This Christmas was just one mainly about "getting through it". The fire displaced us for 8 months, and when we did get to move home in mid-December, we had no furniture, boxes everywhere filled with cleaned and ruined stuff, and utter chaos on every level. So cards didn't get mailed, gifts didn't get bought, decorations weren't hung. Still, we managed to have a decent Christmas, trying to keep the focus where it belongs, on Christ's birth.

That said, I didn't get cards mailed!! If you didn't get one (and that's everyone), it wasn't because it got lost in the mail. I was simply busy doing things like trying to find a pan or two in which to cook supper. :o) I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all of the pictures that I had reprinted to put in the cards; probably I'll send out cards in January, an abbreviated list, though...

I didn't do a "Newspaper" newsletter this year. I tried something different: I wrote a poem. Those of you know know me know that I hate poetry and have never written a poem in my life, but I thought it was kind of fun this time. So to replace the standard Christmas letter, here is the poem that everyone was supposed to get in their card:

2008
What an amazing year we've had! Nothing went really wrong...
None of the kids were very bad, But the year seemed pretty long...

First the boys got to fly a plane, A single engine one.
Miss rode in back popping a vein, Nikolai thought that was fun!!

In Feb. was Daytona's Big Race, While all the crowds had swarmed;
And the racecars all kept their pace, Missy and the boys performed!

A FIRE in April lit the sky, our house it seemed, was trashed...
But God said, Taborns, don't you cry, Don't let all your hopes be dashed.

"For kids and pets escaped unhurt, Forget not your scrapbooks, too!
Much of your stuff is black and burnt, But I will help you get through."

...We lived in a house, it's rented; A pool we had, a fence!
Our pay insurance prevented, and wouldn't pay our expense!

Some people we hired to help us; Nice people, mediators they.
They helped us to put up a fuss, So insurance wouldn't underpay.

Miss and Reese: 10 years together! A big year, to say the least!
A cruise to the islands whatever, "We're heading to south east."

"A Mayan ruins I must get to. My fav'rite vacation spot.
A boy like me is overdue, History I love a LOT!"

This year, so it seems, was hectic; Adventures: some good - some bad.
Though life is always eclectic, We're grateful for all we've had.

So as this year comes to a close; Friends, family are what are true;
Don't think you will ever impose, Good tidings from us, to you!!

Well, we still aren't home. On the 18th, it'll be 8 months since the house fire and we are ALMOST home. The house is a mess, as neither the contractor nor the Cleaning Team has finished their work and cleaned up their mess and it's pretty frustrating. Try living in a hotel room with 2 14 year old boys, 2 whippets who LOVE to run sprints, and a hyperactive Boston Terrier! We've been here a WEEK. OY!! But the boys and I went to the house today to unpack and clean a bit. They were huge helps. Poor Mark has the Crud and feels AWFUL. He's been coughing and sneezing and hacking (and SNORING!) for days and he thinks pneumonia might be on the horizon for him. I've been sick too, but I'm usually so hardy I shake things after a bit.

So we could use your prayers that we are able to secure some furniture for our master bedroom (other pieces are needed but not as urgently) and for Mark's health. The one really good thing is that the boys and I got our Russian chaperone's bedroom ready! It's the ONLY room in the house anywhere NEAR ready, but at least that's ONE room!! Ha. I couldn't stand thinking that she might be uncomfortable in her room.

As far as the adoption, we are still mourning the "loss" of our little Simon (please pray for him!!), but trying to look ahead. I think the the country of Armenia is far more appropriate for us, in that the travel req's are much easier (among other things). It is a more expensive country, but how can you put a price on a person's life? I'll put a picture of her on my blog here. There is a more updated photo of her, but it's on the other computer which is buried in a box at the house right now. I think she is just STUNNINGLY beautiful! I think she looks like a mix between Liz Taylor and Snow White. Which do you think she looks more like? Maybe I'll put a poll on the left. Let me know what you think!

In an hour or so, the boys and I'll head back to the house to keep working, after we go to Lowe's for some things. Ugh. It's exciting to think that we'll be back home soon, though!

Much love to everyone!

Missy

It is with extremely heavy heart that I write this. It seems that we are not meant to be little Simon's parents after all... Don't want to get into it here, and now, but I thought I should make some sort of announcement. In a way, I'm glad it happened here and not when we got to the country, as to find out we couldn't be his parents when we go there would be totally devastating, and I have heard of it happening to different people. But anyway, that is our sad news. We could really use prayer for comfort for our hearts, but MOSTLY, Simon needs prayer so that he can have a family after all... He is at that age to be transferred to a special needs orphanage and that is a fate that is very hard for us to think about at this point.

So please, pray for our little Simon that he finds his forever family. We are heartbroken that it isn't us.

Thanks.

We are needing prayers today. Don't want to say why just yet, but please pray for wisdom for us. And comfort and peace. Thanks.