Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

Good morning girls! Are we still alive and kicking out there? I suppose we're just getting a little busy this time of year. Is anyone finished with their Christmas shopping?? I'm SO close! Chad and I hopefully will finish this weekend. We got a beautiful snow! About 4 inches. Not too much to make it miserable. How about the North Eastern Indiananites?? Did you get more? (Seems like you usually do) ;)
The kids are doing pretty well, other than Josiah - I'm gonna take him to the Dr this afternoon. He woke up with his eyes matted and puffy and 1 of them is pinkish. :( I'm pretty sure I know what he has. He also has been holding his ears today and crying owie. So he may have ear infections, too?? Not sure. Over all, he's pretty happy, thankfully! Kelsey has her Christmas program at church this Sun afternoon, then Tues night at School! Looking forward to those! She's getting so big!
Abbi's crawling everywhere and getting into everything she shouldn't. Now she's pulling herself up and 'crusing' the furniture!! Bekah...Josiah STILL wants to come to your house!! (He keeps asking, "Bekah's House")
Well, I'm looking SO forward to the Hoffmann Christmas NEXT weekend!! WOW! Hard to believe. Well, I'd better keep going-hope you all are doing well! Love ya! Kristy

missing gloves

matt has been missing his brown leather gloves ever since Thanksgiving with the Hoffmanns. We're wondering if anybody has them with their stuff by chance? Matt's poor fingers are getting really cold!!

It was good to hear from you, Aunt Barb! I'm glad you had such a good trip. Do you think Seth will want to do this long term (as in longer than a year or two?) We missed you guys so much at Thanksgiving. It will be good to see you at Christmas.

Well, I better run for now! Love you guys,
Rebekah

Bekah's lil admirer

Here's Bekah and her little Buddy! He got SO attatched to her last weekend...it was precious! It was Bekah this and Bekah that. When he woke up Saturday morning, He asked for Bekah! We saw her in church Sun for Wendy Hodel's wedding, and he tried to follow her outside after services. Chad grabbed him, and he cried and cried....I see Bekah! I though this pic was pretty cute - they were (obviously) playing catch. Aaron...you've got some competition! ;) I think he will be pretty excited to see you get married!! We Missed you Gerber's SO much, but we were praying for you! Hope Seth is doing well! It sounds like he is from his 'updates.' And yes, we'd love an update! (pic's included) ;)
Well, gotta keep going! Love you all! Kristy

Hello,

We missed you all over Thanksgiving; however, we had a wonderful time at Casa Vida Y Esperanza (House of Life and Hope). It was great being with Seth and seeing him at his work.
Seth seems really content and in his element. I am so impressed at how well he communicates in Spanish. Of course, he thinks he has a long way to go. He asked for a book called 501 Spanish Verbs, for Christmas. Now that sounds like work to me!

The kids have a way of crawling right into your hearts. However, they are boys and there are times when you don't know if you should hug'em or hit'em! Seth is pretty strict with them.
Jeff Beer was gone for two weeks, so Seth was on his own. In March, when we go on a work team, Jeff should be there and I think Seth will be more at ease.

It was really hard coming back to the cold Indiana weather. Down in Magdalena it was very cool in the mornings and evenings (sweatshirt weather) and warm and sunny during the days(70s). I don't expect Seth to come home after a year...but we will just wait and see.

We are looking forward to Christmas, though shopping hasn't been in my vocabulary yet!

Have a great week and I hope someone else blogs soon.

Love ya lots,

Aunt Barb

Hello Girls

Hope all is well with everyone. Gerbers--we'd love to hear all about your trip to Mexico, I'm sure there's a story or two from the children down there. We missed you at Thanksgiving, shopping just wasn't quite the same. How's Josiah doing Kristy, still talking about me? That was so funny! I'm not sure who has my name...or what you're planning on getting me, but on my note I put movies, just a clarification, I'd rather have a DVD than a video....but whatever, I'm flexible. So I'm sure you've all heard but I got my wedding dress! I'm so excited about it, it's more beautiful then I even imagined it!
Can't wait to see you all at Christmas!
Love,
Booxy

Good morning fellow Hoffman Gal's!

