Testing this out

Cool beans, I hope this works. Trying to see if I can
post to blogger from an e-mail.
Test.....test.....test.....is this working.......shall
I try a picture? Sure, why not. Envision that soon
this will be a pic of Gabrielle while we are in Ethiopia! The picture I just attached is probably a little scary. I hope I didn't have anything in my teethe.

Get the tissues ready!

Friends of ours through our agency have shared this amazing video diary of their time in Ethiopia getting their beautiful boy Levi

A Blanket for Gabrielle

There is a group of families traveling to Ethiopia the first week of March with our agency. We are so excited for these families, they have become such great friends of ours throughout this journey so far. Since we are so close to a referral, I bought a photo album and blankie (thanks Kari) to send over. I could have a referral before they go, but I am thinking either while they are there, or the following week. Regardless, I think I could have some of my friends take some things just in case our Gabrielle is in the Transitional Home by then. So, I went to the store and bought the softest, cutest blanket. I brought it home and told my kids to love on it because it was going to their sister. They have been taking turns sleeping with it, and it gets carried around most of the day! The cutest thing to watch! My kids are so excited to have their little sister here with them and keep telling me they will wrap her up in her blankie and get LOTS of love and cuddles from them. :)

Keep Asking! by joel Osteen

Keep Asking

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will
be opened (Matthew 7:8).

Is there something you are believing God for? Does it seem like it's taking a long time to
come to pass? Be encouraged today! The Bible says that through faith and patience you
will inherit the promise. You can trust that God's Word is true. Submit your prayers to the
Lord, and keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep
knocking on the door, and it will be opened to you. It may seem like it's taking a long
time, but know this: God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. He is orchestrating
things in your favor. He is perfecting whatever concerns you. Don't give up! Start thanking
God for His faithfulness in your life. As you stay faithful in your prayers and thanksgiving,
the Lord will move mightily on your behalf. He'll take you places that you've never
dreamed, and you will live the life of victory He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for giving me a diligent spirit. Thank You for Your
faithfulness. Give me strength to stand until I see Your promises fulfilled in my life. In
Jesus' Name. Amen.

Born in my heart pendant

One of my friends has had these necklaces made and they are beautiful! She is adopting 3 children from Ethiopia and these necklaces are helping to support their adoption costs.......as we can all realate to that! We have been telling our kids that their little sister has been growing in our hearts for a while now, so I HAD to buy one and can't wait to wear it! Here is the Etsy site:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9400604

I finally feel what I have known in my head!!

I am just getting around to posting an experience I had a week ago. Time seems to stand still while thinking of "the wait" for a referral, but really times just flies by.

So it has been weeks since this mom was out and about with no children in tow. Actually "out and about" hasn't even been happening as we have had a rough winter as far as viruses, colds and the flu. Neither of my kids, or myself or hubby seem to have been sick at the same exact time (I am not complaining about this), so each person has gotten great attention and care; however this should explain why it had been weeks since I had even been "out and about", especially with two children well enough to be in school the same day! Anyway, I was in my glory enjoying the time to myself, but mostly the quiet. Sometimes, just being quiet and not talking or answering questions, or listening is so nice and soooooo peaceful! Perfect time for prayer, PERFECT time for God to make himself known. So, I was leaving Target in my quiet car (my radio is broken so it was totally silent), and I was praying and thanking the Lord for all my blessings and how good it felt to be out and healthy with an entirely healthy family........when all of a sudden I had this amazing feeling come over me. It was like I was filled up from my toes to my head with the most wonderful feeling of joy, peace, calm and excitement. I have to interject here that over the past 6 1/2 months of waiting I have had ups and downs, ALWAYS trusting that things were in God's hands, knowing this so strongly in my head, yet I could NOT feel it in my heart. When I thought about my baby or how long it was taking, I would always get an ache and longing feeling and yes sometimes jigs of crying, even though I was telling myself what I SO believe to be true "Andrea, he has it all planned out and everything will work out just the way it is supposed to". I have two children now that were not easy to bring into this world, and when I look back on their birth stories it all makes sense. So, I just kept drilling this into my head, hoping my heart would feel it. We call this in our house being "incongruent". When your thoughts and emotions, or mind and body are not in synch with one another. I have been challenging myself lately and praying that I would actually FEEL what I knew so strongly in my head and by my faith. So, hop back into my car with me......this feeling was as if I got the call saying I had my referral and that I had a healthy baby girl. Any fear, worry, concern or question I had in my head was literally pulled out of my body. I began screaming at the top of my lungs with the most joy and excitement. It felt so great. It was so clear that God was telling me he had my little girl, she was fine and he was with her and to give it all up to him. SOMEHOW I FINALLY felt it!!!!! And it was amazing. I was and still am so thankful that I was finally ready for this gift. I do believe I must not have been ready, or the way I have been feeling was all a part of this process. All of my prayers and asking to feel at peace, was answered!!! I have literally been floating around feeling like I already have a referral and not worrying or thinking about anything but how great this all is and how close we are.

Then, yesterday I got a call from our agency and was told we are next in line for a baby girl! God is so good!! I know this process is far from over, but I am already realizing what this wait has meant to me. I already know I would not trade it for anything. I hardly believe I am saying that, but it is true. I have grown SOOOOO much and learned so much about myself, my faith, my friends and my family. It has been truly priceless and I know God wanted and needed me to go through this process just as it has been progressing. I can say this, know this and finally feel this!

New batch of shirts

These are great colors and an awesome fit. They are from the Gap and are long and stretchy. I didn't even buy any Smalls because they run small. So go up a size and you will love the fit!

I will start making them with different fabrics but if anyone wants to call dibs on any particular size/color, let me know. Thanks!

Medium (fit of a small): 3 light Pink, 1 pretty blue SOLD
Large (fit of Medium): 2 hot pink (fabulous color)
XLarge (fit of Large): 2 hot pink (fabulous color), 2 light pink, 1 dark blue

Good Morning YG Friends, Here's to you Kari!

I didn't have any chocolate chips, but they were sooooo yummy anyway. I can't wait to make them again with blueberry's or chips. Thanks for the recipe Kari, I enjoyed having scones and coffee with everyone. :)