How many kids do you have?

I get this question a lot. "So, how many kids do you have?" You wouldn't think that my answer would take a whole paragraph to explain. However, in my case it does. I already feel like we are a family of six. I forget I only have 3 children legally.  I should have 4.

Even though our family pictures only show 3 little boys there is this SUPER SPECIAL little girl missing. I know she will be in them eventually, but in some ways it feels like forever. I know once she is here the wait will be just a memory, but while we are in it I'm anxious for it to be over. I am so excited to have her here. I know there will be mountains to climb once she is here. I get that. But we have 4 kids not just 3. I am constantly counting heads and feeling like I am one short. I'm sure this makes no sense, but I just feel like our family is missing some one.

7 months

As usual this is a few days late. As of Sunday we have been waiting 7 months. That is officially the range our agency gave us when we started when we started as the "referral range". Most referrals happen within 7-11 months. However, at this point, with the situation in Ethiopia there is a good chance we will be waiting longer than that.

We are very anxious and excited to meet our baby girl. There is a big empty baby girl shaped hole in our family. God is very much stretching us. He is teaching me not only to wait, but to depend on him while I do so. Today we have a conference call. I'm praying they will have good news for us. We have to stay hopeful.

We are so thankful for your continued prayers. Please pray for the Ethiopian government. Pray that there are significant changes in the process that help more orphans find their forever families. Pray for our baby girl. And please pray for our family as we miss her so.

I'm sitting in my parent's living room in AZ. I had the opportunity to come out to help my mom after her surgery. She is doing very well. Today she is at the doc and they may even be taking out her staples. She still has a little way to go to her full recovery, but she is getting around pretty well for having just had her surgery a little over a week ago. They are pretty sure they got all of the cancer which is great news.

Just wanted to give an updated. Thanks for your prayers.

Prayer Request

While this is not adoption related I have a prayer request. My mom will be going in for surgery today. A few months ago they found some cancer on her kidney. They will be cutting out the majority of that kidney this morning. I know she is nervous. This is a long recovery and a big surgery. I'd love if there were many people who would be willing to pray for her. Her name is Ellen. I know God is so much bigger than cancer. He is our creator and our healer. Thank you ahead of time for joining my family in prayer. This means so much.