I’ve had so much I’ve wanted to post, but Jonalyn, Doug & I have all been sick. Poor Jonalyn has an ear infection & walking pneumonia. Thank God (and I’m not using God’s name lightly here – I really mean it) for antibiotics because she is beginning to perk up. Yesterday she whimpered all day and was only quiet when I held her or when I rubbed her back. She doesn’t have the capacity to understand what is happening and gets very distraught when she’s sick. I would appreciate prayers for all of us. I am scheduled to go to the American Christian Fiction Writer’s conference in Indianapolis next weekend and need to be healthy for it. More on that in another post.

Back in August, we enjoyed Jonalyn’s 8th birthday – a little belatedly, but she didn’t mind. The date doesn’t matter to her, just the cake and presents!

Isn’t that the greatest smile??

Alyssa made this doll for Jonalyn. She worked so hard on it. Too bad it didn’t hold up better.

She got lots of clothes for school, one of those basketball hoops you hook to a door (her favorite gift, I think), and…

…a beanbag of her own. Hopefully, no more fighting with her sister about who gets to sit in the beanbag.

It was a wonderful day. It’s so terrific to see how she’s blossomed in the almost 3 years since she’s been home. She was very into her birthday this year. We’ve worked hard and, when asked how old she is, she’ll proudly answer, “Eight!”