LOVE BEN!

If you are wanting to LOVE ON ORPHANS in Ethiopia, WE ARE TAKING DONATIONS WHEN WE GO MEET OUR SON!  CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF NEEDED ITEMS!

Jeff and I are joining this precious "LOVE BEN" campaign, and we urge each of you to join in too!  (But HURRY!  You only have until July 8th!)  B is a sweet precious boy that my friend, Jen, and her husband have been trying to adopt ~ along with their daughter, Remy.

Their story is a heartbreaking one.  While they are exstatic to be going to bring HOME their daughter, Remy, they are forced to leave Ben behind.  Paperwork conflicts and the enemy are interfering with the adoption of their son.  I figure Jen's own words say it better than my own:

Our daughter Remy passed court on her actual court date (WHAT??? That happens????) on March 10th. She has been cleared for travel since mid-April. At that point, we still believed we were going to pass court for Ben ANY SECOND. So we just hung on. Now our last chance to pass "the easy way" is shattered and we realize we are in for a huge battle. We have no idea what that means. Hopefully something clearer will emerge from the cluster fog this week, and we'll have a better idea what our next steps with his case are.

But we do know this: It will not be quick. If we are dealing with higher courts and lawyers and tricky documentation, we are in for the long haul.

Which is why we're going for Remy. She is a precious little gem too, and her last year (and whole life) has held too much tragedy to even comprehend for a five-year-old. She is a mess. She is like a feral cat. She needs us desperately. Yesterday. So we're getting her in 3 weeks.

Oh, Ben.

Ben and Remy are not biologically related, but he has taken to big brotherhood like you cannot imagine. They are too precious together. This separation is going to be devastating. Having me fly back to Ethiopia and taking Remy without him is pretty much the worst scenario we can think of. But here we are, choosing between two terrible things knowing that either way, it's crushing. I cannot sleep. I cannot think. I can hardly bear this. I'm so worried for him.

I was awake from 3:30-6:00 am last night, thinking, praying, crying, and brainstorming about Ben. God said, "How have I encouraged you more than anything else during this wait?" That's easy. People. Tons of people. Thousands even. "How about you ask your people to comfort Ben? What's good for you will be good for him."

This is where you come in.

I'd like to take Ben a photo album of friends and family and strangers even demonstrating your commitment to him in prayer and love. I'm asking for you (and your kids, or just your kids, or your whole family, or your neighbors, or your small group, or whoever) to make a simple poster that says something like:

We love you, Beniam!

We are praying for you, Beniam!

Can't wait until you are home, Beniam!

You are loved, Beniam!

You are so brave, Beniam!

Whatever. Pick one. Make one up. (Please use his full name: Beniam!) Email me at jenhatmail@aol.com and I'll attach a picture of Beniam that you can print out and put on your poster. I want him to see people holding his picture, saying his name. I want him to know YOU ARE LOVED, SON. You are not forgotten. Not for one second. You have an army of friends who are on your side, praying for your homecoming.

Take a digital pic of you and your people with the poster and email it to me at jenhatmail@aol.com. I'll print them all out and make a Love Ben photo album to bring with me. I leave on the 15th, and I'd love to have all these in by the 8th.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

You have been such comforters to me and Brandon. We are so grateful and overwhelmed by it all. Nothing you could do would be more meaningful to us than helping us comfort our son.

CHURCH FAMILY LOVE

As if we didn't feel BLESSED beyond measure already with our referral of our sweet baby boy, and our July 21st Court Date.....

....Today we were reminded of what a precious Church Family we have as well!  One of our pastors invited us to come to their weekly Prayer Meeting that they hold, so they could pray over Jeff and me, baby K, and the whole adoption process!  How sweet is THAT!?!?!?

Our Church Family already SO. LOVES. OUR. SON!!!!

We are so blessed and thankful!  They have been there for us during our fertility issues and miscarriages, and now they are standing right alongside us as we walk out this JOYFUL journey to our sweet baby boy!  They have been such great sources of encouragement, joy, genuine love, and most importantly, Prayers!  They showered us with this love and with their prayers this morning, and was it ever sweet!

