Wow - I never thought I'd find so much joy in waiting!! We found out that all of our paperwork is in South Korea and we are now officially on the waiting list for our referral.
What this means is that we are waiting to be matched with a child. Once this happens, we will get a call (I'm told this is an extremely exciting phone call!!) letting us know that we have our referral (aka - we have been matched with a child). We then have the opportunity to see pictures of him and have access to as much information that is available on him. This could include information about his birth, medical history, birth mother, etc. However, the extent of the information available varies depending on the situation. Then we have a few days to pray through everything and seek advice from a physician regarding the medical history of the child before we accept the referral. Like I said before, we will then have to wait 2-3 months (after accepting the referral) before traveling to bring him home!
Here's the exciting part - because of the time table we are now working with, there is a great chance that he is being born now or very close to this time! We are desperately praying for our baby's health and safety. We are also praying for his birth mother and those who will care for him until he is home.
We are so confident that God will bring this to fruition in His perfect timing and His perfect way! We know He is sovereign over all and has directed our steps thus far and will continue to.
Please join us in praying for the following things:
*A quick referral!
*Baby K's health and safety.
*Baby K's birth mother and care-givers.
*Strength as we wait.
*Our precious daughters as we prepare them for what's to come.
*The financial burden that comes with adoption.
*Most of all - for us to glorify the Lord in everything!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
my new nephew!
8 lbs. 1 oz.
20 inches
This morning around 2 am, the Lord brought my sweet nephew into the world! Daddy, Mommy and big brother are all doing great!
Unfortunately, I live too far away from my brother and his family to see them, but I was able to hear that sweet newborn baby cry over the phone! Did I cry? Of course! You better believe that I will be headed west in a few week with my parents to get my hands on this new bundle of joy!
Monday, August 23, 2010
my ellee girl!
There are many things about Addie being in school all day that I don't like. I miss my girl and I'm still not used to Ellee riding solo most days. One good thing that has come from Addie being an "official" school aged child (she only went half days last year for kindergarten) is that I get some precious time with my Ellee girl.
Last week, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and we headed to one of the spray parks here in town. Ellee had a blast and I loved watching her play!!
Last week was also exciting for my Ellee girl because she started pre-K! She only goes to school three mornings a week so I still get lots of snuggle time with her. Here's a glimpse of her first day...
~the classic Ellee face~
Before I know it, I'll be sending my Ellee to school all day and will be left wondering where time has gone!
Last week, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and we headed to one of the spray parks here in town. Ellee had a blast and I loved watching her play!!
Last week was also exciting for my Ellee girl because she started pre-K! She only goes to school three mornings a week so I still get lots of snuggle time with her. Here's a glimpse of her first day...
Before I know it, I'll be sending my Ellee to school all day and will be left wondering where time has gone!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
a special day
MOM!
Wishing a special happy birthday
to my amazing mom and best friend!
I love you.
Monday, August 16, 2010
my longing heart
I must admit that I was sufficiently warned - the adoption process will bring days of frustration and longing.
Over the past few weeks, my heart has longed to see and hold and snuggle with the baby boy that the Lord has sovereignly picked out for our family. The questions come easily - is he born yet? is he healthy? is he happy or hurting? when will we bring him home?
The questions with our first two children were similar - is she healthy? what will she look like? when will she arrive?
For Lee and I, and even Addie and Ellee, our baby boy is already so much a part of our family. Addie and Ellee refer to their brother all the time and they each pray for him daily. (Lee and I steal a glance at each other and smile when one of them prays, "Lord, please keep Baby K safe and healthy until we can bring him home and please help the people of Korea learn about Jesus.") As a matter of fact, my sweet mom called the other day because she had found a sale and was buying clothes for the grandchildren. She wanted to know what size I thought they would need next year and Baby K was included in that! We all want him home!
I find that I have to pray for the Lord to guard my heart and protect my thoughts because the road before us with the adoption is still a long and winding one. I understand there are no guarantees until we have him home and there are many opportunities for disappointment. We are, however, confident that the desire to adopt is one placed in our hearts by our Father and we trust that He will bring it to pass in His perfect timing!
