Patroling the Borders Homefront

What Now?

2012-01-26T19:51:00.000-06:00

Okay, time for an adoption update!

The very next question we have been getting since hearing we passed court last week is, "Okay, what's next? How much longer?"

Well, anyone have any guesses as to what is next?

You're right. We wait! Surprise!

But anyway, I thought I'd give a general run-down on the steps that are left so that those of you that are interested (or behind us) can have a better idea of what exactly we are waiting on.

This is the timeline from our agency:

Family Accepted Referral (done!)
Process Began / Paperwork Received by OWAS (done!)
Case in Court (1-2 months) (done!)
Judgment Received (done!)

So...this is where we are...

Certificate of Non Appeal Rec'd (1-30 days after waiting period)
Paperwork Prepared for submission (1 week)
Paperwork Submitted to DFA (1 day)
Paperwork Approved by DFA (approx 4 weeks)
Embassy Appt Requested /Set US process takes 30-45 days
Embassy Appointment (2-4 weeks)
Visa Issued (3-5 days)
Paperwork Submitted to DGM (1 day)
DGM Letter Issued - final step (2 weeks)

Clear as mud?

We are thinking 4-6 more months if everything keeps moving. Which we know unexpected slowdowns can occur at any given point.

In layman's terms, we have received our translated judgment from court (yesterday). There were a few spelling errors and we returned those to be corrected. In the meantime we are waiting for the Certificate of Non-Appeal (CONA) to come in before we can move forward. This is a waiting period that occurs after the court judgment where the birth family can appeal the decision. It is 30 days. We need the actual certificate before we can begin the immigration process here in the US. After that we receive Embassy appointments, file for visas, and then travel!

We watched a homecoming video (do yourselves a favor and watch!!) from a family who just returned with their daughter from the same orphanage as E and J. What a treasure to share in their joy and their incredibly precious daughter!! This family lives in our state and their daughter is about the same age as our sweet E, so we have already communicated about staying in touch so the girls can continue to see each other.

It is becoming so real. The adoption process began to seem real when we received those first pictures. Then more pictures came in and we saw our children growing. Just last week, we were able to catch a glimpse of their everyday lives as this family picked up their daughter and shared pictures with the rest of us. We saw them walking around, wearing bracelets, eating lunch, eating suckers, sitting with friends...wow. Real orphans. Real children.

And then, yesterday, as we proofread the court document, to see in writing that these children are declared ours...it is REAL.

And what a blessing to feel this!!

My Kate These Days

2012-01-24T19:47:00.001-06:00

My kids have hilarious imaginations.Like Kate trying to convince me that she has been seeing a "blue tiger in the darkness." But not to worry, he's a nice tiger. She came up with an entire story about this blue tiger. So funny!Or yesterday when Kate and Spencer both were crawling around the floor pretending to be lions, roaring and such. (I suppose wild cats are fascinating at our house.) Spencer was trying to "get" me, pretending to bite at my leg. I said, "Kate! Help me from this lion!" Do you know what she said? "Don't worry, Mommy. Sometimes kids pretend to be lions." What would I do without that girl to steer me in the right direction?! Get eaten by lions, I suppose.- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

He is the One

2012-01-20T18:47:00.001-06:00

Psalm 138:1-3

I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
   before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple
   and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
   for you have exalted above all things
   your name and your word.^[a]
On the day I called, you answered me;
   my strength of soul you increased.

Six days ago, I asked those of you who were willing to specifically pray with us this week that we would pass court and/or receive a certificate of non-appeal.

Oh friends, I am so humbled and thankful to tell you that our gracious Lord has heard our prayers and we got word this morning we passed court!!

We are not exactly sure yet what documents we received and where that leaves our timeline or what to do next. But it's okay. For right now we are celebrating the faithfulness of an almighty God, and an intimate Father, who has heard our cries to Him and answered. Our precious children are one step closer (one GIANT step closer!) to coming home forever.

HE is the One who burdened my heart. HE is the One who said to ask you to join me in prayer. HE is the One who comforted me when doubt began to sneak in. HE is the One who forgave when I began to get fearful. HE is the One who answered the prayer. HE is the One to praise!

JOIN ME! Thank you, Loving Father!

When Fear Sets In

2012-01-19T08:38:00.002-06:00

I am still praying so earnestly and expectantly to hear from the Lord this week in regards to our court case in the DRC. Oh, Lord, that You would be gracious to us and favorable to us and bring us one step closer to those precious children!!

This week I read something in Exodus 14 that really stood out to me. A familiar story, but this week with a new perspective, and I wanted to share with you.

Have you ever felt like you stepped out in obedience and then looked around and wondered, why in the world did God bring me here? Did I make a mistake? I have. The past year especially has been a lot of stepping out in faith and the Lord says, "Yes, faith is good. But this is not My plan for you." Y'all, that's h-a-r-d.

Interesting that God's people felt the exact same way.

So, to set the stage for their panic attack, Moses is leading God's people out of slavery from Egypt into the promised land. He takes them through the wilderness and Pharaoh and his people are right on their heels.

(v. 10)When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. ¹¹ They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? ¹² Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

See what I mean? They are having a massive panic attack. They followed Moses, sent by the Lord Almighty. They trusted what God told them to do. They were obedient. But yet, they look around, their enemies on their heels, and they're like, "Wait! This is not what we signed up for!" (Uh, can you hear the 'Amen' resounding from my chair?!)

^BUT.

^{A promise is coming!}

¹³ And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. ¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Do you see the amazing stuff there? Yes, it was scary. Yes, it was dangerous! But were they ever unsafe? Did God look around at this point and say, "Welp. That plan was a bust. Wish I would've thought this out."

No. Praise be to our ONLY Plan-A God!

God's got this. The great I AM, the One who knit us together in our mother's womb, the One who holdes the entire universe in His hands is also involved in every detail of our being.

We need not to be afraid of what happens when we step out. Even if every fiber in our core looks around at the circumstances and we just can't see a way out. When it doesn't make sense or it's not what we would have "preferred."

THAT is when God gets the most glory. For He is the ONLY one who can do anything to save us.

(Oh, and by the way, in case you are not familiar with the story: God saves His people by parting the Red Sea and the Israelites walked across dry land to safety while the sea came down on their enemies destroying them. God can do anything in what seems like impossible circumstances!!)

The Rash is Back

2012-01-17T14:11:00.004-06:00

Oh...Rashes.

I ended my pregnancy with the most awful Rash. My baby boy had a Rash when he was about 15 months old that ended up being a reaction to amoxicillin and he has been off all such drugs since then.

It's sister's turn.

Saturday she took Day 9 of a 10 day course of the same drug, fighting off a sinus infection. She was then awake from 12:30 - 5 am for what we assumed was who-knows-what. She never told us she felt bad but she basically moaned and thrashed about the entire time.

She woke up Sunday broken out. She got progressively worse, and so we suspected a drug allergy for her as well. Kate and I headed to the ER where she was able to get a steroid and an antihistamine to help her recover. She had itchy welts from the waist down and her hands and feet were swollen - so much so, she said it hurt to walk. It was so pitiful.

She woke up Monday looking so much worse. This Rash fades to purple, so she looked bruised in the places she had itched the worse on Sunday. New welts had formed, and the Rash was LITERALLY from head to toe.

I hate it so much for her. She is taking her meds as often as she can, but as soon as that 4 hours is up she starts itching again (more Benedryl for her!) The mornings are the worst, even on day 3. (See the purple spot on her leg that looks like a bruise? That's the rash when it fades.)

About that last picture- she doesn't look like that anymore. But it was bad like that for a bit. She's on the mend. I just hate seeing her so miserable! She is one strong cookie.

Calling All Prayer Warriors!!

2012-01-14T16:14:00.002-06:00

To any of you who feel burdened to pray for our adoption, this is for you.

The Lord has specifically burdened me to pray big and specifically and boldly for our sweet children this week. I am asking you to join in and have confidence that the Lord hears the prayers of His people.

We are coming up on 3 months waiting on court. We were told it would be 1-2 months and yet we still have not heard anything. We are confident that things are moving again after the elections in late November.

Please join me in praying that our family would pass court and/or receive the certificate of non-appeal this coming week.

I am burdened to pray so specifically for this, and I am expecting the Lord to answer. If His answer is different than what we are praying, then it is for His glory and we will wait on Him.

Here are some scriptures to pray to Him:

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man,unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8

Ask, and you will receive,that your joy may be full. John 16:24

And Jesus answered them,“Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:21-22

And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:15

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Matthew 18:19-20

Friends, let us not lose sight of the power we have as brothers and sisters in Christ, joined together by the same spirit, which we received through the power of adoption. I hope that you will join me in calling on the Lord to fulfill this request.

Thanks for journeying with us!

Balance

2012-01-10T19:21:00.003-06:00

This morning Kate was up and at the breakfast table as Spencer was still (literally) rolling out of bed. As he stumbled his way to the kitchen, their eyes lit up when they saw each other and they yelled each other's names in delight. He ran over and hugged her, and she kissed him right on top of his head. It was ridiculously sweet. Oh, and hi mama.

It is something special to watch their relationship these days. It has seriously exploded within the past month and gone to an entirely new level. To watch my kiddos really start to develop their "twin-ness," the relationship that most people think just happens at birth from sharing the womb. Biologically, Kate and Spencer have nothing more in common than any two siblings. They just happened to be born on the same day. But over time, as they have developed and turned into two hilarious and fantastic little people, this is happening too.

How much fun it must be to have a built-in playmate all the time. Sure, the same thing happens when you are around someone for too long - you bicker, get annoyed, etc. But they really spur on each other's imaginations. They are making up games and letting me in on the rules later. They know how the other works and operates - and also which buttons to push. (There is one that is more into pushing buttons than the other.) They laugh and play and run and race and give and take and tickle and dance and work puzzles and make rules and compromise and demand and share and steal.

But the more they have each other, the less they need Mama! It is a bittersweet thing, really. They don't need me to play with them. Sometimes they ask me and sometimes I ask them and then it's like they let me. They could go for an hour easy and not even need anything from me. My mom-guilt kicks in and I'm like, should I do more? Am I picking housework (yuck) over playing on the floor? But then I remember that this is a good thing. This is what is special about family - about twins. They are growing up and this is how it goes.

So it's just a balance, I guess. I love watching them together. I am thankful for the extra freedom it allows me. I miss some of the snuggles that have disappeared on the wayside. But I remember why, all those years ago (in college!) I would tell people how I so badly wanted boy/girl twins....and it was for this reason. The relationship. The individuality of each child. Now I'm living it. To say I'm blessed is an understatement.

Waiting...

2012-01-07T16:25:00.001-06:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A New Year

2012-01-03T21:10:00.002-06:00

I really do love seeing all these "2011 in Review" posts from around the blogosphere. I even did one myself for 2009. I really don't have the energy or the patience to link up or grab pictures for such a post, but I do want to take a second and reflect on 2011. It was a hard year, if I'm honest.

In January we put our Ethiopian adoption on hold as we met with a wonderful woman who agreed to let us adopt her soon-to-be-born twins. We had 5 weeks to prepare, and so we changed Kate and Spencer to big kid beds that their daddy built in a big kid room, along with preparing the rest of our lives for two itty bitty babies. We took the birth mom to appointment after appointment, and we were in a whirlwind of how God had orchestrated this change of events.

In February, Hope and Hudson were born and we were blessed to be there for every.single.moment. From picking up the birth mom and checking her in to the hospital, to holding her hand through every push, and walking those precious babies down to the nursery. We fed them and they were checked out by our pediatrician. We were granted temporary custody and took them home. On the fifth day we returned them to their birth parents. It was the hardest thing I have ever done so far. The rest of the month was filled to the brim with every emotion in the book - namely heartache. We wrapped up the month with a fun trip to Chicago for a conference - just the two of us. It was exactly what I needed to get my head back in the game.

March came and we picked our Ethiopian adoption back off the table. Except now Ethiopia changed a bunch of stuff and adoptions slowed way down. So we switched adoption agencies and moved to the Democratic Republic of Congo and officially requested two children (Hope and Hudson taught us we definitely wanted two more!!)

In April we attempted and failed at potty training our 28 month old twins. It was not pretty. We sold pretty flip-flops and t-shirts for adoption. We mailed off our dossier to OFFICIALLY be on the waitlist for two precious kiddos!! Spencer tested out of First Steps speech!

May landed me in the ER with a church softball injury - a chipped bone in my ankle. It left me immobile for a few days which is always fun. We spent a few days at an adoption conference put on by the Christian Alliance for Orphans which, of course, was amazing.

June was busy! We spent some family time in Gatlinburg and threw a fun fundraiser - Zumba style! With that and a r@ffle, we were able to bring in $1500 for the adoption!

In July we did normal summer stuff. We spent time at the pool, celebrated my 28th birthday (alone at the pool with a good book and my ipod!!) We moved up on the waiting list to #6, did backyard bible club at church, and took to potty training the little boy (more successfully this time.)

August started with a bang!! On the first day of the month, we accepted two referrals for a sibling set from the DR Congo - a 4 year old girl and a 1 year old boy, brother and sister. We sold our van and bought a cheaper vehicle to finish getting the referral fee together. It was so exciting (and stressful!!)

In September we waited.

In October we waited more. Stuart turned 31. We had fun on Halloween with Dorothy and the Lion. We learned our dossier had FINALLY made it to the DRC.

In November we waited more. Spencer had surgery, we had another great fundraiser, and three Thanksgivings in 3 days.

December is always crazy. We had cookie exchanges, baby showers, family Christmas celebrations. We celebrated 6 years of marriage, the birth of our Savior, and our babies turning 3 all within 12 days of each other. We threw 2 birthday parties, one here and one several hours away. We waited some more to hear that we passed court in 2011, but alas, it did not happen. We did get a new picture of E and J, though! They are growing so fast. I wish they could be doing that here with us.

It is a new year. Thank goodness! I am not trying to say I regret anything, or wish any of it away, but I am hoping that 2012 brings more completion to things started. Does that make sense? It is shaping up to be a HUGE one in our lives, including adding to our family (Lord willing!!). I long for E and J every.single.day. I feel like I need a new start, at least in my own brain. I know that the Lord is sovereign over all things, and He surely has been doing some work in my heart and life over the last 12 months. But there is something refreshing about a new beginning - even if most of the stuff is still in progress. Am I alone in that, or do you get me?

Here's to 2012.

Milestone

2012-01-02T19:51:00.002-06:00

We experienced a big milestone in Kate and Spencer's life this weekend.

We traveled to have a family birthday party in the town where our parents live (about 2.5 hours away). The last time we went there, at Thanksgiving, our little man did NOT sleep well in the pack-n-play. We knew he was outgrowing it, but this Mama was not ready to let our crazies be in big kid beds away from home.

But since they started sharing a bed last week (and still are!) I decided to grit my teeth and bear it.

We went WITHOUT pack-n-plays. Stuart was ecstatic he didn't have to put them up and break them down!

Kate and Spencer shared a mattress on the floor. They did fine (I mean, Kate didn't sleep well but that wasn't because of the bed). They napped each day and went to sleep fine. They did not roam the room and tear stuff up (what I was afraid of). Everyone else knew they'd be okay, but I had to come to grips this was going to all going to be alright.

Seriously growing up right in front of my eyes. So cliche, and so true. My babies aren't babies anymore!!