Pastor Tri prayed with such power for all anxiety and fear to be removed so that we could bask in the pure JOY of these last steps to our son!  I had not yet shared with him the fear and anxiety I was carrying with me regarding the looming court closures, paperwork/MOWCYA letter, and the current issues that show the enemy is at work in trying to cease or delay adoptions in ET right now....

As Jeff and I left church, I was almost giggling with a freedom!  A JOY!  Just like that, the fear and anxiety were lifted!  Thank You, God!  I don't think I realized the burden I was carrying, until it was lifted from me!

So many sweet words were prayed over us.  Hearts that poured out love, words asking God to guide every. single. remaining. step. ahead.  Requests of His intervention with the MOWCYA Director and staff for complete paperwork.  Pleas for protection over our hearts when we have to say "see ya soon" and leave ET.  I could go on and on!  There was such POWER in these prayers!  And they came from such genuine hearts!

Pastor Mike shared his vision of Haggar, when she was sent into the wilderness with her son.  As she ran out of food and water, she placed her son under a shrub in fear that he would die.  "God heard the boy crying," Mike shared with us.  An angel came to Haggar saying, "....do not be afraid;  God has heard the boy crying as he lies there."  If you recall this story, God provided a well for the boy to drink!

Pastor Mike clarified that his picture had nothing to do with the description of Haggar's son {THANK YOU, GOD!  Ha!}, and everything to do with God hearing the boy's cry and meeting his need.  Such a great reminder that our Heavenly Father knows even better than we do, what our son needs.......and He is providing for "K!"

Michael shared with us the verse Isaiah 40:11......

He will tend His flock like a shephard,

He will gather the lambs in His arms;

He will carry them in His bosom,

and gently lead those that are with young.

God is carrying our son in his bosom!  HE. HAS. THIS!!!  I need not worry over the "what ifs."  I, once again, need to surrender my son to my Heavenly Father.  I need to lay him at the cross, trusting that God has so beautifully orchestrated every detail thus far, and He is not going to leave loose ends dangling now.  He is gently guiding Jeff and me......and will continue to......as we seek His divine guidance with parenting our precious son.

What precious ways to be reminded that God is protecting and providing for our son!  

It was such a memorable morning!  We will never forget the desire of our Church Family to cover us, our son, and the remaining steps of our adoption in His Power, Peace and Love!  We felt it this morning, and we still carry it with us tonight!  I am sure God will bless us with it at every. single. remaining. step!

THANK YOU, CHURCH FAMILY!  For the awesome prayers this morning.  For the love that overflows from you.  And for giving us such a divine family to raise our son in!  He will be blessed, as we are, to grow up knowing each one of you!

We cannot WAIT for you all to meet him!

Our blessing you are helping to PRAY HOME!!!!

WE NEED YOUR IMMEDIATE HELP!!!

URGENT DONATIONS NEEDED!!!

We are hoping to bless the children of Ethiopia when we travel to meet "K" and I want to share how YOU CAN HELP LOVE ON THESE KIDDOS IN ET!!!!   Our goal is to fill FOUR suitcases of needed items that we can take to various orphanages!....and we travel in just 21 DAYS!!!!

These donations will go to children in the orphanage where "K" is currently staying, the orphanage he was in before coming to this current Transition House, as well as a couple other orphanages that our agency networks with.  We would also like to bless the orphanage for the older children with AWAA (our agency).

Feel free to provide any of the items below......or, if you prefer, you can send a financial donation toward the children's needs and we will purchase the items for you!

Here are the donations we are seeking:

1.   Iron drops

2.   A+D diaper ointment, diaper rash and all purpose skincare formula

3.   Diapers (for up to 30 pounds)

4.   Unscented baby wipes

5.   Powder Formula with DHA/RHA

6.   Enfamil and Similac lactose free formula

       *  other lactose free formulas with identical nutritional value also accepted, including: 

           a.  Kirkland brand from Costco

           b.  Target's generic formula

           c.   Parent's Choice formula from Wal-Mart 

Soy based or other special formulas are also acceptable as long as they are the above-mentioned brands

7.  Children's clothing (new or slightly used); both genders; 0-8 yrs old.  Needs include day clothes (especially pants), pajamas, underwear, and shoes...girls clothes (18-24 mos) is now covered!

