How to rescue a princess

Well, I feel very heroic tonight. After busting out my vintage SNES, making a trip to the flea market and purchasing Super Mario World for $12, and spending about three weeks with Nathan as chief cheerleader and spectator, I finally rescued the princess. Here's a shot of me, the victorious warrior, after the battle, set against the background of the ending screen.

What's next for the conquering hero? Hmm, Zelda maybe? I'd like to get my hands on the Super Mario All Stars pack first!

The mummy??

Nathan thought it was funny last night to put on Daddy's sweats, which has enough total fabric to wrap around the little guy about three times. Anyway, he enjoyed walking around and randomly running into things and falling down. Oh, the simple things...

Thirsty?

In an earlier post, I've already mentioned about Hunter's morning job of waking up Nathan. Shortly after finishing his duties there, this is how he lets us know his waterdish is empty.

Got toilet water???

The China Update

It's came to my attention (from my wife and other friends) that we haven't posted any news or info about the progress of our second adoption. In fact, many of the, let's see, probably two or three people that actually read this blog, may not even realize that we have started a second adoption process. So, here's a short summary:

After many months of prayer and dialogue in 2006, Sharon and I felt led to pursue the international adoption of a little girl from China. Here's a short summary of the events of 2006/2007.

August 2006 - Chris attends a Great Wall China Adoption (the agency we chose) workshop in Las Vegas while on vacation with a friend

January 2007 - Chris and Sharon both attend a local Great Wall workshop in Charlotte; We apply for Nathan's passport just in case we decided to take him to China with us.

February 2007 - We formerly apply with Great Wall China Adoption; Began collecting documents for dossier; Began Homestudy process

July 2007 - Received notification of our Log-in date (LID), the day our documents are logged in (registered at the China Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA)). At that time, the waiting period was 18 months from LID. Sadly, that time frame is now 24 months from LID. This means the estimation of when we would get our referral (a notification of what child we have been matched with) will be July 2009. We would then most likely travel within a few months after that date.

November 2007 - We attend the East Meets West Conference in Tampa Bay, FL, which all but satisfies our training requirements. So, now we're just waiting. Later this year, we'll no doubt have some documents to renew, homestudy updates, etc., but basically now we just wait. We covet your prayers. We've also still got 50% or more of the total expenses to shell out, which we have no idea where they will come from, save God's providence. We've had some financial setbacks this year that have really dampened our spirits. The longer wait, though, has bought us some additional time for saving and applying for grants, which is a blessing. Overall, the time has gone by pretty fast for us with the busyness of our lives, and the "pleasant distraction" of having Nathan around. Nathan has begun to ask lately "When will I get my baby sister?" Still a ways to go, little guy!

Joy to the World

I know it's not Christmas, but last night Nathan wanted to have a little concert for us at home. He dug through the piano bench, which has music that I've not touched in it for years, and found a stack of random papers. He gives me some, sorts the rest into piles, then plops in the recliner and starts singing:

"Joy to the World, the newborn king..."
"No, son, it's Joy to the World, the Lord is come"
"Joy to the World, the newborn king..."
"Uh don't you mean, it's Joy to the World, the Lord is come"
"No, daddy, this is a new song."
"Oh, my fault."

Fifteen years in vocational music ministry, and I'm schooled by my toddler.

Nope, that's not Hunter.

Nope, that's not Hunter on the right. Most of you familiar with our unusually friendly feline Hunter can spot his notoriously good looks! However, I'd like to introduce you to Mow-Mow (the gray tabby) and BlackJack. These guys are brothers and belong to our neighbors two doors down. We knew their mom - "Dream" too, who unfortunatley is no longer with us. They visit us quite frequently, and tonight were curled up on the front porch when we got home from church. It is uncanny how close his color pattern looks like Hunter, but Hunter's hair is MUCH longer. And although Blackjack is extremely friendly - there's no cat on the earth like Hunter (or Pee, or Molly).

First Dentist Visit

Here's Nathan at his first dentist visit (photo taken on Sharon's camera phone). Sharon says he was a real trooper, and that the staff there were all very sweet to him. And he was thrilled to get....a new toothbrush! He thought that was awesome and wanted to use it as soon as he got home. He also got a small toy firetruck. If you wonder about the glasses, because of the bright light above his head, they put these on the little guys for appointments. Pretty cool.