Patience...Waiting...

Grrr.  Our last home study visit was over a month ago.  I had ALL of my paperwork prepared and turned in then...and I am still WAITING on the final copy of the home study to send in for our government papers.  Yes, I realize that I am not using the same agency for the home study as for the placement, and this does add a bit of time, but I just did not anticipate waiting THIS LONG for it!!  I realize that there is a LOT of hurry up and wait with the adoption process, but had not accounted for it now.
So, trying to be patient, and to use this time to listen to God...to keep my shield on as Satan tries to fight against this child coming home....and to trust.  He has a plan for us, and for this precious little one that He is protecting.  I knew my most trying part of the process would be the WAITING that is not in my control. It is a hard place for me, an uncomfortable zone, but maybe that is just where Jesus wants me to be right now.  Maybe is waiting there.....waiting for me.....
Praying for an open heart...

Eve

Jack's New Buzz Cut

All smiles

looking in the mirror

Looks like Alex from the back!

So much Hair!

SO PROUD!

Looks like Anakin when he became a JEDI!

Jack has wanted a buzz cut for the last 2 months, ever since Alex got one.  He decided that YESTERDAY was the day...since kindergarten is starting next week.  He wanted a 'BIG BOY' hair cut.  So, here you go.  I did not cry, and am very impressed with his courage to COMPLETELY change his look.  He is very handsome and very BIG looking!

Love,

Eve

Beach Trip 2010

We just returned from a lovely trip to the beach.  Last year we went two times with our good friends the R family to Santa Rosa and just loved it.  We both like going on the 4 day weekend trips instead of the week long ones (which is really good for all of the fair complexions in my house!).  BUT, due to additions in the R family and the horrible oil spill, we decided to try out the East Coast this year and headed for Hilton Head!  The boys did so well on the way there...we were stuck in traffic for a bit, but managed to only stop twice.  They are such troopers!  We stayed in a hotel in Hilton Head since the prices were a little high for us (in saving mode, baby!) and let's just say that we won't stay there again.  The R's were on the other side of the place, so we were really disjointed in our meals and plans....but, we made the best of it (again, the boys were so excited to be in a hotel...it gave me a huge encouragement that they will do well when we all get to go to China!), and BOY DID WE LOVE THE BEACH!
The weather was perfect!  My boys swam in the water most of the time...(thank you swim team!).

 Jack was in the water over 4 hours everyday, getting thrown in the air and swimming back to William.  He loved it but it made me a nervous wreck!

 Ben, my animal lover, found starfish, crabs, sand dollars....all kinds of treasures that were all safely released back to the ocean at the end of the day.

 And Alex showed us his continued perseverance as he fished for HOURS....and actually caught about 7 fish.....maybe 5mm big, but man!  He was determined :)

We had so much fun at night eating with the R's and just bonding. It is such a BLESSING to be able to travel together and have all of the kids get along....just a wonderful time.
On the way there, William spotted a beautiful full rainbow that we could see for miles of driving...and it even had white birds flying across.  It was so stunning, I did not even try to capture a photo....just a wonderful memory and vision of GOd's love shining on us.  AND, when we got home, a few days later, we received our HOME STUDY draft! I have been waiting on this since July 20!  There are a few things that need to be altered, but.....woo hoo!  One small step closer!

Thinking about that red thread tonight.....

Love,
Eve

A BEAUTIFUL GIFT

On February 8 of this year, my world was rocked..in a beautiful way.  At breakfast, I told William about my plans for co-leading a mission trip this summer to China  for Our Covenant's Call, the orphan ministry at church.  My friend Stefanie and I were scheduled to meet with Amanda from Visiting Orphans that day for lunch.  William told me he did not think I should go this year, and gave every reason he could think of (child care, Jack...etc), but I kept butting my head and insisting.  Finally, he told me that he had PLANNED on telling me in June, but since I kept pushing on February 8, he told me then.  He had decided LAST August that he also wanted to adopt, and had been working extra hard to save money for this adoption.  He did not want to tell me until he had the finances in place...so we could just focus on HER :)  I was floored...for years I had really wanted to adopt, and felt that God was calling ME to do so, but then I realized that William was not in the same place as me. I fought with God about it, and then finally prayed that we would meet in the middle.  My passion to adopt was quieted as I focused on Our Covenant's Call,  the Safe Room, and the Middle TN Orphan Alliance duties.  William is a strong, passionate person as well, and he does not like to be "cornered" into making a decision! Once I backed off about adoption, he started his own research and decided YES...we could have one more child in our family.   It is one of the most BEAUTIFUL stories of our family!

We told the boys at Disneyworld on April  7.  They have sponsored babies at Starfish for their birthdays for the last 3 years and always asked WHY we could not bring a sister home too.  I think they thought when I went to China in 2008 that I would have brought home a sister then!  I made fortune cookies with special quotes inside, and had each one in a box that had a letter in  "SISTER" on it.  The waiter at the Chinese restaurant brought them out for us, and the boys immediately spelled out "RESIST" :).  Once they figured it out, they were stunned and excited!

They are now so excited!  They have been collecting toys to put in her "room" when she gets here, even though it will be quite awhile from now!  Ben took a Mandarin Chinese class at one of his camps so he could "talk to his sister" when he meets her! On June 19, William gave me the thumbs up to get started on the process...so we have been knee deep in paper chasing and social work meetings since then.  I will put up a time line soon, but just had to get the word out that WE ARE ADOPTING..... and adding a new precious little one to our family!!!

Love,
Eve

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

Brave

My Boys.....Memorial Day Weekend!

Jack

Ben

Alex

Getting back to blogging

Well, it has been almost 18 months since I have blogged for myself!  I have been posting the blogs for Amanda at Starfish, and sending out her newsletter, which I have sadly used as my excuse NOT to blog for me!   Life has been busy and hectic, but, that is the name of the game now and I would not have it any other way.  I am trying to update and "tweak" my blog a bit so I can get back in the groove.

For now...we have news, we have changes in our lives...my "baby" will be in kindergarten next year, and my oldest will be in 5th grade....so hard to believe!  I am so happy it is summer...what a great time just to BE with family and friends....no pressures, just fun....LOVE IT!

Will leave with this verse that has been on my mind: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11