No Signs of Christmas...

Except for a few traces of wrapping paper and one snowman candle, Christmas decorations have left the Allison household. Kory and Ashleigh took down both trees today while I was working. We are hoping to hear travel news very soon so are doing what we can to be ready. His room is done minus a lamp we need to return that doesn't work (grr...that equals a 30 minute trip one way to return it!). Our things we want to pack are laid across his bed. We are getting closer. We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. We enjoyed time with family and friends including seeing my uncle, aunt, and cousins I haven't seen in a long time.

Happy New Year to you all and blessings for a wonderful 2009! Despite our economy, God is in control!

Showers

We've had two showers for Jay-R. The first was thrown by my ladies' Bible study group at church. It was so much fun and so emotional, too. My friend read some adoption poems and an email from Kory's brother and his wife who live 7 hours away. One of my friend's had a Filipino exchange student when she was younger. She gave Ashleigh and I the shirts their exchange student had given her and her mother. That was really special, too. Yesterday, my work threw a surprise shower for me. It was so much fun to share the excitement of Jay-R with friends, family, co-workers, church members, volunteers, and residents especially since I was at work when I received the phone call about Jay-R. Everyone is so excited for us! Jay-R received some nice outfits, books, toys, and the gift cards and cash have been helpful, too! We're hoping for early January to bring our little boy home! Just waiting on his visa...