8.  Bath towels for children

9.  Toys to stimulate babies such as colorful objects, rattles, etc, that are appropriate for babies up to 2 years

10.  Children's DVDs, especially educational or spiritually based movies

11.  Children's devotional books and books with spiritual and character building focus

12.  Devotional books for older children

13.  Hair shavers (3 needed)

14.  Hand sanitizer

15.  SCRUBS - nannies wear scrubs while working (sizes small and medium)

Medications/Medical Donation Needs

16.  Multi-vitamins

           a.  Tri-vi-sol (0-6 months)

           b.  Poly-vi-sol (6 months - 2 years)

           c.  Chewable multi-vitamin (2-9 years)

           d.  Adult mulitvitamin (9 years plus)

17.  Tylenol (acetaminophen)

           a.  Infants

           b.  Children

           c.  Suppository

18. Baby nose saline spray

19. Neosporin

20.  Syringes for giving medicine

21.  Plastic and Latex disposable gloves

22.  Mouth and nose masks

23.  Benadryl liquid/elixir

24.  Permetherin for scabies

25.  Lice kits

26.  Toothbrushes, toothpastes, dental floss

*PLEASE check the expiration date on all donation items as expired items will be discarded upon receipt and cannot be used.          

 PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTRIBUTE IN ANY WAY!  

We would be HAPPY to love on these children in your honor!  We need to have the items no later than July 13th, but the sooner the better (to help us organize the packing)!

Contact me with questions or arrangements for pick-up:  debbmarquez@gmail.com

WE MISS YOU, PAPA!

With much sorrow, I share with you the news that Papa (Jeff's grandfather) passed away last Sunday, on Father's Day.  The family void is felt by all of us already.  This great man had a huge presence, in that he lived life fully, laughed freely and gregariously and he loved passionately.  One could not help but be touched just by meeting him.  He would always make you laugh and he always left an impact on your heart.  Whether your encounter with him was brief or for many years, he made his imprint on your heart.  For the better.

Men are sobbing at this world's great loss of Papa.

I didn't know you as long as the rest of the family, Papa, but I am blessed for the time shared with you.  I will forever remember your huge smile that would overtake your face.  The way your eyes would dance with your love and excitement for life.  I will miss your great zest for life and adventure.  And your zeal to share those adventure-filled stories with Jeff and me.  I will always remember your natural way of chatting with strangers, as you would often make wait staff laugh and feel as though they were family.  Papa, you welcomed me into the family with open arms and an instant love.  I THANK YOU, PAPA!

I will always respect the way Papa loved his family.  His love for Grama was evident in all that he did.  And all that he said.  His love for her glowed from within every time he looked at her.  Joked with her.  Doded on her.  He loved his wife and all of his years married to her.  And he was proud to let the world know.  He often spoke to Jeff about the importance of keeping marriage Alive.  Fresh.  Full.  Real.  Jeff received those messages over all those years, and watched his Papa live out what he would teach.  Jeff now carries out those same intentions in our marriage.  I THANK YOU, PAPA!

Papa taught Jeff so very much throughout life.  From Jeff's young age to his present adult life.  Jeff and Papa shared an amazing connection as best friends, "coach," companion, and family.  Their relationship reflects a true example of genuine love.  Openly expressed love, adventure, and respect.  No regrets.  

Just sorrow for this early end.

You leave us empty at the thought of no more new memories with you, Papa.  Yet, you leave us so FULL of all that you were.  I carry with me the sweet times spent together and the stories you shared of your passion-filled life.  You've inspired me to live life to its fullest.  Every. Single. Day.

