We are just in the very early stages of pursuing an adoption for a little boy...in Ethiopia. We are incredibly excited, a bit nervous, confident of our calling to this, and pumped that we are diving in. We have talked and prayed about this for over a year, and have finally decided to begin our journey. Our girls are thrilled, to say the least. After we told Ellie and Emma that it was really going to happen (they have been a part of praying with us in this for quite some time) they both went to school the next day and told their classes that they were going to have a brother from Africa soon! Hahaha...I love their joy and excitement. Although it's not going to be soon, most likely.
Lifeline adoption agency says the average process takes 12-15 months, but Ryan and I are gearing ourselves up for 2 years. :) We would love for it to happen sooner, and God willing it will!
In the meantime, we begin the paperwork trail, and it's oh so daunting. I don't think I can read through the Ethiopian manual too many times or I might start having anxiety attacks. An adoption or a pregnancy--BOTH require emotions and our physical bodies. Neither is better or worse, just different. So we are beginning a very different journey to our son. I know it will seem more real and more exciting and more glorious, once we've seen his face on a picture. In the meantime, this is how we're praying:
for this boy, who may not even be born yet, to be carried in his mother safely and with as much dignity and care as possible.
for our finances...I really have no idea how the money will come in, or if the money will come in. I don't know what God is going to do with this, but we are trusting Him and beginning to take strides to make some changes in our spending.
for the city of Sylvania, oh. That our community would fall in love with the TRUTH that more of us can change the life of an orphan. We would love to see this spread, we would love to see more trans-racial families in our community!!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
1,000 gifts
This is a book I'm reading...AND it's amazing. I highly highly recommend it. The author's name is Ann Voscamp and she is a mom of 6 kids, and a wife of a farmer. But she is young, vibrant, relevant, has a history/dark past like none I've seen, AND she loves Jesus...a LOT.
I have a separate journal designated just for what this book is teaching me, so I'm not going to "throw up" on my blog. BUT, I have to write something down today. Ann encourages people to keep a journal, counting to 1,000 in GIFTS and BLESSINGS that we have. She believes that eucharisto (joy that comes in gratitude/thanksgiving) will happen as you do that. And she's right...it's true. My perspective is changing on a daily basis.
Today...my blessings.
A Sunday: a lazy one at that.
I'm thankful for:
PBS kids
kids that love to sing
a great napper
snow flurries that came out of no where
Ryan who went to Kroger for me...to get just a few things
And a date night to look forward to, 30 min.from now!!!!! YES!
I have a separate journal designated just for what this book is teaching me, so I'm not going to "throw up" on my blog. BUT, I have to write something down today. Ann encourages people to keep a journal, counting to 1,000 in GIFTS and BLESSINGS that we have. She believes that eucharisto (joy that comes in gratitude/thanksgiving) will happen as you do that. And she's right...it's true. My perspective is changing on a daily basis.
Today...my blessings.
A Sunday: a lazy one at that.
I'm thankful for:
PBS kids
kids that love to sing
a great napper
snow flurries that came out of no where
Ryan who went to Kroger for me...to get just a few things
And a date night to look forward to, 30 min.from now!!!!! YES!
Monday, January 23, 2012
An ordinary day
Love these mornings with the kids still in my home. Yes Griffin currently reeks of poop and Emma hasn't brushed her teeth yet (its 11:00) but we've had a blast today. Played airplane and doctor, had some cheezits, jumped on the bed, vacuumed the floors, and now...playing with blocks. This might be Griff's first ever tower. Love!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Snacks for dinner
Crackers, bologna, sunchips, and peas....Mmmmm....
Now onto the ice cream shop!
These are the days to remember...
Thursday, December 29, 2011
CHRISTMAS 2011----Columbus time!!
Christmas Day:
After we had our little bit of time with just the 5 of us on Christmas morning, we hopped in the car and headed south to Columbus. Kelly and her crew, Brandon and his crew, plus the 3 Cates and Linda were already there and ready to celebrate! Linda is doing ok as of now. She was still a bit slow moving and certainly doesn't have as much energy as she used to, but it was AWESOME to have another year to have a Christmas together. I know it blessed her a lot to have all of her kids and grandchildren there. I don't think she always loves the stress that comes with it, but she did her best and we loved our day or so to be together as a great big family!!
What crazy weather for Christmas Day! But it was a life saver...the kids could just throw a coat on and head out to the front yard! They played football and ran all around to get some energy out. :) A small condo with 10 kids and 9 adults could give anyone a headache! hahaha!!!
A few days later...
The Prestons came to visit us for a few days after Christmas. What a special time for our two families to be together. :) We never get those times together. It had been years since we had seen Jason, so we were thrilled to have the kitchen chit chats, the late night talks about life, family, etc. Was good, super good, to all be together. And it's amazing how well the cousins play together. We didn't have to break up one fight in two days!!! Super special...
