Song for the Soul

What a month. I've been stretched to what I thought was my max only to be stretched some more. 

BFF's have come to visit...

Grandparents came to play the distraction game...

We did fun projects to take with us our next trip

We got to enjoy a mother-son date

We started school with the rest of Texas...

And we waited. 

For almost three weeks we waited for one interview to take place that could possibly get us one step closer to bringing our son home. Three weeks of sleepless nights and constantly checking emails. So after debating just jumping on a plane and trying to figure out what was going on in person, we decided it would be smarter to just loose a little more sleep and try and contact the US Embassy by phone. After two nights of emailing and calling we finally got some information this past Friday. Due to some details (that will remain private) that occurred in the very first months of our son's life, the Embassy has decided that his case is not "clearly approvable" and they have sent it on to the USCIS in Nairobi, Kenya. The easiest way I can explain this is that they couldn't clear it within their jurisdiction so they had to send it to the supervisor that has jurisdiction over all of Africa. In the very beginning, this was the worst news possible and we were heart-broken; however, after talking with other families that have been down this same road, we have come to realize that this isn't necessarily a bad thing. It doesn't mean we won't be cleared, it just means it will take longer. And longer as in very possibly months instead of weeks. We are still very much heartbroken but don't feel quite so defeated. We will wait to see what steps they want to take and pray that it takes shorter rather than longer. 

Over the last two days, I think I've hit every emotion possible and have found myself struggling to stay positive. It is extremely hard to think about the fact that Little Man's baby brother won't get to watch him play football, or that he might not be around to wear the same little cow costume that his older brother did for his first Halloween. It is hard to try and wrap my mind around that he will never get to wear those very first outfits I bought for him and may never fit in the Ergo baby carrier that's waiting for him. I refuse to even think about going through yet another Christmas holiday without him. He just has to be home by then! 

Yes, I am having a hard time staying positive. But it hit me this morning that the people around me deserve for me to at least try. I can't allow myself to go into the depression coma that my broken heart wants me to. So I turned to music. While having a few minutes alone this morning I started going through all the songs on my phone and made a new play list labeled "PEACE". I only put on those songs that have really spoken to me during this journey and a few that I knew I'd need to hear from time to time. I came across one on my way to church and the words hit me like a brick. This is it! This is what I needed to hear and this is my anthem! It is by a wonderful couple that I had the privilege of seeing perform recently and it cut straight to my soul. Take a look:

He Is With Us

                                                       Love and The Outcome

Remember when your hope is lost and faith is shaken

Remember when you wonder if you're gonna make it

There's a hand stretched out through your deepest doubt

We can't pretend to see the ending or what's coming up ahead
Don't know the story of tomorrow
But we can stay close to the One who knows

We can trust our God He knows what He's doing
Though it might hurt now we won't be ruined
It might seem there's an ocean in between
But He's holding onto you and me
and He's never gonna leave, no
He is with us, He is with us, always, always
He is with us, He is with us, always

We believe there is purpose, there is meaning in everything
We surrender to His leading
He wants nothing more than to have us close

Our faith is sealed, Our hope is real
Come what may We're not afraid

We can trust our God, always, always
We can trust our God, always, always


So there you have it. A fantastic song with fantastic lyrics. God knows what He's doing! I don't need to wonder, He has it under control. He knows why our case got sent to Nairobi, He knows how much I ache. He loves me enough to help me find a song that spoke so deeply to me that I barely made it to church for crying. He loves my husband enough to provide him with a heart and shoulders strong enough to be a rock for his family. He loves my kids enough to give them such an overwhelming peace at such a young age it is a testimony to me. He loves us. He is with us.

I'm leaving you with the YouTube video link to this song. I hope it speaks to you no matter what circumstance or situation you are facing. He loves you too. 

He Is With Us

Whatcha doin?

Wow. I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted and that we'll be six weeks out from court tomorrow! I'm glad that time seems to be flying by but it's going to have to slow down once he gets here so I can catch up on all the days we've missed together! :) So, we're still working on getting our to-do list knocked out. Moving into an older home from one we had built and designed means needing to put some major personal touches on this one. After my wooden cutting board project I was ready to get the kitchen to a place that I felt was finished. So I started with a simple project of recovering our bar stools.  

There you have it. One transformation down and now on to the big project. Repainting our kitchen cabinets. We opted for a shiny jet black to make them pop against our bright walls. I love it!! 

BEFORE

AFTER

Then it was time to send Little Man off to middle school camp!! Oh how can it be! He had a blast in the mountains of Colorado and couldn't ask for a better week weather wise. It was nice and cool. Our church was the Yellow Team so we stocked up on some fun gear before he left and he went all out!! I am so proud of his confidence and the man he is becoming.

While he was at camp, Princess and I "took the week off" and decided to head to A town for a few days. Our family and friends threw us an awesome shower/celebration to celebrate Little J's adoption. We received our translated adoption decree so it was now official in English too. He is our son! 

Little Man got home just in time to join in the celebration with us and we loved seeing so many people that we love dearly. Imagine our surprise when so many of them were wearing orange! It really shows much they love and support us and all the causes we're passionate about. My mom even made cute little orange bottle cap magnets with the word "HOPE" on them to remind guests to pray for the orphans in Africa. It made me teary. 

