tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72216755676109355372024-03-05T03:57:19.085-08:00grown2worshipJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10984363539699374139noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-7327760274507692102014-06-14T12:03:00.001-07:002014-06-14T12:03:27.944-07:00Our Adoption Story<div style="text-align: center;">
Our adoption story has been a miraculous sprint, </div>
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an outpouring of God's faithfulness,</div>
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and the love and support of </div>
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family, friends, and adoption minded people around the world!!</div>
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If you are new to grown2worship </div>
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and do not know how we started this particular journey...</div>
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you can find out here <a href="http://grown2worship.blogspot.com/2014/01/ready-setgo.html" target="_blank">Ready...Set..Go</a></div>
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We began our journey to our three boys (ages 17, 11, and 9) on January 10th of this year. </div>
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Homestudy complete February 20th.</div>
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Dossier to the Philippines March 20th.</div>
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800A (immigration clearance) arrived April 12th. </div>
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May 8th officially matched with our boys!!!!</div>
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May 16th referral arrived.</div>
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June 4th legals arrived and overnighted 800 and 864 to immigration.</div>
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(we are waiting for 800 clearance, </div>
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and passport, visa, and medical appointments to be able to travel to our sons)</div>
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To some this timeline may seem normal, or mean nothing at all. </div>
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To us...this is a testimony of God's amazing plan for our family!!!</div>
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In the midst of distractions </div>
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(Hubby's surgery, water damage to our home, broken washer, broken dishwasher, </div>
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multiple flat tires, broken toilet, broken lawn mower, car trouble...) </div>
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regardless of circumstances...</div>
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the adoption timeline continued to race forward. </div>
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And as the enemy of our soul sent continuous costly distractions</div>
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that prevented us from paying adoption fees...</div>
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Our heavenly father opened flood gates of provision</div>
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and provided EVERY PENNY of our agency and international fees</div>
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exactly when we needed it!!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRxK72n_cHdyx2KbZOthgQfGHNGIoqTXypIg7Bur6iHyqNg8hF-3OMkWawz76zTaoAhfHzg9bEiYUZiKHCeoXKDXCLHhfP5YlMQoQUbSdVl_ucPYPp7O22wHHqAwTkZHNYAd62MiLIrCP/s1600/DSC00979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRxK72n_cHdyx2KbZOthgQfGHNGIoqTXypIg7Bur6iHyqNg8hF-3OMkWawz76zTaoAhfHzg9bEiYUZiKHCeoXKDXCLHhfP5YlMQoQUbSdVl_ucPYPp7O22wHHqAwTkZHNYAd62MiLIrCP/s1600/DSC00979.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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For these boys we have prayed!!</div>
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For these boys we walk in faith!!</div>
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For these boys we open our hearts and love much!!</div>
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If you have met me, follow me on Facebook, or read my sporadic blog posts</div>
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You cannot miss my heart for adoption. </div>
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It is NOT because I am good, and NOT because I am something special!!!</div>
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And it is NOT because we have had romantic, easy adoptions!!!</div>
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Christ has birthed this passion in our hearts</div>
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HE brings the orphan to his/her forever family!!!</div>
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He shows grace in the hard times</div>
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and heals the broken hearted!!</div>
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People are astonished that we would adopt three boys at the same time.</div>
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Then tell them that one will turn 18 soon after arriving home...</div>
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yep, folks stand with bug eyes and jaws dropped. </div>
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At times it is difficult to explain God's will for our family.</div>
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It is hard for folks to wrap their brain around the concept of </div>
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downsizing to feed more children. </div>
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Well bloggy friends...</div>
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it is like this. </div>
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The more we seek Christ,</div>
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the more we ask HIM to grow us in HIS image,</div>
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the more we ask HIM to break our hearts for what breaks HIS...</div>
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We are more willing to trust him for the miraculous,</div>
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we can better love even when it is painful,</div>
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and we can walk forward even when we have no idea how it could possibly happen!</div>
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We know without a doubt that these three treasures are our sons!</div>
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Not because we have met them, or even spoken to them yet. </div>
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We know because we have prayed.</div>
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We know because we asked Christ to open or close doors.</div>
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We know because our agency should have said no...the ICAB should have said no...</div>
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quit frankly, our bank account said no:)</div>
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But God does not need or rely on our abilities. </div>
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And he certainly does not need an overflowing bank account. </div>
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HE can take our mustard seed faith</div>
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stretch it</div>
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grow it</div>
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and transform it into more than we could hope for or imagine!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSRzevK1srzF_HQVS6hT3t6MhIyzBn58oJpTkMM0u83b7ZFTTyweJXhQ2WaMQxYMR6gjjufcTZcLbrTmrt-ApF3fQhUrC1SINIxtoqf7_3_9NyO6mseKfJyCLyN0namwccZvbUYvERzlm/s1600/DSC09153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSRzevK1srzF_HQVS6hT3t6MhIyzBn58oJpTkMM0u83b7ZFTTyweJXhQ2WaMQxYMR6gjjufcTZcLbrTmrt-ApF3fQhUrC1SINIxtoqf7_3_9NyO6mseKfJyCLyN0namwccZvbUYvERzlm/s1600/DSC09153.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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We are so very privileged to parent these silly geese,</div>
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and we are soooo very anxious to bring the next three treasures that God has chosen for us!!!</div>
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I stare at their faces on my computer screen, </div>
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praying for Christ to prepare their hearts.</div>
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I wonder if my oldest son has a husky voice </div>
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when his Filipino laced English greets me for the first time?? </div>
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Does my second to youngest son wear his show stopping smile often,</div>
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or does he reserve that for the camera?? </div>
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Does my youngest son like to giggle as his eyes suggest, </div>
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or does he take life a bit more seriously??</div>
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Will they want hugs from their mama as much as I long to give them...</div>
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or will I need to find different ways to show my unconditional love to them??</div>
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I may not have all the answers</div>
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but I do know that they are wanted, treasured, and loved!</div>
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I know they are worth the hard</div>
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every</div>
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day </div>
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of </div>
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the</div>
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week!</div>
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Christ has given us the privilege of being HIS hands and feet in the lives of HIS children.</div>
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We are blessed with a front row seat as God transforms beauty from ashes in each of our lives!!</div>
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I could never do enough to earn that privilege...</div>
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HE gives it freely.</div>
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We just need to be willing to exercise faith...and step out!!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-66385470144516819402014-06-13T19:41:00.000-07:002014-06-13T19:41:34.331-07:00Catching up...a photo review!<div style="text-align: center;">
Where oh where has the time gone?? </div>
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I have not written a post on here in what feels like forever! </div>
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But as that last post from months ago shared...I am going to show myself grace:) </div>
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How to sum up the past few months? </div>
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Glorious, hard, exhilarating, humbling, priceless...</div>
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In this season once again Christ is stretching us, growing us, and taking us to new areas of praise. </div>
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I am so very humbled to be married to this amazing man of God! </div>
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He teaches us much about trusting our Savior and selflessly giving of his time and talents. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjC1DislFIwmzkG0gp372-ahA49O6pV5fKvwsI4tKjTNnB706and3LQLTikq-AcdY8ezEnDmKPffRXgZah_czfXMs1_2o5QM6SSk9SwyBSOdHGKDpApC-hu93LEykasJ6_lSxu6HbmYyY/s1600/DSC08908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjC1DislFIwmzkG0gp372-ahA49O6pV5fKvwsI4tKjTNnB706and3LQLTikq-AcdY8ezEnDmKPffRXgZah_czfXMs1_2o5QM6SSk9SwyBSOdHGKDpApC-hu93LEykasJ6_lSxu6HbmYyY/s1600/DSC08908.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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He is not one to complain and has an amazing tolerance for pain. </div>
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But my love was walking around with a bone spur you could hang a hat on, </div>
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and bone fragments around his big toe caused by not having cartilage left in the joint. </div>
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Add gout to the issue and he was in some serious pain. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7unrbkin9z2JhYjniKDPyk-semyeVlEmx5pXep9UoE1S3G_7JZrc9WZ4L1dub4FeUULDcUjSFSWsLyYqJ_Oqnwx0XJ5-VaTps87obYvqkxknBoDKYQlfLqHW8MtyrFayGjhprKnuj7Xka/s1600/IMG_5414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7unrbkin9z2JhYjniKDPyk-semyeVlEmx5pXep9UoE1S3G_7JZrc9WZ4L1dub4FeUULDcUjSFSWsLyYqJ_Oqnwx0XJ5-VaTps87obYvqkxknBoDKYQlfLqHW8MtyrFayGjhprKnuj7Xka/s1600/IMG_5414.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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In March, surgery was necessary. </div>
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If you have to go to the hospital with someone, my love is the guy to be there with! </div>
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He was like a little boy playing with all the gadgets pre op, </div>
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and had myself and the nurses rolling with laughter post op. </div>
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We could not keep him down long! The very next day he was setting up a work station at home!</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIIh7uSsfUHDPx4zYRsAZIyuBhhoPEQ1A8A9JICKxpDNU1RggJlczrfSk16qnvdpjWYLckx1Zvl5i0gcDdREmw7_BbmHkjMvRjhmywthoZvSOOGXBw-UlJ2jMAERSXWOEDdnrHOAjiWFz/s1600/IMG_5791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIIh7uSsfUHDPx4zYRsAZIyuBhhoPEQ1A8A9JICKxpDNU1RggJlczrfSk16qnvdpjWYLckx1Zvl5i0gcDdREmw7_BbmHkjMvRjhmywthoZvSOOGXBw-UlJ2jMAERSXWOEDdnrHOAjiWFz/s1600/IMG_5791.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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He was a hard man to keep down, but we did get him out from time to time:)</div>
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Then, we celebrated a forever family day for our youngest baby girl. </div>
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I simply cannot believe it has been 8 years already!!!! </div>
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God is so very faithful and we are extremely thankful HE brought this treasure into our lives!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Dn_ALPJ4ZwEITpr6HDgwwEVLj8sfYYwZObcdpdTrxnDiPDM5Ju4Ys_9knAakt5syZAy6H5zALUrkj4Sw4nJ1FKTItaFLTYZACq2KHGZxBpocWhfVbYdLn8qcuRGt9s9tPA2vqOHQOaPM/s1600/IMG_6165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Dn_ALPJ4ZwEITpr6HDgwwEVLj8sfYYwZObcdpdTrxnDiPDM5Ju4Ys_9knAakt5syZAy6H5zALUrkj4Sw4nJ1FKTItaFLTYZACq2KHGZxBpocWhfVbYdLn8qcuRGt9s9tPA2vqOHQOaPM/s1600/IMG_6165.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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Our girls were part of fine arts competition this year. </div>
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Mélika participated in worship competition, </div>
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and both girls were part of the human video team.</div>
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The all did a fabulous job and we are very proud of their efforts!!!!</div>
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We were blessed to have family in town for Easter again this year!! </div>
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Although I dropped the ball and didn't get photos dressed up for church...</div>
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we did take a few of the creative way the kids had to work for their egg hunt. </div>
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Then this mama did something I never thought I would accomplish. </div>
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I have always dreamed of doing a triathlon!</div>
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I was encouraged by a dear friend that took her health back and became an athlete. </div>
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For my 40th birthday, my oldest baby girl gave me a very sacrificial gift...</div>
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she offered to train and compete with me in a sprint triathlon!! </div>
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The pool was freezing!!! </div>
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We rocked out the pool </div>
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and were sooo very excited to move on to the bike!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVFBmJ3mSAZDzs4sVHqJt5aBXJ6GyDzQaY5i0HTKeBTZYEFaCABLD94L09SgUKLOecQkYjH1ZJGttAOaPqZ33Gr5b4AScngDhG0H2o1fPbtbqM7Eww9ZBRfu1TDuXoNn-hJvXp71ruEct/s1600/DSC09798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVFBmJ3mSAZDzs4sVHqJt5aBXJ6GyDzQaY5i0HTKeBTZYEFaCABLD94L09SgUKLOecQkYjH1ZJGttAOaPqZ33Gr5b4AScngDhG0H2o1fPbtbqM7Eww9ZBRfu1TDuXoNn-hJvXp71ruEct/s1600/DSC09798.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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then the run.</div>
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Our goals were to finish, not to walk, and not be last:)</div>
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I never dreamed of finishing 62 out of 168 women!!! </div>
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It is time to sign up for the next race!!</div>
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Then, because we are suckers for a cute face...we got another puppy!</div>
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Just look at those legs...she is going to be a horse:)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMNNYWEjwJW9kv31euWJ4KOISqNn-XwHXhdqR8K-OW30QvYBIDwjtll4PoKW9gz-vFXZG3bwwZRXul3r9UkM8Nb6EVfX5zp4GAPg9uwTgDSrl3xT4aHW0naWtRjlHtd2wmyMpLTxoAs-b/s1600/IMG_6174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMNNYWEjwJW9kv31euWJ4KOISqNn-XwHXhdqR8K-OW30QvYBIDwjtll4PoKW9gz-vFXZG3bwwZRXul3r9UkM8Nb6EVfX5zp4GAPg9uwTgDSrl3xT4aHW0naWtRjlHtd2wmyMpLTxoAs-b/s1600/IMG_6174.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Our Tucker boy tolerates her and they romp and play MUCH!!</div>
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We had a quarter auction fundraiser the beginning of May for our adoption!!</div>
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God is so very amazing and we were so very humbled and blessed </div>
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by the generosity of those who donated and those who participated!!!</div>
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The next morning the girls and I got up bright and early to participate in a Warrior Run </div>
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to raise money for missions.</div>
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They made the old lady wear the team number.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNaUhDKqiE27wHFBPhL4YYAvkynlSZNi87Q7py7crUm3xDy4B8h6437HqdhPmRI_T3_G6EjkrB8NYrbPyaACUrInZ8CFUN4Guo189PZdVSYRVMFXKOx3NoPdkTYhzoO422MsI6L4Wh1ta/s1600/DSC00181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNaUhDKqiE27wHFBPhL4YYAvkynlSZNi87Q7py7crUm3xDy4B8h6437HqdhPmRI_T3_G6EjkrB8NYrbPyaACUrInZ8CFUN4Guo189PZdVSYRVMFXKOx3NoPdkTYhzoO422MsI6L4Wh1ta/s1600/DSC00181.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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And we travel with out own paparazzi!!</div>
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It was a 4.6 mile run with 18 obstacles. </div>
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We waded through chest deep quicksand like mud, over tractor tires and walls, under bridges and wires on our bellies...</div>
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but as we slid to the finish they washed much of our mud off:(</div>
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But we finished strong...</div>
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and were still smiling at the end!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUteDn1AfRXADgiRHCHXdnBggeSM2xGHlhgd-VxeLSJUHJDyNZR1C91o512vuErN1s2y70aQO19gTJHykpSWaPqa4cTIJBkCR5K0dMa938a4eb8_ZhkdL9hYjyPPvgRPU7aYusoUsRdQl7/s1600/10012873_4101613315112_4657443453703574146_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUteDn1AfRXADgiRHCHXdnBggeSM2xGHlhgd-VxeLSJUHJDyNZR1C91o512vuErN1s2y70aQO19gTJHykpSWaPqa4cTIJBkCR5K0dMa938a4eb8_ZhkdL9hYjyPPvgRPU7aYusoUsRdQl7/s1600/10012873_4101613315112_4657443453703574146_o.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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What a tremendous blessing to spend Mother's Day with this bunch!!!!</div>
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THEN...<br />
Someone had a 14th birthday!!<br />
All he asked for was to have the largest burger we could make him. Steph cut him off at 2 pounds!!<br />
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<br />
Aaron LOVES fishing and has recently discovered fly fishing.<br />
The boys went to a free clinic to see how to cast.<br />
Aaron caught the first fish.<br />
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And this is how he felt about getting his very own fly fishing pole for his birthday!!<br />
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Our children are growing far too fast for this mama's taste!</div>
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And somehow...right before my eyes...this one completed her high school career!!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I look forward to sharing in future posts about the next steps for our oldest baby girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AND</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the amazing adventures of this adoption journey we have been on!!!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-17648498246012565732014-03-10T21:52:00.000-07:002014-05-17T08:57:21.725-07:00Puzzle Fundraiser...Missing Pieces<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">UPDATE AT BOTTOM!!</span></b><br />
<br />
We are so very excited for all God is doing in this adoption process!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to all who have generously donated so far to help bring our boys home!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We took this photo of our family showing our "missing pieces"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93mMlNTrUbXSDswzZ038__5LjoHQwHZawIsxj0wCifmAu2B10t1jMi4h3oJrDTlEppqtZQYLrvHpeI8L1UmmdKnyhPOjUzw2OIfQqSveHOQ9rBTdUa7_1xIYbVc9FlIroyvSVW_tBr5YD/s1600/Boutin+Family+016+No+Name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93mMlNTrUbXSDswzZ038__5LjoHQwHZawIsxj0wCifmAu2B10t1jMi4h3oJrDTlEppqtZQYLrvHpeI8L1UmmdKnyhPOjUzw2OIfQqSveHOQ9rBTdUa7_1xIYbVc9FlIroyvSVW_tBr5YD/s1600/Boutin+Family+016+No+Name.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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We made it into a puzzle</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDzBBezKd5nYA-jaKEOE7DN6KMNjgW5FvSLnjdONSWUyYzrG-Cyt3p2qHbtacc0D9d9mCg_qEnTAS4XhsWE29UE8gH_4apd623zgvg3rKIkbmkBlX3HMfE7KCBHfiG4LQMI4Is86a7SCy/s1600/DSC08687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDzBBezKd5nYA-jaKEOE7DN6KMNjgW5FvSLnjdONSWUyYzrG-Cyt3p2qHbtacc0D9d9mCg_qEnTAS4XhsWE29UE8gH_4apd623zgvg3rKIkbmkBlX3HMfE7KCBHfiG4LQMI4Is86a7SCy/s1600/DSC08687.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
and started filling in pieces from earlier donations that were graciously given </div>
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at the beginning of the journey. </div>
