Adoption Update

Just an update on how things are going! We go to Aiken tomorrow for our final home study meeting. If you ever adopt, and need a home study, so with Adoption Advocacy out of Greenville. They get things done, no breaks. I am so thankful they were the first folks I got on the phone, they have made this process a whole lot easier. After tomorrow is finished, then we will get back to getting the dossier completed, hopefully by the end of the month we can turn that in. Among other things, we have all been very busy hanging out together at the lake and enjoying summer vacation. It will end soon, BOO, so we have to cherish every moment we get. Brooks has really enjoyed reading some chapter books this summer, and is very thankful for his library card! Luke has found a new love, his BIKE!!! He rides all the time. CG's new thing is being Miss Independent. She doesn't want any help getting dressed anymore. I think yesterday's outfit consisted of stripe shorts, purple top (on backwards), and cowgirl boots (on the wrong feet). She was straight stylin"!!! Today we took the kids to the YMCA in Anderson...who knew they had a water park??? They were playing some pretty awesome music and then "Love Shack" came on. Nate(my nephew) started breaking it down and I'm not even lying, I was right there with him. That boy has got some moves!!!! I am so very thankful for each one of these crazy kiddos! They are certainly a blessing! Cannot wait to add another to the bunch and give her a forever family!

All 3 kids fell asleep in our bed a few nights ago. Notice the cat A.K.A "the spawn of Satan"....yeah this is prior to him being put outside for good!!! Seriously, that cat was not nice all the time!!!

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Home Study

We have been in a huge whirlwind around here for the past 2 weeks. Aside from normal everyday events like, eating, sleeping, summer bridge work with the boys, my master's work, we have been redoing the house and are in the process of getting ready for our home study. This is the first BIG event that we are going to encounter for this adoption process. We know that the agency is NOT really concerned about our house all that much, BUT mostly the focus will be on us as a family. However, me being the overly worried russian mother to be, I want me house to look good and feel like a home. So I have worked Curt and his help to the bone getting this house in order. It is an ongoing job that will continue over the next year or so.

The home study process will take about 6 weeks to complete, that is if we get all the paperwork completed in time. I am hoping to be on top of things and organized so that we can move on to the next step which is completing the dossier a.k.a becoming "paper pregnant". So, we are asking for you guys to remember us as we look on to Tuesday morning! Such an exciting meeting, but so nerve racking.

P.S. Eclipse at midnight on tuesday.......I am so excited! Have a great week!

Random pics and accepted!

We were accepted to the Russia program this past week, so we will continue with that for the next......well, I don't know how long! Our next step is a home study, which we have already begun! More on that later, just excited to see it unfold. I am excited to say that I have started making little girls dresses and if I get good enough I plan on selling them and using the profits to bring home our little girl from overseas. Curt told me the other day that we need to stop doing this so slowly!! I was a little shocked because he is the one who is normally so laid back. He said it is time to get her, his cinderella number 2!!!! People ask us if we are sure, can we handle it? There isn't anything to say but she is our child. Our life is busy and complicated yes, but God has never promised us a laid back and easy life. This is just simply the next step fro our family. God has called and we are going to answer! We are always going to serve God and when He says take care of my orphans, well, we have heard that request and are trying to follow through! I want my own children to learn to love unconditionally, not seeing races or color! It is time!!!

Clay night at LCP

First Grade awards night

CG at Luke's Graduation

Things can change in an instant

Two weeks ago, after mailing in our first of many payments to the adoption agency, we received a call saying that Kazakhstan has closed the door and frozen all adoptions until further notice. We were needless to say a little sad, but we just trust that this is God's way of saying "Trust Me". Since then, we have been praying specifically about two different countries. Both Rwanda and Russia are great choices, but Rwanda is a new program and is a little iffy right now. So, we are currently in the application process "AGAIN" for the Russia program. I am so excited about this country, very close to the one we wanted before! I'll keep ya'll posted!

It's official

At about 4:20 today I recieved a call from America World Adoption Agency. This was a call we had been waiting on for a few weeks, the call to tell us that we have been accepted into the adoption program for Kazakhstan. We are thrilled, nervous, scared and diligently praying!!! There is so much more still left to do, we are only beginning this process. So glad that God has chosen us to go on this amazing journey, the journey to give one more orphaned child a loving, and Christian home. We invite you to pray along with us as we begin the adventure of a lifetime. I am constantly reminded that this life is not my own. My job on this earth is to make a difference, look at the big picture. What kind of legacy am I going to leave behind? How do I value success? Following Jesus' call for our lives is what we are called to do, OBEY Him! So, we are so glad to be following God to Kazakhstan!

Mother's Day 2010

This marks this first mother's day that my boys are old enough to surprise me with a gift where I really had NO idea what they were doing. The boys woke up before 6 this morning, using the alarm clock aka....the timer!!! They came giggling into our room and got Curt out of the bed. I slept for a few more minutes and then got in the shower. When I got out, my oldest son had a card for me and I smelled breakfast cooking. The boys had come up with the wonderful idea to feed me breakfast before going to church! They fixed me an eggo waffle and coffee of course! They were so sweet and I loved watching their faces as I dug into my meal! Thank you to all of my wonderful children, I am so blessed to have the opportunity to raise you. Precious children we love each other and God!! If this is all I accomplish in life it will be more than enough!

On another note, we are continuing to pray for God's will in the Kazakhstan region! We are beginning our journey to international adoption. After over a year of prayer over this idea, we are now sure that we will be adding one more precious gift of God to our family! Like I said, it is only the beginning of a long and exciting journey. We feel as Christian parents, it is our job to show and teach our children about unconditional love. What better way to support this than through adoption!!! Sooooo, here we go!!!

Praying for kazakhstan

dear friend Sharon a.k.a mi-mi, informed me this past Sunday that one of her countries to pray for is kazakhstan! Those of you who know us know the importance of this particular country, so I am asking for everyone to pray for this country, its leaders, its people, that they would seek forgiveness from their sins and allow God to have full control! So ready to get the ball rolling on this one! It is gonna be a wild and exciting ride, so Curt and kids...hang on tight!!!!