Adoption Family

Can I tell you when we first decided to adopt, I never realized that not only would we be adding to our little family but joining a much larger family that continues to grow? I love that as adoptive families we have grown into a unique family together. Our kids love to see each other and play together. We share the same stories in building our families through adoption and that makes us unique....who knew in 2006 when we started the process that we would gain a daughter, and now another on the way plus a whole community of friends that I now consider family?

And can I tell you that we LOVE to share in the news of the next child to be coming home? Well we gathered to celebrate that! In late October/ early November the next 2 families from our group will travel! Dannye and Ray will welcome Chynna and Susan and Richard will welcome Hailee! We are all so excited for them.

The next 2 will be Sherri and Todd who expect their referral hopefully by October and then Mike and I will be awaiting a referral! Enjoy the pictures from our fun!

all the moms!

our kids!

 

Woohoo!

Well after lots of   paperwork....

we are oh so very happy

to tell you that our home study is completed!

You may wonder, what is next??? Well the next thing to be done will be to file forms for citizenship when she arrives home. As soon as we receive the copies of the home study we will mail the forms off...

and they will notify us to come in to be fingerprinted....again!

When we receive that approval.....we will be DTC or dossier to China...

and officially PAPER PREGNANT for baby sister!!! Cannot wait!

                                                                                                                        
 

They are watching....

Hi friends! I feel like it has been too long since I have posted! It has been busy as we prepare for our home study this weekend. We have been working on the mounds of paperwork and just plain working overtime! Life is hectic to say the least! Well last Friday I started the book club with Priscilla Shier, Resolutions for Women...talk about an eye opener! The first section for this week has been on contentment! Are you content? That is a hard one, and she spells it out in black and white....makes you really think! I am enjoying the study though and one of my best friends is also participating and I have a "pen-pal" from the book club so the journey together is going to be great! I hope at the end I will be a better person after looking into myself and working on changes that I need! I will keep you posted!

I got to thinking this week too after reading an article about what we are teaching our children, I wanted to share a piece of it with you that had me thinking alot!

We are teaching our kids what we think is worthy of being burdened with. We are leaving a trail that will fill their hearts with beauty, justice, truth and a fiery desire for Jesus! What an honor and responsibility- one I hope inspires you to walk boldly ahead, ever mindful of the small hands behind you that are waiting to be filled. Today, pray that you will choose wisely leaving much good fruit to share with your children. (excerpt from Mom's life by Angie Smith)

This had me thinking.....what examples am I showing my daughter? Can I look back and be proud of what she is learning at home? Have you ever heard the song by Mark Schultz She Was Watching? Read the lyrics below...

He always called her daddy's little girl
She was four years old
Waiting by the door to run into his arms
Each time that he came home

And every night he tucked her in and read to her in bed
When she'd fall asleep he'd close his eyes and gently bow his head

[Chorus]
But she was watching
Her daddy praying
And thought someday I wanna be like that
She was watching what he was saying
And the way he bowed his head
And though she can't recall the prayer
She was watching

Late one evening he was coming home from work
He called to say he'd lost his job
And after dinner they excused their baby girl
She knew they had to talk

But from inside her bedroom
She could hear them down the hall
They were dancing in the kitchen as momma sang his favorite
Song

[Chorus]
She was watching
As they were dancing
And thought someday I wanna be like that
She was watching
Her momma singing
As they were dancing hand in hand
And though she can't recall the song
She was watching

Faith can't be taught
It's just something that is caught along the way
No faith is never taught
It's just something that they catch from watching you along the way

He always called her daddy's little girl
But now she's twenty-three
He walks her down the aisle to give away his world
Oh but he can hardly speak
And when he kisses her goodbye he tries to hold it in
But as he turns away she pulls him close and whispers in his ear

I was watching
And I've been waiting
And finally found someone just like you
I was watching
My whole life praying
For God to see it through

And as he kissed her one last time
He said a prayer and closed his eyes
And she was watching

I pray that one day our girls will be proud of what they were watching and learned by our examples! Have a great and blessed day friends!

Matching funds update.....

Hi friends and family! Well over the past month we have been able to match $2,650! That is amazing! We have been holding an I Pad 2 giveaway and you can get more information about that here is you are interested http://livinglifewithaprincess.blogspot.com/2011/08/would-you-like-i-pad-2-16gb.html We have also been selling empanadas to those who are local to us. Well we have approximately 2 weeks left to match the remaining $3,350....that is huge! I know though with faith and trust all things are possible. What an amazing gift it will be if we are able to match all $6,000 of the matching monies.....

On a side note, we have our home study in the 24th and then we will be able to complete the last paper needed for our dossier! Looking forward to our match with another little princess with cleft lip/palate! Thanks for all your prayers and support!
 

Getting ready to compete!

Who knew that our princess would love gymnastics so very much? Last night was our mock competition and she did pretty good for her first time. She has only been on the competition team since June! Her first time to compete will be the weekend on October 1 & 2! I am just happy that she enjoys it!

Priscilla Shier Conference....

Last weekend my mom, Nicky and I attended the Going Beyond conference with Priscilla Shier....have you ever had one of those times when you just needed God to speak to you? Well he did loud and clear this weekend....so thankful for the precious time with them! Priscilla has a blog at http://www.goingbeyond.com/blog and on September 16 she is starting the Resolution for women book club and I know that if you decide to take part you will be blessed!

Written in partnership with Sherwood Pictures' upcoming film, COURAGEOUS, in The Resolution for Women, popular speaker and author Priscilla Shirer challenges all women to be intentional about embracing and thriving in God’s beautiful and eternal calling on their lives.

Like the men in the movie who resolve to fully accept their responsibilities before God, Shirer explains how today's women can and should live out their own resolution. It is "a defining banner that hangs over your life, written in the ink of your own choices." A woman's banner should be an accurate reflection of who she desires to be-someone completely Christ-centered who blesses and changes things in her world for the better.

The Resolution for Women inspires women with intentional, spirit-filled living from three unique angles. Section one, entitled, "This Is Who I Am," helps a woman define herself as "authentically me, purposefully feminine, surprisingly satisfied, and faithfully His." Section two, "This Is What I Have," invites her to value "my best, my blessing, my honor, and my heart." And Section three, "This Is What Matters To Me," focuses on joyfully honoring God as a wife, mother, and family member while resolving to live with the grace that leaves a godly legacy. The Resolution for Women is designed to inspire a revolution.

 

Will you join?

Nicky, Priscilla and me

Nicky, me and Mom