Where has the time gone?

Can you believe it has been nearly a year since we were in China to get Jude? December 6th to be exact. Where has the time gone?

We took this photo on Thanksgiving day ; it is so difficult to take photos with small children - as you can see Jude is putting his fingers in his mouth.
I haven't posted in a while and its not that we didn't have anything to write about; we have just been so busy. Bill put up the Christmas lights on the house - he used blue icicle lights and they are so pretty. Jude and Rachel are fascinated by all the neighbors decorations , like the snow man across the street- which is one of those air-blown types- they unplug it during the day and Rachel thinks it's melted. I love this time of year.
I have officially finished all of our Christmas shopping which is very unlike me to do so this early in the season. I did most of it online -which is great; I highly recommend it. Amber and I went shopping on black Friday ( the day after Thanksgiving) at 5:45 am - I never do that ,but I couldn't sleep , so I said ," I might as well go shopping."
Well , I turn 35 in 10 days and to be honest with you , I feel sad about it. There is so much that I want to do with my life that I feel like I won't have enough time to finish it all. I seriously want to be a missionary. I know now that that was my calling in life. I can't stop thinking about it . I have read so many books on missions- so many bio's on missionaries. I went to hear a woman at church speak about her 30+ years working in Peru about 2 weeks ago and I got the documentary "Beyond Gates of Splendor" which is awesome-highly recommend it. This coming year I am going to work hard to receive my certificate in biblical studies through Moody Bible Institute - I will do that by correspondance, which will make it easier.
I can't believe it is almost 2006.
I hope to write before the end of the year- Anita