The Lord My Strong Tower

Can you guess???

2011-08-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

Can anyone guess who Lidya loves?????

Help Bring Constance Home!!!!

2011-08-03T07:34:00.001-07:00

Father's Day

2011-06-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Tracy, a sponsor mom and her brother are professionally printing and mailing Father's Day cards that will benefit the children at Grace Baptist care-point.

You, your friends and family can celebrate your father by making a monetary donation that will be presented to Grace Baptist care-point in Kombolcha, Ethiopia. Your monetary gift will be will go to purchase new shoes for all the children. One pair of shoes costs $18 but any donation amount of $5 or greater will be accepted.

We are very excited about this opportunity to honor fathers and bless the children a Grace Baptist

http://www.mommysmoneysavingmadness.com/2011/06/give-gift-of-changing-childs-life-this.html

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

GOTCHA DAY a year ago...

2011-04-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

The Moment that we had waiting for!

Mongolian Spots...

2011-04-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

When we were in Ethiopia almost a year ago, after taking placement
of Lidya we were so excited to see her, we never noticed until the 2nd
or 3rd day bathing her that she had these spots(very very prominent on
her lower back and her crack(hehe). I, of course thought the worst... After
giving Lidya check from head to toe, we noticed that she had these
markings on both shoulders wrists, ankles, and lower back and crack....
She had a whopping of 8 total....We asked and they thought maybe she
just easley bruised?? So after leaving Ethiopia, it was our 1st home
placement with our caseworker. She was asking all kinds of questions
and one of them was did she have any unusal markings....I said
"What, markings, Like these?" Our caseworker couldn't believe
how many Lidya had...I was so relieved to know these markings
had a name...Mongolian Spots....

I was just curious if anyone else has these Spots?????

We passed court a year ago today!!!

2011-03-30T11:17:00.001-07:00

We can't believe it's been a year ago today we passed court...Wow, where does the time go??? This time last year we introduced our daughter, Lidya Mekele Jordyn Mullins to the world!!! Brings tears to my eyes to see how much she's grown...We love her so much!!!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Enjoying the warm weather....

2011-03-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

Referral-versary(1-22-10/1-22-11)

2011-01-22T18:52:00.000-08:00

One year ago today we saw your face for the 1st time. We had waited for 8 months praying for God’s perfect timing for bring you forth. The wait was agonizing but so worth it. We trusted in the Lord and seeing what he’d handpicked for our family was AMAZING!

I had gone to work just like any other day. This day I was bound and determined not to think about the Gladney list and the phone call. (Everyone that’s at the top of the list can relate.) It was around 1:15 and my phone was ringing and I glanced down at the ID and it said “unavailable!” I answered and it was Kristin. She said “April, it’s your day, I have your referral!” I was floored!!!! You play over and over in your mind how the call will go down, and let me tell you it didn’t go down how I had believed it would. So, Kristin told me her name was Lidya and she was 2 mths old .She said to call her when we got home and she would email us all the information….

We got home and called Kristin and she was emailing us all the information for Lidya and her story. All of this was so surreal…We had waiting for the moment and it was here and it seemed like I was dreaming…So Kristin’s email came through and we clicked on the 1st picture. This was it; we were going to see our precious little angel we had been praying for, for the 1st time. Here was my reaction!!!!

Here’s the first picture we seen of you….You were Perfect and Beautiful!!!

Looking back at Lidya’s pictures that we received and fast forwarding a year, it’s so hard to believe that it’s been a year ago….

The bonding and attachment came so easy. She knew that we were her mom and dad.

Over the next few months after returning home, Lidya’s personality just blossomed. She touched everybody’s heart that she came into contact with…

Over this year we watched her do the following:

· Rolling over

· Crawling

· Cutting teeth

· Saying dada and momma

· Standing on her own

· Starting to walk(EVERWHERE)

· Going from a infant car seat to a big girl car seat.

· Saying doggie and kittie kat

· Waving bye bye

· Giving kisses(That’s Lidya’s favorite)

· Stop taking a bottle!!!(YAY!!)

· Taking a Big Girl Sippy Cup!!

· Saying Sissy and Bub

· Cleans up after she makes a mess.(Yes she does CLEAN UP, she does it a Daycare and it carries over to the house!! SO YAY!)

· Feeding herself

· Taking off her clothes in her crib.(she loves going Commando)

. She started feeding Sophie(our dog) her snacks...She loves to share:)

Many people ask us are you going to adopt again and the answer is “YES!” and they say when? We just say it’s all in God’s timing….So stay tuned…

Wordless Wednesday...

2011-01-12T12:56:00.000-08:00

Diamonds are a girls BFF....

2011-01-08T10:25:00.000-08:00

Lidya recieved her first pair of Diamonds....And let me tell you she wouldn't turn
those baby's loose...

What girl wouldn't want diamonds from ZALES?????

Wordless Wednesday..

2010-12-22T09:04:00.000-08:00

Re-adoption Day!!!

2010-12-02T17:50:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas came a little early this year...Lidya's re-adoption was final today...YAY!!!

WOW!!! This time last year we were awaiting our referral, I was stalking the Gladney FBI List and other BLOGS. We were rejoicing with other adoptive families with their referral and praying that ours would come soon...What a roller coaster!!!!

This year has been a whirl wind of emotions, life changing events and memories with other adoptive families that we will cherish forever...Ethiopia has totally changed our lives and we can't wait to visit our home away from home again...We can't wait to adopt again, yes we're going to adopt again, when? God's timing....

Lidya turns 1...

