Two more weeks!!!

As I had hoped, the month of September has flown by so far. So much so, that I've been very delinquent on updating our blog.

Things of significance so far this month:

1. Labor Day weekend we traveled to Memphis to spend the holiday weekend with the Eggers family. This is a family tradition since Hamilton's (Leann's brother) birthday falls near Labor Day every year.

When we arrived (after 10 hours of travel time flying, but that's another story) we went directly to Hamilton's football game. The kids were very excited to see him after the game!

The next day, we went to the Delta Fair, where the kids had a ball riding all the super-sturdy fair rides and feeding farm animals!

2. Grace Caroline's First day of kindergarten!!!! What a big girl. She is loving every minute and even wants to go sometimes on Mommy's day off!

Painting the fish that will be used to mark her attendance.

This is what happens when you leave a 5 year old and a 2 year old unsupervised with paint!

Wake up sleepy head!! It's time for your first day of Kindergarten!

All ready to go. We had to go to 4 different stores before we found just the "right outfit" for her first day! Of course, she spilled milk on it at lunch and ended up in bike shorts and a t-shirt (hugs for $1) for the rest of the day!

Signing in

Hugging her teacher, Andrea. "Bye, Mom!"

3. Interviews for Matt at Vanderbilt and Little Rock. Interviews for both of us in Charleston, SC.

4. Ike. Yes, the news didn't lie. There was a hurricane in Cincinnati, OH. Thankfully we did not sustain significant damage and our power was restored quickly.

Things yet to come this month: Matt's birthday, trip to Knoxville for the TN-Fla game, Grace Caroline's birthday. Maybe October will bring some rest. Probably not, though because then we'll need to pack for ETHIOPIA!!!

We saw video!!!

We just saw video of our sweet boy!!! The video was taken 3 weeks ago, when he was 2 months old, so he's not doing much besides sitting in his bouncy seat sleeping. We did get to see a yawn and a stretch, though! So cute!! Can't wait to hold that little guy.... Thanks, Sharon for the video, and thanks Dianne for calling us and telling us about it!

New Pictures!!

Another group just got back from Hannah's Hope and I got new pictures on e-mail! Thanks, Charissa!! When I saw the pictures, every part of my being wanted to reach through the computer and hug, squeeze and kiss him. Waiting is so hard. I wish I could post the pictures. His beautiful curly hair and his big brown eyes are his two most drawing features, and the ones everyone who has met him talks about. Can't wait to hold you in my arms, little man!! It won't be long.....

Drew with his baby

Finally... A picture of Drew with his baby doll! You can't see from the picture, but this doll is so well-loved. He sleeps with him every night and takes the doll on every trip we go on. "My baby" he calls it!!

Another group travels

Another group leaves today to go get their sweet children! We are praying for your safe travels and look forward to seeing more photos of our boy!

Montana trip July 2008

Every summer, the Eggers/Linam clan, or some part of us heads to Big Sky. This is Lone Peak, which we can see from our condo.
Drew has a special place in his heart for "Doc." It's done wonders for my dad -- just look at that smile!
One of the days we were there, we hiked up to an Alpine lake, fondly called "Rat Lake." Thankfully, we did not see any rats or other similar animals. We did, however, enjoy a wonderful picnic lunch beside the lake.
Drew wasn't crazy about this backpack. That's okay, though, because next summer it will be our other son riding in it!! I expect him to be lighter than Drew -- he was pretty heavy!!
I think this was the kids' favorite part of the trip. We took a hayride to an outdoor cookout complete with strolling cowboy musician! Drew was trying to join in the music by playing the guitar on his shirt.

My favorite part of the cookout was the S'mores they had at the end -- we got to roast our own marshmallows and everything!

I don't think I've ever seen a brother and sister who love each other as much as these two. And they already love their baby brother, too. It's so sweet! Every time Drew sees pictures of him, he blows him kisses, and Grace Caroline can often be heard saying "I love J so much, and I haven't even met him yet!" We all feel the same way -- can't wait to hold you sweet boy!

Words to cling to

A group of families was in Ethiopia last week while we were in Montana. This is an e-mail I got from one of the families who was kind enough to take pictures! Thanks so much to Karen and Sharon for the updates and pictures. We are looking forward to the video!

Leann,
oh my goodness, i just met J and he is SOOOOO CUTE. I got several shots of him. He was sleepy at the end and I got a photo of him pouting, bottom lip curled about to cry. He has so much hair. He is sooooo little. Very adorable little boy with alert eyes. Very alert baby . . . looking around . . . blinking at the flash on the camera. And I saw his special mother holding him too, and she was super loving to him.