Adoption

Well, we are very proud to announce that we are indeed adopting! We have decided on the lovely country of Ethiopia to bring a little girl home from. Many have asked how this all came about for us and it started around 2008. The year before we had lost our twin babies in a miscarriage and really came to the realization that all life is so precious. There were friends of ours that were adopting and we got to see through them the whole process. It was so exciting but yet full of its own ups and downs. God at this time planted a seed in us that this might be what He wanted for us, too. Stepping out in faith we sent in our preapplication and shortly after found out that I was pregnant so this abruptly stopped any ventures into adoption at that time. We were told that once the baby was 9 months old we could procede again. The thought of adoption never really left our minds and really intensified within this past year. When we first started the process we were thinking of going the domestic route but I really felt a pull towards international. Through lots of prayer and research we decided to put Ethiopia down for our first country of choice and the US for our second. In October of this year we were approved for Ethiopia and thus starts our journey. We are very excited but also completely trusting God because we can not do this on our own. The expenses alone are overwhelming and seem impossible but I am reminded over and over again that "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. " Matthew 19:26. In saying that we have until January 19th to come up with our first installment of funds to really start this process. We are doing some fundraising to help us out and have already been blessed beyond measure by the outpouring of love and blessings by others. Please feel free to follow along with us while we start this awesome adventure to where God is leading.
Please visit our Fundraising Page above and notice the paypal on the right to get your Tie Fleece Blankets!

Brodie's 1st Day of Preschool.

Brodie's 5th Birthday!

Claire's 1st Birthday!

Okay I realized recently that I haven't blogged in forever. A lot has happened in our lives since I last posted anything and thought that I should get caught up. It might take me awhile but I'll get there. We obviously have a new addition to our family Miss. Claire Kathryn Bailey. She is such a joy and delight for all of us. Gavin just recently started 1st grade and will be 7 soon. Brodie starts preschool in a couple of weeks and soon will be turning 5. Man does time fly by! We have made some serious renovations to our home and are loving it! I can't believe that summer is almost over and that my little baby will be a year old in just a few weeks!!! There's so much to share but that will come later.

Gavin's Christmas party at school. Can you tell who some of his best friends are?

Christmas Eve.



















The program at church....Brodie refused to go onstage.

Aren't my boys cute? I just love them!!!














We made a gingerbread house this year and we had lots of fun.













The boys got to decorate with candy. Check out the protruding eyes on the snowman!

The boys and I met up with college friends and their kids at the Ft. Wayne mall.
We had tons of fun and as you can tell so did the kids.













We went to the Lights at the Zoo with the Ripke's. (Minus Sarah and Quinn...he was sick). It was FREEZING outside but thankgoodness there were some things inside to look at. We could, of course, hardly get Brodie away from the model train display.

This is how I found Ashley after coming back into the room. She looks rather annoyed that I caught her.



















This is Lauren, what a cutie!!!

















Doesn't he just have an ornary look on his face?













The boys opening up their presents from Kendra and Dallas.