2010-11-13T16:48:00.000-08:00

Lidya's big day started off with smiles...She woke up at 7:30 and by the time her party rolled around @ 1 there wasn't too much smiling...(Did I mention that there was NO Nap in between time..)

She's not sure about this jumping thingy...

See no smiles...But she loves her sissy...

She loves her bubby....

We thought that opening gifts would make her happy, but that's a big NO...

Well maybe....

Mommy reading to her...she's so not happy...

All this girl wants is a NAP!!!

Her God Father got a smile out of his girl...But it didn't last for long...

It's her PARTY and she will CRY if she wants too!!!!

Happy Fall!!!

2010-11-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

Lidya loved the pumpkin patch...

We loved watching her as she took all of this in...

She was the prettiest Princess EVER!!!

Newspaper...

2010-10-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Orphan Sunday is coming up in November and our local newspaper wants to do a story on Lidya's adoption. We are so EXCITED!!! We know that God has BIG PLANS for our little girl and this is just the beginning....

5 months!!!!

2010-09-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it's been 5 months since Lidya was placed in our arms. I mean really, where has the time gone???? She has her 1st tooth, she's working on the 2nd one. She's standing and trying her little best to walk...God Bless her...She's such a blessing and a beauty....

**Also, on the 27th is Zadie's 1st Birthday!!! Happy Birthday Zadie, We Love and Miss You!!! We will see you soon!!!!

What a MONTH!!!

2010-09-20T10:27:00.000-07:00

This has been one WILD Month!!! At the beginning of the month Brad had been getting sick and he stayed that way for about 2 weeks. Everything he ate it made him sick to his stomach. Then, he was admitted to the hospital and they ran test after test, then finally figured out it was his GALL BLADDER!! (That's what I was telling him all along..) They scheduled him for surgery and removed that sucker....(YAY!!) As soon as he came out of surgery, he said he felt a relief!!!!
This month a Big Change has happend for me....I have started back taking night classes for Nursing...I had taken some classes before we started the adoption process and I put Nursing on the back burner...Since being in Ethiopia that desire is on FIRE now!!!! I'm so excited!!! I have only 3 semsters left!

Now onto Lidya...She has her 1st Tooth!!! It's been a long process of getting that little sucker....She is pulling up to everything and standing all by herself....She's a princess with a attitude!!! What a Blessing!!!

Pure Cuteness!!

2010-09-02T18:38:00.001-07:00

Need I say more???

9 months...

2010-08-12T07:53:00.000-07:00

Today Lidya Mekele Jordyn is 9 months. She's a crawler, not pulling up on anything yet. She has no teeth, we joke when people see her drooling they say,"she must be teething?" We say yep, "she's been teething for 3 months now and still no teeth." My husband said that one morning we're going to wake up and Lidya will have a whole mouth full of teeth...Lidya has such a sweet spirit. She's such a wonderful loving little girl. Every month around the 12th, I think of her mother. We didn't know her or get to meet her, I think about her, I just wish that I could tell her that Lidya is wonderful, beautiful, loving, a snuggle bug, indepedent, and such a blessing. I just want to Thank her!!! I found this poem yesterday and posted it, but I think that I will post it again....It's not only to Lidya, but her birth mother...

Once there were two women who never knew each other,
One - you do not remember, the other you call mother.
Two different lives shaped to make yours,
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first gave you life, and the second taught you to live in it.
The first gave you a need for love and the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name.
One gave you the seed of talent; the other gave you an aim.
One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.
One gave you up - that's all she could do.
The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you.

Dear Lidya,

2010-08-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

Once there were two women who never knew each other,

One - you do not remember, the other you call mother.

Two different lives shaped to make yours,

One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.

The first gave you life, and the second taught you to live in it.

The first gave you a need for love and the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name.

One gave you the seed of talent; the other gave you an aim.

One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears.

One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.

One gave you up - that's all she could do.

The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you.

Love,
Mommy

We miss these lovely ladies...

2010-08-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

We can't wait until Spring time to see this awesome family....We miss you guys!!!

Back Crawl???????

2010-07-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

Lidya's not crawling, but she gets where she needs to go!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

2 months...

2010-06-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

First thing, I can't believe that it's been 2 months already, where has the time gone????

     Lidya is doing great, bonding and attachment is going wonderfully. She loves her Mommy, Daddy, Bubby and Sissy(we are the only ones that can hold her without a puckered lip) She's doing a little better about family members holding her...We notice that when anyone speaks to her, she immediately buries her face in my chest or her dad's...That just reassures her that we are her security...She has No teeth yet, I'm praying they come through soon...She's so vocal, she says Bye-Bye, Bub...She's such a doll....

     I can't imagine our life without Lidya. Our life sure has changed since bringing her home...Let me tell you, it's been hard at times...Sometimes when she's feeling sad ,I hold her and it's like I feel her sadness...I try to comfort her all that I can...Am I greiving for my daughter???? Am I grieving for things that are unknown??? We don't know anything about her family, only that she was abandoned and a policman found her...I have alot of regrets of not going to Mekele and visiting where Lidya was born...The way our travel plans where made, there were just no way of going...I have had a hard time with this.... Regrets and not knowing ...Am I having some kind of Post Adoption depression???? ..I don't have the answers, but God comforts me everyday, and reassures me that he's in control and this is all part of his plan....


