It's looking a lot like Christmas

Hannah and our family headed out to celebrate Christmas early with the Perry family this year. It was a fun time for everyone to meet Hannah, and get to wish everyone a Merry Christmas in case we don't see them this year. Great Grandpa Perry and Donna are headed down to Florida early this year, so it was particularly important to us to see them. We also go to meet Cousin Becky Valentine's little baby Layla. She has such bright blue eyes. What a cutie.

Hannah is getting more and more active! She slept through the night for 7 hours straight for the first time on Thanksgiving weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Perry's house, and then once more at home on Monday night. She spent all of Monday cooing and smiling for Daddy. We got to get such a cute smile on camera! Granny Crouch has a friend that requested a picture with all of Hannah's features. ^^ Granny Crouch was very excited to get this picture!

With our nights regulating and Hannah having a set bedtime of 9:00pm at night, life's been getting more and more manageable during the day. Work is going good for Christina. She's planning the company's Christmas party with a fellow co-worker. So she's been hard at work creating the center pieces for the tables, 6 in total. Wish her luck!

Some exciting news in our family involves our brother Jacob. He asked his girlfriend of 4 years to marry him this last week and she said yes! We're so excited to welcome Mary into our family. I hope that everyone will get to meet her soon if you have not already. I'm sure you will fall in love with her as we have.

Uploaded on U-tube are some new videos of Hannah! There's one taken after a midnight feeding-- lol in the dark, I'm so sorry to say. I should have turned a light on-- but it looked light enough while I was taking the footage. There's another that features the Perry family playing a game together. [Mary is playing with us as well] There's a bonus in that video as well. Hannah grabed her pacifire for the first time by herself and stuck it in her mouth, and she's never done that before! Enjoy watching a "first" for Hannah on video! [you can see the links to the right]

Granny and Grandpa Crouch have a new web camera. We've enjoyed this new high-tech way to "visit" with them online! I know Hannah would like to see them again soon!

"The One That Got Away"

If you've ever looked at a tow truck laden with cars and wondered, "Hmm, I wonder if those ever can just fall off or come off?"... They can!

On the way to the bank after work, Matthew and I witnessed the most outrageous site. A Tow truck took a right hand turn and the car latched to the back of his truck became un-attached and rolled towards traffic and over the dividing median. It somehow did not hit the car that it came to a stop next to [only by inches!]. Possibly it was stopped by the force of hitting the median and jumping the curb.

The tow truck driver didn't notice for a few seconds but definitely had a "aw crap" face when he did. The Jeep Cherokee that it barely missed couldn't even open his door to see if his car was damaged! Thank God that no one was hurt and that the run-a-way car didn't cause any damage to the surrounding cars!

On our way back from the bank we happened to pass by the same intersection on our way home.
There were 4 police vehicles there by then and the tow truck was removing a car from it's bed to exchange with the one that "got a way." Matthew and I both thought that the car on the bed of the tow truck was in better condition than the crunched up one that broke off from the truck. We're not towing experts by any stretch. Though it makes you wonder.

Joni Jay Perry!!

October 24th was a day to remember in the Perry family.


Several of our family friends were with us at the Jackson County Courthouse. The room, surrounded by familiar faces, was a small court room. It had a judges desk, "pew-like" seating for guests, and a very large oval table that barely fit Gail, Morris, Jake, heather, Angela, My Husband Hannah and my self, and of course little Joni. She was sitting on Daddy's lap, very curious and inquisitive as usual. The big moment came when we were all asked to "rise for the honorable judge." A sweet faced woman came into the room and proceeded to the large Judges desk.

My Father was asked to introduce the various family friends that had come that day. My Uncle Larry was introduced first, followed by grandpa and Donna. My Grandma Schweda [my Mother's mom] was introduced next then the other side side of the room contained a lot of family friends. Among them were Mrs. Fitzpatrick, Jeff and Coline Bell, Carol and Mel Lehman, Dot and Jerry Manthei [previous foster parents], Jessi Dearing, Paster Brad Foster, Paster Scott England made it but wasn't in time to make it inside the closed doors.

My father was asked if he wanted to make a statement by the judge before her ruling on the case of Joni's adoption. Daddy asked my mother if she wanted to say anything, but she was a little too emotional to do so at the time. It was a very special moment. Daddy was so greatful that this was able to work out, and just gave God the Glory for letting it happen.

There were tears around the table [and I'm sure around the room] as the Judge made her ruling for Joni Jay Perry to become our new little sister. I remember looking over at Angela across the table from me and we both shared a very excited tearful smile as the judge made her ruling. I wonder how much of this great day, Joni will be able to look back on and remember. I know that My family and I will always be able to tell her of it's importance to us in our hearts.

We're so excited to officially welcome this bright eyed ball of energy to our family! She is our joy in every way. Her contageous laughter fills our home now and it feels as though her presance was always ment to be there. I know in my heart that God's plan for her to join our family was always there, but isn't it amazing that God could give such a special gift?

We love you Joni Jay!

Best night of sleep yet!

I'm so grateful for many things! Most of all the great advise from family and friends!

Our little one is starting to adjust to life at home. So far our nighttime routine has been predictable with feedings at midnight, 3am, and then again at 7am. Unfortunately we hit a rough spot two nights ago when little Hannah couldn't sleep at all through the night, and when she did doze, she would only wake up again the moment she was put back in her bed.

I'm so grateful for our dear family friend and baby sitter Stephanie who monitored her sleeping throughout the day yesterday, keeping her naps to minimal amounts. We followed up on this when I came home from work. My mother Gail Perry has always been a pillar in my life for good parenting advise, and I'm glad that we took her advise on trying to keep little Hannah awake for a bit longer last night.

We had one of our best nights of sleep yet! Hannah woke up at her regular intervals, of 12, 3, and 7 but she went right to sleep without any hassle after she was burped and changed. Sweet sweet sleep! Thank you Lord!