Birthday Day #3 in Photos

2011-12-30T08:35:00.006-06:00

(See our first and second birthday play by play here and here for a trip down memory lane!)

When we got up on our third birthday, Mommy was working on making sandwiches for our playdate storytime party. I just HAD to have a spoonful of peanut butter. I love it!!

We then enjoyed a yummy breakfast of sausage balls and chocolate milk - what a treat!!

We played while we waited for some special friends to come over.

We were having so much fun!!

We loved having some special friends play with us.

Our new car mat was a big hit!
We enjoyed playtime with our friends, storytime with birthday books, and decorated our own cupcakes. Our friends seemed to really enjoy decorating their own cupcakes. Thanks for singing Happy Birthday to us!!

We took turns enjoying our own Happy Birthday song and blowing out the candle!

After our friends left, we enjoyed a good nap. When we got up, Mommy and Daddy took us to the carousel at the mall - a very special treat. We got to ride not once, but TWICE.

We then enjoyed a family meal at our favorite Mexican restaurant. We sure do love chips, salsa, and queso!

The staff even put sombreros on us and sang Happy Birthday. We weren't quite sure....

Especially when they put whipped cream on my face.
After dinner we had a little ice cream, even though it put us way past bedtime. But we got to pick the toppings....I had marshmallows, mini M&M's, and sprinkles.
I had marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, and nonpareils.

We also got to talk to Pa and Grandma and FaceTime with Grammy&PaPaw and MeMaw&Grandad!

After some birthday snuggles and a little story, we settled down for bed at about 8:30. It was a super great day!!

Birthday Letter for the 3 Year Olds

2011-12-29T14:47:00.006-06:00

(See the Birthday Letter for the 2 Year Olds Here.)

Dear Spencer and Kate,

Oh, sweet kiddos. I am finally getting to the point where I don't call you the "babies" so much anymore. It does slip out more and more, but it's time to face the truth. You are not babies anymore.

Today you turn 3.

It doesn't seem possible that it has been three years since I first saw your precious faces, held you in my arms. I still hold you in my arms, in my heart, and I will never let you go. The Lord has taught me so much through you and you challenge me EVERY.SINGLE.DAY to cling to Him. I can never say thank you enough for simply being mine, but really, being His.

Spencer, you are one hilarious fella. You say the FUNNIEST things that Daddy and I have no idea where it comes from... I would tell the whole world on this blog but most are about poop somehow and I doubt when you are older you will appreciate that. Remind me to write that down in your baby book though. Oh my, are you funny!!!

You are OBSESSED with whales and sharks and other things ocean related. It is amazing to see how you know all the different types of whales and sharks after only being told once. There have been many times when you will say it is a specific type ("that's a bull shark! a goblin shark! a right whale!") and Daddy and I will say, "No, I think it's a....oh wait. You're right Spencer." It really cracks us up that you know whales and dolphins are mammals, and if we try to tell you that you also are a mammal, you say, "No!! I a boy!!" You could watch Disney's documentaries "Earth" and "Oceans" every day if I let you.

You and Kate have become quite the duo here recently. Lots of races up and down the hallway, hide and seek, jumping on beds, playing with toys together, pretending to be explorers or go to the beach....it is very exciting and sweet to see this best friendship developing. Sometimes you can get kinda protective, though, and you don't like it when other kids try to take Kate's toys away. Even if she says it's okay! We're working on finding a balance there. :)

You are also finding a love for cars and dinosaurs, and you are still a big reader. I love reading with you. You have developed quite the collection of ocean books thanks to people who know and love you, and one of your favorite things is to sit in the lap of someone you love and trust and look at an ocean book.

You know all your letters, words that begin with those letters, numbers to 20 (still leaving out 13, counting 14 twice, and skipping 15) but we are getting there. You also are doing great at knowing the meaning of counting...that every item gets a number. You are killing it in speech and tested out of First Steps this year. Now you take speech at WKU and you are killing it there, too. Everyone always tells me you are so agreeable, attentive, and the best little boy. Your speech therapist was told time and time again that she had it made with you for a client. Most 2 year old boys wouldn't have acted so great like you did!!!

You are pretty shy with new people, but man...once you open up you LOVE attention! You love to make people laugh and will be so silly to get some giggles from those you love. You have a sweet tooth that is unmatched, it seems. This can get you into trouble sometimes. You still love your milk, and will drink your entire cup first at a meal. You are doing pretty good using the potty, and we are taking it slow. You are so ticklish and then it cracks us up when you say, "Okay. I need a break!" when we've tickled too much!

This year you another mouth surgery. It was pretty hard on you since you are a little bit older than last time. But I tell you what, little man, you are nothing short of a champ. I can not tell you how much of a rockstar you are!!! They told us a minimum of 3 days the hospital and we came home after only one night!!

I love you so much. You make me laugh, bring me joy, and challenge me every day. You keep me on my toys and life is brighter with you in it. I really do thank God every day for letting me be your mommy. Happy Birthday, sweet boy.

Oh, my precious Princess Kate. You really are a treasure. You are so outgoing and smart and talkative. You bring great joy to all around you. Your heart is so sweet and kind [most of the time] and I love seeing your nurturing nature come out.

You love all things Princess. I hope you know that being a daughter of the King really does make you a Princess. The King is enthralled with your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord. (ps. 45:11) You are beautiful not because of your external looks (though you are stunning!!) but because of the sweet spirit you have inside you.

You have quite the imagination. You love playing dolls, especially Cinderella, and having picnics with our pretend food. You love to dance and can shake it like nobody's business! I love seeing that!! It makes me laugh. We have so much fun at our family dance parties!!!! You love to be read to, but also like others listening to you "read" as well! It makes my heart happy to have you "read" to me!

One time, in the car, you said the sweetest thing. We were talking about Jesus being in our hearts, and being thankful, and you said to me, "You in my heart Mommy, and I in your heart." Now you say that regularly. It is one of the sweetest things. It will stay with me forever, and it is so true.

You have very good manners, and I appreciate that so much. Good manners are really one of those things that will take you far in life, I believe. You love to be tickled, and it is so funny when you say "Oh dear!" when you drop something. You sound so grown up! It is so cute to hear when you wake up, "Mommy! Where are you?" as you lay in your bed and call for me. But I better come quick, otherwise it turns into "MOMMY!! WHERE ARE YOU!!"

Sometimes people think because you love pink and princesses that you are all girly and prissy. SO NOT TRUE. You can play cars and animals and wrestle (sometimes) with the best of 'em. You are totally fine to be out in the dirt rolling around. You pretty much pull out any hair bow I put in within 30 minutes. You prefer to be pantless if you get a choice. You love to "hide" and play hide-n-seek...which usually ends up with you under a blanket!! Happy birthday, precious girl. How much joy you bring to us!!

I am recording all this because I don't want to forget any of it. I am trying to cherish every single second I have with you, especially before your brother and sister come home. I know we are going to have a blast as a big family, but I never want to wish this time with you away.

I love you both so, so much. I am so thankful I get to be here with you every day and learn from you. Your Daddy and I are so grateful that God has blessed us in this way.

Happy Birthday big kids.

Momma

The Night Before Their 3rd Birthday

2011-12-28T23:00:00.001-06:00

The night before my sweeties' third birthday, they slept like this.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Best Friends

2011-12-22T20:12:00.001-06:00

It is something special to watch Kate and Spencer become more and more best of friends. Nothing forced or pressured. Just having fun together and having a built in playmate with you all the time. Twins are something special, ya know?

A little light reading.

They are loving feeding each other recently! So funny!

Pretending to be at the beach

Listening to Daddy read a story

This last picture is a new development. After almost a full year in big kid beds, this is seriously only the second time we have found them sleeping together. The last time was in April.) gotta love her belly sticking out!

(Now this is not to say there is not hitting, pushing, spitting, yelling, grabbing, tackling, crying, whining, or any other unpleasant behaviors. Those are not nearly as cute to take pictures of! Haha!)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Holding Out

2011-12-20T13:19:00.003-06:00

Well, as much as we desired it, it does not appear like we will be passing court in 2011 to be E and J's parents. There was a huge election in the DRC at the end of November, and practically everything shut down - including the courts. And they have yet to open back up. With Christmas coming, I suppose we are holding out for January.

We have been reading/hearing from other families that things just seem to be s l o w. In the DRC and it seems worldwide as well, on the adoption front. It's a tough pill to swallow, let me be honest. I just want them home. I desire so strongly to have E and J here, with their names we speak every.single.day to have real live bodies sleeping in our home as well. For Spencer and Kate to KNOW what it means to have more siblings. Yes, we are so incredibly blessed with them. More than I could even give thanks for. But the Lord has created a desire so strongly in me for more children, and I am ready. I have been ready. It has been 20 months since we filled out that first application and now I can honestly say I have NO idea when E and J will make it home. I thought the spring we would be able to travel, but we are unfortunately feeling like that is not going to happen. It is discouraging to think my girl may have another birthday without us.

What can I tell you? I want to be upbeat and positive and not wish time away. I really do. Some days it is easier to wait than others. Some days I am hopeful and trusting in God's timing. And some days I cry out to Him, because I just do not understand. I don't know what it is taking so long. I don't know why He has chosen this path to look like this for us. Some days my heart aches for them so much it makes me feel physically sick.

One thing He has shown me is that this is the process of refinement. Of sanctification. He has said it will not be easy. But the end result? To look more like Jesus. To have a heart like His. To consider it joy when we face trials because the testing of my faith produces perseverance. Perseverance leads to maturity and wholeness. (James 1) Yes please! I know I could use a little more maturity, ya know?! Especially when I am doing my pity party in front of the Lord!!

Anyway, I just wanted to share that I have nothing new to share. Your prayers would not be wasted that we might seek God's face in our heartache. In the unmet desires. Faithfulness and obedience would be our goal. To love God, to love each other, to love our children, and to love people. That's what we can be doing in the meantime.

Sous Chef Kate

2011-12-14T12:10:00.001-06:00

Holiday baking can be more fun (and messy and take longer) with this little helper. She loves to be called Sous Chef Kate.

(Brother was taking an extra long nap that day!!)

We busted out 6 dozen ginger cookies for Mommy's cookie swap party!

(Her favorite part was licking the beater, of course!)
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Then and Now - Halloween Edition

2011-12-12T16:30:00.000-06:00

(I know, I know. How in the world do I do a Halloween post when it's two weeks before Christmas?! Because I'm just now going through this year's Halloween pics and I found this one. I had to share!!)

Spencer and Kate's best bud Haddon is a real treasure to us! He's about 4 months older than our kiddos. They have a super sweet relationship together. And we love his parents so, so much so it works out nicely. :)

Then: Halloween, 2009.

Now: Halloween, 2011.

Countdown to Christmas

2011-12-11T14:38:00.002-06:00

I realize this post is a few days behind, but...oh well.

After seeing no less than one million blog posts and Pinterest pins on Advent calendars, Christmas countdowns, whatever each person calls them, I decided to do one for us. We do our nightly Advent reading, like last year that includes lighting a candle, reading a scripture, and a short devotion. It really is a sweet time that is so much less chaotic than a year ago. :) Having almost-three-year-olds is different than having almost-two-year-olds and trying to have a conversation about something important. But I wanted to do something fun to anticipate Christmas, something light-hearted and could be done during the day sometimes (when we are at home together) or at night (when Daddy is home too). I so wish I could go back and find the post where I got this inspiration so I could give this blogger credit!

Here is something similar. This isn't the exact post, but I want to give someone credit because I sure didn't come up with it!!

Here is a photo of our Countdown to Christmas fun:

My friend Lara used her handy dandy little Cricut to make my letters and numbers for me, and I folded white cardstock to make the daily tags. The frame is a big collage frame I had at home that I have never used, with the glass taken out, and ribbon stapled across. Mini clothespins with scrapbook paper glued on hold the tags. Then post-its are inside, so I can switch daily activities if I need to, and add new ones for next year, but keep everything else.

Our daily activities include things like:

*Get out nativity set and play

*Read a bunch of Christmas stories

*Open one gift (Christmas pajamas)

*Drive around and look at lights

*Picnic and Charlie Brown (like last year!!)

*make chex mix (I have never done this before and when I went to look up recipes, I didn't realize how many options there are! a little overwhelming!!)

*make a fun Christmas ornament

*do a sticker nativity craft (although next year I want to do these instead)

*bake a birthday cake for Jesus

and more!

We are having a blast so far. It is light-hearted, fun, and keeps us doing things together. and if I miss it one day...it's really okay. :)

My BK Life

2011-12-05T21:50:00.001-06:00

(Not to be confused with my "Burger King" Life. I mean my "before kids" life. No, I don't have a Burger King life. I just wanted to make sure I cleared that up.)

It's been two years since I left teaching. It has been a great transition for me. Yes, it is H-A-R-D to be a SAHM (when do I get to just sit around and eat bon bons all day?!?!) but it is absolutely worth it. The whole $$$$ thing has been a bit tough, but you (quickly!!) realize how much you actually need to live on. :) God is good and He always provides.

The school where I used to teach just happens to be where my precious husband graduated from, played football for, and grew up loving (since his dad was a coach and teacher there, as well). And there is just something about that school. Its school spirit and pride is not to be rivaled anywhere. I have never seen anything like it. It is true what they say. Once a Purple, always a Purple.

They were playing in the state championship football game this weekend and we made a date night out of it, thanks to a gift card for dinner and the game being in our town! :) We met up with my SIL and had a grand ol' time! I'm not sure Stu thought his wife and sister were the best football company, but we had a good time! And he did too. :)

myself and my lovely SIL Amanda!

And it's always nice when your team wins. 55-3. Love our school!! The last time (and only time) the school won a state championship was when Stuart was on the team. I liked hearing his old football stories.

I was a math teacher. I am a self-professed math nerd. It's just everywhere, ya know?! I'm not ashamed to admit my nerdiness. My amazing husband and his uncle are building us a new kitchen table that is going to be just FABULOUS for our growing families and anyone who wants to come over! I love this picture as Stuart, his dad, and his uncle used some SERIOUS math to figure dimensions on the table! Who says math is useless?!?! It's like the beaming pride I feel when my kids correctly identify "hexagons" on our bathroom tile and I use nets to build food boxes when we play playdoh.

Stage Fright

2011-12-04T21:33:00.002-06:00

Our church held their annual Christmas concert tonight. One of my must-not-miss things of the year. Cookies, cider, music, church family, Jesus....all good things. :) Well, there was a song where they invited ALL the children to come to the stage for a song. And our worship pastor even said, "If your children are really young, feel free to come with them." So all ages were welcome. Kate was not about to let a chance go by where all the other kids went and not her. So off we went. And Spencer was not about to let a chance go by where Kate went and he did not.

Somehow Daddy got to stay at the seat. :)

So, it was me and my two precious, sweet, crazy 2 (almost 3!) year olds.

It started off good. They sat so sweetly on the stairs, listening to the choir sing. I was rightthere in case anyone got a little too brave. Then Spencer scooted up one more step. Then another. Then he was a little too far out of my reach. And he started to turn...but I caught his shirt sleeve. Shew. He almost made it up on stage (with the enormous worship choir and full orchestra. That would not have been pretty.)

Then the worship pastor had everyone sit down. Well Kate decided she wasn't ready to sit down. So she sees Daddy out a few rows back and pulling a Jenny Rose and is like, "Daddy!!! Hi!!" and waving all cute. (My dad has a similar story of when I played tee ball and I would wave and yell instead of run!!) While Scripture is being read. Then she sees her Sunday School teachers and waves to them. And they wave back. So she waves back again. Well, this is right up Kate's alley! She has found the spotlight! They start another round of Christmas songs, and she feels like she's got this...so she starts waving her arms like she is directing the choir.