     I remember our trip every second of the day..I can't get the government orphanges off of my mind...I constantly sit and think of the children...What are doing??? Are they okay??? Do they have enough to eat??? Are they going to be adopted??? I remember how hot it was in there where the babies were and I remember bending to pick up a little boy about 5 months out of his crib, he was so excited for someone to show him attention the pee ran down to his toes...I remember looking at Brad and seeing him bent down beside a crib crying as he was feeding a little baby only a few weeks old ... I remember looking at the other families and the sadness on their faces, tears in our eyes.....They all had the same thought as we did., how this could have been our babies laying there....How very emotional it was for us....  It's totally changed my life...Ethiopia has changed my life!!!

   What do I miss about Ethiopia??? Everthing!!!!

   We are planning to take a trip to Mekele Ethiopia when Lidya is a little older...This time the whole family is going to experience everything like we did...And who knows we might be getting a new addition to our family?????

A fun get together....

2010-06-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

Lidya's first little get together with her Ethiopian friends...

Natalie, Lidya and Davis...

This is Lidya with her buddy Davis...

So happy to see my great friends Stephanie and Kami and their kiddo's...We had a great time!!!

Sweet, Sweet Girl....

2010-06-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

One month home!!!! (Holy Cow)

2010-06-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

As I sit here typing, I'm in shock that we've been home for a month now....I can't imagine our life without Lidya Mekele Jordyn. She brings such joy to our lives...She's all smiles(all the time) We are so blessed and thankful that our Father in Heaven picked us to be her parents...We just adore our precious little lady...

As I remember the govt. runned orphanages, I think of what her life could have been..I thank God for his plan for her life and that it includes us....Just thinking that our God knew all of this before he even formed this world, amazes me...How Great is Our God?? He's AWESOME!!!

We love our Girl!!!

2010-06-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

Our little Cupcake!!!

2010-05-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that it's been 1 month as being a family....Yep, one month....Where has the time gone??? We're so blessed that Lidya is in our lives and we're in hers... We give all the Glory to the LORD!!

Wordless Wednesday.....

2010-05-26T07:15:00.001-07:00

Day 3

2010-05-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

On day 3 in Addis Ababa, we went to Gladney's Foster Care Centers....This is also the day that we would meet Lidya's caregiver...As soon as we arrived this lady was asking about Lidya and she took her right away...(It was her caregiver..) As Lidya was wisked away, we followed Travis to the Foster Care Centers where we seen all the babies...Which I can say to the parents that are waiting to travel, your babies are in GREAT CARE!!! Then, we went and seen the toddlers, were we meet Heidi's twin boys...(What cutie's they are!!) We went back to the main house where we enjoyed the Coffee Ceremony...Here's some pictures....

As it was time to go, Lidya's caregiver brought her to us in her Beautiful Ethiopian Dress..... It was Hard to say "GOODBYE!!" We will always be grateful to this lady....

Day 2

2010-05-17T05:35:00.000-07:00

On day 2 of our trip, we went to the Holy Trinity Church...While we were waiting on Travis to get there. There were 2 weddings going on...They were beautiful...Here's some pictures....The drumming they played was wonderful....It's a beautiful place....I enjoyed visiting there..

DAY 1

2010-05-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

After a long flight on Ethiopian Airlines, we arrived at the BeJoe House. We got to unpack and rested for a bit..Then, Travis brought us our Sweet Lidya...At first, she was checking us all out....Then, she cried for about 3 hours straight (which broke our hearts!) We tried everything to calm her down, nothing worked.....Then after 3 hours, she layed down on my chest and fell asleep....When she woke up, she was perfectly fine!!! She has bonded with us wonderfully!!! She has such a sweet spirit...

We stayed at the BeJoe House in Addis Ababa...What a wonderful place to stay...The staff there were amazing!!! Just like Leanne said, "it's home away from home!!"

Our driver while we were in Ethiopia was Eyasu...He didn't speak that good of English, but he was wonderful...They call him the "Gentle Giant." (I love this picture of them!!)

So Sweet....

2010-05-11T06:13:00.001-07:00

And We're Off!!!!

2010-04-25T07:27:00.000-07:00

This is the day that we've been waiting for, for the past 15 months.....We leave out late tonight and fly out in the wee hours of the morning....So excited to finally meet out precious little girl and hold her in our arms.....I'm full of emotions...THIS IS IT!!!! We get to spend this journey with 2 other Gladney families, that we can't wait to meet and stay with in the same guest house.....Wow!! What a journey....and this is just the Beginning!!!! I won't be posting anything until we get back, I just want to spend every second with our little Lidya.....So everyone take care... God Bless!!!

FLIGHTS ARE BOOKED!!!! FINALLY!!!!!

2010-04-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

We praise GOD for his awesome works....We finally recieved news today that we are good to go!!!! We will be flying out Monday morning and arriving in Addis Tuesday morning....We are overwhelmed!!!! These last few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions....But our GOD is faithful, he heard our cries and delivered us.....Praise GOD!!!!
So now, anyone wants pictures taken of there sweet little ones, please email aprilm7777@yahoo.com
I received a wonderful package in the mail today from this family. I promise to give lots of hugs and kisses to all the babies and kiddos we've already promised to take pics of......I remember how important it was to me for families traveling to do it for us.......It's time to return the favor....

Ms. Lidya Mekele

2010-04-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

Ms.Lidya will be 5 months tomorrow...We send a "HUGE" Thank You to this family Michael and Katie for sending us wonderful pictures of our little girl.....

Please Pray.....

2010-04-06T14:10:00.000-07:00

We have to update our homestudy and we have to submit it to CIS (due to our trucking company)....Please pray that this will not delay our travel....Yes, we have an embassy appt. April 29th and I'm believing God will pour out his favor on us with our new approval and it will get here SUPER FAST!!!
We're meeting with our homestudy caseworker tonight to get this update finished and get it out tomorrow. We also submitted a desperate plea letter to the CIS office.... Please pray that our approval will come SUPER FAST!!!