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Then we added the pieces that were purchased since February 14th!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mz-R4Y5TW51Lm78LaU2Y4iP3WGs8YcEm25KUG-eQemEdwxElLOe9TYvyRz1twoDr8JOTQ7ULN4Uiyhdc_jIEfBBP_HhmhsPJCMyP0XLhlKNUSI0EamCEb_ELq5UC2CWcNcbXKprfaTLj/s1600/DSC00230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mz-R4Y5TW51Lm78LaU2Y4iP3WGs8YcEm25KUG-eQemEdwxElLOe9TYvyRz1twoDr8JOTQ7ULN4Uiyhdc_jIEfBBP_HhmhsPJCMyP0XLhlKNUSI0EamCEb_ELq5UC2CWcNcbXKprfaTLj/s1600/DSC00230.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Could this piece have your name on it??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9Tf6qDmahJIKq_snwe5aUNTTdNOZqd6cz6-R0Z9JKWEoMgon4dk9HAJA2BISINc35VAI9yyybUho5zhgDEFPm8iveeD4jBEwdwJrTe6SF0pTL25aYfHps0S5YkfGeCLGpjm-zlcUCAcL/s1600/DSC08690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9Tf6qDmahJIKq_snwe5aUNTTdNOZqd6cz6-R0Z9JKWEoMgon4dk9HAJA2BISINc35VAI9yyybUho5zhgDEFPm8iveeD4jBEwdwJrTe6SF0pTL25aYfHps0S5YkfGeCLGpjm-zlcUCAcL/s1600/DSC08690.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div>
HOW IT WORKS...</div>
<div>
1. Each piece of the puzzle costs $20 (you can purchase one piece or several pieces)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
2. To purchase please click the paypal <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=S9N8NQTC354NG" target="_blank">DONATE</a> button on the right of this blog page<br />
<b> OR</b><br />
you can make a <b>TAX DEDUCTIBLE</b> donation by sending a check to our adoption agency. For<br />
the tax deductible option...please make checks out to: Christian Adoption Services (please do<br />
NOT put our name anywhere on the check, instead please add a post it note or paperclip a note to<br />
the check saying you would like the donation to be placed on the Boutin adoption. If you do not<br />
add the note, the donation will go to the agency general fund.)<br />
The address to mail the check is: Christian Adoption Services<br />
624-100 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd<br />
Matthews, NC 28105<br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div>
3. When pieces are purchased we will write your name on the back of the piece(s) to have a lasting</div>
<div>
memory of those who helped bring our sons home.</div>
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</div>
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4. Once the pieces have been "sold" and the puzzle put together, we will frame it (double sided</div>
<div>
glass) and hang it in our home as another example of God's faithfulness. We will have something</div>
<div>
tangible to show our boys all the wonderful people who gave generously to bring them home!! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
5. We will update our progress regularly to show how the puzzle is forming!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Because we are transparent and sharing this journey OUTLOUD...</div>
<div>
<br />
(some of our fees are more due to bringing three boys home at the same time:)</div>
<div>
Application/E-adopt fees: $350 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div>
Homestudy: $1,100 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div>
Dossier Fee: $1,000 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div>
Psychological update: $330 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div>
I-800A immigration: $890 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div>
Agency Coordination fees: $4,500 <b>PAID</b><br />
Liaison fee: $600 <b>PAID</b><br />
ICAB Application and processing: $300 <b>PAID</b><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Additional Child fee: $2,000 PAID</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Postplacement Supervision & Adoption: $4,250 PAID</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>ICAB pretravel processing: $3,000 PAID</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Orphanage Contribution: $1,000 PAID</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>ICAB preplacement/Coordination fee: $1,750 PAID</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Finalization: $1,100 PAID</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">We have been officially matched with our boys and are waiting for visa, medical, and passports to be issued so they can come home. (aprox. 3-4 months process)</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>WE ARE ABSOLUTELY SPEECHLESS OVER HOW GOD HAS MOVED MOUNTAINS TO BRING OUR BOYS HOME!!! </b></span></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Over 4 short months... through generous donations, our puzzle fundraiser, a grant from JSC foundation, and our quarter auction...ALL our agency and international fees have been PAID!!!!! We are now working on gathering the money needed to book our flights for hubby and I, plus the return trip of the three boys. We estimate our travel expenses to be approximately $7,000 (dependent on cost of flights and accommodations allowing us to put 5 to a room). We currently have $1,210 toward that amount!!!! </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>GOD IS SO VERY FAITHFUL IN PROVIDING FOR THE THINGS HE PLACES ON OUR HEARTS!!! HE DOES PLACE THE LONELY IN THEIR OWN FAMILIES!!!!</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-43667823471088905822014-03-10T08:38:00.000-07:002014-03-10T08:38:23.670-07:00In the Learning...Praise!<div style="text-align: center;">
I am learning a few things about myself in this amazing journey God has us on...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One is that I am not consistent in my form of communication:)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are seasons that I blog, seasons that I post snip-its on Facebook, seasons that I send more intimate email updates, and seasons where I appear to be missing in action. I also have not taken a photo with my big girl camera for a very long time:)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There have been times where I have beat myself up about that lack of consistency. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>But I am learning grace can be extended to myself as well as others. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our days are FULL. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We homeschool, Aaron played basketball and starts football tomorrow, the girls ride horses, Melika leads youth worship, and both Melika and Kylee are part of a human video team for fine arts. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AND, this newly turned 40 mama has finally decided to do something that I have always wanted to do...I am participating in a sprint triathlon!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(AND, my baby girl, who thinks she is allergic to exercise, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is doing it with me as my birthday present!!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAI0Z3i_ZpetZEqkPkM2CmgSO4jsf-73ahq7SH_AugjdkL-YvSmz8EU4j5XMKEYCccHq2jOMC_VOAnRkc6lWqOYU3hTGNoMekqyiEqX9TAFwb4poc7bpU9YCVEnk5FYQxxC2CBFxq8Zd2/s1600/IMG_5456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAI0Z3i_ZpetZEqkPkM2CmgSO4jsf-73ahq7SH_AugjdkL-YvSmz8EU4j5XMKEYCccHq2jOMC_VOAnRkc6lWqOYU3hTGNoMekqyiEqX9TAFwb4poc7bpU9YCVEnk5FYQxxC2CBFxq8Zd2/s1600/IMG_5456.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Sprint because the distances are shorter...250m swim, 10 mile bike, 2.1 mile run) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the world of triathlons this is a baby race...in MY world...it is HUGE!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, fitting training into an already busy schedule can be challenging. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is more I am learning in this journey...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>motherhood does not equal wonder woman!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22i3zX2h4OxNop-dAcf633_XipsbC3JNmPIyW-5UeWUdNL8OtKEH4bKXOdmmRFRv0-f6Z5pYIA-E9EL01g5T_ZqmlvIJkBWJM0_oS9a_BDAl82RiKeRHQi2GDD2rkSkbykxwlUP_PPNqn/s1600/1350996960-53728600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22i3zX2h4OxNop-dAcf633_XipsbC3JNmPIyW-5UeWUdNL8OtKEH4bKXOdmmRFRv0-f6Z5pYIA-E9EL01g5T_ZqmlvIJkBWJM0_oS9a_BDAl82RiKeRHQi2GDD2rkSkbykxwlUP_PPNqn/s1600/1350996960-53728600.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am sure I am not the only one to find myself battling that syndrome. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So often we place pressure on ourselves to be all and do all in our homes, for our husband, for our children, and in ministry. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When in reality...I cannot do anything with success or excellence </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
without the intervention of my Heavenly Father!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When my focus and my praise is on HIM, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
instead of what I have or have not accomplished,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
HE makes all things good in HIS time!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And Christ's time and way is always PERFECT!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This next thing I have been working on learning for quite some time...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Christ is working behind the scenes (without my help)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>even when things appear to be standing still!!!!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not quite sure if it is the type "A" in me or some other reason,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I love for a decision to be made and then run that race until it is accomplished!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
WAITING IS HARD FOR ME!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is much waiting at this leg of our journey...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
waiting for hubby's healing or surgery for his foot, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
waiting on immigration clearance,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
waiting for our dossier to be mailed to the Philippines,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
waiting for the official match for the boys,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
waiting to see how God will provide financially for this adoption,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
waiting to know the extent of the water damage on our home </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and if the insurance will cover any of it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
waiting to put the house on the market,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
waiting to know if we will be here or in a different home </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when we bring our boys to their forever family,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
yep...lots of waiting:):)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, it is in the waiting that we have the privilege </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of resting in God's unfailing peace. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When there are things for us to do,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it is far too easy to try to take back some of the control </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that belongs in father God's capable hands!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7T6o5nzeivN2q-CUIDHSM6M1gc6dERp2-s2TPH3d-oSz2r9d0gwfOEVrCsWGBieZKUd0KkpNgE_ECSF8rDB8gXFoRfBzzk94uzjgo2NhNSCY9WVMm6YcFWk-Kq4AbbeD2Y3rxB04KGrr/s1600/PottersHands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7T6o5nzeivN2q-CUIDHSM6M1gc6dERp2-s2TPH3d-oSz2r9d0gwfOEVrCsWGBieZKUd0KkpNgE_ECSF8rDB8gXFoRfBzzk94uzjgo2NhNSCY9WVMm6YcFWk-Kq4AbbeD2Y3rxB04KGrr/s1600/PottersHands.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In these moments where I relinquish control to the one who had it all along...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then I am pliable in his hands.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In those moments HE can shape me and form me in HIS likeness. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So in this season, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
where there is much to do,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
grace to extend,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
capes to remove,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and control to be relinquished (again)...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am learning much as I praise the ONE who is worthy, righteous, honorable, loving, gracious, faithful, kind, unwavering, all knowing, most powerful....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the learning as in the waiting...my heart will choose to praise!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-52390538386311285082014-02-18T10:39:00.001-08:002014-02-28T11:22:30.600-08:00Puzzle Fundraiser...Update!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
We are so very excited for all God is doing in this adoption process!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to all who have generously donated so far to help bring our boys home!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We took this photo of our family showing our "missing pieces"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93mMlNTrUbXSDswzZ038__5LjoHQwHZawIsxj0wCifmAu2B10t1jMi4h3oJrDTlEppqtZQYLrvHpeI8L1UmmdKnyhPOjUzw2OIfQqSveHOQ9rBTdUa7_1xIYbVc9FlIroyvSVW_tBr5YD/s1600/Boutin+Family+016+No+Name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93mMlNTrUbXSDswzZ038__5LjoHQwHZawIsxj0wCifmAu2B10t1jMi4h3oJrDTlEppqtZQYLrvHpeI8L1UmmdKnyhPOjUzw2OIfQqSveHOQ9rBTdUa7_1xIYbVc9FlIroyvSVW_tBr5YD/s1600/Boutin+Family+016+No+Name.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We made it into a puzzle</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDzBBezKd5nYA-jaKEOE7DN6KMNjgW5FvSLnjdONSWUyYzrG-Cyt3p2qHbtacc0D9d9mCg_qEnTAS4XhsWE29UE8gH_4apd623zgvg3rKIkbmkBlX3HMfE7KCBHfiG4LQMI4Is86a7SCy/s1600/DSC08687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDzBBezKd5nYA-jaKEOE7DN6KMNjgW5FvSLnjdONSWUyYzrG-Cyt3p2qHbtacc0D9d9mCg_qEnTAS4XhsWE29UE8gH_4apd623zgvg3rKIkbmkBlX3HMfE7KCBHfiG4LQMI4Is86a7SCy/s1600/DSC08687.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and started filling in pieces from earlier donations that were graciously given </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at the beginning of the journey. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then we added the pieces that were purchased since February 14th!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsHf-4F6Akm9xICp1yvZo572frstjbijrb5lMxWZZtvb6o_4hVEeb7uZXa_nMv_0tCJodcyy7TxgtvQXO6J_c6zzHYaf0Hk5I27h78vB8tpQzxqSiFJ0kcx3IP1Jn6hdx86I3bK4Skjzh/s1600/DSC08805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsHf-4F6Akm9xICp1yvZo572frstjbijrb5lMxWZZtvb6o_4hVEeb7uZXa_nMv_0tCJodcyy7TxgtvQXO6J_c6zzHYaf0Hk5I27h78vB8tpQzxqSiFJ0kcx3IP1Jn6hdx86I3bK4Skjzh/s1600/DSC08805.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>We have raised $2,065 since beginning our fundraiser!!!!</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We need $1,535 more to be able to jump through the next hoop </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and send our dossier to the Philippines.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Could this piece have your name on it??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9Tf6qDmahJIKq_snwe5aUNTTdNOZqd6cz6-R0Z9JKWEoMgon4dk9HAJA2BISINc35VAI9yyybUho5zhgDEFPm8iveeD4jBEwdwJrTe6SF0pTL25aYfHps0S5YkfGeCLGpjm-zlcUCAcL/s1600/DSC08690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9Tf6qDmahJIKq_snwe5aUNTTdNOZqd6cz6-R0Z9JKWEoMgon4dk9HAJA2BISINc35VAI9yyybUho5zhgDEFPm8iveeD4jBEwdwJrTe6SF0pTL25aYfHps0S5YkfGeCLGpjm-zlcUCAcL/s1600/DSC08690.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
HOW IT WORKS...</div>
<div>
1. Each piece of the puzzle costs $20 (you can purchase one piece or several pieces)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2. To purchase please click the paypal <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=S9N8NQTC354NG" target="_blank">DONATE</a> button on the right of this blog page<br />
<b> OR</b><br />
you can make a <b>TAX DEDUCTIBLE</b> donation by sending a check to our adoption agency. For<br />
the tax deductible option...please make checks out to: Christian Adoption Services (please do<br />
NOT put our name anywhere on the check, instead please add a post it note or paperclip a note to<br />
the check saying you would like the donation to be placed on the Boutin adoption. If you do not<br />
add the note, the donation will go to the agency general fund.)<br />
The address to mail the check is: Christian Adoption Services<br />
624-100 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd<br />
Matthews, NC 28105<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
3. When pieces are purchased we will write your name on the back of the piece(s) to have a lasting</div>
<div>
memory of those who helped bring our sons home.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
4. Once the pieces have been "sold" and the puzzle put together, we will frame it (double sided</div>
<div>
glass) and hang it in our home as another example of God's faithfulness. We will have something</div>
<div>
tangible to show our boys all the wonderful people who gave generously to bring them home!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
5. We will update our progress regularly to show how the puzzle is forming!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Because we are transparent and sharing this journey OUTLOUD...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Application/E-adopt fees: $350 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div>
Homestudy: $1,100 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div>
Dossier Fee: $1,000 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div>
Psychological update: $330 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div>
I-800A immigration: $890 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div>
The next chunk needed asap is $4,500 in agency fees to get our dossier to the Philippines. We have paid $900 toward that fee so far:)</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Our total adoption cost is estimated at $30,780. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Although this amount looks ginormous...We know that we serve an even BIGGER GOD that places the lonely in their own families. HE IS FAITHFUL and HE will move mightily to bring our boys home!! </div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have another request...</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Would you consider sharing the link to this blog post on your blog, social media, or email your friend list?? We are hoping this will go viral and many will have the opportunity to participate in bringing three priceless treasures to their forever family!!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-70674326177359898742014-02-14T12:09:00.000-08:002014-02-15T07:57:56.296-08:00 Puzzle Fundraiser - Help Us Bring Our "Missing Pieces" Home!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's Valentine's Day ya'll</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What a perfect day to launch our puzzle fundraiser! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
God has given us an overwhelming love </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
for three precious treasures from the Philippines (ages 17, 11, and 9)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Will you help us bring our "missing pieces" home? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3txmUPSdK6bySyGeu0vstlypdeIDYAHTaN7RCjT-Jvk_cBVUBdG7jqOjyXTLZ2NCvsqcKZvTXagBUBnwv4nBvX6cvvhBLLmZuvC6OmnIoI2tUeWCA4RiXzrAxFz6wzmu085eUqTTUeHWo/s1600/Boutin+Family+016+No+Name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3txmUPSdK6bySyGeu0vstlypdeIDYAHTaN7RCjT-Jvk_cBVUBdG7jqOjyXTLZ2NCvsqcKZvTXagBUBnwv4nBvX6cvvhBLLmZuvC6OmnIoI2tUeWCA4RiXzrAxFz6wzmu085eUqTTUeHWo/s1600/Boutin+Family+016+No+Name.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
HOW IT WORKS...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. Each piece of the puzzle costs $20 (you can purchase one piece or several pieces)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2. To purchase please click the paypal <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=S9N8NQTC354NG" target="_blank">DONATE</a> button on the right of this blog page OR you can<br />
email me (joyboutin@gmail.com) for our address to send a check in the mail. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3. When pieces are purchased we will write your name on the back of the piece(s) to have a lasting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
memory of those who helped bring our sons home.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4. Once the pieces have been "sold" and the puzzle put together, we will frame it (double sided</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
glass) and hang it in our home as another example of God's faithfulness. We will have something</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
tangible to show our boys all the wonderful people who gave generously to bring them home!! (we</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
will include the donations that have already come in previously and write those names on pieces as</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
well:)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5. We will update our progress regularly to show how the puzzle is forming!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because we are transparent and sharing this journey OUTLOUD...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Application/E-adopt fees: $350 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Homestudy: $1,100 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dossier Fee: $1,000 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Psychological update: $330 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I-800A immigration: $890 <b>PAID</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The next chunk needed asap is $4,500 in agency fees to get our dossier to the Philippines. We have paid $900 toward that fee so far:)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our total adoption cost is estimated at $30,780. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Although this amount looks ginormous...We know that we serve an even BIGGER GOD that places the lonely in their own families. HE IS FAITHFUL and HE will move mightily to bring our boys home!! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have another request...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Would you consider sharing the link to this blog post on your blog, social media, or email your friend list?? We are hoping this will go viral and many will have the opportunity to participate in bringing three priceless treasures to their forever family!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
OH I CANNOT WAIT TO POST SOME UPDATES!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-46404905597546317222014-02-03T11:39:00.001-08:002014-02-03T11:39:27.769-08:00A Hurting Heart<div style="text-align: center;">
My Heart Hurts!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not because of anything in my personal journey to our boys...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(God is doing the miraculous and we are so very thankful!!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My heart hurts for</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
THOSE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
NOT</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
CHOSEN!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Even as we run forward to double the number of children in our family</div>
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I see and pray for hundreds of beautiful treasures</div>
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that still need a mommy and daddy. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Our agency is hosting a Philippines Summer Hosting Program</div>
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There are 12 gorgeous, healthy children ranging in age from 7-14</div>
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that could come to the United States for a few weeks this summer.</div>
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Each child is legally free for adoption and longs for a forever family!</div>
