Rejoicing!!!

 

  

It is so amazing to see God's plan unfold, and I feel so privileged to be a part of it!

We joyfully announce that we received "The Referral Call" for little man "G"!!!  We are so excited and just love him!  I know all parents feel that their children are beautiful, but he really is just so precious.  His big brown eyes and little smile will just melt your heart!  (I cannot show a picture of him until he is home with us.)  He is 3 1/2 years old and is just perfect. 
    
The last several weeks have been pretty emotional.  Two weeks ago, I had left an voicemail for our Case Manager stating that I wanted to talk to her about our age range.  Our stated age range was 12 to 24 months.  A couple of days went by, and we didn't hear anything back.  So, I sent her an email stating that we wanted to talk to her about openning our age range to older.  Even though we were quickly making it to the top of the boy list, which is comprised of almost all 0-12 monthers, my heart was leading me to older not younger.  We still didn't hear from her, which is very unusual.  The following week (last week), we found out why we hadn't heard back.  There was an Ethiopian adoption law change (mentioned in previous posting), and there was chaos.  I can only imagine what their email/voicemal volume was.  Later that same night (Tuesday), a waiting children's email came across to all of the folks on the waiting list.  (He came across the waiting email, because he did not fall within anyone waiting's age parameters.)  As I was openning the email and saw little man, my heart just stopped.  I think this is my son!!  I quickly got hubby.  We both were in love!  This could be him!?!
  
We got on the phone and called our friends who just got back from HH.  We had been holding off on bombarding them with questions, but we couldn't wait.  The more we talked to them, the more excited we got and felt like this was our son.  After we got off the phone, I had to go to the Word.  It gives me comfort!  Well, we sent an email and left a voicemail for our Case Manager that night stating that we were interested in little man!!!  Wednesday goes by, nothing...that night an email stating that she got our email and will call us tomorrow.  She calls on Thursday...we miss the call.  What!  How did that happen!!  She didn't call our cell phone!  Her voicemail basically says that she is meeting with the group that afternoon for a meeting, and that she will get back to us later that day.  At this time, I feel like a liar to my previous posting about "resting in God".  I'm not doing any resting.  I'm praying..."God, your will be done", but my heart is saying "He is my son".  I leave her a voicemail saying that I really feel like he is our son.  Then, I wait.  At this point, I have done all I can do.  It is all in God's hands!  After the call, I do feel at peace.  Nothing that day.  Of course, I have literally had my phone with me 24/7 in anticipation.
 
Friday around 2:30, the phone rings, it is AGCI.  Deep breath!  It's the call!  Our Case Manager casually askes what I want to discuss first - all the Ethiopian law changes or "G".  "G"!  She emails me all the information and says that she will call me back in 45 minutes to discuss.  Hubby rushes home.  We go over all the information and just soak in the 2 additional pictures we receive.  He's perfect!
  
Normally, we would have just screammed it from the rooftop, but there literally was a car in the driveway waiting for me.  Me and AB along with several other moms and girl scouts were going cave camping.  Yes - cave camping.  I just couldn't tell AB the good news as were getting in a car to go cave camping, and BB wasn't even home yet from a friend's house.  I did secretly share the news with Molly, fellow mom and designated driver.  So, I had just received the most awesome news, and I was off to a place with no cell phone signal, and I couldn't talk about it.

Finally, on Saturday, we were able to share the news with the girls.  They were so excited and just studied the pictures.  AB immediately said that she liked his smile and was hoping that we would be getting him that week - so sweet.  Later that day we started making calls and had SB's family over for dinner.  It was so great to finally share our joy with family and friends.  We have been so blessed by the support we have received from our family and friends.

So, now we are getting all of our paper together to "officially" accept the referral.  We've tested the water, cautiously put one foot in, then another, now we are splashing around!!!  I tried telling myself that I would guard my heart, because adoption is a crazy unpredictable ride.  But in reality, he is our son, and we love him.  We have no idea when we will actually be able to bring him home, but any day longer than tomorrow is too long!

We give praise to God and ask for continued prayers on this journey to Little Man.

This hymm - To God Be The Glory comes to my mind
 
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son,
and give him the glory, great things he hath done!
 

Out Of My Control

  
I knew the adoption process was out of my control, but I didn't know it until I was in it.   To be in the process, you have to rest in God.  You have to rest in God.  You have to rest in God.  I don't think I have ever prayed this much or been so in tune to hearing God's voice.  I seek his wisdom and peace on a daily basis.    It's a hard wonderful place to be.  It's fun and frustrating.  Why?  Because it is all out of my control, and I like control.  I want to know who my son is going to be.  I want to know what he looks like - how old is he - does he like to snuggle - does he have a full belly - what is his situation - why is he at an orphange - does he have brothers and sisters - when will we travel - will he like me - what will court be like, how will our new family mesh together, etc.  And, all I know is that God has a plan.  And, I have to rest in that plan and try to discern my part.