I will keep everyone updated!!! Thanks for your prayers!!

It's OFFICIAL!!!! SHE'S OURS!!!!!

2010-03-30T13:16:00.001-07:00

It's Official!!!!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

While we're asleep.....

2010-03-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

Tonight while we sleep the MOWA will give an opinion on our case....I pray that everything is in order and the Favor of God over us....Say a prayer for us tonight.....

I just recieved a picture of our beautiful little lady from my wonderful blogging buddy Gail, thank you Gail!!!!

This time next week....

2010-03-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

Just pondering on this time next week...March 30th is special in 2 ways...One of course is that it's our COURT DATE and the 2nd is that it's the day that I lost my dad 17 years ago to cancer....I was 18 yrs. old just graduated High School starting my adult life and he was taking away within 3 months after he found out he was sick....I stayed right by his side, seen him give his life to Jesus and I was with him until he took his last breath.....He fought hard..... I know that he's absent from me, and that he's present with the Lord....

Please say a prayer for us on Monday night!!!!

WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!!!!!

2010-03-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

We recieved news today that our court date is March 30th....We're so excited!!!! Praise be to GOD!!!

Updates on our precious little girl....She weighs 13 lbs, a head full of hair and GORGEOUS!!! We can't wait to get her.....

Our status with our case....

2010-03-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Well everyone knows about the policy that's went into effect for families adopting from Ethiopia....Needless to say that it has been a roller coaster of emotions for everyone... The thought of traveling twice(additional finances), meeting your child, then having to leave him/her to come back at a later date is VERY EMOTIONAL.....

We recieved a email from our caseworker stating she was informed from the in-country staff that (due to the specifics) of our case, the new policy WILL NOT effect us because our case had already been submitted to the Federal Courts before the policy went into effect and we only have to travel once...They're awaiting our court date....PRAISE GOD!!!

We give all the Glory to GOD!!!!

Baby Shower....

2010-02-22T18:01:00.000-08:00

This weekend family and friends gave us a baby shower....We had a turn out like nothing I had ever seen....We recieved gifts like I had never seen...I'm so grateful and thankful for this awesome time with family and friends...Thanks to everyone for their help and their blessings....

This cake was Awesome!!! Top layer(Red Velvet)Bottom layer(white with raspberry filling!!!) YUMMY!!!

My Best Friend had these blankets made...One is a precious moments blanket and the other blanket is of white and black babies...Love it!!!!

Her first pair of Nike Shox!!!

3 Months!!

2010-02-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

Our precious little girl turns 3 months today...We long to hold her and kiss her....I sit at work and look at her pictures on my computer and hold back the tears. We love her soooo much it hurts..I pray for all the families that await court dates...I pray that God will move and dates will come!!! I also pray for the families awaiting referrals, I pray God will move and the calls will come!!!

Right now...

2010-01-31T18:18:00.000-08:00

Right now this wonderful family is in Ethiopia getting their precious baby....Also, their taking pictures of our bundle of love....I can't wait to see new pictures of her....I know that it's just been a week since we received our referral, but I just feel that I need to get every picture that I can of her, I don't want to miss one thing... I have 2 other wonderful families traveling soon and taking care packages over to her (more pictures also)....I have her covered with hugs and kisses for the next month until we can get her...

So come on COURT DATE!!!

How it all went down....

2010-01-24T17:13:00.000-08:00

Well let me back up to Thursday morning the 21st....I was thinking that something was going on with no referrals, so I emailed my caseworker Kristin to ease my mind....She emailed me and told me that everything was fine and not to worry...She said have a great weekend. I thought okay she must know that there would be no more referrals for the rest of the week...

So I came to work the next day(Friday) thinking nothing about the call, thinking that it would come sometime next week. It was around 1:15 and I was talking with friends at work, they were asking how everything was coming with our adoption..I said it's going great, we're at the top of the waitlist, just hanging out waiting on God's timing....They said don't worry it's all in his timing...(during them saying this my phone starts ringing.) I looked at the caller id and seen it's unavailable. I didn't think much of it because I knew it would come up Texas 817 #. So I answered and said Dickenson Coutny Career Center this is April....Then, I heard the sweetiest voice say Hello April, It's Kristin, today is your day!!! Crying uncontrollably, I just kept saying O MY GOSH!!!! O MY GOSH!!!!!

Kristin and I had discused it earlier on that if I was at work, she could tell me our baby's name and how old she was, and the rest could wait until I got a hold of Brad and we got infront of our computer....She began to tell me her name and how old she was....I asked is she healthy?? She said a little under weight but very healthy....The next question was did she have hair??? I know that sounds stupid, but that was the thing I asked with both of my kids...Krisitn replied yes, straight with little curls at the ends....After more sobbing, I told Kristin I would get ahold of Brad and we'd call her when we got home.

After getting a hold of Brad, he came home and we called Kristin..We were sitting infront of the computer shaking like a leaf...Kristin said I'm sending the pictures let me know when you get them...I said okay we have them....She said open them up..O my gosh is right...She's the most precious, beautiful, tiny little miracle we'd ever seen...Kristin began to go through her referral information...She told us her name, and we love her name, were keeping it and adding Jordyn to the end....Here's the picture of us first seeing our little precious gift....

