Emotionally Exhausted

This past week has been a very trying week. As most of you know, my husband is the funeral director in our small town of about 1,400 people.

This past week two boys, both seniors in high school, were electrocuted on a farm that they both worked at. They were trying to free a raccoon from an aluminum pipe when it accidently came in contact with electrical wires.

Their deaths rocked our community. Both young men were very involved in the school as well as the community. Nick was the senior class president, a member of the golf team, clay trap shooting team, FFA, Principal's Advisory Committee, etc. Nick was a member of the clay trap shooting team, a member of the fishing team, FFA, etc.

Would you please pray for both Nick & Justin's families, their classmates, their friends, & just our community as a whole?

Sunny days!!!

The weather the last two days have been so nice. Zoe couldn't wait to get outside on her trampoline to practice her back handspring.

And then of course, she had to show me her jumps!

And then, a final pose!

Let me just tell ya, this girl cannot wait for warmer weather. Spring cannot get here fast enough!

Since I Last Posted....

Paul celebrated his 48th birthday February 16th. We celebrated at home with a game that Zoe made - Pin the Nose on the Pig. She was very proud of the pig & nose that she drew. She made her dad go first.

Don't you love the blind fold she came up with - her sleeping mask!

Zoe having Daddy pause before his first try.

Wrong way, Paul. The pig is hanging on the fridge!

Next up - Zoe. She couldn't keep from laughing!

She's much closer than Dad.

We all enjoyed playing Pin the Nose on the Pig. After about 3 rounds, we all finally got the hang of it. It put a fun twist to dad's birthday. Which by the way, he was very happy with because Zoe & I got him tickets to go see these guys in a few weeks:

Let me just tell ya, Paul is SUPER excited! He's thinking about pulling out a flannel shirt & some camouflage to wear to the show. (I told him that's fine. He'll just fit right in!)

Then, just a few days ago Zoe, Avery (her friend), & I welcomed home this little guy at the airport:

You talk about a cutie! We arrived at the airport about 20 minutes before their flight was supposed to arrive, only to find out the flight was delayed about 2 hours. So, we just hung out.

Zoe patiently waiting.

Avery, Zoe, & Big Sister Ashlyn showing off a sign that someone had made.

Zoe's sign. (A little too much glare...)

As they walk towards the gate. (Big Sister & Brother ran to Mom, Dad, & Eli)

Zoe acting silly with Eli's cousin Nick.

Everyone who showed up at the airport to welcome Eli home.

What a blessing his is!

Look at the New Little Valentine!

Not sure if you remember the post I did about our friends adopting a little boy from China they were going to name Eli?! (If you don't, you can check it out here.) Anyway, I am so excited to let you know that our friends, Jered & Nicole, met their little guy yesterday. They are so in love.
Isn't he such a cutie?!

What a blessing that little Valentine is! (Feel free to follow Eli's journey home here.)

State Champions!!!

Oh where has the time gone?! Since I last posted, Zoe & I both had four more snow (or should I say ice) days. That brings our total to 9 snow days thus far this school year. My school is looking at getting out around May 24th or so. I haven't heard about Zoe's school yet.

Speaking of my school, our junior high girls' basketball team won the state championship for the medium sized schools. Very cool, huh?! Four of the starters on the team are only in 7th grade - three of them in my homeroom - so it should be exciting again next year.

I volunteered to chaperone the student fan bus all three nights to the state tournament. I must say the students were very well behaved. They cheered & rooted our girls to victory. So, so, proud of their behavior. The night of the championship game Zoe actually road the fan bus with me because her friend Morgan (I teach with her mom.) was going as well. The two of them had a great time.

Olivia (one of my students), Zoe (with her 4 front teeth missing!), & Morgan.

State Champions!

6 Years Ago Today....

a scared little girl was placed in my arms in a hotel room in China. We never knew how that day was going to change our lives forever. Happy Gotcha Day, Zoe Gwen! What a blessing you are to all those who know you!

It's Been a Little Crazy 'Round Here

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Things have been crazy to say the least. In the last couple of weeks we have had Zoe's school Christmas concert, my father-in-law had a stroke, Zoe had cheer camp at the high school, Zoe cheered at the high school basketball game, & two snow days. Plus, before all of this, we started painting our countertops in the kitchen. I do have pictures of everything. Hope to get those up in the next day or two.

PS - Does anyone else see the background on here that says the picture or video has been deleted. I have no idea what's happened or going on. It was here when I pulled up the blog. Huh?! Guess I need to figure it out. Any suggestions?