Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's 2008 already! (For the record, I did start this post last week, but have been having some computer issues...I swear it's not user error! Anyway, everything seems to be ok now...on with the post.) I thought time went by fast before we got Lily...now it seems to be going by faster than the speed of light. I hope you are enjoying the New Year and haven't broken all of your resolutions yet! I don't make them anymore...they don't really work for me. I, like everyone else, would start off with the best of intentions which lasted until maybe the beginning of February...if I was lucky. Now I just continually pray for God to continue His good work in me until He returns, which He has promised and been faithful to do.


We actually spent the New Year holiday out of town. We went to Austin, TX to visit some very good friends of ours who moved there last summer while we were in China. It was so good to see them, and to be in Texas. I sure do like it there. It's so much more beautiful than what I thought it would be. Even though I have lived in California for more than half of my life (!), I have never really felt at home here. I think a part of me will always consider home to be Anchorage, Alaska. Of course, now that I think about it, no matter where I live on this earth it will never really be my home. My treasures are stored in Heaven where my Father is preparing a place for me...so awesome to think about and just incomprehensible at times. Life is short and eternity is forever...too long to be wrong! Anyway, we enjoyed our visit in Texas. Here are a few pictures from our trip...

Lily got a beautiful new coat for Christmas...

...I think she likes it! And she certainly looks adorable in it.

Lily had a blast playing on the swing.

She took turns with Reagan.

Robert and I in front of Lake Travis. The weather was beautiful while we were there...a little nippy, but I enjoy that.

Our dear friend Angela (in the blue shirt) playing Scrabble with her boys. Julian is on the right and Jordan is in the yellow shirt. Angela's mom, Kay, was also playing, but was a little camera shy.

Angela's husband Marcos (also our dear friend!) having some quality time with Reagan.

While in Texas we were also able to visit Robin, Travis, Samuel and Lucy. We met them in China when they were adopting Lucy. They are such an amazing couple. We hope to see them again sometime soon!

Lily enjoying some Oreo Cookie cake. Apparently it was finger-lickin' good!

On New Year's Eve we went with Marcos and Angela to visit some other friends who moved to Texas last year. We all used to be in a bible study group together when we first started attending our church. Slowly but surely, everyone is moving away. Sad for us, but it's nice to be able to go visit! Anyway, Lily met Gabriella who is exactly one month younger than she is. All of the kids (I think there were about 8 or 9 of them ranging in age from 15 months to about 10 years) had a blast and all but Gabriella managed to stay up until midnight. The kids were all so good with Lily and she had so much fun.

Lily in her western wear. We bought her an adorable pair of pink cowboy boots while we were there. It will be a while before she can wear them...they are size 5 and she is still in a size 3 shoe...she has such cute tiny feet!