Friday, December 19, 2008


Merry Christmas From our Family to Yours! Anna, Amanda, Jordyn, Melanie, Noah, Tim, and JonMarc
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas holiday and enjoys time with their family. I have been getting ready for Christmas. Shopping, shopping, and more shopping. Having a large family to buy for makes for alot of shopping!!! I have been doing very well by finding things on Ebay and other listings and saving ton's of money. We are on a tight budget this year and I am trying to save as much as possible. I am thinking of Jailynn more and more and wishing she could be with us this year. I am buying her Christmas presents and planning to keep the tree up until she comes home. That was also a request from Jordyn and Amanda. They are both so excited for her to come home.
Our tree is in a sad state though. Somehow the stand to the tree disappeared and the lights do not work. So we have a make shift stand which causes the tree to lean to the side no matter how hard we try to fix it. Also, Noah loves to rearrange the ornaments so the tree is not so beautiful this year. Oh well...at least we have a tree to decorate.
I am hoping to keep the focus on the Real reason for the season this year by displaying a nativity seen under our tree. I am still looking for one. We are also giving clothes and toys to a needy family from Tim's work. This really inspired my children and they gave up lot's of nice toys they do not play with and some they still love for the family. I want them to learn that giving feels so much better than just getting all the time.
Joey and Kym are home and staying with us temporarily. So we have four more people in our home which is hectic! They are working on getting jobs and Kym is planning to go to school starting in January. Having them here has been both challenging and rewarding but I know that it has been the right thing to do. We are having a positive influence on them and it will be special to spend Christmas with them here. Our family is growing in leaps and bounds with Joey and Kym and soon Jailynn. I am sure that they will have thier own place before we leave for China (that is the plan). Please pray for our family that we adjust to all the changes and that Joey and Kym find jobs and get into their own place soon.
Merry Christmas,
Melanie

2 comments:

Ivy Shaffer said...

HI MELANIE,
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOUR WONDERFUL FAMILY!

I love the new photos of everyone. Enjoy the season.

So glad we met!

Love,

Ivy, Dani and Kira

Patricia said...

You have a beautiful family... how blessed you are! I can't wait to see Jailyn's journey as she joins you all.

Patricia

Jailynn's 1st Thanksgiving

My GuestBook

Hi! I am glad you are visiting my blog! Please sign my guestbook or leave me a comment. It will mean so much to me, Jordyn and Jailynn!

The rest of our family

In case anyone was curious: Here are som pictures of my oldest son, Joey and his family. Joey and Kym have three children: my beloved grandbabies: Hayden 4yrs old, Noah 22 months old, and Phoenix 9 months old. We have been helping Joey and Kym get on their feet and they have been living with us since December. They are now able to get their own place and will move out in April. I will miss them and miss the babies. I will just have to babysit!

God Is Awesome!

myspace

myspace

I am Praising God tonight because He has Heard my cries and answered my prayers. We have recieved a generation donation from a wonderful family toward our fund raising efforts. We have also recieved generous donations from wonderful people through this website and through Jailynn's Prayer. So far, the total fundraising has reached a total of $4000!!!!!!!! Thank you! Thank You! Thank you to everyone for helping us to bring Jailynn home! We are hoping to travel sometime this month and still need to raise money. I know that God is providing for our family through the unselfish and generous giving from special and wonderful people like you!

We have our LOA!!

Lilypie Waiting to adopt Ticker

Happy Holidays!

Happy Halloween (a little late)

Our Fun At the Texas State Fair

Amanda's Party!

Jordyn and Amanda's Birthday Party