HAPPY NEW YEAR!! and UPDATE!

I really find it hard to believe that it's already 2014! And I can't believe its been so long since I posted anything!! So, let me catch you up to date alittle.

My last post announced that we were adopting again. That is still happening! But not as fast as I wish.

With international adoption it's always hurry up, wait wait wait, hurry up, etc. We are in that first wait wait wait period. That's one of the hardest parts of adopting! But, we did find out some answers about our little guy that we had been wondering. First of all he is well and doing as good as can be expected. No flu or colds they said. We are thankful he has not had a major illness. They also tell us he is a very happy and strong child. He does not talk but can understand when adults tell him to do something. They told us we can use body language to communicate with him! We'll be working on that! He is a good sleeper (thank goodness because Gabe was not, is not, and thinking he will never be!) but likes to wake up on his own.  Maybe he and Cole will share a room! Anyway, I was so happy to get some info on him even if it was very little. The best part though were the pictures. He has changed some from the first photo we saw of him, but still just as precious in our eyes. Oh how I want to scoop him up and love him. 

And because some have asked me, yes, he does have that extra special chromosome! We can hardly wait to have this little one as part of our family. Please pray that he will remain healthy and feel loved until we can bring him home.

Now for the rest of the bunch.

Mr. Gabe

We had a wonderful Christmas! Too much stress and worry over things that shouldn't matter(gifts), and for that I'm always ashamed. But it was wonderful to have our family all together under one roof. With the kids spread out so far, and grandbabies here and on the way, I expect that Christmas morning is going to get more hectic for all to gather here at that time. But that is only to be expected with a family as large as ours. I'm just thankful that we have been able to do it this long, and although I was very worn out when it was all over, I really do cherish the time with all our kids and wouldn't have wanted them to be anywhere but here. I love my family.

Now here are a few pictures of our big, crazy bunch!

Family

Uncle Joey! 

Mimi, Graham and his crazy mother in the background!

My mom and daughter-in-law Erica

My boys!

Rylie, Gabe and me

My funny Casey!

Gabe and his Papa



Rylie and Garrett

Crazy boys!

 

All the kids and proud momma and papa.    :)

WISHING YOU AND YOURS A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED 2014.

Officially OFFICIAL!

YES WE ARE!

(adopting that is.)

NO WE'RE NOT!

(crazy that is.)

YES HE IS!

(precious of course!)

Whew!  I've been waiting for almost 3 weeks to be able to "officially" claim this little one!

We received approval from China yesterday to proceed with his adoption.

Unlike Gabe's adoption, this one will more than likely take alittle longer. But hey, you never know with international adoption, so whether longer or shorter, we'll be ready to go at the drop of a hat!

We would love to have you come along for the ride as we follow God's lead to this little one.

We would also appreciate your prayers, as we know the road that lies before us is often a rough, winding, rugged road. Thanks for stopping by and THANK YOU LORD for what you've already done and for what your going to do.

"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is within your power to act." Proverbs 3:27

And don't forget to go check out the Christmas Angel Tree on Reece's Rainbow and show these kiddos some love this holiday season. You never know.......ONE OF THEM COULD BE YOURS.     :)



What I See

What do you see when you look at this picture???



Big boys?? Little boys?? Lots of boys??

Maybe shirtless boys?? Perhaps boys with hats??

Maybe you notice the flowers or the beautiful shades of green??

Come on, take one more good look.

See him? Do you see him now??

He's one of the bigger boys up front with the red hat. He's turned looking at you.

 Do you know what I see??

I see my Cole. I see the one who is my shining light, the one who always keeps me straight, the one who pulls and pushes me in ways I never knew I could go, the one who puts me face to face with my God, every. single. day.

I see my Cole man and where and who he might be, had I not listened and followed.

Sweet friends, listen to the small, quiet voice inside you.

Listen the loud shouts that keep you awake at night.

Listen and follow.

If He calls you, He will equip you with everything you need.

These boys you see pictured are the LOST BOYS at an orphanage in Ukraine.

To read their story, you can go to Micah Six Eight.

Most of them are not adoptable, but there are a couple of them that are, and they need out NOW.

Could you share your life with one of them??

I can't imagine my life without my lost boy.

PRAY. LISTEN. FOLLOW.

ONCE UPON A TIME

Two or three times a month, I write an article for my hometown newspaper concerning orphan awareness and Reece's Rainbow. And since this is the month that we brought Gabe home, this is the last article I wrote for the paper.