All the while I am trying to keep Spencer from climbing up on stage. He is swatting my hands away the whole time. And picking his nose. I pull his finger out of his nose. He climbs another step. I pull him back in my lap, pinning him down. Kate is waving, directing, singing (no, she doesn't know the words).

I scan for Stuart...can he please come get Spencer?? He's a strong little guy and I'm not sure how much longer I can contain him.

Stuart is leaning out into the aisle, taking video on his phone.

I'm laughing so hard I have tears in my eyes. At least I think they are from laughter. Longest.medley.ever!! Only because I'm wrangling my two crazies!!

I am positive it wasn't as awful as it was for me....on stage....in front of hundreds of people...

I haven't seen Stuart's video yet. Who knows what it looks like?!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-01T20:11:00.000-06:00

When we first started the adoption process officially in April 2010, we were prayerful that we would be home with our children by Christmas 2011. That seemed, at the moment, like plenty of time. But here we are, December, and that just isn't going to happen. Now we are praying the Lord would allow us to simply pass court in 2011 so that we may travel before summer rolls around next year.

Things don't always go as we plan. Okay, let's be honest. Sometimes things don't feel like they EVER go as we plan. That's a tough pill to swallow, even though our head knowledge tells us that God's plan is best. But when you are swimming in a big pool of plans that look nothing like what you wanted, that head knowledge doesn't cut it. That is when the truth needs to resonate in your heart, too, to truly mark a changed life.

My struggle right now (and really every day of my life) is laying down my life and my plans and my dreams for what the Lord has called me to. Whatever that means - adoption and family and parenting and sharing and investing and otherwise. I am having to die to myself day in and day out and that is hard. But that is what it means to follow Jesus. For I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but it is Christ who lives in me. The life I live I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20-21)

My favorite band EVER is Third Day. I have had their Christmas album for a year or however long it's been out, but just now listened to the lyrics to the very last song on the album.

There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town {let's pretend this says "a little Congolese town"}
There the forgotten are

But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow

But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child
And we celebrate his perfect gift of love
He came to earth to give his life
And prepare a place for us
So we could have a home with him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

At some point, in His timing, His plans will unfold. They will unfold however He deems fit, for His glory. And right now I can tell you that they look very different than the plans that I imagined in my little finite brain. But what does the Bible tell us? That He who calls us is faithful. What else do I really need to cling to??

Holiday Open House Follow-up and Door Prizes!

2011-11-30T19:45:00.002-06:00

I know I have mentioned this already, but the Holiday Open House Fundraiser was awesome. Thanks so much to everyone who participated - the vendors and shoppers, both online and in person. You guys rock! Thanks to y'all- we raised over $1,000 to go towards our matching grant. So every dollar is doubled!! Thanks for being a part of E and J coming home as quickly as possible!

I have been compiling lists of all the people who made orders and drew for some door prizes. If you placed an order, your name was on a slip of paper. If you ordered from 3 different places, you had 3 entries. I just wanted to post the winners because they deserve a shout out! BIG THANKS to my vendors who graciously donated door prizes! These ladies are AMAZING! (I have provided the links in case you want to get something from them!)

Handmade 6-12 mo. Christmas dress - Cynthia L.

Handmade 3t Christmas dress - Nadia B.

Mary Kay travel suncare set - Cynthia L.

Scentsy pack - Cindy M.

Willow House set of 2 metal planters - Marianna L.

Tastefully Simple Bountiful Beer Bread 3 pack - Melissa E.

Pampered Chef Caramel Sauce and Calendar - Amanda Bor.

Pampered Chef Paring Knives - Ashley B.

Pampered Chef Celebrate Plate - Molly B.

Initials Inc. Purse - Margie R.

Orangepolkadots Creations Christmas Hairbow - Ann S.

Usborne 1001 Things to Spot at Christmas Book - Angel B.

I will contact the winners! Thanks everyone!

A Quick One I Want to Remember

2011-11-27T17:36:00.001-06:00

After a double temper tantrum, Kate lay still on the floor and Spencer was on my lap. Faces still were wet from tears.

Spencer grabbed an ocean book (his fave!) and Kate grabbed a princess book (her fave!) and they started reading.

Spencer: Mommy, I not cry anymore.
Me: I'm glad, buddy.
Spencer: My tears are all gone. They are far away.
Kate: My tears are in my nose.

I suppose I can understand that a little...

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Middle of the Night Post

2011-11-25T03:59:00.002-06:00

I'ts 4:59 am and I have been up for several hours. Mainly because my son is in the other room for the past SEVERAL HOURS just thrashing about, talking, slamming his feet into his bed....whatever he can do to make noise and I can hear it over the monitor. I can't sleep when he's awake. This should make tomorrow fun....yikes.

We are having a great start to our whirlwind Thanksgiving weekend. We are hoping all-in-all it is a little bit calmer than last year. So far, so good. A lot of laughing, playing, some shopping will be done....if Spencer wasn't awake I would say let's just go already since the stores have been open for 5 hours. What is with that? What do you all think about this whole Black-Friday-starts-on-Thursday thing? Personally, as Black Friday is a tradition for Stuart and I, I'm not a fan!!!

We heard this week that there are "potential slow-downs" on the adoption front. Who knows what that means?! We are waiting, really any day now, for the call that we have passed court. We are praying it happens before the end of the year. But then it is up in the air how long it will be after that before we can go pick up E and J and bring them home. Some days I really struggle with this. Like a lot. Like more than other days. But my mantra has been this and only this: He who calls us is faithful. God has brought us literally every step of the way. He has them under His watchful eye. This will be done according to His glorious will.

I made some apple cider caramels tonight. My, oh my. Talk about creamy and delicious. The thing about candy is, it isn't difficult to make. Meaning, the process itself. But it's high maintenance and you have to stand there stirring forever. But these are AH-MAZING.

Those are my thoughts for you tonight. This morning. Whatever.

I am sure I will be pleasant tomorrow. :) :)

My Little Book Lovers

2011-11-23T10:06:00.001-06:00

I love books. They love books. I love that they love books!!

But this is the reason I just keep buying books!!! It can be out of control sometimes!

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Feeding the Masses

2011-11-22T12:12:00.001-06:00

Actually, it is only feeding one.

A 2 year old boy.

I am a little concerned about how in the world we are going to feed him when he's 16.

Today he has had 2 bananas, a smoothie and half of my smoothie (in adult cups), a chocolate pudding, a cup of mandarin oranges, and 3 bowls of mac-n-cheese. And it's just lunch.

(and before you do any sizing up of what he has had and how it's completely unbalanced, remember we are in survival mode with a post-op diet that is tough on a 2 year old.)

Bottomless pit.

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Holiday Open House-SUCCESS!

2011-11-20T20:43:00.002-06:00

We had our Holiday Open House Fundraiser yesterday morning. It really turned out so well, I think! We had 10 great vendors, a lot of traffic, great shopping, yummy food, pictures of our two sweeties in DR Congo, a lot of generous friends, some gifts marked off lists, etc. A huge thank you to all of you who stopped by and have shopped online!

If you still want to order something, you have one more day! Parties will be closing in the next day or two so don't delay any longer. WE ARE SO, SO, SO CLOSE TO OUR GOAL! Remember our goal is to raise $2500 towards a matching grant!

Here are the links one more time:

Thirty One Gifts: http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E1210017&from=DIRECTLINK

Initials, Inc.: http://www.myinitials-inc.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E27291&from=MYEVENTS

Pampered Chef: (Go to Shop Online and enter Jenny Borders as host)
www.pamperedchef.biz/lindaharlan

Tastefully Simple: http://www.tastefullysimple.com/web/dlively
(Please make sure you have Deanna Lively as consultant.)

Scentsy: https://sarahe.scentsy.us/Buy?partyId=59739184

Usborne Books: http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/hostess.asp?sid=P3244&gid=129015835&HID=HOS207709

Mary Kay Cosmetics: (Specify ADOPTION somewhere in checkout)
http://www.marykay.com/hflannery/default.aspx

Willow House: http://melissaely.store.willowhouse.com/Default.aspx

Orangepolkadots Creations: http://www.etsy.com/shop/amymthomas

Christmas Book Recommendation

2011-11-20T20:33:00.004-06:00

With young children and the holidays, you begin to face the question of what types of traditions you want to start as a new family. I think all of us that have faced this agree it can be challenging to merge two families' traditions as well as coming up with new ones. Having those conversations of which ones to keep and which to not (because you can't do everything!!) keep happening around our house each year. Our children are still so young and let's face it, I'm a bit tradition-happy. I love them. I love the thought of having traditions our children may grow up and take with them one day! Stuart has to keep me under control.

ANYWAY. One tradition we started last year we totally stole from a family at church. They always gave a Christmas book to their girls the day after Thanksgiving/beginning of Advent to kick-start the Christmas season. And the Christmas book was ALWAYS about the actual meaning of the holiday - the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. They searched high and low for quality, meaningful Christmas books and each

of their girls got one. Now their girls are grown and have families of their own and each took their collection of Christmas books with them. I just love that. And I love books. It's a win-win. So I am always looking around for Christmas books that celebrate our King.

But this book I am recommending to you today, I didn't a

ctually find. My in-laws (affectionately Grammy and PaPaw) did and brought it for Kate and Spencer this weekend. We read it last night for the first time (hey, I am not against reading Christmas books before Thanksgiving) and it is SO SO SO CUTE. I love it! Better yet, Kate and Spencer love it!! I wanted to share my recommendation here in case any of you are looking for Christmas books that share the story of Christ in a sweet way.

The Something Wonderful

Thanks Grammy and PaPaw for a super sweet book that further teaches us about Jesus, God's Something Wonderful!!

Sweetness Overload

2011-11-15T09:44:00.001-06:00

In talking about Thanksgiving next week, Kate and I had the following conversation in the car while Spencer was at speech:

Mommy: Kate, Thanksgiving is a holiday where we get with our family and eat yummy food and thank God for what He has given us.[2 year old version] What are you thankful for?
K: I thankful for you.
Me: and I am thankful for you! What about daddy?
Kate: I thankful for him. I love him.
Me: what about (repeat each time for spencer, e and j, our home, spike, Jesus, God)?
Kate: I love him/them.
Me: That makes my heart happy.
K: You make my heart happy. You in my heart, and I in your heart.
Then I started sobbing uncontrollably. (Okay, not really, but I thought I might wreck the car from all the sweetness that was abounding.)

That's right baby. I love you.

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Adoption Fundraiser - THIS Weekend!

2011-11-14T21:57:00.002-06:00

Hey everyone! Remember, we are trying to get this $2500 matching grant funded to help bring our kiddos home. We are having a great event this weekend!

You can be shopping online NOW and a portion of each sale goes towards the grant!

Here is a complete list of all our vendors!

If, for some reason, you don't care to shop but want to give towards the matching grant (it is a non-profit organization, so anything you give is tax-deductible), you can send a check to:

God's Grace Adoption Ministry

PO Box 4

Modesto, CA 95353

**Please specify "Borders Adoption" in memo line**

Thank you for bearing with me as I publicize as much as I can. :)

Mammals

2011-11-14T16:24:00.001-06:00

My quick conversation with Spencer today:

Spencer: Mommy, are you a mammal?
Mommy: Yes, I am a mammal. Are you?
S: No, I a boy!
Me: Well, boys are mammals.
S: No, blue whales are mammals. Dolphins are mammals. I a boy. Not a mammal.
Me: All people are mammals.
S: No, I don't think so!

Funny boy. :)

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Post-Op Update

2011-11-12T07:07:00.002-06:00

As I (briefly) mentioned, Spencer had surgery this past week to correct fistulas (small openings in tissue) in his palate. These two fistulas had been there since his palate repair (December 2009) but our surgeon didn't feel it necessary to correct them with an extra surgery unless it was affecting his speech. Well, here we are, and our man is killing it in speech, but he had some extra air that was escaping through his noice. We did some evaluations, ran some voice tests, and the conclusion was finally made that it was through these small openings that the extra air was escaping. It was pretty much the only thing holding him back, speech-wise. So the decision was made about six weeks ago to go ahead with surgery.

We were expecting 3-4 days in the hospital, with the knowledge it could be 5-7 days. It would all depend on his recovery. Our surgeon likes to get Spencer back to taking almost his normal amount of liquid and food before heading home. We checked in Monday, I booked a room through Thursday (I stay in a hotel with Kate), thinking that would be the earliest he would head home.

His surgery was to take 2-2.5 hours. Well, after an hour and 10 minutes from when they wheeled him down to the OR we were already meeting with the surgeon! He did great, handled anesthesia well, and they were able to only patch one of the two fistulas, based on circulation and the anatomy of his mouth. The surgeon said we would see him in recovery in an hour or so, but after 10 more minutes in the waiting room they called us back to see him. Everything was happening so much faster than we anticipated! He wasn't happy when we got back there, they said he came to recovery already awake so he was M-A-D. Thankfully we got back there, gave him some pain meds, got him calmed down, started rocking in a chair, and he fell back asleep. When he woke up, Stuart was able to give him some apple juice. And when he started drinking, he didn't stop! He had maybe 16 oz of apple juice before we even got him to his room.

The next morning, he was doing great, but wasn't a fan of any doctor or nurse that even stepped foot in the room. He was cleared to have some ice cream, which made him a different child. He was so hungry! But then they said we could go home that day! It was nuts! He just recovered so fast, faster than we could even imagine, even though we knew in our past surgeries we went home early. Our surgeon is so thorough, however, we never imagined 3-4 days would mean 1 day!

Since we have been home, we have had to stick to mainly liquid diet. No chewing. So that means ice cream, smoothies, pudding, yogurt, broth. It has been such a challenge. Spencer is not really a fan, and he's only 2, so there is not a lot of rationalizing that has been done. Now we are 5 days post- op, he is not on any meds, but trying to get really creative with how to make him things he will eat, will be nutritious for him, and keep him satisfied. His hunger meltdowns happen as quick as you can blink your eyes. He screams and cries and says, "I don't want anything!!" If we can get some food in his system, he is, like I said, a different child. :) Adding ground up oatmeal to his smoothies has helped the food stick a little longer. Throwing spinach in there makes mama feel better about not having many veggies. :) We are simply doing the best we can (and it feels like, according to Spencer, that may or may not be good enough right now!) He definitely misses his sippy cup. He keeps asking me to put a top on his cup, but I can't do anything like that right now. The tissue is still healing, so we don't want to chance hurting anything!

Anyway, that's where we are. He is definitely a champ, and I can empathize with how he is feeling. Thankfully, the Lord has burdened me to be patient with him instead of impatient (most of the time) and think about how he is handling this whole thing. As far as I can tell, he has forgotten he has a boo-boo in his mouth, and just wants his normal food, his normal milk (which he prefers in a sippy), and why won't anyone give it to him?!?!?

Keep praying for the food thing. We are moving to soft foods, so hopefully this is will help some. If you have any ideas for what I can make for him, that is appreciated, too. Thanks for praying for our little boy, and KNOW your prayers are being answered!

Smiley Face!

2011-11-09T16:12:00.001-06:00

Our first semi-recognizable drawing! Smiley face! (Do you see it?)

