The Week in Review...

The BIG NEWS is...Mr. B has started pooping on the potty! OK, I know that's not a great way to start a post, but I am so excited! Yeah Mr. B!!!! This event is a sure sign that God does answer prayer.

Big Sis D started tennis this week. With her transitioning to middle school a whole new world of opportunities has opened up to her & she decided to give it a try. We know absolutely nothing about tennis, but I suspect we will learn quickly. She has her first match September 9th!

K-man went to his school open house this past week. He was excited that his former kindergarten teacher has moved up to second grade & he has him again. Yeah! We are all happy about this news.

And a sure sign of school starting is a trip to the fair. We had lots of fun, but everyone was worn out at the end of the night. It's been a good week of fun & relaxation as we gear up for another school year.

Fun on the merry-go-round

Petting the fainting goats

Checking out the farm equipment

Delaney & Keaton on the big swings

Keaton racing

Spinning and spinning

On the big tractor

More tractor fun

And the Moral of the Story is...

...don't try polishing an old bullet on a grinding wheel for something to do.

Yep, that's what my father-in-law tried to do yesterday. You can probably guess the outcome was not good. Jeff's mom and dad were both down in their shop - she was sweeping & he was grinding. Of course she didn't know WHAT he was grinding.

Long story short - there was an explosion. Thankfully no one was hit by the actual bullet, but the explosion mangled his finger. The surgeon evaluated it and they will decide today whether or not they will be amputating. It could have been much worse so we are thankful for that.

What was his reaction to this event? He was happy it didn't wreck his trigger finger so he can still go hunting. Sheesh...

Prayers for Elroy would be appreciated.

Worth the Wait

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:5-8

If you are having difficulty during your "season of waiting" and need some encouragement, please click here.

Cute Stuff for Miss Cuteness

In 30 DAYS I will hold our girl! I can't believe it! I am so excited to meet Anchise, to love on all of the kids at Three Angels, and to see the country of Haiti with all of it's beauty & pain. My life is about to be changed in a major way & I can't wait.

Several people have graciously given me the sweetest outfits to take to Anchise (thank you!) and we have done a little shopping ourselves. The clearance racks are packed with great deals on summer clothes right now so I've been able to get most things for just a couple of dollars. It has been so much fun shopping for a little girl again.

Back from Some R&R

Every year for Christmas my mom asks what to get our family & every year I tell her "no stuff". We don't want anything that will collect dust or that we will find at the back of the closet come March never to be seen again. Our favorite thing to do is get away together as a family so we were happy to be blessed again last Christmas with a gift card to the Lodge at Cedar Creek. We left Saturday morning & got back this afternoon. It was wonderful to get away and we really enjoyed our time together.

It's funny how this adoption changes the way I look at everything - including our time away. I couldn't help but think of how we were frolicking in thousands of gallons of clean water for fun & play, but the people of Haiti have to bath & drink in the same water that they go to the bathroom in. I guess it just comes with the territory of being in the "Seriously Disturbed & Gloriously Ruined Club". I also couldn't help but get a little sad, hoping & praying that next year Anchise will be able to be on our trip. We miss you sweet girl & can't wait to be able to have fun with you!

Not Wasting a Single Bit

The Randomness Continues...

Miss Delaney could not have her hair cut while she was in the play, but since it is over she was ready for a new do. She opted for a shorter cut for her middle school debut. I think she looks adorable...oops, I mean sophisticated.

Unfortunately Keaton is now sick. I thought I had food poisoning on Sunday, but it looks like it must have been a flu bug that made it's way to him. He has been very feverish since yesterday & just a short while ago he barfed on the TV. That's right, I said he barfed on the TV. He got up out of the chair, walked over to the TV & projectile vomited all over the front of it. It looked like something straight out of a cartoon. We had a little talk afterward about heading for the bathroom, not the TV. Lesson learned.

And what can I say about Mr. B? I don't think this kid is ever going to poop on the potty. He is great at peeing, but just will not poop....please Lord, soon!!

A Post of the Random Variety

First off, I have to say Happy Birthday Mom! Isn't she cute!

