Seriously...We Are Totally Ready for Our Referral =)

Last week I got the crib set up in Gloria Grace's room, but I did not have a mattress or bedding. I began looking on craig's list, and found a family in Smyrna that had this beautiful complete bedding set with the crib mattress for a very good deal. Cooler than that, is that when I went to pick it up today the dad asked me if he could pray for Gloria Grace & our family!! Now I really don't like to cry in front of strangers, but I said absolutely. What a wonderful blessing God has once again given us while we wait & prepare for Gloria's homecoming. =)

We'd Love a Referral in November--It Is National Adoption Month =)

I love talking about our adoption journey. I'm happy to share how God has called us to adopt. November is National Adoption Month, but even if it wasn't I'd still be telling our story.

I love how God has put this love in my heart for a little girl that I don't even know anything about. I don't know how old she is, what she looks like, where she is exactly (maybe she is @ Chiquitines, but maybe she's not there yet). She may not even be born yet, but still I love her.

I love hearing the boys pray for their little sister. There isn't much that is sweeter, if you ask this momma =)

There are so many things that are hard to explain to people, when I'm trying to share our story. I have learned though, that some people just don't get "it." Countless times I have been asked why we are going to Colombia, and why we are not adopting here @ "home." Really people just don't get "it." I am thankful that God has made it clear to us, that our daughter is in Colombia.

Now, I just have to be patient & wait for the details of the rest of our journey. We know that we will not be traveling in 2009, because the courts in Colombia close Dec. 15th to Jan. 15th. There is still a possibility that we will get our referral this year & then we would travel when the courts opened in January. This is our prayer.

Have I ever told ya'll how hard waiting is? =)

50th Day of 1st Grade & Pumpkin Carving

Life has been very busy. It is making the time go by super fast. Just wish we had a referral, so we could bring our darling G.G. home super fast. I have set the crib up in her room. I have not put the bedding in it, but as soon as I do, I will post pictures. The crib will easily convert to a toddler bed, so we are set. Thanks Retta & BooBoo.

This past week on Tuesday, Seth's class celebrated the 50th day of school. They were asked to dress up in 50's attire. All of the classes got together & had root bear floats :o)

Here is Seth's get up :o) Too Stinkin' Cute if I do say so myself. You can't see in the pictures, but he's even sporting a wallet w/a chain attached to his belt loop & had a black comb in his pocket to re-slick his hair as needed :) This afternoon, after school, the boys carved their pumpkins. Here are their finished products:

3 Teeth in 1 Week--The Tooth Fairy Needs a Loan :)

Seth was playing on the swings w/his friend & his friend accidentally kicked him in the mouth. It knocked out another of his teeth!! That is 3 teeth out in 1 week. I need to get the poor kid a mouth guard & some temporary dentures ;o)

I thought I would throw this picture of Coy on here, since I've posted so much about Seth lately. Don't want to leave Coy out, plus it is so sweet. I worked Wednesday & had a really long & hard day. I didn't get home until the boys had already gone to bed & were sleeping. I went to kiss them goodnight & this is how I found Coy. It looks like he fell asleep praying. I am sure he was asking God to bring his sister home ASAP :o)

Two Teeth in Two Days :o)

Both of Seth's two top front teeth have been loose for a while now. Yesterday I posted about him loosing one of them, and today he lost the other :o) He had wiggled it until it drove him (& me) a little crazy. I tried to talk him in to letting me pull it out, but he was highly reluctant. So...I resorted to bribery :o) That's what good mom's do, right? Hee hee... I told him if he let me pull his tooth out I'd take him to Baskin Robins---He LOVES ice cream-especially Baskin Robins. Here he is 1 less tooth, and below that is us enjoying some Baskin Robins :o)

Seth sticking his tongue in his new space:

All of us enjoying our ice cream:

Seth Lost His 3rd Tooth

Seth was taking a drink from the water hose. Coy thought he would "help" him out & squeeze the nozzle a little harder, when he did he accidentally knocked the nozzle into Seth's already loose tooth. This tooth & the one right next to it have been loose for months. It didn't knock it out, but it did make it very loose. Seth was able to pull it out with just a little effort.

Neither of the boys believe in the tooth fairy anymore, but when Seth went to bed tonight he said "I put my tooth under my pillow." He still plays the game, because he knows he'll get a dollar out of it :o)

I Love My Boys

Always Thinking About Gloria Grace

I have had a hard time thinking about anything but Gloria Grace lately. Part of the reason is that God has put adoption all around us. Today Chris & Dawn set off for Ethiopia. I have been praying for them for a long while. While I am completely excited for them, it turns my thoughts to thinking about when we get "the call" and are on our way to Colombia.

I remind myself daily (most often much more often than daily) that God's timing is perfect. I have actually posted that line & commented it to people a lot. While it is very easy to say, it is sometimes hard to be at peace with it. I fully believe the truth that is God's word, and His word has proof that His timing IS perfect. I know in my heart that when our time comes to meet Gloria Grace it will be the perfect time, because IT WILL BE the time God has already chosen. I rest in that truth, but my mind still wanders...

Some of the things I am constantly wondering . . .

• Is SHE already @ the orphanage?
• Has Chiquitines already set our dossier aside for HER?
• How old is SHE?
• Will SHE be home for Christmas?
• Will SHE sleep in a crib or a bed?
• Is HER hair curly or straight?
• Does SHE have a blankie & animal, like Seth?
• Does SHE cry at night & is anyone there to comfort HER?

Really, this list could be never ending some days. I love thinking about Gloria Grace. I love saying her name & telling people about this journey God has put before us. I love hearing the boys say her name, when they pray for her. God has blessed us in so many ways on this journey.

Dear Lord, Thank you for calling us to adoption. Thank you for thoughts of Gloria Grace. Thank you for how you have grown our family throughout this journey. May we continue to shine your light & be in the center of your will. Thank you for supportive friends & family, as we prepare for Gloria Grace's homecoming. Let everything we do be for the praise of Your Glorious Grace. In Jesus Name. Amen