Filled With Praise

I remember when...

2009-12-08T11:12:00.000-06:00

I remember when our guest room had nice matching bedding...

NOW there are no extra bedrooms for a guest room and

we have Cars bedding on that former guest bed.

I remember when all of our laundry fit in one laundry basket and

it was quickly put away after being folded...

NOW it fills up a chair and a few laundry baskets and

some weeks we just pick our clean clothes from

the laundry baskets because it does not get put away.

I remember when everything was neatly put in its

place and our house was tidy and organized...

NOW you will find toys everywhere.

I remember when I read novels...

NOW most of my reading includes books with big pictures

and only a few words per page.

I also remember that I never felt this much happiness...

this much love...

and this much contentment.

So, for today I will not worry about the dishes,
the laundry or the organization of my house...

instead I will enjoy moments like:

this...

and this...

BECAUSE these are what truly matter and
someday I will miss all of these times...

This and That

2009-12-07T12:33:00.000-06:00

I wanted to share with you a couple of things...

First, we were given our monthly update from our adoption agency of our new number on Friday. We have officially moved two spots and we are currently #24. I know some families are disappointed by only moving two spots this month, but we are happy just to have moved. During rain season in Ethiopia, the courts are closed. The courts just recently reopened and those who were waiting to travel to pick up their children have just begun to travel. So, right now Hannah's Hope (our agency's care facility) is pretty full. Once all of those children's parents are able to travel and pick up their precious children, then I know we will really start moving on the waiting list. Then Hannah's Hope will have room to accept more children for referrals. So, I know by February/March we will see big movement, if not our referral. Very exciting!

I also wanted to share a fun recipe that the kids and I made last week. A lady at our church makes these cute little treats and we wanted to give them a try. They are suppose to look like bacon & eggs if you couldn't tell. It is simply two small pretzel sticks placed next to each other. Melt some white chocolate chips and pour a little over the pretzels. We used a small ziploc bag with the corner snipped out to easily pour the white chocolate. You then place a yellow M&M in the white chocolate and leave on the wax paper for

the chocolate to set. They are so cute and very yummy.

Happy Monday!

Ring the Bells

2009-12-06T18:59:00.002-06:00

The kids have asked to ring the Salvation Army bells for over a year. Last year was not the best time, since I was due with Ryann. So, this year I signed our family up. We chose a location very close to our home so that we could do an exchange of the bell ringers. We signed up for a four hour slot. When we were planning this the weather was in the 70's, however when our day arrived...it was 30 degrees out. So, we bundled up in many layers and gulped down lots of hot chocolate before grabbing our bells.

The plan was to have Paul stay home with Ryann and Taylor for the first hour while Cade and I rang the bells. Cade was a hoot at first. He was not just ring the bells, but dancing and singing while ringing. He brought in lots of donations this way. I was really concerned about what he might say to those who did not stop to donate. Because you know from his quotes on my blog, you never know what will come out of his mouth. However, he was very polite and only asked me quietly a few times, "Why do people walk by and not even look at us?" By the end of his shift, he was done with the bells and ready to hand the bell over to Taylor.

Taylor was very eager and she thanked each person that stopped to make a donation and told them, "Merry Christmas and God bless you!" Taylor and I had lots of fun trying to ring the bells and play games at the same time. We did several rounds of "Would you rather?" and then "Name association games". About midway through Taylor's shift, I realized I could no longer feel my toes, fingers or nose. I had to ask Taylor to keep an eye on my nose in case anything started to drip from it because I had no feeling :) She thought that was hilarious. At the end of our shift, Paul arrived to take over by his lonesome. We felt bad leaving him alone, but it felt really good to get into the nice warm car. When I walked back into the house. I stopped and said a prayer for all of the blessings in my life...my children with beautiful hearts, my husband who was completely fine with me signing us up to serve...even if it was 30 degrees outside and my nice warm home I had to come home to.

I could not get over the lessons I learned from serving by ringing the bells for two hours with my children. If you want to do some serious people observing, go ring the bells for Salvation Army. My husband and I stayed up for two hours after he returned home and talked about all of our encounters. I learned once again, not to judge anyone by the way they look because the ones who stopped and talked or donated were not the ones you would have expected. The ones you did expect to stop...would avoid eye contact at all costs. It was very interesting. We will definitely be ringing the bells every year, because as we were riding home Taylor said, "Mom, I am really cold, but you know what? That was SO worth it because we just helped someone in need."

