Happy New Year!

I'm not sure if anyone reads this blog anymore, it's very embarrassing to see that my last post was in September! Facebook has changed my need to blog weekly. On the flip side I continue to follow all other blogs and LOVE reading all of your posts! Just an update on the Arnold clan, we had a very blessed Christmas celebrating with both sides of the family. Shortly after Christmas we jumped into the family truckster and headed east! Robb's sister was scheduled to be sworn into the US Congress and we wanted to be there to support her. So the caravan of Denali's left a day early to miss the 'blizzard of the decade' that was headed toward SD. We traveled 1500 miles one way and spent an amazing week in Washington DC taking in as much history as our brains could hold. The kids were perfect and it will be a time that we will never forget! As we begin 2011 we are so excited to think about what this year holds for our family. We have currently been on the waitlist for almost 5 months and are getting very anxious for that wonderful referral call from our agency! We have no idea if we are getting 1 or 2 kids or the gender of the child/children. We love having the surprise ahead of us but I am at the point of wanting to organize and go through clothes, etc. I am constantly praying for patience and peace! Waiting is the REALLY hard part of international adoption! Either way we feel very blessed and look forward to this year ahead!

Puzzle piece fundraiser

Hello everyone! I know I am terrible about updating my blog. Facebook seems to take all of my computer time. :) Well, this week we sent the last of our adoption paperwork to our agency who is reviewing it and will hopefully be sending it to Ethiopia very soon. This is a very exciting step in the adoption process, it means that we will soon officially be on the 'wait list'! We have been told to expect anywhere from 2-6 months wait time for a referral. We are requesting a 2-5 year old, either gender. So, at this point we have decided to start a fundraiser to raise money for the last part of our journey. (the expensive part!) :) Many people have asked how they can help and we think this is a fun way to document the help of others in our adoption journey. We have started a puzzle fundraiser. We have purchased this 500 piece puzzle and you have the opportunity to buy a puzzle piece for $10. Your name will be written on the back of the puzzle piece so we will always remember who helped us in this journey. As a family we will be putting the puzzle together as the pieces are purchased. I will keep you updated on the progress of the puzzle. There is a Donate button on the sidebar. You can buy one piece for your family, or a piece for each member of your family. Just let me know the name you want on the piece(s) in the 'note to sender' section. We are so excited about this project! Each donation will definitely be a blessing to our family!

An update on the BFF's

Ruby had her friend Destiny over for a playdate and I was able to snap some pretty cute pictures of the duo. At 2 1/2 these two are a hoot! They have super funny personalities and definitely keep us on our toes.

They both do a 'grumpy face'.

They love eachother SO much!

Brylie's cute new haircut

Hunter...always up to something

On Friday night Hunter disappeared into the office and this is what I found. I walked into the office and he said, 'Hi mom. Do you have a problem that needs to be solved?' Well, 1/2 hour later Robb and I had our problems solved and Hunter had $2 for his efforts. (He generously put the $2 in our 'Adoption Fund' basket on his way up to bed.) Love that boy!

Giveaway!!

My friend Erica is giving away a $50 gift certificate to Junk Posse! I absolutely love their unique creations! Erica and her family are in the beginning stages of their 2nd adoption from Ethiopia. They have an amazing family who has a heart for orphans. Go check out her blog here and sign up to win this fun prize!!

New bikes all around!

Everyone was due for a new bike so we took a trip to Wal-Mart today and everyone is pleased with their purchase! Robb and I were watching the 3 older kids ride their bikes yesterday and noticed that they were bumping their knees on the handlebars...quite the growth spurt since last summer! Since Ruby is not big enough for a bike, but loves to keep up with the older kids, we found her this really cool Hello Kitty motorized four wheeler. She smiles from ear to ear when she rides it. So cute! It should be a fun summer!