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<br /></div>
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The deadline is Friday for families to open their hearts to these children. </div>
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NOT ONE CHILD of the 12 has a family as of today!!!</div>
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Oh how my heart is breaking. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Then there are children like little Ethan!</div>
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He is a BEAUTIFUL little 6 year old</div>
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that is fun loving, smart, social, well behaved...</div>
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he speaks fluent English and is on target developmentally and academically. </div>
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Because of a discovery of Hep B on his recent physical</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he does not have a forever family. </div>
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Hep B cannot be 'Caught' through daily interactions.</div>
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In the US we are inoculated for it...so this sweet boy cannot infect others he plays with.</div>
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He is a precious little treasure, who at no fault to his own, </div>
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is carrying a a virus (that is treatable) in his blood. </div>
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<br /></div>
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As I type this, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am looking at his cheesy grin </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and trying to understand why he is not being lavished with love in a forever family. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I have come to terms with the fact that I cannot adopt them all (although I sure would love to!!!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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God has provided many opportunities over the past months for me to share our testimony and encourage others to step out in faith to bring sweet treasures into their families. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But there are days</div>
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where my heart just hurts!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-22523956571646046562014-01-21T21:13:00.000-08:002014-01-21T21:13:30.785-08:00God Sets the Lonely in Families<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We feel tremendously privileged to be able to parent these silly treasures!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp92v5oHc9QfokAEBNbsdVPsx8qBNLvEMaim6sLBDb5_Lw9KgIOkWw-EwBzX7X-HE0gm0HBLt97lRXOdt4xUrZ8mcsAlJOpYuSNgJAGarZ8d-zy-5HXlj8O6aUFtkq8I-eXW1qWJN6uvr/s1600/DSC08390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp92v5oHc9QfokAEBNbsdVPsx8qBNLvEMaim6sLBDb5_Lw9KgIOkWw-EwBzX7X-HE0gm0HBLt97lRXOdt4xUrZ8mcsAlJOpYuSNgJAGarZ8d-zy-5HXlj8O6aUFtkq8I-eXW1qWJN6uvr/s1600/DSC08390.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we are so very excited to be on this new journey to our boys!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(oh how I wish I could share their photos)</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am speechless as I watch God's plan unfold before our eyes!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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We have wanted to grow our family...</div>
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We have fasted, we have prayed, we have cried out to HIM!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And now our Heavenly Father is moving mountains!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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We have filled out paperwork in record breaking time. </div>
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We have submitted and/or requested </div>
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all documents for our agency clearance and for our dossier.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Right now the only thing standing in our way to move forward is money. </div>
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We have stepped out in faith by scheduling both </div>
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our psychological update meeting (this Thursday the 23rd) and</div>
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our home study update visit (next Tuesday the 28th...My 40th birthday), </div>
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without having the funds in hand. </div>
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They are the last two things needed to be able to send our dossier and file with immigration!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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We truly believe that God has hand picked our sons to be in our family,</div>
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and therefore, we believe that HE will provide every step of the way!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have had folks ask how they can help us fund our adoption. </div>
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We set up a paypal account "Bring Our Boys Home" that can be found on the right tool bar.</div>
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by clicking the DONATE button it will walk you through the steps to make a donation. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In Psalm 68:6 has been so heavy on my heart over the past few days. </div>
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For so long I took the verse to mean that </div>
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God causes Families to have a lonely spot, a desire to welcome more family members. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I decided to read it in in several different versions</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it says,</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"God Sets the lonely in Families..." (NLT)</div>
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"God settles the solitary in a home..." (ESV)</div>
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"God places the solitary in families and gives the desolate a home in which to dwell..." (AMP)</div>
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"God provides homes for those who are deserted..." (HCSB)</div>
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"Father of orphans, Champion of widows, is God in his holy house. </div>
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God makes homes for the homeless..." (MSG)</div>
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"God settles those who have been deserted in their own homes..." (NET)</div>
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"God gives lonely people a family..." (NIRV)</div>
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<br /></div>
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It speaks directly to the orphan and widow friends!!</div>
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I love the versions that say...</div>
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God provides homes for those who are deserted</div>
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and</div>
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God settles those who have been deserted in their own homes</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love love that God has called us to be "their own home" for three more boys!!!!</div>
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They will know love and laughter</div>
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they will be allowed to be children</div>
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they will be treasured</div>
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They will be in their own family!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You may not be called to adopt...</div>
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but if God is tugging your heart,</div>
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would you help make a difference to these three? </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-67585309229822707492014-01-11T13:30:00.000-08:002014-01-11T13:30:40.640-08:00Ready? Set...GO!!!!<h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ready?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Set....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
GO!!!!!!</div>
</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The email that will change our lives forever!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In my last post...weeks ago</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wrote about a sibling group of three boys 16, 11, and 9.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wrote to try to find a family willing to open their hearts and be their forever family.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What I didn't write was how torn my heart was. </div>
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I could not take my eyes off of their beautiful faces.</div>
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I prayed for them night and day.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Although we have been chomping at the bit to adopt again this year, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we knew the Philippines was off limits because of the two year nurturance law between adoptions.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even so, the boys messed me up!</div>
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I would leave their photo open on our computer hoping my husband would see it and declare that they were our boys and we had to find a way to bring them home. </div>
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Each time, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hubby walked the other way...</div>
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the computer screen would go black before he passed...</div>
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or her didn't enter the room at all. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally after a week of praying and doing the computer/photo dance...</div>
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I asked him to look at a photo. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He said, they are great looking boys Joy, but we cannot adopt them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I said I know....but I cannot stop looking at them and thinking about them and praying about them!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He gave me that knowing look of his, and went on with what he had been doing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Later that week, our agency put out another notice about the boys and how the oldest was becoming dangerously close to aging out. Their forever family needs to start the process immediately!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I contacted our Philippines adoption coordinator and asked her to please let me know when a family came forward for them. I shared that I wished I could be their mama...but since that was not possible...would she please please let me know when God answered my prayers and brought them a family!! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our agency response sent me screaming, crying, and dancing around the house. </div>
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I may have terrified Aaron for a minute...but the girls knew it had to be adoption related to get this relatively calm mama to react in such a way:)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They asked, If the ICAB would give us an exception to the two year wait...would we adopt the boys?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I frantically called my husband</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was hyperventilating and simply did not have clear speech!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You see, God had done the miraculous in opening a door!! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We impatiently waited for the boys files to arrive for our review so we could request permission to adopt. We waited through Christmas...made the request on December 26...then waited some more!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday, January 10th, I got a simple email from our agency coordinator (whom I love!!!)...</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ready? Set...GO!!!</b></h2>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
WHAT???? Could this really be happening????</div>
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Does this mean what I think it does???</div>
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Of course I sent out a frantic phone call just to hear those words over the phone. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So bloggy friends...</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
WE ARE ADOPTING AGAIN!!!!!</h2>
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</div>
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I cannot begin to tell you how very excited we are to </div>
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be growing our family again through adoption!!!</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are at the very beginning stages of gathering our documents for our dossier. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The process often takes a year for a Filipino adoption.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My mother's heart is hoping/praying that somehow...some way...</div>
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our boys will make it home before our oldest leaves for a year in Africa. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But I am trusting that </div>
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the awesome...holy...faithful God that hand picked our boys for us</div>
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will bring all things together in HIS perfect timing and according to HIS perfect will!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-4482427415878191702013-12-08T21:42:00.000-08:002013-12-08T21:42:35.668-08:00Wrecked...All I Really Want This Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe it is the fact that Thanksgiving is so fresh on my mind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgH-7q4HvhRlMtWu7X4Lx6qePLebBuHRy8XtFU96PjvlJJ2wMY4FPkhVE-f0DQclksjkEzFswsLkuXTBmMPJbipxgyMAvtF_0B19on1i2Jp1uUuK9hCpZmAgd1YUBzP56bmtOFesg1POO/s1600/IMG_2512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgH-7q4HvhRlMtWu7X4Lx6qePLebBuHRy8XtFU96PjvlJJ2wMY4FPkhVE-f0DQclksjkEzFswsLkuXTBmMPJbipxgyMAvtF_0B19on1i2Jp1uUuK9hCpZmAgd1YUBzP56bmtOFesg1POO/s400/IMG_2512.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Maybe it is the joyous Christmas season of celebrating the greatest gift ever given</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>JESUS</b></div>
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and sharing priceless memories as a family.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftKVD8T8mKWgrQDgDHXGenmLXU2jqW0YOj-0lk6YS8thooIX25QVynEIYp2Pg0NzJJfLC4RahfijCL_LU37txB2D0jWmDLORU_F7edCcZVK26Glch4kz9CYs6m5MDaSSs-x7AxDjJj6ih/s1600/DSC07011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftKVD8T8mKWgrQDgDHXGenmLXU2jqW0YOj-0lk6YS8thooIX25QVynEIYp2Pg0NzJJfLC4RahfijCL_LU37txB2D0jWmDLORU_F7edCcZVK26Glch4kz9CYs6m5MDaSSs-x7AxDjJj6ih/s400/DSC07011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Maybe it is the season where hearts are open to giving.</div>
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And where I am asked what I would like for Christmas.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Whatever the reason...</div>
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my heart, already wrecked for the orphan, breaks for those not yet chosen!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At times I wish God could place a viewfinder from my heart so folks could see the overwhelming love and pure joy that comes from adoption. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wish folks could truly see the priceless unconditional love that can come from welcoming an </div>
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older or special needs child into your heart and home. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How that love is planted, nurtured, and grows into something breath-taking. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh how I long to remove the fear that holds so many wonderful families from stepping out!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How can I better explain God's unwavering faithfulness</div>
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and that when HE places the lonely in family</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
HE will provide every step of the way as we step out in faith.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How do I help people understand why we are praying fervently for God to help us </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sell our beautiful home so that we can find something less expensive... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
freeing up finances to feed more treasures. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think the only way to express it is with the children themselves!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have you gone to <a href="http://www.adoptuskids.org/">AdoptUSKids</a> and looked at the GORGEOUS children who are </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
legally free and waiting for a forever family?? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can tell you...I have! And I lose my heart each and every time!</div>
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If for nothing else, take the time to pray for each of these treasures </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to be placed in their forever family. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When you realize how long it takes to say even a sentence prayer </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on behalf of each child in your home state alone....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then you begin to see the magnitude of children,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by no fault of their own, who wait for a family.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can swing over to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nohandsbutours.com/">No Hands But Ours</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to see treasures from China who are in need of a forever family. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.rainbowkids.com/">Rainbowkids</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where you can see photo lists of children around the world </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
longing for a forever family. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are many, many, many other places to learn of waiting children. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, I want to tell you about some beautiful faces that I have seen...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
some I have wrapped my arms around...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who wait in the Philippines.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are faces that, because of country restrictions, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cannot have their photos on the web or social media.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let me start by telling you about "J", a precious 12 year old boy </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I had the pleasure of meeting and wrapping my arms around in January. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This sweet spirited young man lives in an orphanage in the Philippines. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"J" loves to run and play,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and has gentle eyes that can melt your heart.</div>
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Although he has some developmental delays...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
his English is better than most in the orphanage!! </div>
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He looked in my eyes, politely answered my questions, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and was engaged for the duration of our conversation. </div>
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Our oldest daughter, who also has a sweet spirit, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was so very drawn to this young man!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They spent time talking and playing together. </div>
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When I think of "J", and his tender heart,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I become overwhelmed with the reality that he has watched </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
COUNTLESS </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
children leave for their forever family!!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can you imagine waiting your entire life for something as important as a family...</div>
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and regularly watching others that you have grown up with...</div>
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leave for their family??</div>
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I know God has hand picked a Mommy and Daddy for this treasure. </div>
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And I am praying daily that his family will boldly step forward for their precious son!</div>
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This week I learned about a sibling group (16, 11, and 9 year old boys). </div>
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Yes, my heart is wrecked again!!</div>
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The oldest brother is tall (compared to his brothers that he has his arms around) dark, and handsome. He has a genuine, heartwarming smile as well. The middle brother (who turned 11 yesterday) has a shy grin, and the youngest pumpkin has a glowing smile and cute little glasses:)</div>
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These three are very bright, healthy boys that long to have a family, an education, and a future!!</div>
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They need a family to step forward for them <b>immediately</b> because the oldest boy will turn 17 in February. My understanding is that he can only be adopted with his siblings up until age 18 (The ICAB gives two extra years for children that are part of a sibling group). Because of the length of the process, they need a family to step up NOW!!</div>
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What I really want for Christmas this year? </div>
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I want families that have a heart for adoption to not allow fear, or money to stand in their way. </div>
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I want "J", and the three brothers, to have a family willing to call them treasured sons.</div>
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I want people to see that when we ask Christ to break our heart for what breaks HIS...</div>
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we become wrecked for good and are willing to pray one more treasure into his/her forever family!!!</div>
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Please take a minute to watch my new favorite song...</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvDBGVoGKD0&feature=youtu.be&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DXvDBGVoGKD0%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&app=desktop">Steven Curtis Chapman-All I Really Want For Christmas</a></div>
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And think about what you really want this Christmas:)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-24826623103741713302013-12-02T19:54:00.002-08:002013-12-02T19:54:51.807-08:00Too Good Not to Share<div style="text-align: center;">
