Tennis, anyone???

The girls have started tennis lessons. Last week was their first time... the day before my hand surgery. It was really CUTE! They are taking lessons with a small group of 4 - 5 year old girls... and their teacher (Miss Julie) is absolutely wonderful with them. She is so sweet and patient. They have really enjoyed it. They have done several warm up activities to promote hand-and-eye coordination. They have also done a lot of hopping, skipping and running. :) Oddly enough, Rachel is playing right-handed and Ali is playing left-handed. They both do everything right-handed... so this was a big shock for me. But... in our family there is quite a bit of ambidextrous-ness.... is that a word??? Jamie and I both do most things (other than eating/writing) right-handed... but we are left-handed. Jodi just switches hands when she gets tired. So little Ali may just turn out like one of us. BLESS HER HEART! (This might fall under the "prayer concern" category... poor child.)

Anyhow...

Just to keep everyone posted... we received MORE new photos of Sara (to be posted later) and new height/weight measurements. Bless her heart, we have received more updates and photos of Sara than we ever received of the girls...we have been very blessed. We are going to be having a big yard sale to try to raise more money for our adoption funds!!! Please pray for a good turnout and much success! We have also applied for an adoption grant through Shaohannah's Hope - which is a wonderful organization started by Christian Music Artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth. They are from Kentucky originally...and have 4 biological children and three children they have adopted from China. Please keep this a matter of prayer as well... it would be such a relief and blessing for us!!

Finally...

On a very sad note, our very dear friend Vickey Burberry passed away this past weekend. The kids and I were able to visit with her for a while on Friday, and we are so thankful for that chance to see her once more and to let her know how special she is to our family. Please remember Tommy and the boys in your prayers. Vickey's life was such a wonderful example to all of us. She loved the Lord so much... and she poured her heart out completely in everything that she did. She fought very hard... and maintained a positive attitude and a level of peace that she said was only possibly by the grace of God. What a blessing she has been to so many people! What an example to all of us of a life poured our completely for the service of the Lord! Heaven is rejoicing over the new addition to the heavenly choir...but we will sure miss her at the other end of our pew.