Speaking of timing, here's an update on where we are:
We are closer to just waiting, instead of waiting to wait. (You can read here to find out more about "waiting to wait.") Last week we received the paperwork we've been waiting on since the beginning of June. It was filled out and returned to the agency in Michigan the following day! As soon as that agency sends a confirmation that the paperwork is filled out correctly, we should then officially be placed on the referral waiting list! From that point, referrals are taking 4-6 months and travel to pick up your child (after accepting the referral) is taking 2-3 months. So...best case scenerio would be to have our baby boy home sometime in March; the latest would be mid summer. Again, we are trusting God to provide everything according to His perfect plan!
In the past few months, we have also applied for several grants that provide financial assistance with adoptions. We are hopeful as we wait to hear from them. The financial aspect of adoption is extremely overwhelming and we are continuing to pursue fund-raising opportunities and are praying for provision!
I am hopeful that soon I will be able to provide more exciting news as we press forward in this amazing journey!
"Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name." Psalm 33:20-21
Over the past few weeks, my heart has longed to see and hold and snuggle with the baby boy that the Lord has sovereignly picked out for our family. The questions come easily - is he born yet? is he healthy? is he happy or hurting? when will we bring him home?
The questions with our first two children were similar - is she healthy? what will she look like? when will she arrive?
For Lee and I, and even Addie and Ellee, our baby boy is already so much a part of our family. Addie and Ellee refer to their brother all the time and they each pray for him daily. (Lee and I steal a glance at each other and smile when one of them prays, "Lord, please keep Baby K safe and healthy until we can bring him home and please help the people of Korea learn about Jesus.") As a matter of fact, my sweet mom called the other day because she had found a sale and was buying clothes for the grandchildren. She wanted to know what size I thought they would need next year and Baby K was included in that! We all want him home!
I find that I have to pray for the Lord to guard my heart and protect my thoughts because the road before us with the adoption is still a long and winding one. I understand there are no guarantees until we have him home and there are many opportunities for disappointment. We are, however, confident that the desire to adopt is one placed in our hearts by our Father and we trust that He will bring it to pass in His perfect timing!
Speaking of timing, here's an update on where we are:
We are closer to just waiting, instead of waiting to wait. (You can read here to find out more about "waiting to wait.") Last week we received the paperwork we've been waiting on since the beginning of June. It was filled out and returned to the agency in Michigan the following day! As soon as that agency sends a confirmation that the paperwork is filled out correctly, we should then officially be placed on the referral waiting list! From that point, referrals are taking 4-6 months and travel to pick up your child (after accepting the referral) is taking 2-3 months. So...best case scenerio would be to have our baby boy home sometime in March; the latest would be mid summer. Again, we are trusting God to provide everything according to His perfect plan!
In the past few months, we have also applied for several grants that provide financial assistance with adoptions. We are hopeful as we wait to hear from them. The financial aspect of adoption is extremely overwhelming and we are continuing to pursue fund-raising opportunities and are praying for provision!
I am hopeful that soon I will be able to provide more exciting news as we press forward in this amazing journey!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
my 1st grade girl
I looked at my sweet hubby this morning and said, "Are we old enough to have a child in first grade?"
Apparently so!!
Today was the first day of 1st grade for my Addie girl! That seems to be a problem because I think she was born just yesterday...
If I had a dollar for every time I've been told since having children that "time flies" then we wouldn't have to do any adoption fund-raisers! :) Although it seems to be true, I'm just not prepared for the reality of that statement.
Since I've not perfected my "Time Stand Still" machine, I dressed my baby girl this morning, packed her lunch, checked her backpack, grabbed the camera and headed out the door for 1st grade!
Addie couldn't have been more excited! She loves school and was anxious to get there. I, of course, made her stop at the door to take another picture - she reluctantly agreed.
Then we made our way downstairs to her classroom and I continued following her around with the camera! (I wasn't the only mom doing that!!)
Lee finally said I had to leave.
I left.
I cried.
Of course my Ellee girl was right there to make me smile. She said, "Mom, why do mommys cry over silly things?" I thought to myself, "If the Lord wills, one day you'll understand."
Mom, thank you for all the "silly" tears you've shed for me. Now I understand.
Apparently so!!
Today was the first day of 1st grade for my Addie girl! That seems to be a problem because I think she was born just yesterday...
If I had a dollar for every time I've been told since having children that "time flies" then we wouldn't have to do any adoption fund-raisers! :) Although it seems to be true, I'm just not prepared for the reality of that statement.
Since I've not perfected my "Time Stand Still" machine, I dressed my baby girl this morning, packed her lunch, checked her backpack, grabbed the camera and headed out the door for 1st grade!