As God continues to stretch and grow us, </div>
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there are times when we look to others, in the body of Christ, for encouragement. </div>
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As my heart longs to be a mom of many, </div>
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I often look to seasoned mamas who walk their lives outloud</div>
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being real, giving all glory to Christ. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Although I have only met her in the bloggy world, </div>
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Miss Linny, over at <a href="http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/">A Place Called Simplicity</a> </div>
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is one sweet mama of many that blesses me so very much!!</div>
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Because of her encouragement I am going to choose to share a</div>
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Memorial Box Monday Post as well:)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWGC9OgtYO7YCT7Ybkc2V_OCT7vxNKMnxwGxiy9vYVsiQK9CBjNIUAfDXVH5mkF_IwjT3-RVwz9Fi2qnhFv9eImN6E0Ysez-d9Kj80e8F7hgR7gHC5WFo-iisoz9FgGvW4RTGpO99o833/s1600/membox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWGC9OgtYO7YCT7Ybkc2V_OCT7vxNKMnxwGxiy9vYVsiQK9CBjNIUAfDXVH5mkF_IwjT3-RVwz9Fi2qnhFv9eImN6E0Ysez-d9Kj80e8F7hgR7gHC5WFo-iisoz9FgGvW4RTGpO99o833/s200/membox.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I shared in earlier posts of how God was <b>so</b> very faithful </div>
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in providing every last penny we needed to adopt our son, </div>
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and how HE went above and beyond to bless our socks off...</div>
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just because HE can!!</div>
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Over the past several months, </div>
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we found ourselves in a difficult position financially.</div>
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No, I am not just talking about adding a teenage boy that can eat you out of house and home:):)</div>
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In what felt like a very short time, </div>
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we had preparation for braces for one child,</div>
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extensive dental for another.</div>
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There were physicals, specialist consults, ultrasounds, </div>
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and a surprise surgery. </div>
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We had a need for an orthopedic specialist,</div>
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and three batteries of allergy testing.</div>
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Quite frankly, it was the making of a medical/dental snowball </div>
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that felt as if it could consume us at any given moment.</div>
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I probably should not admit this, </div>
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but at some point...we stopped opening the envelopes.</div>
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We just filed them unopened into a plastic bin.</div>
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The enemy of our soul wanted us to feel </div>
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overwhelmed...</div>
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hopeless...</div>
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irresponsible...</div>
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defeated. </div>
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But the truth is friends...</div>
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<b>We are more than conquerors in Christ</b> (Romans 8:37). </div>
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We knew in Christ's strength we could open the envelopes and calculate the debt accumulated. </div>
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We had to know the total so we could hand it over to Christ </div>
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and trust HIM to lead us in how to meet the need.</div>
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We tucked our children into bed, and took out "the bin". </div>
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Together hubby and I opened, piled, organized, and calculated.</div>
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We wrote that ugly number down, circled it, and started petitioning for God to intervene.</div>
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We prayed together, we prayed alone, we prayed with the kids for God to provide. </div>
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We had no idea where the money could come from. </div>
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We had already completely cut everywhere we could conceive with our human minds. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>But GOD!!!</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Two weeks after writing that number down...</div>
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God provided in one lump sum...</div>
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from a source we would have never guessed...</div>
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<b>JUST BECAUSE HE CAN!!!</b></div>
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Friends, </div>
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I can tell you God does not always answer within two weeks,</div>
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and rarely in my experience has he answered in one lump sum...</div>
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But what I can tell you is this...</div>
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<b>HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL</b></div>
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<b>in each and every circumstance!!!</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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And each time he answers the petitions of our heart,</div>
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our faith grows to new levels and we have confidence to step out boldly for HIM!!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-21363371837669615852013-11-28T18:02:00.002-08:002013-11-28T18:34:18.728-08:00A Time to Give Thanks<div style="text-align: center;">
It is so very humbling to look back on all the ways </div>
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Christ has stretched us as individuals and grown us as a family this year!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have so very much to be thankful for!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Often we share this special holiday with extended family or friends. </div>
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This year we spent the day as a family of five.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Our newest treasure had many questions about </div>
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what Thanksgiving is, what we will do, and of course...</div>
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what will we eat:)</div>
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<br /></div>
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He is not terribly fond of trying new foods </div>
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so we decided to fill him up with some comfort foods for breakfast. </div>
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(fried rice and toyu (salty fish cooked in oil)) </div>
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I accomplished the baking yesterday.</div>
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(Homemade bread, Pumpkin Pie, and Lemon Sponge Pie </div>
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(takes me back to my Pennsylvania roots and reminds me of home)</div>
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Today my hubby made the turkey AND the rest of the sides!</div>
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He is so very fabulous and blesses me tremendously!!!</div>
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The day was spent </div>
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thanking the Lord for our many blessings,</div>
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making thankful crafts,</div>
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eating, eating, eating,</div>
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watching the parade on tv, </div>
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playing board games,</div>
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watching football,</div>
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did I mention eating??!!??</div>
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<br />
And when it was time to go back for leftovers this evening,<br />
our sweet boy asked if he could go back to his fish and rice:) <br />
We all giggled until his fish fell into the cooling apple crisp...<br />
life is never dull around here,<br />
and we would never have it any other way!!!!<br />
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I pray that all of you in bloggy land had a </div>
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blessed, Christ-centered holiday!</div>
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From our family to yours...HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-71679675554201702272013-11-22T11:24:00.001-08:002013-11-22T11:24:27.891-08:00Ugly Can Spill Out...<div style="text-align: center;">
I made a commitment to live out loud </div>
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as we grow in Christ and grow as a family. </div>
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<br /></div>
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There are times that I am tempted to hide my raw emotions</div>
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and only share the victories on this faith journey. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But I am reminded that I need to be real...</div>
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even when those feeling/emotions are raw and potentially ugly.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yesterday, I felt broken</div>
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my heart hurt deeply</div>
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and somehow, the enemy of my soul whispered his ugly nothings</div>
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and tried to convinced me that I am not a good Christian</div>
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because of my fleshy feelings that I was experiencing. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Let me explain...</div>
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I have shared openly that my heart's desire is to be a mom of many. God has richly blessed our family with 4 priceless treasures (three in our home and one in heaven). HE has grown us and broken our hearts for what breaks HIS.</div>
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We have prayed many times each and every day that God would lead us to the next treasures HE has hand picked for our home. We pray as a family, the kids and I pray during our morning devotion time, and I cry out to God in my alone time with HIM. We have knocked on many doors over the past ten months. (we have tried to return to the Philippines earlier than the two year rule, and have pursued adoption through the foster system) And so far it has not been God's will for our family. The doors closed each time. </div>
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With over 150 million orphans world wide...</div>
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with the fact that we are open to children from every nation, tribe, and tongue...</div>
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and the fact that we are open to children age 0-12 (because our baby girl would rather not remain the youngest...we adopted once out of birth order. It is going very well but we want to respect this request for the next adoption)</div>
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Because we are not specific to a country or age...it is at times unclear where to walk. </div>
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I have specifically been praying that God would bring the next children to us. That HE would remove all questions of who/where and bring our littles to us. So when we are contacted, we walk through the door fully believing it could be answer to that prayer. </div>
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Over the past months...</div>
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We were contacted about fostering (with a possibility of future adoption) a sibling group that we know personally. We said yes, took steps forward as doors opened, and prepared our hearts for these treasures. In the end it was not God's plan for the sweet littles or our family and the doors eventually closed. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Five weeks ago we learned of an urgent plea to keep three siblings together from Colombia. We stepped out and asked for information. We learned that another family asked for their file before us. We were happy that a family came forward for the children and had peace with the closed door. </div>
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Last Monday we were contacted by a fabulous social worker that we worked with while pursuing domestic infant adoption. We had not been in communication with her for a very long time. She asked if we were still interested in adopting and if our home study was up to date. A baby was born three days before and was in need of a family. Once again my nose was to the carpet of our closet (my special prayer place) and I cried out to God to open doors...IF IT WAS HIS WILL. In the end, it was not HIS perfect plan for the sweet treasure, or our family. </div>
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Two days ago I got an email about the sibling group of three from Colombia. The family that pulled their file was not interested in following through with the adoption. The social worker wondered if we would still consider adopting them and if I would be available for a phone conversation the next morning. Look at that, a door that was closed 5 weeks prior was back open. We said yes please!! We were back on our knees before the Lord seeking HIS will. And, I was preparing a place in my heart and home for a 12, 9, and 6 year old. I was also wrapping my mind around having THREE 13 year olds in my home at the same time. (The oldest is 3 months younger than Kylee:):)</div>
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Yesterday I spoke to the social worker. We had a very long conversation, and the social worker answered my many questions. About 45 minutes into the conversation, after hearing much about the children and losing my heart to them, the social worker paused. While talking to me, one of her co workers passed a note that said that they just got word that a family from another agency just sent a letter of intent to the powers that be in Colombia to adopt the sibling group. Door closed....a second time:)</div>
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Bloggy friends, </div>
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I know my Heavenly Father is completely in control!! </div>
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I know he has a fabulous plan for our family. </div>
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And I am confident that HE will continue to bring sweet treasures to our family in years to come. </div>
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We have specifically prayed for HIS will and for HIM to open/close doors. </div>
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I actually pray very regularly that HE would save me from myself and not allow me to go down a path that is not of HIM because my compassionate heart can get me in much trouble:)</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>HE HAS FAITHFULLY ANSWERED ALL MY PRAYERS!!!</b></h3>
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At the same time...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am human, I am a sinner saved by grace, I am selfish, and I have a mama's heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because of this, as I sprint forward in what God has placed on my heart...it can be painful...and my ugly can spill out!!! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have shed many many tears over the past week. I have asked God why he would allow me to know about situations that are not for me (I told you my fleshy selfish heart comes out!) I have asked why HE would open doors again just to close them a second time. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
My mind knows the truth friends. I pray MUCH for children on waiting lists around the world, I pray for every situation that God brings to my knowledge. Each situation that appeared to be an open door leads to much prayer for the children, their caregivers, the birth family, and the adoptive family (whoever they may be). </div>
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The obvious answer is that God brings about situations for me to pray. </div>
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And he uses every single situation for my good...to grow me in my walk with HIM.</div>
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Where my fleshy, human, selfish heart comes in is that I want to also walk forward to fill our home. When I see the gorgeous eyes of littles needing a home, or hear their story...I want to be their mama. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I know I cannot parent them all. Aaron actually teases me regularly about having a couple million:):) (He is also the first to ask when the next children will come to our home and makes sure I haven't forgotten his vote is for boys:):)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have been told that I need to choose to not be emotionally attached. I have been told that some people can control their emotions better than others. I have been told callously that the situations are not God's plan so I should be thankful and move on. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My head truly knows to be thankful in all circumstances. I know that I "should not" be wrecked over each closed door. I know to be content in the waiting. And God truly knows my heart in this journey. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But friends, I am not a super Christian. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I do not have it all together. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am <b>so</b>. <b> not</b>. <b>perfect</b>. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The truth is... my heart hurts.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am letting my ugly hang out in this novel because I believe there are others out there that struggle in the waiting...struggle knowing the great need, having the heart to move, but not having a green light yet. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There are others like me that are not perfect and have to be reminded to not only ask Christ to open doors and show His plan....but to cry out to father God to heal our aching heart and teach us to love the giver even more than the gift. </div>
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<br /></div>
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There are others that need to wrap themselves in God's promises, physically cry out to HIM, and get lost in his infinite goodness!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So often we want to appear to have it all together. We do not want to let the world see our ugly. Because in our finite viewfinders, we do not see that others struggle with similar challenges. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am completely conscious of the fact that these endless words are for my benefit and may never resonate with someone else. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But in the even you are struggling. In the event your heart hurts for one reason or another...know that it is ok to hurt. God made us in HIS image and desires for us to be like HIM. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The process of stripping selfishness, and growing in love and compassion... for me...may be a painful process. BUT, I know that Christ is full of love and compassion. When I run to HIS arms, wrap myself in HIS truth, rest in HIS presence...HE will comfort and give me peace. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I do not believe that we can prevent our ugly from rising up at times. </div>
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The important thing is what we do when the ugly spills out!! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-14231261431442334852013-11-22T08:39:00.000-08:002013-11-22T08:39:04.542-08:00Life Keeps Moving Forward<div style="text-align: center;">
I have no real excuses for not keeping up with the blog writing side of things. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think there are seasons where I need to share it all out loud,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and seasons that I cherish the moment and ponder it in my heart. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And, truth be told, there are seasons where you just hope that you can accomplish a great school day, your shirt isn't inside out, and there is a clean pair of socks somewhere in the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have shared some fabulous moments as we grow together...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A very special young lady turned 13!!!!</b><br />
and is growing into such a beautiful young woman!!<br />
(I know...we need more locks for the house)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsvudZuk1k7dI5CEOkiUleDdOUYY0VilyVf6C-CThQlsFPg1M4enNjY_EA7OTyP0SC0BPWzk9qsLrLT_uaLevwXKrvWaz7pnAmgY_J0YplAOGsSEzLJovUg5t36f8dTnwDX_hatamt7k4/s1600/DSC06675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsvudZuk1k7dI5CEOkiUleDdOUYY0VilyVf6C-CThQlsFPg1M4enNjY_EA7OTyP0SC0BPWzk9qsLrLT_uaLevwXKrvWaz7pnAmgY_J0YplAOGsSEzLJovUg5t36f8dTnwDX_hatamt7k4/s640/DSC06675.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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We spent the afternoon taking pictures at her favorite place...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuYOJh9sNjxZkGz13KFtfO9idBSkjBbJPDFx9TXVXPG-N1gede1PyZzW0WWJfu98AMBlcnoS1YQZlTgWyW2aoFQGBFkARuuErc-9hVohA512QZErBwi8P78seygJYLYUjTsvxl4ZD8-8p/s1600/DSC06774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuYOJh9sNjxZkGz13KFtfO9idBSkjBbJPDFx9TXVXPG-N1gede1PyZzW0WWJfu98AMBlcnoS1YQZlTgWyW2aoFQGBFkARuuErc-9hVohA512QZErBwi8P78seygJYLYUjTsvxl4ZD8-8p/s640/DSC06774.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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with her favorite 4 legged friends.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrNcW0tldyyTnF5myFM7fl2WWfzXL9mXYb6VdSdFWTCVtHab7efaowqCd3UMwiAgCiAtAadgxbqTb9KKOXanvJbFArqbC_xYZjzt7fOeqjBceP8U7EMgu8mojVx4RS1OG2AuSS6DVQGXY/s1600/DSC05896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrNcW0tldyyTnF5myFM7fl2WWfzXL9mXYb6VdSdFWTCVtHab7efaowqCd3UMwiAgCiAtAadgxbqTb9KKOXanvJbFArqbC_xYZjzt7fOeqjBceP8U7EMgu8mojVx4RS1OG2AuSS6DVQGXY/s640/DSC05896.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06eVQi3zXeD9gBcDsEfa_gO9h1dwW3-Z627GpchDnLly_u5adbmH85tTbsm0IdM60nACI53J8HDYSl_SC2DWAXyk5XdbbWIcCSHZYXYPqXetQ9gpZaIH3Hu4vSX9pNAu4DJqaiAqxhtcu/s1600/DSC06743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06eVQi3zXeD9gBcDsEfa_gO9h1dwW3-Z627GpchDnLly_u5adbmH85tTbsm0IdM60nACI53J8HDYSl_SC2DWAXyk5XdbbWIcCSHZYXYPqXetQ9gpZaIH3Hu4vSX9pNAu4DJqaiAqxhtcu/s640/DSC06743.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
