Christmas Time!

Christmas time is here! It seems that it comes around faster every year. This year amidst the decorating, party going, cookie making, shopping and present wrapping there were doctors appointments, paper gathering and home study visits.  I will have to admit that the later added a little more stress to an already stressful season, causing a little spike in blood pressure and a little more tension in the Vaughan household. After all in the last few months we have managed to lose 80 pounds total in this house (Travis 50, Bethany 30),  go to 3 doctors appointments, close on an adoption loan, throw a birhday party and make it through 2 home study visits. What a wonderful ride!
Now it is time to sit back and wait. Our home study visits should be finalized at the end of the week and sent off to our internation adoption agency (AIAA), we will soon begin to work on applications for grants, but right now, just wait.
As I wait, I can't help but think of things to come. I think about next Christmas and the hopes of another child with twinkling in their eyes.  The thoughts of hanging the glass ornaments just a little higher so that little fingers won't be able to touch them. The thoughts of a big sister showing him/her (or both or more) how to make cookies and just what happens when Zolly our elf on the shelf leaves every night. The traditions of Christmas will only get better as our family grows, and grow it may as Travis as I approved both twins and a sibling group (2 children) at our home study!
In about 5 months from now we will receive our referral, but now we wait because it's Christmas time again. A time to celebrate the hopes that rest on another child born a long time ago. Merry Christmas Everyone!