                                    

                                         


Once Upon A Time

The very first part of the story I shared last week was accidently left out, so I'm going to bring you up to date. Most probably figured it out but last weeks story was actually something I had written 2 years ago while I was in Russia waiting to bring Gabe home. And because this is a special month for him and us, I thought I would commemorate that with the thoughts running through my head at that time. So here is the post I wrote from two years ago at this exact time.

Once upon a time, in a country for away, in a city I never knew existed until now (Vladivostok just north of North Korea) and then up the eastern coast about 4 hours to a remote village that isn't even on a map, and up this small road (with picture on my blog).........a beautiful little life was waiting. Waiting on a mama and papa, waiting for a family to call his own and to love him unconditionally for the rest of his life.(with picture of Gabe on my blog)

I will never be able to put in words how I feel and all I want to convey to you about this place and the things I've seen and experienced while here. I want to so badly, but I just don't think I would do it justice. I'm not very talented in writing and poestic words don't flow from my mouth very good. If you could gather my tears and form a story from them , well, then you might have a pretty good view of things. And I don't mean because everything has been sad or bad. There is beauty amid the harsh realities. (pictures of flowers on my blog). There is humor in spite of the serious circumstances.(with silly pictures on my blog.) We have felt it ALL these past weeks. I'm not sure how long I've been here at this moment, but it feels like a LONG time! Chirssy just told me that we only have 1 more week until we're home. Honestly, right now that feels like it means 1 month!! Yes, I'm home sick and ready to board that plane and fly baby fly! But I would not take anything for these things I've experienced while here. I knew these certain things existed because for months now, I have read others stories. But it is taken to a whole new level when you see it with your own eyes. When you touch them with your own hands. And then, when you see but aren't allowed to touch them. When you see and you hear......and there is nothing you can do to make it better for them. That's the worst.

I will never forget this place. I never WANT to forget this place. How could I?? This is where God led me. This is where my son is from. Of all the places in the world......THIS PLACE is where I was suppose to go. This is somewhat like holy ground to me. God led me here and He has certainly been here with me the whole time. We have had lots of talks! I have questioned much. He has shown me beauty along with pain and suffering and sorrow. I still don't understand it all. But He has assured me, one day I will. When I leave here, I will definitly leave a large part of my heart. But I will also be taking a new little heart with me.

Please continue to pray for Gabe.Tomorrow we will pick him up and he will NEVER be alone again.

THANK YOU LORD, THANK YOU LORD.

And two years later, we continue to thank the Lord for all He has done and continues to do.

'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11

Please remember to pray for orphans all over the world. And remember, you CAN make a difference sitting right there at home. Go to Reece's Rainbow at www.reecesrainbow.org to see how.

May you and yours be blessed.

GOTCHA GABE - 2 YEARS HOME

I can't believe it's been a year since this post. That first year home was amazing.

And now here we are, 2 years later. And still it's......AMAZING!!

Watching Gabe become the little person he is has been such a joy.

There's no way I can capture his personality in words. I'm not that gifted of a writer, as you can tell!

I'm not gifted as a photographer either, but I do have A FEW pictures from the past 2 yrs!!

This little guy is so full of life.

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to be his mom.

Gabe Decker.......HAPPY GOTCHA DAY!!!

WE LOVE YOU.

 

FOR HANSON

All over the world today, children will die.

Many will be surrounded by loving family, maybe some friends, and for sure a host of people praying.

But many will not.

Many will die a lonely death, surrounded by nothing but the silent cries and moans of other kiddos just like them.

So was the case for Hanson.

But what Hanson never knew was, he was loved.

He was loved and was in the hearts of many who were praying and advocating for him.

He was especially loved by one special boy who wanted more than anything, a family to come for him.

So in honor and memory of Hanson, and all the others  LOST BOYS, something very special is taking place today.

Please take the time to click on this link  and see what real love for another can accomplish.

Hanson never had the chance to be with his earthly family......but today the victory IS HIS.

Today he sits at the feet of Jesus. Today he runs and plays pain free, hunger free, and is loved by the Ultimate Father of all.

Today, he is being remembered because a special friend he never knew wanted to make a difference for him and the others like him.

Please, take the time to read this post and you too can choose to make a difference in the lives of these forgotton children.

Rest in peace sweet Hanson, your finally HOME.

COLE'S GRADUATION

AND HERE HE IS!!

Oh my. I was sitting on pins and needles because I had no idea what he was going to do!!

Silly me. And why would I worry??!!

I can't believe this part of our journey has already come to an end, but I look forward to what lies ahead!

I'm proud of you sweet boy, and love you to the stars and back.  :)