Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Mush Brain!

In one week we get to meet our son/brother!!!!  I am so excited I can hardly stand it!  I am not sleeping (I was up at 4 am this morning...there is not much on TV at that time!), my arms hurt because we got all (4 of those suckers) our vaccinations today, my house is a mess, laundry needs to be done, and the list of things to accomplish prior to our departure is growing like crazy.  But I DON'T CARE about any of it...all my brain can focus on is his little face and the fact that I am going to be able to hug on him very, very soon!!!

We are so, so blessed! 

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Good News!!!

WE GOT OUR COURT DATE!!!  I am so excited I can hardly sit still.  It is amazing I am still at the computer typing.  My poor family, they are starving and I can't focus enough to even make them dinner.  Never mind the fact that the call came 10 hours ago!  haha!!!

So, we have our court date Jan 9.  That is only 3 1/2 weeks away.  Oh My Goodness!  We will meet our little guy in 22 days!  WooHoo!!!!!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Big 1

Can you believe it? Two posts in one day!!! I really felt that each birthday is deserving of it's own post!  So, who else had a birthday recently?  Our newest addition, that's who!  What I realized is that I haven't divulged his name on the blog.  Everyone who I have spoken to knows what we will be calling him...so let me share with you all.  Joshua will be his name. 

So, Josh turned "1" recently.  I have to say that is was a little tough.  I thought of him all day and hoped and prayed that he was having a good day and having good naps and laughing and having fun.  But what I really wanted to be doing was celebrating with him, planning a party, playing with him and letting him dive into a cake all his own.  Instead of celebrating with him, we celebrated for him and got him his 1st birthday present.  Of course, no birthday is complete with out the cake so the girls and I made cupcakes and I let them blow out a candle for him. 
I suspect that next year, we will have a HUGE party and celebrate like crazy!  Can't wait until that boy is with us!  Happy Birthday, bud!

10!


This is my baby...well, my oldest baby.

This is my baby today.
 She turned 10 this week.  That's right , 10!  She is known as "double-digit girl" around here now.  How did we celebrate her birthday, you ask?  Well...
She got her ears pierced!!!  So did her Nana, which was agreed upon long ago that they would do it together.  And we took her good friend along for encouragement...so no one could back out!
Then...we surprised her with a surprise party with lots of family and fun!  She was shocked! 
I am pretty sure that she had a good day.  And can I just say that it is pretty fun having "double-digit chick" around.  That kid makes me laugh, cry and simply amazes me with her heart and sensitive spirit!  I thank the Lord often that He has given me the privilege of being her mom and watching her grow into the young lady (aka: double-digit chick) he is creating her to be!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

October!

So, obviously the grand finale to October was the referral (FYI:  we are still sitting on Cloud 9)!  However, we did have some fun in October! 

October started off with a bang.  As some of you may remember from an earlier post, Abby started a new school and we were hoping that Sara would eventually get in.  Good news.  Not 3 days after Abby started, we received the call that there was an opening and Sara was IN!  God is so so good because really, I am not sure this momma could handle all that running between schools and schedules and, well, you get the picture.  So now, my girls are at the same school, loving it and having a great time.  Sara is now a band member and we are blessed to hear the sqwuaking lovely sounds of the clarinet each night.

Here are some pictures documenting our October!
 We went with Abby on her field trip to the Pumpkin Patch!


 The girls had "nerd day" at school.  I think they pulled it off pretty well!

And then there was Halloween!  We went to some friends for dinner and trick-or-treating! 

Goodbye October, Hello November!!!!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Referral!!!

I have read similar posts on a million blogs and I can find no new way to say this, so here goes...

WE GOT OUR REFERRAL TODAY!!!!!

I have been looking at the sweetest pictures of the cutest 11 month old baby boy you could possibly imagine.  And I'm not just sayin' that!  He really is cute with...get ready...

*the chubbiest cheeks ever
*the biggest brown eyes ever
*the longest stinkin' eyelashes you have ever seen
*and 4 little teeth

Do you have an idea in your head?  Well let me tell you, it doesn't do him justice.

