Leading into Christmas the entire family except for myself came down with strep (YUCK!!). We left early for Christmas with my family so we could go to our biometrics appointment. Had three Christmas celebrations with my family and came home to a quiet Christmas day at home.

We then had two Christmas celebrations with Chris' family. It was good to spend time with Chris' cousin who is also adopting a beautiful little girl for Eastern Europe. We could compare notes and time frame and the differences in our adoptions being from different countries and celebrate the little mile stones that get each of us closer to the day we pick up our daughters. If we can both stay on track without any delays we will be bringing these cousins home about the same time. It was also good to spend time with the two newest members of the family: Chris' sister's new baby and his Uncle's son who they hope to have full custody of next month. Welcome to the family both of you (and good luck with this crew).

Jeremiah then got sick and has spent the last couple days with a terrible cough. This momma is ready for a break which will start on Friday! Chris and I leave to go elk hunting. This is my first year hunting elk and I am super excited. Elk meat is so yummy and we haven't had any in three years. Chris did not draw this year so maybe we can stagger our elk to keep fresh meat in the freezer (that is if I can get one).

Hopefully USCIS approval comes back fast and we can get things apostilled and on their way to county and meet our daughter this spring! Some days the paperwork and the perfection required on the paperwork can wear me down. To know that we are so close to being done with it is comforting yet stressing because now begins the official checks to make sure it is all correct. Please pray for us as we enter this stage and that everything will move smoothly because we are approaching our deadline for having documents in country. God Bless!

What a week this has been and it's not over yet...

Cayleigh fell three weeks ago and ended up with stitches in her lip and now we are doing follow ups to see if she will need to see a cosmetic surgeon to have the lip realigned. That appointment was on Wednesday. The lip is still swollen so we go back again after Christmas.

My sister-in-law had a beautiful baby boy on Tuesday who I can't wait to meet! And, we (in reality my mother-in-law) ended up with all three of her older kids sick and now mine are getting it so, we are all isolated and can't see that baby yet!

The preschool teacher ended up with the flu and was quarantined for the week so I got to sub preschool on Monday and Tuesday.

Drum Roll Please.....
Monday we received our USCIS appointment date! Each step is a step closer to bringing "Sally" home. We are so close to having our dossier ready for submission it is killing me.