How are all of you on this fine, crisp morning? :) I am listening to Christmas music, trying to convince myself it's ALMOST HERE!!! My hubby was shaking his head at me last night when he came home and I had the music playing! He has this 'rule'...NO Christmas music until Thanksgiving is over! But I just can't understand that, since it is all celebrating Christ's birth! Why are we so limited to celebrate it for only a month?? :) So, I just go on listening to it throughout the day, and when he gets home...off it goes!
Well, I know some of you were praying for little Micah Gerber - Byron and Lisa's baby. He passed away last week, and as you can imagine, it has been very difficult for them! They really need to be uplifted in prayer...I talked to her yesterday she said she just doesn't have any desire to go on anymore. She aches to be with him so badly, but yet she knows this is God's plan, and that he is safe in the arms of Jesus. She also said she feels she has no purpose here anymore. So please pray that God can carry them through this, and that they can grow stronger in HIM! He was just a few days shy of 6 mo. Well, I thought I would include the web site they had for him throughout his life, as well as the web site for the slide show of his life here on earth. It is SO touching. They had it playing at his visitation. The Journal of his life is very long, but I would encourage you to skim through some of it, if you are at all interested. I would deffinatly suggest looking at the slide show! Well, I'd better keep going! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and we will miss you, Gerber's at Thanksgiving!!!! :( But tell Sether's a BIG HELLO!! We miss him. But are praying for him. Love you all!
Kristy

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow.html?fl=2455614&alb=0
that's the slide show

www.caringbridge.org/visit/gerberbaby
and that's the journal/guestbook

home from Florida

Hey girls - Clint and I just got home from a week in Florida!! We had such a blast. Were with Chad and Kristy the first night and then with our friends, Rock and Sharon O'shea and Ben and Kristy Luginbuhl! We partied hardy!! Every day was in the 80's (do you hate me now!) :) Sorry, I'll stop. We were very excited to see our girls again. It was so fun to come in. We hugged and hugged and kissed and laughed! Coming home is always great! We talked to Paige a few times on the phone while in Florida. She is growing up so fast. On one conversation I told her, "I love you, Paige!" She said, "thanks, bye!" :) I just laughed and said, "wait wait wait, do you love me." To which she replied, "I do." What a girl I have! :) Mom Kaeb was taking the girls on errands and told Paige that they were stop at Grandma Hoffmann's at the end. Paige was very excited but while driving, she fell asleep. When they got to Grandma's, Mom tried waking her up but to no avail. Paige slept the whole time and woke up while in the car on the way home from Grandma's. She was so upset that she didn't get to see Grandma Hoffmann. She is a fan!!

Hope you all are doing well. Rebekah and Matt, we are definately praying for you and the whole Kaufmann clan during this transition! God is in Control! Love you all!

Jami

Life's so busy!

Wow, summer vacation plans already! Way to go Aunt Barb! The blog has been quiet lately, no funny stories of your children lately girls? Or are we all so busy we don't take the time to blog? I keep thinking I have nothing interesting to say, and thus don't blog...but then again my life is rather exciting these days. But what do I say, wedding plans....lots of them, Mom is doing a wonderful job keeping me in line. I'd rather forget about the details and just enjoy engaged life but Mom reminds me that I do have a wedding in two months that must be planned. Aaron's been busy with his surgery rotation, he's learning a ton, but doesn't think this is what he'll do when he's done with school (hurray!). Showers and thank-you notes are keeping me busy...that and trying to get addresses for all my friends, I feel is this never ending project. I'm sure you can all relate. Thanks again for our wonderful shower, I really enjoyed it!
Anyway, enough of my rambling. Love you girls a ton!
Booxy

THINK SUMMER VACATION!

Hey everyone,

We just made reservations for June 9 - 12, 2006 for the Highlands in Gatlinburg, TN.
There was a deal we just couldn't pass up. Buy two nights and get two nights free!
I realize that all you Bloomington people will have to miss the last night of Bible School and I am sorry for that...but when grandma is footing the bill--we want to be good stewards.

Hope all will plan to come. If it doesn't work out for one family or another, please let us know.

I am pumped up! Think vacation! Think Mountains! Yes!

Love,
Aunt Barb

The blogs been pretty quiet lately!

Hey everyone,

Not a lot of activity on the blog lately. Are we still checking in here?

I know after the excitement of the weekend things might be a little quiet today. We rejoice with Bloomington church in getting a wonderful new addition to their pulpit. We are so jealous (with a godly jealousy!!). We are praying for the entire Kaufmann family as they all melt into this new way of life.

Rebekah, your gentle spirit and kind disposition will be such an asset to Matt and will become a great source of encouragement. May God continue to walk with you as you serve in just a little different capacity than usual.

I love you all and I am praying,
Aunt Barb

Group Picture

Here is the whole costume party!
L-R: Mark and Angie Reinhard: American Gothic Painting
Nathan and Rachel Mueller: Joseph & Mary (Rachel is pregnant)
Michael & Jane Reinhard: a classy couple from the 50's
Kole & Amy Meyer: Graduates (nerdy ones)
Klint & Sarah: Lucy & Desi

CUTE picture of the Kauffman clan! I want to squeeze the little chicken!

