Sunday, January 7, 2007, 4:54 p.m., C.S.T., Nashville, Tennessee~

Dear Eileen Marie in Texas~

I was glad to get your letter; thank you so much for writing! 'Twas good to hear from you!

I am glad that the tornadoes stayed away from you. It is always scary when the weather goes severe; I can only imagine it must be worse for y'all because y'all don't have basements in that part of the world. Seems funny that they don't build shelters from storms down there; you'd think that they would, but they don't. Crazy! I have been in Texas several times (in fact, I have a sister who lives there; she lives in Burleson, which isn't too far from y'all; it's in the DFW metroplex), and whenever the skies turned black from storms, I'd get worried! I was always glad when the storms ended or moved on!

Hopefully the weather has turned nicer there; hear it's been warm there. Here it's been mild, but by the weekend an Artic blast of cold air is supposed to arrive from Canada, and the bottom is supposed to fall out. Temps are expected to plummet, and we may have snow or wintery type precipitation here. I hope not; my husband and a lot of my kids use wheelchairs or walk on crutches, canes, or walkers, and it is always difficult for them to try to navigate in the snow or on ice. I used to walk on a cane myself, but haven't had to in almost two years.

(I had back surgery almost two years ago, and it's done wonders. I have had no pain, and it feels good to be able to lift up my younger kids or do things like laundry or pick up items from the floor! I suffered from back pain for years, crippling back pain.)

I have done five books: three on my family ("A Family Made Out Of Rainbows and Miracles", "...And The Miracles Continue: The Sandusky Family Story, Continued", and my first children's book), and I have also done one book on nursing and a book about the process of adopting children with special needs or children from other lands. It is more about the adoption process itself than about my family. I am working on my sixth book (a sequel to my nursing book; like the first one it features stories done by myself and several of my co-workers). There will no doubt be more books in the future.

I will send you a copy of my first two books about the family; that way, you can learn more about us and see what we have had to endure in our adoption journey. No, it hasn't been easy at times, but it  has been a never-ending adventure! :) You don't have to worry about paying me for the books; consider it to be a gift. Enjoy! :) (I will be sending the books with this letter; be expecting a package in the mail in the next week or so! :) )

Thanks for the congratulatory wishes for the four new children that will be joining our clan. We are beyond excited, and the kids are already counting the days to when Mai Fong, Huong Vu, Vijay, and Emir join our ever-growing family! We have received word that the adoptions for all four have been approved, and we are overcome with joy! :) God has been so good to us; He keeps on bringing kids that need a home, and we are more than happy to oblige! :)

Corbin and Gabriel, our last two that we adopted, have adjusted well to the family. Gabriel is learning English, and Corbin is learning sign language. They are in school now, and they enjoy learning new things. (Both are in special education classes, and they love their teacher very much. They are in the same class.)

Yes, Johnny and Ronee' are out of the hospital, thank goodness. They have fully recovered from their last illnesses, and they are enjoying life. Both are back in school, and both are doing splendidly in all of their classes. I will tell them that y'all said hello; maybe they will write to you one day. Would you mind? They absolutely love to write letters! :)

Well, Eileen, I will let you go. I am sorry that this isn't much of a letter, but we are getting ready to leave for church; we have to be there by five-forty five, and it is already five sixteen now! YIKES! NOT good! Pastor Bilkey doesn't like it if we're late, particularly the choir members! God bless, and write when you can; I'll be waiting for your letter!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your Tennessee friend, Louie May. :D