Second, I am excited to say I have a DHS appointment! Looks like on September 29th I will be venturing out to file our I-600 and turn in our orphan first paperwork. The whole thing feels very official & exciting!

On a final note, I can't believe I registered my baby girl for middle school last night. It is certainly an exciting and scary time of growth for us all. It was strange being with her practicing a locker combination & walking through her schedule to all of the rooms. Can she handle it? Yes, with God's grace. Can I handle it? Yes, with God's grace.

Train up a child in the way he should go,

even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

39 Days Until I Hold Her

Malad

I am so sick. We went out last night to celebrate all of Delaney's hard work in the play and I believe I have food poisoning. I made the mistake of having the buffet, but thankfully no one else did. I have slept a lot today in between visits to the bathroom. Prayers would be appreciated.

WE GOT IT!!!!!

I just had the feeling as I walked to the mailbox that I would find our I-171H inside. Hallelujah it was there!!!! I wonder what people think when they see a woman crying at the mailbox?

Basically, the I-171H states that we are approved to adopt a child from Haiti. This was the piece of paper that I needed to have in order to file our I-600 on my trip to Haiti in September. Woo hoo & thank you Jesus!

Miss McBald & the Curse Birds

Another great show last night - packed house, standing ovation & all! There were a lot of talented kids on that stage. After the show was done many of the families were going to a local restaurant to hang out & eat. We did this last year, but it wasn't the most positive experience & it got really late. I asked Delaney if she wanted to try again, but she wanted to just go hang out with mom (hooray for me). We drove around to find someplace that was open late & not too loud and ended up at McDonald's. It was just us and another booth with two there...until Miss McBald & the Curse Birds showed up.

The place was virtually empty & they could have sat down anywhere, but lucky us they decided to plop down in the table next to ours. It was a girl who had shaved her head bald (obviously in an effort to make a statement) and two upstanding young gentlemen (insert sarcasm here). Within the first minute I heard about their night at the bar, at least three F* bombs (along with other choice words), and something about a penis. Thankfully we were almost done, but needless to say we didn't stay long after that. It never ceases to amaze me at the lack of respect some people show.

All in all it was a great night. It was fun to get in some more girl time over an Oreo McFlurry & some fries late at night. After this afternoons performance they will strike the set & then head off to the cast party at the park. It's a beautiful day for an outdoor party here...thank you Lord!

Opening Night

Fiddler on the Roof Jr. opened tonight! Year after year I am amazed at the quality of the work these kids pull off. The music was so enjoyable. Delaney was blessed by having lots of supporters in the audience - thanks for coming Nana, Auntie Lucy, G-Nana, Beanie, Austie, Lando, Leona, Tina, Karen (& Karen's mom) & Aunt Robbie.

Tomorrow night our whole family is going (even Mr. B which should be interesting). I'm praying he's not too much of a hooligan. There is also a performance on Saturday afternoon. We are so proud of you Delaney!!!!!!!!!!

200 Reasons to be Thankful

I received the best phone call today...it was someone from work telling me I had won $200 in a raffle! Praise Jesus for this blessing! It will, of course, be deposited directly in our adoption fund. Woo hoo!

Gassant Resigns

According to the Miami Herald Claudy Gassant has resigned. From what I understand (please correct me if I'm wrong) he has been a huge source of delays in the Haitian adoption process. Please pray that the new District Attorney appointed in Port au Prince will have compassion on these children and will be instrumental in expediting the process of bringing these kids home.

Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World

I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

Matthew 18:3-5

Little Miss Cuteness lookin' over her shoulder

I love her hair like this...how am I going to learn????

More Than Sparrows

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7

Well, the REAL wait is beginning. I feel like there have been so many waits already, but I know there are many, many more to come. Our dossier was delivered to Gretchen on Thursday so she could take it to Haiti with her on Friday. From what I understand all of the paperwork will be prepared to enter first legal. We're praying for a quick entry & exit from first legal so we can enter IBESR. The length of time each of these "waits" takes is completely in God's hands.

Having everything officially starting in Haiti has brought about a new level of anxiety & "what ifs". I just need to remember to cast my cares on Him. After all, I am worth more than many sparrows...

The Ones Who Make Me Smile

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Fun Times With Dolls...