Thank you!

We just wanted to thank everyone for all of their support. It has meant so much to us and helped immensely. We are doing well. I still find it hard every time I see something that belonged to the girls but hopefully with time this will get easier. We appreciate and love you all.

The legal system stinks!

Just an update on our court date. It did not go well. Everyone was already pretty much set on sending the girls home. It really didn't much matter what I said. It was pretty sad because the girls were already gone so we didn't even get to say good-bye. There is a follow up team that will be meeting with her family twice a week through the end of Feb. and then she has court the beginning of April to see if the State is ready to close the case.

Our house is very quiet and we are truly and deeply going to miss them. I have felt much comfort from my Heavenly Father and from the support of friends and family. I am grateful to know that for whatever reason this is part of His greater plan. Thank you for all the support you have given us during this stressful and difficult time in our lives.

Christmas in Omaha

We just stayed here this year and it was nice and relaxing. I think we have gotten more snow earlier than the other years we have been here. This picture was taken at the Kanesville Tabernacle in Council Bluffs, IA which was a fun historical site to visit. They had a gingerbread house and Christmas tree display. Aspen got her picture taken with Santa at a Christmas party we went to at Children's Hospital. The twins were sick every time we wanted to go. Hopefully we will get a chance next year. I am guessing this is the year they would have been really freaked out anyway. We had the twins for Christmas Eve and they had to go on a visit Christmas Day so we did some things early. Their court date is actually the 9th which is this Wednesday. We are anxious to see what the judge has to say but fear that most of the other people involved intend for the girls to go home. We wanted to avoid this if possible but it seems likely. We are still anticipating that their mom won't want to or be able to handle the situation for long. We will keep you posted. My next Dr. appt is this Tuesday. I will probably get more ultrasound photos as he said he wanted to do one every two weeks. The babies will have really grown so it will be fun to see the changes. We are hoping to know the genders by around 16 weeks. Life is never boring at our house. I guess that is good. It keeps us out of trouble.

Two blobs means twins right?

So we had our ultrasound last week and while we were waiting for the doctor to come in I said to Daren, "How many do you think are in there?" He said, "One." I said, " I think there are two in there!" Then as the doctor proceeded to do the ultrasound I casually mentioned that we were curious if there were more than one in there. He did not respond. I got a little nervous. He had Daren and Aspen come stand to my side so he could turn the screen for me to see. Sure enough this is what I saw. I still had to hear him say it to believe it. That night I asked Daren again if he really thought there was one in there. He said, " No, I thought there were two but I didn't want to be dissapointed." Somehow we had a feeling. So now we are growing by four more feet and four more hands and two of most every thing else (Daren is especially hoping that we are growing by two more boys). I am sure the next few months will be challenging not to mention the next few years but we are sure Heavenly Father has a plan for us and we are just along for the ride.

Two lines means pregnant right?

After 5 long years of waiting, wondering, fertility, frustration and tears we are finally going to have another baby. Thanks to a new doctor and a new treatment we were finally able to get pregnant. We are so excited!!! We really are in shock and can't believe it is really true. My due date is Aug. 1, 2008. Daren, of course, is hoping for a boy. We are just soooooo happy! Hip hip hooray!

Upcoming event

We are preparing for Olivia and Cecelia's court date on January 8, 2008. We have been calling the caseworker, her supervisor and the babies' attorney, the Gaudian at Lidem (GAL). The pediatrician has also called all of these people expressing her concerns for the girls' health and safety. She even wrote a letter for us to give to the judge. Now it is just a matter of waiting and praying that someone with the power and ability to protect these girls actually will. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we wait.

I know this is way way late but I wasn't blogging in May and this is the only somewhat recent picture of Daren and I. Sad but true. We were so excited for Daren to finally finish school after 11yrs. He got his DPT, Doctorate of Physical Therapy on May 12, 2007. He then spent the next 6 weeks studying for the boards. He passed and began his first contract job with his new employer on June 25. He worked at a hospital in Lincoln for 3 months and then signed a new contract to work here in Omaha at the VA hopsital but it didn't start for a month so we enjoyed having him home with us for the month of October. It was sad not having him around every day but he is really enjoying his current assignment. He is doing mostly outpatient orthopedic therapy. A worthwhile end or beginning, depending on how you look at it, to a long journey.