fun ol' fashion family christmas

Getting into the holiday spirit while trying to get to the grocery store for a few needed items can be difficult. I am generally a happy fellow but there are just so many times a man can take getting cut off while the other motorist pretends not to see you so they can get home while you continue to sit in traffic. Anyways, we have had a wonderful week after seeing Lilith & Sebastian on Wednesday and Thursday. We saw the Polar Express at the imax theater and Sebastian loved it. His exact words were "It's not scary...it was good." Lilith and Meredith sat in the nifty soundproof room for their viewing pleasure. Meredith disturbs others at movies so I thought it was best. We are about to go over to Jessica's house for a birthday party for Kelsey, Jon, and I. Hope I get to wear a birthday hat. By the way, sorry we haven't posted as much lately but I just bought a Powermac G5 computer (he he he) and it took me a while to get set up. Thanks to my blogger accountability partner, Michael Sanks, for making sure I continue to post frequently. I will hold him accountable during the time of his honeymoon. Another vote for Chuck E. Cheeses pizza!

Sorry, No Pictures

We do not have any new pictures to share this time, but I figured it was about time to post something new. I really don't think it is necessary to include pictures everytime, but they do brighten up a page. It doesn't mean I don't know how to read. I just enjoy illustration with my reading. That is why I teach elementary school. Maybe I also use pictures as a crutch becuase I really don't have anything interesting to say. Not much has changed since our last post. We had a very busy weekend. We went to Christmas parties and fought the crowds at the mall. I hate the mall! I like shopping, but I don't like the mall. I prefer the shops outside the mall. It took us half an hour to get a parking space, because we were stuck in the parking garage. Justin wanted me to include this, but I don't actually think it took that long. I was on the phone with my mom though, so maybe it did. I know it took a while and that Justin was getting frustrated. It is times like those when I am glad I can just talk on my cell phone and drown out my surroundings.

We both had embarrasing moments today. I wore new shoes and they are very slippery. My feet came out from under me while I was walking in the hall during dismissal. I didn't get hurt, but I had to fill out workman's comp paperwork anyway. Meanwhile, Justin came home from teaching school and to his surprise discovered that he had a whole in the crotch the whole day. I am sure his student's had alot to talk about after school. I want to point out that I hated those "ratty" pair of pants anyway and this is a blessing in disguise.

Oh baby! I've put on some weight.

This is me at 22 weeks. I am finally beginning to feel pregnant. People are starting to touch and talk to my stomach. It is a little strange. Today one of my students just realized that I am pregnant ( I teach special ed) and he asked me "what do you got in there?" My students always keep me laughing. They are very interested in the baby and always ask me questions.
I am enjoying my second trimester. I feel the baby move everyday now. Right now Justin is playing the guitar for Sawyer. He is hoping he will be ready to learn how to play by the time he turns 6 months.

We had a fun weekend visiting Sebastian and Lilith this past weekend. Their aunt brought them to the galleria to see us. We went to see Santa, played in the play land, and listened to a story teller. The best part was watching Justin try to teach Sebastian how to ice skate. It was so entertaining because Justin had never put on a pair of ice skates before. It really wish I had a video camera to capture the moment. It was great to see the kids. It is such a blessing to us that we can continue to spend time with them.

Only 2 more weeks until Christmas break! I can't wait!

Party at the BSU!!!

We have secured the BSU...I repeat we have secured the BSU. Upon Michael & Meg tieing the knot we are going to celebrate in a different fashion than the bride and groom. We are heading over to the BSU to celebrate the new year. BSU alumi are going to be in town so why not. Jessica and I are trying to get the word out with evites so if you haven't received one then let us know. We don't have everyone's email address so speak up and be counted. Details will be in the evite.

Recently I mentioned the party to Austin Perry and Ashley Howard. Look at their reaction...

That's one psyched couple that will be making their way to the event. See you there!

Thanksgiving in Boston

Meredith and I decided to go on a little trip during our Thanksgiving break to the Boston area. It was cold and rainy part of the time but we still managed to have a great time. That Meredith is a pretty good travel companion. We were in line for a not-so-great Thankgiving buffet and this old guy sees us give each other a hug and kiss and he says, " You must be newlyweds, ha ha". Not bad after three and a half years of marriage. We ate a bunch of great food including a cool little Italian restaurant in "Little Italy" . We also went to Harvard and had a guided tour which was rich in political and historical trivia. Here is a pic of us at Harvard Yard.



We also took a day trip down to Plymouth Plantation and saw a recreation of where Thanksgiving all began. Meredith got a chance to catch up with some of her old friends from college (pictured with Meredith). Don't let the ladies conservative dress fool you because they are wild. Plymouth was a unique experience that took us through four modes of public transportation to get to, but worth the trip.

What's next....time to get out the Christmas lights and the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation DVD and get into the holiday spirit!

We miss Lilith and Sebastian!!

Where to begin...the past six months have been amazing. We have gone through the feelings of excitement, fear, exhaustion, joy, sadness, denial, emptiness, and finally peace. After reflecting back on God's precious two gifts that he entrusted us with, we feel honored that God chose us to care for them during this time in their lives. As a result, Sebastian has developed a routine prayer life that can't be shaken. He loves church and soon will grow to love the Lord. Lilith has felt a mother's embrace and a father's protection for six important months of her life. Their mother (Chelsea) has opened her eyes to spiritual things and is curious to know what goes on at church that excites her son so much. She also gained a new friend in Meredith. So what have we gained...the importance of obeying God and trusting him despite what we think we can or can't do. We also feel blessed to have family and friends who are faithful to encourage and support us. Also, in the middle of it all God answered our prayers for a little baby of our own.

Presently the children have gone to live with their aunt while their mother continues to rehabilitate. We are fortunate that the family wants us to continue to be involved in their lives. We communicate weekly by email and telephone. We also will get to see them from time to time on weekends and on special occasions. We are adjusting to the quietness of our home but eagerly await a screaming baby boy in April.

Sebastian at his 5th Birthday party with his friend Robin.

Lilith is a cutie.

We have joined the underground network of bloggers...

Meredith and I are pleased to announce that this week we found out that we will have a baby boy in the house soon (Sawyer Bruce Bufkin). The excitement of our baby has helped us to cope with the leaving of our foster children (Sebastian & Lilith). We will soon post pictures of the children as well as the sonogram of our baby. I guess that you could say that our blog is under construction. Have a great day...you have officially been blogged by the Bufkins!