Finalization!

So last week we received the long awaited official letter that Elizabeth's adoption is final and recorded in the county's files. Can I just say how strange it is to have a piece of paper tell you your daughter is yours? It seems incredibly fragile to me, and also somewhat insulting, as if this paper could possibly represent our relationship! I have been careful not to do any nail biting, because we had no reason to doubt we'd lose her, but it's still a relief to know her adoption can't be overturned now!
So to celebrate Brian and Sam made pink cupcakes and we let her try some that evening. I took video instead of pictures, and I'm still not sure that feature is working, so I'll try and get it up here soon!



Will I ever see smiles caught on camera from these two? Sheesh.

Hugging Mommy. Mommy says "more, please!"

Elizabeth is also eating cereal now and will be trying veggies for the first time today. She is working hard on sitting up on her own, and I can't wait, because it will make my life that much easier. :)
"I don't WANT to eat my cereal!"

"Maybe non-violent protest will work better"

Trying out her "new" exersaucer


I'm on my 27th week of pregnancy now and feeling seriously huge. I feel like another month in this direction and I won't be able to get out of bed in the morning due to the size of my belly. The still unnamed boy is quite a mover and a shaker and rejoices violently every time I eat something or am trying to go to sleep at night. Thanks, little dude, really.
Also, update on Brian's career situation. He has indeed decided against going Foreign Area Officer - so no California and no Africa. Instead he will be teaching a course at Fort Benning, GA and we'll be moving in February! After much research and panicking we've decided we can't sell the house, so we'll be renting it and moving into on post housing at Benning. I'm REALLY looking forward to the slower-paced lifestyle of school house life, and the tight-knit and family friendly community on post. It will be a perfect place for me to be at home raising small children, and I can't help but think God has blessed this decision! Now just pray we get a decent home on post, because they are few and far between!
This weekend the kids and I head down to Atlanta to meet Desi and introduce Libby and pick-up Grandma for more helping out at my house. :) I'm planning a stop by Benning to peek at the houses we will be offered, Sam's future elementary school and more. Lots of good things, so hopefully the traveling portion will go well!