some seriously adorable kids

Lydia and Silas enjoyed a wagon-ride in 60-degree weather this afternoon! However, I've been told more snow is on the way this coming week. We don't get out much lately...Not only has it been a bitter cold winter, but our little Lydia broke her leg at the end of January. Until March 4th she is in a full-leg cast, but it has hardly slowed her down. She's delighted herself by "learning to walk again", and I even caught her on the trampoline a few days ago. Thanks to Grandpa, Grandma Teedie, and Kate & Kevin for the seemingly endless packages in the mail, which have brightened her days for sure, and thanks to Grandma for coming down for a visit.

Silas is still doing well. Eating...everything, and in large quantities. Sleeping...11 or 12 hours, plus naps. Crawling...very fast. Standing...pretty steadily. I'm fairly certain "ball" is going to be his first word, but he's still working on it. Just figured out sippy cups, so Lydia will have to guard her beloved juice a little more closely now.

And now, what you've all been waiting for...There are 3 videos so make sure you click on each play button.

Watch the shadows on the carpet. I'm pretty sure Silas is being chased by a laundry basket.

Sibling Storytime

I love this one. For those who need help translating, the words are: "You're my best friend. I love you." Repeat.

Tweet For Korah (12.18.09)

You may have noticed the "Help Korah" ribbon in the top, right corner of the website. That is a ribbon that Michael has created and which is now circulating the internet. It is a ribbon to raise awareness for the community that changed our lives while we were in Ethiopia: Korah. You can get that ribbon and put it on your website or blog if you have one. You can also share it on places like Facebook. If you click on the ribbon itself, you can go to the website Michael has created, which is devoted to Korah.

In addition, Michael has planned to launch the first ever Awareness Campaign (you can join the Team by going to the website and signing your name) on January 18th. If you have a Twitter account, you can raise awareness and donate on that day. To read more about it, go to Michael's site by clicking HERE or go to the Korah site by clicking HERE. Thanks everyone!

Oh yeah, if you want to watch the newest video Michael just made, click the picture below:

* YouTube link: Korah Video

Very much overdue

We have been home with Silas for almost two weeks now. There is a lot to say about our trip to Ethiopia...but with two kids, there is not a lot of time to say it! What I can say, though, is that Michael did a great job of updating his blog every few days while we were in Addis and for a few days after coming home. Most the pictures from our trip and our reactions to everything we saw can be viewed at http://www.michaelhalcomb.com/ under his December posts. It was most definitely an important and emotional trip for us.

Good to finally have all four of us under the same roof. There are plenty of new pictures of the Lydia and Silas, and I have high hopes of posting them soon!
Thanks for everyone's thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement throughout our adoption process. The fun is just beginning...

Halcomb family update

We learned last week that our Embassy date will be Tuesday, December 1st, and today we booked out tickets for Ethiopia! In just two short weeks, Michael and I will be on a plane to meet our son and bring him home! We started this adoption process about 20 months ago, and as it comes to an end, we know it's truly only the beginning. We received more pictures of our handsome little man today, and just had to share them.

We cannot wait to see this face in person! These next two weeks will go by quickly, though. I will be rotating down to night shift and finishing my orientation period at work. Michael will spend a long weekend in New Orleans next week for the Society of Biblical Literature conference. Lydia will spend that same weekend wearing out her grandpa. Family is coming down for Thanksgiving, and thank goodness, because Lydia has been asking for them for weeks now! This is such an exciting time for us, and we so appreciate everyone's love and support!

Lydia sporting her fave glow-in-the-dark (Thanks, Aunt Kate) and loudly practing her alphabet. It takes her a few tries, but overall, I think she's got it!

It is mid-October, and we are still waiting on the approval of our final home study update. We are, therefore, still waiting to learn our travel date to Ethiopia to meet our son and bring him home. Silas celebrated his 6-month birthday this month, and this week we received new pictures and our very first videos of him!

So you think you can dance...

Lydia loves watching the "big kids" dance on TV. As you can see, she's been perfecting some of her own dance moves lately.