Tuesday

I have much to tell, I know you all love pics but you are going to have to listen to me ramble first! I will try to post some pics of today because we have some cute ones but we are fixin' to go play some Marines in basketball so you may have to wait a little while.

I have been trying to not get too into the Christmas spirit because if I am it will only make me horribly home sick. But this morning I put on some Martina McBride Christmas and took a bath, oh yes, I shaved my legs! (You know that only happens once in a blue moon:) I know this is a very special Christmas for us but it's still hard not being at home. I just hope the next few days go by quickly! I think next year will be the best when we are all home for Christmas. Our plans for Christmas Eve is to go to the orphanage and then tomorrow night go to some friends of Janice and Jon's to eat. On Christmas morning we are going to get up and have a big breakfast with Janice and Jon and give them their presents then go to the orphanage. We are going to take family Christmas pictures and I hope we get some good ones.

Today we met with Luda, Lena's sister, she was so funny. Reminds me so so much of Lena, very sweet. I will post some pics of us together.

Today when we got to the orphanage it was a little later than normal because we spent extra time with Luda. So I walked in his room and the kids were playing but I didn't see him then a caretaker pointed to him and I saw his hair. He was playing on the other side of the room behind a play pen. I said, "Hudson" and he popped up started laughing and was trying as best as he could to get around everything. He was too cute. He also cried for me when I left the room today. He is so funny. I can't wait for you guys to hear him laugh and copy the noises you make with your mouth. He loves to dance. And he thinks Jason is the funniest thing. But then when he gets tired he's clingy to me.

We saw another couple today at the orphanage and they were adopting their son. Today was their first day to see him. They had just brought him out when Hudson was going back to his room. The little boy and Hudson are in the same room. The dad asked me if I spoke english and then I asked where he was from. They were from Italy. I told him I would take a picture of the three of them together. When he handed me the camera he started crying. There's something about a grown man crying that pierces my heart. He didn't have to say anything, I knew he was thinking about the first picture of him, his wife, and THEIR son. I could have cried with him. Funny how we can be from totally different parts of the world, barely able to communicate, yet still feel the same emotions and connect.

It snowed today probably a few inches so far but it's supposed to keep snowing. So we'll have a white Christmas! I have a feeling I may wipe out a time or two walking down all these stairs.

To Mom and Dad, Casey, Jeanna, Marty, and all of you that are so dear to our hearts...
I'll be home for Christmas...if only in my dreams. We love you!