Joyful Leaping

I just found out, inspite of the financial challenges many companies are facing, my company is still giving us our yearly bonus in February.

Yippee! That cover the fees for Hanna and our flight costs.

Thank you Abba!

More Nesting....

I ordered the extra set of bunkbeds today for the girls room! So I will have room for all three of my girls, plus an extra bed for stuffed animals or sleepovers!

Plus I got two sets of under the bed drawers for both sets of beds in the room!

Yea~.

Now on to finding a while armoire...I have found that very difficult to find!

No news on a new court date yet......

Organizing the Nest

With Mame's court delay and with the addition of Hanna on the way, I have been into organizing the nest. I am so grateful to other large families on the yahoo group(s) I belong to and all their great ideas and suggestions.

(Denise, thank you for all your emails and great ideas! Makes me excited that it IS doable!)

I ordered a peg system for chores that someone recommended, http://www.familytools.com/

I have been telling family and friends..

Looking at bunkbeds, and bedroom armoires. Going into Mary's room and mentally rearranging it again and again, Scouting out where I will putup a set of hooks for coats by the back door (Thanks Denise for the idea) and a bench or box for shoes.... Last night we had our first dinner "buffet style" Rather than take all I cooked and move it from cooking dishes to serving dishes all over the table...I just put plates on the table and then one by one we went into the kitchen and I filled the kids plates...and then they could go back for seconds. Table was less cluttered, serving and clean up much easier! (Again thanks to Denise...wise wise woman!)

I made up my "honey do" list for my dad, Nick said I need to call it my "papa do" list.... I revamped my budget, caught up on bills, actually negotiated a lower interest rate on one... and I ordered a couple books....

I ordered the book from the Amazon on the Duggars with their family of 20! I was told it has lots of great ideas. http://www.amazon.com/Duggars-Counting-Raising-Americas-Families-How/dp/141658563X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231872910&sr=8-1

So nesting, big time. I wish I could post pictures of Mame and Hanna. I have this new one of Mame, I just LOVE and I only have one of Hanna, but she look so precious, and delicate and just quiet. How can a picture look quiet? I am not sure, but she does.

So God is so good to give me this nesting time.

My cup runneth over...

I will need to rename this blog ...won't I?

I am so happy and thrilled to announce, on our way to finding Olvia (Mame) we also found another little sister (big sister to Mary) too!

Although yesterday had the cloud of Olivia Mame not passing court and us having to wait on another courtdate, the Son broke through, shining bright with a referral of a second daughter from Ethiopia. Hanna, a precious little 6 year old...will be joining our family. I told you something was stirring in my soul and it wasn't cookie dough. Gotta go find that 5th apron.

I am just so thrilled. The kids are thrilled. I told them all last night and you would think it was Christmas again! Even Angela was grinning from ear to ear, perhaps thinking I am nuts, but still grinning.

So yes...we will be a family of 6, counting Momma. 6.2 counting Bella, our pint-sized Marley. I don't have a lot of details on Hanna, she is in Nazret right now, and I hope she will soon move to the orphanage, Hope's Place, where Mame is, so they can get to know each other.

(I am going to modify some things on this site, when I get a chance this week, to track the timeline of both the girls.).

So I am looking for a extra white twin bed, a new armoire, a white toy box... a few things to make our adjustment.

It was so funny, I told the kids one by one, starting with Nick...who was so excited he immediately was yelling for Tadpole to come here...when we got to Mary and shared with her, after her excitement she said. "And then we will have to get another boy for gege's"

Lol.

God is good and our hearts are full!

Full Hearts...

God is awesome and I could cry. :) He loves me...why else would he bless me with these wonderful children? I am doing good., even with the setback news today.

My kids are home from school, everyone is happy and I know our house will be growing...God is good.

So I need to find an armouire ( I have no idea how to spell that word.) for the girls room to hang dresses...and another bed..... I am wondering whether I should get another bunk bed, or just a single...hmmmm.

In this process, I did find out some more news about Mame....she is from a region of Ethiopia called Amhara....as well as a couple facts about her past I will not post. http://www.telecom.net.et/~ada/amhara.htm http://www.telecom.net.et/~ada/achievements.htm

And she is happy. oblivious to the impact of today. And I can already see God's hand in it.

