LOA

I received a call from Holt today letting me know that our LOA has been RECEIVED!!!! They are overnighting it to me and I should receive it on Wednesday. We will then be filing our I800 paperwork with USCIS (Immigration). Holt estimates travel in late May/early June (May 18th or June 8th)

We are almost there....

More to come!

Happy Mardi Gras

As part of our yearly tradition, us and our gaggle of great friends went skiing for Mardi Gras. Its a different ski resort every year - this year brought us to Copper Mountain, Colorado. Good Friends, Good Skiing, Good Memories.... Good Times.

Our group... The kids outnumbered the adults.

My group included my mom and dad, Christopher's friend, Dallas, as well as my 3 kids. Christopher was still recovering from his ankle injury and could not ski, so to keep him company he brought his good friend along with us. We all had such a good time.

Maddie does not like skiing, to say it mildly. Since coming home she has told Keith and I several times that she will not be going skiing next year, she will be staying home with my dad (because he doesn't ski). I hope that she eventually learns to love it - because we all do. She did enjoy the kiddie tubing park, until her feet got cold.

Hope everyone had a great Mardi Gras - now ready for Lent....

The Beginning of the End....

It's Christopher's senior year and last night was the beginning of the end.... The journey to Graduation has begun. As basketball season is winding down, Senior Night is celebrated at the last home game to honor the seniors on the team. It was a wonderful night. Let me back up for a minute and let you know what happened last week.

During an after school practice last Thursday Christopher sustained a "season ending" sprain to his right ankle. We were all devastated, as this was his year to shine - and had down so up until this point. He was the leading scorer and rebounder on the team and was leading his team to a potential spot in the playoffs. With only 3 games left in the season, he was sidelined.

So back to Senior Night. We were all a little (A Lot) bummed about Christopher not being able to play for this special game. Before the game began, each senior and their parents were announced and recognized for their accomplishments and future college plans. (We are so proud of him - he is such a good kid)

I love these boys and their parents. We have had such a fantastically fun 4 years of basketball. Its sad that its almost over...

Tonight against all odds Christopher started the game. However this time was different. As they gathered around the center of the court for tip off - Christopher walked (limped) down underneath our goal and waited. As the game started and the ball was tipped off - St. Louis gained possession. As a gesture of kindness and compassion from the other team, they allowed our team to pass the ball to Christopher under the goal and he made a quick lay up and scored the first 2 points of the game.
Time out was quickly called and Christopher limped off to applause from both sides of the gym. He then cheered the team on to a big Win!
Our student section is so awesome. They made large faces of all the seniors and the coach to hold while cheering! It was a great night.

What began as a sad day - knowing that he could not play at his last home basketball game as a senior - turned out to be a day to remember. More importantly, a moment Christopher will not soon forget. Sometimes when life disappoints you - GOD provides an opportunity for others to lift you up! It warmed my heart to see his friends, other students and teammates rally around him.

This marks the first step in this journey to the end of Christopher's High School days. I am not sure that I am ready for him to begin the next phase of his life away from me and my home - but I am trusting GOD that he will be with me through this transition, as well as with Christopher.

Here is a sneak peak of his senior pictures....

I love this boy! What a joy it has been to have him as my son and be part of his life!