She went on a very special dinner date with her daddy!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They talked about trusting daddy with her heart until it is time to give it to another.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBFABFF_R3_T_7vIK3-RJ5mKRdCIQH0-U8k-S0rX8zZ_DEEkQkJ0kH6o9ExjcXyo8taT5Nw3knHeMOzLC7rfPqvS09xBLkP3k9d59bU3mXRQgzD631Ysps_kfS-m2YNaPw-NkJ-XtTxWh/s1600/DSC06798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBFABFF_R3_T_7vIK3-RJ5mKRdCIQH0-U8k-S0rX8zZ_DEEkQkJ0kH6o9ExjcXyo8taT5Nw3knHeMOzLC7rfPqvS09xBLkP3k9d59bU3mXRQgzD631Ysps_kfS-m2YNaPw-NkJ-XtTxWh/s640/DSC06798.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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After their special date they came home to have cake and presents with the rest of the family.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxBeiFtgGlv8HupJLOq3qZZrjPpAOkAFrq5Z5aZh-PDYSu1PzuEqEK6WgyLmBLbRdUmZxFpTjc_w_L-Mv5RCq_vO83hXtCzRLl9_fH4Cf8jPT5_X22GgkAtv0ohwXIPNswGkPoFVoAZw_/s1600/DSC06800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxBeiFtgGlv8HupJLOq3qZZrjPpAOkAFrq5Z5aZh-PDYSu1PzuEqEK6WgyLmBLbRdUmZxFpTjc_w_L-Mv5RCq_vO83hXtCzRLl9_fH4Cf8jPT5_X22GgkAtv0ohwXIPNswGkPoFVoAZw_/s640/DSC06800.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We love you sweet girl and look forward to seeing what this next year brings!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Aaron has made great strides over the past weeks as well.</div>
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He is not a tremendous risk taker. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He likes to know what is planned and what is involved in a given activity. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It took much courage for our sweet boy to try out for a competitive team!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
For weeks he tried everything he could to get out of going to practice and games. <br />
But that was his fear talking. </div>
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<br />
Aaron is growing in confidence each time he walks on the court!!<br />
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<br />
Yesterday was a rough day for this mama. (my next post for sure)<br />
Aaron, looked at me and said, "Mommy, do you know that I love you?" <br />
BE...STILL...MY...HEART!!<br />
<br />
Oh the growth we have made!!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
Our oldest baby girl is growing as well.<br />
She has been seeking God's will for her life<br />
as we near the end of the first semester of her senior year. <br />
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<br />
Mélika has known since she was 13 that she wants to be a full time missionary. <br />
The challenge has been to discern God's plan for getting her there.<br />
<br />
Her youth pastor gave a challenge to the graduating seniors...<br />
he asked them to consider putting their plans of college/jobs aside for one year<br />
and GO to serve others and seek God's will for their life. <br />
The catch is that they would not choose WHERE they would go. <br />
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<br />
Our daughter is absolutely beside herself excited<br />
about where she is going and what she will be doing.<br />
(I choose not to share the location online for her safety and those she may be interacting with)<br />
<br />
Here father and I are also very very excited for this priceless opportunity<br />
to be the hands and feet of Christ!!<br />
<br />
And this will be just one more opportunity<br />
to keep this mama on her knees before our Father God!!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-64908926216216298852013-10-07T09:30:00.002-07:002013-10-07T09:30:40.814-07:00Seeing Beyond Ourselves<div style="text-align: center;">
Everyone has a God given passion.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Something that moves you, </div>
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motivates you, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
keeps you up at night. </div>
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<br /></div>
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You do not have to be around me very long to know my heart...</div>
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and my passion!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
God has broken my heart for children.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ALL children. </div>
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When I interact with children my face lights up</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there is a bounce in my step</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my voice turns musical</div>
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and my face has a ready smile.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mix that love with the truth of children experiencing </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
neglect, abuse, abandonment, institutionalization, hunger, and fear...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The recipe yields a mama bear of a woman driven to share the truth,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and advocate for children that cannot speak for themselves. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will not apologize for my passion,</div>
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or my one track conversations.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have worked with beautiful treasures from our foster care system,</div>
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hugged on treasures from our son's previous orphanage,</div>
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and looked upon the hollow faces of street children </div>
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living on a square of cardboard in a third world country.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have prayed over children on photolists from the US and all over the world.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We adopted a six year old domestically,</div>
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a 12 year old internationally, </div>
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and took in a pregnant teen during a time of crisis.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And we are chomping at the bit to jump back in the saddle and adopt again!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Why...</b></h2>
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<br /></div>
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BECAUSE THEY HAVE VALUE, WORTH, AND ARE PRICELESS TREASURES!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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BECAUSE GOD MADE THEM TO HAVE A HOPE AND A FUTURE!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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BECAUSE ONCE YOU KNOW THE TRUTH, </div>
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YOU CAN NO LONGER PRETEND IT DOES NOT EXIST. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Friends,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Adoption is not for everyone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BUT</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are some of you out there that are called to adopt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And you have given every excuse in the book. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of you would rather not be stretched out of your comfort zone.</div>
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Some feel like the hoops that you have to jump through are just too large and far apart.</div>
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Some hide behind the fear of coming up with the fees associated with adoption, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or how your lifestyle may change if you add more children to the family. </div>
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And some of you are terrified of a past that a child may have experienced before coming to your family.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not judging you...</div>
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but from someone who was sitting on that side of the fence not so long ago,</div>
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I want to tell you that </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>God does not call His children to easy</b>.</div>
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(We can do easy on our own. </div>
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He calls us to things that without HIS intervention...we will fail)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>God extends peace, grace, and redemption.</b></div>
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(regardless of our past)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>And where HE guides....HE provides!!!</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Do not get me wrong...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not implying that adoption is a romantic airport photo experience every moment of the day. Parenting is hard, whether a child came from your stomach or your heart. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What I am saying is that we have no regrets to opening our hearts to God's will for our family!!</div>
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We have stretched, grown, and relied on Christ in ways we may never have experienced had we not been obedient to the call. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am saying that God created each child for a fabulous plan and purpose...</div>
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and all were made to be treasured and loved by a family. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I pray that our family photo will grow by many more smiling faces in the years to come.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfGiSXdUvC5qIQ21klE_mULOTJU28CW8Tje6rbqKm8TGKLC8iJ1l5HF543vBSD8jHNKO5ih8LjF7mHNGWfbJAeq6mqUSGvaw6R_sUTFz0p8nROjF_uLb0p22cpnEw1ZO-vhx49fwJS2DD/s1600/DSC05776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfGiSXdUvC5qIQ21klE_mULOTJU28CW8Tje6rbqKm8TGKLC8iJ1l5HF543vBSD8jHNKO5ih8LjF7mHNGWfbJAeq6mqUSGvaw6R_sUTFz0p8nROjF_uLb0p22cpnEw1ZO-vhx49fwJS2DD/s640/DSC05776.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I also pray that God will raise up a people who will confidently walk in obedience.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You may be the person to send funding to a child care facility. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You may be the one to help families fund their adoption.</div>
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You may be one who goes on short term mission trips to care for orphans and street children.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You may be called to full time missions.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You may be called to open your heart and family to treasures by way of adoption.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or you may be called to more than one of these things:)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You may be the mama to... </div>
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-a sibling group of three boys from the Philippines (twin 15 yr and a 13 yr), </div>
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a 12 year old boy with a gentle sweet spirit that I was privileged to meet,</div>
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or one of the other 124 currently on the Philippines special home finder's list</div>
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(the list is comprised of older children or those with special needs).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 10 year old Rahiem from NC or one of the other 131 in this state alone. </div>
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(104,000 across the United States)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Little Shayla from Asia or one of the other 1,841 children listed on RainbowKids.com</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The latest number I heard was 63,000,000 children around the world</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in need of a forever family. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you have made it this far in the post, and can't shake the feeling </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that God has placed adoption on your heart...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then friend, it is time to go to your knees and pray for God to show you where to begin!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I promise it will not be easy, </div>
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but oh it will be life changing for you, your family, that special treasure, and everyone around you!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-11390794557449786322013-09-19T21:50:00.001-07:002013-09-19T22:05:51.636-07:00Love me some family time!!<div style="text-align: center;">
I keep thinking that our world will slow down and I will do better in the blogging department. </div>
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Somehow one moment runs into the next, days pass, and with them...my ability to share. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The great news is that God is so very gracious and faithful!!</div>
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Our family has bonded well and my heart bubbles over with thankfulness!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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We have spent much time visiting with family and have entertained many house guests. </div>
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Many have come to welcome Aaron into our circle of family and friends...</div>
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summer proved to be a great time for just that.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As we turned the corner into fall, God provided an amazing opportunity for our family to spend some peaceful alone time together...just the five of us!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let me set the stage...</div>
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we got a VERY late start!! </div>
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We had hoped to arrive to our lake front camp site around 4pm.</div>
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Instead, we drove through thick rain and arrived after dark:)</div>
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I wish I had the camera out as we set camp on a cool, WINDY, rainy evening!!</div>
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We must have been a sight trying to hold down the tarp my hubby bravely installed over</div>
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that new to us tent I mentioned in a previous post:)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kids and I stood at each corner...in the dark...swaying in the wind. The kids were cracking jokes and squealing, I was hiding under the tarp as I held my corner for all I was worth. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Once the tent, tarp, and gear were set up, </div>
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we did what any sensible camper would do at O'dark hundred, </div>
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We stuffed our children with Oreos as a reward for their hard work and prepared for bed:)</div>
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<br /></div>
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As I exited our tent with my early morning risers </div>
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(one excited to swim before breakfast, the other anxious to try to catch some breakfast)</div>
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my assumptions from the previous evening were confirmed...</div>
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<br /></div>
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There was no one within sight or hearing range. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
NO ONE!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we even had the rest room facilities completely to ourselves!!!</div>
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They fished as the sun came up...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBejYNiKPyyEQ0ksqbrN_EeLYRzczmwEXQczhFuMl2YpJrBjY9vo2Yd3Hyes7edIvm4UMJSaHWVDGtyS4ZVsZW-6GQ5J0FnO-JxUiqZQkrJTMV8YhPYExmLpJL-NFakERKtF0aojpuQM3/s1600/DSC05218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBejYNiKPyyEQ0ksqbrN_EeLYRzczmwEXQczhFuMl2YpJrBjY9vo2Yd3Hyes7edIvm4UMJSaHWVDGtyS4ZVsZW-6GQ5J0FnO-JxUiqZQkrJTMV8YhPYExmLpJL-NFakERKtF0aojpuQM3/s640/DSC05218.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgqYbvYxwKgn8U59X1RDU5XujqZh3AHe73anBKyLKJ4VK9SpIDV78lvapV_2au0Ut2ZJxNbvmtHBbGlfOygRegHi_vsdGuyGCaJdKpoTZJTSIRozEF00J_TZxzjOjz5YOY7r1Rd6xqjeL/s1600/IMG_3364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgqYbvYxwKgn8U59X1RDU5XujqZh3AHe73anBKyLKJ4VK9SpIDV78lvapV_2au0Ut2ZJxNbvmtHBbGlfOygRegHi_vsdGuyGCaJdKpoTZJTSIRozEF00J_TZxzjOjz5YOY7r1Rd6xqjeL/s640/IMG_3364.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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and we slowly worked on some breakfast.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr6Zpt94NHOQiBCIDtdwH972oDVVUIWeWDv_JUjgroFncsPInIj5XlSZSEbzOSXlAzfA0phqbq5greea7q3kPK3gCoWIIobTeNNoF-h8UDuuW5on-5pJ3uWSuA5S5HSUQe5PL_qqEC81v/s1600/DSC05242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr6Zpt94NHOQiBCIDtdwH972oDVVUIWeWDv_JUjgroFncsPInIj5XlSZSEbzOSXlAzfA0phqbq5greea7q3kPK3gCoWIIobTeNNoF-h8UDuuW5on-5pJ3uWSuA5S5HSUQe5PL_qqEC81v/s640/DSC05242.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There was lovin'...</div>
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swimming...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp_bhjkGTccXqO-aULtGMjnDqWbs4i8g4BcOqbySv9FovufMQZGe4msKGawMiF8DIZkwdYLN00NwYK37AwArp9Q8sTQMsHdjvfl7AccBQzL7U-_3IQDp-Y89ornOKATzNHs4Q0CxilpC-/s1600/DSC05249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp_bhjkGTccXqO-aULtGMjnDqWbs4i8g4BcOqbySv9FovufMQZGe4msKGawMiF8DIZkwdYLN00NwYK37AwArp9Q8sTQMsHdjvfl7AccBQzL7U-_3IQDp-Y89ornOKATzNHs4Q0CxilpC-/s640/DSC05249.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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swimming AND fishing...when you just can not choose:)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSOX9WmnpgRaWTXWAy8LfTV5_i2N6kavnycjM7ebdDAni9FztlJlc-_h_drb-WovxuBNAgF2htA7gXhsopgxrvtuusPJz6JAraA0QQ1VNWJ-SzCh6ghLlyQmsEiSy0Ej2xKzmFfb2v8Pb/s1600/IMG_3367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSOX9WmnpgRaWTXWAy8LfTV5_i2N6kavnycjM7ebdDAni9FztlJlc-_h_drb-WovxuBNAgF2htA7gXhsopgxrvtuusPJz6JAraA0QQ1VNWJ-SzCh6ghLlyQmsEiSy0Ej2xKzmFfb2v8Pb/s640/IMG_3367.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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um...fishing</div>
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more fishing...who needs hip boots??!!??</div>
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There was reading</div>
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Oh I should not admit how much of the day I lounged there with a book:):)</div>
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Someone was a big girl and put her own worms on the hook</div>
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And someone gave me her, what do you mean these are my last two face:)</div>
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The first catch of the day</div>
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and the last:)</div>
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I just cannot get over the beautiful location!!</div>
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And while the girls were busy giggling in the tent...</div>
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my partners in crime played a friendly game of Catan by head lamp!! </div>
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It was sad to leave our relaxing get away...but the memories will be with us for a lifetime!!</div>
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(I really was helping to pack up ya'll!!)</div>
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<b>THEN</b>...change gears...</div>
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<b>Someone in these parts turned 17!!</b></div>
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When in the world did this happen???????????</div>
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Our oldest treasure has a slight obsession with Pinterest...</div>
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When I asked her about her cake for this year, she expressively shared how she found a picture of these cute little watermelon cupcakes. </div>
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I was <strike>slightly disappointed</strike> I mean ready for the challenge when she shared that she really didn't want me to make them taste like watermelon.</div>
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So, this is her preference of Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cupcakes w/ Chai Cream Cheese frosting</div>
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Disguised as a fresh watermelon:)</div>
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I think they passed the test!!</div>
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We celebrated the day with an extra special surprise.</div>
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It was a <b>non birthday</b>, family surprise. </div>
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Meet Tucker!!</div>
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He is an Aussiepooh (Australian Shepherd/Poodle mix)</div>
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Even the big kid has lost his heart to him:):)</div>
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So, how big will this precious baby get...your guess is as good as mine:)</div>
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We can find out together! </div>
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Our days are filled with homeschooling, walking the dogs, potty runs, board games, </div>
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horseback riding for the girls, and basketball practices for our son. </div>
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I have increased my tutoring with a precious young man that God has brought into our lives, </div>
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and children's worship keeps my heart and body in shape. </div>
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Our church activities are back in swing and we cannot get enough of being there!!! </div>
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Even Aaron, our most recent treasure to come into the family rushes me out the door on church days!!! Oh how that blesses this mama's heart:)</div>
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We continue to pray for God to show us who the next child/children will be to enter our forever family. We have had doors close...and much peace as to how to move forward. </div>
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BUT...this post is getting far too long...</div>
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so you will have to wait until the next one to see just what that involves!!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-76134200672158733622013-08-16T08:50:00.000-07:002013-08-16T08:50:59.208-07:00Summer...a Time Gone By<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh where, oh where did the summer go!!!</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">In one sense I feel like it flew by and I missed it...</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">(like this sleeping cutie on one of our many road trips)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9IxQhjrIWa39Xp2Dp9Gh65D_NPrYEYSRQ1CZBYyOMSZrhWnYMjoBSkXmo2vnYGYnX7wytB04poRuHOhSkThTgxxwJXQVRau4KPt6O_nADMjalAJr92xTGSUpBlPlnPrF2fwXupq7iWIC/s1600/IMG_0665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9IxQhjrIWa39Xp2Dp9Gh65D_NPrYEYSRQ1CZBYyOMSZrhWnYMjoBSkXmo2vnYGYnX7wytB04poRuHOhSkThTgxxwJXQVRau4KPt6O_nADMjalAJr92xTGSUpBlPlnPrF2fwXupq7iWIC/s400/IMG_0665.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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In another sense it feels like we have been going and going</div>
