Dear Friends,

I've been putting off blogging in the hope that my next entry would be sharing the excellent news that we were traveling to Russia to meet our children. We were expecting that to happen in March, after our paperwork was accepted by the adoption committee. Without going into too many details, I must share with you that this trip will not happen. Although the government of Russia is willing to move forward, as we have been for over two years now, there are others who have the power to halt the process by not providing the necessary documents for the adoption. Unfortunately, because of their own negative opinions about Russian children being adopted by American families (whether for economic, political or personal reasons, we'll never know), they have chosen to make it impossible for D & K to be adopted. Our hearts are broken, but we know that God has a plan for us and for them, and we will trust His will. We know that we are called to adopt, and we will. For now, we are trying to grieve this loss and figure out where we are supposed to go from here.

I've started a part-time job as Music Administrator at our church. I'm responsible for scheduling the praise team and planning all the music for worship, among other things. I am so blessed to be able to work with people who are so special to me, and it doesn't feel like work so much as fun.

Life is great for us, overall. Please keep us in your prayers as we try to decide when, where and how we will adopt and add to our family.

Stellan's Story

Pray for Stellan

Friends,

It has been a busy time, and there is so much to update, but this is not the moment for it. I would ask those of you who pray to do so now for little Stellan, whose life hangs in the balance (again) today. You can read his miraculous story and updates here:

I don't believe it!

It's only been a week since my last post, and here I am again! Remember the old days when I was writing more than once in twenty-four hours???

What's been happening this week? We finally moved our YMCA membership from Dover and have been making (almost) daily visits. I love what regular workouts do for my body and my spirit....ahhhhh. We've had one sick little boy, and my biggest boy (my husband) is coming down with something. My tall, skinny teenager has been back to the doctor to get a new physical therapy referral for his bum knee that keeps messing up his cross-country running. I have been cooking and cleaning and running the taxi service, and in between those duties, I'm still trying to find a home study agency to do an update since we left Delaware. We continue to wait for travel dates and wake up every morning thinking maybe this will be the day. Not yet...but one day it WILL be! Matt is going to see his buddy's band play tonight, an all-day scholar bowl competition tomorrow and a band concert on Sunday afternoon. Naw, we're not busy!

We're excited that we have several friends coming to visit between now and Easter! Scott will be here in early March, and Josh & Kim are coming in mid-March. Then in early April, Kelley & Rob and Tory & Peter will be here! How fun it is when our worlds overlap and collide! Gotta love the Air Force!

It's almost bedtime for our little Pooh bear, so I'd better go get him ready. I'm looking forward to a couple of hours all alone before my big guys start arriving home! So many possibilities....what does one do with two hours of "me" time?!?!

Anybody Still Out There???

Hi Friends! It's been far too long (again) since my last post! I have got to get back in the habit, but life has been a whirlwind this past month, and I have barely found time to sleep. I have, however, managed to check facebook regularly, so it's a better way to stay connected with me these days. I guess I've joined the ranks of the FB addicts.

We are now settled into our new home in a new state. Karl has a new job, and our lives are looking much different these days in many ways. In other ways, things are very much the same. We have seen a 70-degree temperature variance in the three weeks we've been here, but I think the entirety of the contiguous 48 states could say the same. We are enjoying renewing relationships with old friends here, but we also miss our Dover friends greatly...especially our small group. There aren't any small groups for couples in our age range (at least not that we've discovered) in our church here, so we'll probably start one if we can find some interested families. We are starting back into the praise team rotation in March and are looking forward to getting back into the groove of Wednesday-night suppers at church, followed by Bible study classes and praise team rehearsal. Our church here is getting a new pastor. As much as we love the former pastor and will miss him, we are also excited about getting to know our new pastor! We have heard wonderful things and are looking forward to hearing her preach and seeing how God will use her to help us grow spiritually and reach out to the community!!! This predominately Caucasian church has, as long as I've been affiliated with it, been very welcoming to all people regardless of race, socioeconomic status, etc. We have many families who have adopted African-American children, as well as children from Russia, China and all over the world. I think it will be a great thing for all of us to have an African-American pastor with such a heart for God and for people! I hear she has a gift for preaching and an enthusiastic, fun and easygoing spirit that will be great for our church!

