long overdue update

My word!!! This fall has be a chaotic surprise and has left us little time to think or write. There has been a lot of stress on our little blended clan (well mostly on Matt and I, hopefully we kept it from spilling over on the kids too much!) We have between the two of us had a 1 broken bone, two unrelated surgeries, what is apparently a normal amount of financial panic and deep concerns over the long term financial picture.
Blessedly, as often happens in our life, our family and our community supported us through the whole tempest, and we are now cautiously thinking that we may be able to greet this new day with all of our hopes and dreams intact!
Our financial roller coaster lead us to purchase a home, (my home that I grew up in). Meeting after meeting with mortgage brokers has made it possible for us to secure a monthly payment we can live with an amazingly still allow us to pursue our dream of expanding our family. In our dark hours this fall we felt that health and money would prevent us from being able to add another person to our blend for many years.
Our health, God willing, appears to be intact and we are VERY CAUTIOUSLY optimistic about beginning a home study with an agency based right here in our neighborhood.
Our amazing boys are finished with their fall sports, and have made the transition to their new grades without any trouble. Maris ending his first quarter as a high school freshman, and super soccer player, with almost ALL 'A's. Seth, who is also an excellent student, went right the way through to the second round of the championships with his football team, again playing alongside boys in his weight class who are two to three years older than him!
Today our clouds have cleared and our future seems bright as a blended family of four as we trudge the road to happy destiny together :)