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and have raced circles around that old energizer bunny!! </div>
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(or cow for our observance of Cow Appreciation Day at Chic-fil-a)</div>
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I've realized that I haven't even gotten the good camera out for most of the summer...</div>
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so I am thankful for my three kiddos and their love of silly cell phone shots!!</div>
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On the road again, corky sibling fun!!</div>
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Girly bonding<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRueu3eKxo7URMLpTIr6qoiK87HZUaTzd6qtNBLztUXItLvsQtZp0KeEi-q_78wspbBY5l8qtOAl1-gHRBv_-Js27r0Ho1Q2I-M17FsbqycImMMquFpzoIm-I7WPEzBN-wzwJdXRUH_k4/s1600/IMG_0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRueu3eKxo7URMLpTIr6qoiK87HZUaTzd6qtNBLztUXItLvsQtZp0KeEi-q_78wspbBY5l8qtOAl1-gHRBv_-Js27r0Ho1Q2I-M17FsbqycImMMquFpzoIm-I7WPEzBN-wzwJdXRUH_k4/s400/IMG_0762.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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our son found ways of placing his remote control helicopter</div>
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in unforeseen places:)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xPIcVy1jb00D_Fpo1nvOvYEx3xqxY4JhbPF9UFlELtscdl6ybL6al7cjU2Fq9OWkbkghQRx5WrJBRqR7rHi2rHIWZ19kwuG5qOZnIX9TQSIZHuiGiZ2s6FqExrHypGum9-hJhhnnyRvz/s1600/IMG_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xPIcVy1jb00D_Fpo1nvOvYEx3xqxY4JhbPF9UFlELtscdl6ybL6al7cjU2Fq9OWkbkghQRx5WrJBRqR7rHi2rHIWZ19kwuG5qOZnIX9TQSIZHuiGiZ2s6FqExrHypGum9-hJhhnnyRvz/s320/IMG_0631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There has been a little summer shopping...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjjZxLcvys3J1bj4fWvvC8FZylSYiMS3XWIQgf9wInRVyfpzU4gB8Qn2jtGbc6iDRT4yoI4BJXyAcrK2zMINon-Sw8zOfetazO36VNLzmLeBHPrBlzueR4qfj_hABFqRz4C95BF39QOv0/s1600/IMG_0709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjjZxLcvys3J1bj4fWvvC8FZylSYiMS3XWIQgf9wInRVyfpzU4gB8Qn2jtGbc6iDRT4yoI4BJXyAcrK2zMINon-Sw8zOfetazO36VNLzmLeBHPrBlzueR4qfj_hABFqRz4C95BF39QOv0/s400/IMG_0709.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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building...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsL7ZkAco99LM22bbfayr6hK1TEBXTKvMsZ-WlnskjfAveTs3d5-N9gZlzp8FuSuKaVPmyZ2KVRl7x6jJnBH4iyrueMwiep5zRohA11VOyccKijni4J5XlBFEwqz2I0dMu3AIJ_3wJQtn/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsL7ZkAco99LM22bbfayr6hK1TEBXTKvMsZ-WlnskjfAveTs3d5-N9gZlzp8FuSuKaVPmyZ2KVRl7x6jJnBH4iyrueMwiep5zRohA11VOyccKijni4J5XlBFEwqz2I0dMu3AIJ_3wJQtn/s400/IMG_0717.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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and littles lovin'.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4dmeQK4g-ewXZ5uXbg4M9q7WPYeoaRlQt0uXRQJV22OBsOw73anQl0M7jLPF2io027wh00mCNrpsmc8Rp7ur9Zum4ZRt0Uk-FBzXxjFjykipXx5-CpW5uADKC7PDN2rq4qeh1sxEIPRt/s1600/IMG_0670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4dmeQK4g-ewXZ5uXbg4M9q7WPYeoaRlQt0uXRQJV22OBsOw73anQl0M7jLPF2io027wh00mCNrpsmc8Rp7ur9Zum4ZRt0Uk-FBzXxjFjykipXx5-CpW5uADKC7PDN2rq4qeh1sxEIPRt/s400/IMG_0670.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We have been to museums</div>
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You can dress us up...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXjI9bruOrbx54w-zxYzmuvLbWVzI1K5XuRIgOuluqCZFmZVFMUcBsKJJBcbIIUAFAyzVWqNjZ7YVVYLIoxxn5g0FdWsdQ4j8zBZqTviTqX1rvfZzG86dI2J1xsAgavFff6mp1LdspjVt/s1600/IMG_2933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXjI9bruOrbx54w-zxYzmuvLbWVzI1K5XuRIgOuluqCZFmZVFMUcBsKJJBcbIIUAFAyzVWqNjZ7YVVYLIoxxn5g0FdWsdQ4j8zBZqTviTqX1rvfZzG86dI2J1xsAgavFff6mp1LdspjVt/s400/IMG_2933.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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but take us out at your own risk:)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYbx4y_UW8CC2-QTdN5Wjk5ElD5wpA_S0gntvATo1r4iLPrEHe8V4NL3ul1bV_jNElmxY3pwpl3GKlAS2nIREA8_KeoMESfblVs7uCR69laY7qqeXiBvQowKxkZLiyNwBYlRHRJIqp6Rk/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYbx4y_UW8CC2-QTdN5Wjk5ElD5wpA_S0gntvATo1r4iLPrEHe8V4NL3ul1bV_jNElmxY3pwpl3GKlAS2nIREA8_KeoMESfblVs7uCR69laY7qqeXiBvQowKxkZLiyNwBYlRHRJIqp6Rk/s400/IMG_2935.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have visited with dear friends...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cDAGT6GszaX3Mm0xjLkjMJJDY6WFaxmpX-Jp_w1SeEYIEsq33GxiqRkDpBntZ_c8bUTGHV-KWO_CwlfB33YBzAms7QHJpjD43JMY10sZjILMVQr6YZb9CDAqnKAVuiijVbd9GFLHj_Hl/s1600/IMG_3086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cDAGT6GszaX3Mm0xjLkjMJJDY6WFaxmpX-Jp_w1SeEYIEsq33GxiqRkDpBntZ_c8bUTGHV-KWO_CwlfB33YBzAms7QHJpjD43JMY10sZjILMVQr6YZb9CDAqnKAVuiijVbd9GFLHj_Hl/s400/IMG_3086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And horsed around!!</div>
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We have a new found LOVE of fishing...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxZGRnySjUeTZoKmA1GKdf0KRHBXYifywTnthhxmLj-sA_-zrfi5oTTNdzD4x6MQLz_Ud7PSFb3Qsp1YAhtRNBLl8VplMbWmpqjeQDqT-qwSChSXh40sFpLX0_gvPL_MUvYWuV_q8rWBJ/s1600/Image+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxZGRnySjUeTZoKmA1GKdf0KRHBXYifywTnthhxmLj-sA_-zrfi5oTTNdzD4x6MQLz_Ud7PSFb3Qsp1YAhtRNBLl8VplMbWmpqjeQDqT-qwSChSXh40sFpLX0_gvPL_MUvYWuV_q8rWBJ/s400/Image+6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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and learned how to put up a new (to us) tent.</div>
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We have discovered a checker addiction...</div>
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and may have eaten too many s'mores:)</div>
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We have preserved a fire in the rain...</div>
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and confirmed that we are able to make the best of a difficult situation.</div>
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(the new to us tent is NOT waterproof)</div>
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We have discovered new methods for drying out gear...</div>
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even if it looks like she is driving a team of horses:)</div>
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Mélika and I spend a week loving on 48 sweet treasures from our </div>
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county foster system</div>
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at a FABULOUS summer camp!!!</div>
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This merits it's own blog post but I am still a bit emotional to compose it.</div>
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So for now...Mélika's "construction boots" from the drama she took part in during the week </div>
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will have to peek your interest:)</div>
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We have filled the fridge with art work...</div>
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And tried new recipes.</div>
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(Our oldest found a banana egg pancakes recipe and put it to the test)</div>
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Mélika and I had a VERY adventurous overnight </div>
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wait to register her for dual enrollment classes at a local community college. </div>
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(that is worth it's own post as well but I will leave it at </div>
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GOD IS SO VERY GOOD EVEN WHEN MY UGLY PEEKS OUT!!)</div>
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Someone over here had another birthday come around...</div>
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and we made more new friends!!</div>
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In retrospect...</div>
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I surely didn't sleep through the summer!</div>
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Nope, we took summer by the horns and enjoyed every last moment of it!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-80392469790960585752013-06-30T20:56:00.000-07:002013-06-30T20:56:56.510-07:00Bring on the House Guests<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We have been so very blessed this summer!!!</div>
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We have had the privilege of spending a week with BOTH sides of our family in the past month!!</div>
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For some of you bloggy friends, that is not very earth shattering. </div>
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But for us, it is a priceless gift. </div>
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We have never lived close to either side of our family in our married life (going on 19 years). </div>
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And we have not had my husbands family come to our home since our move south 4 years ago:(</div>
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Let me tell you...we know how to pack a week!!!</div>
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There was basketball<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr01_BTdhskcuRgEObTqFHhwyDBy04-HKzsGGRkiYC8UYM0_-PH3_DQ9_5WZmhL1YvUOCTNxv8NKnEHZnL4LiyJNoNyPVbgSyGlM7JUK2aPi-3pBaL0J8hM7QIUu1bTkB0Dmf_Z1_sxyv/s1600/DSC04068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr01_BTdhskcuRgEObTqFHhwyDBy04-HKzsGGRkiYC8UYM0_-PH3_DQ9_5WZmhL1YvUOCTNxv8NKnEHZnL4LiyJNoNyPVbgSyGlM7JUK2aPi-3pBaL0J8hM7QIUu1bTkB0Dmf_Z1_sxyv/s640/DSC04068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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football<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00aNYt44xLdElwYlLeYmSaPfv-tt3cjwJddnkgugeQxS_GHOu8Z8qzMKfm9V5c1sd5-cD8U0cGWafR7U9ZIhTBmG-7kN3Mj0XEkjixj2BV11rBOKuICxFqzPkfwPsxMykl7nyma4FvNEI/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00aNYt44xLdElwYlLeYmSaPfv-tt3cjwJddnkgugeQxS_GHOu8Z8qzMKfm9V5c1sd5-cD8U0cGWafR7U9ZIhTBmG-7kN3Mj0XEkjixj2BV11rBOKuICxFqzPkfwPsxMykl7nyma4FvNEI/s640/IMG_2154.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeZJSu0bS5U-eIL7ryboyBgUEcV5ohQbcpri9XjMYnJjtFx8PWmwVjzQaPBQ4Ya8dIrJC5OeikXhgTdVKgxyeiIFQTknXJEc6bXrRUoNMomjv2o6-ut0qHlfn7ZOJZexil_QG0vABDk8k/s1600/IMG_2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeZJSu0bS5U-eIL7ryboyBgUEcV5ohQbcpri9XjMYnJjtFx8PWmwVjzQaPBQ4Ya8dIrJC5OeikXhgTdVKgxyeiIFQTknXJEc6bXrRUoNMomjv2o6-ut0qHlfn7ZOJZexil_QG0vABDk8k/s640/IMG_2152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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soccer</div>
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ladder ball</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LtU_RmVlCkaEZ1ttKniS6Mn4U89jqRI3LJ9a-t6Hgzx6X5JlrwhjlgCAcq58yf5pEu76knYmAncYTpp_e3hL1UjAxIRr7CdQGeymlssIOAQ79yZw4VZ_Tzp65o8-QvMep0oUyh1pg3PS/s1600/IMG_2710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LtU_RmVlCkaEZ1ttKniS6Mn4U89jqRI3LJ9a-t6Hgzx6X5JlrwhjlgCAcq58yf5pEu76knYmAncYTpp_e3hL1UjAxIRr7CdQGeymlssIOAQ79yZw4VZ_Tzp65o8-QvMep0oUyh1pg3PS/s640/IMG_2710.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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tickling</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZ-n33No-cgRphJydS8LLqAIq-KMp1DQlgJHRR8zt7rCPU8TSc-Qokpfak95NRyD8j3JzQa08VS-6-XJ6WgB1RQJu1M1xfzCatJsEOXh_HyOY1XzEAYq1kOoTpVp6f1ZeNEhUD7G1CsqU/s1600/IMG_2331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZ-n33No-cgRphJydS8LLqAIq-KMp1DQlgJHRR8zt7rCPU8TSc-Qokpfak95NRyD8j3JzQa08VS-6-XJ6WgB1RQJu1M1xfzCatJsEOXh_HyOY1XzEAYq1kOoTpVp6f1ZeNEhUD7G1CsqU/s640/IMG_2331.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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horse play</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF9NDhH6PTu3APjL-0jpbkmf9D6z9Cd9rh5QrUJOCGURe2YbNgdqQscVpvO9plfNuD90ChqeVPRMKmi_neXk-rUv6H3x-aAQGeqiTXViBSQn-ZFV8u3Gy_nRfZgaW3MAYKHNm4PjqlE5f/s1600/IMG_2261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF9NDhH6PTu3APjL-0jpbkmf9D6z9Cd9rh5QrUJOCGURe2YbNgdqQscVpvO9plfNuD90ChqeVPRMKmi_neXk-rUv6H3x-aAQGeqiTXViBSQn-ZFV8u3Gy_nRfZgaW3MAYKHNm4PjqlE5f/s640/IMG_2261.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and horse love.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6a8e5MXU5h2jUcVJGnR3Fe-QJ_kqyWSuh_57wHHtyXj_uDHXNy05-9V_dJW3o03A2fsa7TjrZHoKp20BJtXsy4peXgYi37q9qekjiQx-9J6V96jZVrandDkue1CyzgDjexmPGqOPY0PfU/s1600/IMG_2340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6a8e5MXU5h2jUcVJGnR3Fe-QJ_kqyWSuh_57wHHtyXj_uDHXNy05-9V_dJW3o03A2fsa7TjrZHoKp20BJtXsy4peXgYi37q9qekjiQx-9J6V96jZVrandDkue1CyzgDjexmPGqOPY0PfU/s640/IMG_2340.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There was relaxing</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC9vu6-cOEyqMb3mB_9vbHeg4B6l7n7XWbNcvF2SQurnCVTlEbDKzF12nduq9SgWfyT2Phe0mUdHEAQMw6v-JTiAnQzZHZdIXw0qB5RSZVlHSDCsE59l5LoAfcffmqBUPvXsP70EfkwND/s1600/IMG_2141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC9vu6-cOEyqMb3mB_9vbHeg4B6l7n7XWbNcvF2SQurnCVTlEbDKzF12nduq9SgWfyT2Phe0mUdHEAQMw6v-JTiAnQzZHZdIXw0qB5RSZVlHSDCsE59l5LoAfcffmqBUPvXsP70EfkwND/s640/IMG_2141.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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cat whispering<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIRKmWMvZWFwe_qNXzRF0U_8qIBBw63A-rIhNu5H5r5Zzl7r9qnWwGnF88TgTgYojFqg3CcvST_dg727QP2Zd2rJtXw_V57SexTUpMzVMg99SN_oGCWKNP1sZKo7Hy8q0r2axRCbBazYE/s1600/IMG_2343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIRKmWMvZWFwe_qNXzRF0U_8qIBBw63A-rIhNu5H5r5Zzl7r9qnWwGnF88TgTgYojFqg3CcvST_dg727QP2Zd2rJtXw_V57SexTUpMzVMg99SN_oGCWKNP1sZKo7Hy8q0r2axRCbBazYE/s640/IMG_2343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />baking<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQN41kUk14cKQwCwuNqAQCPsQn3TuCTXfDw9WDuXpTtngTn7kqJRvNTv-QHiKVZCz1uNWEiVAlVFp7OWM2edu97GF5BPlu-lTzoQstC_FH6aP1Dh6DHxg_c0MHq7es6DxYVbC785OVNCBh/s1600/DSC04100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQN41kUk14cKQwCwuNqAQCPsQn3TuCTXfDw9WDuXpTtngTn7kqJRvNTv-QHiKVZCz1uNWEiVAlVFp7OWM2edu97GF5BPlu-lTzoQstC_FH6aP1Dh6DHxg_c0MHq7es6DxYVbC785OVNCBh/s640/DSC04100.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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candy sampling</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BHuot5YeZPzrHVZdL7olZiz7rSJ2lx7VA92OgYn21lZ40_S0Vf7BMvSBv-dqwhkIRy5IuwwhfcAea39dfbLWo5JX2nKNwTHhFVaUZF4JK8oVPxIsTPtEGe3ot_x1JcnhaJZC3KFy-Zek/s1600/DSC04841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BHuot5YeZPzrHVZdL7olZiz7rSJ2lx7VA92OgYn21lZ40_S0Vf7BMvSBv-dqwhkIRy5IuwwhfcAea39dfbLWo5JX2nKNwTHhFVaUZF4JK8oVPxIsTPtEGe3ot_x1JcnhaJZC3KFy-Zek/s640/DSC04841.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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serenading<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOKmm4V4Ca00PfoBeicJyze-5tGp_WSI59Pb-nLHY7bqY-b2hb3VjxZGP5Qc7s9RzY_y7C3gut1UAzfejgv5CRjxJucL41U0n_mddIy3tlszPTlmw9v0iklucSCUWtETBMLkv5sBGG3qz/s1600/DSC04081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOKmm4V4Ca00PfoBeicJyze-5tGp_WSI59Pb-nLHY7bqY-b2hb3VjxZGP5Qc7s9RzY_y7C3gut1UAzfejgv5CRjxJucL41U0n_mddIy3tlszPTlmw9v0iklucSCUWtETBMLkv5sBGG3qz/s640/DSC04081.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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sibling sillies<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QeY60TdkGS6VWWZtZuaUr2iTpk8lEdGAn_NtMH51m5U0WvK8DqroZ7Y-D2JHtwmmADmy0UfE6FdZyw5LD0GXR9lg8GsTkG_R8fPeyb6695h4wgwGRpNQLu_YEsbYnOv3hzy2P9CPMvvc/s1600/DSC03974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QeY60TdkGS6VWWZtZuaUr2iTpk8lEdGAn_NtMH51m5U0WvK8DqroZ7Y-D2JHtwmmADmy0UfE6FdZyw5LD0GXR9lg8GsTkG_R8fPeyb6695h4wgwGRpNQLu_YEsbYnOv3hzy2P9CPMvvc/s640/DSC03974.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and cousin love.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthr6544ozFFJvWQQ96qHlZK2ou26MKRH8mL4ksCzG-QmHJtFdiSh6Ezi_ve0-eATW3AAij_JlnIRxzA4qgatCbkq0vLGrg8eHcnz4qIp1Na_Ce6xlljpAiGVXSa4yqlmpPglJWP1zZKZP/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthr6544ozFFJvWQQ96qHlZK2ou26MKRH8mL4ksCzG-QmHJtFdiSh6Ezi_ve0-eATW3AAij_JlnIRxzA4qgatCbkq0vLGrg8eHcnz4qIp1Na_Ce6xlljpAiGVXSa4yqlmpPglJWP1zZKZP/s640/IMG_0611.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We went to the beach</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE99HL3mokExLOO9iCgNpsRnnY8ZISBxIWwK1qf7NxQWLGNg7eZOZ9mQMXlxKrV6ZjL7GqQebD2Jscwi3c6gVOXPBsJjyKax1tP1ER9PN4njxGlsRIyIFPI8AjMzK9-Px32dI6f9mpqeu3/s1600/DSC01766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE99HL3mokExLOO9iCgNpsRnnY8ZISBxIWwK1qf7NxQWLGNg7eZOZ9mQMXlxKrV6ZjL7GqQebD2Jscwi3c6gVOXPBsJjyKax1tP1ER9PN4njxGlsRIyIFPI8AjMzK9-Px32dI6f9mpqeu3/s640/DSC01766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAZ5ykfpMS9gjg4pCXAOc3e24DXeS_aV-PnvEoGThCP6bPuYqQfbzPAmRaEwiia4VNFnAnXt92TIUOEmiM_OEo1pwOAX8Mz7WpW8vSbkikaiOzRsooNimjtHacJ0CrPxQO5Y3Thhz8Ix7/s1600/DSC01794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAZ5ykfpMS9gjg4pCXAOc3e24DXeS_aV-PnvEoGThCP6bPuYqQfbzPAmRaEwiia4VNFnAnXt92TIUOEmiM_OEo1pwOAX8Mz7WpW8vSbkikaiOzRsooNimjtHacJ0CrPxQO5Y3Thhz8Ix7/s640/DSC01794.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2PICQTK869EJieob3LDxZnlJBIWfWoQrJYyZH03OxQDAI2iL-PdDsxIGzAgo8aJyOjS0wAGEIUFDzyZyaprWC3AOpR91bdv2NZ4CNBzwUtqFXCFj3dpElAInjuH9V_F9bFP_TCT00Bnk/s1600/DSC01826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2PICQTK869EJieob3LDxZnlJBIWfWoQrJYyZH03OxQDAI2iL-PdDsxIGzAgo8aJyOjS0wAGEIUFDzyZyaprWC3AOpR91bdv2NZ4CNBzwUtqFXCFj3dpElAInjuH9V_F9bFP_TCT00Bnk/s640/DSC01826.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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got caught in the rain<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwZm04zQxMZw5nOkVcWJ1yE9dqgHFRFxG0a1_khpI8HEfphxV_SIi-BxJSU5WylnWTvPn3zAhu6g5KLUFgdXXoaJvZno_i_w8mFS0a4_CMcxM4kDytGUg1mou3O5rak41cYwxjRNSs6Hg/s1600/DSC01830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwZm04zQxMZw5nOkVcWJ1yE9dqgHFRFxG0a1_khpI8HEfphxV_SIi-BxJSU5WylnWTvPn3zAhu6g5KLUFgdXXoaJvZno_i_w8mFS0a4_CMcxM4kDytGUg1mou3O5rak41cYwxjRNSs6Hg/s640/DSC01830.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57ViT63kuXdOw_S507SIvXEXhUF6JwRGkGLPMwswFxEfbbGH6gGNKu0LrhFFBzpCDr8udheQBU6OGYZMZZCUL7g_WsDYAEJ1AWgk1OkeAJ9UgdWs6FjnxAoOeKeZ2naS_JPk_UJbqpJJT/s1600/DSC01832+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57ViT63kuXdOw_S507SIvXEXhUF6JwRGkGLPMwswFxEfbbGH6gGNKu0LrhFFBzpCDr8udheQBU6OGYZMZZCUL7g_WsDYAEJ1AWgk1OkeAJ9UgdWs6FjnxAoOeKeZ2naS_JPk_UJbqpJJT/s640/DSC01832+2.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and went berry picking.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4T0XyZ6JcSANrToaPFShL-rnZ0taANBWypKwqyJbPi83OPF79b1zgFLUCA7aZTe-IaS5V6ZBXz4qZzgUBRb1wlUTcwfuJJoxq-hPym8_V4bl9I1z6TpSsl2D9ZgRn0p1bPbM4qocZV_8/s1600/IMG_2511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4T0XyZ6JcSANrToaPFShL-rnZ0taANBWypKwqyJbPi83OPF79b1zgFLUCA7aZTe-IaS5V6ZBXz4qZzgUBRb1wlUTcwfuJJoxq-hPym8_V4bl9I1z6TpSsl2D9ZgRn0p1bPbM4qocZV_8/s640/IMG_2511.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA__0h653v_fbrACCbUTygY9a_MHYug_oCqkoDLZrwQVW9_HP4q9iJVneIeDckweJMFWOGb45mvHiay1kr_kGl5ZCxoA4edzDpAJn6LxxZR-WKhnvFPURYlFCDwBSPy0afUoajFrUOD-E1/s1600/IMG_2430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA__0h653v_fbrACCbUTygY9a_MHYug_oCqkoDLZrwQVW9_HP4q9iJVneIeDckweJMFWOGb45mvHiay1kr_kGl5ZCxoA4edzDpAJn6LxxZR-WKhnvFPURYlFCDwBSPy0afUoajFrUOD-E1/s640/IMG_2430.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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found some great accessories<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduFZ99tz3i3T0CgamuGcy29cYFHI8xPZpYgLmRC1HTQJODVV2oRwgmhn-TQnawbWo7OimBkof9TbhR7vtIun-GcgDGvR8opubiDyW-Q0DtvfKDRMm4bdan9b6pawWlog0YUrgMq71QVk0/s1600/IMG_2488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduFZ99tz3i3T0CgamuGcy29cYFHI8xPZpYgLmRC1HTQJODVV2oRwgmhn-TQnawbWo7OimBkof9TbhR7vtIun-GcgDGvR8opubiDyW-Q0DtvfKDRMm4bdan9b6pawWlog0YUrgMq71QVk0/s640/IMG_2488.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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played checkers</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTP-KwXkj4qjhk7XT8uu-wcZaKnSCRIqldG6wV8wfycmMXRy7FJw5Zg2yTdaC4m0yRjuiROtA7SLSTJsbWvmdFAV9XVh5HtcXp9RTOk8cWmdPSRQsBi2nCU_ei98AddxSmN6GLj6Z7k0QP/s1600/IMG_2653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTP-KwXkj4qjhk7XT8uu-wcZaKnSCRIqldG6wV8wfycmMXRy7FJw5Zg2yTdaC4m0yRjuiROtA7SLSTJsbWvmdFAV9XVh5HtcXp9RTOk8cWmdPSRQsBi2nCU_ei98AddxSmN6GLj6Z7k0QP/s640/IMG_2653.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and enjoyed ice cream.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZ7nlL3JcnK-RYoKUz2kDktf2VBeEdLHhDU4MHXTZ6sKZnkzo0y6Z7CNUxRi0nD7X6hNPsHvOf41mD1yVZvILx6O5AO9uw-JkN0_yCFWyoS_tK-ROjWna9V3O3-H-jxUEhoel6x0O3im7/s1600/IMG_2655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZ7nlL3JcnK-RYoKUz2kDktf2VBeEdLHhDU4MHXTZ6sKZnkzo0y6Z7CNUxRi0nD7X6hNPsHvOf41mD1yVZvILx6O5AO9uw-JkN0_yCFWyoS_tK-ROjWna9V3O3-H-jxUEhoel6x0O3im7/s640/IMG_2655.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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We played</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
we played</div>
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we built</div>
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and played some more!!</div>
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There was go cart riding</div>
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lazer tag playing</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Bfufn9Txot55XWz5LtfHn2sr5sJ2ZOYnwcqNdD_nmlZFSOO0f89x39BoH4cHeQWzXl-4QaoaFDCXXMUfFCdxxUsrtL_VQ4fP7QTP5dk5HeWZF8uzlNJeudR9GBSazAQcJ1e6w2dsRwrW/s1600/DSC04506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Bfufn9Txot55XWz5LtfHn2sr5sJ2ZOYnwcqNdD_nmlZFSOO0f89x39BoH4cHeQWzXl-4QaoaFDCXXMUfFCdxxUsrtL_VQ4fP7QTP5dk5HeWZF8uzlNJeudR9GBSazAQcJ1e6w2dsRwrW/s640/DSC04506.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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game experiencing<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDzrl9bndf9hAeCdw4nIOdk3Ov6aVczwBNU0Lscw6Jq0M3QcrEcBOh_HsKMjYADER9eqN5BbPGLK0kJOzfdq-jZfU7ncWCm7ZbSgpmHZ34UmHu-DvaYUnT17snVODeCwXh5vW_Ft38Aud/s1600/DSC04696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDzrl9bndf9hAeCdw4nIOdk3Ov6aVczwBNU0Lscw6Jq0M3QcrEcBOh_HsKMjYADER9eqN5BbPGLK0kJOzfdq-jZfU7ncWCm7ZbSgpmHZ34UmHu-DvaYUnT17snVODeCwXh5vW_Ft38Aud/s640/DSC04696.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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wild animal riding</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
mini golfing</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
and music playing.</div>
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Hubby's family got to experience our baby girl leading worship </div>
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and a grandson </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93-K1Vxq_m9jN450fak6crHdO3WdvVNtyvdKlXb03txp-5NuMavf67zcgzekG_Hwsdpu5ngGsjAN8HX6GfGDeaK2jC-twjAPF-TW7bZwbQIhlaH260Jf2IP1s68Pj9Akg_G-UWn_smbdW/s1600/DSC04800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93-K1Vxq_m9jN450fak6crHdO3WdvVNtyvdKlXb03txp-5NuMavf67zcgzekG_Hwsdpu5ngGsjAN8HX6GfGDeaK2jC-twjAPF-TW7bZwbQIhlaH260Jf2IP1s68Pj9Akg_G-UWn_smbdW/s640/DSC04800.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and nephew<br />
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was officially welcomed into the family! </div>
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Even Buddy seemed to smile a lot:)</div>
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We tried some family photos...and learned we are a crazy bunch!!</div>
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(should I be concerned that Mélika and I have the same silly face??)</div>
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We are so very thankful that our family made the LONG drive south </div>
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to share some amazing memories with us!!! </div>
