Tuesday, December 30, 2008

ANOTHER PHOTO



Here is another photo of Melaina (Bing Bing) sticking out her tongue. I had the nice guy at Walgreens help scan the two pictures and put them on a disc. I am so in love with her toes and little pout! She has Papa Fred's hairline and nephew Kevin's Birthday! A red thread for sure. She is much younger in this photo. I assume she is 6 months here. She is ten months now. Thanks to everyone for their support and love through this very long wait. Her full name is Melaina Nasim Humbles.

The paperwork came translated today. My Dad and sister were here when Bob and I opened the envelope. It was so nice they could share it with us.

I took the papaerwork to the pediatrician. She loves baths, and has a sweet tooth. She sleeps well and is very healthy! They say she has a ready smile and pleasant personality. She can't wait to meet her sister, brother, and everyone else!

INTRODUCING BABY HUMBLES











Monday, December 29, 2008

WE HAVE A BABY GIRL!!! GOD IS GOOD!

We would like to announce our baby girl's arrival. We will have photos and more information tomorrow. Lifelink will overnight the package from Chicago. Hey, don't we have a daughter there?

Anyway, baby's given name is Xu Bing Bing. I love it! Xu sounds like shoe.

Our daughter is 10 months old with a birthday of 3-07-2008. She is in the Guangdong province of China. Let's hope we will have a picture to post soon!

Thank you to all who have helped to support us in this very long wait. Thank you to my dear friends, Peggy and Sara, who came to enjoy the news. You made it a very special day! Congratualtions to my travelmates on their referrals as well.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

LATER AT HOME

Our stocking tradition.





CHRISTMAS DAY 2008


We started the day at Aunt Pat's house. Our "babies" are so grown. Nicole was able to come home from Chicago. Landon now finished with football looks forwad to skiing with Dad soon. Plenty of great food and family!

CHRSTAMAS EVE 2008


Say cheese, Bobby! Come on, smile.
Merry Christmas, Honey. Nine years ago today you popped the question. Here's to 18 years of Christmas together!

GRANDMA BETTY AND JERRY



As Grandpa Jerry says, "Any day I wake up is a great day!" We sure had a great day.


Terri and her friend joined us as well. Even though it took some time for them to get up the hill, they finally made it!

CHRISTMAS EVE


Dad and Ma Jan came over for Christmas Eve. We had chili and other yummies. Sister Terri and her friend were here, as well as Grandparents Jerry and Betty. This was the day of the ice storm comith.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

JANUARY SEEMS TO BE THE MONTH!

News from China is that all the referrals are filled from 2-23-06. We missed it by one day with a log in date of 2-24-06. We are happy knowing we are next in line to get a photo. It should come sometime around mid-January, unless for some reason things speed up. Finally, we are just weeks away from seeing the new addition to our family!

Friday, November 28, 2008

HURRY UP BABY, MOM IS DRIVING US NUTS!



I came down stairs and found my three pets all sleping together. The minute I got the camera, Lily was history. So here is a forced photo with Lily. Lily doesn't like cameras, fire alarms, hair spray, basically anything that makes noise!
The next photo is Tiger with his cat. Snuggle pals! We love our fur babies!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

MOM'S AND PAPA'S NAMESAKE


Kitty Fredrick O' Patty came out of the
woods this summer and hasn't left. Those
of you who know me, know I am a dog person.

Well, this handsome man has stolen our
hearts and often snuggles in my bed!
Here he takes a nap in the laundry basket!
Amanda and Tiger, here is your cat.
Tiger found him. Amanda suggested we
keep him. Lily just tolerates him.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

NICOLE'S JOB AT THE UNITED CENTER!


We are very happy for our Nicole. She just got word that she will be working in Chicago. Nicole is here in her new apartment. We had little heat but it was fun! Congratulations Nicole. We love you!

LANDON'S HONOR AWARD


Hey, we had a good meal, we don't care the certificate isn't in the folder! Landon and his proud mother, Crystal, at the ISU celebration. Great job keeping those grade high, Landon!

Monday, October 13, 2008


Bob and Tracy at the Alamo.

REMEMBER THE ALAMO!




Tracy and Abby at the Alamo in San Antonio. The River walk was beautiful. We had a nice time and ate plenty Mexican dishes!

THE GIRLS PULL A CAPER!


Nasimi, Nicole, and Tracy help me surprise Bob by moving the extra sofa from downstairs! We had fun sneaking the sofa out of the basement, up the stairs to the deck, and in the patio doors. Nasimi cooked yummy pizza, then tried out one of the sofas.

COLORS DOWN THE LANE




Sunday, October 12, 2008

LANDON AT ISU TALKS TO REPORTER FROM PANTAGRAPH


Landon talked to reporters in Bloomington last week. We were happy he was able to play with his buddy Kendrick. We were very proud of Landon's comments, as well as what the coach said. He has hung in there! Our boy is a team player and has such a good heart.

PA BEAR FRED ETHERTON


At Papa's church in Hoopeston, IL, a cross was erected in his honor. A loving tribute to our so very loved Papa! One of Papa's heroic landings as a Naval Aviator at link below. http://patronsix.com/html/power_failure_causes_vp-6_crew.html

WHEN DID THEY GROWN UP?!

We are so thankful for Landon and Nicole!

THE COLORS ARE COMING-ONE MONTH CHANGE!







FALL IS HERE!

It is the last season we will watch our Landon play football at ISU.
We feel very blessed and happy for him that he has been starting this year.

Nicole is back from Vegas and actively seeking a job in Chicago. She plans to move there
very soon.

Three years since we have been waiting for their little sister, I have gone from picturing
our baby girl cheerleader watching big brother play, Nicole traveling to China, to my sister traveling to China! I have imagined every season as THE season...for several years in a row! Ha!

Well, all things have a silver lining. While sister Terri needs to stay in the USA to welcome her second grandchild in three years, my baby's namesake will be traveling with me!! Yes, my college buddy Nasimi stepped up. We have shared so many adventures together over the past 20-some years, it seems only fitting!

We are most hopeful that the predictions are correct and we will get a photo of sweet baby or babies in December, maybe November, with travel 4-6 weeks later. Yes, I hinted at twins. We requested that it would be wonderful. Those of you who know our family, know we do twins on both sides!

Keep your fingers crossed for news soon...and those if you with great connections above, a prayer would be appreciated!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! Today we spent time with Bob's mother and remembered my mother with fondness. We also spent the day with one of the students from the school, Shelby. It was wonderful to have her spend time with our family.

It would be a fib if I did not say we thought we would be spending the day with our baby, yet we are thankful for our time with Landon and Nicole. We spent Friday and Saturday with Nicole and Landon. It was so nice to have the kids at home again. Nicole flew in from Las Vegas! They are so grown. We love them so much and are very proud.

We have 43 days ahead of our Log In Date. We are hopeful to hear something by September or November. Christmas in China?

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

NO NEW NEWS!

We still wait for our baby. Nothing new to report. December 05 referrals are almost done. So that means about 60-70 days left of referrals before they get to February 24, 2006, which is when we sent our paperwork to China. In February it will be two years. This does not mean we only have to wait 60-70 days. It has been taking a month to get through 5-8 days of referrals. So we could be waiting 8 or more months. We are hopeful things will happen sooner than later!