dresses or baby doll clothes you HAVE to check Rachel out on her blog or etsy shop. 

Anniversary

Thursday morning I was doing last minute packing to head out for our vacation when I got a text: "Happy Anniversary. Love Dad"  I called Tony over, gave him a kiss, and said "Happy Anniversary."  We sorta forgot about it.  It was in the back of our heads the whole time but neither one of us woke up that morning thinking, "it's our anniversary."  That being said I didn't want to completely forget about it in the blogging world.

This year we looked a bit different.  I had my annual hair chop and Tony decided to shave his beard.  Its the first time he has shaved since we got engaged.

This is what we have looked like for the last four years:

 

This is what we looked like on our anniversary:

 

Sorry, its not the most attractive picture....it was the end of the day, in our pj's.  And for everyone curious Tony is already growing the beard back.

To my dear sweet husband.  THANK YOU for who you are.  We have spent both our hardest and most rewarding years together.  You are an amazing man.  You put your family above everything but your relationship with God.  I'm so thankful that God chose us to and that he has given us four marvelous years together!  U kive tiy!

 

Picture Perfect: Vacation

We headed to the Indiana State National Dunes this past weekend.  We enjoyed four days of camping, hiking, and the beach.  We were thrilled to be able to spend the day with my sister and her family.  We also took Our Guy on his first real vacation.  Here are a few snapshots of the weekend.

Quick Family Update

Sorry I have been so quiet lately.  I have been trying to be more intentional about my time spent as a mom, wife, and caretaker of my home.  We have also been BUSY with Awana.  Our club year is almost over which means that Tony and I are our busiest right now.  I figured I would send a VERY quick update on a few things.

Sweet Pea:

She is doing wonderful.  She is down to a diaper for just nap time.  We are planning to home school preschool in the fall AND she will be starting Cubbies at Awana.  It will keep her busy but I think she will love it.  She is SO funny.  Check out more of her stories at Daily Laughing.

Tony:

Tony is busy finishing up his club year duties at Awana.  Work has also been keeping him on his toes lately.  He will be taking the GMAT in a little over a week.  This makes me a nervous wife, but I know he is working hard at studying.  We are praying he  has good enough scores to get into the grad program that we feel is best for our family late this fall.  He is already looking forward to our vacation this summer.

Heather:

I am busy helping Tony finish up stuff for the Awana year.  I've also been doing things for another ministry I run also.  I just finished up an amazing Precepts Bible Study on Philippians.  I also am more then ready for vacation.

Foster Care:

We have had our license for three weeks, but have not received a call (our most frequently asked question).  However, I don't believe our agency has been "on call" those weeks either.  Even when our agency is on call it doesn't mean they will have a child placed, or that we will be the family they contact.  I am hourly turning my anxiety and desire to fill our home over to God.  It's not been easy.      

Finding Time to Date

Dinner at a decent restaurant......$25

Movies (with out snacks)....$16

Putt-Putt Golf....$8

Bowling...$14

Coffee for two....$10

Babysitting....$25

I love going on dates with my husband.  It's important to help us stay connected and keep the romance alive.  However, the things we like to do on dates (above) cost MONEY, especially when you throw in that last line of babysitting. We just can't afford to do it too often. 

 Recently Tony and I decided we needed to do something about it, so we came up with dates at home.  Here is how it works: every other Thursday one of us chooses an activity for us to do after Addilece goes to bed.  We focus on that all day and the night just seems extra special.  It has been so much fun to date my hubby again.



Picture by Katie Zeller

1. Switch who plans....

If I am required to plan the date each week I will burn out pretty quickly.  Each of us planning allows us to enjoy our time together and add our personality to the date.

2. Set a small budget...

Our budget is $5 a month.  If we don't use it goes in an envelope.  This helps us to make the night a little more enjoyable without the stress of money.   

3. Make the night extra special...

Each of us tries to do one or two things to make our night special.  One night we had homemade iced mocha's while we watched a movie.  Another night Tony got a half pint of my favorite ice cream, which we shared while looking at the stars and talking.  I'm hoping to buy a package of oreos and enjoy them while playing a board game.  We've cuddled under blankets and talked, done puzzles, and enjoyed treats that we don't get on a regular bases. 



