how are we doing? {adoption update}

We are doing pretty good. Really.

We live in a microwave society. We want things quick and NOW! We have trouble waiting on something as small as our food orders sometimes. But God is teaching me through this adoption what it means to truly wait on HIM.

The first week after we found out we were going to have to wait another 2-3 months for a referral was pretty rough to be honest. I like to plan things out {I mean, who doesn't?}, and in my planning we were going to get a referral anywhere from March 1st to May 1st {8-10 months just like we were told}. Adoptions very rarely go like you plan. We were told this from the beginning and now we really and truly know this firsthand. And you know, now I am beginning to be more and more okay with that. After I readjusted my expectations for sometime this summer and let that settle for a few days, I feel very peaceful about the whole thing. Some things are actually making me think that this whole delay is for a reason. God is up to something and I think it's big. Just to keep it real though, if in about 2-3 months we are told we're going to have to wait ANOTHER 2-3 months, I'll throw ANOTHER hissy fit for about a week...and then I'll be okay AGAIN. :-) Let's just pray that doesn't happen!

In the meantime, we are gearing up for a fun summer! I am really going to try and enjoy these precious boys by themselves this summer because it will {hopefully} be their last one alone. Elijah only has a little over a week left of school and in that amount of time he is on a Ranger's game field trip today, has field day on Friday, his awards program and end of school party next week. I am having a {small} garage sale this Friday and Sat morning {let me reiterate SMALL}...whew, I could NOT do what we did last October again! :-) Our neighborhood is having a garage sale this weekend so it's already advertised and everything...I'm hoping to make a few more hundred dollars for our plane tickets.

Judah is happy to be eating popsicles to get ready for summertime! Wow, he is Mr. Teeth in this picture. The dentist said one time that he has quite the canines! :-)


And following Elijah's last day of school, our line-up for the summer break is:
Two weeks of working & going to Summer Spectacular at our church, Jason is turning 30 -yikes!, Camp of the Hills the last week in June - I'll turn 31 while there, a small trip by myself to visit my sweet friend Misty & her twin babies in San Antonio, a new nephew/cousin in early July, swim lessons, gymnastics, hopefully lots of playdates & swimming, reading books, working on math with Elijah {ick}, another trip to Camp of the Hills the first week in August with some friends {Elijah will be in heaven going TWO weeks this summer!} and let's throw a REFERRAL in there somewhere and it looks like it's going to be a fun yet relaxing summer vacation!

Thanks to all who have been asking how we are doing with the adoption delay and for all who are keeping us and our daughter in your prayers. We really appreciate the support!

another year bites the dust

Another preschool year for me and Judah, that is. Yesterday was our last day of the school year...I really think this was the fastest school year in HISTORY! I can't believe it's already over. I had a great co-teacher, made some great new friends and had a wonderful class of kiddos. It will be hard to settle into the laziness of summertime, but I'm sure it won't take us long to adjust. :-) Elijah still has 2 more weeks though. Let me introduce you to some important people at this little preschool of mine!

Sweet new friends from this year: Katie, me, Suzy and Kim

Lori and I. We taught together my first two years at this school and now she is my department lead! She rocked and did a fantastic job (like I knew she would), but I did miss teaching with her. Oh, and did I mention we've been close friends since the 5th grade?!?! :-)

Judah's wonderful teachers: Ms Crystal and Ms Jessica
Thank you for loving on my boy this year - he adores both of you!

This was my partner in crime this year, my co-teacher LeeAnn. LOVED teaching with her and am so glad I had the privilege to become her friend. She is a jewel! We had a blast together!

My friend, Shei, our preschool music teacher. This was her LAST year after teaching music here for 5 years!!! We are all going to miss her so much!

So, I got some very sweet gifts from my students. Like this amazing made-from-scratch cake that we had after dinner tonight. Yum!

The sweetest gift of all though, was that LeeAnn organized for all of the parents to give money toward our adoption...since we are still needing money for our second trip. I walked out on the last day of school with enough money for 1/3 to 1/2 of a plane ticket!!!! I am in awe of the generosity of my sweet parents and of LeeAnn. I know I've already thanked all of you, but THANK YOU again!!! The body of Christ is such a gift. Our baby girl is lucky to be so loved. And my God is the God of provision! What a wonderful way to end the year!

real love is...

Loving them when they're a teenager! Ha, ha, ha!!!
This sweet mother's day card from Elijah just cracked me up!
Translation (in case you can't read it well):
"I know that you love me. Even when I'm a teenager. From Elijah"
Can I get an Amen from any moms of teenagers out there?
I am NOT looking forward to that age!
(And apparently Elijah already knows that he's going to be trouble! :-)

random-ness

Okay, I'm trying to keep up here. I really do intend on putting this whole blog into books by years this summer. This is our scrapbook of memories since I hardly ever print ANYTHING out anymore. Since I've already told you how crazy busy May is, there are a lot of activities to keep up with right now! So, prepare yourself for a bunch of random photos. :-)

We traveled to Gainesville for another shower for baby Solomon. Can't wait for that cutie pie to get here! Love my sister-in-law, Nova! (and you too, Lauren, but you weren't there :-)

Love this picture of us with our wonderful mother-in-law.