The good news, adoption-wise, is that our documents were registered and accepted in Russia in January. We were told to expect travel dates at any time, so we are cautiously optimistic and hopeful!

Garin celebrated his third birthday last weekend with his little friend, hot dogs, cupcakes and a beautiful afternoon at the park. We also took him shopping for his new playset and let him spend the birthday money he received. An evening at ToysRUs is heaven to a little boy, but the decision-making is impossible for a three-year-old, so Mama and Daddy helped with that part.

Matt and I have made three trips to the DMV to get his license, but the lines are crazy, and their hours are ridiculously unpredictable, so he hasn't actually gotten to drive yet! We'll go back today and try again. He has been stuck waiting now for over seven months past his 16th birthday, as he got caught up in changes and new requirements that were added to the state driving laws right about the time he was ready to get his license. He's met the requirements. Now if we could just take the stupid test!

Karl is really enjoying his new job! He finds it interesting and challenging and enjoys the people he works with. The nice thing is that he is home every night and is not flying while we're here. There is definitely a lot of adjustment happening, though, because he is working 12-hour days here and eating lunch at his desk. At Dover, we saw him a lot more when he was home and had more flexibility if I needed him to watch Garin when I had a doctor or haircut appointment. I'm learning to work around things, and we're beginning...BEGINNING...to find a rhythm to daily life again. I am looking at a preschool for next year, so Garin can be with other kids three mornings a week for 2.5 hours. That will still let me be with him most of the time and also provide him with socialization and organized learning time. It is becoming obvious that he needs to learn to accept more structure and not have everything his way, at it is when it's just the two of us all day.

In case I don't get back tomorrow...Happy Valentine's Day to all!!!

Merry Christmas to D & K...

As I write this tonight, the day is breaking in St. Petersburg. It is their Christmas Day. I am praying tonight that it will be a joyous and special day for them and that God will somehow give them hope of having a family....soon.

Time to Pack...

HI! I have been sorely negligent lately, haven't I? But life has been so exciting! We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas! Although it is always hard to be away from family during the holidays, we are so blessed with amazing friends who make it not only bearable, but truly joyful. We enjoyed a great Christmas Eve service and had close friends over on Christmas Eve and again on Christmas night, sharing food, laughter and great conversation. Karl, Matt and I were up until 1:30 am on Christmas morning, assembling Garin's train table, but it was all worth it for the look on his face when he woke up and saw it the next morning! After all of our gift-opening, I cooked a nice, big lunch for the four of us on Christmas Day and made my great-grandmother's rolls, which are a necessity for any family holiday celebration. Matt flew out on Saturday afternoon to meet his dad and head to Colorado for some skiing before school resumes. The rest of us had a really special morning at church. It's always iffy when we haven't had praise team rehearsal during the week, but it came together this morning in a big way, and worship was great. We had lunch with three other families, came home for a nap, and then met some other friends for dinner tonight. We're all exhausted, but happily so!

It's back to the office for Karl tomorrow, as he makes preparations for.....drumroll please....our upcoming move!!! We have known for quite some time that we were up for a new assignment, but it has taken so long to get the actual orders in hand. Orders arrived last week, and we don't have much time to prepare! This assignment is just what we've prayed for. It's great for Karl's career, and it's indescribably awesome for our family. We are choosing, for now, not to disclose the location here on the blog, simply because it is public, and we don't know everyone who is reading it. It's not a great secret, but I'm torn between being open (which I'd love to do in a perfect world) and protecting our family's privacy and security. If you haven't already heard where we're headed and want to know (Amy, Bethany, etc.), please let me know how to contact you off of the blog or find me on facebook, and I'm happy to share more.