Picture by Katie Zeller

4. Keep it simple....

The fact that our daughter is sleeping upstairs and the budget is low means we have to keep it pretty simple.  We try and do just one special treat and add an activity.  This leaves the pressure to top another date or keep it interesting low.  We have fun just being together.

Traditional dates are still very enjoyable and we do try to go on them a few times a year.  However, this allows us to being intentional and focused with worry about securing a babysitter, getting home in time, and lots of money.  It's also been fun to see our relationship deepen.

Taking Time to Look Back

Addilece's birthday brings about a mixed bag of emotions for Tony and myself.  We are beyond thrilled to have a child who is a year older.  We feel so blessed to be her parents.  However, it also brings memories filled with a whole range of emotion as we relive the hours and days after our child's birth.  Things like the sinking feeling as I sat on the hospital bed, having just been cleaned up, to feel more blood (an abnormal amount of blood) gush out onto my pad and even my bed.  Holding my new baby girl's picture in ICU realizing I had been apart from her longer than I had been with her.  How glorious that turkey sandwich tasted after going with out food for so long.  Sending our child to the nursery so we could pray and cry together, just be together.  Having our Pastor and his wife pray over us.  Taking a shower.  Walking.  Good and bad, they all come back to me. 

Addilece's birthday fell on a Sunday this year.  So, when one of our friends asked about it being her birthday I asked him, "Can you believe it's been two years?"  He said, "I can't. I remember it well.  We were really praying for you guys."  I don't think I will ever forget the look on his face.  How grateful I am for him and his wife.  I'm grateful because I know there are a few out there like them who haven't forgotten.  They were walking right beside us back then and continue to walk beside us now. 

Looking back, remembering all of these things, connecting in a unique way with people who are so dear to us, allows me to see the journey God has had us on.  He given us a passion to help the hurting and lost deeper than I could ever imagined.  We are less focused on ourselves and see God's bigger picture for our lives.  We have learned to grieve while resting in God's reassurance and blessings.  Our faith has grown as we see God's sovereignty play out in our lives. 

I would love to hold another newborn in my arms again.  I would love to discuss who they look like "mommy or daddy".  But never at the expense of where we are now.  God has us on this amazing journey, first into adoption world, and now into the foster care world.  He is opening our eyes to His heart.  I could never give any of that up.  I know God's heart and purpose is so much greater than anything I could ever fathom.

This song, Blessings by Laura Story, is a great summary of what these last two years have been to us.

Daily Schedule

I hate to admit it but I have some up with a daily schedule for myself.  I never wanted to be tied into something like that.  However, I'm discovering if I don't I let myself loose time on worthless stuff, I can go whole days without reading to my kiddo or taking time to really focus on her (and constantly telling Tony I should really do more of xyz with her), and I wasn't going to be able to accomplish some of the schooling goals we have for Addilece in the future.  I'm trying to remember that it is a guideline and not set in stone.  Here it is:

6:30- wake up and eat breakfast (my hubby laughed when he saw this because he gets up at 6 with Addilece, but he didn't tell me I needed to change it.  Gotta love a man who knows his wife and her need for sleep.)
7-7:15- Get Tony out the door (iron shirt, pack lunch, etc)
7:15-8:00- Get Addilece and myself ready for the day (shower for me, bath for Addilece, get dressed)....sometime in here I squeeze in 10 minutes of working out.
8:00-9:00- Load of laundry and load of dishes, prep for supper (thaw meat, start crock pot or bread machine if needed)/ Addilece has free play (we are trying to prep her for being a sibling and going to school by playing on her own for parts of the day
9:00-11:30- Addilece Time (we do a learning segment which will be more concrete in the fall, we do a Bible time, we play outside, take walks, go to the Library, read, color, etc)
11:30- Lunch (although this has been more like 11 to 11:15) and clean up
12:00- Reading time (we read two book of Addilece's choice and a chapter book)
12:30- Daddy calls
1:00-2:00- Mommy Time (Bible study, nap, reading, computer)/ Addilece naps
2:00-4:00- Clean house (big projects)/Addilece Naps
4:00-5:00- Get ready for Tony to come home (straighten house, put on makeup if not done already, sweep and vaccum, make bed)/Addilece gets a snack and watches a show then either does a directed activity, hangs out on the porch, or does free play
5:00-6:00- Get supper ready/ Addilece helps, plays, and sets the table (one of her daily jobs, along with picking her her plate after all three meals and putting away her toys)
6:00-6:30- Supper and clean up
6:30-7:45- Family time (play, walk, read, maybe a movie)
7:45- Bedtime Routine begins
8:00- Addilece goes to bed and adult time begins

