October Baby

I would like to recommend the movie October Baby for other families to watch. We watched it as a family and one of our adopted boys was really affected by it. He cried for about an hour after the movie and it really helped him to let out some of the pain that he has been storing in his heart. It is about a girl who was born after she was a failed abortion. It deals with issues like abandonment, adoption and abortion and the pain and challenges that accompany each. Great movie, stock up on tissues first.

Reunited

Spencer was reunited with his sister Alina and his little brother Zhenia at the airport as they arrived here in the US. They were recently adopted by the greatest family in the world (Jeff and Amy Rast.) Alina now has 2 sisters her own age and her little brother who was at a different orphanage in Ukraine.

We intended to adopt Alina and Zhenia while we were in Ukraine before. Alina refused to be adopted and the SDA would not let us see Zhenia because they said he was way too sick. They were meant to be Amy's children and luckily she listened to the promptings to go and get both of them. They are a beautiful addition to an already amazing family. We are excited for Spencer to get to see Alina and the little brother he never really knew.

At the airport, I kind of expected a running toward each other with outstretched arms, with inspirational music playing overhead, but that didn't really happen. Spencer was in a strange mood and he became really withdrawn and shy. I am sure that there is some reason that this is normal out there, but for now we look forward to their spending more time together in the future.

i am so happy that these beautiful children are safe in America in the perfect home. I am so happy that I have one more good excuse to get to visit with Amy more and one less reason to visit Ukraine :). I am so happy that Spencer doesn't have to wonder about this family members half a world away. This is a great example of a time when something very sad can turn into something very happy and right. I just luve it when we get to see those moments during our lifetimes.

My new Political book

I just had my new book published on Amazon.com It is called:

Home Remedies for a Nation at Risk--What American Leaders could learn from American Families.

This is the link if anyone wants to see the book.

http://www.amazon.com/REMEDIES-RISK--What-American-Families-ebook/dp/B007CMS44I/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1330059388&sr=8-5

I have been excited to have this book finished and published and I hope it will do some good to help the situation that our country is in.

Mission Call

Devin received his mission call. We are still having a hard time believing that he is going to Kyiv, Ukraine. It is the same mission that Bryan just came home from. It is the same country that our 2 adopted boys are from. He will be speaking Russian like our oldest son Tyler who went to Russia. We are starting to wonder if there is some significance in all of this. 3 missionaries in the last 4 years and they all go to that part of the world. What are chances?
Dave and I decided that it is time to learn Russian. If nothing else we will understand what the kids are saying at family reunions. We have been looking forward to going on a series of missions someday but I am kind of nervous to turn in papers after this :) JK....kinda.

Maui

Dave and I decided to take a week out of the cold January weather and head to Maui. the flights were ridiculously cheap ($110. each from San Jose to Maui.) We used our Marriott points and also stayed at a beautiful resort in Makena and had a great time. We saw a lot of whales and some dolphins, turtles, wind surfers, kite boarders, and lots of flowers and sugar cane fields. Here are a few of my favorite pictures.
ALOHA to All
Christy

Sealed Forever

December was one of my favorite months of all time. Bryan returned from his mission in Ukraine. It is so good to have his good spirit back in our family. We had all the children here for Christmas which probably won't happen again for many years. We had Vitaliy and Spencer sealed to us in the Logan temple and the next day Tyler was married in the same room to Janalee Lnnghurst. We love her and are so happy that she is part of our family. We enjoyed all the festivities and being together with family during this special month. It gave me an added testimony that the plan of happiness really works. Times like this make all the hard times really worth it. This was truly a time filled with joy and the best kinds of joy come from family togetherness.