This was the letter sent out to all of our family and friends by my husband.  Since he did such a wonderful job of expressing our feelings, I felt it should be posted instead of doing something myself!

"As many of you know, last year on 29th July 2008, the Lord answered our prayers to add a little girl (2 1/2 years old) to our family. Abagail came to our home as a foster-to-adopt child. On July 7, 2009, the Lord allowed us to finalize the adoption of our 1st little girl whom we named, Abagail... Grace. This was a cause for much rejoicing and giving thanks to the Lord. Abagail is from here in Nevada where I pastor a small mission work.

"On June 1, 2009, our family was granted the privilege of a 2nd little girl from Nevada (2 1/2 years old) being added to our family through the Nevada State Department of Child and Family Services foster-to-adopt program. On December 18, 2009, my brother John who went to be with the Lord at the age of 22 would have been 37. In his memory, Lord willing, we will finalize the adoption of our 2nd little girl on that date. We have chosen to name her Hannah Rose!

"We covet your thoughts and prayers as we conclude what has been a long road, and we are thankful to the Lord for His abundant blessings."

In Christian love and grace,

Mark & Violet & Mark Jr & Trenton & Sterling & Abagail & Hannah Rose!

Please keep us in prayer that the 18th of Dec. will be the day we will be able to adopt our second little girl, Hannah Rose!

Last night, we decided to put on the movie "Homeward Bound" for the girls since the boys were gone for awhile.  The girls did very well at watching it but they did interrupt it a couple of times so they could get a drink or have a frozen banana.  Of course, I told the girls they would have to sit at the table with their frozen banana and we did keep the movie going so there were parts they didn't see.

It started getting really good toward the end, though, when Shadow fell through the boards at the train station.  The girls were almost in tears over Shadow falling through.  When Chance went down to encourage Shadow to come out and they stopped it with Shadow seemingly giving up to the family, Shayla was very upset.

"Shadow fall down," she kept repeating.  We asked her if he got back up and she was insistent that he was still in the hole.  "No, Shadow fall down."  We both laughed and they went back to watching the movie intently.  When the family saw Chance come running back, the girls were so excited over it.  Next came Sassy and the girls were happy over that, as well!  Then we waited for Shadow and Shayla was still insistent that Shadow had fallen down.  We don't think she really expected to see Shadow show back up!    When Shadow showed up, Shayla was just over the moon about it!

"Shadow come back!" she said repeatedly.  Both Abagail and Shayla kept talking about Shadow and how he had returned.  We had them get ready for bed and Shayla was so thrilled over Shadow returning that as soon as her clothes were on, she came running to me repeating excitedly, "Shadow come back, Mommy, Shadow come back!"  I actually thought she sounded like she was going to cry over it!  LOL  It was way too cute!

I think we are finally getting somewhere with the potty training.  It has been several days and Shayla has done hardly any poopy in her diaper!  It's been going into the toilet!  Woo-hoo!  Way to go, Shayla!