Grace's Birthday Hair

The finished beauty...

Many unusual faces were made...

Getting started

Before....

Happy New Year

The New Baby--sorry we're not allowed to post any "identifiable" photos.

My sister made these amazing T-shirts for the kids. They get so many comments when we go out with them on.

The front.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

We've had a lot of adjusting to do around here with two extra children. Since my last post, Sam has turned 5, we've celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. We've had to deal with 4 cases of the flu, 4 ear infections and two bouts of conjunctivitis. But we are holding fast and praising God for His goodness. The baby is finally doing great and is adjusting to our family very well. T will be 18 in 3 weeks and we're wondering what life will be like after that.

The best news is: Everyone is healthy!

And Baby makes 7..........

Praise God (even though I am in way over my head and completely exhausted)!

Two weeks ago God opened my eyes to a child who was right in front of my eyes. For those of you following on Facebook, you know that this child is almost 18 YEARS old. She's been here for a couple of weeks and it's been quite an adjustment.

Since then, I've had two phone calls for babies. One was for twins (3 mos old), and one came last night for a 14 month old boy. I knew the twins would be too much, but Mike and I thought we could take the little boy. So, after much prayer, we took him tonight. He's a blonde-haired, green eyed peanut with some serious aggression. He's been through a very rough time (thankfully, I don't know all the details), and is just devastated. As I held him and rocked him to sleep, he screamed for his mommy for 46minutes straight. I'm exhausted and it's only been 2 hours. Sounds pretty funny, I know.

Oh yeah, did I mention that Mike is off on his annual hunting trip to NY? Yup, he left this morning. So it's just me, our big girl "T", the 3 lights of my life, and the new Baby "X".

Please pray for a quick adjustment and wisdom in handling this whole crazy life. God has blessed us beyond measure and I'm thrilled to be able open our home to another baby.

Still Waiting for a Baby..........

So much has happened this month, and yet it seems like nothing big has happened. But it has. First, I found my biological mother on Facebook--more like she found me. I haven't been looking for her because she hasn't been in my life since I was about 6 months old. I have a fantastic Mom who is technically my step-mom, but I love her so much it doesn't matter what our biological connection. She has been a wonderful example and has always stuck by me even after she and my dad divorced in 1994. In fact she has traveled with me to China and Africa to bring our children home. She's the best!

But, I've always wondered why my biological mother left, what happened to her since she left, and how many other kids does she have. Turns out I have a half brother and sister! Sweet! And as I was viewing my 1/2 sister's Facebook page, I discovered she spent several months in Kenya working at an orphanage--too funny! That's not all that has happened. On a very sad note, my Boxer, Lexus died. She was with me even before I met my husband. I took her to college with me and she would come to the law clinic while I was still in law school. Before I met Mike, I lived alone and she was my best friend. She was the sweetest dog in the world and we can never replace her.

Here are some photos to make you laugh.

Me, my brother, and older sister. I was bigger than all of them.

I took a field trip with Sam's preschool to a pumpkin patch. I try to do it every year because it is so much fun to be with all the kids as they try to find the best pumpkin.

Going on a hayride.

My mom (not bio) and some of the fabulous jewelry she makes. Check it out at www.birthdaybeadparty.com

Lexus and Sam.

My baby girl. I will miss her forever.

Now on to the adoption front....

Lately I feel like this waiting is taking forever. We've been licensed since June for an infant from Maine, but so far we haven't gotten a call. I'm beginning to wonder if this is really what God wants us to do. I really, really REALLY want to adopt internationally again, but Mike wants us to have the money saved first. I have to admit that this time I agree with him. It's not that I don't believe God will provide for us; I know He will--he has twice before. But this time I feel that God is saying, "Not yet--just put the money away and I'll tell you when the time is right." So, that's what I will do and in the meantime I'll keep praying that God will place the right child with us for foster care.

KINDERGARTEN!!!

First day of school! First day of school! Woot! Woot!

Here she is.....

First Grade, Kindergarten, and Motorcycles

We are thrilled that the new school year has started for Thomas. He's in first grade now and LOVES his teacher, classroom, and his locker. Yup! First graders get a locker up here. No locks, but he loves it just the same.

Grace starts Kindergarten this Tuesday and is so excited. (She's had her clothes layed out for over a week now.) I can't wait to post photos of our little princess on her first day of school. Can you believe that just a year ago she couldn't say more than 5 words in English? Now she bosses us all around.

Our little princess is the biggest tomboy around.

Sam is so disappointed that he has to stay in preschool one more year that he's taken to carrying around a notebook and pencil so he can write words to show you that he can read and write--therefore he is CLEARLY ready for school. I tell him that he's only 4 and has to wait another year even though he's brilliant.

Here he is on his cousin, Nolin's dirtbike. He couldn't get enough of it. I love the training wheels, but this baby goes way too fast for a toddler toy.

Daddy trying to hula hoop. Well at least his legs got to see the sun for a few minutes.

Grammy has the hula hoop mastered!

Check in on Tuesday or Wednesday for Grace's first day of school photos!

We are still waiting for a referral of a baby from Maine. But, with a new office to set up and run, a new school year, and a very busy upcoming month I'm happy to wait until God finds a child that will fit in our family.

Our New Direction

In the last two weeks there have been two major changes in our household that I haven't had time to write it all down. So, here is an update:

First, I lost my job two weeks ago. It came as a huge surprise to me. I had been with that same law firm for three years--since before Thomas came home from China--and planned on staying there a lot longer. But, things change and God likes to bring us back into His will when we start getting complacent. So, off I went to start my own little law firm practicing in child protective law and still dabbling in criminal work. I LOVE my work. I love seeing children nurtured and appreciated. Now, I work alone, but have more time to spend with my kids!

Second, we received our license to be foster parents. We really wanted to adopt again, but we just couldn't afford international. We prayed about it, and came to realize that I CHOSE to work in a career field filled with neglected kids. We decided to adopt a child from our home state. To adopt through the state, we have to first be licensed as foster parents. Last week, our license came in the mail! No baby yet, but I'm not rushing God this time.

I find it amazing that I have been praying for God to bless us with more children and to be able to work from home for over a year now. I think God has a plan to meet me just where I am and bless me with the ability to help children. His grace is sufficient and I know that He will provide for all our needs so long as we are walking toward Him.

God is so good.