So here is how the day went down.  I was much more on edge today about getting the call.  We had been waiting 16 1/2 months and I was really anxious, much more than normal.  Side note: my mom was staying with us for a few days and she even commented on my anxiousness.  It was bad, I'm tellin' ya!  So, add to that the phone constantly ringing and every time I catch my breath thinking it is an 817 area code call!  But every time it was someone else. Around 11:30 my mom and I are getting ready to head to lunch and my cell phone starts ringing.  Can I say that I was so not expecting the call on my cell.  I look at the phone and oh my goodness, it was the 817 area code.  I was so in shock that I couldn't answer.  I just kept saying, "it's an 817 call, it's 817, it's an 817 call!"

Finally, I came to my senses and answer with a very calm, "hello."  Go figure!  Anyways it was our caseworker Kristin with the good news.  I am sure she thought I was crazy because I was making little to no sense.  My hands were shaking, my heart was racing and all I could do really well was say "oh my gosh" and giggle.  It was surreal to say the least.  And, can I just say that I never expected that response out of myself.  I had envisioned how this would all play out and not once in my mind's eye did I see my self nutting up.  Oh, but I did.  Fortunately, due to his work schedule (just had to throw that it so that those of you who may not know us so well won't think he is a total slacker sleeping until 11:30), Bob was asleep.  I asked Kristin to give me 10 minutes to wake him up and get him injected with some caffeine and we would call right back. 

I moseyed (yeah right) into the bedroom, gently nudged him (yeah right) and with a very calm voice (yeah right) woke him up.  The next hour consisted of us hearing all about our son...OUR SON...and seeing his big brown eyes!!! 
Not the greatest picture...but it is pretty difficult trying to listen to your caseworker and smile for pictures at the same time!


The excitement didn't end there because we now had to tell the girls.  There is a video that I will share soon.  It was so fun.  Bob, my mom and I went to pick them up from school.  We took Sara out just a little early so we could tell them together.  Sara clues into things pretty quickly but all I had to say was that we were going shopping and she was satisfied....I am such a liar.  When we returned home, Bob had them sit at the computer to do some math program.  When the monitor came on, the baby's face was plastered across the screen.  The looked at each other with a "who's that?" kind of look and Bob leaned in and said, "Girl's , that is your brother."  Immediately the screaming and squealing commenced.  It was so fun to see their excitement. It has been such a long road and they have been troopers waiting patiently. 

Needless to say, we are over the moon and I am completely exhausted from the major adrenaline rush.  We are so happy, but we are so much more thankful that God's timing prevailed and that His will is being accomplished.  I KNOW that God is in control and His plan for us is so much more than we could ever hope for ourselves.  We feel blessed and honored that He would see fit to place this sweet baby boy into our arms and give us the privilege of being his dad and mom!  We so look forward to the day when we can hold him, kiss those chubby little cheeks and simply tell him how much we love him!  And Lord willing, that day is just around the corner!!!!!!!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

16


Last week we hit the 16 month mark.  We are getting close...
I know we are,
I know we are,
I know we are!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

FINALLY!!!

Today is a good day!!

Over the past few weeks, our family has been facing some pretty significant changes, for us anyway.  Without boring you to death with all the details (and let me tell you there are a lot of details), Abby is changing schools, I started substitute teaching (1st job in many years), and several more to be mentioned later....  So, my stress level has been a little high, folks. 

Abby's 1st day at the new school is tomorrow and this is how my brain was working today...
 - How am I going to manage two 8 am drop-offs at two different schools
 - How am I going to mangage 2 pick-ups...thankfully they are NOT at the same time
 - Can I continue to work and deal with all the chaos
 - I'd love to get a house keeper...I really didn't think that...I just now thought that it would make my life easier!
 - What is Abby going to wear to school...all we have is uniforms for the old school
 - Praying that a slot opens for Sara at the new school

So...I check the internet during my lunch and realize I hadn't checked some blogs recently.  Low and behold, the family ahead of us on the waitlist got their referral.  I was so excited for them.  They have been waiting so long.  Then it dawned on me that we are unofficially #1!!!!!!

I came home and told Bob the good news and then unloaded on him all my anxieties.  Poor guy, he is such a patient listener!  He reassured me that he was going to be there to help, encouraged me to focus on this week and we would deal with the next when it came.  As he left for work, he kissed me and said, "Hey, we are #1.  Remember, it's a good day!"

