Howdy!  This is Annie from Ocala, Florida, Annie Rentshaw.  I hope this finds y'all well; we have been busy, which is why you haven't heard from me in several years.  I hope you understand.

My husband, Trent, and I are still married, and we are both, thankfully, still employed (I'm a mom and a homeschool teacher; my husband, meanwhile, is a factory worker).  The kids are growing by leaps and bounds; the youngest two, Tyrone (4) and Theo ("Teddy" or T.R.) (5) are in pre-K and are doing quite well, even with having serious physical disabilities.

The other three children are fully involved in school during the school year.  Tiphany Gianna, six, will be in kindergarten, along with her two brothers.  Amita will be in second grade, and Graciela will start third grade.  They all love school; they are looking forward to it starting back up in just over a month and a half from now.

So are we:  this will be the first year all five children will be in school, which will mean more teaching for me; however, I don't mind:  my children are like little sponges; they enjoy learning about new things and experiencing new adventures as they explore the world around them.

We will be adding to the family:  we have applied to adopt a third boy from Poland. He is two years old, and he has suspected autism.  He will be a challenge, but we feel we can handle it; after all, we have children with severe medical needs, such as with Amita's asthma/allergies that have put her into the hospital, or Teddy and Tyrone facing yet another surgery/hospitalization.  Suddenly Alekzandr's problems seem insignificant.

We just had the home study and interview; we are waiting to hear from our caseworker, to see what's next.  Hopefully she will be giving us the good news that Alek will soon be winging his way to America, to start a brand new life with his brand new family.  We are more than ready to have him here, welcome him with open arms!  It's been over six months too long waiting as it is!  We want him here right now!!

Teddy, Tyrone, Tiphany, Amita, and Gracie have already gotten to know little Alek through letters or video tapes; they have already claimed him as their brother and have fallen head over heels in love with him.  So have we; he sure is a little cutie pie!

Well, it's time to give Teddy his seizure meds and feed him his supper, and get the others fed/medicated as well, so I will go now.  I will write in here again another day, so you can see what's up.  As soon as we hear anything regarding Alek, I'll sure to be the first to let you know; if not, my husband, Trent, will.  Until then, this is Annie Rentshaw signing off!  May God bless you as much as He's been blessing us!

~Love, your friend in Florida, Annie  Rentshaw.  :)