Peace and other fun stuff

Talk about a whirlwind!

I feel like we've been going nonstop since I posted last.

There has been doctors appointments and phone calls and paperwork like you wouldn't believe. The kids are asking tons of questions and trying to wrap their minds around what is happening. The two younger ones have not ever been left by both of us for more than a couple hours. Micah is asking about our trip, about the twins, and is processing and reacting in his own little 3 (almost 4) year old way.

He keeps asking if I am going over to Ethiopia to put the twins in my belly.

We're working on that. :)

But overall, the kiddos are doing well, and getting excited about our trip.

There have been days when the now and the "what's to come" seem crazy overwhelming.

Like "oh my gosh...WHAT are we doing."

Such an opportunity to worry and fret and obsess over every little (or bit) thing that could go wrong.

But I don't think I have once gone down that road.

That's HUGE.

At least for me.

This is coming from the girl who a few years ago was dead on the side of the road if he was even 5 minutes late.

Crazy much?!?!

Yeah, I know...we're working on that.

Anyway...I have felt such a sense of peace...you know, the kind that passes understanding...it's been a constant presence. I can feel Him, hear His voice, know His presence in a way that I can't remember ever experiencing before.

I'm kinda loving it.

So, logistically, things are falling into place.

We have our tickets in hand. We are working on figuring out how much of what to pack.

It looks like we will be bringing as much Costco formula for Layla House as we can fit into our bags.

I have a letter in hand that I will be bringing to our local Costco this week to ask for a donation. Prayer for favor with that would be amazing...just sayin'.

In other, non adoption news...This little lady graduates Kindergarten on Friday.

Can you even believe it?!

She was seriously born to go to school!

She has loved (most) every moment of it.

Her daily reports have never included academic updates, but more of

who is friends with who and

who wore what and

why so and so looked and such and such....

my little social butterfly.

I love you, Mace Face.

And then the next day we are celebrating this amazing little guy...

He is turning FOUR...wowza!

He is such a joy and delight and a constant source of entertainment.

It's hard to believe that he was just barely one and not even walking when he moved here.

How time flies - so thankful to have him in our lives!

Micah, you rock it!

And finally, Jason and I are celebrating our 11th anniversary this weekend.

That's a lot of years.

Can't believe I get to live my life with the most amazing man in the world.

One lucky girl. For reals.

He is certainly my better half and I thank God daily for him.

Couldn't ask for better.

Not in a million years.

Anyway, not sure if I will have a chance to post again before we head to Ethiopia (eeekkk!!!!)! Please, if you are a praying type of person, continue to lift all 9 of us up to Him.

He is a good, good God and has good things in store for us...

Long Overdue Update

Oh how our lives have changed since my last post. In the midst of traveling to and fro (to NY and WA) and having an amazing visit from my sister and her family and then having a dear friend visit from NY (all w/in one month), we have been getting used to thinking of ourselves as a family of 9. Longing and yearning for the feel of two little girls, thousands of miles away, in our arms. We have been learning the sound of their names on our lips, the weight of them in our hearts. We have sat a continent away as G (the smaller twin) weathered a sickness with no mommy and daddy there to hold her and nurse her back to health. We are so very thankful for the doctors that did treat her and helped her recover, but my mommy heart still so deeply longs to be with her, with them.

The not knowing when we would get "the call" that we had a court date was hard. But easy. In a weird way. It's not often that I can rest, in peace, and know that God is in control. Should be easy, I know. Cause, let's be real, I suck and being God and making God sized plans. He is WAY better at it. For real. But in this instance, with these precious little girls, I feel I,we,have been given an extra measure of grace and peace. I know HE knows the plans He has for us, and that I so very much do not think His thoughts or understand His ways. Good thing!

So, back to "the call!" We received an email last Wednesday that we were assigned a court date. YES!!! We are to appear before the judge on June 7th. Which means that we need to be in Addis by June 5th, which means we leave on June 3rd....wowza!!! So quick. We need to buy tickets, pack, plan, prepare....inhale....we get to meet our little girls in less than 3 weeks...exhale...perfect, beautiful, unbelievable! I can't even begin to imagine that moment. Part of me is not "going there" yet for fear I would not be able to contain the emotion. To look at them, for them to look at us and know a family. My heart is full.

A lot of people have asked if they can do anything to help us. The biggest, most important thing is prayer. Lots of if. Continually. Seriously, every major development with this adoption has come on the tail end of intense prayer. Like the day after. Every one. I love watching His hand work!

Specifically, we are asking for prayer for:

* Grace and protection for our kids while we are gone. We've never gone away together and left the kids for more than one night. I think there is a bit of anxiety on both ends...ours and theirs! Mac is very attached to me right now, and I SOOO don't want this to be a traumatic experience for him.

* Grace and wisdom and more grace for Jason's INCREDIBLE parents who are coming here to watch the kids for a WHOLE week. That's big, folks. Really big. Pray for them to have an easy time, for the kids to adapt well and w/out incident. And for many many many blessings to be showered on them!

* Easy travel for Jason and I. We are still looking/shopping for tickets. They are not cheap. It would be great to find a good deal with few connections on a plane that is safe!!

* G, the littler twin, has some health issues. She's still very small, among other things. The docs are doing a great job and working with her to gain weight. We'd love to see her fatten up and be healthy. So thankful the the Great Physician knows her and loves her way more than I could ever imagine!

* Provision. We have been insanely blessed with gifts and funds to this point. But we still need about $1500 for our agency fees, and then about 5K more for travel for this first trip. I know God can and will provide. He's got it...the cattle on a thousand hills...yeah, they belong to Him. Please join us in praying and believing that the funds will be there. If you want to donate, there's a cute little button just under the vine thingy on the left. :)

Thanks to all of you for the prayers and support throughout this journey. and thanks for reading, even though the posts are few and far between!! Many, many blessings to you all!!!