BIG NEWS

Finally, we can see our LID on CCAI's website. The CCAA has finished matching babies with families logged in 2/28/06. Although we have a way to go 3/24/06, it is nice to see that our month is now at the front of the line. We estimate we will be matched with Maggie sometime between May & July and possibly sooner if the CCAI speeds things up. Since the orphanage donation went up to $5,000, it is speculation that a speed up is right around the corner. We are ok with the timeline now but it would be nice not to have to do our paperwork for a third time. We are so ready to get to the finish line and bring our little Maggie Moo home to be with her forever family - not to mention her big sister who is dying to see her baby sister.

Christmas 2008

This year brought lots of happiness and relief since nursing school is done. Molly had a wonderful day and we loved having Nana Rosie with us this year. We were able to fly her over for the graduation festivities and then be able to stay with us through Christmas and the New Year. We are keeping Nana very busy with lots to do and running around. Now we can rest for a few days and take it easy. This year Molly woke up at 7:30am and said "Merry Christmas Mama", it was so precious and she was so so so excited to come out and see what Santa brought for her - it was precious. She got loads of gifts and was most thrilled with "Lucky the Dog". He does what you ask on command. I cannot believe that our little princess will be 6 years old in less than a month. Paul starts his new job at St. John's the week of January 5th so it will be exciting for us to have Paul actually working.

Nursing School GRADUATION

On December 17th, Paul graduated from Nursing School. We cannot believe that he is finished. He will take the State boards in January and then officially become an RN. We started this adventure 4.5 years ago by taking an english course at night while Paul worked during the day. It took 2 years to finish his pre-requisites before he could apply to school. There were 350 people who applied to attend school when Paul did, 90 were accepted and 27 actually graduated. It was extremely difficult and they don't give to many second chances. Thankfully, Paul did not need any second chances, he did so well in school but not without a price. We were away from each other quite a bit and it was very hard over the last 2 years. We decided when we started nursing school that we were going to do it and that we would either finish and be able to say, "we did it" or get to the end and say "we should have stuck with it". Now we can say happily "WE DID IT". I am so so so proud of Paul that I cannot find the right words to express how I feel. He is going to be the very best nurse ever. It is only the beginning and we have great things in store for the future but right now we are wallowing in our happiness that the first phase is finished. Honey, thank you for making this huge sacrifice over the last few years, Molly and I love you with all of our hearts.

We are Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally, Paul took his last nursing final yesterday and he was able to pull off an A in both classes this semester. I am so incredibly proud of him and words cannot express how much I love him and respect him for all of his hard work. He not only will be a nurse, his goal is to be one of the very best nurses he can be. He is so committed to the profession and helping people. The people that will have Paul as their nurse don't know it yet but they have won the lottery. At this point we know we can do anything we set our minds to so sky is the limit for Paul's career. Thank you honey for making such a huge sacrifice for us over the last 4.5 years. You are an inspiration to so many. Love you deeply.