Our Adoption Timeline

2009-07-01T14:15:00.003-05:00

7/01/09 - God begins placing thoughts of adoption before us
7/05/09 - We discuss these thoughts and decide to start praying about the idea of adoption
7/25/09 - Amy is looking at blogging friends updates and God places a picture of Lucy Lane in front of her. We go to Lucy Lane's blog and watch their Gotcha Day video. We know that God has just confirmed that He has plans for us to adopt.
7/27/09 - Begin researching agencies
8/3/09 - Pre-apply for AGCI Ethiopia Adoption Program
8/6/09 - Approved for Ethiopia Program through Pre-application
8/13/09 - Send in Completed Application
8/14/09 - Approved
8/16/09 - Meet with other families in our area at Africian Adoptive Families Fellowship --- AMAZING!
8/21/09 - First conference call with our agency
8/31/09 -First Home Study Appt.
9/1/09 - Currently working on home study paperwork & dossier
10/2/09- Completed our second and third interviews for our homestudy
10/9/09 - Our final homestudy appointment...in our home
10/12/09 - Mailing in all completed education.
11/3/09 - Mailed approved homestudy and dossier to AGCI.
11/09/09 - #26 on the boy's waiting list
12/4/09 - #24 on the boy's waiting list

I would like to introduce you to...ripple #1

2009-11-06T07:30:00.006-06:00

Remember when I posted this, after someone asked us, "What we hope to accomplish by adopting one when there are 147 Million orphans?" Well, I explained that we prayed this would be a ripple effect. We prayed that others would see the blessing of adoption through Elijah and how beautifully it works and they too, would adopt. After posting that I got three emails from women saying that the ripple effect has already begun. These women shared of their desire to do God's will and that they were either praying about it or were going to begin the adoption process soon. This makes my heart happy beyond words.

I would like to introduce you to the first ripple, my blogging friend, Lauren. Lauren was one of my very first blogging friends. When I started my blog in June, I found her blog. I emailed her and told her how much I enjoyed reading her stories because you could tell they truly came from her heart. She and her husband have experienced big losses at their young age; they have two baby boys in heaven. Yet, she always gives God all of the glory for all things in her life and she lets His light shine in all that she does. We began emailing and commenting back and forth...encouraging one another and praying for one another. I believe God placed Lauren in my life for a reason. She is someone I know I will be friends with for the rest of my life.

When I would think of her throughout my day, I would pray for her. However, I began thinking about her in connection to adoption. So, each time I thought of her, I prayed for her and her husband and God's will for them to adopt. I did not share these prayers with her. Within that same week, she began emailing me about the thoughts of adoption that God was placing before her. I had to share with her that I had been praying for God's will for them and adoption. During that same week, she and her husband applied and were approved by our same adoption agency. They are now proceeding by faith and adopting a baby boy from Ethiopia.

This is a beautiful display of following God's will and His timing. Lauren's husband just started seminary and she is working to support their family. They have complete faith that God will bring them to their child and will provide for their journey. I love their story and their hearts.

Our babies could be in the same room together right now! How beautiful is that thought? We already have plans of meeting for our babies to play together some day. Please go to Lauren's blog and congratulate them and pray for them and their baby. God is so good. Let the ripples continue!!!

Lauren's Blog:

Living By Faith

Help this Mama get to her baby...

2009-11-12T16:02:00.008-06:00

Friends,

Please visit this sweet family's blog and if you feel led to give, please donate to help this mama get to her sweet baby boy. His name is Keshawn and he is such a cutie. Each time I see his picture on their blog, it makes my heart so happy. They need $2,500 to cover their travel to Ethiopia on the 28th.

Please visit their blog:

Nations Around Our Table

Romans 12: 8

If it is encouraging, let him encourage;

if it is contributing to the needs of others,

let him give generously;

if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;

if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Shopping for a Cause...Poppy Dips

2009-11-20T05:21:00.002-06:00

I know many of you are getting ready to begin your Christmas shopping...I hope you are beginning...please do not tell me you are already done. Because if you are looking for a great gift with the benefit of helping the cause of orphans, I have a great idea for you. Please visit my friend, Sallee. She is a mother of five (two of their adorable children are adopted from Ethiopia) and they are currently in the process of adopting another blessing from Ethiopia. To help fund their adoption, Sallee makes and sells the most adorable dresses, skirts, tops and pants for little girls. Her business is called Poppy Dip. (She says that her two year old son would use the expression "Poppy Dip" when he was happy...it means "It's all good!" I LOVE that!)