Today, we found out that we will now have to make two trips to Ethiopia.  Previously, you only traveled once, which was after the courts approved the adoption, and you were picking up your child.  Now, you have to travel to officially accept the referral before it can go to court.  Then, you travel again once you pass court to pick up you child.  It is hard news.  It will be gut-wrenching to say hello and good-bye all in the same week.  And, chances are, for us, our son (due to age) will have just warmed up to us.  So, where am I in all of this...resting in God Word..

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28 

 

Going to the Chapel...

 

On Tuesday, B's preschool put on their annual Spring Show, which is always a highlight of the school year.  Even the older sisters and brothers can't wait to see the show.  This year's theme was "Main Street" and B's class were brides and grooms.  All of the kiddos did a great job!  Of course, I thought B made a beautiful bride.  She was very excited about the show and kept asking if "today was the day of the show". 

  

The kiddos waiting for their turn.

  

It's show time!

 

 B wouldn't tell us anything about the show, because it was suppose to be a surprise.  The only thing that she would say was that she was the first bride to go, and she had to walk really slow.  I could tell she was really concentrating on walking slow.  It was very cute!  I had to keep myself from tearing up.  I kept thinking about what it will be like when she does actually walk down the aisle. 

   

 

B with one of her fellow brides, Annie.

   

After the show, B's groom, her good buddy Ben, gave her a rose.  It was very sweet!

   

 

We are so proud of you B!

 

Stop Praying and Just Do It!

    

Sarah, Nicole, Heather, Betsy and Lori

   

It is so awesome and humbling to see God's hand at work.  My covenant group just finished reading Wild Goose Chase.   (If you haven't read it, then I highly recommend it.)    In one of the chapters, it says that it is "time to quit praying". Of course, if you read the section, the author isn't saying to quit praying, but he is stressing the importance and difference between "doing/actions" and "well-meaning thoughts".  It is our responsibility to act on the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  Well, that is just what my friend Sarah did.  She says that she and her daughter pray every night about the suffering children of the world.    On this particular night, she felt that it was time to stop just thinking about it and to do something about it.  She started thinking about how to use her gifts to help.  Well, she used to arrange flowers, and one thing led to another, and at the end, my covenant group was all working together to arrange and sell Valentine's Day bouquets in order to raise money for our adoption. 

   

Now, the old me (husband included) would have resisted the help - I can do this by myself, What if no one buys any, What if it offends someone, etc.  But through this experience, and as God refines me, I am learning that it isn't about me.  It is about HIS plan and HIS glory.  I think God is well-pleased with Sarah for "doing" what he put on her heart.  She, along with the others, probably think that it was no big deal, but I happen to think that it is kingdom work!  It blessed my family, brought more awareness to children in need, and even maybe inspired someone else to action. 

 

Well, we were hoping to sell at least 20 bouquets, and we ended up selling 50.  And, there was even some talk, that maybe we do something like this every year to help out a cause. 

 

These women inspire me!

 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

  

We love you!

Father/Daughter Dance & SHOTS!

 

Father/Daughter Dance 
   

On Friday, our church had their annual Father/Daughter Dance with a Valentine's theme.  This is AB's 3rd time to go.  She was just as excited about going this year as previous years, so the magic hasn't worn off.   At the last minute, AB decided she wanted her hair curled for the big date.  Now, AB has super super straight hair - beautiful hair, but did I say that it was super straight and getting super long, and it was raining.  Even though I knew it wouldn't last more than a picture, like any good mom, I got out my curling irons and got to work.  It was so cute watching her tell Daddy that he couldn't see her until she was all ready, and little sis making sure that he didn't come into the bathroom.  She had to make an entrance and be just right for her Daddy.  It was so sweet!!!!!

   

While they were off for dinner and dancing, BB and I enjoyed some time together.  She decided that we would get in our pjs, eat popcorn (for dinner), watch a movie and snuggle.  We had a nice time.  Of course, BB had to wait up for Big Sis to get home.  She wanted to hear all about the dance, and AB had promised to bring her home a cookie :)  Of course, they didn't get home till after 9!  AB came in just beaming and talking about doing the limbo and the chicken dance.  Last year, she was introduced to "Taylor Swift" at the dance.  Everytime she heard "Love Story" on the radio, she would say that it was her and Daddy's song.  Now - nothing is more precious than that!!!

