Saturday, July 30, 2011

swim lessons


The boys just finished 2 weeks of swim lessons on Friday. Elijah learned the back stroke and Judah will now put his head under water and jump to us, so I'd call swim lessons this summer a success! Here are a few pictures and a video (the one of Judah would NOT upload for some reason). The picture of Judah going down the water slide makes me laugh because his eyes are closed and they were seriously going like .5 mph, just barely crawling down the slide! :-) We are headed to camp again for the week on Monday - more when we get back! We're soaking up every last bit of summer - only 3 weeks until Elijah starts back to school. :-(












Wednesday, July 27, 2011

some firsts

First gymnastics class.


First picture of him taking a nap in his undies.

First time he ever dumped every card game
in our house out in a big pile on the floor.

First time to make a permanent move to the bottom
bunk in Elijah's room (now both of their room).
Elijah was excited about this move too.
We'll see how it goes!




First black eye/cheek.

Poor baby was walking to the car from swimming
with his towel wrapped around him.
He tripped and fell and had no hands free to catch himself.
His cheek bone hit directly on the concrete sidewalk. :-(
Here it is a few days later-


There is never a dull moment with this one.
Love my baby boy.


Here's a little gymnastics action for you to enjoy:


p.s. Thanks for the encouragement after my last post. As of today, the average wait time is at 15 1/2 months. God is giving us the strength to run this race. "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

Saturday, July 23, 2011

life on the adoption front {what i DO know}

I've been kind of quiet on this issue for a while now.

It's definitely not because it's not important to us. It's definitely not because of a lack of thinking about it on our part. And it's definitely not because we never get any updates on the status of our adoption. We do, but most information I receive from our agency is not to be posted on the internet. And most of it is all very general and not pertaining to our case specifically.

I don't know when we'll get our referral. I don't know who our daughter is yet. I don't know when we'll have our court date and I don't know when we'll bring her home.

Here is what I DO know.

I know that referrals are still going out on a semi-regular basis to families in the Ethiopian program of our agency.

I know that families are receiving court dates fairly quickly after referral, as in 2-3 months after.

I know that we are number 13 or 14 on an unofficial internet list.

I know that the average wait time is at about 14-15 months right now.

I know that we are almost to 13 months.

I know that my caseworker said, "it is not realistic to expect that our wait time will be significantly longer than the current average right now", even though wait times continue to slightly go up each month.

I know that the Ethiopian government is still processing adoption cases (albeit slower than usual) and that they have their children's best interest at heart.

I know that God knows our daughter by name and knows how many hairs are on her head.

I know that God himself placed us on this path.

And most importantly I know that He is in control.

We entered into a discernment week with our small group this past week. At 5 different points throughout each day, we were to stop and pray specific things and read specific passages from the Bible. It continually reminded me to bring every thought, every joy, every problem, every worry and every praise to the Father. He spoke different things to me this week through others and just to me alone. Here is what I learned from my Teacher this week:

*He isn't finished working on me. He is refining me and purging me of bondage so that I can ultimately be free to serve Him the way He intends without hindrance from me.

*He loves me and He cares about the details of my measly little life.

*He is our Provider. He is taking care of our family, and He realizes we'll soon be adding another child to our house. He proved that He is Provider in two major ways this week.

*Spoken by a sweet friend: He has already planted in my heart that which He desires of me so that I will want which He already desires. He has quickened my heart to want what He wants for me. It is why I now long for my baby girl.

*The things that I am using as excuses or reasons to not do what He desires might be the exact reasons that I SHOULD do that very thing.

*He is teaching me how to LISTEN for His voice to know His will for my life.

It was a good week. I pray that these practices will become a habit. If you draw close to God, He WILL draw close to you.

Friday, July 22, 2011

bowling boys


We had a blast on Tuesday bowling for FREE with some friends!
This particular bowling alley let's kids bowl one free game a day all summer long!
You can't beat that right?

It was both of the boys first time, but just look at that form!


Judah had this special ramp that he could push the ball down.
I'm pretty sure out of the 8 kids we were with, he had the highest score! :-)

Elijah loved it - we'll have to try to get back there again!

Judah with his sweet friend Linkon.

I love summertime, and am a little depressed that Elijah starts back to school a month from today. Boo! It goes too fast - I'm not ready for routine again!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

some fun in the sun


We've had a lot of fun swimming in {other people's} pools this summer,
and you know, taking naps wherever we can get one.Nana and Grangoat's house is one of the boys' favorite places to be,
especially in the summertime.
You know, because of the pool and all.
And maybe a little because of their grandparents,
and the occasional visit from Aunt Laur-Laur.

The boys spent the night this weekend
and made homemade donuts the next morning.

He is such a funny little guy!

My littlest cutie cuddling & having fun with his daddy!


The toothless wonder!

He loves to be thrown in the air!

My 3 boys.

Actually, here is my 4th boy, Amos, desperately trying to get OUT of the water. I think he is thinking at this moment, "WHY did you put me in here people???"

The boys were all about the hats this day!

And let me leave you with one more picture of my new nephew,
just because he is so adorable!

Don't you just want to squeeze those cheeks?!?!

Friday, July 15, 2011

meet solomon

Meet our new nephew:
Solomon James
born July 13th
9 lbs and 20 inches long

The first grandchild on Jason's side of the family since my 2 boys.
The boys pretty much LOVED him and wanted to take him home!

It was seriously love at first sight!


And we could hardly pry him away from this one!

The proud uncle and aunt!

The rock-star mama who delivered this sweet 9lb baby with no drugs!

The very proud first time daddy!

And of course the very proud Nana and Grangoat!

We love you Solomon - welcome to our crazy family!

Monday, July 11, 2011

boys


They love sprinklers

in the summertime,

and playing

in the mud!

Monday, July 04, 2011

Our 4th


We spent the day at my sister's house swimming, cooking out and playing with cousins.
Elijah LOVES his cousin and friend, Jonathan!

The little ones wanted Jason to carry them around in the pool!

My mom and Judah.

At one point there were 9 boys and 2 girls in the pool - a lot of boys!

Judah finally got brave and would inch his way around the side of the pool in the deep end.

Elijah got creative and made himself a kayak. :-)

We had a great time, and then that night Elijah, my mom and I watched the fireworks at the Trinity River. Judah was exhausted so Jason stayed home with him. Hope you all had a great 4th as well!