I ordered the girls matching Christmas dresses and we love them. They are so well made and so very cute. Taylor and Ryann have already worn them three times...who says you can only wear them on Christmas? I think you will agree they look adorable in their matching dresses.

To order a Poppy Dip, please visit her site and buy some cute Christmas or birthday gifts that will benefit a wonderful cause.

Poppy Dip

It was a Thanksgiving Miracle...

2009-11-29T19:16:00.006-06:00

Recently, my friend Sallee from It's Poppy Dip introduced many to the Hollis Family. Sallee said that this family, who have already adopted two sweet girls with Down Syndrome, were approached by their 11 year old daughter hoping to adopt another sweet little girl named Daria. Here is their story and please check out their blog to see the news report of the Thanksgiving miracle. This is exactly what God does through those like Lydia who believe and trust completely...it is so awesome!!! Here is one of their family's recent posts:

"Most of you know by now, our family decided three years ago to forgo giving presents to one another during the holidays. Instead, we reach out and raise money for orphan ministries.

We just finished going through the book, "Crazy Love" by Frances Chan with our kids and decided this year, we wanted to be CRAZY for Jesus! He is so crazy about us, we wanted to share His love with everyone throughout the year, but especially during November and December.

Lydia took "CRAZY" to a whole new level, however, when she approached me (while her dad was on a mission trip in Africa) and asked if she raised $20,000.00 before Thanksgiving, could we adopt a little orphan girl, Darya, who has Down Syndrome in Eastern Europe. (A friend of ours adopted a little boy from the same orphanage and reported that Darya gets no attention at all....no one speaks to her or holds her.)

THAT WAS 8 DAYS AGO! Being a sensible 41 year old, I told Lydia she would never be able to raise $20,000.00 in 8 days.....she is only eleven. She didn't hear me. Instead, she asked again, "But if I do raise the money, will you adopt her?" I responded yes, if she raised that much money in 8 days, we would know God is in it and would travel to adopt Darya!

Tonight, I would like to report that Miss Lydia has raised $26,550.00 and the donations are still coming in. It just so happens, we have good friends who have been planning to adopt a little one with Down Syndrome through Reece's Rainbow, but lack of funds has delayed them. Not anymore, everything above $20,000.00 goes to them.

So, friends, you have been a part of a double Thanksgiving Miracle. Not only will Darya have a home ....but through your gifts, another little angel will be given hope for a family tomorrow too! God is so great, isn't He?"

The Hollis Family Blog

An Ultrasound of My Heart...

2009-11-19T05:38:00.003-06:00

Our family is adopting a boy from Ethiopia. We have decided that his name will be Elijah and we have had many discussions about adoption in our house. A statement that has been repeated many times is that, “God is growing him in our hearts.” As part of the adoption process my husband and I had to have physicals completed at the doctor. While the doctor was reviewing my blood work results she noticed that my thyroid level was low. She asked me to walk to the imaging building to have an ultrasound done for my thyroid to eliminate the possibility of any nodules.

To read the rest of this post...

please visit me at the

Exemplify Family Channel

where I am contributing today.

Exemplify Online {Kid's Crafts - Fall Name Wreaths}

2009-11-05T05:53:00.003-06:00

I am so excited and yet so humbled to share with you that I will be a contributing writer to the Exemplify Online Family Channel. Exemplify is an awesome Christian site that uplifts women through the writings of other women. There are new things happening at Exemplify, including blog channels dedicated to a variety of different topics. I will be writing for the family channel and I am beyond thrilled. If you have not checked it out, please do. Here is my first post:

I love to create crafty things. I especially love creating crafty things on a very small budget. My oldest children also love to craft with me, so I am constantly looking for kid friendly crafts. I recently came up with this fall leaf name wreath idea (say that three times) and I decided to let my kids do it all themselves. I think they turned out so cute and and oh so affordable since each wreath creation only costs: $2.75. These will be treasured for many years in our home and I wanted to share them with you so that your family could also make these adorable fall creations..

