How it starts

I found this in my gmail archives the other day...I found it really funny, because, well...it was just about saving money....

and...the control we had over the timing...yeah, not so much : )

1:48 PM me: mary anne from whfc just sent me an email

if we get paper work post marked by tomorrow it saves us $400 over the course of the adoption. I am willing to work on it today

do you think it's worth it?

1:49 PM Dan: is there money involved in doing that?

1:50 PM me: $1600

Dan: whoa!

me: or $1750 after tomorrow

Dan: good to save money

me: then the next fee goes up a couple hundred too

1:51 PM Dan: originally, i thought it couldn't hurt to update the home study while audrey would be there because that would save money and would still give us the option to move forward

this will be a commitment that we're definitely in

not saying no...just now it's for real

1:52 PM me: ummmm

yeah

it's been real for me though

are you not there?

Dan: i was definitely getting there, but up until now, it seemed like i didn't need to "be there"

all the way

1:53 PM i want to do it

me: we still have control over the timing

we don't have to submit paperwork until we are ready

meaning home study

and CIS

1:54 PM Dan: do we need to send the $1600 in tomorrow?

me: ye[

yep

Dan: can we post date the check :)

is this thing on?

1:55 PM i just flew in from vegas and boy are my arms tired

try the veal?

me: what is happening?

was that your way of saying that was a joke?

Dan: i put a :) after the post date comment

1:56 PM me: uh huh but then you did a stand up routine

1:57 PM Dan: because you didn't respond and then i said "is this thing on"...you know, like a comedian that doesn't get a laugh

:)

me: you didn't even give me a minute to respond

Dan: how much work do you need to do on the paperwork?

is it an application?

me: okay anyway sounds like waiting is what you want to do

yes

Dan: not necessarily

1:58 PM $1600 was just a little shock and like i said made it a firm commitment vs. let's keep going with little investment

1:59 PM can you get what you need done by tomorrow?

would i need to sign anything before work so it gets postmarked tomorrow?

2:02 PM me: i will have to print it

i haven't looked at it yet

10 minutes

2:13 PM me: you are cute

its mostly just signing your life away

and then there were 5

I have no idea why I haven't blogged about this yet, but, it's time!

I spend (and have for quite some time) looking at special needs lists and advocate blogs. We were in the process of doing paper work for a special needs China adoption. Our agency had a policy that they don't match you with a child until you have a LID (log-in-date) in China. I was fully on board with this policy - it translates to less time waiting for a specific child and more time just general waiting. The hard, hard waiting is when you are looking at a picture of an adorable child. This was the plan. Until....

I saw this face!

I first saw this adorable face on a blog where a lady was advocating for some kids in China. This sweet boy shares a birthday with me. I just felt connected to him somehow. We switched agencies to pursue this little man. This is only the very beginning of the story though...more later.

Hearing Him

I was able to attend Created For Care in Georgia this weekend. Such a great time! One of the speakers talked about teaching our kids to hear from the Lord the way Samuel did. It's as simple as asking them to listen for what God is telling them when you read a Bible story. Our conversations have been a little abstract to say the least, but it's a great exercise for kids to know that God speak through His word.

My sister-in-law had back surgery a few weeks ago, so we've been able to have some extra hang time with cousins. So fun all snuggled up and reading together. We are reading the Jesus Story Book Bible for the second time through with Sophie. Every story points to Jesus and refers to Him as "the rescuer". I love this Bible! Micah just saw the picture of the Bible on Amazon and says "Bible. Bible. Daddy read Bible." That kid is awesome!

*It was clearly bedtime. The bags under my eyes speak for themselves.

Congratulations to our "Squares" Winners and a BIG thank you to everyone who played

Thanks again to everyone who played the Super Bowl squares game and contributed to the adoption fund. We are really blessed to have such great friends and family.

Below are the winners if anyone was curious.

Completed Squares

Thanks everyone for playing. Below are the completed squares.


Good luck!

SQUARES...this time it's SUPER!!!

It's the Big Game...the Super Showdown...the Fund-raising Phenom!

Super Bowl XLV. The Steelers going for their record setting 7th Championship vs. the Packers, the second oldest team in the NFL going for their 4th Super Bowl win.

The adoption of baby Silas is getting closer (hopefully around this summer). While we're excited, we also need to finalize the financial portion of the adoption. We had so much fun doing the Michigan vs. Michigan State Squares fund raiser, and we had a lot of great feedback on it as well. Most of all, we were so blessed by the funds that it raised to help with the adoption expenses. Here is a fun way to help raise funds, add a little extra interest to the game, and have a chance to win up to $500.


For those who don't know what "squares" is... It's simple really...and yet a little hard to explain. We will create a grid with 100 squares. Across the top, will be the Pittsburgh Steelers and 10 columns numbered 0-9 (randomly selected). Down the left side, will be the Green Bay Packers and 10 rows numbered 0-9 (randomly selected). For every $25 donation, your name will be randomly assigned to a square. That square will have a corresponding number at the top for the Steelers, and a corresponding number on the left for the Packers. See the grid below with the example names of Joe, Sue, Bob and Mary:
Based on the score at the end of each quarter of regulation time (for those non-football fans, there are 4 quarters in football), we will determine a winner for that quarter. That winner will receive $125, and will still have the chance to win in subsequent quarters - up to $500.

Looking at the above example, if the score at the end of the first quarter was Steelers 3 - Packers 0, Mary would be the winner because the Steelers score ended with 3 and the Packers ended with 0. Moving on, if the score at the end of the second quarter was Packers 7 - Steelers 3, Sue would win $125. If the score at the end of the third quarter was Steelers 10 - Packers 7, Bob would win $125. Finally, if the score at the end of the 4th quarter was Steelers 13 - Packers 7, Sue would actually win another $125.

Hopefully that makes sense. If you're ready for the fun, click the PayPal link below and donate $25 for every square you would like to purchase.

Enough

I am struck by this FACT...

It is a worthy enough cause to raise children who love the Lord their God, who show Him to the world and who are secure in being His.

It is enough and also so much. What an overwhelming task to bring little (and big) people continually to the cross while trying to remain there myself. Each and every day, I fail. Multiple times. The hope is in getting back up and doing it all again tomorrow. The monumental task ever in the front of my mind. Enjoying the moments and the journey. They are a worthy task. Housework, Facebook, committees, meetings, sleep...all else can fall away. Staying in the moment and enjoying the moment will be my focus and joy this Christmas...daily renewal my saving Grace!