Nope

we did not pass.

A missing piece of paper still. But God is in charge, I know..and no plan of His can be thwarted, so He must have a better timing. I appreciate prayers for a court date and a complete file.

something stirring......

......hmmmmm

not sure yet....but something is stirring....

how many aprons will I need?

When the sun rises in Africa tomorrow......

One day!

By this time tomorrow I may know! One day! just one! maybe, less than 24 hours.....

Giddy, giddy, giddy, giddy.......

I want to cry and laugh and giggle and goof off, all at the same time.

Ready to not be ready.....

I read a post today on a blog I follow (soul mama http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2009/01/out-of-nowhere.html) and a line shared about the arrival of his new son (bio) was that he knew he would not be ready, but he was "ready to not be ready".

I loved that.

It made me think of myself, and the other adoptive families. All of us awaiting our new additions. We prepare, we read, we share, we chat, we pray, we nest and gather, and organize, we dream and wish....

and get ready...

but we know the road is really unknown, both in the journey TO them, and then of course on the journey WITH them. So we know, whatever we do, we will never be truly ready. How can you be ready for whatyou don't know?

So it is peaceful to take on the thought of being ready to not be ready. Being ready to go with the flow, move with what happens, adjust, hug, share, pray and dream some more..

and face our futures...ours and theirs...with a ready heart.

God is ready.... Emmanuel...

It is Christmas in Ethiopia today... Merry Christmas Mame!

Soon a quartet?.........

Four days until court...

...3 if you don't count today

...or if you count today, but not Friday, since they are 9 hours ahead and I might hear at the beginning of the day....

yea....

5 Days....

tick tock tick tock...my court date is Friday. I saw this video made by Angel on her blog and she said others can post it. It is beautiful and such a testimony to families and hearts and God. http://thevoiceofadventure.blogspot.com/ I have to share it.

Blessings to all....

In preparation...

I have been doing some book browsing today...and thought I would share some of my finds and what appealed to me regarding the book...Most I ordered used, from Amazon.com.

black is brown is tan (Paperback)by Arnold Adoff (Author), Emily Arnold Mccully

This one, because it is a picture book, and talks about multi-racial families.....

Colors Come from God Just Like Me (Hardcover)by Carolyn A. Forche (Author), Charles Cox (Illustrator) This one, is based on Genesis, and all the variety that God has created, including skin color....

Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too (Paperback)by Adele Faber (Author), Elaine Mazlish (Author)

This one to educate myself on some different ways to handle the conflicts between my children.

We're Different, We're the Same (Pictureback(R)) (Paperback)by Bobbi Kates (Author), Joe

Mathieu (Illustrator) This one, because of its message and also the fun exercise of going through how we are alike and how we are all different, and not just because of skin color.

Holding Time (Paperback)by Martha G. Welch (Author), Mary Ellen Mark (Author) This one, because I am reading up on attachment and another parent recommended it, but also, because, I notice, even with my big boys (10 and 8) they love when momma holds them in her lap...even if they feel silly, and so does little Mary. Something I need to do more of.

Connection Parenting: Parenting Through Connection Instead of Coercion, Through Love Instead of Fear, 2nd Edition (Paperback)by Pam Leo (Author)

And last, but not least, the reason I went to amazon.com in the first place, to get this book, recommended by another mom: I Love You Rituals (Paperback)by Becky A. Bailey (Author)

So Friday is our new court date...I could wake up that morning and find out, I have a new daughter....after waiting for so long, it just feels so unreal....but I am so hopeful, with God and a new year, that this will be an awesome year in God for my family. He is faithful, sovereign and so very loving.

Relentless, he is relentless in His love and pursuit of us, regardless of how flawed I may be..and THAT gives me great hope.

Two lonely presents....

And two lonely presents left under the tree.....

Next year...

Our Christmas photos...2008...Next year you will be in them, Olivia!

Not the Christmas Photo I planned.

We got our annual family Christmas pictures done today. I had held off, before my failed court date, hoping Olivia Mame would be in them. But she was not....however we still had fun and it documents our last Christmas as a family of four!