How is it working?  Alright.  I'm not always on top of things but even on unproductive days I get more done then before.  How about you?  Do you have a daily schedule?  Do you like it?  e

Overwelhming

That is how things feel right now......overwelhming.  The list of everything we can do on the house that we don't need to have money for to do is LONG.  Sometimes I wonder if we will ever get anywhere.  When I think that we've been here 2 1/2 weeks I wonder what we've done for those weeks.  I mean, really I know what we've done, but it makes me feel like its nothing. 

Here is the list:
1. Kitchen cabinets-paint (4 coats to complete each one)
2. Take chair rail off of kitchen walls
3. Strip wall paper in kitchen (it's painted over by the way)
4. Paint kitchen walls
5. Deep clean: entryway, living room, dining room, kitchen, upstairs hallway, office, and Addilece's future room.
6. De-growth yard (this has about a million projects that fall into this category)
7. Remove rocks from around house.
8. Replace missing siding on porch (thankful its also in the garage....we think they might not of known how to finish it)
9. Finish preparing dirt for garden
10. Plant garden
11. Take down ALL lights....clean and paint most of them.
12. Strip wall paper in the dinning room (it's also painted over....fun)
13. Remove falling paint on entryway ceiling and paint.
14.Clean almost every other ceiling in house and see what else needs repainted.

Other Possibles:
1. Paint guest room (and anything else those three gallons will cover)
2. Paint upstairs bathroom (part of those three gallons??? hopefully)

Projects with just a little bit of money:
1. Downstairs bathroom: probably need to buy some drywall....probably have paint for it and found tiles in the garage.....this will only work if the items in there (sink, toilet, bath) are savable.
2. Mud area: If we have paint, then I just need to spray paint some hooks and purchase some totes for shoes.

Like I said...its a LOT!  We've gotten questions of when are we going to tackle a "big" project....but there aren't any "big" projects at this point.  Its just a million little projects.  When you throw in the daily dishes, cleaning, mowing, church and other responsibilities it gets to be a lot.  Then top it off with stuff like part of your ceiling falls in (b/c the roof USED to be leaking...but isn't anymore...thanks to a friend).

So that's life right now.  And that's why posts will be sparse for a while.

Can I Give It Up?

As you started to read here, Tony and I are going through the process of where to put our resources (time, money, talents, possessions) to best give God glory.  I think God is using our open hearts to test us in more ways then we could imagine.  When He does that, it tends to bring out the bad and ugly!

Recently, our Bible Study decided we were going to donate stuff to a local homeless shelter.  As I began looking though the list I noticed a few things on there that we have stockpiled.  I thought....oh I can give a couple of those (specifically cans of spaghetti sauce).  Immediately I felt God nudging digging DEEP into my heart. "Only a couple?" "Why yes, a couple is fine....I need the rest for my family."

Did you hear that?  I was telling God that I  couldn't give up more to the homeless, least of these, in our very own community.  Ouch!  I would give two cans.  I had purchased 10 and I "needed" most of those for my family...so two it was.  I couldn't stop thinking about those two cans. 

One day after finishing my Bible Study for the day I pulled back out the list and looked at it.  Again God said, "Two?" "Ok God...three?  four?  five?"  Yes, five it was.  There are now three cans left.....PLENTY to get me through to the next sale.  Then I started going through the list again and was able to find a few other things I could give up.  Later that night I told Tony about my amazing selfishness, my lack of trust (again.....I mean what if I have to spend an extra $.30 on some spaghetti sauce next time I shop....can you hear the sarcasm?), and what I was planning to do.  I asked Tony if I could match dollar for dollar what I was pulling out of our stockpile and get a few other things.  Absolutely and then some.