We are blown away with how God worked everything out. Let me tell you, your call will come when you least expect it....This weekend has been a whirl wind.. So thankful to Gladney what an awesome agency...Kristin our casworker she's awesome!! To all my blog buddies, Thank You!!! Your comments were so appreciated.....For the ones that's not recieved your referrals, your time is coming....
Now we wait for our court date....

Praying for all the families having court dates tomorrow....

We got the CALL!!!

2010-01-22T15:08:00.000-08:00

We recieved the call today @1:15. She's precious, 2 months old.....So tiny and beautiful!!!!We are in awe of her and of our God!!!Praise be to God!!!! I'll post more about it later.....

Congrats.....

2010-01-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

I want to say Congrats to the family that's been at the top of the list with us for the past month. They recieved their referral yesterday for a baby girl....Yay!! Also seen on facebook that the Bottomly family recieved their referral yesterday also....
So, it looks like the referrals are picking back up....I'm officially #1 on the FBI list........

While we wait......

2010-01-18T13:33:00.000-08:00

As most of you all know we've been waiting for our baby over the 8 month mark........So, the best thing that I know to do during the wait (besides praying) is shopping.....Here's a few things that we picked up for our baby Jordyn...(in case you didn't know, her name is Jordyn!!!)

I love this stroller....I ordered it online at Walmart.com It's very easy to push and has lots of room....Just Love it!!!!

We have clothes, stroller, bottles, crib, all we need is our REFERRAL!!!!! Our precious baby and her family are in our thoughts and prayers every second of the day....May God bless them and give them comfort and peace.....

Haiti adoptions in limbo....Please Pray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-01-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

Today I came across this article and my heart just ached....haiti adoptions in limbo
I feel so sad for the parents(adopting) and the children that are going to be adopted....Please pray that the govt. will issue emergency visas or something to get these children home to their adopted families....God Bless these children and their families.....

Things are SLOWWWWW....

2010-01-14T09:21:00.000-08:00

On the referral front things are moving slow....

Praying for the people in Haiti after the devastating earthquake...Our God is the comforter in a time of trouble. He's the guidance when we need lead..He's the provider when we have needs...What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn around for the good....I just pray for peace and comfort for the people of Haiti....God Bless them all.....

Praying for these...

2010-01-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

This week let's keep these three families lifted up in Prayer. January 15th is their court dates. Let's pray that all paper work and anything else that needs to be in order will be in the name of Jesus....

Almost 8 months....

2010-01-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

Well Monday will be 8 months waiting...The waiting process has been a roller coaster of emotions...As we started into our 7 month, I thought we would have our referral during this month..Well God has other plans.. "For my thought are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, " says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

So we are....Resting in the Lord, and waiting patiently for Him; Psalms 37:7

10 Unforgettable Events in 2009

2010-01-02T10:28:00.000-08:00

1. We met Natalie and the Meade family for the 1st time.....(Friends for Life)

2. We met Davis and the Monge Family for the 1st time....(Friends for Life)

3. We were placed on the WAIT LIST for our little girl....

4.My son turns 16....

5. My son breaks his wrist. (But that doens't keep him from fishing....)

6. My son get his Drivers Licenses.

7. All our friends come together to fundraise and help get our Adoption and Ethiopia trip paid in full....

8.My daughter gets glasses.

9. Blizzard of 2009 hits Virginia. 18 inches of snow and power is down for over 6,000 people in our county alone.

10. No Power for 8 long days, including Christmas.....

Good Bye 2009, HELLO 2010....

Thanks Adoption Buddies.....

2009-12-31T16:19:00.000-08:00

I just want to say "THANKS" to you that commented on my last post.....Your encouraging words made my day sooooooo much better......It's okay to have a minny break down during the Adoption wait, right????

Seriously, thanks to every encouraging words that you left me...It brightened my day....God Bless and Have a Blessed and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This wait is sooooo hard......

2009-12-29T16:25:00.000-08:00

We knew in the beginning that the Adoption process would be a long one.....

Being at the top of the list and seeing our 7 month come and go....

It's been very difficult dealing with the wait....After having myself a pity party,( my husband is the patient one.) I come to the realization that their is a family in Ethiopia making the hardest decision of their life, and here I am boo-hooing over my wait...Am I being selfish???? Or does everyone have these feelings???

Perfect PEACE...... God is telling us.....Perfect Peace....

2009-12-29T07:39:00.000-08:00

This is my devotion for this morning....

Blessed are the peacemakers,for the

will be called sons of God.

( Matthew 5:9 *NIV )

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give

you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do

not be afraid. ( John 14:27 )

The peace of God, which

transcends all understanding, will guard your

hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

We have POWER!!!!!

2009-12-26T11:38:00.000-08:00

December 18th it came an aweful Winter Storm here where we live(Virginia)...It knocked out all Power for us until today December 26 @ 2:05.(that is 8 loooong days...)...It's been a rough Christmas, but thank God for Red Cross that was here to help get people to the shetlters that had power and water....That was another thing no water.....But everything is now back on ...Thank you God......
Still waiting for our referral......Were trusting and knowing that God's timing is Perfect......

Are you rapture ready???

2009-12-18T08:12:00.000-08:00

My pastor at our church asked us "Are you rapture ready?"
Are you????? If not ,you need to be!!!!! He's coming!!!!
Merry Christmas!!! Jesus is the reason for the season!!!!!

'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came' written by Unknown Author

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

Seventh Month!!!

2009-12-11T08:14:00.000-08:00

This is our 7 month....Alot of families have been recieving their referrals during this month...The number 7 in Hebrew means Completion....I know my God's timing is perfect and I trust in Him...