I am so proud. :)

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Something Feels Familiar

2011-11-08T18:19:00.001-06:00

Just because it's the way it is, this is Spencer's third surgery ib regards to his cleft lip/palate. There are things about this surgery that feel familiar...

Still snuggling with Momma:

April 2009

December 2009

November 2011

Kate still loves her brother's hospital bed (because she isn't the one sleeping in it):

December 2009

November 2011

Still snuggling with Daddy, too:

April 2009

December 2009

November 2011

And other things that are familiar?

Our little boy has rebounded back way faster than we thought. He has once again far exceeded expectations and cut his hospital stay short. God has been gracious to us once again and kept Spencer safe. And Kate has been an angel, causing no extra stress at all.

We are so thankful to be home resting tonight...two days earlier than expected!!

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Small Things

2011-11-08T10:19:00.001-06:00

My little man had surgery this week. I love this little boy so much.

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Matching Grant Opportunity!

2011-11-05T06:19:00.004-05:00

(Hi friends. Sorry about the lapse in posting. I have many things I want to show you, including our adorable Dorothy and the Lion from Halloween, but having some technical difficulties. All you Apple people out there - the Blogger app on my iPad can not handle the iOS 5 update!)

It has been a little over two years since Stuart and I sat at the Together for Adoption conference and felt the Lord's calling that our next child would be born somewhere outside the two of us. At that time we could not even have dreamed what this story would look like. It has been 18 months since we filled out our first application to adopt one child, two and under, from Ethiopia.

Our journey now looks a tad bit different.

Enter in: requesting more children, a failed adoption, switching agencies, switching countries altogether, and changing age range; four versions of our home study, three different versions of our i-600A, and suffice it to say that it has been a faith walk for sure.

And it continues to be.

Every day we wait to hear if we have passed court in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We eagerly long for the day when our two children (E and J) will be part of our family forever. At this point, we are hoping to travel sometime early next year.

It has been a long journey, for sure. Some days, my heart is so weary of it all. But I think of how sweetly the Lord has provided each step of the way. He has provided grace, wisdom, funds when we have needed it. We see Him provide again, and again, and again....and know that even though we are weary, He never is.

We have been so blessed to have received yet another matching grant to go towards our adoption expenses. God's Grace Adoption Ministry has graciously agreed to match funds up to $2,500. Which means we can turn $2,500 into $5,000. Because of two other grants we have received, we feel hopeful that if we can get this grant matched, our adoption will be 100% funded!!! Praise the Lord!

So here is what we are doing to raise the funds to go towards the grant:

Holiday Shopping Open House!

Did you know November is Orphan Awareness Month? There are more than 147 MILLION orphans in the world. Two of which are soon to be Borders forever!!!

Help us bring home our two children from the Democratic Republic of Congo by joining us either in person or online and do some shopping! Maybe you need to start your holiday shopping, continue it, or wrap it up! Maybe you need (want!) something for yourself. Whatever it is, a portion of EVERY sale goes to this grant! Many thanks to our gracious independent consultants!!

Shop from:

Thirty One Gifts:

http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E1210017&from=DIRECTLINK

Initials, Inc.

http://www.myinitials-inc.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E27291&from=MYEVENTS

Pampered Chef (Go to Shop Online and enter Jenny Borders as host)

http://wwww.pamperedchef.biz/lindaharlan

Tastefully Simple

http://www.tastefullysimple.com/web/dlively

Scentsy

https://sarahe.scentsy.us/Buy?partyId=59739184

Usborne Books

http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/hostess.asp?sid=P3244&gid=129015835&HID=HOS207709

Mary Kay Cosmetics (Specify "ADOPTION" somewhere in checkout)

http://www.marykay.com/hflannery/default.aspx

Willow House:

http://melissaely.store.willowhouse.com/Default.aspx

Orangepolkadots Creations

http://www.etsy.com/shop/amymthomas

Handcrafted Goods

Saturday, November 19 from 9 am - 12 noon at 1513 Highland Way in BG.

There will be door prizes, yummy snacks, good fellowship...but best of all, you help bring our daughter and son home that much quicker. :)

Can't come or don't live nearby?? YOU CAN STILL HELP!! Each vendor has so graciously agreed to set up and accept online orders as well, contributing to this fundraiser. Your goodies will be shipped to you. :) I will be posting links as online parties become available.

If, for some reason, you don't care to shop but want to give towards the matching grant (it is a non-profit organization, so anything you give is tax-deductible), you can send a check to:

God's Grace Adoption Ministry

PO Box 4

Modesto, CA 95353

**Please specify "Borders Adoption" in memo line**

We can't say "THANK YOU!!" enough for buying candle holders, t-shirts, flip-flops, sponsoring us to run half-marathons, writing checks for no good reason other than to be generous, etc. Those two sweet faces that we gaze at every day are in our hearts because of God's grace through YOU.

Jesus and the Bird

2011-10-20T18:50:00.003-05:00

Are you familiar with the story of John baptizing Jesus, as a beginning to His ministry?

The story can be found in Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, and John 1.

Anyway, that was the story we read in our Bible time tonight. In our Beginner's Bible, the story is summarized with kid-friendly pictures. Basically, John the Baptist lives in the desert, eats bugs, and prepares people for God's Son. He tells people to stop doing bad and start being good. He baptizes those who want to show that commitment. Then Jesus comes along, and wants John to baptize Him. John is like, "Whoa, Jesus. You are the Son of God. You should baptize me. I am a nobody!" and Jesus is like, "John, dude, I need to fulfill all those prophecies written about me. Baptize me." So he does, and then a dove comes down and lands on Jesus. God's voice is heard saying, "This is my Son, and I am pleased with Him."

We read the story and talked through it a time or two. We identified John and Jesus, asked questions about what John was doing before Jesus came along, what came representing God's Spirit. When we had closed our Bible, Spencer said, "I want to read about Jesus and the bird!"

I suppose that could be an alternate title!

Too Young for an iPhone

2011-10-12T13:41:00.001-05:00

Kate has been using an old iPod as her "phone." (Yes, the iPod belongs on that stereo behind her.)

She loves to just chat away...girls must come by that naturally....

She has requested to sleep with it the past couple of days, which is fine by me. This is how she fell asleep today.

Hahahaha! Wonder who she fell asleep talking to?!

Then and Now: Sam's Cub Edition Vol. II

2011-10-09T16:57:00.001-05:00

(You can go back and see Volume I but I am including the same photos here for comparison.)

Then:

13 months old (February 2010)

And also, just shy of 2 years old (December 2010)

Now:
2 years, 9 months old

(Mom...Sam's Club is soooooo boring....see by these looks on our faces....you are boooorrrrrrrring us with you photos in the checkout line. I don't know why you like this place so much. Who cares about double carts and $.89 cherry cokes?!)

You know, it just occurred to me that some people do that current trend where they photo their baby every week/month in the same chair or with the same stuffed animal to show growth. I guess I do Sam's Club? Unintentionally. What's wrong with me?

That other Big Thing in our lives

2011-09-23T08:55:00.001-05:00

Want to know what is going on in the adoption front?

Sorry for the lapse in updates. It has been waiting on this, waiting on that...

We had to get an addendum to our home study, to change it from 0-3 years to 0-5 years. Our social worker is fantastic and did that right away. (Seriously, he is the best. This is now the third time he has edited our home study. He changed it once for Hope and Hudson, then to change it to the DR Congo, then now to adjust the age range.) We also had to come up with the payment of $13,400. And we had to send off our immigration papers for a change, to adjust the age range on there (since it is written based on the home study.) Well, everything was taken care of, and we got the immigration paperwork back and it had Ethiopia on it instead of Congo. It was an easy fix, but took a couple of extra days.

So...last Friday we sent a certified check to our agency and yesterday mailed off the rest of the paperwork....so it's official!

Now our stuff gets sent to the Congo, where our case moves towards court. Unlike a lot of international countries, we will not have to travel for our court date. We expect court to happen in 1-2 months. Then 3-4 months after court we expect to travel to get our children and bring them home!

And of course as soon as we can breathe from making this gigantic payment we get an invoice for post-placements for another $1,000. Whew!

What do you think is one of the biggest barriers to adoption? Do you think that it is because people don't want these 150 million orphans to have homes? Absolutely not. We all know that every child deserves a family. That it is unfair that they have to suffer. It is money. It is the time it takes to wait. It is the fact that it is a road that is laden with hardships. It is the fear of the unknown for attachment, adjustment, etc.

Can I just tell you for one moment how God is so much bigger than all that?

Granted, our journey is long from over. I can not speak yet of attachment, but adopting a child that is not a baby, I am sure I will have lots to speak of on this. But I can talk to you about money. I can talk about a long wait. And I certainly can speak on hardships that come from failed adoptions, wrong paperwork, change in plans, and so on.

When we mailed this check last week, it was...it IS...so surreal. $13,000???? Do you know how many nights I laid awake wondering where in the world that was going to come from?? Do you know how often I prayed that God was going to have to do it because it was so far our of my reach of capability? We have so far...get ready...paid over $23,000 in fees. I do not tell you to scare you. I do not tell you that to deter you. In fact, I tell you that only to encourage you in quite the opposite and say may God get the glory in every single dollar.

Every single dollar!!!

I am telling you, HEAR ME, God is bigger than any obstacle you see before you. Do not let money be a reason from moving forward in adoption if you feel that leading. Just don't. He can make it happen in ways you can not even imagine. You may be etching hundreds of candle holders and running half-marathons and tying more ribbons on flip flops than you ever thought....but it is worth it. It is worth it to see how mighty and big our God is. It is worth it to watch God set the lonely into families. It is worth it to watch people all around you rally around to be part of your journey.

Yes, there are hard times. Yes, things most likely won't go smoothly all the time. Yes, if you are a control freak like me, it will be a season of major learning as you see you have NO control. Yes, it will take longer than you would like.

It is worth it.

They are worth it.

E and J...our sweet children....God sees you. He is with you. And soon, we will be too.

Fall Must-Do's

2011-09-22T13:34:00.001-05:00

When it turns fall, we just have to plan a trip (er....really multiple trips...the apple cider slushies never get old) to the orchard. We were able to get out there on a gorgeous day when my in-laws were in town.

"Helllllloooooo!!"

My big boy

Daddy, share your slushie with me!!

My turn! (she was generous enough to let you have a sip, but then she would declare "My turn!" again!)

Do we really have to pose for pictures?

Sweeties.

BFFs. At least for now- and I hope for always!

Kate loves to feed animals. I think she considers herself an animal whisperer.

Mommy, why is he all the way over there?

Riding on Papaw's shoulders.

Walking with Grammy.

Freshly picked apples being cleaned and sorted!

With the weather turning cooler, it is time for us to make a trip back to pick our pumpkins!

Thoughts on Discipline

2011-09-21T14:50:00.001-05:00

My sweet, precious daughter is a bit of a rascal sometimes.

She is increasingly developing her stubborn, I-will-do-what-I-want-to-do-when-I-want-to-do-it attitude. You know, that whole part of being 2 years old business.

Today she was doing something she knows she is not supposed to do. Something she has been disciplined for in the past more than once. And she is NOT a fan of any sort of discipline. It kind of goes against the whole Do-what-I-want-to-do-when-I-want-to-do-it thing.

Anyway, I had to discipline her twice for this thing. The girl had a short term memory problem or something. :) And I will be completely honest-I don't like it any much more than she does! It makes my heart sad. It makes me feel mean. It makes me think that in this moment I am undoing all the sweet, loving times and she will think I don't love her.

We always pray at the end, and I ask God to shape her heart towards Him, and that whatever we did in there honored Him. We go back to whatever we were doing, and try this "obey Mommy" thing all over again.

Today Kate was really mad at me after discipline session #2. It was heart-wrenching. She wouldn't even look at me. She laid in her bed staring at the wall instead of me. I felt awful.

So, I was laying by the side of her bed, with my head on her pillow, eyes closed. All I could do was pray. Did she really know why I had to discipline her? Didn't she know that it was because I was trying to bring her back to the good way? Didn't she know it was not about her obeying me for the sake of obeying me, but doing it because in turn, it means she obeyed God? ("Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1) Didn't she know that I loved her, and wanted the best for her? But did I mess that up in this discipline? I prayed that God would be glorified through this. Because I don't want to do anything that makes my children sad, but I was doing what I thought the Bible instructed me to do. And I want to obey my Lord. He knows my heart.

And then....

I feel a sweet precious baby hand on my cheek.

Oh y'all, I wish I could explain it to you. Like manna from heaven, haha. I open my eyes, and my gorgeous girl was staring at me with her little sweet hand cupped on my cheek. God is so good. It was exactly what I needed. She knows I love her. And I know that I did what was right for our family. God was telling me, through her sweet hand, we were created to bring Him glory. Just as I know God loves me when He disciplines me, of course Kate knows I love her. To be a good mom includes bringing her back to the path of righteousness.

I kissed her for her nap, and she whispered, "Sit with me til I fall asleep?" (She never, ever asks that!!)

Of course, baby.

Thank you, Lord.

Pinterest Strikes Again

2011-09-03T21:48:00.001-05:00

I really do not have a creative bone in my body. I can follow a recipe or a tutorial (with good details) just fine (as long as the recipe has actual measurements and doesn't say something like "til it tastes right" or something like that) but as far as coming up with innovative crafts, activities, or modified recipes....not so much in my skill set.

Maybe that is why I like Pinterest so much. It shows me everyone else being creative and I can just link to it and voila! I have something new to try.

Here is our latest learning activity that I saw and had everything on hand...I call it ABC Bingo.

I wrote letters on a piece of construction paper and K&S would match alphabet stickers to the corresponding letter. Along the way we would do letter sounds, words that begin with that letter, etc.

We had fun! Kate went 16/16 (I mean, if we were assigning a number to it, which I prefer to do...haha!) and Spencer was so over me and my guided activities 4 letters in. He's like, Mom, I basically know all this stuff, can I go do what I want to do now?

See? By this point he has already left me. Kate is going strong!

At the end- you know whose is whose! (you know when you type "whose" and "who's" over and over trying to figure out which word to use because you are not sure if the saying is a contraction [as in "who is"] it really begins to look weird. Am I sounding like a total nerd yet?)

(in the bottom right of the red one I wrote an "I" first and changed it to "J." just a little FYI.)

Showing off her work! Not sure what crazy man is up to! He is long gone by now. :)

We had fun! I hope to incorporate more intentional learning activities in throughout our days at home. Nothing too strict, we still need lots of time to run races up and down the hallway, read books, build tents, have pretend birthday parties and dance dance dance!

Brother and Sister

2011-09-02T13:04:00.001-05:00

At our last Moms of Multiples meeting we talked about photo storage and scrapbooking, and even had the chance to use other's tools to make a little diddy for us to take home. All we had to do was provide some pics.

I ended up printing the two photos I had of our new kiddos along with a couple of Kate and Spencer. I thought it would be super special to have my first photo page with all four children. It turned out so sweet, and it hangs on our fridge so every time we walk past we are prompted to pray, talk to K&S about them, praise God for His faithfulness, and simply be reminded of their precious sweet faces.