You have inspired your grandson in uncountable ways.  You taught him his love for the outdoors.  You filled him with his passion to live life to its fullest.  You showed him how to conquer each day without fear of failure ~ and how to pick back up if things turn out differently than you originally planned.  You taught "Juice" how to love completely ~ his life, his family, his wife, his work, and yes, his play.  You inspired Jeff in so many ways, Papa.  Your life reminds him that life is to be LIVED.  With a purpose.  A passion.  A joy.  You helped shape the wonderful man my husband is today.  And for that, I say again, THANK YOU, PAPA!!!! 

You may be gone from this world, physically, but your spirit lives on.  In each life that you impacted eternally.  We carry you with us and look forward to sharing your love and passion for life with our son. Your legend lives on........we miss you, Papa!............

Papa....The Great Packer....

One of the zillion days skiing with your bride....

British Columbia Fun with Jeff

More BC and mt and fishing fun with "Juice".....

Goofin' around....as always....

Grama, Papa, Jeff, Walt (Jeff's Dad)

Our wedding day.....love the tie, Papa!

Jenni (Jeff's mom), Papa, Molly (Jeff's sis).

  Grama, me, Papa alongside their pool

on a cooler AZ day....

 ......WE MISS YOU, PAPA!.........

WE ARE COMING, BABY "K!"

WOW!  We are humbled and completely AWED 
by our Awesome GOD!

WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!!!

YES!  We will be going before the Ethiopian Courts on July 21st!  YES!  We got in BEFORE the court closures for the rainy season (Aug-Sept)!  NOTHING. SHORT. OF. A. MIRACLE!  We are still amazed by God's goodness!  Completely floored.

What a precious day-after-Father's-Day gift this call was for my honey, and a sweet belated birthday gift this court date is for me!  {my birthday is July5th}.  There is also another sweet something about the date of our call, but that is for another post.

I was about to pick up my cell to call Grama and Jenni (Jeff's mom) yesterday, June 20, when the phone rang.  Area code 703!  My heart skipped a beat, until I remembered that we had just finalized our home study that very day.  "Oh, I bet it has to do with the HS" I said out loud to myself.

When I learned it was Kristen (and not Catilin, our family coordinator), my heart skipped a beat again.  "Could this be a court date call?"  I wondered in disbelief.  That is, until I tuned in better to what she was saying and decided Kristen was just giving us a courtesy call to introduce herself as the travel coordinator.  {BUMMER!  I was thinking to myself, only really half listening to Kristen, I think}

.....Until I heard her say......"and I am calling with some especially good news for you today!  We have a Court Date for you!  July 21st!"

S-Q-U-E-A-L-I-N-G was all I could get to come out of my mouth!  "Oh, Praise God!"  I finally managed to say besides a squeal.  Kristen said, "Yes, as a matter of fact, I had not introduced myself to you or sent you any preliminary emails because cases just do not get processed this fast!  I was shocked too!  But CONGRATULATIONS!"  {I could hear the smile on her face through the phone, bless her heart}

Between more squeals I practically yelled, "This is because God soooo wants our baby HOME without running into the court closures!"........."We have waited soooooo loooong to 'meet' him......and now you are telling me we will be H.O.L.D.I.N.G him soon!?"......."God is so amazing!"

Don't worry.  I did eventually let her speak again and give me the details of how things will go from here!  {wink}  Kristen was a sweet gem and let me bask in the glory of the news, moving me forward gradually allowing things to settle in as we went along.  I bet she felt like she was giving a referral call!  Ha!

Well, we were over the moon HAPPY with "meeting" our baby boy at referral; and we continue to be blessed by sweet friends who offer to love on him and take pics/videos of him {next best thing to actually having him in our arms......so grateful to each one of you!}; and now this!?!?!?  


A court date one month after our referral!?!!?!?!?


On our knees with gratitude to the graciousness of our Heavenly Father.  AWED by how "nothing is impossible for Him!"

So now what, you ask!?!?...........

We have signed the travel packet information our agency needs to move forward, and it is sitting in Kristen's email box.  Our home study is updated.  We kept putting off taking the oral Typhoid vaccine, and it expired!  UGH!  So we are picking up the new stuff tomorrow and. we. start. taking. it. tomorrow!  No matter what!  And.....we have begun considering flight options TO. GO. SEE. OUR. SWEET. BABY. BOY!!!!!!  OUR SON!!!!