 My bubba's beautiful family!

My mom and Michelle

Grand-Papaw, Aunt Becky and cutie Isaac

My sister and cousin Kara

FRIENDS!! Michelle, Cindy and Shannon

The family that wears orange together, stays together :)

Adam and Mamaw

Once back home, it was back to work! I was determined to get Little J's room put together and it helped that we received his bedding as a shower gift. So I put up the coordinating border, added the valances, hung up the letters for his name, unpacked and washed everything else and now all we need is his cute little face! 

Meanwhile, I had the crazy notion that my almost 12 year old was old enough to learn how to mow the yard. I loved mowing growing up so we got out there before the sun got too hot and had a mother/son mowing lesson. He did great! Now, when the weekends in the fall are filling up with football games, etc. daddy won't have to add this to his list! 

On Sunday we were blessed to get updated pictures of our littlest man from friends who were there picking their son up to come home. I was thrilled to see they are still letting him suck on his two fingers. He's going to need those during the craziness of coming home. We were submitted to embassy this week so now we're literally on a day by day notice of when we can bring him home! I am so ready!! I just love him!

I can't believe how much older he looks with his hair growing out. I may need to keep it really short for awhile so he keeps his "baby" look a little longer. 

Next up, getting our school room ready. I knew I wanted to put some fresh paint on the walls but couldn't decide on going fun or neutral. Then my husband said something that made complete sense. "It really doesn't seem right for us to not have at least one orange wall in our home." So off I went to find the perfect fabric and color. We LOVE how it turned out and one wall became two. I recovered three pillows in the fun fabric I found and bought a slipcover for the couch in there. Now to order curriculum for the next year and we'll be ready to start! One day.... 

So after all this fun, I'm kinda tired. :) Princess left for camp this morning and we're headed to get one of Little Man's friends for the weekend. I think I'll just let my body recoup and try and clean house. I can't be too tired when we get "the call" ya know! Happy Thursday!

Passing time

We've been home almost two weeks and have tried our best to keep busy. Our first week home consisted of lots of t.v. watching and trying to feel normal again. Then we decided enough was enough and it was time to get out and enjoy the summer. So we joined a golf club/swimming pool and have been putting it to great use ever since. 

Last weekend, my brother-in-law and his family came to see us for the first time since we moved. The big boys played golf and we took the kids swimming. It was a lot of fun and I totally cracked up at my nephew in his swim goggles. 

The next day we went golfing as a family for the first time in two years. I am a little rusty but we had a lot of fun. Princess had an accident that morning that ripped her big toenail off so she didn't get to play with us but enjoyed driving the cart for me. 

Since Jerod came home from Kenya last year, my kitchen has slowly changed from a Tuscan/Italy feel to a bright, cheery, African theme. I decided my fruit and wine cutting board I kept on top of my stove for decoration wasn't working anymore. I wondered how to change it to a more appropriate themed one and came up with the idea to burn an African shape into a wooden board I already had. I went and purchased a $17 wood burning kit and ta-da! It now fits in a lot better and has given me ideas for more projects.

For the 4th, we headed to the ranch. 

The drive to the ranch from where we live now is very different than what we are used to. It takes about 1 1/2 hour longer but we drive through several small towns and the canyon. So we decided last minute to stop for a dinner picnic on the way and enjoy the scenery. 

We arrived before my sister that night and didn't get to see them until the next morning but it was worth the wait to get the greeting from my niece. She was surprised and excited and I love her hugs. She squeezes big.

The girls in their cutest patriotic outfits. 

She is getting way too big and way too pretty!

Ok, so all these kids are growing way too fast! 

He's beginning to relax a bit and let me take more pictures of him without goofy faces. I think he's still working through this tween stage but it's good to see him smile more and enjoy whatever we're doing. I can't believe he'll be 12 in a few months!! I love him. 

We headed out for the parade in town and decorated our bikes and the mule. The parade itself was a big disappointment and made me miss our old neighborhood's parade. The kids just went with it though and were great sports. 

And to my surprise, my brother and sis-in-law showed up with Ms. Addie!! She has changed so much! 

We spent the rest of the day just enjoying being together and catching up.  My brother and sister had not seen us since we've been home and were anxious to see pictures and hear stories. It was a relaxing day and I'm really glad we went. We had to head home before the kids big rodeo but imagine my delight when I got a text saying my nephew got 1st in the donkey riding!! So proud of him!! My younger nephew got 3rd in the sheep riding too! 

Then I got another great text from my brother saying they wanted to come see us on Friday. Yes, please!! So they got here early afternoon and after a late lunch, we headed to the pool. Addison was so cute in her swimsuit!! She liked the water but it was a little cold so we just hung out and watched my kids play with their uncle the rest of the time. They love their uncle Adam so much! I was thrilled to get to spend more time with them and love on Addison more. 

So that's been our last week. Staying busy and having fun. This week is going to be all about checking things off my very long to-do list. I have about 1001 things I'd LIKE to get done before little man gets here but will be happy if we accomplish 10 of them. We have two weeks behind us from court and expect to receive our official, translated adoption decree sometime in the next week. 

Have a great weekend!!