Beautiful....

Chris arranged for family photos for my Christmas present this year...we had a friend come over who is an amazing photographer and he took some photos of the family, the 4 kids and some individual ones of Alyssa (her school picture didn't turn out). He took a couple of Evan as well. We haven't gotten most of them back yet but here are a few we did get back...like really, how do I choose which ones to use? They are all so beautiful!!!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing each and every family a very happy day on Thursday! As you can imagine, our household is a buzz of excitement and activity and we are enjoying all of it!!! As you can see below...it is very clear what our "gifts" are this year!

We hope God's peace, joy and love fills your home this year!

The MacKinnons....

Gift #1

Gift #2

Gift #3

Gift #4

I finally got time to upload some pictures...I was planning to wrap presents but then I found myself down on the computer checking out Megan and Shawn's blog - they put up photos of their new daughter from Ukraine - she is so beautiful!!! It's a private blog but if you're interested, email Megan and tell her you follow our blog.

We have been busy getting everything ready for Christmas...we are all really excited this year...

Nathan was over for a pre-christmas dinner and gift opening because he is going to Toronto to visit his dad over Christmas. This will be our first Christmas without Nathan in years!!! We had a great time decorating the tree and he opened his gifts. (pictures way below).

Only 1 week left...where does the time go????

Alyssa and her "friend", Nicholas. She has a HUGE crush on him and lights up whenever she sees him!

Evan at his Kindergarten Christmas concert

Alyssa at her concert...she looked so beautiful but I could NOT get her to smile for the pictures (except for the one she's in with Nicholas - no joke!)

Mommy and Evan

Nathan having fun with Evan

Nathan and Alyssa

YAY for our friends!

I am so excited for our friends, Megan and Shawn. They are in Ukraine and have just accepted a referral for a sweet, beautiful 3 year old girl!!! Megan and I have shared a lot of highs and lows through our adoption processes and I am just so thrilled this has all worked out so well for their family!

I have been trying to post pictures and updates for the last week and just can't find the time....I coached 6 basketball games over the weekend, I just finished cleaning the house, I've been checking my emails every 10 minutes to get updates from Megan and Shawn and for some reason I just can't get time to upload the pictures from my camera to the computer. And there are some really cute pictures on the camera!!!!!

I have to go up and put the kids to bed but maybe later if I get my second wind I'll post. If not, another day!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Stirrings...

There has been SO MUCH happening in the last few months and I simply have not had time to write about it...I do like posting about it because it's a great way to share thoughts and feelings (and my commenters are such a great support!) and it's a nice way to look back and see how things have changed or not changed, etc...

I don't know if I ever updated on the situation with our "little one". This is the little foster girl we had for several months and then custody was given back to her mom. Well, I can't share too much about her particular situation but she is back in foster care, only this time she is in another province so Chris and I have not been able to get her back (yet!). We have been talking to people who may be able to help us as we really feel strongly in our hearts that she belongs with our family if she is not able to be with her mom. I know the little one felt at home here and didn't want to leave. Right now, there are just lots of prayers and phone calls being made about this situation. Honestly, we are so limited in what we are "allowed" to do in her case but yet, I still feel we need to do whatever we can for her.

I didn't update on the situation of my loved one in Toronto either...it is a very personal story and I haven't felt like I had the right words to share it yet...it's coming though.

And now...here we are approaching Christmas. This is the first Christmas in 4 years where I have actually been peaceful and excited about the season. 4 years ago, we had just received our referral for Alyssa and I didn't care TWO HOOTS about Christmas....all I wanted was to get to my sweet girl! The next two years were okay but my heart was very heavy because I wanted to adopt again so badly but Chris did not. Last Christmas we were back into the whole emotional rollercoaster of adoption and Christmas was the last thing on my mind. So, back to this year...even though there are some unanswered questions, I still feel very good about being here with Evan, Alyssa, Caleb and Dylan and sharing the excitement of Christmas with them. We may even have Nathan with us again this year (our 19 year old foster son) although he is going to visit his dad for a bit and not sure when he's coming back.