We are told that the move should not adversely affect our adoption process. We are still waiting for our Trip 1 invitation, and all our updated paperwork has been submitted. I'm assuming at this point that it won't happen in January due to the Russian Orthodox Christmas season. I'll certainly let you all know when we hear something!

In the meantime, people are planning farewell parties for us (I know!...isn't that sweet?!), so we'll be busy saying goodbyes for the next several weeks! When we moved here, I was sure I'd be thrilled to leave as soon as we got the opportunity. But even though this new assignment is so perfect that I am thrilled to go, I am truly sad to leave Delaware. We have been blessed by some wonderful friends who are irreplaceable. Seriously, how do you say goodbye to a woman who, although she barely knew you, stepped in and spent ten hours in a hospital room with you, held your leg up during childbirth and witnessed the birth of your miracle baby because your own family couldn't be there? We will leave a huge part of our hearts here when we go, and I can honestly say that I hope the Air Force brings us back here. I won't know what to do with my summers when I can't run to the shore at a moment's notice on a hot, sunny day!

I'll write again soon(er). If I don't catch up to you before Thursday, let me wish you a very happy new year!!



Another family shot...

Garin with his train table...

Matt with his new book...

Karl got his long-desired dual-temperature wine refrigerator...
And as much as I hate posting pics of myself with bed head and without makeup, I figure I owe it to my family to do so, since they're all on here the same way...

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

We just took this after getting home from an awesome Christmas Eve service at church and dropping off cookies to several businesses where people were working late. Hopefully it made them a little more cheerful tonight! We have gumbo on the stove and several friends coming over to share it. We miss our family and want you all to know how much we love you! Merry Christmas!!! May you live in the reality of the blessing of Jesus every day of your life!

Lots Happening These Days!

It's been far too long since my last "real" post. Sorry. We've had a lot of curveballs thrown at us these last few weeks....some phenomenally wonderful and others slightly annoying. Unfortunately, I can't share everything with you YET. But soon I will tell all, when we are able to do so.

Our great news today is that our updated paperwork if FINALLY on its way to Russia!!!!! We are now hoping against the odds for a travel date in late December or early January, before the Russian people take their Orthodox Christmas holiday, which lasts most of the month of January. For those of you who do not already know, very little official business happens during January because of the Christmas season. If not, we hope to travel in February. I'll keep you posted! I can think of no greater gift (except bringing them home) than to finally meet our children just in time for their Christmas!

We have been so blessed to watch several friends travel to Taiwan, China and Russia in the last month to bring children home! It brings us such hope and joy!!! We are praying for you all!

Update****It would seem that my 2-year-old son wanted to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving and therefore decided to hijack my blog and leave his message here (although we obviously need to work on spelling). He was playing a SesameStreet.com game tonight....I thought. And then I checked the blog and found this message. Sometimes the child's technological savvy terrifies me. He cannot yet grasp the concept of pooping on the potty, but he can maneuver the internet better than most adults....

Well, let me join him in wishing you all the happiest of Thanksgivings! Hope you are all feeling blessed and full of turkey!****


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Home By Another Way

This is the beautiful story of Yanet and her new parents, all of whom have been waiting so long to find each other: http://homebyanotherway-ethiopia.blogspot.com/

Something to consider...

Perhaps we need to look at giving differently. May I also suggest Buckner International (http://www.buckner.org/voice.shtml), to which we choose to donate? Every penny, 100% goes to help "the least of these" because administrative costs are paid through a separate fund.

Praying for Adoptive Families

So many of us are waiting, and most of us have no idea why it's taking so long! Amy, my sweet blog friend, posted a comment on my last entry, asking for prayer for their adoption process. They have already been on the first trip to meet their children but have been waiting months (like 4 or 5!) for a court date. Please pray with me that things will move forward for them and the two little ones who are waiting for Mama and Papa to come get them.