After we had our little bit of time with just the 5 of us on Christmas morning, we hopped in the car and headed south to Columbus. Kelly and her crew, Brandon and his crew, plus the 3 Cates and Linda were already there and ready to celebrate! Linda is doing ok as of now. She was still a bit slow moving and certainly doesn't have as much energy as she used to, but it was AWESOME to have another year to have a Christmas together. I know it blessed her a lot to have all of her kids and grandchildren there. I don't think she always loves the stress that comes with it, but she did her best and we loved our day or so to be together as a great big family!!
What crazy weather for Christmas Day! But it was a life saver...the kids could just throw a coat on and head out to the front yard! They played football and ran all around to get some energy out. :) A small condo with 10 kids and 9 adults could give anyone a headache! hahaha!!!
The newest member of our family: Jonah Cates. What a little love! His first Christmas!!
A few days later...The Prestons came to visit us for a few days after Christmas. What a special time for our two families to be together. :) We never get those times together. It had been years since we had seen Jason, so we were thrilled to have the kitchen chit chats, the late night talks about life, family, etc. Was good, super good, to all be together. And it's amazing how well the cousins play together. We didn't have to break up one fight in two days!!! Super special...
Sunday, December 25, 2011
CHRISTMAS 2011---Toledo time
LIGHTS AT THE ZOO...
We love this tradition in our family. :) It's a LOT of work for 75-90 min of walking around (freezing). Of course that's intermixed with trips in and out of the buildings (so then we sweat) and in and out of potties (so then we strip off the 12 layers) and in and out of our mittens/gloves to assist the kids with one of their million zipper/mitten problems. (so then we're tired). Haha...but we love it. Ryan and I SO enjoy watching the kids dance in front of the dancing lights. And this year Griffin danced it up too. Was neat to see him more than just a blob in a wagon/stroller. Our kids have a blast. And of course there's nothing like following that up with hot chocolate and donuts. This year we went to Tim Hortons and it was delightful. :)
We love this tradition in our family. :) It's a LOT of work for 75-90 min of walking around (freezing). Of course that's intermixed with trips in and out of the buildings (so then we sweat) and in and out of potties (so then we strip off the 12 layers) and in and out of our mittens/gloves to assist the kids with one of their million zipper/mitten problems. (so then we're tired). Haha...but we love it. Ryan and I SO enjoy watching the kids dance in front of the dancing lights. And this year Griffin danced it up too. Was neat to see him more than just a blob in a wagon/stroller. Our kids have a blast. And of course there's nothing like following that up with hot chocolate and donuts. This year we went to Tim Hortons and it was delightful. :)
My dancing queens!!!!
December afternoon at Nana and Papa's house
These are the same two dresses that Katie and I wore when we were 4 and 7...so so so sweet to see my girls in them. I vividly remember wearing these Christmas dresses. Wow
how time flies by. Life is such a gift!
Dinner at Kiki and Dave's house for a special evening!!
This is a picture of the shoes that "DADDY SANTA" got his family...a pair of shoes
for each one in our fam. What a fun gift!
December afternoon at Nana and Papa's house
These are the same two dresses that Katie and I wore when we were 4 and 7...so so so sweet to see my girls in them. I vividly remember wearing these Christmas dresses. Wow
how time flies by. Life is such a gift!
Dinner at Kiki and Dave's house for a special evening!!Christmas Eve.
This year we spent the day at mom and dad's house with the Moan family. We typically do this on the 25th but we were in Columbus this year. It was a great morning, a nice brunch, a fun time hanging with VERY excited kiddos. Of course it's crazy and a bit of a whirlwind with kids at these ages, but nonetheless, a special time as a family!!
This year we spent the day at mom and dad's house with the Moan family. We typically do this on the 25th but we were in Columbus this year. It was a great morning, a nice brunch, a fun time hanging with VERY excited kiddos. Of course it's crazy and a bit of a whirlwind with kids at these ages, but nonetheless, a special time as a family!!
This is a picture of the shoes that "DADDY SANTA" got his family...a pair of shoesfor each one in our fam. What a fun gift!
Christmas morning.
We had a brief time with just the 5 of us on Christmas morning. Went way too fast and felt a bit too rushed this year, as we had a deadline to get to Columbus by a certain time. It was hard because the kids wanted to enjoy their new gifts and Ryan and I wanted to actually TALK with the kids in greater detail about what this morning meant. This is something that will change in the future...we need more SLOW time and reflection time together. Having said that, it was SO cool watching them be excited for each other and anticipate the fun ahead of them for the day!!!
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