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Phillipians 4:6-7

Friday, September 16, 2011

Changes!

So, this week has been the week of changes or the week of "dealing" with changes.  My kids started a new school this year and we are dealing with all the bumps in the road that come with a recently established school.  Let me tell you, I am not confrontational but I am super protective.  It is a miserable combination.  I see needs of my kids not being met and realize that I must address the issue, but then I am instantly a nervous mess knowing what is ahead.  I am confident that all is going to be great and am sure these are lessons in making me stronger.  But I must say I like myself the way I am!

Then this week we had to say goodbye to some awesome friends as they are relocating across the country.  Their absence has left a hole in our lives.  Our girls were best friends and we have all shared our fair share of tears around here.  Well, Bob didn't cry, I must make that very clear!  
BFFs

This week, on a brighter note was the beginning of football season and us Thomas' love us some football.  I am in the minority around here because apparantly the girls have chosen to follow their dad in rooting for the Packers.  Ewwww!  Nonetheless, we are looking forward to some fun Sundays and Mondays this fall!!!
Proudly wearing their green and gold!

And finally, the last change was...
we have been officially waiting 15 months for our referral.  I am okay with this knowing that we are closer to bringing him home.  However, I can honestly say that the wait can truly be excrutiating at times. 

I am thankful for all that we have been given, for our friendships, and for the hope that we have that soon we are going to have a referral to share with you all!!!!!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

This Week's Adventures!

So, the girls have started a new school this year and they have long days.  As a little reprieve from homework, we went to the park for some fun!.  We met some friends there and had a great time.  


They played in the water area to cool off and then it was off to the play area.  Sara was so tired, she just wanted to lay on the slide.  And then there's Abby...anytime the camera is out she is in full-on posing mode!  


Today was a BIG day.  The girls have to wear uniforms to school this year and they are less than  thrilled.  Today was their 1st "free dress day."  They were so excited to be able to wear what they wanted and even more excited to have it captured on film!  They really crack me up!

So, we are officially ready for our 4 day weekend! 





Monday, August 29, 2011

Paperwork!

So, when we started this adoption process, I really never thought today would come.  But here we are doing paperwork again.  Today I visited our local Fed Ex office and sent off the first of many documents. YEAH!  Trust me, I am completely fine with the paperwork. 

1 - It gives me something to do...being proactive, that is!

2 - I get to make friends with a new Fed Ex guy (he wasn't there 1 1/2 years ago)!!!

3 - I am optimistic that this will be the final time I must assemble and submit all the paperwork!

4 - It means that we are that much closer to our referral!

On another note of firsts, I have read many blogs where the adoptive parents were in "the window" of getting their referral and they write about being anxious every time the phone rang.  I have never experienced that...until TODAY!  We are still about a month away from the average wait time for a referral, but wouldn't you know that everytime the phone rang today, I got butterflies.  So, if this referral doesn't come soon, I am afraid that I will have all kinds of stomach ailments and the such!  Oy, I am ready to see that kiddos face!!!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Here We Go Again!

So, this is my second attempt at starting a blog to chronicle this whole adoption process.  Why the second attempt you ask.  Let me tell ya...I have lost my password to the first, can't recover due to cookies and my email (can you tell I am a little computer "unsavvy?"), and truth be told, I really didn't like the look of the first one.  So, I decided to design a new blog and start fresh.  To be honest, I hate writing.  But, for my sweet children, I am attempting this thing again, determined more than ever that I am going to succeed and be diligent in keeping up with the "goings on" around here. 

As of today, we have been on the adoption waitlist for 14 1/2 months.  To say we are getting antsy is a complete understatement.  We seemed to stay pretty busy this summer so time really did fly by.  Now, however, that the girls are in school, I am by myself most of the day, waiting for the phone to ring, hoping and praying that we will receive our referral and see our baby boys face so soon. 

God has thrown us a few curve balls through this process but we have learned so much and are so trusting that it is His timing we want, knowing that it is perfect!!!  Now that I finally have this blog up, maybe the referral call will come tomorrow!  You never know...