Our little girl

Since we can't post pictures of our little girl here... I've created a private blog to introduce her.  If you'd like to view it, please send me your e-mail address.

She's adorable!

School- our way

I had no idea we'd all love home school as much as we do.  Our days are usually so calm and fun.  Tori LOVES to learn so this is really working out for us as a family.  I read a great book called, Beyond Survival- An Guide to Abundant-Life Homeschooling and it really gave me confidence and an excitement for home educating.  Here are a few of the things we've done recently.

Wind experiment with sand and water-
We watched Sid the Science kid and they did this experiment so we copied it and then researched sand dunes and waves on-line to see more examples.  I found a great website called ZuiTube and it's Utube videos that have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for children.  We then experimented with pinwheels and made some of our own.  I'll post a picture of those soon cause they turned out super cute too.

Learning by computer

Not so happy about the tomato "sail" on his veggie boat.  Tori's idea for a snack on our wind experiment day.

Field Trip- on the day we brought our little girl home we stopped at a geyser and little farm.  Every opportunity is a learning opportunity if you're thinking that way.

They're all involved in learning their letters.

Arms Wide Open

I was driving the other day and this song by Creed came on the radio- it did make me cry (and I'm not a crier).

Arms Wide Open

Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I closed my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open

Well I don't know if I'm ready
To be the man (woman) I have to be
I'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side
We stand in awe, we've created life (saved a life)

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open
I'll show you everything ...oh yeah
With arms wide open..wide open

I remember hearing this song when I was pregnant and thinking it was such a great song to describe how I was feeling but I didn't realize that it would also perfectly describe how I would be feeling after finding out about the little girl we are going to adopt. With a few word changes this song again fits. Instead of creating life... we are saving a life.

We learned more about our little girl the other day and it was amazing to hear how God has protected her from before birth. Although we can't give details about her case you can imagine what that might involve. She was protected from so much and we know God heard our prayers as we were praying protection for our unknown child.

Unfortunatly, we won't be able to post photos or her name until after she is adopted, which might be over a year. If you'd like to see a picture once we pick her up please leave a comment or message me and I'll send you one via e-mail. PS- she's beautiful and will perfectly fit our family. She's a big girl just like Tori and Siah 9 lbs 13 oz at birth and already over 20 pounds at 8 1/2 months. Can't wait to give her cuddles! One week and one day until our arms are wide open to her.

Mom, turn it UP!

I love that at our new church the kids are welcome to stay for the worship. Now when we get in the car and I'm listening to Air1 or Klove Tori hears a worship song from Collide and she yells, "Mom, turn it up!"

I've overheard her many times singing songs like "Our God" while she's having *quiet time*. It really makes my heart happy to hear her connecting with the worship music.

Summer Tradition

This is our 4th summer in a row visiting Thomas the Train. While the kids are still too nervous to ride the "big" train they are excited to ride the small train from the parking lot into the station and that's great for us since it's FREE. Yeah for free! It's loud!

The person taking this picture forgot that we were trying to get a picture of Thomas... not our family on a hay bale. Tori with Percy- who ever thought to name a train Percy obviously did not have a child with a cute little lisp...

they played with trains, painted them, stamped them, had them painted on their bodies, jumped in train bounce houses and watched them chug by. It was a happy train day.

Loved her train.

Is this really Thomas?

Nesting

Guess what? You don't need pregnancy hormones to have a crazy nesting instinct. I'm ridiculous right now! Taking down curtains to wash, dusting the ceiling, wiping down all the baseboards. Impatient to get the rooms set up so her newly washed clothes can be hanging neatly in the closet... it's a bit crazy but I'm so excited! We leave for vacation a little over a week from today and then bring her home the following weekend. There is a lot to do between now and next Saturday.

So when people ask if it's certain she'll be ours this is how I answer- "it's as sure as anything can be with adoption". I've decided to not entertain any fears that this might not happen. Just like when you first find out your prego you have a decision to make- share your news with everyone because you're so excited or wait to share your news until you're out of the first trimester and into the safer zone. I chose to risk losing my heart right now and believe everything will go smooth. That's what I did with my other two blessings as well.

I think about how our lives will change all the time now. I know it's going to rock my world but I'm comforted knowing God has worked everything out and will give us strength. We're just where He wants us to be- on the edge of "I can't do this on my own". That will keep us clinging to Him. To not only survive but thrive in the challenge and blessing He's put in front of us. I'm not naive... I know this is going to be a huge adjustment and that we're signing up for unexpected complication but I'm at peace knowing God's got us in His hands.

It's funny but, Siah is looking less like a baby to me ever since I heard the news. I find myself cuddling him more now just because I know I won't be as free to in a few weeks and that makes me a bit sad. He has kinda of turned into a momma's boy in the last few months and likes to cuddle. Of course he's still all boy and laughs in the face of pain! I've never seen a kid so tough. He's like a bulldozer- but cuddly and cute. Speaking of bulldozers, I can't wait to show you his new bed. It's the cutest tractor bed ever. He's going to be so excited to change rooms.

Tori is still very excited. She offered to share her duckie with her new sister which is HUGE! Duckie has been her #1 snuggle buddy since birth. Yesterday we read an adoption book together written by my friend Sherry Kyle and her daughter (who adopted through our same agency 10 years ago). The book really inspired Tori to write her own book about her baby sister. It was great to talk about this more in-depth with Tori. She colored a picture of what she's thinks her sister will look like and gave her curly hair. I hadn't thought of that... maybe she will have curls. Hopefully we'll see a picture on Monday.

We finally got the call we've been waiting for

There is an 8 month old blond hair/hazel eyed little girl that is going to be ours in less than a month. Probably around the 20th of August. WOW! She's got a cute name that she'll keep (but I don't think I should post it or give any specific details). Her biological parents are no longer eligible for reunification services so her next hearing is for permanency. Basically it's very unlikely that anything will happen legally to hinder our ability to finalize adoption.

We started pursuing adoption almost exactly 2 years ago and have been actively waiting since January. To get a call in the middle of the day that changes your future forever is a crazy thing.

What's next?
We'll meet with her social worker early next week and then meet our little girl the weekend of the 20th and most likely bring her home with us. The next few weeks are going to be a blur! We have to completely finish our addition, move all the furniture around in the 3 bedrooms, get together clothes and gear, baby proof- again, and get ready welcome her into our lives. Oh, we're going on a week long vacation before we bring her home too. Bring it on, we're ready!

We are all very excited. Well, I'm not sure if Siah has a clue but when Tori was asked if she was a little excited she said, "No, I'm soooo excited". She was really hoping for a baby sister.