We plan to travel the weekend prior to the court date, giving us three days to love on him before court!

We are on our knees PRAISING God for this miracle of a court date!  PRAISING Him for providing us such loving family and friends who share in our JOY of this amazing news!  And PRAISING Him for all He is doing right now to give orchestrate the details of helping us Pass Court on July 21st!  GO, GOD!!!!!

THANK YOU, GOD!!!!!

WE BELIEVE!!!!!

Happy Father's Day, Honey!

I am so lucky to have you!  

Watching your JOY as you stare into your son's pictures fills my heart to overflowing.  Watching you talk about bringing "K" home and being his Daddy melts. my. heart.  Watching your eyes light up at the mere mention of your son almost moves me to tears.  Watching you stand firm in your faith as we walk out this journey to our sweet son has amazed and inspired me.

Honey, you already are an amazing Daddy to our little "K."  I see how proud you are of him.  How faithfully you pray our precious bundle HOME, and ask God to provide for and protect our sweet son.  I notice how you speak as though he is already home, here in our daily lives.  A part of us.  I hear how you dream of what it will be like to cuddle and play with your little buddy.  How you dream of ways in which you may help him succeed in fulfilling his dreams, whatever they may be.  I listen to how you share with others how "K" has already changed your life ~ our life ~ for the better, and how excited you are to welcome the other changes that parenthood brings.  

I know you, honey.  I know your heart.  I experience every day the overflowing LOVE that comes from that heart. The KINDNESS you spread to everyone you meet.  The JOY you share with all who encounter you.  The PEACE you exude just by being in your presence.  The HOPE you spread with your encouraging words.  The FAITH you share with all who will listen ~ and to those who simply watch your daily life.

YOU BLESS ME!  You bless our marriage!  And you already bless sweet baby "K."  I THANK GOD for bringing YOU to me.  For allowing us to share in the raising of our precious son.  I know how MUCH "K" has already blessed both you and me.  I also know how much YOU are going to bless him just by being his Daddy.  Just by being the man you are!!!

We may have walked a bumpy road to parenthood, but sweetheart, walking alongside YOU, hand-in-hand, with God as our guide, I can honestly say the journey has been beautiful and sweet.  Even amidst the pain of waiting, with you ~ and God ~ each step has only brought us closer as a couple and closer to our Heavenly Father.  A precious gift, indeed.  


And, OOOHHHH, to have this journey bring us to sweet "K!"  God is SO AMAZING!!!..........

And now, here we are!  YOU. ARE. A. DADDY!!!!  We know the face of the sweet soul we have been waiting for all this time!  (I even see parts of you in his face!........how does God do that!?!?!?)  We understand that the wait was extended so our sweet boy could enter into the world!  


How sweet is it that we are celebrating "knowing" our son for One Month  ON Father's Day!?!?!?  Yup!  One month ago today, we got THE CALL introducing us to "K!"  May it be next month that we get to meet him in person, hold him and love on him!  Our family!


I bask in the glory that our precious son is in the Lord's hands, and in the hands of nannies who really do love him.  I walk in peace knowing that he will be further blessed as he comes HOME and experiences, first-hand, his Daddy's love.  Your amazing love, honey.  I cannot wait to watch as he begins to take on his Daddy's characteristics.  


You have given me so much in our love and in our marriage.  I cannot WAIT for "K" to be blessed by all that you are!!!!!  


WE are so lucky to have you!!!


With All My Love, Always,
Me

He Turned Our Mourning Into Dancing.....

"YOU HAVE TURNED MY MOURNING INTO DANCING......

THAT I MIGHT SING PRAISES TO YOU 

AND NOT BE SILENT.  O LORD, MY GOD, 

I WILL GIVE YOU THANKS FOREVER."