We have (obviously) told Kate and Spencer they are getting a new brother and sister. They were there when we looked at the photos for the first time. We have talked about how they are going to come live with us and be our family, how Kate and Spencer's mommy and daddy will also be their mommy and daddy. They are 2, remember, so you can imagine the depth of comprehension that takes place. :)

Today I was carrying Spencer through the kitchen (like I do no less than one bagillion times a day) and he said, "There my brother and sister," and pointed to our photos. It immediately made my heart seize up in thankfulness. He said, "I share my toys. That boy, he want to go potty." it was like Spencer knew his normal life was soon to be this little boy's normal too. I affirmed him, and we talked about how they were coming, and he said, "I ready to see them." And he was ready to move on to whatever activity we were headed to in the first place.

It was such a sweet moment. In the times when life seems to swallow me whole, the reminder of the ordinary, the promise of blessing in small things is there. For God to work in great ways does not have to always mean to look for gigantic mountains moving. It may be in the reminder spoken from a child, who sees things for the simplicity of what they are. God is moving, working, being God everywhere around us.

Swing set

2011-09-01T14:47:00.001-05:00

(Do you love all these posts with pictures? Found the camera and connector to load them to my iPad, where I blog!)

My kiddos LOVE their swing set that Daddy and Papaw built.

"Momma? I see you!"

Now if the weather could go below 95 degrees Momma might be more likely to want to go outside more and do this. And not be a grumpy gus about it. :)

The News We've Been Waiting For!

2011-08-31T21:18:00.001-05:00

I am so excited to share with y'all that we have received our adoption referral!

Wait....let me try that again...

ReferralS!!

That's right, my friends, we have accepted the referral for a 4 year old girl and her 13 month old brother! That will make 4 children within 3 years of one another in our home. The girl is 18 months older than S&K and the boy is 18 months younger than them. It just fits.

It is actually out of our original requested age range, but we spent a good bit of time praying, processing, seeking wise counsel from family and friends...and honestly feel so much peace in our hearts. This is right. They are ours. And when it comes down to it, every single bit of our original adoption plan has changed, so we held to age pretty loosely. :)

We started out seeking to do an international adoption (definitely no domestic! What if the birth parents change their mind??!) from Ethiopia, for one child, age two and under. Well, if you know anything about our story at all, you know that every other bit of that is no longer in the works, so we decided to see what God would do if we let go of our grip on age as well.

And He has shaped our hearts for these two children. For their sweet little faces.

Our prayer now is that we could gather the funds as quickly as possible to finish out this process. Average time from referral to travel is 4-6 months. Our hope is to be home by Christmas, but we know timing is not something we can control. We have to write a check for $13,400 to start the paperwork for the court process. We have been trying to sell our van to raise most of that, which the Lord just tonight so graciously arranged. It is not the complete payment, but it is a good bit of it. We do have some opportunities coming to raise additional funds, so be looking for ways I will share you can partner with us.

Two more children are to be added to our family!! So excited to get them HOME!!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! We are excited (and freaking out) about this next chapter in our journey!

Thank you, Pinterest

2011-08-31T13:21:00.001-05:00

Thank you, Pinterest for giving ideas on free, outside, creative fun.

Just water and paintbrushes! They thought it was so fun!

When Music Speaks to You

2011-08-22T13:21:00.001-05:00

I am sure that we have all had those moments. Those songs with lyrics that seem to be the words from our hearts. We hear it and wonder, did someone write that for me?

I had one of those moments today. In an unconventional, totally unexpected way.

The blog has been missing some "meat" lately, as my posts have been more about the little fun things that have been going on and not so much any big things or even the sortings of my heart. My hope is that I am able to balance the two sides (the light side and the passionate side) of my heart on here, in order to keep things real. Because life is not all, "here are some cute pics of my kids," nor is it, "Here are all the thoughts and convictions I have been processing." know what I mean? It is a combination of both.

So, my heart is heavy as of late. Not because bad things are happening necessarily, but because I have been processing some pretty big feelings. Praying some big ol' prayers that I am needing the Lord to answer in a big ol' way. I will share some more on this at a later time. Today, as I laid the kiddos down for a nap, I was listening to them over the monitor. I love this (most of the time). You just never know what they might say as they lay in their beds chatting it up with each other. I had just received a phone call that burdened me a need to pray right then. Almost like I needed to remind God that He is faithful (like He would forget) and could He please go ahead and give a yes on this one thing??

(What does music have to do with this? I am getting there.)

And over the monitor, in the midst of praying, I hear my baby boy singing.

"Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.

I am weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so."

The perfect reminder for my burdens came through this song, sung by my favorite 2 year old boy, the song I had just sang to him only moments earlier. But somehow, I sang it, then walked out of the room into a pit of worry. The Lord knew I needed to hear it one more time...an edited version with specific lyrics :) ... Over a baby monitor no less.

And my prayer became not, "Lord, do this for me! Answer this prayer this way!" but "Okay, God. The Bible tells me you love me. I am weak but you are strong. So do what you will and give me faith to trust you regardless."

All through a little song.

Van Goghs in the Making

2011-08-19T17:08:00.001-05:00

Do you know why I chose Van Gogh instead of Picasso?

Would it be Picassos? Picassoes (my vote)? Picasso's (what most people would put but I don't believe that is grammatically right. And I'm big on that.)

ANYWAY...we had some painting fun this week!

Who needs a brush?!

A little "painting in the lines" practice

So proud of his work!

As is she!

Just Lying Around

2011-08-19T08:20:00.001-05:00

Who would have known that the overgrown monkey grass in our front yard could be so comfortable?

(These photos taken in March 2011, so about 5 months ago.)

(Yes, she is wearing a tutu. And has a spaghetti-stained face. We had a dinner picnic outside.)

And....now....still has that same appeal.... (???)

I lost count of how many bug bites came from this....but that's all part of it, I suppose!

And I just noticed in comparing these sets of photos that at least our monkey grass is greener now. :)

And, for your viewing pleasure, one more thing...

"Look Mommy, that's a Y!" (really, that is what he came up to me and said! So smart!)

Just Because...Volume 2

2011-08-14T13:02:00.001-05:00

Miss Volume 1? Click Here.

Just because I can't leave a sista out....

Just because the camera feature on my iPhone where you can see yourself is too much fun...

Just because silly faces are kinda our speciality around here...

Just because it's my blog and I can...

(a little bonus feature in this one! Don't you love how nonchalant he is?!)

Again, you are so very welcome.

Today's Funnies

2011-08-11T18:49:00.001-05:00

This morning, K&S got their shoes off before we even left the house. As I pinned them down in my lap to re-put on their shoes, they both would reach out asking for the other one to rescue them from my strong embrace. Such as Kate yelling, "Fencer!! Help me!" and him running over, grabbing her hands, trying to pull her away from me. I felt really ganged up on....and they are only 2!

We took a walk tonight before dinner, and Kate's pants were wet.instead of putting on new pants, I let her sit in the stroller with her shirt and diaper and tie-dyed socks her Grammy made her. When we got back to the house, I had music playing on my phone and she hopped down in the yard and started shaking her tail feathers, if you know what I mean, to the music. Girl loves to dance! It was quite the sight to see her boogying in the front yard with a shirt, diaper, and tie-dyed socks.

At bath time tonight, I told Spencer to go potty while the water was getting ready. He did really well pulling his pants and undies down, and managed to pull off a sock in the process. He was so excited about the bath, however, that when I turned from helping Kate (who was standing behind me) he had climbed in the bathtub....still wearing one sock and his shirt. It was so funny! He didn't seem to notice what the issue was!

View from the Top

2011-08-10T13:30:00.001-05:00

Today while I was making a double batch of freezer marinara sauce (yum!)....

Kate and Spencer were having the biggest time chasing, tickling, wrestling with each other. They are really having the best time with their built in playmate and best friend. (In between fights over toys, of course.)

(sorry about the blurriness- they were running so fast!)

(look closely and see if you notice Kate's big smile!)

Every once in a while, though, they stopped to be close to Mommy for just a minute. We can only go so long.

(this is right after Spencer said, "you my mom!" it sounded so strange hearing him say mom instead of mommy....I'm not ready for that yet!)

My Boys

2011-08-09T21:33:00.001-05:00

What else can I say?? I love them so much.

(love the queso on Spencer's face?!)

Thanks to my SIL Amanda for this great pic!

Just Because...

2011-08-06T14:24:00.001-05:00

Just because we like to make silly faces...

Just because I think my kiddos are crazy cute and super silly...

Just because it's my blog and I can...

You are welcome.

Then and Now: French Braid Edition

2011-08-04T15:25:00.001-05:00

Then: August 2010

Now: August 2011

I am getting better!

T-Shirt Blitz!

2011-07-26T08:17:00.001-05:00

Hi friends!

As you have been reading, we are moving up the list at a fairly consistent pace. Being number 6 is so exciting....only 5 families ahead of us, and depending on how referrals come in, we feel like really it could mean any time!! We are so looking forward to that day when the email/phone call comes in and we can see the little faces we have been praying for since we felt the calling that our next child(ren) would be born to someone other than me! (October 2009 at Together for Adoption and we announced our application Here) )

Anyway, you all have been so supportive. I seriously can not say thank you enough for the prayers, questions, support, purchases, excitement that you have generated towards our family. For us, the means of financially funding this adoption was going to be strictly a God thing. No joke about that. As a single income, minister's salary family...we just don't really have the extra $30,000 laying around. But who does really?!! But yet, the Lord has graciously provided every step of the way. Even when the journey has changed direction (and we have felt peace about those changes along the way) He still has shown up. And it has come in $10, $20, $100 at a time.

That said, I am posting to ask you to join us in a t-shirt blitz. It excites me to see pics of people wearing our fundraising shirts. We think they are awesome, and hope you feel the same. We only have a few left from our original order, and I would love to sell these!!!

We originally were asking $20, but now we are asking $15. But seriously, any donation is greatly appreciated, so don't let the price deter you. These shirts are already paid for, so any amount received is good. We are thankful that each shirt is one step closer to saying YES at time of referral (when our next payment of $13,000-$18,000 is due.)

T-shirts are Hanes 50/50 blend.

Sizes left:

7 Large
11 X-Large
3 2XL

You could always get one for people you love!! Tell your friends!

Thanks to all of you for journeying with us!

My Necklace

2011-07-24T16:36:00.001-05:00

In honor of my precious kiddos, present and soon-to-be...

Looking forward to adding to my Lisa Leonard necklace one day!

And movement on the list helps that day come sooner and sooner!

We are number.....

One step closer!

Mommies Kiss Boo-Boos

2011-07-13T14:05:00.001-05:00

Today, as I was tucking Kate and Spencer into their beds for nap time, Kate noticed one of the bifold doors on the closet was slightly open. She hopped out of bed to push it closed, and as I kissed Spencer and gave him his blankets I heard her start wailing. She had closed her finger in the door. Ouch. (I know from personal experience how badly that hurts. I did this a few weeks ago when I stepped on a toy hammer and used the closet door to keep me from completely wiping out...and ended up smashing my finger in the process.)

Of course, you know mommies kiss boo-boos. I scooped her up and we snuggled on the bed as I tried to calm her down. She was fine, but needed some extra Mommy love in that moment.

Is there ever a time when Kate or Spencer has had to worry about Mommy or Daddy not kissing their boo-boos and making them all better? Are we not always there to comfort them when they are sad, sing a song upon request, give an extra "tuck tuck" into bed, read the Mickey Mouse story for the umpteenth time, provide direction and discipline when warranted? Do you think they have ever not had us not fill their empty cup with more milk, give them more food than they will eat, toys to play with, experiences to have?

In that moment, as my 2.5 year old daughter sat cradled in my lap and I wiped the tears from her face and gave Magic Mommy kisses, my heart and mind turned to our waiting children thousands of miles away.

I don't know who they are, what they look like, how old they are...yet. But they are still mine.

I am longing more than ever to get that phone call. To see their picture. To get on a plane and bring them home. Forever. Because I don't know if anyone is kissing their boo-boo's. I don't know if they are hungry. I don't know what hurts they have already experienced in their short lives. I don't know if they have flies swarming around while I spray Kate and Spencer down with bug spray. I don't know if they get tucked in at night. I don't know if they have ever wanted these things, but have stopped longing for them because they have learned it won't happen. I don't know their stories. I don't know if they have each other yet. I don't know when they will come home to us. I don't know where the funds will come from. I just don't know.

The list of the things I don't know really goes on forever. So...where does that leave me? What DO I know?

I know:

Nothing is impossible with God. Jer. 32:17,27
I am to be still and wait patiently on the Lord. Ps. 37:7
God cares about the orphan. Ps. 10:14, 68:5 (among others!)
If God's plan seems slow, wait for it. It is surely coming. Hab. 2:3
I trust God, because my times are in His hand. Ps. 31:14-15
He called us to this, there is no doubt. And God does not change his mind; what He says, He does. Numbers 23:19
He is faithful to what He calls us to. 1 Thess. 5:24
All the promises of God are YES in Christ! 1 Cor. 1:20

I can't fix the unknowns. I can't make this process go faster, though I wish I could. I can't bring our children home sooner. So I cling to the stuff I do know. I cling to the promises God makes, for those are the only sure thing in this world. And my prayer is that He will take care of all the other stuff.

Moving On Up!

2011-07-12T15:30:00.001-05:00

Making progress on the waiting list!!

We are now.......

And Stuart and I agreed, 7 felt a lot cooler than 8. Not sure why. I think because it is closer to 5, which in turn means closer to 1. :)

Please keep praying that we would have this adoption finalized in 2011!!

Learning to DIM (Do It Myself)

2011-07-09T14:22:00.001-05:00

This week I discovered a craft that I wanted to make. If you know me, you know I claim to be NOT CRAFTY at all. Like zero. I think most of that comes from my math-loving, linear-thinking, rule-following personality. I need something with directions. I like plans. Creativity and spontaneity are not my strong suits. I'm boring that way. But this one craft, I thought I could do. And it made me think of my dad, which is a bonus.

When I was younger, I worked in my dad's shop doing whatever he assigned me to do. I also helped a lot whenever he had jobs around the house that needed to be done. But Dad would have to educate me when I didn't know what a certain tool/material looked like. So, I remember one time he had me go get a washer for him. I didn't know what a washer was. He explained it was a little flat metal circle. That was a pretty clear description. It wasn't long after that I came to the shop to work and he had me go through a box of washers to separate into like sizes, so I then considered myself pretty much a washer expert. :)

ANYWAY! I tell you all that because this craft uses washers, and those memories came back to me when I was working. :)

So, I actually crafted something! I mean, I do make all those flip flops but my MIL had to help me get started on that.

My supplies: painted canvas (this one is 16x20), assorted washers, adhesive, and a stencil.

My final product, now proudly displayed in our kitchen! The color is really more teal than UK blue, so it looks fun next to our clay colored walls. :)

I love it!

(Some have asked about buying these. Now, you all know we are trying to bring these babies home from the Congo so I will make money in just about any way I know how. So YES of course if you wanted to buy one, I would happily make one in your choice of color and size and letter. I will do 16x20 and 11x14 size canvases. Just email me at jennyborders(at)gmail(dot)com and we can set something up.)

Zumbathon Pics!

2011-07-03T22:03:00.001-05:00

Like I said, we had a great time at the Zumbathon last weekend. I can not say thanks enough for everyone who helped make this a great success. That includes participating, buying raffle tickets, set up, clean up, instructing, volunteering at tables, etc.

Thanks to my precious MIL for these pics! I was too busy breaking a sweat to take any. :)

(Just FYI...all the stuff you see is part of a rummage sale that is held weekly in the gymnasium where the event was held.)