Come on Baby Girl!!!

Feelings about being at the top....and my new sling

2009-12-03T17:38:00.000-08:00

I received my sling that I posted about the other day.....I had such a hard decision to make. All the slings were gorgeous..I finally decided on this one...I just loved this fabric....You think it's pretty in the picture, you should see it in person.(http://www.etsy.com/shop/SmallWish)

This sling is missing one thing...Our precious baby girl.....Come on referrals.....

You know you wait your 6-7 months and throughout the process your thinking we have awhile to go before we get the call. Then when you get to the top of the wait list, you keep butterflies in your stomach and every time the phone rings you get this nervous feeling.....I'm a secretary at a public school, so the phones ring all the time, and we have 3 different lines with caller id... So I've been on pins and needles the past couple of days....I will faint if I see that 817 area code come across on my phone at work....I will have to leave early if I get the call there(I won't be able to function the rest of the day...)

Our GOD is AWESOME and I can't wait to see this precious little girl that he has picked for us....

God Bless and SPEEDY Court Dates for all the families that have received referrals here lately....

Keep the referrals coming....

2009-12-01T06:43:00.000-08:00

Oh my!!!! That's all I have to say!!!! 2 families received their referrals yesterday....Congrats to them....We're praying for more to come!!!!!!!!!! As if I wasn't checking the unofficial FBI list enough, I figured in the next couple of weeks we will be in stalk mode.....

Searching for the right sling....

2009-11-28T08:02:00.000-08:00

With all the referrals coming this month, my husband and I were getting little excited...(No really we were freaking out, we're so close....)So I've been searching online for awhile for the perfect sling....My friend Stephanie said to make sure it doesn't have any metal in it, hers had a metal piece that hooked it together and she set off the metal detectors in the Ethiopia Embassy and airports...(Funny, that sounds like something that would happen to me....)
So after searching I finally found one....This lady that makes them is wonderful...She's adopted a little girl from China and she's knows all about the process....They're all gorgeous and the most difficult thing was deciding on which one...I finally decided on one...Check out her etsy site....http://www.etsy.com/shop/SmallWish?page=2

Another Family

2009-11-17T12:21:00.000-08:00

Today another family recieved a referral....We are inching our way to the top of the waitlist......Come on Baby Girl!!!!!!

MONTH #6

2009-11-11T07:01:00.000-08:00

WOW!!! WE CAN'T BELEIVE THAT IT'S BEEN 6 MONTHS ALREADY!!! WE'RE EXCITED, AND CAN'T WAIT FOR OUR REFERRAL....OUR PRECIOUS BABY GIRL WILL BE HERE SOON.....I THANK GOD FOR HIS PERFECT TIMING, AND HOW AWESOME THAT HE IS!!!!

Sickness Go Away!!!!

2009-11-09T16:05:00.000-08:00

This past week has been full of coughes, sneezes, chills, runny nose, fever, etc...... First, it hits me(sinus and inner ear infection), then my husband(flu)....We had to go to the Dr. and also our Medical forms had to be updated for Gladney, so our Dr. is such a wonderful Dr. we love him so much....He said that he would sign our Medical forms when we are off of our medicines....So today we are all clear of medicine and have to take our forms to him and he will sign off on them, and on their way to Gladney......Thank God that our children have been blessed and no sickness.....Their forms have been updated.....
Wednesday will be 6 MONTHS!!!! Many families have been getting their referrals in the 7 Month....COME ON REFERRAL!!!!

So thankful......

2009-10-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

We're so thankful for the referrals and court dates that have been coming in October......For all the Gladney families that have court dates in November, we're lifting you up before the throne of God.....For the families that have been given a referral, I pray quick Court Dates.....Please be praying for us, our referral will be soon.....God Bless, Our God is Awesome.....
Congrats to everyone!!!!

A Stirring.....

2009-10-16T13:33:00.003-07:00

I feel such a stirring in my spirit....I don't know what God is up to, but there's a stirring....I say whatever it is God, I'm right here and ready to do what you have called me to do....

5 months!!

2009-10-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

5 months down......

The Candle Sale total is here.....

2009-10-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

We recently did a candle fundraiser for our adoption....I'm happy to say that we(when I say"we" that means all my aides that work with me at school, sister n law, and myself) we sold $1530.00 worth of candles and our profit for our adoption was $918.00(Adoption is paid in full) ...God says in Proverbs 3:4-6 You shall find Favor and Good Understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.....
I Thank you Lord for the wonderful favor.....and for supplying our needs....I'm honored to be your child....

Blessings!!

2009-09-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

We have been praying and believing that God will supply all of our needs in this adoption...Through out this whole process God has been so Awesome....I have had people call me at work to tell me that God has spoke to them to sow a seed into our adoption, wonderful friends donating....Wonderful Obedient friends of God..
I have been thinking about the cost of the trip...I was praying and reminding God of his promises to me...Jesus says ask anything in my name and I will do it, that the Father will be glorified in the son...I said ok God, I'm asking in Jesus name that our trip to Ethiopia to get our little girl will be paid in full...Well,we went to church Sunday and church service was Awesome and our pastor's daughter also my BFF asked me how much our trip was going to cost...I said well we will probably need this certain amount....She said that God had laid it upon her heart to help with our trip....Then she got our pastor(her mom) over and said That our church was going to take care of our trip....(WHAT???) THE TRIP WAS PAID IN FULL!!!! Did you get that, PAID IN FULL!!!!It was a DONE DEAL!!!!!! TAKING CARE OF!!!!!! HOW AWESOME IS OUR GOD!!!!!
Call those things that be not as though they are!!!!!
I just want to PRAISE My FATHER IN HEAVEN FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!