We, too, are feeling the pain of waiting. It's been 19 months since we began this process. We were told a month ago that we could travel this month, but our homestudy caseworker and adoption caseworker have taken a month to finally discuss the home study addendum (the last document needed for Russia to extend our travel invitation. They are not in agreement as to format and wording. Meanwhile, our children go to bed one more night without a family. Please pray that they will stop procrastinating, come to an agreement and get this thing finished quickly, so that we will be able to meet D & K.

So many families are waiting, and even more children are waiting. It's National Adoption Month, so it would be a great time to lift up all adoptive families in prayer and consider what role you might play in helping these children!

Just for You, Amy and Jill!

Okay, ladies....you asked for it! Here are a couple of yearbook photos for you. I have to tell you that I feel really silly for posting these on the blog, but I hope you enjoy them!

Urgent Prayer Request

***Y'all check the comments! God has answered our prayers!!!!!***

I received the following comment from my friend and adoptive mommy, Jill. I want to make sure it is seen, so I'm also posting it here. Please pray for this family, foster family and child!

"Lori, sending out an SOS. our friends are in china and foster family will not bring child in.. PRAY and send out an SOS. Mom's name is Kathy. She is here in US with other kids. Andy (the dad) is in China... "

Thank you! God answers prayer!

Let's Pray Over Our Children

I'm sure every Christian mother, like I, longs for God to make Himself known to our children in very real and powerful ways as they grow. We all want them to know God's love and His character as well as they know their own parents. In the picture perfect moments, this is an easy, almost romantic task: happy, fulfilled mother has completed all her daily chores and has just emerged from a relaxing bubble bath before sitting at the bedside of her peacefully sleeping little angel to pray over him or her. It's nice when it works, but it doesn't always...or even usually. Angie Smith over at Bring the Rain: The Story of Audrey Caroline has posted a great blog about how God prompted her to pray over her children seven times a day from Scripture. She explains it all and has posted the verses she is using. I am committing to pray this way for my children, and I would encourage all moms to consider it. The button above will take you to the post.

Halloween, Garin-Style

1. Have no fear.

2. Always remained focused on the goal.

3. Let no one and nothing stand in your way.

4. When you trip and fall, stop, pick up your candy (plus a few leaves) and move on.

5. When you trip and fall, stop, pick up your candy....see #4.

6. See #4 again and again.

7. If they don't answer quickly, check the door yourself.

8. Anyone who opens the door is inviting you for a visit. Feel free to barge right in and check out the living room.

9. When offered the chance to go home, always say, "More house! Tick-a-tick-a teet!"

10. When they do take you home, grab some candy and run! There's more tick-a-tick-a-teeting to do!

See below for examples:

Karl and I dressed up this year too. You'll notice his creepy costume in the video when he answers the door at the last house, which is ours. I was glad when he changed out of it!

NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

November is National Adoption Month, and November 15 is National Adoption Day!!! Click here for some great ideas on ways to celebrate and advocate for children who are waiting for their forever families.

Garin never just says, "please." It always goes like this: "Say? I say pweez! THEEEETHE!" It's so funny, and he is quite sure that it will get him anything. Tonight he didn't want to go to bed, so we heard it several times.

Matt had a fun day! In his Trig class today, the teacher said that she had a couple of her juniors on the Math Team who couldn't make the meet today and asked if any juniors in the class would be interested in filling a space, so the team could compete. Matt volunteered. He had considered trying out for the team but decided his schedule was already full enough with band and cross country. He went to the meet and took 5th place out of 18 people on the individual test, and he received a ribbon. His team took 4th place, but he got every question correct on the team test, and was, therefore, the strongest member of his team. He was so pleased, as is his math-loving mama! He is going to be allowed to compete again in the last meet of the season and will be on the team next year. YAY MATTY!!!

Something for the Grandparents

I've been negligent in taking and posting photos. I thought the grandparents might need a fix, and Garin REALLY wanted a photo shoot yesterday. He brought the camera to me and said, "CHEEZ!" After each shot, he'd say, "Another one?" This and the previous post have the best photos of the bunch, plus one that Karl took when we got home Tuesday night. Overkill, probably, to post eight photos. Oh well.