You will need...

A crafty child or two
Small Straw Wreaths (ours came wrapped in plastic wrap and we left them that way to avoid additional mess)
Straight pins (we chose the ones with little colored balls on the ends so that the kids could push them in more easily, but any that you might have on hand would work)
Fall ribbon for hanging
Silk fall leaves
Felt for the name banner (we used a firm felt sheet so that it would stand strongly across the wreath without drooping)
Letter stickers for the name banner

To follow the steps on how to make these wreaths...

please visit my first post at the

Exemplify Online Family Channel.

A Little About Me...

2009-06-04T14:09:00.001-05:00

I am a Southern girl (okay woman) who loves the Lord. I am married to the man of my dreams who treats me like a queen. We have been blessed with three amazing children(soon to be four through the blessing of international adoption from Ethiopia). I believe happiness is all about attitude & appreciation!

Our life is filled with family activities and our desire to raise our children as strong Christians. I have started this blog as a way to praise God in every situation and in hopes of always recognizing the good in others. I am also a big believer in "Saying It Now", meaning that you should say things now before it is too late and you regret not saying something - such as I love you or I am proud of you. In short I hope to let God's light shine through in all that I do - it is not always easy since I am in no way perfect (gasp...I know...shocking), but it is my daily prayer.

Questions, Comments or Prayer Requests?Please email me...mommy02three@gmail.com

Happy 1st Birthday Ryann Elizabeth

2009-12-04T05:01:00.000-06:00

Ryann was due on December 25th, but she apparently did not want to have a Christmas birthday because on this day, December 4th, she arrived three weeks early. Other than her hurry to get here, she has been the most laid back baby we have known. She is such a pure blessing of love and happiness and we couldn't have asked for a better baby.

We knew how quickly the first year would fly by based on Taylor and Cade's first year, so we deliberately tried to soak in each and every little detail. We tried so many times to just slow down time...with no avail. It is not that we do not want her to move to the next milestone, but we just know that once she meets a milestone, she is moving towards the next. It just goes by too fast.

These days our little princess is walking (two steps) and then dropping to crawl. She is into EVERYTHING. Of course her brother and sister hate this and they are constantly trying to keep her from their things. Ryann is very independent and will take off to explore as long as we will let her. She greatly dislikes her brother or sister trying to control her (we have no idea where she gets that from 'ahem'). She gives waves for bye bye and hello, she shakes her head yes and no, she can motion for more food and she can say... Mama, Dada, Siss, Bubba, this and is.

Happy Birthday Sweet Ryann! We love you so dearly and we cannot imagine life without your precious smile. You are such a blessing to so many and we look forward to watching you grow and learn. We cannot wait to see the path that God lays before you to follow. We love you sweet girl.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

The Baby That Changed Everything...

2009-12-03T06:25:00.003-06:00

It was this time last year that I was very pregnant with my daughter Ryann. Ryann’s due date was December 25th; a beautiful date for a baby to be born. As I waddled through the Thanksgiving season into Christmas season, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ mother, Mary. I thought of her emotions. What it must have felt like to know that she was going to be giving birth to the Savior of the world, the Son of God. I also thought about her discomfort.

Please visit me at:

Exemplify Family Channel

to read the rest of my post for today.

Three out of five is bad....

2009-12-01T14:45:00.004-06:00

Three out of five of our family members have strep throat. Paul, Taylor and I have all be diagnosed with the throat fun. Thankfully, this is our second day of being on meds so we are no longer contagious. Hopefully, our other two will stay healthy.

Since I have not felt like doing much else...I wrote down some of Cade's quotes. Here are some of the most recent ones:

While helping me give Ryann a bath, Cade said, "Mommy, make her hair look like a molerat!" "Cade, I believe you mean a mowhawk." "Yeah, that's what I meant."

As he pointed to a rail and referring to a comment I had made a few days earlier. "Mommy! I am not as skinny as a rail. Look at that! Do you think I am that skinny?"

When getting out of the car in garage...."Mommy, I am not going to bump the door into the other car because I am being very careful. OOPS!! Okay, so I bumped into the other car, but it didn't leave a scratch."