But God wasn't done yet.  I had still been fighting Him on the issue of the razors I had in my stockpile.  See I knew the the one I currently had desperately needed to be replaced.  So I decide of the two I had stockpiled, the "worse" one would go.  As soon as I opened the box this morning the better one was sitting there.  God had already been asking me if I could give it up.....I picked it up and shifted through the box for a minute looking for the other razor.  Then I looked back at the first one and walked away from the box with it.  I couldn't believe how hard it was to give up.

Ok, I'm sure your thinking, "wow you really couldn't give that up for someone homeless?"  Yes, I was really struggling but it wasn't the stockpile that really was the issue.  It was security.  Where is my security?  At that moment it was lying in stuff.  Stuff I had built up to "protect" my family.  The higher prices rise the more I want to protect that for my family.  I put my trust and security in that and not God. 

That stockpile can represent so many things.  It could be that newest electronic you have to have.  The desire to go out to eat, your job, your shoe collection, your car, your kids.  Yes, those are ALL God's.  But when we hold on to those things, when we draw lines in the sand and say "no God you stop here" is, when we go too far.  Having and doing those things are NOT bad at all.  But its how it controls your heart that is.  And maybe the struggle is for something much more simple like me.  Maybe its books that you get up tight about if the pages come back bent.  Maybe its your child's toy that your afraid is going to get broken if you invite that family into your home.  Whatever it is God wants it.  He gave it too you and he wants it back.  I'm sure in this whole journey this won't be the first time God convicts me of holding on way too tight.  I pray that through it all I would be rid of myself and give him all the honor and glory.

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have give you only what comes from your hands. 

1 Chronicles 29:14

Picture Perfect: Goofy Girl

Glasses and a Goofy Girl!

Picture Perfect: Snow Day

Snow Day...

As 2/3's of the country knows, we got hit with a MAJOR blizzard here.  It put Tony out of work and us stuck at home.  I'm not complaining though because we kept our power and had a blast!

We declared it a pj, snack, fun (meaning no stress over cleaning) day!

Another Day, Another Step

I went to the OBGYN today for my yearly check-up.  I've been 3 other times since Addilece's birth (minus the initial post baby checks).  For the first time it was REALLY hard.  Seeing the other pregnant women.  Again realizing that if I had it my way I would be caring another little on right now.  Realizing for the first time that I (with no other complications) would only be seeing this doctor once a year.  That was rather hard to swallow, seeing that I went to her in the first place because I was pregnant and wanted her to deliver my baby.

There isn't really a "lesson" or a "point" to this post.  I just felt like sharing another step, another thing that I didn't realize would take me by surprise, another change.  Thanks for letting me share.  Sometimes its good to have another outlet that isn't my sweet husband.  I think I break his poor heart too much.

2011 Goals

I've tried New Year's Resolutions before without much success and no accountability.  So this year I'm going to do goals for 2011.  When I look at this post in a year I wonder how many things I will have finished.  Feel free to keep me accountable.

1. Buy and begin to fix up our first home.
2. Finish our wedding scrapbook (not even half way done, pathetic I know) and begin Addilece's "Life Story" book (we aren't doing a "baby book" with her due to the fact that none of our other children will have baby books....we are going to try and make them as similar as possible).
3.  Spend two kid free weekends with my hubby (one possibly being a trip).
4.  More date nights (that's a hard one).
5.  Go camping for the first time.
6.  Loose an inch or two in the waist.
7.  Teach Addilece her first Bible Verse. 
8.  Tony beginning Grad School.
9.  Start saving for our adoptions.
10.  Build our emergency fund back up to one month of emergency money
11.  Leave our food budget where it is at but eat healthier.
12.  Completely potty train Addilece using the 3 day method. 

Lots to do but all of it is definitely with in reach.  Loosing the inches in the waist and date nights with the hubby are definitely the hardest. 

