Christmas Letter 2007

The
best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:
The presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each
other.
- Burton Hillis
WHAT
THE GLEASON FAMILY HAS LEARNED THIS YEAR THANKS TO
MYLIE:
OUR TOP 10 LIST:
-
It’s impossible to get everything done in the space of a
day that you want to get done. Playing
peek-a-boo with a two year old is just too much fun
J
-
Diapering a child is like riding a
bike…you don’t ever forget how.
-
Don’t ever expect a do-it-yourself
remodeling project to get completed quickly after you
have kids. Gymnastics, play practice, pre-school,
Halloween costumes, homework, doctor’s appointments,
play time…it’s all more important than that sheetrock
you have to hang.
-
Modern medicine is wonderful! Kenzie
had her 1st surgery in August
(tonsillectomy) and Mylie’s congenital heart defect
was repaired on December 18th!! Hopefully we can
stay away from the hospital in 2008!
-
“Getting to be a big sister for the
first time is ‘awesome’ ” –
Kenzie
-
“Mylie’s really changed my life in how
I look at God. She’s a little miracle.” --
Dani
-
“I gave birth to two children in
hospital rooms and I met my third daughter for the
first time in a sparse hotel lounge, but I can tell
you honestly there is no difference. They are all my
children and hold the same place in my heart.” --
Kris
-
“I can’t think of a quote to give you
right now. I do know that I’m walking down the hall
in the Mall right now with a beautiful little Mylie
holding my hand and looking up smiling at me. My
heart is full.” -- Dave
-
God doesn’t always want us to be
“comfortable”. Sometimes He wants us to leave our
comfort zone and experience the thrill of knowing that
we are answering His call.
-
We may be busy and our lives may be
chaotic, but we would start the whole adoption process
anew again in a heartbeat. As soon as we have the
financial resources, we would love to go back to China
and bring another waiting child home. There are
thousands of children over in China right now,
especially those with special needs like heart
conditions, minor limb deformities and cleft palates
that are just waiting for a family. I had been trying
come up with a way to describe what “adoption means”
for months, but just a few weeks ago, Danielle did it
for me. She wrote an essay and began it by saying
“Adoption is giving a child a home. Giving a child a
family. Giving a child hope.” We will be waiting
with anticipation for our next opportunity to do just
that. We have been so blessed!
Wishing you all the best in 2008!
Kris
and Dave Gleason – Danielle, MacKenzie, and Mylie
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