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WE ARE SO VERY BLESSED!!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-5491619833167239792013-06-18T07:11:00.002-07:002013-06-18T07:11:58.384-07:00Stand Strong<div style="text-align: center;">
It is so very important to us that we do life together. </div>
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Even when we serve in ministry, as much as possible...we do that as a family as well. </div>
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If you have not caught on yet...we have a love and passion for Jesus!</div>
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We also have a passion for children!</div>
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Mix the two together...and our clan is in the middle of it:)</div>
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This past week we were blessed to take part in our church's Vacation Bible School. </div>
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My hubby was one of the bible teachers, Aaron was a crew helper, the girls and I were part of the worship team, and then the girls also helped out in crews when they were not on stage. </div>
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I had an absolutely fabulous group of young adults to rock it out for Jesus! We are a bit on the silly side...but that is the way we like it!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SZryQMXoONBrLM9ClE7UhV_ghdbzqYV3SxA6cZuSPIPH40VU5gxvdZ02SKC3rDIuMPQXDU_lrawRmPdtirZfla6Dugf6tZZQrQvQrNvDVBSf0ZxJ-G5N5wfPzt8zJPmfDzdmSH038B-l/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SZryQMXoONBrLM9ClE7UhV_ghdbzqYV3SxA6cZuSPIPH40VU5gxvdZ02SKC3rDIuMPQXDU_lrawRmPdtirZfla6Dugf6tZZQrQvQrNvDVBSf0ZxJ-G5N5wfPzt8zJPmfDzdmSH038B-l/s640/Image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And our fabulous photographer has a challenge to get me a new profile photo each year. </div>
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(I usually don't stand still long enough and most photos are mid jump with crazy mouth and hair)</div>
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This was the winner!</div>
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I choose to be known as one who worships our heavenly father with reckless abandon </div>
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<strike>even if it embarrasses our children:)</strike></div>
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And this is why we give of our time and energy! </div>
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Each of those sweet little people in the sea of hands represents a heart that needs to </div>
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know the Lord, and "STAND STRONG" for HIM!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-6071841075436001102013-06-07T15:28:00.000-07:002013-06-07T15:28:18.032-07:00Catching Up...the Post That Never Ends<div style="text-align: center;">
I know, I know...my posts have been few and far between!!</div>
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Lately I have been doing the quick facebook post with a photo </div>
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instead of taking the time to write a true blog post. </div>
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It is a season...and one day I may be able to blog regularly again:)</div>
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For now, let's catch up on what has been taking place in our world!</div>
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Somehow, the end of April, I missed writing a post about Kylee's forever family day!</div>
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That is the day we celebrate each year</div>
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remembering how God moved mountains to make Kylee a part of our forever family!!</div>
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We are a bunch of foodies in this family so special days... call for special treats:)</div>
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Her choice for breakfast was stuffed french toast</div>
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Lunch was homemade burgers and fries</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-515nc7Cv7x3iuHYBCr4rmjNI6SDwSKxe5vIht-NzmjAzphOGlHCtaNStEcNPFfbF3eAElCR7nTU43e46Wb68KISwRTvRHd0qJtZWB9jepp5cO4TxQ4YmRSBDQ4y6UsJMFsvpCaBt0gj/s1600/IMG_2124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-515nc7Cv7x3iuHYBCr4rmjNI6SDwSKxe5vIht-NzmjAzphOGlHCtaNStEcNPFfbF3eAElCR7nTU43e46Wb68KISwRTvRHd0qJtZWB9jepp5cO4TxQ4YmRSBDQ4y6UsJMFsvpCaBt0gj/s640/IMG_2124.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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She had a special middle school event at church that she didn't want to miss so she spent time with her friends doing girly things and eating pizza:)</div>
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Then we met up with her after the event for her favorite dessert spot...sweet frog!!</div>
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Kylee's self photo...oh to slow down time:)</div>
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She is still our baby, growing up too fast!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhLNi1BP7orXlOvNbaKmrGkIgNuKvrFTTT2VSf9u0Stra4r0TG7pn2rCRwL3NmxV5OC8Uyz2QxwVbyXkKePHP3BopvbmiJ2rWDo48uwODa28c8pyU7FiakLnaZyUVAe3GSkQ7yLnfn7LP/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhLNi1BP7orXlOvNbaKmrGkIgNuKvrFTTT2VSf9u0Stra4r0TG7pn2rCRwL3NmxV5OC8Uyz2QxwVbyXkKePHP3BopvbmiJ2rWDo48uwODa28c8pyU7FiakLnaZyUVAe3GSkQ7yLnfn7LP/s320/IMG_0166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sweet girl, we love you so very much and are blessed that God hand picked you for our family!! </div>
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HE has tremendous plans for your life and will use EVERY situation for your good! </div>
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Also the end of April...</div>
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Our oldest participated in a fine arts competition.</div>
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This was a bit of an emotional journey for our daughter </div>
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<strike>and for her mama as well, truth be told!!</strike></div>
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The emotional had little to do about the competition</div>
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and everything to do with God's calling on our daughter's life. </div>
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(there are two other band members hiding behind those pretty girls in front)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXff9_uuTd8RyXfyW7KX9Qd7jUg3UuFEP2YaZPuiYHqP5W803GvGUFtxY6yfpmmKDzzrEFmMX0BeaGv_52IY_6YCqc3x7akd7pmoD7vSbpk1kuFCJ1izpspCKsljp_6QrTAgrc0LG_mL0/s1600/DSC01552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXff9_uuTd8RyXfyW7KX9Qd7jUg3UuFEP2YaZPuiYHqP5W803GvGUFtxY6yfpmmKDzzrEFmMX0BeaGv_52IY_6YCqc3x7akd7pmoD7vSbpk1kuFCJ1izpspCKsljp_6QrTAgrc0LG_mL0/s640/DSC01552.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You see, Mélika knows that she has been called to full time missions. </div>
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We do not question that for a second!</div>
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The struggle for her has been the path to getting there.</div>
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Everyone and their brother has told her what THEY feel is the best path for her to take to get to her goal. The problem is...it has been THEIR ideas and not GOD's plan. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4eMNegO3xaktjZnMKyQ94o4T6SofJF_c8szreiJCwhbPwd3iF0sVaBPMrR6HoV4UDx2CpzSNfjxhPFa2yCalHVr8pwAtp6GOHiTxk5vf3u_oLNZwreoecT3NabSPWb6coRexPMF-q4Dt/s1600/IMG_1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4eMNegO3xaktjZnMKyQ94o4T6SofJF_c8szreiJCwhbPwd3iF0sVaBPMrR6HoV4UDx2CpzSNfjxhPFa2yCalHVr8pwAtp6GOHiTxk5vf3u_oLNZwreoecT3NabSPWb6coRexPMF-q4Dt/s640/IMG_1854.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It would be very easy (for her), and appealing for our sweet girl to run off to do foreign missions.<br />
The opportunities have been there.<br />
But right now God is leading her to do the hard (for her). <br />
He is asking her to stay home and minister to her siblings...<br />
and lead in her local youth group. <br />
She was very comfortable in the wings, in supporting roles...<br />
and oh how she longs to be on foreign soil sooner that later.<br />
We are praying that she will seek Christ for further direction<br />
as HE stretches her to do the "hard" for HIM!!</div>
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Then...someone became a teenager in our home!!<br />
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For his first birthday in his forever family we wanted it to be special.<br />
I took out my cake boss wanna be skills...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGrfH3TWKrGZbke-xksCqN7ygtoSHhhf0K2hrBWXTwhushwFWMD8w5Egxtp2-79jEFRZIYHlwxBlIYDN8_3e6aLKP4dJA5iH9HSur1T48X1QcJPL0gft7y2KEwdb_RgciANkX7t2b9V3-/s1600/IMG_2314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGrfH3TWKrGZbke-xksCqN7ygtoSHhhf0K2hrBWXTwhushwFWMD8w5Egxtp2-79jEFRZIYHlwxBlIYDN8_3e6aLKP4dJA5iH9HSur1T48X1QcJPL0gft7y2KEwdb_RgciANkX7t2b9V3-/s640/IMG_2314.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Aaron looking at the cake tiers for the first time and trying to figure out what it will look like:)</div>
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This blurry shot shows evidence of the all nighter required to finish his cake<br />
on one of the busiest weekends of our year:)<br />
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The finished product...He may just like it:)<br />
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<br />
Daddy found a great birthday deal at Adventure Landing!<br />
This mama loves coupons...especially when hubby decides to use them!!<br />
<strike>I won't mention that when we arrived for the party we learned that hubby booked the wrong day and we were almost turned away with this crew of friends already there. </strike><br />
<strike>Hats off to adventure landing for honoring our request to still have the party on that night!!</strike><br />
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<br />
Aaron and his friends had a great time riding go carts...<br />
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<br />
playing laser tag...<br />
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<br />
miniature golf...<br />
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<br />
And there were lots of video games in there!<br />
<br />
And the parents during all this fun...<br />
<br />
well...<br />
<br />
we were...<br />
<br />
um...<br />
<br />
just hanging around:)<br />
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<br />
<br />
After that...<br />
God blessed our family in such a very big way!!<br />
We were given the opportunity to get away<br />
at the beach for a week with my extended family!!<br />
<br />
It was very cold the first day...<br />
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But the rest of the week was gorgeous!! As you can see...we had the place to ourselves!!</div>
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<br />
We were able to get another family photo to send to ICAB<br />
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<br />
And my middles and big humored me for a few EXTRA shots:)<br />
<br />
(I have been asked several times lately why we call them the middles...<br />
that is quite simple...we fully expect God to bring us some littles in the future!! <br />
Unless <u>HE</u> changes our course...<br />
we will not change up the birth order again and will adopt younger than Kylee:)<br />
She will be 13 in November so I will not even try to guess the ages of the next ones to come...<br />
there is a large range open there:):)<br />
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We had some beach races...</div>
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(there is an obvious winner on the far right)</div>
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<br />
some fishing...<br />
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<br />
some sand sculpting...<br />
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<br />
Some ukulele playing...<br />
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<br />
some toe warming...<br />
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Some Daddy loving...</div>
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<br />
some beach strolling...<br />
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<br />
some big sister pranking...<br />
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Some light house climbing...</div>
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<br />
some light house holding...<br />
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and shark catching!!!<br />
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YEP, CAUGHT HIM AT THE SAME PLACE WE SWAM DURING THE DAY!!</div>
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<br />
ok...this one was sooo funny!<br />
Aaron said, "Daddy, I miss (and he mentioned a sweet boy from his orphanage in the Philippines)<br />
Kylee said, "Oh Aaron, I miss you (as a joke) and started hugging him.<br />
Aaron, as you can see from the body language...was trying to stop her<br />
saying,<br />
"Kylee...Kylee...I am right here!!!!!"<br />
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<br />
I did come out from behind the camera on a few brief occasions...<br />
just to prove I actually went on this trip:)<br />
<br />
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<br />
We had one of these sweet photos right after Kylee became part of our family. <br />
Aaron let me know while at the beach that he was not in the last one.<br />
Oh yes sweet boy...we are ready for an update!!!<br />
(oh how I wish I knew just how many foot prints God will add to this beach tradition!!!)<br />
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<br />
<br />
On the way home from the beach we did some berry picking!!<br />
It was not the best timing, but our jam supply has quickly dwindled,<br />
and our window of opportunity for berries in these parts was quickly closing!!<br />
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I could only stay up to finish half the berries. <br />
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<br />
On Tuesday we returned to our local organic farm<br />
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<br />
to help my dear friend and her littles pick berries for their jam. <br />
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That night I we got around to finishing our jam...</div>
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with the help of the peanut gallery!!</div>
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<br />
and our last batch has been put away!!<br />
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<br />
<br />
JUST IN CASE YOU THOUGHT THIS POST COULD <b>NOT</b> GET ANY LONGER...<br />
I will continue:)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There has been much medical and dental going on around here these last months!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have had the fillings, the sealants, the spacers, the retainers, the removals...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have had the scary allergic reactions, the doctor visits, and a surgery...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The highlights...<br />
Kylee will not allow me to take photos at the dentist/orthodontist...<br />
so you will have to imagine:)<br />
<br />
She finally has the room she needs in that cute little mouth of hers<br />
to be able to bring her teeth to their proper location. <br />
By the end of the summer we expect to move from the<br />
make room stage to the metal mouth braces stage. <br />
<br />
My dear love has had such a difficult spring/summer with allergies!!<br />
He has always been an allergy sufferer...<br />
but...<br />
<br />
This<br />
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and this...</div>
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is not his idea of a good time!!!<br />
<br />
So extensive testing and needle in a hay stack has been underway.</div>
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<br />
So far we have learned that he is 5+ for<br />
7 kinds of grass, dust mites, house dust, horse hair, cat, dog, and mixed trees!!<br />
(there are other milder allergies as well)<br />
<br />
It may just be time to put him in a bubble:)<br />
OR...I may have to do a much better job at the cleaning around here:(<br />
<br />
We had been considering a move to the country for some land (insert grass and trees)<br />
and hoped to have critters (insert all animal allergies)<br />
so, we may just need to reconsider our wish list!!<br />
<br />
THEN...<br />
our sweet boy, after overcoming his fear of dental procedures, had to take another step.<br />
He had a mass on his leg when we brought him home. <br />
I asked him if he knew when he got it, or if it hurt and he didn't say much about it. <br />
As time went on, it continued to grow...<br />
and he started to complain about it hurting. <br />
<br />
So, we were off to the doctor again:)<br />
<br />
After several appointments and ultrasound...<br />
it was determined that it was a cyst needed to be removed. <br />
<br />
He was not going to be able to submerge the leg in water for 2 weeks after the surgery<br />
so we postponed it until AFTER the beach trip. <br />
<br />
On June 6th we put a very apprehensive Aaron into the van.<br />
<br />
He spent some of the long wait time time watching tv<br />
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<br />
and then he was off to the OR<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7D4HGS9_THXq5KiCuSCsLgJSwSchEbwOhOOAWckSjq93QF3QrHEeg-3kMllQf-R-O-7fz-L6vbznxwvPjZKxAKgnhe8lBQ11uIz8Tu-YJOI7s_w_-rvgD2glsQ81gM95V753ISrLK8U54/s1600/IMG_2516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7D4HGS9_THXq5KiCuSCsLgJSwSchEbwOhOOAWckSjq93QF3QrHEeg-3kMllQf-R-O-7fz-L6vbznxwvPjZKxAKgnhe8lBQ11uIz8Tu-YJOI7s_w_-rvgD2glsQ81gM95V753ISrLK8U54/s640/IMG_2516.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Although it was a minor procedure...<br />
It did this mama's heart good to be able to see those beautiful eyes open!!<br />
<br />
AND...<br />
Aaron being Aaron...<br />
<br />
He pretended to still be asleep<br />
(after he already gave his popsicle order to the nurse)<br />
and then proceeded to pretend to not know who we were when he opened his eyes!!<br />
<br />
Yep, this practical joker didn't miss a beat!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9TdiG6Ky162yzMP0df22E9Vv1219Xp35r8UefO5Mv9QIfGfuiZjRHfvC3P6IMJvO_AK6NiJumVzvIOQfnIfMk2r3cfEJpL8MZiwofwkavMugN00kv57rqWWCCfdWeTWCbQVlrUA6ztHU/s1600/IMG_2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9TdiG6Ky162yzMP0df22E9Vv1219Xp35r8UefO5Mv9QIfGfuiZjRHfvC3P6IMJvO_AK6NiJumVzvIOQfnIfMk2r3cfEJpL8MZiwofwkavMugN00kv57rqWWCCfdWeTWCbQVlrUA6ztHU/s640/IMG_2521.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
And waisted no time devouring this cherry popsicle!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMaG_-gLdc-d9OpY4y8Tao9ghjf-aY7ksp-Emg6uF0FIrTMbl_gCptK4avi88KLqcJKbHS4KHQj-wwI9DFZTE_gX-RjlIOO6sBKjb8RGayu5rmDMWTjQL0g9O9CK4S2qaexHSkXoPVWmu/s1600/IMG_2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMaG_-gLdc-d9OpY4y8Tao9ghjf-aY7ksp-Emg6uF0FIrTMbl_gCptK4avi88KLqcJKbHS4KHQj-wwI9DFZTE_gX-RjlIOO6sBKjb8RGayu5rmDMWTjQL0g9O9CK4S2qaexHSkXoPVWmu/s640/IMG_2525.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
This dear friends is my absolute FAVORITE photo of the day!!<br />
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And, this is the side few people get to see:)<br />
He was back to joking again!!<br />
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When Daddy had to go back to work he decided to hit the iPad.<br />
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and because the staff took <b>forever</b> to springing him out of the place...<br />
he had a second popsicle!!<br />
(what else is a starving boy to do???)<br />
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Here we are on the way home!<br />
Tired of having his picture taken...<br />
and very much wanting some REAL food.<br />
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<br />
and this is the surprise shot he took of me on the way home:)<br />
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<br />
So if you made it to the end of the blog post that never ends...<br />
<br />
you must have really missed my posts...<br />
or...<br />
you really need a hobby:)<br />
<br />
If you made it to the end... leave a comment to tell me you stuck in there for the long haul!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-28043524609490109162013-05-21T23:11:00.000-07:002014-08-03T04:50:21.665-07:00Older Child Adoption...Our Story<div style="text-align: center;">
A sweet adoptive mama over at "No Greater Joy Mom" </div>
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has asked a few questions about adopting older children and teenagers. </div>
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Although we have been home just short of 4 months, </div>
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I feel that we have had a very realistic experience with older child adoption. </div>
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We were given the priceless gift of skyping with Aaron prior to travel!! </div>
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I cannot begin to say how that experience helped us to begin to know one another, </div>
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alleviated many of our son's fears of walking away with essentially strangers, </div>
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and it gave Aaron a window into the world he would be entering.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDthCbWrE67Wfl1s9q_NGdE5q0rIG4U_6Dt3UkWu30NxRj894Lr0LEwXZphPCBb4_zpbBZku2XcsTQuQFawcpPPyPN1ckDQ0pwXlS32Vuev1I5x5_qffDbxlZXovwuRytPuFfxoguorGe7/s1600/DSC08170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDthCbWrE67Wfl1s9q_NGdE5q0rIG4U_6Dt3UkWu30NxRj894Lr0LEwXZphPCBb4_zpbBZku2XcsTQuQFawcpPPyPN1ckDQ0pwXlS32Vuev1I5x5_qffDbxlZXovwuRytPuFfxoguorGe7/s400/DSC08170.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another blessing that helped in the transition process was taking our children with us to the Philippines. We walked the adoption journey as a family,</div>
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prayed as a family, cried as a family,</div>
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and welcomed Aaron as a family. </div>
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This allowed our girls to have experiences with our son in the Philippines </div>
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that they could refer to once home, </div>
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and it allowed the girls to relate to Aaron's past.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN4rgrZ2-Z3JKl9Hcv8ZaO3_UPc740AiR2ewESNTLlkDqMAzgTq7iqNZL67gsVxpvO8TFdtxyEcxr0e7j3OshNWw_fUQAatdOXTcAFixkT0kKkcCHAkMq_27ImSn66OQggDXpi9ht6qME/s1600/DSC00452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN4rgrZ2-Z3JKl9Hcv8ZaO3_UPc740AiR2ewESNTLlkDqMAzgTq7iqNZL67gsVxpvO8TFdtxyEcxr0e7j3OshNWw_fUQAatdOXTcAFixkT0kKkcCHAkMq_27ImSn66OQggDXpi9ht6qME/s400/DSC00452.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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The third tremendous blessing was the ability to stay at Aaron's orphanage for a few days. </div>
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It helped our son get to know us a bit in his safe surroundings,</div>
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allowed him to continue to interact with those that he loves,</div>
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and the fabulous staff there reassured Aaron that he was going home with a good family. </div>
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We took every opportunity to get a glimpse of the years we missed in Aaron's life...</div>
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we visited his school, his church, the wet/dry market, his favorite pizza shop...every possible place that would give us something more of his past! </div>
