More photos from the December snow.

Mom with Luke

Mom with Martin

This photo cracks me up!!

NIGHTTIME SNOW FUN

One of the nights during the snow storm we took a LONG walk to a park near by and played in our front yard. I am always amazed at how quiet and peaceful it is when walking at night in the snow. Absolutely beautiful!


Making snow angels in the snow.

We are always thinking about our baby girl!

Snowman

Martin decided he was going to make a snowman now that snow was packable. He made this snowman all by himself! I am still not sure how he was able to lift the snow ball for the head on to the snowman considering it stood taller then him! I can't figure out why we didn't get a full body shot of the snowman, but this is the best we have. He did a great job! He used his magic hat, rolled up pipe cleaners for eyes, and of course the standard carrot for the nose. As you can tell by his smile he was very pleased with it.

Winter

During our last winter storm my son Luke really wanted to go and build something cool in the snow. He asked if I would help him. We worked for 2 1/2 hours to make this small castle. We combined our ideas and with a lot of hard work this was our final product. I wanted to make it higher, but was so exhausted I just couldn't build anymore. We had tons of fun and made some fun memories. Luke was REALLY happy with it and that is all that mattered to me :-)


What is funny is that we used so much snow to make this castle
yet the ground is still covered with snow. We hardly made a dent!

Luke putting some finishing touches on.

Taking a rest after the ground level was in place.

The beginning stages of level two.

Our design was beginning to take form.

Great Idea

I thought this was really cool. It is wonderful to think about all the countries that have tons of children with lots of energy being able to have electricity and running water from something like this.

This is one of many things that breaks my heart

One of my adoption friends posted this video on her blog and it was so powerful that I wanted to share it on my blog too. This is an eye-opener as to the devastating condition that children are living in today. All I could do was cry as I watched this video.

FINALLY I-800A APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't tell you how ELATED I am to FINALLY have our I-800A approval!!!!!!!!!!!! I received voice and email confirmation this morning. Who would have thought that one document would take 6-1/2 months to get approved.....yes you read that right 6-1/2 months!!!!?? I am just happy to say that I can FINALLY check this box off on the long list of things to get done in our adoption process.

I am one happy camper!!!! I think a family celebration of Indian food is in order for the weekend!!

ONE YEAR TODAY

Today marks one year that we sent in our first application for our adoption process. I can't believe it has already been a year!! At times it feels like a lot longer. We are still awaiting the approval of our I-800A. This has been a 6 month process all in itself!!. I am hopeful that when everybody gets back to work on Monday after the holiday break our approval will be on its way. We are currently waiting at #6 for our little princess. I know that everybody ahead of us is waiting for a girl too. I pray that there is a HUGE batch of referrals that come through in the first couple months of this year.

I find it discouraging at times to be waiting with no timeline really to go by. My boys ask me questions all the time like, "When will our sister get here?, How much longer for a referral?. When is our I-800A finally going to get approved?, all of which I have NO answer for. They are already tired of waiting... we all are. They will tell me I really wish our sister was already here. I just wish I could give them a better answer to their specific questions other than telling them I just don't know. All I can say is God knows where your sister is, who she is, when she will come home and we need to continue to wait and trust God's timing.


I find myself wondering if our little Alesha (that is the name we have picked out for her) has even been born yet? What does she look like? What will her personality be like? It is difficult to deal with all the unknowns, but I know one day we will have answers to these questions. People will ask me, "Do you have a picture of her?" I then explain that we don't have a referral yet. Then they think that as soon as that happens we will have her right away. At that point I smile and say that is just the beginning of a LOT more paperwork and waiting.


Our family talks about Alesha all the time. I like to call her by her name, because it makes the waiting process more real to me. We wonder what life will be like when she finally joins our family...car seats, diapers, the boys are concerned about crying..ha ha, how we will ask for a table of 5 instead of 4 when we go out to eat and will need to ask for a high chair. It will be strange starting all over with a baby, but we are really excited. With the last snow storm I was thinking about Alesha and I wrote "We ♥ Alesha" in the snow. I wonder if she will like the snow?

Well I am rambling now so I will close with this section from a book I received from a friend for Christmas called God's Road Map for Women by Bordon and Winters. It has different scripture passages, a story and a section of text where God speaks to you as His child regarding all the different areas of your life. Anyways, I looked up Trials, because I feel like this adoption has been a trial of sorts and this is what impacted me today. I thought it might encourage all of my friends on the same road as I am in the adoption process.

The scriptures are James 1:2-4, 1Peter 1: 6-7, 1 Corinthians 10:13, and Romans 5:3

This is the section where God is speaking to His child

"Precious Child,

I know exactly what you are going through and how you feel. When Jesus suffered on the cross, He took on all of your pains, physical and emotional. He is an understanding and compassionate High Priest.

All that said, I want to assure you that I am at work in this situation, even though you may not be able to see it. I am causing everything to work out for the ultimate best in your life. Your part is to keep your heart right--walk in love toward others and trust Me fully, keeping My promises before your eyes. The circumstances you are encountering are real, but the truth in My word will change any earthly circumstance. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego escaped the fiery furnace untouched, you will too. Not a hair on your head will be singed.

Your loving Father "