This Christmas

Wow! This was quite a Christmas for me and not in a good way. It was hard on many levels. To save the embarrassment for my 10 year old lets just say there were some issues. On my end those issues brought out all the emotions that I have unknowingly been bottling up for weeks. Let's just say that it wasn't pleasant and it kinda lasted for days (still reeling from it). My poor kidneys are still throbbing...my MSK has been acting up. My four year old hasn't been sleeping well because of having croup so I wasn't sleeping which absolutely did NOT help things. The whole holiday stress was getting to me and I dearly miss my soon to be daughter. We didn't receive word like I had hoped that our case had been forwarded on and I found out that it is STILL pending. (What???) My heart is just aching today for my baby girl that's halfway across the world. I'm taking some time today to just sit and renew. Listening to worship songs, reading the Word, and doing as little as possible. My heart is just crying out to God to bring good news and to move mountains! Please Lord my soul needs this today.

Prayer

I'm usually not one to share a lot of things because I feel like my "needs" are not that big or I don't want to appear whiney but right now during this adoption my mind has changed. I will fight and battle for my baby girl to get home. I truly believe that prayer works and I'm going to continue to ask when there is a need. Right now there is a need for our case to be sent to Ethi*pia to the US Embassy there so that we can start moving forward. We had sent in our paperwork and were asked for an RFE (request for further evidence). This took about a week to get from ET and hopefully by now is on our officer's desk so she can review it and decide if it's enough to send on. Please be praying with me that we hear by this week that our case has been forwarded onto ET. I am going to continue to pray boldly and specifically knowing that it's in His hands and timeline but I can present my desires to Him right? If you feel led to please pray along with me for mountains to move and for us to get to our dear Scarlett quickly. Thanks!!!

Today I got out the crib and changing table from the basement. I was going to wait to do this but thought "Why not?" and did it. I've been getting out clothes and other things slowly to go through and see what we have so that was all out already. I must admit I am whooped!! I'm trying to squeeze two little girls things into a room that already had ALL of one such little girl's things. It's tight but doable. I think we're going to be really organizing the closet to hold a lot more things and really utilize the space much better. It seems way more real now that things are starting to be put together and I can see that she is going to be coming. Sometimes to be honest I really wonder if this is actually going to happen and then God gently reminds me that He started all of this and will complete it. I also sent off our power of attorney form to be authenticated in Washington, DC and also everything to get our visas! Crazy sauce!!! I keep reminding myself that each task completed means that we're one step closer. I'm praying that we hear soon that our case has been sent to Ethi*pia so that we can get our PAIR letter. This means that things can really get rolling! Praying, praying, praying continuously.

Scarlett

My baby turns 3 months old today!!! We are working so hard at coming to see you precious one! Until that time I know that God is wrapping His wings around you and loving you extra special for us!!!!

Gavin's Flag Football (They were number 1 this year!)

Gavin's Birthday (back in October)

Brodie and Claire's Birthdays (way back in September)