PSALM 30: 11,12

Well, we are still pinching ourselves pretty much daily, to double check and make sure that this whirlwind of GREATNESS is REAL!!!!  Guess what!!??!!??  IT IS!!!!!!

I am still so amazed.  AWED, really.  I lose myself as I stare into those big beautiful brown eyes of our son.  I find myself wanting to kiss those sweet lips.  Nuzzle his cute neck.  And smother those cheeks with more kisses and love than he can fathom!  {momma giggle inserted here}


I reflect on the pain experienced to get here.  The unknowns.  The waiting.  The changed timelines.  The extended waiting.  The deep ache in my momma heart.  The longing to SEE the face of our child.  The tears shed with questions of "why does this have to take this long?"......

Now we know.  Now we realize that those timelines had to be postponed ~ for "K" wasn't even born yet!  God knew!  God wasn't "holding out on us!"  His plan was GOOD!!!  


God kept me afloat when I had nothing left.  When my "wait meter" was on empty.  When my heart hurt so badly that I struggled to stand strong in my faith.  In my hope.  In my trust in Him.  In fact, one week to the day before we "met" our sweet baby boy, I spent FOUR hours just rocking in K's nursery.  I had come home from work with an ache and longing that I could no longer ignore.  


I spent the first part of my time rocking in tears.  Crying for the son I so deeply loved and had not yet met.  I cried for the void of "wait" I felt I had left.  I cried for our son, wondering where he was....who he was....and when we would "meet" him via THE CALL.  Through the tears, I was able to then spend the second portion of my time there in prayer.  Begging God to replenish me.  Pleading with Him to help hold me up, as I no longer felt the ability to stand in faith on my own.  Asking Him to forgive my doubt, worry and anxiety.  I laid it all ~ the waiting, the dreaming, the believing, the worry of the timeline, the concern for what our son may be needing ~ all of it.  I (re-) laid it at our Father's feet.


I told Him I felt I could not go on without Him holding me upright.  Without Him picking up my feet for each remaining step forward.  Without Him refueling my heart with hope, energy and faith.  Again.  I apologized for feeling weak, while then thanking Him for being strong amidst my weakness.  Thanking Him for loving me and my family enough to continue to fight the good fight to bring us together.  Forever.  I began restating my faith and belief in Him.  Trusting, once again, that His plan for us is GOOD.  Claiming again that His will for our lives is EXACTLY where we want to be.  And, eventually, praising Him for bringing me to a place of peace once again.


Just like David in the Psalms.  I started out depleted, feeling forgotten and yes, a bit forelorn.  However, after spending time with Him; being honest with Him (He knows my heart anyway); by the end of my time with God, I was praising Him and thanking Him and standing strong in my belief again!  Standing strong in His strength.  Not mine.  The way He wanted it from the start!  


I LOVE IT how He works that out like that!


Meanwhile, as He was rebuilding me, He was also orchestrating the final details of our match with our son.  He was finalizing the paperwork to allow AWAA to give us "THE CALL" ~ just one week to the day after this "God Time!"  It's always darkest before the dawn, right!?!?

And now........God has turned our mourning into dancing!

We are still dancing!  Our souls are doing the Samba and our hearts are doing the Tango!  We are dancing together as a couple, and I feel I am having a divine dance with God!  I no sooner re-released my efforts to control and "figure out" this adoption, thus, allowing God to gently guide my steps!  The steps are beyond walking now, we are D.A.N.C.I.N.G!!!!!


He gently guides me which direction to go and my feet just naturally follow!  I thought this floating feeling was from being on Cloud Nine, but maybe it is from floating above the dance floor of life, as my Heavenly Father guides the dance!


Either way, our journey has turned to dancing!  And we are having the time of our life!  
As the verse says, 

WE WILL NOT BE SILENT!!!  

WE WILL SING PRAISES TO 

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER!!!  

WE WILL GIVE HIM THANKS 

FOREVER!

THANK YOU, JACKIE!

Here is the very first care package we sent ~ to the Mullis Family!  They have been patiently waiting to be cleared for travel to BRING THEIR TWO KIDDOS HOME!!!!  They FINALLY got the great news and will be traveling TODAY!  Praising God, as this has been an incredibly longer-than-normal wait for this family!