The raffle and t-shirt table

Ok, the last thing I want to do is put a picture of myself dancing but...Kate is too cute and she had a blast.

Spencer found a pile of books and pretty much spent the night in the back with Uncle Brother.

Kate is a Zumba pro, and Spencer braved it for all of 45 seconds...this was his face the entire 45 seconds.

Our beautiful and fun instructors, Danisha and Tina!

Zumba with a 30 lb. toddler = extra workout

I love these ladies!

Just some girls having a great time for a great cause!!

Like I said, it was a great time. When I sat down and counted the money raised, it was over $1500!! All of which went straight into our adoption account!! Thank you!

And, because God is so cool like that, we also got word about 30 minutes before the event started that we have moved on the list. This is our first movement in over 2 months! We are now number....

More steps to bringing our babies home for good!!

Warning: Display of Ridiculously Cute Twin Affection Ahead

2011-06-25T09:30:00.001-05:00

(Set scene. Play basketball ball goal falls down, hitting Spencer in the face {not as awful as it sounds} giving him a bump on his cheek. It hurts.)

Spencer: Waaaaahhhhhhhh!! Basketball goal fall down! Waaaaaaaahhhhhh! Boo boo! Owwwwwwww!!

Kate: (running from other room) Fencer! What happen?! You okay?

Spencer: I got a boo boo. Basketball goal fall down.

Kate: Oh. I wanna kiss.

(Kate kisses Spencer's cheek.)

Spencer: Thank you for kissing my boo boo.

(End scene.)

*******************************************************************

And lest you think it's all cute and cuddly around here...

(Set scene. 10 minutes have passed since boo boos have been healed by sisterly kisses.)

Spencer: La! La! Da deeeeee da! Oooh! Weeeeeeeeeee! (Singing some song in the native tongue of Jibberish while spinning in circles.)

Kate: Fencer!!! Don't sing song! NOOOOOO! stop singing song!

(End scene.)

R@ffle winners!

2011-06-24T22:40:00.001-05:00

1.) Homemade "Weekend Breakfast Basket"
Winner: Katie Barr

2.) Scentsy Nature's Haven Full-Size Warmer
Winner: Cheyenne Haste

3.) 1 dozen custom cake pops
Winner: Jenny Morehead

4.) 1 Custom Created Cake-Callie's Creations
Winner: Kendra Lowe

5.) $50 O'Charley's gift card
Winner: Amanda Borders

6.) Handmade jewelry set- Matching earrings and necklace
Winner: Tiffany Cothran

7.) Photo session
Winner: Lara Mattingly

OUR GRAND PRIZES....

8.) $100 Walmart gift card
Winner: Jessica McClanahan

9.) Amazon Kindle 6" Wi-Fi!
Winner: Amanda Turner

We had a great time at the Zumbathon! Thanks to everyone who purchased raffle tickets AND showed up tonight to Zumba (and burned 1000 calories!)...you all brought in over $1000!

Congratulations to all our winners and....

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

They Are Always Watching

2011-06-23T13:14:00.001-05:00

Confession: I am not the perfect parent.

Shocking, I know. (Please sense sarcasm there.)

There is something very perplexing to me about being a mom. It is, in my mind, the greatest (as in awesome, yes, but more about size here) job there is. It is also the hardest. People tell you that before you have kids, but it is kind of like teaching. You just don't know until you are doing it yourself. And I have said before that there has been nothing else that reveals my sin to me quite like being a mom.

Part of that is because I have these two tiny humans, created to crave God, soaking up every bit of what they are exposed to. They mimic what they see and repeat what they hear....good or bad. Not that foul language is an issue in our home, but even, "Dang it!" coming from the mouth of a two year old is not cute.

Obviously, at 2.5 years, we are old enough to be dealing with discipline on a daily basis. These moldable, impressionable children are trying to discover what is okay and what is not okay. Children cry out and beg for structure and boundaries- places where they can flourish and thrive. Discipline is a hard one. Each family has their own guidelines of how they do things. Stuart and I talk a lot about what kinds of things we want to impress upon our children now to set the foundation for a submissive spirit to God Almighty for all their days. Some days we feel like we are headed in the right direction and some days I want a do-over.

So, enter yesterday. Kate was doing something she wasn't supposed to. I told her stop. She kept on. She wouldn't stop and listen. My patience ran out and I raised my voice at her. My darling daughter is tender hearted and to be quite honest, I really am very conscious to not raise my voice, so she immediately starts crying. Like screaming, terrified crying. Immediately of course I felt bad that I hurt her feelings and scared her, but really, she wasn't listening to me any other way. She is inconsolable at this point, so I take her in a separate room by herself to calm her down. In my head, I felt like I was justified. First of all, what parent doesn't raise her voice EVER. Second, she was disobeying. But I thought of the verse, "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Ugh. Here I am, trying to teach our children how to speak kindly to each other, to other people, and to us, yet I am raising my voice in an non-dangerous situation out of frustration?

So I sat her down in my lap, and she is, in between sobs, "Mommy...get...loud..." and I asked her if she was scared, and she said yes. I knew that even if she didnt really get it at two years old, I still messed up. So I said, "Kate, Mommy is sorry she got loud. I am sorry I scared you. I should not talk to you that way because it does not honor God. Do you forgive me?" she said yes, and said, "Want to pray." (Which we do after they are disciplined.) In my prayer, I asked God for forgive me, change my heart, and to help me honor Him in my parenting.

I mean, talk about a humbling lesson from the Lord through the aggravating actions of a child! Wow!

Anyway, today Kate and Spencer were playing and I was in the next room. I hear Kate yell at Spencer about a toy or something, and I gently reminded her to please not speak to Spencer in that way. Nothing big, just something I called out from a different room. Then I hear, "Fencer, I sorry I get loud. Okay? I sorry I get loud." He says, "Okay," and is already playing somewhere else. I never told her to apologize; i only asked her to not speak that way. Then I see her stop, fold her hands and say, "I pray." (She bows her head.) "Dear God. I sorry I get loud. Help my heart. Amen."

They are watching, y'all. Everything we do, everything we say, they are watching. God used Kate to convict me of my sin that I might help draw her to Himself little by little. If my children are following me, where do I want to lead them? As a Christian parent, I want to lead them right to the foot of the cross, where grace abounds for all our shortcomings, where God changes hearts, where He provides fulfillment and purpose that NOTHING else in this world can.

Please understand. I am not trying to pat myself on the back here. I am more convicted and challenged than ever that the Lord has entrusted me with children, made me their mommy, and He has charged me to bring them up in the knowledge and fear of Him. I better make sure I am living that out myself, for you know toddlers...they are going where Mommy and Daddy go.

You Will Most Definitely Want to Buy Tickets

2011-06-20T19:54:00.001-05:00

I understand that there are many that won't be able to make it to the Zumbathon this Friday night, whether you are out of town or have other plans. (Otherwise you should totally come. I am not kidding when I say it is going to be sooo much fun!)

Our r@ffle is so amazing, I want anyone who wants a chance to be able to buy tickets! First I will describe the prizes and then explain the process on how you can enter to win!!

Homemade "Weekend Breakfast Basket"
includes: Southern Pecan coffee, peach tea, Kentucky grown honey, sausage balls, muffins, bagels, and fresh fruit.
Will be perfect for Saturday morning with friends and family!

$50 O'Charley's gift card

Anyone else love O'Charley's as much as we do?!?

1 order custom cake pops
Sponsored by The Cake Pop Shoppe
(certain black out dates apply)

Let me just tell you from personal experience, if you have never had a cake pop, you are in for one amazing treat. Not only are they delicious but Brie is crazy talented and quite the artist! Here are some sneak peeks at her work:

Photo session
Generously donated by Michelle Rhodes Photography
http://www.michellerhodesphotography.com/

"Michelle Rhodes is an all natural light, on location photographer, specializing in candid portraits of newborns, children, and families. Serving Warren, Daviess, and surrounding counties in KY."
Within the next several months, you can definitely find a reason to use this session. Michelle is a wonderful Godly woman, insanely funny, and her pictures are seriously off the charts! This session includes a 1-2 hour session, an online gallery of 20-30 proofs, and your choice of 10 of those photos to have on a CD at print quality.

Handmade jewelry set- Matching earrings and necklace
Generously created by and donated by LEM
http://theycallmelem.tumblr.com/
You definitely want to win this for yourself or for the special lady in your life! Valued at $75

Scentsy Nature's Haven Full-Size Warmer
Includes 3 bars of scents!
Generously donated by Sarah Edmundson, Scentsy representative

https://sarahe.scentsy.us/Home

What?? You think this is amazing.....WE HAVE MORE!

$100 Walmart gift card
I'm sure you could find a way to make this work for you!

And our GRAND PRIZE...

Amazon Kindle 6" Wi-Fi!
Take your book with you wherever you go!!

Are you ready to buy some tickets yet?! I told you these prizes were AMAZING!!! We are blessed to have generous sponsors for all these gifts!

Okay...here are the rules for the r@ffle.

1. Tickets are ONLY $2 each, or you can get 6 tickets for $10. All tickets bought will go in one big pot, as opposed to you picking what you want to be entered for a chance to win. Make sense?

2. You can let me know via a comment here, chatting with me or Stu, sending an email, FB message etc. how many tickets you want to buy. We will literally write your name on the gigantic roll of tickets we have and all the tickets sold this week and at the Zumbathon will be in the same pot.

3. Checks or cash please. Because this is an adoption fundraiser, I am expecting you to abide by the honor system. Meaning...I would love to have all the money for the raffle tickets in by Friday, July 1st if you are not going to be at the Zumbathon (so if you are mailing checks there is time for you to get it here.) If you don't win i am expecting you to pay anyway. Does that sound harsh? I am not meaning to, it's just that this is to bring our babies home and these are some amazing prizes that people have given so generously for us to use. I want their giving to reap as much benefit as possible.

4. If you win and live out of town, I will cover shipping.

5. There are two prizes that are really for local people (The Cake Pop Shoppe and Michelle Rhodes Photography). If you live out of town and your name is drawn for one of these two things and you will not be traveling to BG to use your prize, I will put your ticket back in the pot to be eligible for other prizes. We will then draw another winner!

NOW..... Go share this post, tell all your friends about these amazing prizes, and let's raise some money!!!

P.S. Just to let you know where we stand - we are currently holding strong at #10 on the list. Our next payment will be due at time of referral for anywhere from $13,000-$18,000. We currently have about $5,000-$6,000 of that.

Party!

2011-06-20T08:10:00.005-05:00

Click this link to be able to print the flyer and pass around or put up at work!!

Daddy's Day

2011-06-19T14:39:00.001-05:00

Hey friends! How are you celebrating the fathers in your life today?

Since this is our family blog, it's time for me to brag on the father of my children.

To you, the one who leads our family.

To you, the one who serves like no one I have ever met.

To you, my very best friend. Who makes me laugh every day.

To you, who wants our home to be filled with children.

To you, the one who gives baths so I can have a quiet moment.

To you, who is my parenting partner. Who makes sure I know that although my daily work is not glamorous, you recognize it is challenging and valuable.

The one who gives our son a role model. Who has a heart for children who don't have a daddy. Who would do anything for anyone. Who defends and protects our family. Who gives hugs and kisses to our babies even when they try to wiggle away. :)

But...to the one that points myself and our babies to Christ the King...

We love you more than we can say. Happy Father's Day!

An Unexpected Blessing

2011-06-15T21:51:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday, at church, I realized something. I realized that there had been some days that week that had gone by where I hadn't thought about Hope and Hudson.

Does that sound weird?

Some of you may be thinking, "Is she still hung up on this Hope and Hudson thing? Move on! It's not like you had them very long!"

I am not dwelling on the loss. As days go by, the sadness decreases more and more. The Lord really is healing me and He gives me grace for the day. It's more that the thought of them passes through my mind each day. These days it's more, "I wonder how they are. I wonder if they need anything. I wonder if they are still together. I wonder how (their birth mom) is. I wonder what they look like. I wonder if their family is happy, healthy, and thriving." I have been itching to call or stop by, but I just didn't know if I was wanted. Some rumors were going around after the whole thing went down about the type of people we were and our motives that were just flat out lies, and I didn't know how the birth mom felt about me anymore. I didn't want to overstep my bounds.

Anyway, so for me to realize that a few days had gone in between my thoughts of H&H...that is a big deal. I stood there in church, worshipping my Lord, thanking Him for putting my broken heart back together.

Two days later, I was in a waiting room with Kate and Spencer, waiting for an appointment, and I see a woman walking toward me holding a baby.

It was the birth mom, holding one of the babies.

My heart immediately went up in my throat. I didn't know if it was better to avoid the awkwardness and not make eye contact or suck it up and take a chance.

(Insert: here I send stu a text even though I know he is in a meeting saying, "So...guess who I just saw?" His response. "No way. Are you okay??")

I waved like a lunatic.

Can I just tell you what a blessing it was to see her face light up when she saw me???

And she walked right over to me and handed me that precious 4 month old baby boy! I hugged and kissed him, and she kissed my two babies too. We hugged and exchanged as many pleasantries we could (FYI, we don't speak the same language). The baby boy started to fuss, so I handed him back to his momma. That's what you do when a baby cries, right? And his momma sure isn't me. And it didn't feel like it that day either. She told me to hold on, and went and brought her oldest son holding the baby girl so I could hold her too. All this time, she is loving on my kids and holding my hand, and I get to love on these precious babies and her too. Just visiting with an old friend, ya know? And that went on until they called for us to go back to our appointment.

She looked so happy. The babies look healthy and happy. I left, knowing that all the rumors others had told her, she didn't believe them. Our actions spoke louder than any lies other people could have told her. She knew I loved her, and knows I still do. I pray everything good she sees in me would point her to the One who is the only good in me.

What a testimony of God's goodness and grace that I can tell you that nothing about this chance encounter was sad! Nothing! I am so thankful that God, in His great sovereignty and knowledge, timed it just so. He waited until my healing was in the right place before He allowed this precious gift. He made sure my heart was ready. He gently called me to wait on Him to see them, and did it right in His time. As I pulled out of the parking lot that day and finally had a chance to process what had just happened, I could not help but weep tears of absolute joy and worship to my God, the One who brought me through the very thing I had said a year ago I just would not ever be able to do. I am realizing the amazing work He continues to do in me, through a crazy unforeseen experience that lasted five weeks start to finish. The lessons two little lives and one grown up life are doing in my process of sanctification. It has not been an easy road, but I am in a place now where I am beginning to really see some of the purpose. Y'all, God, REALLY DOES work things for the good of those who love Him!!!!!

But you all would not waste your prayers to continue praying for Hope and Hudson and their family. Pray for them to love one another well, and pray fervently for their salvation.

Fruit of Our Labor

2011-06-04T20:42:00.001-05:00

I recently read a blog post about a woman who took her family strawberry picking. I am clueless and had no idea there were farms where you could pick your own strawberries. (Just not something people did when and where I grew up.) The post linked to Pick Your Own that lists farms by state and what is available from those farms. We have been wanting to go strawberry picking during season, which I know is in May due to the low prices at the grocery store, but we just couldn't make it happen schedule-wise. With a free weekend, Stuart called around to every farm within 90 minutes to see if anyone still had strawberries. We found one about 30 minutes from here that was having their last picking today!

Can I just say how fun it is to pick your food from a plant and eat it? Does that sound silly? Maybe. But it makes me realize A.) how I never do that and B.) how many foods we eat that don't come from a plant.