Oh the Busyness

Well, Tony started his new job and we THOUGHT life would slow down a bit. Boy were we ever wrong. Actually I think Tony's life has drastically slowed down, but I am going full force. So here is my schedule for the two weeks:

(Today is Friday)

Sat-Tues: Babysit for a friend

Sun: Craft day for Ecuador

Thurs-Fri: Babysit cousins

Fri-Sat: Garage Sale for Ecuador

Sun-Thurs: VBS

Now throw in things like laundry and grocery shopping and house work and you quickly understand why its CRAZY! Needless to say summer will be flying away in the Snyder Household.

I have heard people talk about the need to say no. That is something I have worked on very hard for the last two years, especially after Sweet Pea's birth. I'm not too bad at it. Everything on the list above is stuff I really feel like God has put in my life for particular reason. Whether its to support the friend who supports youth or to raise money for orphans....these are things important to me. It kinda stinks that they all fell at the same time but I guess that's summer and that's life.

However, this has made me realize how fortunate I am to stay home w/ this little miss.

Sweet Pea frustrated w/ her cousin for stealing her cup.

God has really blessed Tony and myself beyond our wildest imaginations to allow me to be with her. We now do something most nights. If God had not given us the finances for me to stay home then not only would I miss her every day, but every night also. She is constantly learning new things which I get experience. This week was hand clapping and making a popping noise (she is imitating others....so amazing.) So even though I get overwhelmed at times w/ all the stuff I am glad that none of it gets in the way of me being a mom.

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010

     What a year this has been.  I could have never have imagined EVERYTHING we as a family would of gone through this past year.  It was the most amazing and difficult year all at the same time.  Here are a few of the highlights:

Turing 21:  Tony and I both turned 21.  Mine was in January and Tony's was in April.  Even though the birthday's seemed huge at the time, it does not seem like quit the same impact now. 

January Pregnancy Picture

Tony in April when we visited St. Louis for the weekend.

St. Louis:  Tony and I went to St. Louis as a prebaby celebration.  It is something I recommend everybody do.  What a great way to go and celebrate our new family.

1st Year Anniversary:  In June we celebrated our first year of marriage.  We enjoyed a nice dinner at home.  I was a bit big to enjoy much else. 

Sweet Pea's Birth: Of course our biggest news of the year is Sweet Pea.  Wow!  She has changed our lives so much.  I knew a child would change us, but not to the extent it did.  I mean this in positive and negative ways.  Sweet Pea has been a true blessing.  However, she has also put our marriage through some of its most difficult challenges.  I have been thankful for a God of mercy and grace who has been patient with me as a wife and a mother, desiring to teach me so much!!!

Hysterectomy:  As many of you know, shortly after Sweet Pea's birth the unexpected rocked our world.  I had to have an emergency hysterectomy.  To read more on the details of this check out our blog in August, September, and October.  God completely changed our world within an hours time.  Again this has been both trying and a blessing.  We have given up many hopes and dreams.  I still daily greive the loss of future biological children.  Sometimes I am overwhelmed with saddness.  Many times I am unsure of who to talk to or what to say.  However, Tony and I are excited to be given a chance to adopt more children then we could of ever dreamed.  I love to talk to people about this opportunity.  I see God open doors and hearts through our story.  It is only something God could do.  Here is a picture of our family in the ICU.  Sweet Pea is less then 24 hours old.

Graduation:  My personal milestone was graduating from ISU w/ a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences/Family Relationships.  I may never do anything with my degree, as I am excited to be a stay at home mom.  However, I am excited to share this moment with my supportive husband and adoring daughter.

This year has brought me through the biggest emotional rollercoasters of my life.  God has grown my faith beyond anything I could have every of imagined.  I feel like our journey is just beginning.  I ask that those of you who have been praying for our family continue.  Our losses with in the last year cause daily grief.  We are striving to follow God's plan and purpose for our lives.  We also have a scary year ahead of us.  Tony will be graduating in May and is currently looking for a job.  We are unsure of what the future holds or where it will be head.  We also hope to begin our adoption journey this coming summer.  We are not sure whether that will entail just research or whether that means we will begin the daunting but worthwhile paper trail. I will leave you with one last picture of our little chica, hopefully you will find a good smile or laugh in this picture.  May God bless you in the new year!

Merry Christmas From Our Family To Yours

Pictures Courtesy of Bri McIntrye