Upon receiving our referral and our "meeting" of our son, Jackie immediately offered to take him a care package when they travel to bring their kiddos HOME ~ I think it was even the same day we got the referral!  I had it sent out within days of her offer ~ which is why it was our first care package put together for K*******.

We send out a big WOOHOO and THANK YOU!!!! to The Wanderers', Hendersens' and Nichols', who all went over to ET last week.  Each family offered to love on our son while there!   The Wanderers' took K***** a care package for us, and the Hendersens' took photos and video.  We can't wait to see them once these families get settled with their kiddos at HOME!!!!

Well......Jackie hops on a plane today to get her son, Micah, and their daughter, Sarah Faith!  Their story is an amazing test of faith, to say the least!  Ufdah!  Nonetheless, we are SO EXCITED for them to bring their children home FOREVER!!!!

Here is the package we sent to Jackie within days of "meeting" our sweet son.......just think!  He will be getting it sometime this week, and she is going to take pics and video too!!!!
We are SO B-L-E-S-S-E-D!!!

 Sweet outfit, rattle, and a photo book

Mommy put together with lots of pictures

of Mommy, Daddy, Fischer and Kastle 

(our doodles)!

 Itty bitty wrist rattles. 

Thinking this might keep you entertained 

while you wait for us to come!

All put into a one gallon ziploc.

(Everything we send must fit into one of these)

THANK YOU, JACKIE AND FAMILY!  


MAY GOD BLESS YOUR REUNION WITH YOUR CHILDREN
AND BRING ALL OF YOU HOME SAFELY!!!!


WE LOVE YOU, LITTLE BUDDY!

MONKEY BUSINESS....and some other stuff

CHECK OUT MR. MONKEY!

 I'M TALKING A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!!!

 Had to show a side view so you can see his cute tail!

I SOOO can't wait for little K******* to meet his new friend!  This stuffed guy has so much personality!  Not that it matters, because I think our little guy will be carrying Mr. Monkey with him everywhere he goes (yes, of course once he starts walking, that is!), but his light blue, navy, green and white colors SOOOO go well in the nursery too!  

WANT ONE LIKE HIM?  You could get your sweet babe a monkey while also helping my friend, Faith, and her husband, Travis, to bring home their child from Ethiopia!  They are currently raising funds so they can send their Dossier to Ethiopia and get on that wait list!  The colors of stripes seem pretty much endless, or you can order one of the "original" sock monkeys!

HOW DO YOU GET ONE?  There are two ways to order one of these cute monkeys!

1.  www.etsy.com/shop/foryourchildandmine  click on this link and shop via her etsy shop.....OR......

2.  Email Faith at fegingerich@gmail.com

THEY ARE HOPING TO PLACE A MONKEY IN EVERY STATE!  TEN STATES HAVE ONE OF THESE CUTE LITTLE GUYS ALREADY!  WILL YOUR STATE BE NEXT?!?!?

Well, our Mr. Monkey will be sitting here patiently waiting the arrival of his soon-to-be lifetime friend.....our SON!!!!  And yes, he will be keeping mommy company when she sits in the nursery dreaming of the day that K******* will be in there with her!!!  THANKS, Faith!  I LOVE HIM!!!

On another note...............

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR 

SWEET ANNIVERSARY WISHES!  

Our Anniversary was spectacular!!!  It started off with Jeff sneaking off and getting me my favorite coffee drink E-V-E-R......Skinny Milkyway from Moxie (were talking the 20oz!).....and an egg bagel sandwich from Blue Sky Bagels!  YUM!  And the card he gave me was SO SWEET!!!  The afternoon and evening included special things such as these:

THANK YOU, HONEY!

 Dinner at one of our FAVORITE SPOTS!.....

 J had a huge rack of ribs and I had steak on a sizzlin' rock!

 Dessert was fried ice cream on a stick!  For realz!

 GOTTA HAVE THE HONEY!!!!

Always room for ice cream, right!?!?  

