Practice

This week the boys and I have embarked on our first no daddy vacation. This is not by choice, but we are saving up Dan's vacation time for a very exciting trip (to Ethiopia...twice). Much of my family is out in AZ and we hadn't been to visit in a long time. It was at least before Levi was born. So, Tuesday I packed up the boys we did our normal Tuesday school thing. They had a fun Valentines day party. Then we went to our favorite place for Chicken and grabbed some nuggets (Holla for some Chick fil A). Then we got in the car and drove to South Bend, IN. Car trip was amazing. Every one napped. I got to chat with one of my BFFs for about an hour. Listened to one of my Dave Ramsey CDs and then we jammed out to some Veggie tales.

Wed we headed to the airport. Got checked in went through security and all went well. We rode a budget airline who is not super kid friendly. It was like the running of the bulls getting on this plane. From there it went down hill...They started boarding 45 mins before they were supposed to leave I was there 2 hours early so we were ready. However, being the super cheap frugal gal that I am I opted not to spend extra to board early (mistake number one). Then we boarded each big boy had a back pack, I had a backpack, a baby and a diaper bag, and a rolling suitcase. They had us walk up a set of stairs to the plane and just watched as Levi tried to wiggle out of my arms. As I was trying to find my seat one of the stewardess asked if she could check my rolling suitcase which had all our extra clothes in it. I had just checked Levi and he was totally dry so I said sure. We found our seats and got settled. As soon as we sat down Levi peed out all over me. I quickly changed his diaper on my lap, but we had to stay in our yucky clothes. Isaac and Asher were perfect through all this may I say. They were so excited. They played quietly ate snacks, and enjoy the flight. Then there was my precious baby who had apparently been possessed by the plane demon upon entry. Screaming kicking, hitting seats, stepping on his brothers. I did get him to sleep for a little over an hour (best part of the trip). Then he woke up during our descent and was ANGRY. Not quite as angry as the elderly lady sitting next to us, but he was mad.

Honestly we had a good flight with minimal issues, but  flying with a lapchild is less than ideal. It made me think about our trip home with our baby girl. This poor baby will be completely out of her element. With these two strangers for a really long time in a really short space. I don't know what that will look like, but I have a feeling God may have been giving me some practice before the big trip. All that being said I am still ready to get on the plane and go get her. (even though we still have a long while before that happens.)

The funny part about the whole trip is that we got off the plane and Levi was happy and sweet. You would never have thought he had just given his mama such a hard time. :) He slept well last night and today has been having fun at Gigi's and Pop pop's. Isaac is having a blast. He and Asher had a tennis lesson today. And now he and my mom are swimming. Asher is taking a nap and I am hanging out with my baby  for a bit. Tonight we get to go to the restaurant\my dad works at. Yum. We are spending time with my grandparents and Aunt and Uncle. It will be a fun week. We are missing Daddy though. It will be worth getting back on a plane to go home and see him.

Adoption freebie

I'm super excited about this freebie. You can download Adopted for Life FREE! I haven't read (or listened) to this yet, but I have heard it is a great book.

Ethiopia Video

I found this video on another adoption blog. It was too good not to share.

2 Months!

We have been waiting for 2 months as of today! The wait time right now for an infant girl is still 7-11 months. I have been so encouraged lately by several of our friends who are in process or who have brought their children home. This wait seems so long, and there are no exacts. It is such a growing process for me.

Monday night I was feeling very discouraged. I was sitting filling out paper work for grants. First my mind went to funding. HOW ARE WE EVER GOING TO PAY FOR THIS? When we started this journey I sat down with my friend the calculator. I figured if we save x amount, Dan should get X amount for his bonus, I can do X amount in extras to bring in money. But my plans are human plans. Bonuses were record low this year, something major has come up each month keeping us from saving the full amount planned, and my extra money making is not consistent.

I remember talking to a friend right after we had started all of this. We were discussing the cost and she said something that just rings so true. I told her the adoption cost and her response was "That's awesome. because you know you can't do it. Only God can fund that!" That has been some of the best truth. I tell myself that constantly.

So back to Monday, I was already a little frazzled and lies were beginning to creep in. As I am filling out a application there are several questions about attachment and how we plan to handle this. Again more lies start flooding in and fear starts to creep in. I decided to take a break and head over to the Yahoo group for our agency. Some one was asking about hair products. By this point I am already an internal mess. I start thinking about hair. What am I going to do with this girl's hair?! I can hardly braid my own hair. This is a mess.

God is good and he gave me a husband who is sane. (Praise the Lord, one of us needs to be) So he told me it was time for bed and we shut down for the night. The next morning I ran into a friend at the store who is also in process for a little girl from Ethiopia. Their wait has been so much longer than anticipated (they are with another agency). It was so good just to get her perspective that the wait is long, but when our girls are home it just won't matter any more.

In filling out the application we realized God has provided over $11,000 already. The realization came to me that I am just like the children of Israel in the desert. God continues to provide over and over and yet I am still not putting all my faith in him. Shame on me. God has made it clear it is his plan for us to grow our family through adoption. He LOVES adoption. Of course he will provide. Yes, our daughter may take time to adjust, but there is no need for fear God has this under control. And the hair thing, seriously, I am ridiculous!

So, there is my brain purge for the evening. All said and done. God is faithful, He is good, He loves us and cares for us. And some day that will sink in to my thick skull and STAY there. I love that God is using this process not just as a time to wait, but as a time to refine me. He is teaching me so much right now. GOD IS GOOD.

Things to come

Yet another day where I sit and longingly wish we were closer to getting our baby girl home. However, God is good to keep me busy and we have lots to be excited for during our wait.

Coming up:
-Tonight we are going bowling to celebrate a friend's 30th b day.
-This weekend we have no plans!!! I think we might try and take the kids to go see Mega mind now that it is in the cheap seats. Or go to the Cinci children's museum. Either way family time!!
-Back to babysitting next week. Yay for baby money!
- Going out west to see my fam in AZ in Feb
- Isaac turns five in Feb. and Dan will turn 28 so we will be partying it up. :)
-End of March we will be going to a home school conference. We booked our hotel room. Now all we need is a sitter and we have a productive get away for us.
-Getting ready to put together a few more  fundraisers. Yay, for more baby money!

What's funny is that we are less crazy than normal. It is kind of nice. However, busy is good. It keeps me going and time passing. So, hopefully we will keep busy until our referral. :)

Goodbye 2010

When I look at this year so much of it is a blur. The major event that sticks out is adoption. We have been paperchasing and fundraising much of the year. We have had friends get married, several of our friends are having babies, and we have met several other adoptive families. We are so thankful for the friendships God has blessed us with new and old. 
!
I am looking forward to 2011. My hope is that our big events next year include a trip to Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia and of course, bringing home our little girl!

Amazing how a year can make a difference. Here is a look back to how my little boys have grown this past year

 Early 2010

Here they are at Chritstmas. 

They get so big so quick. I can't wait to have another little one added to this brood! We will be praying for 2011 to be the year that many babies come home to their forever families! 

Happy New Year!

Parents night out fundraiser

Last Friday we did a Parents night out fund raiser. We joined forces with the Rogers again for this and we had a blast. We had so many amazing volunteers. So many of our friends who do not have their own children showed up to help watch 23 kids! Other friends who have their own little ones dropped them off and got a night out. We had so much fun with all these little ones. Here are a few pictures of our fun.

Thank you to all who volunteered. Thank you to all who dropped off your little ones. We are so blessed that we have so many who have helped support the adoption. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!