4 months

2009-09-11T07:31:00.002-07:00

It's month # 4.....YAY!!!

Sweet Gift

2009-08-18T16:21:00.001-07:00

I recieved this sweet gift today. A wonderful girl named Sara whose a student at my school gave my this today...She's so excited about us adopting....When she gave it to me, it was all we both could do not to cry.....Thank you so much.....I can't wait until our little girl can wear it....

He's the way, and the truth, and the LIFE....

2009-08-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

Jesus says in John 14:6, I am the way, and the truth, and the Life.....

I know that Jesus is my way, and my truth, and my Life.....

What's he to you???? He's Everything to me, and I'm nothing without him....

Is he the Lord of your life????

Our friends Stephanie and Josh are in Ethiopia meeting their little boy Davis and they will be flying home Thursday. Keep them in your prayers.....

We are 3 months on the wait list.....

Two Months & Birthday Party with the Meade's...

2009-07-11T18:14:00.000-07:00

It's been two months on the wait list and we got to spend our Friday with the Meade's for Natalie's 1st birthday....So happy to have a family so close that has adopted from Ethiopia...Seeing Natalie makes us want our little girl home...

Ms. Beauty Queen swinging...

Little Princess!!!

We had a wonderful time with you guys and can't wait to see you again...

Thanks for everything.....

Having fun on the 4th!!!

2009-07-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

Loving the Sparklers!!! God Bless USA!!!

Look at Alyssa's face(So excited!!!)

Laken, Alyssa and Lauren having some fun...

Alyssa having some fun on the 4th!!!

My little girl is turning 11...

2009-06-28T14:51:00.001-07:00

Alyssa and her Mighty B Cake!!!!
Alyssa loves Bessie Higgenbottom....She even talks like her...
As I look back on the months that's past by ever so quickly, Austin turned 16 ( he is camera shy, and will not let anyone take pictures of him, it was all I could do to get the Christmas pics. )Alyssa is turning 11 and were on the waitlist for our precious little girl in Ethiopia....We can't wait...We are so Thankful to God for our children....

SO THANKFUL!!!

2009-06-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was such a blessed day for us....We had a couple at our church that called me yesterday morning at work, and asked me how my day was going??? I told her that it was going great...She said that her and her husband had some news for me ...She said that God had laid it upon their hearts to sow a financial seed into our adoption....Then she told me how much, and I was in tears....I'm so thankful that they're still people that hear God's voice and they're obedient to his voice...I pray that the seed that they have sown into our little girls life that they will reap 100 fold...My GOD IS AWESOME!!!!!!I want to Thank God for this couple and pray that the blessings of God will pour down upon them!!! Thanks W & P ....You know who you are!!!
Also I just want to take a second and tell my friend Stephanie that her little boy Davis is the most precious cutie I have seen...I can't wait to meet you guys...So HAPPY For you all!!!Our GOD is SOOOOOO GOOD!!!!

One Month!!

2009-06-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

We'll it's been a month since we've been put on the waitlist... It has went by quickly...I just want to Thank God for all that he's done for our family, and all the doors he's opened...Praise be to my God!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

2009-05-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

LOVING LIFE!!!

THEY LOOK LIKE THEIR UP TO SOMETHING!!

I KNEW IT!!!!

CAN'T TAKE THEM NOWHERE!!!

Our sponsor child turns 4 !!!

2009-05-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

We sponsor a beautiful little girl from Ethiopia through Compassion International who just turned 4. We started sponsoring her last year, to see her picture from last year to now, what a difference... Let me tell you she's a beauty queen. We're hopeful that we will be able to visit her and her family when we go to get our little girl...I'm just so thankful that God has brought her and her family into our lives...I pray that God will use us to touch many more lives...

GUESS WHAT??? WE'RE ON THE WAIT LIST!!!

2009-05-12T11:58:00.000-07:00

Jessica emailed me today and said that she received Kates email stating that our dossier is complete and as of yesterday May 11,2009 were offically on the wait list...YEA!!!! Praise God!!!

Our Dossier is COMPLETE!!!!

2009-05-11T14:44:00.000-07:00

I received a email from Kate today telling us that our Dossier is complete...YEA!!! Then I called our caseworker Jessica and she is out of the office today and will be in tomorrow...So not on the wait list officially....Kate said that our dossier is on its way to DC and it will be there for about a week and then off to ETHIOPIA!!!!One step closer to our little girl...Can't wait...We just want to Thank God for blessing every step we take...

LOOKS LIKE MONDAY!!!

2009-05-08T10:43:00.000-07:00

Kate emailed me and said that VA Commonwealth had receieved the papers, corrected them and sending them on their way. Plus, Thank God with a $10.00 refund..Thank you GOD for favor... Any hoo, Monday is looking like the day for the waitlist...Please Pray nothing gets in the way...

STILL WAITING FOR THE WAITLIST!!!

2009-05-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

PSALMS 37:7

BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM.

THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING LORD!!!

