We've traded our expired Mazda for a nearly new Saturn! The boys are thrilled to ride to school in style, and Sharon is thrilled to be done with a car she has never liked for its aesthetics and manual transmission. People have asked me if I had a sentimental attachment to a car I've had for ten years. When that's happened I may have politely answered with a "no," but I was laughing histerically at the notion that I could be attached to a car. Nope...I'm not that kind of a guy :-)

On January 26th, Sharon and I drove the Saturn over to Charlotte for our fingerprinting. We had heard horror stories of the wait time in the Charlotte office - it being compared to the DMV, but worse. We were on their schedule for 2:00pm and the entire process was over before 2:30!

In some ways the entire adoption process is reminding me of my past experiences at Disney World: a significant, almost painful wait time followed by a joyous adventure. Well, we're being treated by grandparents to a Disney World adventure this winter - evidence that the wait time is a distant memory compared to the fun. The main difference? When we do get our daughter, I am looking forward to a wonderful LIFE-LONG adventure. Come to think of it, I'm also looking forward to the time she and I can wait in line together somewhere fun! (Pat)

Our 1989 mazda died a natural death the other day - thankfully in its sleep. Sharon and I knew this was inevitable, although we were hoping we could put off the purchase of a new car until late summer.

On the adoption front, we have collected almost all of the family pictures we need, and we are looking forward to getting fingerprinted on January 26th in Charlotte, NC. Following this time, I am going to focus some of my energy on filling out two adoption grant applications. These could provide Sharon and me with an important fraction of the adoption costs, and so we hope each of you is praying specifically for this.

Sharon and I received an appointment with CSCIS (Homeland Security) to have our fingerprints recorded for background checks, etc. This will take place on January 26 and, hopefully, this will be the last hurdle in our paperchase. Following the fingerprinting we will receive our I-171H which, from my understanding, is the clearance we need from our Federal government to go through with the adoption.

We have plenty of other things to work through but we feel confident that we will have them completed between now and then.

Thank you for your continued prayers!