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!!!

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.