Introducing a New Member of Our Circus

Maci following surgery in China

No, we're not adopting again and NO, we're not pregnant. However we do have a new member of our Circus to introduce to you. Evie is an exchange student from France. She has been with another family since last September and due to some unforeseen circumstances in their family, the needed to find a new home for her. Since I am a coordinator for several exchange students (Evie being one of them) I am responsible for helping finding a new home for those who may not work out with their original family. Well, her previous host family is friends of ours and they were going out of town last weekend so we offered to have her stay with us . Well......the weekend has now turned into 6 months. She will be staying with us because after discussing this with our own kids and then Evie - it was unanimous that she belong with our family! We warned her that we're a crazy family who are on the go 24/7 and it's always a Circus around our home. I don't think I have ever seen a smile so big than the one she gave when we told her she was welcome in our home for the remainder of her exchange. She is an amazing young woman and very sweet. She was introduced to our group of friends Friday night with an evening of poker games. With my brother Jordan living in our upstairs until he graduates from college, our house is beginning to be a "little" cramped in here - but we wouldn't have it any other way.

This Sunday will be our annual Chinese New Year celebration with friends and family. We received an amazing gift in the mail last week from CHINA! One of Maci's doctors in China sent us a box filled with red envelopes to celebrate the Chinese New Year tradition and two beautiful dresses! She also included a very sweet card and photo which we put with are other family photos. We feel this woman is the one link we will always have to Maci's past - she was with her during her heart surgery and cared for her following. She always went to the orphange to check on her. She has also provided us with many photos of Maci at such a young age and to our family and especially for Maci one day....they are truly priceless.

Kelsi's bowling season is coming to a close next week at Districts and Daniel is still playing basketball. Kevin is now coaching 7th grade girls basketball. It's hard to believe that Friday marks the half-way point to the end of the school year!! Where does the time go?