No Foolin'

I am not doing any blog-foolery, April 1 or not. We've been fairly busy since our last post, hence the quietness online.  I was able to get up to Lancaster for Temple's semi-annual family practice review. A week of 10 hr days, but you do walk away with over 52 credit hours. (53+ if you don't fail to correctly set your alarm and miss the first hour of Monday.) I was able to catch up with my friend Susanna and see how big Katie & Verity are getting first hand!! I managed to avoid all but the worst of the Friday afternoon commuter traffic (that would be 2.5 hrs to drive 75 miles of Quantico to Richmond...you can't appreciate how painfully slow the traffic waves are if you haven't tackled them personally.) But I arrived home in time for bedtime hugs, plunking in a load of laundry, & hitting the sack myself, so we could head out to VA beach the next day (life of suffering, let me tell you ;-p )  Mr. P. had a class to oversee out there, so we took a little home school spring break. Baby Grey enjoyed his first trip to the beach, we took in some swimming (the outdoor pool was heated more than the indoor one, like swimming in a moderately warm hot tub, sans bubbles), and hiked the better part of 40 blocks round trip for some Planet Pizza. Paul surprised us with a trip up to Chincoteague, where we went for our honeymoon and several anniversaries.  Our room was on the 8th floor and we saw multiple helicopters flying the length of the beach, seemingly on the level of our room. My boys quite convinced the the Navy did these purely for their enjoyment! Best of all, our USCIS biometrics (aka finger prints) appointment *just happened* to be scheduled that Monday and *just happened* to be at the Norfolk office, all of a half hour (no tunnels involved) from our hotel. And, if you think this all *just happened*, please email me, and we'll work on your doctrine, lol!!!  We made it home by 10:30 PM Thursday & I was back on my way to work by 5:30 AM Friday. I was just a tiny bit cross eyed tired. :-p We all trekked out Sunday morning to enjoy the early (but not the sunrise.....another bed at midnight, up at 4:45 night was not happening) service together, but opted to do "Easter dinner" tonight, rather than rush last night (or eat at 9 pm, the more likely scenario!)
Some photos:

Grey taking in the beach. World's largest sandbox, in his estimation. And *this* close to catching one of those crazy beach birdies...

 Sunrise from my balcony

 Cool man Josh, lounging at the pool side....

Cheers!!! 

This photo wins awards in that everyone is basically facing the camera, smiling, and no bunny ears. And the poor kids were facing into the 35* and 35 mph wind too. Apparently all family photos are easier to muster compliance in an Arctic environment....who knew??

Now for a couple of shout outs & prayer requests.

The Trio of Heroes auction is live today!!! Please, if you can, pop by and bid on some neat goodies to help support the Unroe Family bring their 3 precious children home (from Princess P's same locale.) Many thanks to Amy Rainey & crew for their tireless efforts to bring children home!

Another little one from Penny's location is being adopted by the Rosencrants' family, named Anna ("Marsha" if you saw her profile on Reece's Rainbow) and her family is there to pick her up. Unfortunately, she's not doing well and is admitted to a hospital in the capital city.  Please keep Lydia, Anna, and the rest of the family, as well as her caregivers in the hospital, lifted in prayer. You can follow the family's adoption journey here.

Finally, Patti over at A Perfect Lily plans to begin a fundraiser to help us bring Penny home in the next week or so. We are still stunned at this outpouring of generosity for our little girl!!

We officially have all of our documents for our dossier & are just waiting for our USCIS approval. Waiting on pins & needles.... :) In the meanwhile, I am just about ready to get out in the garden.....  Until next time.

"But he said to them, 'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen!"  

(Mark 16:6, NKJV)