ANYWAY. On to our day.

This boy is on a mission!

They loved the picking for about 20 minutes. Then the heat got to them and they wanted to go pet the farm dog and beg other customers for their strawberries while Daddy finished picking.

A little taste...delicious!!

Okay. One more.

Our basket after snacking at lunch and setting some aside for baking.

Strawberry cupcakes (with fresh mashed berries, of course) with my Aunt Beulah's cream cheese frosting (with berries) and a fresh berry on top to celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday.

Could he open his mouth any bigger to get that cupcake in?

A little hard work outside this morning paid off tonight in our house!

Spencer, you got a little somethin'.....right here....

We will definitely be going back to this farm in early July for blueberries and our local orchard to pick our own apples and peaches. And next year, when it is strawberry season, we will go earlier to get first pick. (Haha, get it? Pick? Because we will have to pick them?! Haha! Punny!!)

I'm a pickin' fool!!

On the Back Porch

2011-06-03T20:19:00.001-05:00

On the back porch is where Daddy cuts his hair.

On the back porch is where our little man got his hair cut today too.

It's hot. His hair grows insanely fast. So we decided to buzz it for the summer.

So cute!

A before picture.

Can't go back now!

He did really good for Daddy, but started to not be thrilled about the hair on him.

My partner over here. (Yes, my children were hanging out in only diapers in the backyard. It was going to be bath and bedtime.)

Likes to be in pictures.

Which is fine because she is crazy cute.

Can you hear her saying, "CHEEEEEEEEEESE!!"

Upon getting upset, a little milk is Spencer's best friend.

"Fencer get a hair cut!"

Lots of hair on the ground. Beautiful hair.

Final product! A big boy haircut to go with our big boy!

Then and Now-Tricycle Edition

2011-05-20T13:09:00.001-05:00

If you have been reading for any time at all, you know I am a sucker for these comparison "Then and Now" posts.

So.....

Then: January 2010. 12 months old. Kate and Spencer's 1st birthday party. Received these tricycles from Pa and Grandma Susie.

(Notice their legs aren't even long enough to stay on the pedals!)

They couldn't even walk independently yet, so they used the bikes basically as a push toy!

(Drooly, Drooly, boy)

Now: May 2011. 2 years and 4 months old. Big, big kids.

Still have that teamwork mentality.

Seriously...every day I look and just marvel at how big they are getting. In the blink of an eye we went from using the tricycle as a push toy from climbing on and off, racing, having conversations...*Sigh.*

P.S. Do you see a sneak peak of that amazing swing set in the background? I have been meaning to blog about that!

The Dangers of Church Softball

2011-05-18T22:07:00.001-05:00

*Disclaimer. Gross picture of my injury ahead. I just can't help it.*

I really do have a lot to blog about. Important things. Things like an adoption conference where God overloaded me, some upcoming ways you can join the party that we call adoption, my awesome kiddos, and so on.

Tonight, however, I will warn you about the dangers of church softball. :)

You see, I played softball in high school and intramural softball in college. This was the first year that I allowed some super cool people convince me to play on their co-ed team at church. I was very nervous at first but as the season got closer I was so excited with playing with some people (including my beloved husband!!) and just doing something else active. We have been rained out like four times, but were finally able to play a game here and there.

So, Friday night Stuart and I drove seriously 5.5 hours home early from our adoption conference to ensure we wouldn't miss our much anticipated double header. Storms threatened to cancel our game, but we were able to start.

And then, in the top of the second inning of only our second game, I was a little too ambitious, In my pursuit of being safe at third base, I slid, jamming my ankle into the base. I heard a pop and in my experience-that's never good!!

We happen to have a firefighter/EMT on our team and he was able to do some checking...and creatively used my cool tall softball sock as an ice pack tied around my foot. It immediately looked like I had stuck a softball under the skin, so Stuart gave me no choice but to load up and go to the ER. And just like that, my church softball season is over. BOOOOO!!

Thankfully it was the evening of Friday the 13th so all the crazies were at the ER that night with us. :) A few hours, some x rays, a lot of waiting, some crutches, and a pain pill later we were able go go home. Turns out I chipped my ankle bone.

Have you ever tried to care for two toddlers while on crutches? Me either. Thank goodness for family that comes, husbands who rock, and friends who love!

Five days later and I am finally hobbling around with no crutches or pain pills. Those things made me super sleepy. It was hard to function. I am approaching recovery with what I've been calling a "c-section mentality." those of you who have had a c-section know what I am talking about. I am pushing through the pain here at the beginning to speed up the recovery process. I just can't afford to be laid up immobile for several weeks. Just. Ain't. Happening.

And yes, I am totally about to show you a picture of my nasty, swollen foot. Haha!!

What Could Have Been

2011-05-08T21:17:00.002-05:00

Today is Mother's Day, did you know?

Our church always does a Family Dedication on Mother's Day and in the fall too. This is a time when families stand before the church and commit to raise their children in the knowledge and power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (You may have heard it called Baby Dedication.) When the one was done last October, I stood in the back of the church with tears running down my face, much to my surprise. I watched all these families stand up there with babies in their arms, and I had never longed more for our children to be with us instead of an ocean away. I did not anticipate that happening.

As I was thinking and praying in preparation for church today, I remembered that day in October and prayed that God would comfort me when sadness came over me. But it was more than that today.

I first envisioned Mother's Day 2011 back in January, when a precious woman agreed to allow us to adopt her unborn twins. I pictured it day in and day out, when I would get a second chance to stand in front of our precious and beloved church family, as we did with Spencer and Kate, and commit to teach these children in the knowledge and fear of God. I shared with friends how excited I was to show off God's goodness in this visible way. Mother's Day would be sweet for so many reasons. As I held those precious babies for the first 5 days of their life, I showed them off as much as I could, and I couldn't wait to show them off to the countless people who had prayed for them and for us.

But today is Mother's Day and we did not participate in Family Dedication today. I sat in the second row at my precious church and watched as several families do the thing I thought we would be doing today. I looked at the calendar and realized that today was the 90th day since I had seen Hope and Hudson. 90 days since their petition for adoption would have been signed. The very day that their adoption would have been finalized. We would have been standing in front of our church not only dedicating to their spiritual lives but also celebrating they would be ours forever.

But that's what would have been. That's not what is.

It is still Mother's Day. I am still overwhelmingly blessed with two children that I treasure more than I could express. I have a husband who loves me and does whatever he can to show me. My God has us in His sovereign hands. There are two children the Lord sees in the Congo somewhere that He is preparing for our home. Forever. He is still good, He is still my everything, He has not left me alone. My arms are not empty. And not because I do have two children who scream, "Mommy!!!" most of the day...but because He dwells within me. His spirit guides and sanctifies me.

I can't help but think of a precious woman who is holding her three month old babies today. Oh Jesus, I pray she knows You love her. I pray she knows I love her. I may not have Hope and Hudson today, but she does. And You gave them to her. Thank you for that.

You see, the Lord revealed His sweet spirit in a mighty way today. As I have thought and reflected about what I thought today would look like and now it doesn't, I am not angry. I am not bitter. I am thankful those precious babies are with their brothers and mommy and daddy. And that is not my flesh - that is God's gracious spirit working it out in me. You know that is not a fleshly response!! What a journey He is still taking me on through those sweet little lives!!

You see, my friends, it is not being a Mommy that completes me. Or a wife. Or having good things. Or having a house full of children (or the anticipation of it). Or being comfortable. Or having fun. Or being happy. God's grace is enough. Christ is enough. He is what makes my joy complete.

May He make your joy complete as well.

Number....

2011-05-04T13:18:00.001-05:00

I am SO excited to tell you.

We have mailed off our dossier!!!

To our agency, then to the US government, then to the Congolese government.

9 months after we first started gathering documents for our original Ethiopian dossier! You know we have had some bumps and MOUNTAINS along the way slowing us down, but the Lord really has made it clear THIS is what He wants for our family...and ain't nothing gonna stop us!!

And...that's not even the best part.

We are officially on the wait list for TWO children two and under....biological siblings or not....and I am so PUMPED to tell you we are number....

10!!!!!

We have a lot of fundraising we need to do over the next several months. Stay tuned!

Then and Now- Happy Outside Edition

2011-05-02T14:42:00.001-05:00

Then: July 2010, 19 months old

Now: April 2011, 28 months old

(see happy sister trotting on the stone steps in the background?)

My Son, the Rockstar

2011-05-01T20:51:00.001-05:00

My little man is awesome, for a variety of reasons.

The latest being that in regards to speech therapy. He has been receiving therapy through early intervention services since he was five months old. Every six months, when his team gets together to evaluate his progress and assess where he is on his goals, he is meeting everything. It has been said about him that he is the "poster child for early intervention." We have been truly blessed with a FANTASTIC speech therapist, who works with him on a regular basis and provides activities for us to work with him in between sessions.

Spencer was due for his annual evaluation and meeting, and I am proud to say they had to BOOT him from the program because his scores were too high!! That's right, my little man has been discharged from speech at 2 years and 3 months old! His speech scores were actually placing him at 32 months!!

He still qualifies for preschool speech (when he turns 3) based on articulation- the quality of the sounds he produces. But the language is there. Language is the number 1 predictor of school success, so it was essential that we were proactive from the very beginning.

We are blessed with such great resources, and surely nothing is possible without the very Creator who made our little boy.

What I Hold In My Hand...

2011-04-28T13:03:00.001-05:00

Do you know what this is?

I hold in my hand the last piece.

As in, the last piece of paperwork for a completed dossier!!

Can I get a hip hip hooray?!

A notarization or two and it is IN THE MAIL MY FRIENDS. As long as it checks out, which it should since our coordinator has approved everything via email, we are OFFICIALLY on the list.

Hip Hip Hooray!!

Shirts are in!

2011-04-26T16:10:00.001-05:00

(Side note: I tried to post this on my phone a few days back, but just noticed today it didn't work. So...sorry about the delay.)

Our adoption shirts are in!

Get excited! We think they are SWEET and hope you will agree.

If you pre-ordered, we will be getting you yours ASAP!

If you didn't, we have extras in size Adult small-3XL! $20 helps bring TWO babies to their forever family...US!!!!

Walkin' Pretty!

2011-04-17T20:25:00.001-05:00

Our latest endeavor in the adoption fundraising world has been these super cute flip flops, perfect for any girls in your life.

We have all kinds of pairs already done but can make custom orders if your size/color preference is not immediately available. Let me know what size you would want, and I will send pics of what is already made. If you want to order something else or want a different size, like I said, we can make it happen!!

Price: One pair for $12 or Two pairs for $20

ALL proceeds go towards our adoption of two sweet Congolese babies!

My sweet little girl loves hers, and I know the big and little girls in your life will love them too!!

Update from the Trenches

2011-04-17T20:16:00.001-05:00

Sorry about my lapse in posting. The last time we "spoke," I had barely survived my first day of potty training with 32 accidents. Well, when we got to Day 5 of the 3 day method and were getting nowhere.....we decided now was not quite the time so we are taking a potty training break. We will try again in a month or so. They were getting stressed, they were overly exhausted, and Mommy and Daddy were a smidge tired. So we are taking a break! And we are happier for it. They will do it when they are ready. They had a little bit of progress, but not very much to indicate we were on our way to saying bye bye to diapers.

Oh well! One more thing about motherhood that is not under my control! Haha.

My Melted Heart

2011-04-08T21:14:00.001-05:00

We heard some rustling after we put the babies to bed. When checking in a few minutes later, this is what we found.

This has never happened before. They weren't playing, just laying quietly drifting off to dreamland. I had to take a picture, hence their reaction to the bright flash.

To say that this was a highlight of twindom is a vast understatement.

From the Trenches

2011-04-06T20:44:00.001-05:00

I write to you, this evening, as survived the first day of (attempting to) simultaneously potty-train 2 year old twins.

When I write it out (which is kinda like saying it out loud), I realize it sounds kinda crazy.

Well, it's not the first time, even recently, I have done something crazy.

So, how is it going, you might ask? I'll give you the same answer I gave Stuart when he just walked in the door from church a few minutes ago. "They are about as potty-trained as they were when you went to work this morning."

PS. I started after he left for work.

I am approaching this boot-camp style, meaning we have ditched the diapers and are not looking back. At all. (And since we use cloth diapers, I mean they are clean and packed away for, Lord willing, future use.) I have several reasons why I am going all in, but I figure it's worth a shot. I am not discouraged with ABSOLUTELY no visible progress, for it is only day 1. And I am too tired to be discouraged, haha.

Spencer had a rough sleeping night last night, so when I was up with him, I spent a lot of time praying for today. Not that they would potty-train quickly (though if the Lord decided to throw that in there, it'd be pretty awesome) but more that He would shape my attitude. He would allow me to use something simple (like going potty) to demonstrate grace, compassion, patience, and love for my precious 2 year old crazies. I know my tendency is to be frustrated when things don't go my way, because I usually believe that it is a reflection of my poor mothering skills. Instead, I prayed that God would use those moments to shape me and help me love my children, even/especially when I am rushing a kid to the bathroom and cleaning you-know-what off the floor for the umpteenth time. And God delivered! He really did grant me some supernatural, not-of-my-own flesh patience today. Now granted, I am only one day in, so I know I better be praying that again throughout the night- when I am sure to be up changing pj's and sheets.

Some benefits of potty-training bootcamp:
1. A lot of snuggle time- and my kiddos actually do love to snuggle. Since I did not take my eyes off of them for a moment when they were awake, there was lots of climbing in my lap, reading books, hugs and kisses.
2. My floors are cleaner than they have ever been. We are hanging out in the wood-floored living room, close to the bathroom. Your floors would get clean if you clean up 32 accidents in one day. (I am NOT exaggerating.)
3. Excuse to go to bed early. I am really tired- did I mention that?
4. It makes the kids tired too. They went down great at nap, napped longer than usual (one even woke up dry!), and went down to bed without a peep either.
5. Since we aren't leaving the house (for several days!) that means I can stay in my pj's all day, not take a shower until 5 pm when my sweet husband is home for an hour, then change into a clean pair of pj's. And not feel guilty or gross. It rocks.

I'm out for now. Here's hoping I can add at least ONE sticker to their "potty chart" tomorrow for going!! Haha!

Mealtime Silliness

2011-04-06T18:29:00.001-05:00

Acting Crazy!

Just a tad silly. :)

Having a conversation.

Giving kisses

"honk. Got your nose!" (sorry about the big giant cup right in front of S's face. If you know him, you know milk is never far away.)

High five!

Hold hands for prayer. (this pic wasn't actually taken during prayer. They just associate holding hands for prayer time.)

Resume normal activity.

Associations of April Fool's Day

2011-04-01T07:10:00.001-05:00

Can't believe it has been two years since our little man had his first surgery!

I remember when they scheduled it, asking the woman if it was bad to have surgery on April Fool's Day. She didn't seem to think the surgeon would be playing any tricks on us in regards to our three-month-old baby boy. That's a good call.

Anyway, we are thrilled with how far we have come in 2 years! What a strong little man! And my goodness, even more than that, what I have learned in that time. Wow! Just a few weeks ago I was connected through friends to a woman whose baby boy was days away from having his cleft lip repair. It allowed me to think back to those days, and share encouragement with her. Praise the Lord that He uses challenges as blessings!

