Merry CHRISTmas Everyone!

Nothing like a blog Christmas card, right? Well, this way you at least know where to come for updates on our adoption process and other things going on with us.
We did receive word that the Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs is probably not going to speed up anytime soon. Right now the wait is about 15 months. They just matched families with babies who had an LID of Sept. 8, 2005, and have reviewed adoption documents with an LID of Jan. 31, 2006. We were DTC on Nov. 7, 2006 and do not have an LID yet. Patience, I really need to quit asking God for more of it.
Conner is almost 10, very tall, and just the best kid. He's funny, smart, and clever. Right now he really likes Scouts, especially camping. We just started basketball season. It's so fun to watch the games now because the boys are really getting into it. It's not as nerve wracking as it used to be when they were younger. Of course, the kid loves video games like his father. On December 10 we had our Christmas program at church and Conner was one of the stage hands which was exactly what he wanted! He did a great job and took it very seriously. He loves church and all his friends there.
Nicole/Nicci/Zoe is going to be 7 on Dec. 22! She's a girly girl and has such an "Other's First" attitude. When I asked her who she wanted to invite to her little birthday party she made sure and asked some boys so Conner wouldn't feel left out. She just started Brownies (DO NOT ORDER COOKIES FROM ANYONE BUT NICOLE AND HER MOTHER!) and we love it! It reminds me of Camp Fire Girls when I was younger. She can't wait to go camping.
Ethan will be 19 months on Dec. 25. He is quite the kid! He's so funny and just a sponge. Some of his most used and favorite words are "mine!" "NO!" "More?""Bite?""Guy?(drink - don't ask me), and "Puppy!" He's a traveling man, too! We really have to watch this kid because he will escape if given the chance or he'll climb on things. He's keeping me young (I'm only 29 anyway, right?).
Avery is somewhere in China, maybe not even born yet. We pray for her birth mother and birth father everyday. Without them we wouldn't have a daughter. She's already so precious to us and we are so excited to get ahold of her.

More later!

Merry Christmas!
The McMurphy's