it's over/it's just starting pix

we finalized the adoption today. we are very happy. in fact, i'm still overwhelmed by it all, so i can't type much today.

front L to R: zach, eli, matthew, sydney, grammy, landa, cherie

back L to R: potato papaw, nanny, aunt angie, kara louise, papa, israel, mama, judge powell, courtney, uncle tony, melvin, dave

"don't i look good in my khakis and courderoy sport coat?"

ZZTop had it right: there's something women love about a sharp dressed man.

monthly birthday

10 months and counting...
he's actually very happy to be alive, but this was at the end of a very long, tiring day. you can see he's in his PJs. shortly after we took this picture, while he was playing on the floor, he just layed down on the floor. that in itself is not too strange, except it's a hardwood floor. that's how tired he was. but, thank God for regulated baby schedules. he went to bed and slept through the night, waking refreshed and joyful and ready to run all over the house.

it's been a while

well, for those of you who tell me i've overdue to write: here it is!
i don't have much to say, though. but, that's never stopped me before.
i can't believe it's been a whole month since i've blogged, but i guess that's what happens when major holidays collide with your personal routine. christmas, in a very good way, tends to distract me from my normal routine and allows me to focus on Christ and my family. new year's day is another small distraction, though i'm not sure why.
life with family and friends and church are good--i am blessed.

and, for you people who only read this for the baby pictures: i'm sure i'll be taking more this week, but i'm not going to post any christmas pix as there are just too many to choose from. iz had a wonderful first christmas, though tissue paper was more popular than toys and kara is a continuted joy and bright light in our lives. my favorite christmas memory? well, i have two: the christmas eve services at church were delightful and meditative and a great blessing, but on christmas night, the four of us lay on the futons in our PJs watching rudolph the red-nosed reindeer until we all almost fell asleep. in case you haven't heard me say it recently--i am blessed.