Buddies, Blessing & Beginnings...

Okay, sorry for my massive absence!  Long time no blog, right?!  A big sorry to those of you that actually follow my blog.  I hope you're still out there somewhere!

While I've been away, a few things have popped up that have kept me pretty busy.  First things first, India Camp!  I cannot tell you how wonderful camp was for us this year.  We've attended for four years now.  Dustin and I attended even before Mia came home.  It's a wonderful experience, and one of the main reasons we chose Dillon International as our adoption agency.  Things were different this year for us because Mia was finally old enough to be a camper.  

It was truly a blessing to be able to see her interact with all of the other kids.  It was also refreshing to be surrounded by families that looked just like us.  I can't exactly tell you why, but Mia has been quite different since we returned.  She seemed as though she matured by several years in just a 3 day span.  I honestly think that we all, our entire family, had a renewed sense of understanding for one another after we left.

I was finally able to actually sit and visit with Nadra Conner (Ian's mom).  The kids were off to their lessons, and Nadra and I were able to have a wonderful, long talk.  We've gathered together several times over the past couple of years, but we've always had the kids to distract us from true conversation.  It was a blessing to have a few moments of uninterrupted time with her.  For those that don't know, Mia and Ian were cribmates in India.  While we waited to bring our kids home, we both received videos of our babies.  It was the sweetest thing, and something that Mia still likes to point out, the ayahs had dressed Mia and Ian alike!  Little did the ayahs know, but Ian and Mia would have the opportunity to remain close.   The children's home where our kids were born, places children in homes all over the world, but by no small miracle, they were placed with families living just an hour and 45 minutes apart.  The Conners are very dear to us and we look forward to many years of Tucker/Conner gatherings.  Our children knew each other before they knew us, but because of us and by the grace of God, they will continue to know each other for many years to come.  God is so good.

Here's just a glimpse of Dillon International's 2009 India Heritage Camp.  Heather and Dillon Staff...well done!

Just catching you up on some pics from late spring/early summer.

Okay, Dustin and I have decided to start up our second adoption!!!!!!!  We've already started to gather the overwhelming amount of paperwork needed to get started!
We tried to start the process in May, but Dustin got laid-off (only to get his job back a week later - crazy).  His company wanted to move us to Chicago.  Anyway, everything worked out and we are now ready to move forward!

Details...

Country: India

Hoping for: Preferably a boy -- the girls need a little brother!

Agency: Dillon International (of course!)

Timeline:  (laugh, laugh) Only God knows!

Okay, sorry if my blog slacks a little over the next several months.  I've been devoting most of my spare time to writing (not on my blog, obviously).  I'm attempting to write a fiction novel.  It's quite a big project, and it's one that I intend on finishing...unlike most things I start!  I work a little bit everyday on my book (I'm writing my 4th chapter right now), so by the time blogging comes around, my creative juices are running on empty!  

I do promise to update the blog with pictures of the girls and progress on our adoption.  There may not be much to each post, but at least I'll give ya the good stuff!

God bless & please pray for our new journey!