HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! FROM MAC AND ALEX

Alex and Mac want to wish everyone a very happy Halloween!!

(Mac has done some extensive decorating for the occassion. Every time I go up there someone has added something new to 'his tree' and Mac and all his pals are covered in a beautiful, golden carpet of leaves. It's absolutely beautiful, Mac!! )

Holy pumpkin,Batman!!

Literally.... a holy pumpkin! So you all know how talented Taylor is, but she continues to amaze (and confuse) all of us. Just check out this pumpkin that she spent roughly 3 hours on last night. If I had just a tiny amount of her talent....!

Hey everyone, this is TJ posting for my mom. So those of you who don't know, the Maughan family shares a talent. My dad is very musically inclined, and he passed this along to Colby and me. For this reason, recent evidence (as you are about to see) has led me to believe that Alex is in fact blood related to the family. Although he is adopted, his musical talent is astonishing, and his hips could give Elvis a run for his money (may he rest in peace). I've always secretly wished to be the next Celine Dion, but now I think I'll give up the dream, and make my millions as the manager of the next child star sensation- watch out Hannah Montana
(you may want to pause the music at the bottom.)

First snow of the season!!

Happy Halloween Mac!

I visited Mac the other day and decided he needed some decor. I had a great time visiting with him and spooking the place up.

Mike, Natalie, Alex and ???........

OK. To start off - NO, I'm not pregnant!! And shame on you for even thinking such a thing! But we have had a little adventure these past few weeks that have made us think.

I got an e-mail from the adoption agency we used when adopting Alex saying they had a birth mom who was needing to put her 7 year-old up for adoption, and wanted to know if anyone was interested before they even took on the situation. I will admit, it intrigued me. But I'm 45 years old, and a grandma for heaven's sake! BUT.... oh, what the heck. I forwarded the e-mail to Mike as a joke. He called me back immediately!! I had to laugh as I answered the phone because I was sure he was sitting in his office at work, saw that e-mail and started hyperventilating!! But he actually said I should reply and let them know we would be interested, and try to find out any more information. OK. Now I'M the one hyperventilating.

So, I replied. Yes, I replied.

My only stipulation was if there was ANY question if he had been sexually abused, I couldn't continue with the process. But they said he was just a normal 7 year old who needed a mommy very badly. Thanks!! Throw in the mommy line!! Break my heart!!

We waited a week. Got another e-mail. They got his results from some psychological tests; yep, just a normal little boy. Are we still interested? YES!! We were one of only 3 families interested in him. Here's the price... $20,000!! (No, I did not accidentally add a few extra zeros to that number!) We were shocked, dumbfounded, amazed. When we adopted Alex it was $4,000. We asked others who had adopted lately what they paid; $1,100, $5,000, and $5,500. So I wrote back and told them there was no way we could afford that, but thanks.

Got another e-mail. "We don't want price to be in the way..." We set up an appointment for today, to meet with them, meet the birth mom, etc. They sent us info on grants, loans, etc. The only problem was that most of the grants needed a home visit done first, and the adoption agency wouldn't progress until we had the finances. We were in a lose - lose situation. Now maybe if this was a usual adoption (which we don't seem to know how to do!) we would have some time as we went through the whole process to save a little here and there. But this was a quickie!! Remember, this boy needs a mother very badly!!

It just won't be me.

So... pray for the adoption agency to have the spirit with them as they make this tough decision. And keep Jordan in your prayers. We may not be his family, but we are sure glad to have had the chance to think about it.