Adoption Update

As of today, we have officially signed up for the Korea program at our adoption agency. We are still in the China adoption process, but the timeframe of getting a child from China keeps getting longer. The GREAT news is that with Korea, we should have a child in home in 1 1/2 years. An adoption counter for Korea has been started above.

Jay wanted to post his Facebook status update and comments here as so many friends and family have been supporting us in this entire process.

FACEBOOK POST
Jay Gardocki - After waiting over 1 year and 7 months to adopt a girl from China, the process keeps getting longer. We had another home study yesterday and if all goes well, we will be moving to the Korea program and may have a little boy or girl in a year and a half. Amy is ecstatic!!! (Tue at 11:20pm)

COMMENTS
Dave Walters - that's great Jay...we'll be praying for a quick process! (Tue at 11:35pm)
Staci Severin Landis - That is awesome news! Praying for you guys!!! (Tue at 11:37pm)
Peri Furlong - Aww that's so sweet Jay...I have some you can adopt LOL...there are 7 to choose from...just kidding. I love em all and wouldn't give them to no one. But it's so awesome what you guys are doing. I will keep you in my prayers and wish you lots of luck! My husband and I are actually about to adopt three of the seven that live with us. (Wed at 12:22am)
Patti Gardocki Schultz - That is so wonderful!! I have a niece from Korea... she is such a joy!! I wish you guys all the best!! (Wed at 1:14am)
Heather Johnson Benson - It's so hard to wait, isn't it? Still praying for our favorite "parents-to-be", as well as your son or daughter. (Wed at 6:42am)
Kristi Henry Yatsko - I know the wait is hard, but it's so worth it! My aunt & uncle adopted 2 girls from China. It's a long process. I'll be praying for you! (Wed at 6:44am)
Kathy Rober - what a journey you are taking..will keep you in out prayers... (Wed at 6:51am)
Jose Valentin - Good Luck, Hope everything goes well. (Wed at 7:18am)
Mike Kling - good luck! (Wed at 7:18am)
Michelle Thimons Schreier - YEAH!!! (Wed at 7:48am)
Valerie Bieber Alburger - So happy for you both!!!!!! I'm sure Amy is bouncing off the walls with excitement. (Wed at 7:59am)
Amy Bazzel Gardocki - I love you. (Wed at 8:28am)
Mollie Lawell Heverly - Congratulations guys!!! I'm so excited for you!!! (Wed at 10:09am)
Colleen Hagan Corkery - Any child would be very lucky to have you as a parent! (Wed at 10:25am)
RuthAnn Derstein - That time can't come soon enough. You have so much love to give a little. Praying it will happen sooner than later. Love. (Wed at 10:28am)
Ellen Myers Alburger - so exciting... start picking names. (Wed at 12:12pm)
Andrea Jean Bessler - Yay! That's exciting! Good for you guys! :) (Wed at 1:19pm)
Linda Gardocki Leatherman - We will pray that your little girl or boy arrives even sooner than a year and half. (Wed at 2:07pm)
Marlee Borusiewicz Doherty - Praying for a speedier process! (Wed at 3:04pm)
Melanie VanderVeur Bailey - Awesome!! So excited for you guys, will keep praying that it happens soon!!! (Wed at 6:15pm)
Elise Lechner - Yay!!! I'm soooo excited for you guys and know furst hand how excited and happy Amy is with the new timeframe yay!! (Wed at 7:47pm)
Kara Ketterer Derstein - yay!! you know the dersteins have a soft spot for kiddoes from korea!! (Thurs at 9:26am)
Casey Lloyd Mansfield - Congrats! That's so exciting!! Best wishes to you both! (Thurs at 8:17pm)
Wendelyn Gardocki Nelson - I am so happy for you!! Congratulations. (Fri at 11:35am)

We thank you all and ask for your continued prayers as we go through this process!

Jars Of Clay

Sunday afternoon, we went with Dave and Carol to the Sellersville Theatre to see Jars of Clay in concert.
An unknown artist, Thad Cockrell opened for the group and his music was pretty good. After about a half an hour, Jars of Clay took the stage. They played several songs from their new album and Jay was happy to hear some of their older well known songs as well.
After the show, we ended the evening by going to TGI Friday’s to spend some time talking with Dave and Carol.

White Elephant Gift Exchange

After Christmas means that it is time for another white elephant gift exchange at the Davis' house. The only disappointment this year was that only 5 couples were able to attend. Even so, we had a great time!

Andrea got to show off her new panties.

Jay got to take home the scary sitting candle man who once again returned for the 4th year in a row.

Sarah apparently loves cooked ham in a can...who knew?

Amy and Shann tried to figure out how to use the adult toy.

The drawn directions were graphic but helpful.

Yes that is Nate with a Chinese toilet seat cover on his head.

Jesse gets the creepy award.

Since the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the post season, Jay's white elephant gift was a celebration of the event.

Oddly enough, Michelle thought that the frog was pretty cool so it went home with them. John with Dallas Cowboys merchandise in his house...priceless!

We spent the rest of the night socializing with our AWESOME friends!

Annual New Year's Costume Party

What a nice New Year’s party we had again this year! The theme for the party was the “The Bible Ball.” Everyone was asked to come to the party dressed as a bible character or a person from a bible story. A few of the regulars could not make it, but those that did attend were:

The Bell’s

The Hill’s

The Schreier’s

The Davis’

The Bessler’s

The Michalak’s

The Shank’s

The Linberger’s

Mike and Shannon

And Us. - Delilah and Baby Moses

Along with the meatball sandwiches and chili, each guest brought either an appetizer or dessert, so there was plenty of food to go around.

After about an hour of socializing, the games began. Jay planned 4 games this year each beginning with a short children’s bible story. The first story was about Noah and the ark. After the story, the guests had to follow directions to make an origami boat out of paper. The first 6 people advanced to the next round where they had to make an origami sampan boat. The twist was that there were no directions. Instead, they had to watch a video that showed how to make the boat.

Only the first and second person got prizes. 1st place went to Jarrod Michalak and 2nd place went to Pete Shank.

After a short break, the story of “The Tower of Babel” was read. The game then started and required the guest to be in teams where they had to use objects in a bag that Jay provided to build the tallest tower. Once again there was a twist. In the story of the Tower of Babel, God confused the people by making them speak different languages so that they would not understand each other. Jay’s confusion was that he allowed the teams to talk for 1 ½ minutes, but then the rest of the game had to be played in silence.

After 10 minutes of building, the winning team’s tower was announced.

The third game was an arm wrestling tournament which followed the story of “Jacob wrestling with God.” The girls wrestled girls and the men wrestled men in a bracket style single elimination tournament.

After some tough matches, the results were…
For the women – 1st place: Rebecca Michalak, 2nd place: Jennifer Linberger.

For the men – 1st place: Pete Shank, 2nd place: Mike Burns, 3rd place: Tom Hill.

Next, the king and queen of the party was voted on and announced. The Bible King was Jay Gardocki and the Bible Queen was a tie between Lisa Hill and Sarah Davis.

The last game of the evening was a trivia game called “Bible or Not.” Jay had assembled quotes that were either from the bible or quoted from various people in history. Jay read a quote and the guests had to raise up a sign stating whether it was a bible or not bible quote. After two rounds, the winners were: 1st place: Ian Bell, 2nd place: Jennifer Linderger, 3rd place: Sarah Davis

Once the games were over, we had about an hour to socialize until the ball dropped to ring in the New Year.

Thanks to everyone for another successful party. We can’t wait to do it again next year!