Addie couldn't have been more excited! She loves school and was anxious to get there. I, of course, made her stop at the door to take another picture - she reluctantly agreed.
Then we made our way downstairs to her classroom and I continued following her around with the camera! (I wasn't the only mom doing that!!)
Lee finally said I had to leave.
I left.
I cried.
Of course my Ellee girl was right there to make me smile. She said, "Mom, why do mommys cry over silly things?" I thought to myself, "If the Lord wills, one day you'll understand."
Mom, thank you for all the "silly" tears you've shed for me. Now I understand.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
My Old Kentucky Home
Oh! weep no more today!
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,
For the Old Kentucky Home far away.
Until Friday night, the lyrics to the Kentucky state song were unknown to me. Ok, honestly, until Friday night, I wasn't even sure what the state song was. And I definitely wouldn't have been able to tell you who the composer was, much less anything about him. In my defense, I've only been a Kentuckian for a few months now!
However, this all changed when a sweet family treated us to a true Kentucky experience when they took my family to Bardstown, KY to the My Old Kentucky Home State Park. We had the privilege of experiencing an outdoor muscial at the park - The Stephen Foster Story. (In case you didn't know, like me, Stephen Foster is the composer of the state song - My Old Kentucky Home.) This musical tells the story of Stephen Foster's life through songs that he wrote.
In front of Federal Hill - the inspiration for Stephen Foster's ballad.
Around the park
Our family with the Fruges - the sweet family responsible for our great evening! We are on the set of the musical in front of the McDowell home.
We enjoyed a guided backstage tour!
As the sun began to set, the outdoor musical began! The stage was filled with men and woman straight from the 1850's who were fully adorned in antebellum attire. The set, the music and the costumes were phenomenal! Although the muscial was over two hours long, the girls stayed fully engaged the entire time and it was hard to tell if the kiddos or adults enjoyed it more.
The next morning, the girls were already asking if we could go to the musical again next year. We just may have found a new summer tradition!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
A Glimpse Into Our Past 9 Years!
Then Came Marriage...
Then Came Mindy with the Baby Carriage...
It is so hard to believe that my sweet hubby and I exchanged our vows on a hot summer day nine years ago! As I think back on the years we've shared together, some of the memories make me laugh hysterically and some make me cry. We've shared times of extreme happiness, great sadness and everything in between. However, God's amazing grace is sufficient and I can say with absolute honesty that I'm more in love with my man today than I ever have been!
Happy Anniversary, Lee!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
felt crayon roll
Crayon rolls are definitely not an original idea of mine. As a matter of fact, you can google "crayon roll" and find hundreds of pictures and instructions for them. My version is made by combining a few things I liked from the ones I've seen. And truthfully, if I continued looking, I'm sure I'd find that the one I make isn't really "my version" at all! What I like most about this one is that it's made from felt. Although there are some adorable fabric options out there, with felt there is no need for turning or finishing edges and the felt is very forgiving. This makes for a super quick and easy project!
I start with 3 pieces of felt - approximately 6 x 16 1/2 inches in size. These pieces will be the front, back and pocket of the roll.
Fold the piece of felt that will be the pocket for the crayons in half lengthwise. Pin this folded piece (the pocket) to the inside felt by placing the pocket along the bottom of the inside piece with the fold facing the middle. Stitch the pieces together along the pocket at one inch intervals.
Next, prepare the outside piece of felt by adding a button and pinning a piece of elastic at the appropriate place. I'm sure there is a "professional" way of doing this, but mine are done by trial and error. :) You will actually sew the elastic in place when you sew the two pieces of felt together.
Next, sew the front piece of felt to the back piece. Make sure you backstitch several times along the elastic to reinforce it. Remember that kiddos will be pulling on the elastic every time they close the roll.
For the final step, cut around the outside stitching with pinking shears to give it a decorative finish. This also allows for some forgiveness if your pieces didn't line up exactly!
Add a box of new crayons (which are very cheap right now with the back-to-school sales!) and you've got a super cute goodie!
These are great for birthday presents with the addition of a coloring book or blank drawing pad. I haven't done the math, but I'm sure it cost me less than $3.00 to make one. I'm also thinking about giving these as favors for a birthday party, or maybe Christmas gifts for my girls classmates at school. You just can't beat coloring with fresh, sharp crayons!!
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