Nova and Brad (Jason's brother, aka the proud Daddy)

I got her a bib and this outfit with his name on it.

And had a friend make her this nursing shawl.

That night, we went with Jason's parents to Babe's Chicken. Yum, yum!

Jason's dad (aka Grangoat) has a birthday the day before Elijah, so while we were at Babe's, we had a little birthday celebration for them. Check out the video at the bottom for a laugh! They were both good sports. Elijah told me that he and Grangoat were birthday twins. :-)

Remember when I mentioned my mom taking Elijah and I to see The Wizard of Oz last weekend? Well, she sent me some pictures from her phone that she took. Here is Elijah with the Lion and to his left, the very adorable Good Witch, played by a young girl. She did a great job!

And here he is with the Bad Witch and the Tin Man.

The randomness just keeps coming! :-) My mom also sent me this picture of Elijah with his best buddy from school. Aren't they cute?

And lastly, Aunt Laur-Laur captured this GREAT picture of Judah. This is CLASSIC Judah right here. He makes this face all the time. I'm SO glad she got a picture of it. This is his ornery "I'm not gonna cooperate, I'm gonna be silly" face. Love this boy!

If you click Play on this video, you'll see a great Chicken Dance featuring two big chickens!

elijah is 7!!!!

May 13th seven years ago is the day I became a mommy.
It was a very bittersweet day.
A hard labor experience,
followed by the birth of a beautiful baby boy,
followed by 8 days in the NICU because he had a stroke.
It was very scary but he is our miracle baby.

He's gone from this...

to THIS! He had just woken up on his 7th birthday. :-)

I think he had a great day! First, his birthday was announced on the radio right before he went to school that day. To view that video, scroll to the bottom of this post.

He told me they announced his birthday on the intercom at school and he got a special birthday card and pencil. I also took cupcakes and juice to his school that afternoon. Here are his classmates singing Happy Birthday to him.

After school, we went to the park for a few minutes to play.

Then it was home to open his present from mom and dad.

Followed by a yummy Hibachi-style dinner with the Beck's.

Judah SCREAMED bloody murder when they did the fire at the beginning.
Apparently I should have warned him about that. Oops.

They even brought him free fried ice cream since it was his birthday.
He shared it with Annalee. :-)

Mom and Dad with the big 7 year old! I told him that 7 was way too old because I remember so many things from when I was 7, and now I have a 7 year old! Sigh.

Grace, Annalee, Elijah and Judah.

He is SO precious. He told me this morning that he thought he played better at his soccer game because he was 7 years old now. So cute.

Here are 7 things I love about this kid:

1. His sensitive, compassionate, caring heart
2. That he blows me kisses and signs "I love you" EVERY morning as he walks into school and I watch from the car
3. He wants to be a missionary when he grows up
4. He STILL loves to snuggle with me and read books with me
5. How much he TRULY loves and looks out for his baby brother
6. His awareness that not everyone in the world is as fortunate as he is, and his desire to help them
7. He is so accepting of others, even when they are "different" than he is - his friend base is very diverse

I could go on and on about him...his passion for Camp of the Hills, pancakes and all things Star Wars. He can name almost EVERY SINGLE character from ANY of the Star Wars movies...for real. I just love, love, LOVE him! He is a precious gift. We are SO privileged to call him our son and play even a small part in raising him to be the mighty warrior God wants him to be.

Elijah, keep loving and caring and serving and accepting. It's what life is all about. You do those things for God and life will be as meaningful as it can be. And YOU already are an example to those around you. Your friends and your brother ADORE you and look up to you. Your dad and I are so proud of you and we love you very much. Happy 7th Birthday Chief!

For a great recap of Elijah's previous birthdays, click HERE

I wish I'd kept recording. Right after I turned it off he said, "No way! How did they know it was my birthday?" :-)

double party

Since the boys' birthdays are less than 3 weeks apart, we decided to do a double party this year. It was GREAT and I may do it for as many more years as I can! Elijah wanted a Harry Potter cake and Judah wanted a Buzz Lightyear cake, so we had two themes going on! We had the party at AquaKids because the boys wanted to swim. Thanks to everyone who came...the boys had a blast, we are so blessed with great friends!

I made the cupcakes for everyone else to eat!

Swimming!

Friends and family!

I wish I had arranged all of the kids for a picture!

Cake!

Presents!

Thanks Ashley for the adorable shirts you made the boys!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIJAH AND JUDAH!!!