Twins!

Yes, that's right - not a typo...

we have officially been referred and accepted

twin baby girls. Oh my. So excited. Blessed. Humbled.

They are about 4 months old, and

take-your-breath-away adorable.

It's amazing how instantly we fell in love.

My girls.

Beautiful.

I hope to write more, a lot more, later.

But my parents are flying in just about an hour and I plan to fully soak up the time with them and probably not blog until they go back to Washington.

In the meantime, though, take a look at these links...

just a few fun ways you can help us bring these girls home!!

http://justlovecoffee.com/thethompsons8

Some seriously good coffee, and seriously cute gear

Remember this post? Still raising money and giving away the beautiful hand crafted quilt!

http://www.ordinaryherostore.org/

Love these T's - so cute and hip and fun...with a great message! Just click away and select the Thompson's in the affiliate box at checkout!

Thanks so much!!!

Did I mention how crazy wonderfully excited we are! Twins....7 kids....so wild - love it!!!

The Clark family Adoption !

I'm so excited!

A friend that I met recently has just sent her husband over to Ethiopia

to bring home their baby boy.

I have goosebumps as I write this.

So excited for them.

Check out her blog here.

Can you even stand how cute he is?!?!

Please join me in praying for safe travels and an easy transition for

Megan, Billy, Shep and William!

Adoption Update and Fundraisers

Things continue to be ever interesting and unpredictable in the world of international adoption. We received word from our agency last night that the Ministry of Social Affairs n Ethiopia has announced that it will reduce the number of approval letters it sends to the court (one is required for each case) from 40 to 50 a day down to 5 a day.

This would obviously slow things down dramatically. However, nothing is set in stone as of yet. I am so very confident that nothing is impossible for my God, and that He can sway the hearts of those in charge. Please join us in praying fervently that this decrease letters does not happen. There are so many children needing homes, and so many of us waiting to love on them.

Yesterday, the Joint Council on Children's Services wrote a petition. They collected over 1000 signatures in just a matter of hours. Please check this out. Please sign.

http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html

We are also launching a new fundraiser today!

A lovely woman at our church made an beautiful quilt for us.

Seriously - stunning.

We are offering chances to have it as yours!

Just go to the side bar and click on the "Bringing Kate Home" Paypal link.

$5 for one entry, $8 for two.

Just mention "quilt" in comments.

Please feel free to spread the word!

We will announce the winner on April 9th!

Close up of a couple of the individual squares - love these scenes!

Large View of the Back

Up close of the backing - love it!

Do you see what I see?

I see a couple of boxes ready for the trash.

They See...

"Reading Boxes"

I see a cup of milk that I pray he won't spill.

He sees...

A treacherous mountain to be traversed by the bravest of heroes.

I see a mud pit and a tangle of toys.

They see...

an alien terrain and the victor's castle.

I see a bunch of old wood and a discarded shelf.

He sees...

A perfect landing strip for planes carrying soldiers returning from war.

I see weeds and dread the maintenance to come.

She sees...

flowers for mom that "look like magic" in a forgotten vase.

As I think on the wonders of the world from my children's eyes,

I am challenged by my Father

to see through His eyes.

I see a broken, wounded person.

He sees a vessel ready for shaping.

I see a lonely, wandering soul.

He sees someone He delights to call friend.

I see struggle and fighting against the way it is.

He sees soil rich for planting.

I see a fragile blossom being assaulted by the wind and rain.

He sees...

Roots growing deep and strong. Roots that will withstand a coming storm.

Jesus, let me learn from my children.

Let me have eyes to see.

Let me see as you see.

Another Thankful Thursday

Laundry, Lunches, Pick ups, drop offs.

Diapers, nursing, chasing, snuggling.

Playing, diggin, chasing, cleaning, napping, snuggling.

Cook, feed, referee, clean, brush, wash, pray...

sleep.

Repeat.

Every day.

For years.

Truth be told, even amidst the joys of motherhood, it gets to be a bit much sometimes.

Today as I was doing the "norm"

I was thinking about my challenge as of late.

Be present, be thankful, on purpose.

Live fully, every day, in every situation...on purpose, for real.

So today, another installment of Thankful Thursdays.

18 waking up to my bouncing baby boy (literally)

19 hearing him say Dadadadada...

20 and mean it

21 baby sleeping through the nights

22 but still the occasional 3am feeding

23 little eyes at the breakfast table

24 reading the cereal boxes

25 five pairs of cut off jeans

26 in five different sizes

27 a washing machine that still works after being used every day for years

28 Bounce dryer sheets

29 freshly ground coffee

30 my French press

31 leaves still descending from trees

32 while new life buds on the branches

33 anticipating a long awaited visit from

34 my precious parents

35 little fingers holding mine

36 and then letting go...

37 searching out treasures only he sees

38 reports from the playground

39 from a 5 year olds' view

40 sweet songs at bedtime

41 five sleeping kiddos

42 safe in their beds

43 dreaming God sized dreams....

As I am think on all of this,

I am duly reminded that all of this truth-

the ins and outs,

ups and downs,

joys and pains

of motherhood -

are truly a gift.

A privilege.

I am blessed beyond measure.

And I am thankful.

Wordless Wednesday - then and now - Kylie edition

Conversations with the Kids

I have the funniest kids.

Ever.

Other people think they are funny too. Or so I've been told.

I've determined that communicating with kids is a lot like speaking a different language.

Each kid, their own dialect!

Sometimes, however, it doesn't matter how long I have spent immersed in their world, their language, their customs...

I still get lost. Really lost.

Don't beleive me?

Here's a fairly recent convo. with Mr. Micah.

M: "Mom, can I do it?"

Me: "Do what, Micah?"

M: "So, I can?"

Me: "No. What do you want to do?"

M: "You mean, I can?"

Me: "Micah. Tell me what you want to do, then I'll answer you."

M: "I don't"

Commence playing happily....

Thinking I need to brush up on my skills.

Hoping you all are enjoying today, without too many communication fails. :)