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Our time there was priceless and it was difficult for all of us to leave!</div>
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I know it is not always possible, but I believe our transition was improved by spending a few days in country away from the orphanage before leaving the country. </div>
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During this time our son was still able to eat familiar food, hear his native language, and sights and smells were somewhat familiar. </div>
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During this time we focused on family bonding and definately chose our battles. </div>
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I can tell you that it was humbling for this mama to not know what our son was saying...fully realizing by the look on some of the faces that he was speaking out of turn. It was sometimes hurtful to watch our son walk ahead or behind us in hopes that people would not realize that he was with us, the caucasian family everyone was staring at. When we spent time in our room as a family, our son was giggly and affectionate. But when we went out in public, he was a different little boy. He became withdrawn and shy, not wanting to talk to us our be seen with us. We started spending more time in our room or the pool, and went out for shorter periods of time.</div>
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BUT...this time was extremely valuable for our family and I am thankful we had it! </div>
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It was yet another step in the transition process that we needed to walk through.</div>
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While in country our transition to a family of five seemed seamless...best case scenario...</div>
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and quite frankly...it was. Our son was freely accepting and showing affection (while in our room), </div>
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and his smile and giggles were contagious. </div>
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We hit our first truly difficult moment on our long airplane ride home. </div>
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Aaron wanted to watch a movie that I did not feel was age appropriate and that I had not permitted our 16 year old to watch yet. </div>
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Aaron was so very upset and completely shut me out. </div>
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He refused to look at me, talk to me, eat his meals, or interact in any way. </div>
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To our sweet boy, he was on an airplane...leaving everything he has ever known, going to a place far far away that he knows nothing about, and he was realizing for the first time that he may not be able to get/have everything his heart desires. To put it simply...he shut down.</div>
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And this mama,well, I had myself a mini internal panic attack right there on the plane:(</div>
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What am I doing, will he ever accept me as his mama, am I cut out for this...</div>
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Quite frankly friends, the enemy of our soul wanted to place fear and panic in both of our hearts! </div>
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But our heavenly father is so very faithful!!! He reached down and soothed both our hearts...</div>
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and after about two hours, we were both able to move on.</div>
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Once home we had our romantic airport moment that we all dream about!</div>
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We were met by a large crowd of family and friends and everyone lavished love on our family.</div>
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And then real life began:)</div>
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It is so very difficult to adequately explain those first days! It was wonderful...and it was hard!</div>
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It was priceless to experience all the first through our son's eyes. </div>
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It was wonderful to watch his relationship grow with my husband and oldest daughter. </div>
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At the same time, it was extremely painful to walk through his rejection of me. </div>
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Looking back, I really don't think he intended to reject me. I was simply the one he was able to point his hurt at. The one he could get a reaction from...in his attempt to grasp at some sort of control.</div>
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He grieved much...and we hurt right along with him!</div>
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He missed those he left behind.</div>
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He missed sleeping in a room full of boys (sisters were not on his wish list).</div>
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Although I was making three hot meals a day which included rice, </div>
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he was highly under-impressed with my culinary skills. </div>
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Learning English was hard and exhausting for him. </div>
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And quite honestly, I think he was bitter that he needed to learn it.</div>
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So, what do you do when transition is hard? When your son no longer accepts your affection? When you feel like you are failing at every turn and question your ability to parent your precious treasure???</div>
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YOU REMEMBER THAT YOU BATHED YOUR ADOPTION IN PRAYER...</div>
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YOU REMEMBER THAT YOU ASKED CHRIST TO OPEN/CLOSE DOORS AND LEAD YOU TO THE CHILD HE HAS CHOSEN FOR YOUR FAMILY...</div>
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YOU REMEMBER THE MIRACLES GOD PERFORMED </div>
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TO GET THIS AMAZING CHILD HOME...</div>
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YOU REMEMBER THAT GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES...</div>
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AND THAT HE PROMISES TO NEVER GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE!</div>
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YOU REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE BE TRUSTED WITH HIS PRICELESS TREASURE AND IN <b>HIS STRENGTH</b>...YOU WILL MAKE IT TO THE OTHER SIDE!!!</div>
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So now sweet friends, you cling to that with all you are worth!!! You spend time with Christ like your life depends on it, and you allow HIM to pour his peace over you as never before!! Then you love your precious child even if he/she chooses not to love you back for a time...or forever. You let him/her know that you cannot make them love you, or even like you...but that your love for them is not dependent on how they feel, what they do, or how they treat you!!</div>
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We have watched our son go from asking to go back to his orphanage at least 10 times a day, </div>
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to saying that he misses people he loves but that he would miss his family if he returned.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_d_bNuGohb2zoO0g-__Ohy24Tm9yzyNzLpB5lx8uTeEY-M35e67Xpy4BVDOd_rOz6RRNoERAiFDpwpH-w5JEu6B30TMZXBf33qizrYfYjLf9P2T9inDhiqYmwK0F4h-orojKlZApcEij/s1600/boutin-8519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_d_bNuGohb2zoO0g-__Ohy24Tm9yzyNzLpB5lx8uTeEY-M35e67Xpy4BVDOd_rOz6RRNoERAiFDpwpH-w5JEu6B30TMZXBf33qizrYfYjLf9P2T9inDhiqYmwK0F4h-orojKlZApcEij/s400/boutin-8519.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have watched him go from struggling to express the most basic of need, </div>
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to telling elaborate stories in understandable English.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiYGpGbjKf65l6hvORO6fIX9MnuH12vchHMRyWnYKe3G3te9Gt46SwX30RvKLHAjqe_y0UFnyhpUygyBovc8KSq8vFfj_9uAl5XI8-5yT6R7vHOGvBbf0Js0Igvsmt4Ph4K_ajC4CfzTS/s1600/IMG_2309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiYGpGbjKf65l6hvORO6fIX9MnuH12vchHMRyWnYKe3G3te9Gt46SwX30RvKLHAjqe_y0UFnyhpUygyBovc8KSq8vFfj_9uAl5XI8-5yT6R7vHOGvBbf0Js0Igvsmt4Ph4K_ajC4CfzTS/s400/IMG_2309.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I have experienced <b>very </b>hurtful words spoken in anger,</div>
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to having him return with tears streaming down his face </div>
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in regret for hurting a mama he is growing to love.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Day by day, moment by moment, </div>
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we are seeing growth of trust</div>
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growth of faith</div>
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growth of love</div>
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growth of forever family!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbmNH4SOvhBoFS2IB2HATX94zbXtMFlE-8WzIHABEtwqLVvKE-qW6PuZzIfPLYtm9hpjevoidrqJsMiLraO1BfTgIT6LdKSrLphL-pqIJYhlLlNk3vi7FhzJIUS8SSbMHgQqaBbE9zzNi/s1600/IMG_0405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbmNH4SOvhBoFS2IB2HATX94zbXtMFlE-8WzIHABEtwqLVvKE-qW6PuZzIfPLYtm9hpjevoidrqJsMiLraO1BfTgIT6LdKSrLphL-pqIJYhlLlNk3vi7FhzJIUS8SSbMHgQqaBbE9zzNi/s400/IMG_0405.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Friends, older child adoption is hard...</div>
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but it is soooo very worth it!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Your sweet treasure that God has entrusted you with </div>
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is soooo very worth every tear, every hurt, every sleepless night!!!</div>
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(even if they talk trash on their Easter eggs:)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKg9WLmZZHrMHq2zBS3rdFbsP2MgUTgKxq5_d9RLrJt-pErBV3fhfFOzqbISUwRWdRj78Sv0sjhqcGB_PjsrpLvuIh0_2xPFWaJTcLXkdfRN99IvHmv8OLN34eZCPE86KOQrylVW7evy7/s1600/DSC01775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKg9WLmZZHrMHq2zBS3rdFbsP2MgUTgKxq5_d9RLrJt-pErBV3fhfFOzqbISUwRWdRj78Sv0sjhqcGB_PjsrpLvuIh0_2xPFWaJTcLXkdfRN99IvHmv8OLN34eZCPE86KOQrylVW7evy7/s400/DSC01775.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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My unsolicited advice in helping you, and your older child adjust to your new normal...</div>
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keep your nose in your bible,</div>
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show much grace to yourself and your child</div>
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(your house may not be clean for a few months and your laundry backed up...</div>
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but that is so very unimportant in the grand scheme of things!!),</div>
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choose to find your sense of humor and laugh much,</div>
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try not to take words spoken in anger to heart. This can be very difficult but remember that your sweet treasure feels like all power and control has been taken away...and he/she may lash out. </div>
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Find every excuse to put a hand on his/her shoulder, rub his back, give a hug/kiss, speak words of love. When asked why...or when it is rejected, remind him/her that you love him and that there is nothing he can do or say to take that love away!!</div>
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God does not make mistakes friends! He believes you are the best Mama for your sweet treasure!</div>
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In this process HE strips us of our ugly selfishness and teaches us how to love unconditionally,</div>
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and in time, </div>
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the results are absolutely priceless!!!</div>
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And for the record...I would do it all again...over and over again...</div>
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forever and always!!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-41849285129063268372013-04-30T21:34:00.000-07:002013-04-30T21:34:21.456-07:00A Day to Remember<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today I choose to remember...</div>
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A precious life</div>
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a gift from our heavenly father</div>
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Our first child to be welcomed in to heaven.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen-rnk_0G366TgCxREBlohJDUVJ1_05R6XyD2Nn8Ts0rs3o0rj3to0aVO1FdblSFoPa3TRKPWTitD7RgIIn1g-m8zgjOwjTyycjTv0cmy9TTbGIpNThyEskybfcYYr7ZKcjFl0j6qYHOD/s1600/Scan+5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen-rnk_0G366TgCxREBlohJDUVJ1_05R6XyD2Nn8Ts0rs3o0rj3to0aVO1FdblSFoPa3TRKPWTitD7RgIIn1g-m8zgjOwjTyycjTv0cmy9TTbGIpNThyEskybfcYYr7ZKcjFl0j6qYHOD/s640/Scan+5.jpeg" width="494" /></a></div>
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Today I choose to remember....</div>
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How God took a painful tragedy</div>
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and grew our hearts toward adoption.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqhl2i_RQ_EKv5CJl2SpHlPZqX5Cd_2P0FoWfLXuASs5lcKr1UqTexkGt0WFuICw0QIK9hphlyImqgM4DV272ZYdBMY8CTrxYBCnJ4fH575BUg5MrhW0O7RCOLCpkrgDY_-sneLFsH0KR/s1600/old+fam+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqhl2i_RQ_EKv5CJl2SpHlPZqX5Cd_2P0FoWfLXuASs5lcKr1UqTexkGt0WFuICw0QIK9hphlyImqgM4DV272ZYdBMY8CTrxYBCnJ4fH575BUg5MrhW0O7RCOLCpkrgDY_-sneLFsH0KR/s640/old+fam+2.jpg" width="364" /></a></div>
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Today I choose to remember...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that this beautiful boy is dancing with Jesus</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and one day he will be reunited with not only parents...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but a boat load of siblings!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJG81jFXFlLm8ow5tqUEdeGFWyiOHPBcTEkut6A8oIjbos6fEHrjSjJ2YlZny85L0ZUXLt79Z7XHdAvYclYWp_3-Zeevk7u2ZQ_dyeypJ2_Dg6nVVrVugpFSRubRfBwiF8dNr0BAxyf4G9/s1600/jacob+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJG81jFXFlLm8ow5tqUEdeGFWyiOHPBcTEkut6A8oIjbos6fEHrjSjJ2YlZny85L0ZUXLt79Z7XHdAvYclYWp_3-Zeevk7u2ZQ_dyeypJ2_Dg6nVVrVugpFSRubRfBwiF8dNr0BAxyf4G9/s640/jacob+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today I remember...</div>
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that loving hurts sometimes</div>
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but it is worth the loving!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We miss you sweet boy but know that we will be with you again one day!!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-22183512439690234472013-04-30T08:17:00.000-07:002013-04-30T08:17:30.314-07:00CAMP<div style="text-align: center;">
I know I have been slacking in the blogging department...</div>
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But hang in there...</div>
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I have exciting news!!!</div>
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(no, we are not adopting again...YET...but hope to in the near future:)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What is a child lovin', </div>
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adoption advocate sorta mama to do </div>
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while loving on the treasures that she has been blessed with, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and waiting for the Lord to lead where/when to adopt next???</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, she does just that...Loves children and advocates for them:)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last summer I got on my high horse after spending a week volunteering </div>
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with our local Royal Family Kids Camp. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can go back and read it here <a href="http://grown2worship.blogspot.com/2012/07/for-love-of-littles.html">For the Love of Littles</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
RFKC is a camp where foster children (ages 7-11) can have positive, fun, life changing experiences.</div>
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A place where they learn about a loving God and are accepted for who they are. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After volunteering in a camp of this kind, </div>
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all you want to do is find some words...some possible way to explain</div>
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the magnitude of this camp and what it is like to experience it. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well bloggy friends...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so very excited to tell you that you can get a taste of what this camp is, </div>
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and the impact it has on abused and neglected children!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Inspired by true stories,<br />
<a href="http://www.thecampmovie.com/">CAMP</a><br />
is an amazing movie that shows that hope can be found in unexpected places. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
CAMP will only be shown in 100 select cities across the country. <br />
<br />
IT WILL BE IN RALEIGH THIS WEEKEND!!!<br />
<br />
So not only will you get to have a CAMP experience...<br />
BUT<br />
The director has graciously decided to give back 40% of his royalties from our local showing to our Wake County camp!!!!!!<br />
You may not be able to volunteer with these amazing kids this summer,<br />
but most of us can attend a $10 movie!!<br />
<br />
<b>Come on out and bring your friends!!!!!</b><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNGosoA0IvobpIKR2mH47jx0PKTzfVoRMPFeLgFxZUheXPMHYhQSWY558h-VoUwNDtPFCLM6kAiDQ6xeLJ-dQ2sr56qVI_zt33OZwYlfV9Fvw8FabG3Z__s2gyez3i34rM9DWU3Fdg76A/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNGosoA0IvobpIKR2mH47jx0PKTzfVoRMPFeLgFxZUheXPMHYhQSWY558h-VoUwNDtPFCLM6kAiDQ6xeLJ-dQ2sr56qVI_zt33OZwYlfV9Fvw8FabG3Z__s2gyez3i34rM9DWU3Fdg76A/s640/Image.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-84175223541993778692013-04-13T17:36:00.000-07:002013-04-13T17:36:24.559-07:00The Growing<div style="text-align: center;">
I have not forgotten ya'll in bloggy land.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Our days are oh so very full! </div>
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<br /></div>
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We are counting down weeks to finish another school year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7n2eJgHMsTnqLR78JbHIZx-yLCFmaHQDBNOww8U06Bow8y1Fde1hqh5Eily2yBMKRa4hDZHijMFoWK710KYrk-f24Oa9ySA8Cqd2p7MzDB9KuAx6V5MOcghZQldFSEL7eyYzSgEtL3SE/s1600/IMG_1942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7n2eJgHMsTnqLR78JbHIZx-yLCFmaHQDBNOww8U06Bow8y1Fde1hqh5Eily2yBMKRa4hDZHijMFoWK710KYrk-f24Oa9ySA8Cqd2p7MzDB9KuAx6V5MOcghZQldFSEL7eyYzSgEtL3SE/s400/IMG_1942.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskbfUEcfUwaqne8XWLse2OkP3gNu9VTK7O5z_YIuZlG2jNqTep8XTqhyphenhyphen3WTilvgZNF_iv_aeoL19FeFmo6e88aj7Za2mNPi-SANv2aE4pm_z7OgT4S_hzX8lMzgfN7ZMpGaCGhk42WQCl/s1600/IMG_1965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskbfUEcfUwaqne8XWLse2OkP3gNu9VTK7O5z_YIuZlG2jNqTep8XTqhyphenhyphen3WTilvgZNF_iv_aeoL19FeFmo6e88aj7Za2mNPi-SANv2aE4pm_z7OgT4S_hzX8lMzgfN7ZMpGaCGhk42WQCl/s400/IMG_1965.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Working on sibling bonding:)</div>
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And being intentional about getting our little man together with other boys.</div>
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Our days are </div>
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full</div>
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rewarding</div>
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challenging</div>
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priceless!!!!</div>
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Our son has only been home for 2 1/2 months...</div>
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yet it feels like we have loved him for a lifetime. </div>
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I think the thing he struggles with the most is not having brothers. </div>
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He came from an orphanage with many boys that he absolutely loves...</div>
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and he misses them DEEPLY!!</div>
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We learned of an institutional sibling that has been with Aaron for most of his life. They were together in a previous orphanage, and then shared the same unit in the orphanage where we adopted him from. We contacted our agency immediately upon coming home, and the ICAB shortly after to ask for an exception to their two year rule between filipino adoptions. We wanted to return for Aaron's "brother". </div>
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We prayed much and waited for their response. We know God's will is best and would praise HIM if they say yes, and praise HIM if they said no.</div>
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Well, it just was not God's will for this sweet "brother", or our family. </div>
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The ICAB responded that another family was identified for this young man.</div>
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Understandably, we are disappointed that he will not be coming to our home...</div>
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but at the same time we are so very thankful for this family and KNOW that God's plans are best!!! </div>
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Where does that leave us? </div>
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You do not have to read the blog for very long to hear our heart!!</div>
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God has called us to adoption.</div>
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We know our family is not complete. </div>
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We are praying that God will lead and guide us as to where to look, and which child/children should be welcomed into our family in the future. </div>
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HE has a plan for us!</div>
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HE will call us!</div>
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HE will open doors!</div>
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As we seek HIS will!</div>
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Oh how this mama gets excited as we pray together for HIS plan for our family!!!</div>
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We are so very blessed to parent these fabulous children...</div>
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We look forward to watching the growth...as we worship HIM!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13365917382316868860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221675567610935537.post-61769243448391934192013-03-31T18:49:00.000-07:002013-03-31T18:49:04.572-07:00Happy Resurrection Day!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Happy Resurrection Sunday ya'll!! </b></div>
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