T turns 5

T turns 5.

edible camping cake
dinner of choice: saracho wings!

"T" we love seeing the little man you are growing into.

"You must think I'm strong"

One of our favorite songs right now is Matthew West's "Strong Enough". I think it describes how we have been feeling lately. Here's what's been going on......

We were waiting for Travis to turn 35 so we could turn in our paperwork, which he did and we had a fun day celebrating his awesomeness:).

2 weeks before this, we got some news that our girls are no longer at the orphanage thus no longer available for adoption. I don't know how to describe the feeling, besides how I felt when we lost our baby Hudson 6 years ago. We don't really know how or if we should move on. I guess we are still praying they come back. There is a back story but that doesn't do anyone any good to replay what happened. But if you could join us in prayer so we have wisdom to know how to proceed, we would appreciate it.

In April, I went to Haiti to visit the orphanage and had an amazing time. I am pretty sure I was in heaven with all those precious children. I loved being in Haiti and seeing it finally with my own eyes instead of reading someone else's experience there. It was hard for me to return and go about my normal/privileged life. I feel guilty. But that is a good thing I suppose, to always be thankful/grateful and aware of those who have less, but in a way that creates action. I can't wait to go back!

I had a rummage sale to raise money for our adoption and it was a success in my eyes. People were generous in their giving when they knew what it was for. I didn't mark anything just told people to pay what they wanted. It was kinda funny how uncomfortable some people were with that, some forcing me to tell them how much to pay. I am such a push-over too, they could've gotten away with paying so little.

We traded our van in for a suburban so we could accommodate our growing family. We were so thankful we found one we liked at a place that would give us what we needed for a trade-in so NO CAR PAYMENT!!!! whoohooooo Dave Ramsey would be so proud:)

I think that's all for now. I will try and update more often, even if it's bad news.....

Long Break...Bad News....Good News

I haven't posted for a while for several reasons.
-I have been trying to use my time more efficiently in the evenings when the kids go to bed.
*I am trying to workout-right now doing INSANITY workout-LOVE IT!!!
*I have a goal of reading through the Bible in 90 days....lofty goal....I know!! Biblegateway.com has lots of different reading plans and I have tried others and thought this would go alongside my workout goal too.

-Last week we were told we might not be able to go forward with our adoption and turn in our dossier because of my age.(I am under the 35) We knew this was a gamble but thought from Haiti's previous waivers, we would be ok. After waiting a couple of days(which seemed like forever for us), we were told that we COULD turn in our paperwork when Travis turns 35 in June.
Our hearts are overflowing with gratefulness!
We are also saddened by how this strict rule affects good Christian families who want to bring home children.
So even though our paperwork is done(well actually we will have to redo 2 documents to reflect travis age being 35) and God PROVIDED ALL THE MONEY WE NEEDED to turn in.....we are waiting til June to turn it in. I am still in AWE how God does it!!! Who he uses.....when.....how.......
A big THANK YOU! to the family*you know who you are* who so graciously gave the remainder we needed. It is so humbling to be on the receiving end.
We also received a grant from our church's Orphan Minsistry-Thank you!!!!!I hope many other families can benefit from this ministry as well.
This week has been a week of rollercoaster emotions, but I feel like we have walked through a valley and were able to see God through it all. Every valley we go through brings us closer to Him and it's easier and easier to Praise Him through the good times and the bad times. He brings us joy despite our circumstances. He is faithful!!!

Dossier

2 Originals

4 copies

all notarized

all authenticated

some legalized

all translated

$6,000.......

Bringing two children into their forever family....

PRICELESS!!!!

CoLoRs

ONe of the ways we like to help the kids learn their colors is to make them their own book with pictures of themselves with all the different colors. S found t's book and wanted to make one of himself, so that is what we did this afternoon. A wanted to join in too, of course, and totally was into it. S fizzed out after the first two colors.....

So here we go with brown,

Green
Love her smile/laugh!

Pink! Yes, that is her sleep cap!-it's pink though:)

Blue

Yellow

Red

(see he is carrying around T's picture from his book)

It has been a crazy couple weeks with sickness in our house. t started then last week Dad and S got it and this week A and I got it. S ended up with pneumonia and T had a sinus infection. I am hoping we are at the end of it all now.

Our dossier is complete! We made all the necessary copies-6 sets total!! Can I just say "INSANE?" I will post pictures of it all.

Now we are praying for the funds to turn it in. It is hard but we know God's timing is perfect and He will provide!

Psalms 73:23-26

Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

Hope