Her husband will have some BIG shoes to fill!!  Her Daddy hung the moon!!!!

     

     

SHOTS!!!

 

Today, it was shot day.  It is funny, but we were looking forward to it.  Another item standing between us and little man marked off the list!!  It feels good to get it behind us.  The vaccines we decided on were: Hep A, Meningococcal, Polio, Tetanus/Dip/Pertussis, and we got perscriptions for Malaria, Typhoid, diarrhea meds, and vomiting/nausea meds.

After calling 8 places, the most economical place was The Global Outreach Clinic.  It is a group of doctors and nurses who volunteer their time once a month to offer travel shots.

Well, I thought the process would take about 30 minutes - why?  I don't know.  Well, we were there for over 1 1/2 hours.  We brought the girls with us, because #1 I thought it would be quick, and #2 I really want them to be as much of the process as possible.  They were great!  When it was finally our turn for the actual shot, BB was my helper and held my hand while I received my shots.  AB was SB's nurse's aid and helped with the bandaids after the shots.  I'm glad they were there!

We're ready for our "CALL" now!!!

 

 

Recipe for Snow and Fun

Recipe for Snow (according to a 6 year old)
- white crayons placed in window sills and in the freezer
- spoons under pillows
- wear your jammies inside out
- put ice cubes in the toilet and flush

Well...

It was overcast, but it was SNOW!!!  Yeah!!!  And we enjoyed it all day long!!

 

 

Our friends joined us for the day along with the our neighbors.  It was great with everyone hanging out outside. 

90% of the time, I wish we lived on a flat street, but not today!!  Our street was the perfect street for sledding - completely iced over.  SB and Marc try out the sleds.  We quickly found out that the runner sleds were a must.  (Thanks to Aunt C for these -gotta love a good garage find.)  Our street is curved, and you need to steer in order to miss the mailboxes.  Unfortunately, one of our sweet neighbor friends spent the day at the hospital.   Luckily, nothing was broken, and she received a few stitches. 

AB and SB giving it a go!  AB LOVED it!  I think she probably went down at least 20 times.  It takes about 1 1/2 minutes and you go about 1/4 mile.  The kicker is the walk back up.  You definitely get a workout.

SB and I give it a go!  Believe me, this is total trust...going about 20 to 30 mph on solid ice.  (Our friend, Marc, video recorded the trip, but with all my blog talent (hahaha), I couldn't get it to load.)

AB decided she'd give Mom a try!  This was after she and Uncle M crashed at the bottom.  According to Uncle M, he thought he could "jump" the ditch.  Luckily, he just got a little scratched up on his face, and AB flew off the top and landed in fluffier snow.  I thought she'd be done for the day, but she kept going!

Side note:  Our friend, Mindy, hit the ditch almost exactly were Uncle M and AB landed.  But she admitted that she was just going too fast to make the turn.  She was NOT trying to "jump" it.  I think next time, helmets will be a requirement!

Uncle M was banned from taking the girls down the street, so BB went down the little hill with him.  She wasn't into the street anyways, so this was more her speed.

  

 

AB and Bennett give the little hill a try.

BB and Will just hanging out watching everyone go down the street.

  

This was after lunch.  We started at 10am, stopped for lunch, and then went back out.  We enjoyed the entire day!  The funny thing was that the adults outlasted the kiddos.  They don't realize that this is a rarity.  We don't get this kind of snow that often, so you really have to enjoy it when you do.

 

 

The "big" boys give it one last go from the very top before calling it quits.

So...the next day..we headed out for some more snow fun...Uncle M joins us.

 

 

We were loaded down with lots of toys!  Needless to say, we got plenty of looks. Everyone couldn't wait till we tried out "The Ball".

 

SB gives it a try.  It goes, but it is decided that he is probably a little heavy.  So...

AB couldn't wait to give it a try.  I was actually a litte surprised.  She was a little daredevil.  I'm going to have to keep my eye on her!

 

BB and I play it safe on our saucer.   We went down over 20 times - BB loved it.  Of couse, the walk back up got slower and slower.

Runner sleds were the "toy of choice" yesterday, but the saucer was the "toy of choice" today.  Thanks to our neighbors who let us borrow these for the day!

The toboggan was a close #2.  SB bought this at a garage sale this past summer.  I admit I did give him a little grief over it.  Why in the world did you buy that, and where in the world are you going to put it?!?  I guess sometimes, Dad does know best!

Well, the sun was pretty bruttle on the snow today, so I think our sledding adventures are over.  Maybe a snowman tomorrow?

 

Well, even though we thought that January was going to be the month of "the call", it still ended on a great note!  Here's looking forward to February!