Man Car

He finally got his Man Car!!!

My hubby is such a selfless, giving man. 

He is always so very generous with those around him and very rarely indulges in something for himself! 

Since December 2008 we have juggled our schedules with one car.  

We have been so very blessed over the years to have a reliable family vehicle.  

But, we have also been wasting gas, milage, and time driving multiple round trips per day to be able to get everyone where they need to be at the designated times. 

We have been looking for an older "beater" to get hubby back and forth from work.  He has been on the lookout for a Wrangler Jeep for quite some time.  

Today the time was right and he was able to climb into his new (used) jeep!!!  She has quite a few mile on her but oh how it blessed my heart to see this man I love so excited about his new toy!!

Miss Kylee simply could not wait to get a ride in the jeep!!  She asked for doors to be removed and the top was also taken off later for her ride.  

Even girls that are preggers like a good old man car:)

Kylee with her new retainer smile...and look at that beautiful belly!  

Miss Mélika was too busy reading "Kisses From Katie" to come out to see the man car.  It is ok baby girl...I couldn't put it down either!!

For those in our community that were concerned with the suggestive slogan on the front windshield....I assure you it came with the jeep and was removed at our earliest convenience! It did provoke some interesting conversation however:)

Only Two Days Left

Only two days left to make a difference!!!!  

Do you remember this face?

I shared Here a few weeks ago about baby Herschel, in desperate need of life saving surgery. 

A friend is running a marathon to make a difference to this one by raising the funds for this surgery.  I just checked in and she is at 62% of the needed amount.  

Would you consider helping financially?  No amount is too small!!

Click Here to Donate  

(once at this location click on the Sponsor Team His Strength at the top)

False Alarm

Toward the end of our busy Monday....I got THE CALL!  

My new chauffeur was driving to her youth worship practice.  

I was explaining the ins and outs of safe lane changing when my cell phone rang.  

Yep, it was mommy to be!  She was having contractions and some other symptoms that caused us to turn back and head for home.  

We sat together through a few contractions and then I suggested we take a walk.  My youngest love loves this gal and was quick to give her a hug before we took off.  

We walked this way and that...even tackled some hills:)  

Throughout the walk the contractions progressed from ten minutes apart to every two minutes and were taking her breath away.  I am usually one to wait but knowing that it could take 45 minutes to get to the hospital with traffic...we opted to head that way.  

Of course...while traveling in the car....the contractions became irregular.  

We were already on our way so we decided that it would be best to see what the doctor had to say.  

Sweet baby boy is healthy and well... BUT NOT READY TO COME OUT YET!! 

We had a great practice run and will be fully prepared for what to do next time!!  

Hurry up baby boy!!!  We are so very anxious to meet you!!!

Chasing the Paper Trail

Friday evening we officially stepped out to adopt Aaron...Saturday AM we began the paperwork!!!

I downloaded and printed our first 23 documents to fill out.  What did we do before email and the internet?!?  

It feels a bit like déjà vu because we spent most of January-April of 2011 plowing through similar paperwork.  

After a great church service and a quick lunch...we were back at it this afternoon. 

(Can you see the five stacks of completed documents on the right!!!  We are moving forward)

 Can you tell that we want to get our son home AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!!  

 Get ur done!!!!

Love love this picture of my hubby!!!

We are waiting to hear if any part of our current domestic homestudy can be reused.  Even if they would use the letters of recommendation and autobiography from the last one would save a TON of time and effort!!  But, God knows and we will just keep pluggin' until it is all complete. 

My hubby is at a meeting for a missions trip to Haiti he will be taking next month.  I hope to be in Uganda loving on babies in June, and our oldest will be going to Venezuela in July to love on 300 children living in the garbage dumps of Pavia!  While our oldest is there, our youngest plans to go to camp to grow in using her gifts and talents for the Lord.  And...if doors continue to open...that same week I will be leading worship for Royal Family Kids Camp for approximately 70 children in our county foster care system!!  I am sooo very excited to see what God is going to do with all the open doors in our lives!!!    We prayed and prayed and doors are flying before our eyes!!!!  

SO...VERY...HUMBLED!!!  

Answers and Direction

Well friends....today we got some answers!!  

We now understand why it took so long to hear if we would be approved to host sweet Aaron in June.  

The problem was not us...they approved our family.  

BUT...THERE IS A PROBLEM.  

You see, Mr Aaron, for the last almost 12 years, has had a birth certificate that reads "Baby Boy".  As you may have guessed...one cannot get a visa to the United States with that name.  Apparently it takes 3-6 months to have a new birth certificate filed.  So there is no way that he can come to the US this summer.  

Why was his profile put out for a hosting program he is not eligible for?  

That is a great question...and I believe I have an answer.  

You see, I do not believe in luck or chance.  I believe whole heartedly that Christ orchestrates our steps and leads us in the direction we should go.  

We were not looking to adopt an older child....we certainly were not looking to adopt internationally YET. (And quite frankly...the Philippines was never on our radar)

 (You knew MY plan...domestic infant adoption now...older special needs international adoption LATER.)  

{SMILE} GOD has his OWN PLAN!

If Aaron was not on the hosting list...this gal over at Wanted would not have been able to advocate for him.  We would not have known of his story....we would not have found him because quite frankly....we were not looking.  

But, as it stands...we do know, and once you know the truth, you cannot pretend you don't.  Once you cast your eyes on the littles around the world that are in need of a mama and papa...a family...you cannot turn your back or look the other way.  He was brought to our attention...our family.  

So...all that to say...Today, March 9, 2012 we have stepped up to begin the adoption process for Aaron Boutin!!!!  

Best case timeline...we would travel to get him in late fall.  

Miss Kylee is hoping to get her "twin", as she so lovingly calls him, home for her birthday in November. 

And, as you can see...Kylee is confident he is going to love football:)  

In a way, I feel like we are starting over.  I know that is not true and it took all this time to get us where we are today.  But, we are back to being neck deep in paperwork, and restarting a homestudy process.  I must once again remind myself that Christ has a plan...HE knows the timing and the hour....He is very much in control!!!  

Oh...and the trip to Uganda that I was having MUCH DIFFICULTY giving up...may happen after all.  

Faithful God!!  We will see how HE works it all out for the good of those who love HIM!!!

She Is Official

It finally happened...my sweet hubby took his baby girl to the DMV to take her permit test this morning!!!  She is now official!!  AND... I now have a personal chauffeur!!  

Thank you love for snapping a quick picture with your phone.  It is just possible that I am starting to rub off on them:)

This and That

We are still in a place of waiting...praying...seeking Christ to reveal HIS plan for our family in this leg of the adoption journey.  In the mean time...we have been doing this and that:)

If you have been following our journey for any length of time you have learned that we love game nights as a family!!  Yep, she is wearing monkeys on her head...I don't know where she comes up with this stuff but we cherish the light moments:)

Someone may have been having a bad attitude about cleaning the kitchen AGAIN.   I am sure I don't know who that might have been!!

We were back to the stables on this glorious 68 degree day.  

Mélika took her friend on a trail ride for her birthday.  Happy Birthday Miss Brianna!!  

I surprised Kylee by bringing one of her friends out to the stables as well today.  Red warmed up to her right away!!

While the older girls hit the trails...Kylee had a private lesson.  

True love!!!

After a much needed shower Kylee had some friends over.

Yep, everyone is a comedian around here!!

Miss Bri having a bedtime snack.   

I have been approached for a few more ministry opportunities for this summer....Anxious to see how it all plays out:)  One thing is for sure...we are not at a loss for things to do or areas to serve.