Love-Sarah

Trick or Treaters!

Sarah, you and Klint look great. That was such a neat idea. You have every detail of Lucy and Desi down pat. Send us the picture of your whole party.

Thought I'd share a picture of the little Trick or Treaters who came to our door. I may be prejudice, but aren't they the cutest little bride and Bob the Builder with their little chicken you've ever seen? Bonnie

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!

Hello all---
Last night Klint & I went to a Halloween Costume party. Can you guess who we dressed up as??? We had alot of fun. We even had time to go Trick-or-Treating after the party. We felt like we were kids again!!! Lots of fun. Love to hear from some more people. The blog has been kind of dead lately.
Loveyaall
Sarah

Friday pizza party...

Hey all-
It's been a while since I posted something. Friday night, Bekah & Aaron had pizza at my dad & mom's. They invited us (isn't that weird--get invited by Bekah to my parent's home), Mark & Angie Reinhard & Tim & Christa. Of course Mom & Dad were there and Liz too. It was alot of fun. We had a chance to get to know Aaron and Tim a little more!
Looking forward to seeing you all at Bekah's shower this weekend! Rebekah, adorable picture of Darci!
Love ya all, Sarah

Darci

Hi there. I thought I'd post this picture of Darci that my sister Heidi took of her. I like the picture so I thought I'd share it with you...and I thought it was time to have something new on this blog!! We've got to get some life back into it!!

Tonight we had a pumpkin carving party and potluck at our house. WE co-hosted it with Andy and Marie. It was so much fun! Grandma's rolls and tea rings were the prizes for the winners!

WEll, I better hit the hay. love ya!

love,
Rebekah

Here's The Clan!!

Hello, ladies! Just thought I would post this cute pic from the weiner roast Sun! WOW, what a clan! What an awesome weekend we had and the weather was beautiful! I felt so bloated when i got home sun night...I was so exhausted, but I went out and walked-I ate WAY too much desserts! But they were worth it! ; ) mmmmmm. Well, have a good night, all, and we'll talk to you soon!

Love ya! Kristy

Sunday Weiner Roast

Good morning ladies,

Boy a lot has been going on. So sorry to hear about Jami's dad's scare. Thankful he got help right away and that he took an aspirin. Wow, we just never know.

Hope Josiah is back in his routine again. It is amazing how a drug that is suppose to help can affect some one so differently.

About Sunday-- There will be a baptism meal with a hot sandwich which we are all expected to eat . Because of that I am not going to fix barbeque. We will still have weiners etc and of course our desserts. Because everyone will be around you can come to the weiner roast any time after 3:00.

Praying for a blessed week-end. Bonnie

ah....he is perfect for you bekah!

Hey all -

Hope everyone is doing well - Oh, Kristy. . . I feel for you! I hate nights when kids are up and out of sorts! The boys (simon and jonah) are finally starting to do better. Megan told us at bible study that Simon slept until 6am and Jonah until 4am which is GREAT for them! Interestingly enough, Raegan woke up at 3:30am that same night!!! Isn't she too old for this?!? Actually she has been waking up around 2:00 or 3ish everynight for that past week. She is teething. . . but it is HARD to get up - especially when you expect a full night of sleep. I have learned that in parenting - you need to expect the UNexpected! As soon as the kid is in a routine . . . it changes again! That is life!!

And Bekah!! I am so thrilled for you. Aaron does sound like such a great guy!! It's awesome seeing you so excited and in love! God is good!!

Have you all heard about my dad?? Earlier in the week, he was exercising and about 5 minutes into it had to stop because of pain in his left arm. He immediately thought "heart" and took an aspirin. It stopped. The next day. . . same thing. Then the day after he decided not to exercise - went out to get the mail and on his way back he felt pain go up through his arm and to his chest. It stopped with aspirin but he decided to call in. The doc. told him to go immediately to the E.R. They did testing and found nothing until they did the angiogram (i think that's the name) in which they found that one of the main arteries to his heart was clogged 85-90%. They did the balloon method and cleaned him out. This process took 2 1/2 hours (on another patient - same process took 45 min.) because it was in a tricky spot. Actually while cleaning him out - they actually clogged up another side artery and he had a mild heart attack!! Fortunately - he is doing well. Came home on Sunday and should be completely normal soon! Doc. said that if dad had ignored those symptoms he probably would have had a heart attack! Strange thing is - Dad had only one of the common risk factors - High Cholestoral. You never know. . . God is GOOD! We were on our way up to Michigan for an adoption conference while all this was going on. I just can't believe it happened to my dad. It makes you realize even more how quick things can change! May each of you live today with peace, joy, and grace!

LOVE YOU!!

Jami