Cade has asked many times how old he has to be to be able to marry his preschool "lovey dovey"? We have told him that he should finish college before he starts thinking about marriage. He then states that he is only going to college where she goes...(yes, he has it bad). So, he got into the car from preschool today and said, "Well, it looks like the only way I can marry 'S' is if I go to soccer college. She says that is where she is going to college. I have never heard of soccer college, but if she says there is one, that is where I am going."

Jingle Bells...Cade Style

2009-11-27T05:37:00.002-06:00

To start the Christmas cheer around our house each year, we all gather around the computer to watch this video. It is of Cade singing Jingle Bells when he was just two years old. It never fails to make us all smile. I hope it brings smiles to you and puts you in the Christmas mood...enjoy!

I am thankful for...

2009-11-26T00:03:00.002-06:00

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

1 Chronicles 16:8

Word Filled Wednesday...1 Chronicles 29:13

2009-11-25T05:30:00.001-06:00

Now, our God, we give you thanks,

and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:13

To your favorite Bible verses and photos visit:

Yes, I realize I am old...but

2009-11-24T08:28:00.007-06:00

At the risk of sounding really old...I am about to rant.

Last night after dinner the kids were enjoying some Daddy time while I went to the grocery store to pick up a few items. On the way into the store, I notice that the girl ringing the bell for the Salvation Army was not only ringing the bell, but was also texting. While I give her props for the talent that it takes to ring a bell and text at the same time, I was shocked. Really? She needs to text while ringing the bell? Then I go in and pick up my few items. While the cashier was checking my groceries out, she stops and reads a text she just received. I am sure she thought she was being very discreet, but I knew exactly what she was doing. I then push my cart out to the car, unload it and push it over to the cart corral. What do I see there, but the young man who is suppose to be collecting the carts leaning up against the corral...texting.

Here is where the really old part comes in. When I was 16 my first job was at a grocery store. No one had cell phones then and if someone had called me when I was at work, my mom took a message and I returned the call when I arrived home. I just do not get constantly texting? Am I missing something? Okay, sorry about that...I feel better now that I got that off my chest.

On a funny note to add to that...

I once overheard Taylor telling Cade "When Mommy and Daddy were growing up they didn't have cell phones. They had to talk on a phone that had a cord AND it was attached to the WALL!"

Yes, we are old...

To My Dad...

2009-11-23T04:00:00.003-06:00

Do you ever look back on your life and give thanks for all those who molded you along the way? As I look back, I have so many memories of times and people that have made an impact on the person I am today. Of course those who made the biggest impact on my life are my parents. I will forever be grateful to God for the blessing He gave me through my parents. They sacrificed so much for me throughout my life and taught me many important lessons without even speaking; through their example alone.

My father showed me all through life, the importance of giving to others. He is a psychologist, but that is a fancy title that he never gives himself. Because he wouldn't want the others he helps to think that he is looking down on them. He treats others the way they should be treated with love and respect. He respects them for the gifts and talents that God has blessed them with and he focuses on their abilities, not their disabilities.

When I was a child, my dad worked with troubled youth. I have very vivid memories of teens calling our house all hours of the day and night to talk to my dad. They called because they were troubled and needed to talk or sometimes because they were threatening suicide. These teens knew that my dad would take their calls. They knew that he would have the answers they needed to hear. They knew that he could make things better.

As I grew older, he began working with troubled adults. He would bring them to church with him or to our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. He knew that they wouldn't have anyone to share the holidays with and he didn't want them to be alone. There were times when he knew of a family that would not be able to purchase their kids Christmas presents, so we would go buy presents, wrap them and leave them at their door. Sometimes others would have family members they wanted to visit, but did not have a car to drive to get there. So, my dad would get up on Christmas morning and drive them to their family member's house so that they could spend a day there. It was always little examples like that, that made the biggest impact on me. The spirit of giving in the smallest, yet biggest ways.

The things that my dad's clients knew about him were the exact things I also knew about him. I knew that my dad would never be too busy to listen to me. I knew that my dad loved me. I knew that my dad always had the answers to my problems...the answers might not always be what I wanted to hear, but I knew he would have them. I have always known that my dad could make everything all better.