{SIDE NOTE:  Ohhh, yes, that is a storm brewing in the background........and the doodles were left outside!  Hey, it was sunny and nice out when we left!  Worse part......we didn't even THINK of them getting all rained on, until almost home!}  

I gave Jeff his gift and card at dinner.  Although Jeff doesn't drink a whole lot, he really does enjoy trying new microbrews, so for the next year he is going to be part of the Beer of the Month Club!  He is going to receive four different microbrews every other month.  Great way to try new microbrews from all over the world, right!?  He loved it!

Then......while we were enjoying our wonderful evening of GREAT conversation and AWESOME food ~ the world's BEST guacamole, we were blessed by a surprise "hello." A sweet  lady, Lenora, introduced herself to us as she walked by our table.  It turns out that both she and her friend, Barb, recognized us because they go to our church and read my blog!

We had such a fun visit with these two precious women! 

This was taken at their table ~ all the Princess stuff Barb gave Lenora 

for her birthday ~ wanting her to feel like royalty.  Crown and all! 

It blessed our evening to come home and see all of the good wishes from so many of you via email, FB and here!  WE THANK EACH ONE OF YOU for joining us in our celebration of four wonderful years!

We look forward to so many more years together, and know that this year will be an especially sweet one, with bringing K******* HOME!!!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BABE!!!

.

WOW!  FOUR YEARS as husband and wife!   That may sound piddly to some, but I stand amazed 

at our precious four years together.  I THANK GOD for you, honey.

YOU have brought me so much JOY, LAUGHTER and LOVE!

 Remember the love that surrounded us with our family and friends that day?

We still get "in our own little world"......

You made me feel like a princess on our wedding day!

And you still do, my love!  You still do!

 Walking out of the garden ~

as Husband and Wife...

...Into a life we loved to imagine, knowing only that we had one another, and that that was more than enough!  Praising God for bringing our lives together, blessing our love and lives, trusting that He would protect and provide for us from this day forward.  Just as He had up to this point.

Through you, Jeff, God has shown me how He LOVES to lavish us with His love and shower His blessings upon us!  Through you, He shows me how He desires to fill the dreams of my heart.  The very dreams that HE places in my heart!  He gave me the vision of you.  Long before I ever knew you.  You had no face, but your presence, and your love for me and for God was so very real.  It often felt like I could reach out and touch you, your "presence" was so real. 

Those days when I questioned God's intent regarding my future marriage, He always reminded me to "Be still.  Know that I am God.  I am working on this for you.  You don't want just any marriage.  You have requested a divine marriage.  Blessed and lead by me.  And I desire this for you.  But such works of art are rare.  And require time.  My heavenly intervention."

And so I waited.  For you.

And as I have said so many times.......DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE!!!!  God surpassed my dreams!  With you!  You love me better than I could have ever dreamed! 

I love your heart for God.  Your desire to be a Godly husband and father.  I love your patience.  And your ability to help me in moments of impatience.  I love how you make my heart light.  How my love for you can "bubble over."  I love falling asleep with you.  And awakening to you.  I love how you "get me."  And seek to better understand me when you don't.  I love how I still get excited when you walk through the door.  How your kiss hello can make my day.  I love how you can still give me the butterflies.  With a look.  A word.  A touch.

I LOVE YOU MORE WITH EVERY DAY, HONEY!

It's TRUE!  I really do!  I never dreamed it possible, but somehow it IS!!!  This says a LOT when I think of the love I carried for you on our wedding day four short years ago.......and that love has already flourished to so much more!

Just as God asked me to wait for YOU, my dream-come-true and forever love, He has asked us to wait for our son.  Only this time, I get to wait WITH you.  You have loved me so well throughout this journey to K*****, and I cannot WAIT to see you as his Daddy!  Just as YOU were SO worth the wait, I know that I know K****** will be too!  I cannot think of anyone else I would want to walk this amazing journey of adoption with, honey.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY LIFE 

SO RICHLY BLESSED 

AND FULL OF LOVE!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MY DEAR!!!