It sure was a fun weekend celebrating Miss Ellie. Officially 10. What in the world? Ryan and I both remember the day we hit our double digits. So cool!!! I literally remember where I was standing when I put my "ten" candle on my cake. For Ellie---she has been SO excited to get her ears pierced. And that we did...What a champ. Barely batted an eye.
She loved having her two buddies come to dinner and sleep over as well. And of course--ending the weekend with a joint family party with her Nana. Such a treasure.
Ellie, we are so thankful that you being a part of our family makes us THE SNOWS. You are a joy. You cause us to think before we speak and you challenge us to be patient--a lot ;)...but you bring wisdom and fun and laughter and depth into our home. We love how you are growing as a basketball player and guitar player--and as a friend. You make us happy sweet pea. We love you so so much.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Third times a charm
USCIS immigration office.
We are now familiar with the routine and the lady at the check-in desk. We've got the route down pat. Making this 80 min journey once a year for three years now...and we are happy to say this will be our LAST time here! ✔️
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
PAIR letter day
It sure was quite the moment to open our mailbox this afternoon and see an envelope from Homeland Security. I screamed and jumped up and down---no one was in the house to witness the craziness, either. 😊 Ryan and I couldn't believe how quickly our letter came, knowing the case was just mailed stateside on Jan 20. Pretty awesome.
So a few short hours later I had everything packaged up and ready to be shipped to DC. Pretty great feeling!
The next 4-8 weeks of waiting to even HEAR from Lesley about when we travel for court will not be easy. Praying for speediness and anticipating more waiting. Wondering if we will travel in March but preparing for the fact that it may be April. 😔
Grady, we love you little man!
Sunday, January 18, 2015
From the mouth of Deb
Mom and Dad (Nana and Papa) are in California right now. They went to Saddleback church this morning and sang this song during worship:
Will you hold me in Your arms
As I rest on Your knee, won't You tell me my favorite story
I was an orphan, You adopted me
As I listen to Your voice the blessing surrounds me
I know I'm Yours, I'm so glad You found me
I was an orphan, You adopted me
Wrap your strong arms around me
This is my peace
Father, stay close by me
Stay
As I look in Your eyes I see such kindness
Nothing in the world is anything like this
I was an orphan, You adopted me
Wrap your strong arms around me
This is my peace
Father, stay close by me
Wrap your strong arms around me
This is my peace
Father, stay close by me
Stay
Mom texted Ryan and me afterward, and wrote this... " I had this picture of Jesus embracing Graydon and his caretakers hugging him for all of us!"
Will you hold me in Your arms
As I rest on Your knee, won't You tell me my favorite story
I was an orphan, You adopted me
As I listen to Your voice the blessing surrounds me
I know I'm Yours, I'm so glad You found me
I was an orphan, You adopted me
Wrap your strong arms around me
This is my peace
Father, stay close by me
Stay
As I look in Your eyes I see such kindness
Nothing in the world is anything like this
I was an orphan, You adopted me
Wrap your strong arms around me
This is my peace
Father, stay close by me
Wrap your strong arms around me
This is my peace
Father, stay close by me
Stay
Mom texted Ryan and me afterward, and wrote this... " I had this picture of Jesus embracing Graydon and his caretakers hugging him for all of us!"
Most comforting thing I've heard in awhile. Thank you Jesus that you are loving our little guy when we can't do it up close.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
BEAUTIFUL January
It actually felt great today. We packed up and trekked it over to Wildwood---so glad we did.
Such good moments just to walk and play and build and breathe and ENJOY. Thank you Jesus.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Monday, January 5, 2015
nighttime talk with El
Loved bedtime with my peanut tonight. Laid on her floor while she built a lego palace. Long story short, it was just a cool conversation. It reminded me that as parents we are not just the people that put food on their plates and tuck them into bed at night. Ellie told me tonight that she appreciates how I don't just tell her about life, but I explain it. She said that I help her understand what's coming. She asked me if I ever think life is tough, and why. She then asked me what my favorite parts of life have been so far. She told me that anyone she knows, probably wishes they had me as their mom, and if they don't think that- they will when they're in high school.
(*Ha! I want to revisit this blog entry 5-7 years from now when tides shift and moms that "like to talk about life," start to get annoying and invasive!!)
Ellie needs and thrives on one on one time. She loves those kinds of connections and deeply values conversation where she feels heard and understood. I think she respects us as parents SO much more, and her behavior changes for the better, when she has those moments with mom and dad.
On a separate note---still waiting today to hear from the US Embassy that they have shipped our case back to the USCIS. The interview between the orphanage director and embassy, took place two weeks ago today. I might say that these have been the two most unnerving weeks since we first saw Grady's picture. There is just literally nothing going on over there. No notice, no words, no emails--just crickets.
Still praying that our first trip is in February. Please Lord.
(*Ha! I want to revisit this blog entry 5-7 years from now when tides shift and moms that "like to talk about life," start to get annoying and invasive!!)
Ellie needs and thrives on one on one time. She loves those kinds of connections and deeply values conversation where she feels heard and understood. I think she respects us as parents SO much more, and her behavior changes for the better, when she has those moments with mom and dad.
On a separate note---still waiting today to hear from the US Embassy that they have shipped our case back to the USCIS. The interview between the orphanage director and embassy, took place two weeks ago today. I might say that these have been the two most unnerving weeks since we first saw Grady's picture. There is just literally nothing going on over there. No notice, no words, no emails--just crickets.
Still praying that our first trip is in February. Please Lord.
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