Double Digits!

Today we celebrate our 10 year old Anni!  We had a little family party for her last night - here's the recap

We gave her tree fort a little make-over! :)

You ask a 10 yr old what they want to do on their birthday and this is what you get! 

Our Lovelies! 

Dear Anni,

You've always been our determined one!  As a baby, you were determined to eat RIGHT NOW and sleep on your schedule.  You were determined to be heard...loud and clear!  

You were determined to be held by Abbi, because most of the time, she was the only one who could calm you down! :)

We've always believed that God would use your determination to do BIG things for Him and now as you grow, we're beginning to see glimpses of that more and more.  

We see your determination on the soccer field, as you work hard and give your best effort.  We see you cheer as you win and see the tears well-up as you lose and all the while you're learning what it means to be a good team mate and a good sport!

We see your determination to be a good friend to those around you and most importantly, to make sure your friends know about Jesus!  

We see your determination as you pray that God will help you be a good sister to little A and J, even though it means that you'll no longer be the "baby" of the family!

We love your heart sweet girl - so tender towards others!  You connect with people quickly and once you've made that connection, it's for life! :) 

Hellos are always exciting and Goodbyes are always hard. 

 

As God continues to mold your heart and determination for Him, we can't wait to see what will happen!  You're one of a kind and we're so thankful that you're ours!

We love you!

XOXO

3 Projects - Project #3

I finished my 3 projects last week - whew!  

As Averi and I were working in A and J's room the other night, she said, "Man, I wish we would've known about IKEA when I was little!"  

Their room is looking pretty fun!  

Can't wait to have 2 sweet little kiddos home to give it that "lived in" look! :)

3 Projects- Project #2

I've been a little under the weather for the past couple of days, but I'm bound and determined to finish my 3 projects for little J and A's room this week!  So here's Project #2 (again, thanks to Pinterest!)

Prepping the canvas 

The words - I used a black paint pen.  I like the "handwritten" look, but if you are more particular, Michael's had lots of letter templates.

The finished project!

Here's what it says:

I am your parent, you are my child

I am your quiet place, you are my wild

I am your calm face, you are my giggle

I am your wait, you are my wiggle

I am your dinner, you are my chocolate cake

I am your bedtime, you are my wide awake

I am your lullaby, you are my peek-a-boo

I am your good night kiss,
you are my 'I love you'

Joy in The Congo

Simply Beautiful ~

3 Projects - Project #1

The past 2 weeks at church have been non-stop busy, so our Children's Pastor gave our staff this week to work from home - accomplishing just the "have-to's" and spending some time recouping!  Since I'm not one to sit still for too long, I decided this week would be perfect for accomplishing some projects for little A and J's room.  I found 3 projects on Pinterest (oh Pinterest, where have you been all my life?!) that I LOVE - I figure if I chart my progress, I'll have more incentive to actually get them done.

So...here's yesterday's project - #1

Prepping the canvas

Cutting out the letters

Modge-podge

I make my own modge-podge using equal parts of Elmer's glue and water - shake really well and presto - you've got modge-podge!

Finished project!

My Cup Overflows

I'm sitting this morning thinking through all the events of yesterday, Easter Sunday, with such a grateful heart!  I'm so thankful for our Risen Savior, who gave His everything for me.  One of the songs we sang yesterday with our Harbortown kids was "Remember" - I'll remember You - remembering the price You paid, remembering the cross, remembering the empty tomb - I'll remember You.  Even this morning, it brings tears.

I'm thankful for our girls!  As I looked at them in their "Easter best" - which, for our family, meant their volunteer t-shirts - my heart overflowed.  They chose to spend their Easter Sunday serving others through 3 services and 3 Easter egg hunts - love their hearts! 

I'm thankful for my incredible husband, who "gets it" when I'm tired and is patient even when that tiredness results in grumpiness.  Instead of complaining, he grills steak and takes us to TCBY!  

I'm thankful for the amazing people I have the privilege of serving with each Sunday in our Children's Ministry - what an inspiring, encouraging and fun group of people - love them!  

I'm thankful for the two sweet little ones that are waiting for us on the other side of the ocean.  I'm thankful for the little glimpses we have of them and their personalities through pictures and video.  I can't wait to be their mommy - I can't wait to celebrate next Easter with them!  

I'm so thankful for all that God has taught and continues to teach our family through this adoption journey.  It isn't easy, but we have seen God's hand in undeniable ways - we all have grown and I wouldn't trade that for anything!

This morning, all I can say is "thank you Jesus".  My cup overflows!

Joy

Our great hope is found in believing that God sees the bigger picture - the highest perspective.  And in those times when we are puzzled by the small pieces that just don't seem to fit together, He promises to be with us.

A month ago, our family was truly puzzled, the picture just wasn't turning out like we thought it would.

We knew that God delights in adoption, in putting orphans into families and we knew that God called our family to adopt - so why weren't things working out?  

I asked myself that question many times in the days right after we lost our 1st referral.  But here's the thing, we never lost hope - because we know that God sees the pieces of the picture that we don't and we knew that He was walking through this time with us - we felt His comfort and peace in so many different ways.

We continued to wait with great expectation for what piece of the picture God would show us next.  And boy, did He have a beautiful surprise in store for us!

Today, we officially accepted another referral and our lawyer will be heading to court on our behalf in just a couple weeks.  Here's what I can show you...

Yep, you counted right!  10 little toes on 4 sweet little feet!  Not only did God give us another referral - He doubled the fun!!  Twin girl and boy, who turned 3 yrs old in January.  I cannot begin to tell you the range of emotions we're experiencing right now, but joy certainly tops the list!

"God has done great things for us and we are filled with joy!"  Psalm 126:3