As I walk through life now as an adult and a parent, I value my father more than ever. The sacrifices I now see that he and my mother made make my heart swell. They gave so much of their time to make me the person I am. They sacrificed and went without so that I could pursue my dreams. They have always told me, "I love you." and "I am proud of you." They have shown me what it is to live in a home full of love and laughter. The same lessons I was taught are now being taught to my own children.

It is amazing to now watch my father as a grandparent to my children and my brother's child. The love that he has for them is so deep and he is so filled with happiness just to hold them in his arms. I admire my father. I love and respect him. He is a big man with an even bigger heart. A heart that I will forever be grateful for because it makes me a better mother to my own children.

I know that he has just gotten up with his coffee and is reading this bright and early because that is what he does. He is a proud dad that still to this day, wants to love and encourage his children...that is his way. So this morning I say: I love you Dad and I am so grateful for your 60 years on this Earth. Happy Birthday Dad!

Children's children are a crown to the aged,

and parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 17:6

I LOVE my kids!

2009-11-18T08:24:00.004-06:00

I wanted to share with you Ryann's new trick. Over the last week, she has began nodding yes, shaking her head no and doing peek a boo. However, I am pretty sure you have not seen this style of peek a boo. It cracks us up...

I have not shared Cade's quotes in awhile... Here are some of the most recent ones that made me smile.

Cade's Quotes:

"Have you ever loved someone so much it hurts your heart?"

At Target near the bras, I happen to look over and see Cade's face buried in one like they are eyeglasses. He then says, "Mom, why do women need these breast holder uppers for anyway?"

"Taylor, you are my second favorite sister. WHAT? I said 'favorite'! You are just the second."

"Mommy you messed everything up!" "What did I do?" "You trimmed my fingernails and now I cannot take Legos apart."

The kids were preparing cars for the pinewood derby race at our church. Cade said, "I think I will call my car 'Thunder Balls'..." Daddy said, "I think you should come up with a different name." Cade then said, "Why?" Daddy said, "Because...that's why."

"Mommy, I am so glad God called you to adopt. I have wanted to adopt my entire life, so I am happy that God finally told you it was time."

We sold our tv and dvd player from our bedroom to a lady at church to help fund the adoption. Cade and Taylor rarely watch tv, but selling the tv made them sad. So, fast forward to that next Sunday. We were at church and we saw the lady who purchased our tv and dvd player. Cade then said to me, "Look Mommy! There is that lady who stole our tv!"

Cade has a girlfriend at his school. Taylor was referring to her as his girlfriend and Cade said, "She is not my girlfriend! She is my lovey dovey!"

A few days later Cade was again referring to his girlfriend and he said, "I am her Prince CHARMEY." Taylor then said, "Uh, I think you mean Charming."

{Taylor with her pine wood derby car}

I have been in a very reflective mood lately and I just have to share that I LOVE MY KIDS. I know that is not earth shattering or shocking, but I just love listening to them, hearing them laugh, seeing them share their love and their young wisdom. They are so precious and it makes me appreciate the beautiful works and ways of our Lord to an even greater level. If I love my kids this much, just think how much HE loves each of us.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Praises,Praises Everywhere

2009-11-17T08:04:00.003-06:00

I have to share with you some BIG praises! Please check out these links and praise God for the wonderful work He is doing in these lives...

First, is my Georgia peach friend, Andrea and her family...they just received their numbers on the waiting list with our agency and they made a fabulous video. I just know that we will be traveling together to pick up our babies. (Click here to see their video.)

Next, is my Saint's lovin' friend, Rachel. She has the most beautiful story of her friend's medical miracle on her blog. (To read it click here.)

Finally, I am praising God for sweet Josie Love. She is home with her forever family. I am so happy for her and her family and I hope to get to meet them very soon! (Click here to learn more about beautiful Josie Love)

Ornament Button...

2009-11-12T10:58:00.011-06:00

Our ornament sales have been very successful and we are hoping with the Christmas season fast approaching we will be able to sell even more to help bring Elijah home. We have had such creative people ordering them for different reasons such as to announce their adoption to the grandparents, as birthday gifts, gotcha day gifts, gifts in support of adopting and of course Christmas gifts. We are so appreciative of all who have ordered the ornaments thus far and we hope that you will enjoy displaying them this Christmas. I would like to ask you a big favor...if you ordered an ornament from us and you love it OR if you would like to help us with the sales of our ornaments, would you please place this button on your blog? Thank you!