Pre-surgery

In recovery- seeing Spencer for the first time post-surgery

Daddy and his boy

A close up of Dr. K's handiwork, a few hours out

A fun, rambunctious, loving, stubborn, giggly 2 year old

Love him!

We're In-Again!

2011-03-29T13:51:00.001-05:00

Well, we got the notice from our new agency that we have *officially* been accepted into their Congo program! Yippee!! Ready to seriously kick it into high gear and get this dossier D-O-N-E!

Did I also forget to mention we have gotten the word that we have received a $3,000 grant?! You know God provides when He takes you somewhere!

Saturday

2011-03-26T20:37:00.001-05:00

It's Saturday night, Kate and Spencer are finally asleep, and I am sitting here thinking about my to-do list that is 100 miles long. And of course, ever since becoming a mom my brain is not all that sharp (what is it about motherhood that does that to you?) and I seriously can not remember what I'm supposed to be doing unless I actually write it down. I am failing in a variety of areas, so I am trying to utilize a calendar more for everything. When I open up my calendar it looks a little extreme, but I am thinking that is the only way I will be consistent on getting things done.

Adoption-wise, thank you so much to all of you who are following our journey and supporting us in a variety of ways. I am so thankful for the way God is providing through you, and daily have to hope that you are not sick of us yet. Stick with us, please. I am standing here saying that the Lord is working this whole thing out...from calling us to adoption, leading us down an alternate path called Hope and Hudson, leading us back to Ethiopia, now to the Congo....and prayerfully I am simply hoping He is getting all the glory along the way. I am confident in my Lord, but man, this journey ain't easy. But hey-didn't Jesus promise that? It is not like the fact life is tough is a new lesson.

Anyway, we should have our revised home study in our hands this week sometime. Thank goodness for a patient social worker! What a blessing! With that we can send off our change-of-country form for our fingerprints (which I now realize I never actually talked about getting. We got those the week before H&H were born...since we had already paid for them, we simply kept our appointment. I am thankful the Lord gave us that wisdom!) I have read it could take a month for the change of country to go through, but once it does, that should be it for being on a wait list. The dossier is a lot less intense, so we can send that in basically as soon as our amended home study is in. It is hard to say how long the wait will be, but at my best guess I would say 4 months for our first referral. Keep praying for 2, y'all!

Could you please pass the word about t-shirts? Let me know if you would like to order one as well. Remember, $20, and sizes 2t-3xl. We will gather pre-orders for a few more days, then place the order with the company. I just love the design.

Anyway, thanks for being a blessing to us, and never hesitate to leave me a comment to let me know you are following along!!

Adoption T-Shirts are Ready!

2011-03-24T16:11:00.001-05:00

Okay everyone! We are ready to sell some t-shirts! I am so excited about this design, and think it looks pretty sweet. It is a variation of our running shirts for the half-marathon but it's the same concept!

(In case you can't tell, the font on the shirt is chocolate brown.)

We will be selling shirts from size 2t - 3XL. They are $20. Sizes 2XL and 3XL, please add $3. We can ship, ya know! We'll gather some preorders before ordering from the company.

Tell all your friends! Pass the word!

(Can you tell I'm ready to do SOMETHING?! Haha!)

When A Door Closes...

2011-03-23T22:36:00.001-05:00

If you have been following us long, you know our adoption journey has been anything but boring. God has really been taking us on a ride these past 11 months! (I can not believe it's almost been a year since we first filled out our application!)

I mentioned a few weeks ago about some changes and potential hold-ups going on in Ethiopia. While things are improving, it was still estimated that we would be looking at a delay of about a year. Add that on to the year we were already looking at (and the 11 months we've already been in this) and we decide to look at our other options. If we were going to switch programs, this was the time, before we submitted our dossier and approximately $8,000 in fees.

With that said, we have prayerfully decided to switch programs. We have withdrawn from our current Ethiopia program and agency and now are working with One World Adoption Services and adopting through the central African country of the Democratic Republic of Congo. There have been many factors that have influenced this...two of which being timeline and being about to receive two referrals that are not necessarily biological siblings. We are excited to be moving forward in this direction, although it definitely is not something we saw coming. (Hey- that seems to be our theme, huh?!) We are thrilled to be journeying along with our friends Lara and Nathan and also Emily and Adamas they also are in process of adopting from DRC.

[Let me just mention that we should still be praying for Ethiopia. There are millions of orphans there and lots of families that are being affected by the slowdown. While the news out of there is improving, it is still slower than it was.]

I hope it doesn't seem as if we are silly, and flopping from one plan to another. This decision has NOT come lightly or without prayer and seeking God's wisdom. Our hearts remain the same, and that is to be obedient to the call the Lord has placed on our lives to expand our family through adoption. The sooner, the better. We don't care where they come from or what they look like. We are thankful that the Lord is finally moving us forward after about 4 months of roadblocks and struggles. But if it wasn't for all that, we would be $10,000 into a program that was going to hold us up for another year, and we would only be getting a referral for one child. While that is fine if the Lord called us that direction, our hearts are burdened for two, and we are ready for family growth. We would not have even looked this way without all these other roadblocks taking place. Oh the things He continues to teach us through the precious lives of H&H!

We basically have all the paperwork ready to go, but have to wait on our home study to be amended (hope our social worker doesn't kill us as this is the third time he's done it) and then send that off to get our fingerprints switched from Ethiopia to DRC. Then, we have our dossier requirements and we'll wait for 2 precious referrals!!

Thanks for your patience with us, and we covet your prayers as the Lord prepares our hearts and home for this. I am thankful that we are secure in His grip, and pray that I would just simply never lose sight of that. He knows that I do, too quickly, and draws me back to Himself ever so gently...and yet...firmly...:)

I wanna dance with somebody...

2011-03-22T16:33:00.001-05:00

She wants to dance. He is her dance partner of choice. He ain't havin' it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Taste of Spring

2011-03-22T08:37:00.001-05:00

Thank goodness warmer weather is making its way to KY. We need fresh air, space from one another, and a change in scenery. I am so glad that my kiddos love outside and don't care to roll around in the dirt if they feel so inclined.

That sun is bright, Mama!

This boy LOVES to swing.

The slide is fun too (when it's time to share the swing)

Giving Mama her "pretty face"

Happy girl

Playing with the neighbor's dogs

Not hesitant at all!

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Readers are Leaders

2011-03-17T13:10:00.001-05:00

Have I told you how much my kiddos love to read?

On their own they do stuff like this, and this time I was able to snap a pic.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pray for Ethiopia

2011-03-08T20:53:00.001-06:00

In the past few days, news has come out of Ethiopia that the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWA) desire to decrease the number of adoptions that are processed each day. This has already shown a decrease in the number of letters the courts have come through their doors each day, slowing down the process for prospective adoptive families. With the adoption of Hope and Hudson not panning out like we anticipated, Stuart and I have prayerfully decided to pick up our Ethiopia process right where we left off. With these new developments, however, we are just not sure what the future of adoption program in that country looks like.

I am asking all of you to please pray for these holdups in Ethiopia right now. So many families are very close to bringing their children home forever, and this is prolonging (and possibly preventing) that.

We also covet your prayers as we seek to see what the Lord is showing us for the future of our family.

Here is a link to our agency's blog post about the issue.

AWAA blog - Prayer for Ethiopia

The Windy City is called that for a reason

2011-03-05T13:30:00.001-06:00

Stuart and I decided it was a good time to take advantage of a seminar he wanted to attend in Chicago to get away for a few days - just the 2 of us. No kids, no pack-n-plays, nothing. We said we would do this for our anniversary (back in December) when our tax return came in to make it a guilt-free time. Using the conference was perfect. We spent 3 days in the Windy City, and had seriously the best.time.ever.

It was exactly what we needed - or at least what I needed - at this time. Right before we left, I thought I was getting better, then started feeling crappy all over again. I was getting sick, I was sad, and I was throwing pity parties for myself. It was pathetic really.

So we dropped the kiddos off and continued north, and just enjoyed having time for the two of us. Besides us both having nasty sinus and ear infections, we had such a good time. We shopped, ate good, laughed, slept a lot, relaxed, and just enjoyed having no distractions.

We started off with some pizza from Giordano's. Yummy!! Mushroom, italian sausage, and pineapple!

Our hotel room at the Intercontinental on Michigan Avenue. We were able to walk everywhere but one museum!!

Breakfast date with my man. :)

It was cold. I think top of the John Hancock Observatory is up there somewhere...

So, let's stop for some hot chocolate! some of the best I've ever had.

Stu thought it was cold too, when we decided to walk 2 miles down to Navy Pier just to say we went there. It started to snow on us.

What do you think about my bright blue hat? I forgot to pack one, but I found this one on clearance at Gap when I got there for $1.21!!! Best purchase out there - especially since my ears were hurting so bad anyway, without all the wind!

The view stepping out of our hotel onto Michigan Avenue.

Finally had some visibility at night to use our John Hancock tickets - view from the 94th floor!

Lawry's - the Prime Rib. ah-ma-zing. Wow.

My hot date. He makes me happy. :)

When Stu was at his seminar, I made due with Starbucks (from the lobby), a loooong quiet time with the Lord (the game-changer in my emotional roller coaster, I tell ya), a movie on HBO, some shopping, carry out lettuce wraps from PF Changs, a nap, and Food Network. I did just fine. :)

Coming back, I definitely felt more like myself. More than I have in weeks and weeks. The Lord has really started to teach me what I can learn from all this, how if affects my testimony and daily living, and what sanctification is really all about. I was telling Stuart today that I now feel like this whole Hope and Hudson thing is not an open, festering wound. Healing is happening day in and day out. I can talk about it. I'd love to share with anyone who has questions. I don't want people to be awkward anymore and not know how to act around me. Am I over it?? NO. Can I pretend like life is just like what it was prior to January 4 when she agreed to let us adopt those babies? Not a chance. Someone asked me (awkwardly) at church the other day if "this whole thing just devastated me?" It caught me off guard. I said, "Why, yes, it did." I don't think she was expecting that, because I was happy and smiling. So I was able to share that my healing has come from the precious grace of Christ. That's it. There is nothing else that can heal my wounds but that.

Wasn't this post supposed to be about Chicago? Oops. It started there.

Anyway - we had a great time! :)

One Month

2011-03-02T20:26:00.001-06:00

Happy One Month, Hope and Hudson.

I haven't seen you in 23 days, but I hear you are healthy and well. I praise the Lord for that. There is not one day that I don't think of you and even long for you, but I trust the Lord and His goodness, and knows He watches over you constantly. I am thankful I am finally to a place where I can rest in Him and be okay with all the unknowns of this situation, questions I may very well not ever know the answers to. He is teaching me so much through your little lives, even though they are not intersecting with my life at the present moment in a tangible way.

I hope your momma and daddy and brothers are doing well. I have a great love for them, really. I am thankful again that your lives brought us to them. I don't know if I will ever see any of you again but again I am thankful that the Lord knows all your days, even before one of them came to be.

Thank you for letting me be yours for 5 days. It was one of the sweetest times I have ever known. I am so thankful for that. It's hard to believe you are already a month old...to think of where we were 4 weeks ago. It's such a short time but yet I am not the woman I was 4 weeks and 1 day ago. Praise the Lord for His refining of my sinful soul.

I love you.

MIA

2011-02-28T10:58:00.001-06:00

Sorry about the lapse in posting. Between kids being sick, Mommy and Daddy being sick, a mini-getaway to Chicago, a massive headache that is around day in and day out, the roller coaster of emotions, and writer's block....

I do not know what to say.

And I'm considering stopping the blog. For the time being.

That's all I got for you today.

Have Bible, Will Travel

2011-02-18T15:55:00.001-06:00

"Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."
Eph. 6:17

Kate has been a fan of Daddy's small Bible lately, and has even demanded it go with her places. It kinda makes her look like a traveling evangelist.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My Blogging Station This Morning and Some Other Valentine Love

2011-02-15T11:04:00.001-06:00

This is where I'm blogging from this morning. Complete with a glimpse of a lone fruit snack, a cup of milk (which now the boy is finishing), a bag of Craisins, and if you look really hard, you will see my newest hardback inspiration for the kitchen, The Pioneer Woman Cooks.

Also, doesn't it appear that I'm blogging from a laptop? Which you may or may not know, I always blog from my ipad. No, I didn't get a new computer. But I did get this super awesome accessory for my super awesome iPad from my super awesome husband.

I use my iPad as my computer. I do email, FB, blog, web surfing, pay bills, etc. from it. ANYWAY- when I saw this accessory I knew I wanted it. But I would never buy it for myself. **Bring in Valentine's Day!** It would make the "computing" part of my iPad so much easier....but it's not permanent! So when I'm ready to read my book on it again, I just take it off.

So I have a REAL keyboard - with keys I can touch and feel - which makes typing so much better. AND!!

Look how the iPad folds into it....like it's a MacBook or something! Haha!

My man also knows I love flowers, and he doesn't let a special occasion go by without getting them for me.

Our little blessings made something for Daddy for V-day. Here is a photo of it, ready to be taken to work and displayed proudly in his office.

Aren't they sweet? The heart and "U" were painted by S&K, which is what they are doing in the first picture. Oh, except they took a break from painting to give a little love.

How was your "lovely" day?

A Literal Interpretation

2011-02-13T16:12:00.001-06:00

All on his own, Spencer decided this is what it meant to get the "bag back."

(Yes, that's a gift bag.)

He cried anytime it fell out, and refused to go cook (in his play kitchen) unless it was secure (which eventually I had to stick it under his sweater and into his pants).

[Side note: do you get it yet? Bag back?]

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Oceans Movie

2011-02-12T20:10:00.001-06:00

As I mentioned in my last post, we spent Daddy's off day with some super sweet and special fun.

We showed Kate and Spencer the trailer for the upcoming Disney Nature movie "African Cats." They really do love all things animal, so we talked about when this documentary on two cat families in Africa (lions and cheetahs) comes out in April, it may be their first movie theater experience. (The movie looks awesome by the way.) We then showed them the trailer for last year's Disney Nature movie, "Oceans." Well my goodness, then they couldn't stop talking about "oceans movie."

We decided to take a trip to Best Buy and purchase the movie, and they were so excited. Kate even told the guy at the Best Buy door we were in fact there for "oceans movie." Thankfully they had it, because we didn't have a back up plan. The rest of the morning, all the way until they fell asleep at nap was spent explaining to them that when they woke up from nap we would have a special movie afternoon and watch Oceans together.

Two hours later, on the monitor we heard someone stirring, and then the first post-nap word was uttered. It came from Spencer.

"Oceans."

When we got back to the room to get them, both were up and remembered exactly what we had said would happen after nap. "Watch Oceans movie! Watch Oceans movie!"

We popped a big bowl of my special super delicious popcorn (and they NEVER eat popcorn) and got some drinks and settled on the couch, all 4 of us.

To say they loved it would be an understatement. They were enthralled with this action-packed movie of ocean life, although I think little man would have preferred a little more shark action. ("Where shark go?")

After the movie, we grilled some steaks and had a dance party in the kitchen.

Then Spencer tells me, "I hot," (you know, from busting his groove) so Mommy had to strip them down.

Dinner was burned off by running races in the hallway (between Kate and Spencer) and jumping on beds and going down headfirst on the pillows. (No pictures of the 10 or so minutes they were quiet in there, and we walked in to find them diaper-less jumping on the bed completely liberated from all clothing.)

It is in these things the Lord restores my joy ever so delicately.