And next Christmas....she will be here.

Well I don’t know if you remember me or not
I’m one of the kids they brought in from the home
I was the red-haired boy in an old green flannel shirt
You may not have seen me – I was standing off alone
I didn’t come and talk to you, ‘cause that’s never worked before
And you’ll prob’ly never see this letter anyway
But just in case there’s something you can do to help me out
I’ll ask you one more time

All I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose
Shoulders to ride on if I win
There’s so much I could ask for
But there’s just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family

Well I guess I should go ahead and tell you now
If it’s really true about that list you have
Somehow I always seem to end up in a fight
But I’m really trying hard not to be bad
But maybe if I had a brother or a dad to wrestle with
Well, maybe they could teach me how to get along
And from everything I’ve heard
Sounds like the greatest gift on earth would be a mom

All I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose
Shoulders to ride on if I win
There’s so much I could ask for
But there’s just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas

Is someone who’ll be there
To sing me “Happy Birthday”
For the next 100 years
And it’s OK if they’re not perfect
Well, even if they’re a little broken, that’s alright
‘Cause so am I

Well, I guess I should go
It’s almost time for bed
And maybe next time I write you
I’ll be at home

‘Cause all I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
Tell me I’ll never be alone
Someone whose love will never end
Of all that I could ask for
Well, there’s just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas
All I really want for Christmas is a family

Just a family

That’s all I really need
© Steven Curtis Chapman

As I wait...

As I am waiting for my court date, and with all the stuff I have to do to "make Christmas", I am doing anything but "waiting". :) I realize how truly smart and well-thought out God is. This very week, would have been the week I would have traveled to Ethiopia if we had passed court in November.

How hard it would have been and chaotic. I would have missed the Christmas program at church, and Mary's play tomorrow night, I would NOT have had the Christmas gifts done, I would be feeling frantic, my children at home would be missing me the week before Christmas...and then trying to help sweet Olivia transition into her new life the week of Christmas would have been confusing and too much for her.

Isn't God smart? Thank you Lord, that your wisdom saw the months after Christmas as a much better time in so many ways!

We are blessed...and dear sweet Olivia Mame will be with us soon...what a Valentine.

I need Africa...

Thank you Denise, for showing this to me via your blog.

When will she be mine???

We have a new court date of January 9th! Which, if we pass, means I would be traveling either Feb 2 or Feb 9th, coming home on Valentines Day.

I had hoped the adoption would be official in December, but God is in charge of timing and knows what is best.

I am glad to officially have a new court date......

Christmastime and You're not home...

Worth the Watch....The Toughest Call

ABC news aired a program on Nov 28th that is well worth the watch.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020

Look under recentlyon 20/20 and find Nov 28th. Or the title which is the toughest call.

It is truly a balanced and eductational story. I look at my own experience and realize how niave and clueless I was. Wanting a little Pollyanna family and pink-bowed and frills girl.

I realize in the past two and 1/2 years with Mary Beth, how God has matured me. How my motivation at first to adopt was truly about ME! What I wanted, what I needed...sorry to say, that was the truth.

And now, He is shifting that...has shifted it, though I still always have far to go....

To what this child needs, what all my children need. Yes, it would have been easier to have just my two boys and leave it at that. Even now, it would be easier to have my three kids and stop here, but....

Our family is not done. :) And not only is it a hope and work in me, that God is doing through adoption, but a hope and love for my dear daughters, and a hope and work of love in my sons.

Children are individuals, with needs, sorrows, joys, quirks... God has a plan for each and everyone of them, and if I can remember to lift my head from the day to day responsibilities in life..from execution of details, to the content, the thread, textured element in those details of nuturing a life to see how special they are, how loved, how planned for and thought about (by not just me, but God) and how full of hope and chance for life and impact they have....to nuture their soul and body and spirit, to help them find God and find the person they are meant to be.....

and in that journey, truly find myself as well.

That is why...

In this episode, they tell about this woman in montana that helps with children with RAD or other severe issues in adoption. She is a blessing and an angel, in my mind. I would love to do what she does in a future season.... http://www.ranchforkids.org/

http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/publish/consumer/home/shows/adoption.html