I RECIEVED A VOICE MAIL FROM KATE TODAY. SHE SAID THAT SHE RECEIVED MY LETTERS BACK FROM AUTHENTICATION AND THE COMMONWEALTH HAD MADE A MISTAKE AND HAD STAPLED 3 PAPERS TOGETHER AND ONLY 2 SHOULD HAVE BEEN STAPLED???(WHAT MY HEART IN MY THROAT!!!)BUT SHE SAID THEY TOLD HER TO RETURN THEM AND THEY WOULD FIX IT TOMMORROW. SO SHE SENT THE PAPER OVER NIGHT AND IT WILL BE THERE TOMORROW. SHE SAID THAT WE SHOULD HAVE IT BACK BY MONDAY...SO FOR ONCE I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MONDAY!!!!THERE IS A TIME AND SEASON FOR EVERYTHING....I KNOW THIS AND I'M THANKFUL THAT MY GOD IS WALKING EVERY STEP WITH US IN THIS PROCESS....THANK YOU MY LORD!!!

WE HAVE RECEIVED OUR I 171-H

2009-04-23T06:04:00.000-07:00

We finally received our I 171-H yesterday, it was notarized and sent out to Kate last night for our finally document for our Dossier!!!!Thank you GOD!!!!

Our I 171-H is on it's way!!!!

2009-04-17T13:16:00.001-07:00

Here's the deal. I received an email a couple of weeks ago from the CIS office wanting our physical address to send out our I171-H, well we waiting then we received a letter stating that the State Dept. had received our approval and our petition has been given a case number. Still we still didn't received our I171-H. We got an email from the CIS office and it said that our I171-H had been returned to their office stating return to sender...The problem was they had sent it to our physical address and we get our mail at a P.O. Box... I emailed them back and she said that they would send it out with a cover sheet with our P.O. Box.... So that's where we are now... Once we get the letter and send it to Kate we are on the Waitlist!!! Praise God!!!

The Just Live by Faith

2009-04-10T14:49:00.001-07:00

Then the Lord answered me and said:
"Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
"Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.

What an Awesome God we have!!!!!

Waiting...

2009-04-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

Still waiting on our approval for our CIS fingerprints. They emailed me and said that the approval had been mailed out 3/26/09. Anyday now!!!
We are so excited to be so close to the waitlist... I find myself sitting at work thinking , has she been born yet? What will she look like? How much hair will she have?? What will her story be?? God has a plan for our family and we are so blessed to have her coming into our lives... Excitement!!!!That's all we have to say EXCITEMENT!!!

A FLASHBACK TO MY CHILDHOOD!!!

2009-03-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

I took my daughter to the skating rink this weekend and had a flashback to my elementary days. All of her friends went skating, then they decided they needing food. So I went to get them a pizza. All the girls were sitting at the table getting ready to take a bite of their pizza and of course their favorite song came on, so they had to get up and go skate to their favorite song. Then they came back to take a couple of bites and another favorite song came on and off they skated. They are at the old age of 10 and loving boys now and they are so COOL!!!
That's the way me and my best friends did when we were young. It's hard to believe how fast life passes you by. It seems just like yesterday I was the one skating and now it's my daughter. She will be grown and out of school before I know it. I love her so much and enjoy spending time like this with her...

Received an Email Today

2009-03-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

I received an email today from the CIS office in Fairfax saying that they need our physical address to send our APPROVALS!!! Oh Yea, our approval!!!YEA!!!Praise God!!! I believe that was the fastest I had ever returned an email....

Still Waiting!!

2009-03-05T18:02:00.000-08:00

We are still waiting on our CIS approval...I know that the wait hasn't been that long, tomorrow will be a month. I'm praying that it will come by next week... Please be praying for it to come super fast....

Spoke with Jessica Yesterday!!!!

2009-02-18T14:07:00.001-08:00

I spoke with Jessica our Ethiopia caseworker yesterday. We went over a lot of information. As we were talking it really hit me that we are so close to the "WAITLIST". All we are waiting for is our Approval from CIS...She said as soon as we get that then we send it Kate and all the other paper work that has been redone. When she give approval and that day that she sends it to Washington we will be on the WAITING LIST!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!PRAISE GOD!!!!!

Having to REDO!!!

2009-02-11T13:22:00.000-08:00

Well we have received some papers back from our Dossier to be redone. I was little upset, but then I know Gods timing is everything... One step at a time.... TRUST IN THE LORD!!!

We Got Our CIS Fingerprints!!!

2009-02-08T15:56:00.000-08:00

We'll Brad and I got up at 3:30 in the morning and left around 4:30 for the 2 1/2 hr. trip to Charleston for our CIS Fingerprints....Everything went great the lady that did our prints was extremely nice...This is it, once we recieve this back we send it to Kate at KBS Dossiers and our dossiers off to Ethiopia....Then its the REFERRAL!!! We are excited!!!! Praise GOD!!!!He is with us every step!!!

MOVING TO THE NEXT PHASE OF OUR ADOPTION

2009-01-31T08:30:00.000-08:00

We recieved the great news yesterday, that we have been Gladney Approved and we are moving into the next phase of our adoption...We are now working with Jessica our Ethiopia Program Caseworker...We are now in the phase of getting our Dossier finished with KBS Dossier which are wonderful and then on to the referral!!!Yeah!!!!We are so greatful in everything God has done and yet to do... IF YOU HAVE FAITH NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU. (MATTHEW 17:20)

IT"S HERE!!!!

2009-01-24T14:56:00.000-08:00

We finally recieved our CIS appt.. Feb. 06, 2009 @ 8:00 a.m. Thank you GOD!!!!

STILL WAITING!!

2009-01-22T15:03:00.000-08:00

WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR OUR CIS APPT... IT MAY BE IN THE MAIL TOMORROW...ALL OF OUR PAPERS WERE SENT TO KATE @ KBS DOSSIERS FOR AUTHENTICATION...PLEASE PRAY THAT OUR CIS APPT. WILL COME SOON!!!!