I've also realized that I will probably NEVER be fully content with not adopting again. The other day Chris and I were talking and he said "I think I'd like another little girl from China" and all I said was "I'm ON IT!!". Like in an instant, I was ready to start again!! Am I insane? I just can't help it...adoption has changed my heart so radically I don't think I will ever be able to live the same again. I am mostly trying to leave it in God's hands...I say "trying" because I'm a control freak and it's really hard to not try to control my own life :-) It took 6 years for God and I :-) to change Chris' heart about adopting the first time. The 2nd time it took 3 years...so, I'm thinking if the pattern stays the same we should be adopting again in 1.5 years???? Right?! But, like I said, I'm leaving it up to God! :-)

My husband would have a heart attack if he read this so hopefully he won't catch up with the blog for awhile and he'll miss this post!

Well...the kids have their Christmas concert tomorrow so hopefully I can post precious pictures of the terrific kids I DO have!!

Merry Christmas!

Phew...let's take a breather!

Life has been an absolute whirlwind these last 2 weeks! I started my new job and have been training every day. I'm not used to working full time outside the home and it's been a huge adjustment with all the crazies, I mean kids, to take care of at home! This week will be my last official week of training and then I go back to only 3 days a week. That will be a much more manageable schedule for all of us!

Alyssa and Evan also started at a new babysitter's so that was an adjustment, although I have to say they are really enjoying it! It definitely helps that they have each other and they seem to be two peas in a pod! I can't believe the difference in how they interact together...honestly, in the summer Alyssa was just so distressed about Evan and all the attention she perceived he was getting and she wasn't (of course this was her perception, not reality). Now, they spend hours together every day playing, coloring, doing crafts, etc... What I find really cute is Evan will play barbies with Alyssa and then next time I check Alyssa will be playing soccer with Evan or trying out the gamecube (which she NEVER did before Evan came home).

The other day we were driving in the van and I overheard Alyssa say "Evan, isn't it good that there are 2 of us from China in our family!"...oh, I love that they share a connection!

Dylan had a hockey tournament this weekend (I totally forgot the camera!!) and it was crazy busy! He had 5 games and they took 2nd place overall. I LOVE to watch Dylan play hockey but I'm so competitive that it actually stresses me out a bit :-) I'm also coaching Caleb's basketball team so this has added to our crazy schedule. His b'ball team is for boys ages 10-11 and there are 18 of them! They are an amazing group of boys! Dylan just joined the team as well but he has never played b'ball before so he's having fun learning the game.

There's been so much I've wanted to post about but just haven't had the time to sit down at the computer and think clearly. Even now it's 10:00 pm and I'm frantically typing so I can get to bed (early work morning). Maybe in the next few days, I'll get a chance to write some of what's going on inside this complex brain of mine...ha ha ha...

Can anyone out there really believe Christmas is only 25 days away? Like, really, how did that happen!!??

Home Sweet Home

well, we all got home on Monday and Evan is doing fabulous! He started coming around on Monday and by Tuesday he was back to himself. So far, so good! We've even noticed a difference already in his speech...clear sounds instead of nasally.

I started the new job...I think I'm really going to enjoy it. Finished the "bookwork" training part and now I get to job shadow for 2 weeks...so anyone who has been thinking of giving blood or plasma, give us a call and you can come in and visit us!!! (1-888-2-DONATE)

We're working on an amazing website and our plan is to "launch" it by the end of November in honor of National Adoption Month. It will focus on all adoption related issues, book resources, support groups and events happening in PEI (related to adoption or cultural activities for our children), and lots more. The focus of the website will be on adoption in general, not just international. We will include whatever we can on domestic, private and international. Stay tuned...I'll post the link when it's ready to be seen by the world! :-)

THANK YOU for all your kind, wonderful emails, phone calls and comments during Evan's surgery. He is such an incredible little guy! For any and all of you who read my blog...I truly encourage you to consider the waiting child program! Not only in China but in any country...there are so many amazing, healthy children available through these programs and each and every one deserves the love of a family.

Okay...enough of the lecture...enjoy your night!!!