Africa T-shirt!

I got my first Africa T-shirt in the mail today. Don't you just love it? Thank you, Whitney! If anyone wants one, you can order one and support Whitney and Aaron's adoption from Ethiopia! They are $20.

Our Garden

Our garden has not exactly flourished. This is because we planted most of it in an area that floods every time we water or get rain. In addition, we planted our tomatoes and zucchini on the east side of our house where they are in shade for half of the day. Oops!
In spite of this, we have harvested many cherry tomatoes. We have tons of green tomatoes that we are hoping turn red at some point.

And, today, we found this!

Our first zucchini!

Another Fun Video

O.K. Here is another fun video that shows some of Ethiopia and the sweet, sweet faces that are there. This is actually a post celebrating the one-year mark since this family's little boy came home.

P.S. Raegan is sick. That is why I have more computer time!

Great Book

About a month ago, Chris and I read From Ashes to Africa. We loved the book for several reasons.
1. The authors are very authentic in their account of the difficulties they encountered in their relationship.
2. We learned more about Ethiopia.
3. It was fun to relate to another family who has walked ahead of us!
4. It is about adoption!
We'd love for everyone to read it! Josh and Amy have produced a well-written account of how God walked with them on their journey from disappointments to true joy.

Down to Three Reasons

We have a serious praise! My last post spelled out the reasons we are praying for an earlier vs. later referral. One reason was that Chris only has three days of paid leave because he had been told that he couldn't use any of his 124 sick leave days. BUT. Due to the Family Medical Leave Act, we are "covered" for adoptions; therefore, he CAN use his days! This is one big hurdle avoided! So, we are down to just three reasons.

Inroducing Tiger

Many of you know. . . I am not an animal person. I don't mind if you are, but I am not. I had them growing up on the farm, but having them in the "city" just doesn't appeal to me. So, you may be surprised to hear we have a pet. Through the summer, Jackson earned his first fish. He has been asking for it for over a year, so after a summer of doing household chores, he finally saved up enough to get "Tiger".

I have to admit that it is pretty cute to see him so enthralled with his new "buddy". Notice, the black and white robot is keeping Tiger company.

August Adoption Update

O.K. So, I've wanted to post an update on our adoption, so here it is.

First, I found a new blog friend about a month ago. You might have seen her blog in our ticker to the right. We found out that we started this process at about the same time as well as earned our way onto the waiting list at the same time. The only difference is that she and her husband are using a different agency than we are. But, the other similarities have suckered me into thinking that maybe we will travel this adoption road at about the same speed.

So, she just told me a couple of days ago that they are #2 on their agency's list. Yes, #2! Even though that means absolutely nothing to us, once again, I feel compelled to pretend. If nothing else, it has reminded me that we are not "stuck". Every day, we are getting closer to finding out who our next son will be. (Shivers!) I definitely feel like this is more real today than it was last week.
Back to our reality. . . we have been on the waiting list for about 2 1/2 months. When this part of the process started, we were told the average wait time was about 3 months for little boys. That's why we were aiming for September. Since then, there were some delays throughout the summer, so the estimates stretched to 4-5 months. Still, no one really knows. We may be half-way there, or we might be right around the corner! We just have to wait and see!

If you want to pray with us for something BIG, pray that we will get a referral in September (or earlier!). Long story short, we would love to be able to travel in December for several reasons.
1. Right now, Chris has only three days of paid leave. If it was over the holiday, that problem would be eliminated.
2. The tax credit for adoptions runs out at the end of 2009.
3. My sister is planning on coming over Christmas, so she could help watch our kiddos without having to make another trip down.
4. We would just love to have him here sooner vs. later!

Finally, I have to exclaim that God has also been continuing to put our adoption on the hearts of many as He continues to provide financially; we are so grateful and convinced that God truly provides. If you are considering adoption but are nervous about the financial cost, please be confident that God will provide. We were so disappointed when we were denied all the grants for which we applied. But, God had better plans:
* He brought friends and family alongside us to help with the finances.
* He blessed our garage sale and bow parties.
* He provided extra jobs.
He is providing what we need.

So, that is where we are. We are waiting for God's perfect timing. We know He has the best plan of all, so we will wait to see what it is! We're just glad to be a part of the ride.

First Day of School

I have a fourth grade and a first grader. Wow.

Unfortunately, it was pouring rain, and the thunder and lightening were flashing across the sky. Therefore, we just by-passed the typical outside pictures.

Raegan "sending them off"! (I think she missed them, but she also enjoyed having Mommy's full attention!)
Raegan spent her time creating birds out of her wonder clay.

August Fun

Here are just a few of the fun things we have done this month. I wish I was a better blogger and could update daily--or even weekly--but this will have to do!

First, I love having kids. My heart just melted when I saw this. I think Jackson put it here. :)
Second, I love hand-me-downs. My kids are set for this year, and they LOVE their "new" clothes. Here, Jackson is sporting his new Zorro p.j.s. Thank you, all who share with us.

Third, I love that my big girl still wants to have tea parties with me. She is my quality time girl, and I am thankful to be able to share it with her!
Finally, I love that my brother/sis-in-law moved back to Kansas a couple of years ago so that our kids can live life together. This is Toby's and Cambria's birthday party!

Mia and Raegan

Daddy's Date with Sydney

Boy, I'm behind! August has been so full.

Here, Chris took Sydney out on her date. They went shopping and then to Bella Luna for supper. I think they stopped by the ice cream shop on the way home! Fun!

"Vacation" with Gram

Mom came for a long weekend, so she treated us to many "extras". We had a great week. Here are just a few shots.

Watching all of Uncle Adam's Home Videos.
Trip to the zoo. We tried out the boat tour! It was fun!
In the 100 degree heat, we found ourselves gravitating to the misters!

CYT Production

(Sydney is in the middle of this picture in the green shirt. Her arm is somewhat in front of her face.)

Sydney had the chance to go to a Christian YouthTheater Camp last week. They worked all week to produce a Broadway-style show. It was so much fun to see their end product!

Her friends, Ella and Jessica went with her. (This is Ella.)

Mud Pies with Cousins!

I never realized how messy mud pies were. But, it was worth the fun, I think! The humorous part was getting the girls cleaned up. We had to wash the majority of the mud off of their hands with our outside faucet. I was trying to lift the girls over to the faucet in order to keep them out of the mud (since we don't have our landscaping in). When I finally got to Raegan and got her cleaned up, I looked back to see Cambria sitting in the mud hole we had just created with all the hand-washing and Mia's hands and feet covered again with mud. They had been having a hayday with the "new mud" after I got them all cleaned up! So, we went at it again with firm instructions to stay out of any and all mud.

By the way, Toby said he would just watch all of us get dirty. :)

Raegan's Date with Daddy

Last week, Raegan went on her date with Daddy. (Daddy likes to treat each one this way for his/her birthday.) They went to Pump It Up first. After a little bit of encouragement from Daddy, Raegan became a pro!
This slide was a hit!Then, they went to Spangles for lunch before heading to the park.