Dear Elijah...

2009-11-16T09:41:00.004-06:00

{This is a series of letters that have been written to Elijah to share with him our journey to him. They will be presented to him some day when he can understand our journey to him. If you would like to read the previous letters, click here.}

Dear Elijah,

After months of completing paperwork, education classes and interviews, our home study and dossier are complete and we were given a number on the waiting list. The number of twenty-six is the beautiful number that will slowly countdown until we see your face through our referral. We have never been happier to wait. In our world waiting is seen as a terrible thing. Waiting means that you have to stop and be still. It means that you have to focus on nothing except what will happen next…like when they call your name. However, to us it means that God is preparing you. He is lovingly watching over you and He is guiding your life to have our paths meet…in His perfect timing.

While we wait, God is also preparing our family for you. He is guiding us to make big changes in our lives. He is opening our eyes to things we have never seen before. God is leading us to you through paths we did not know existed and all the while we are trusting in His good and perfect will. We have never surrendered ourselves to His will like we have with this adoption and now we wonder why we have not done this all of our lives. We are able to see the beauty of God in all situations good and bad and we are able to trust beyond what we even imagined possible. God is so good my son.

We pray that you will always grow knowing just how good our God is. We pray that you will always know just how loved you truly are. We pray that no matter what happens in your life you will always know that you have us as your family and most importantly you always have God walking right beside you. He has never left you from the moment you were being created in your mother’s womb. You are so precious in His sight and in ours. We love you my son. We love you with our whole hearts and with our minds. You are such a beautiful blessing in the lives of so many.

So, we wait for you…we patiently wait until the day comes when God will join us. We long to hold you in our arms. We long to share with you the beautiful love that God has given us to share with you. We love you Elijah.

Love,

Mommy

Happy 1st Birthday Lucy Lane!

2009-11-14T15:29:00.008-06:00

We had the privilege of celebrating Lucy Lane's 1st birthday with her today. It is a beautiful fall day and we had so much fun celebrating the blessing Lucy Lane is in the lives of so many. She is pure happiness and we are so happy that we will forever be connected to this sweet girl. We are so thankful that God placed her beautiful family in our lives.

Because of the inspiration we felt the day we watched LL's gotcha video, we took the leap of faith to adopt. God has changed our lives in so many ways because of this adoption and we will never be the same..for that we give thanks.

On with the pictures...

The birthday girl and her family

Lucy Lane just LOVES her siblings

Blowing out the candle

Piñata time...

Taylor and Cade

designing their own cupcakes...

Enjoying the bouncy slide...backwards of course

Ryann in the little kids bouncy house...

looking for her buddy Lucy Lane.

The kids missed their other buddy, Silas,

who was unable to make it to the party.

(Ryann wore a bow to honor LL on her birthday.

She even kept it in the entire party...)

Ryann is so happy to be playing with Lucy

Wait for me friend...

Happy 1st Birthday Lucy Lane!

Elijah's Crib Bedding Review

2009-11-13T09:49:00.006-06:00

As I shared last week, the kind people at CSNbaby.com contacted me to do a crib bedding review for Elijah's room. I was so thankful for this opportunity. After my husband and I viewed the hundreds of crib bedding selections they offered online, we chose the MiGi Alphabet Crib Bedding set and the throw blanket (pictured above). We were so pleased how quickly our set arrived and how adorable it was after taking it out of the box. I quickly washed and dried the set and the blankie. They washed so nicely and all of the pieces are very soft. Our favorite feature is that there is a soft chenille/fleece border on the outer edge of the crib quilt and the back of the quilt, as well as on the inside of the bumper pads. I personally love the scalloped edge of the crib skirt and all of the appliquéd details such as the polka dots and letters.

We think it will work perfectly for Elijah's room. Since we now have his crib bedding, we will be able to better pick the paint colors and other details for his nursery. The blankie will be the first item we will send to Ethiopia after we receive our referral. We plan to continue loving on it until we ship it to him. It is so soft and cozy and we just know he will love it!

If you are looking for crib bedding for your sweet baby, please check out CSNbaby.com for all of your nursery needs.

Ryann, Cade and Taylor loving on the blankie.

Cade and Taylor proudly showing off Elijah's crib quilt.

The chenille detail around the edge of the quilt