A little of this and that...

Well, I have officially become that person.  That person, when everything you buy - you think about how much clean water that equals for someone.  You know, for every $10 is approximately equal to 10 years of clean drinking water for 1 person.  It drives me crazy.... Before Christmas, Brooks got his ipod touch taken up at school.  (first of all, he's not supposed to have it out at school)  He claims he forgot it was in his sweatshirt pocket and it fell out when he was bending over to get something out of his binder.  Anyway, the teacher took it up, because she happened to be standing right next to him.  Well, the school district has a policy - that if any electronic device is taken up, you have to pay $15 to get it back.  When I found out, I was IRATE... not because my son got it taken up (which I guess I should have been mad about that).  I was more mad that he was going to have to pay $15 to the school, when there are people drinking dirty water that is killing them EVERY DAY! ugghhh.  I just would have rather he paid that money to charity:water or A Glimmer of Hope, etc.... Oh! I can't even tell you how mad I was!

Anywhoo..... let me just tell you.... while we are on the subject... there is a job opening at charity:water to be Scott Harrison's executive assistant.  (he's the founder of charity:water)  WOULD THAT NOT BE THE COOLEST JOB EVER!!!!!???!!! I was all ready to apply, and then remembered that I have a husband and 3 kids and 1 on the way that are slightly holding me back... Darn!  Their offices are in NYC, which is a slight problem.  Not too long ago, they were hiring a "Happiness Coordinator" - well that sounds like a lot of fun!  I think I will, thank you.  Seriously - that has got to be the BEST PLACE TO WORK EVER!

Switching subjects...
I'll never forget the second that Derek and I decided to adopt... we were standing in our bedroom, and I looked at him and said, "what are we gonna do?"  and he looked at me and said, "how can we not?"
And so there it was.... our decision.... God had been pounding us over the head for months and months....

"HOW CAN WE NOT??"

"...once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act."

Proverbs 24:12

Ethiopian Orphans from Simon Scionka on Vimeo.

While we are on the subject of Brooks....

The boy makes me laugh every time I read something he writes!  He had an "All About Me" project that was supposed to be done on a cereal box.  I just had to document because:
1. It's funny (at least to me)
2.  It shows how this adoption has truly affected their lives already.  I'm so glad.

Items of interest:
1.  Evidently - USCIS made a big impression on our kids as well. lol!
2.  Praying that we just have 8-9 more months (or less), although, I'm afraid it will be longer than that before we have Little Man.
3.  We actually are trying to start a Lifesong program at our church NOW! (not after we adopt).  I think he was getting that mixed up with the fact that we have told our kids, "AFTER THIS ADOPTION IS OVER... WE WILL GO ON MISSION TRIPS TO AFRICA!"
4. My "smarts" just cracks me up!  He is very smart--- I thought that maybe he could have come up with a better word, like intelligent --- but "smarts" was just so cute that I didn't have him change it!
5.  We just love Jesus! We don't teach our kids that one religion is better than another.  just for the record.
6.  On the Josh Hamilton paragraph:  love the "he got into some trouble with drugs and alcohol".  just made me laugh how he put that!  Boy did he ever!  But our God is so good and patient and can even heal the addict.  btw - If you have not read the Josh Hamilton book - it is really good!

For the record:  Mr. Hamilton really did say this quote to Brooks when we met him.  Precious. 

And as for Ephesians 6:11... his 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. C, had his 2nd grade class memorize this Bible passage.  It was LONG!  Those kids were reciting for like 5 minutes... Anyway, it is still Brooks' favorite!

1.  I hate to tell the kids.... that I am not actually sure if I am related to Pocahontas.  It seems like I remembered hearing that one time a long long time ago.  I have never verified if it is actually true.  But I told the kids that once when they were little.... and well, I haven't had the heart to tell them otherwise!

13 year old quote of the day....

"I think Little Man is really going to like our family."

- Brooks, 13

Just out of the clear blue he said this.... after school when the house is buzzing with snack time and homework craziness.  Just shows how the kids are thinking about him as much as we are!

The funnest night ever...

and I wasn't even there! boo.

Meet some of our newest Peeps....

It's funny really.... never would I have dreamed that we would be joined in this journey with this group of people.  Our common bond, you ask??? First being that we are all adopting from Africa (Ethiopia and Rwanda).  Second, we all graduated from the best college ever, Abilene Christian University. (well.... except for my husband! ha!  I had to go across town to the Baptist Univerisity in Abilene where he was on a baseball scholarship to find him!)  Anywhoo - some all of the couples are just a few twenty or so years younger than us! ha!  hence, they all have little kids, and we have a teenager.  Hey- it just took us a little longer to figure our life out! ha!

Anyway - I had to fly last night, so I didn't get to go.... which I was really sad about. But Derek gave me a play by play (well as good as he does those) of the recount of last night.  Basically, he just said, it was so AMAZINGLY AWESOME.... we sat around the table and talked about Africa for hours.... it doesn't get any better than that!

So here is our BEFORE picture!!! sweet!

I can't wait to show you the AFTER picture some day!!! :) 147 MILLION MINUS FIVE LESS ORPHANS!!! God is so good!

SO.... Jacobs, McCuistons, Russells, and Tidmore's..... we can't wait to get together again!!!!  Thank you so much McCuistons for hosting... our family had such a great time.

Why Ethiopia?

I found this on another blog, who I think found it on another blog.  I sure wish I could carry this little gem around with me when people give me funny looks or ask me why in the world adopt from Ethiopia.  I have no words...

Misc Rambling

Okay.  I really have nothing good to post.... but it was time to move on from the negative nelly, debbie downer post from last week... I just can't look at it any more, and I hate being so negative... anywhoo.... the sun is out, and thank goodness His mercies are new every morning! Amen!

Thank you all for your very sweet comments.  The waiting stinks. The end.

This weekend we spent much of our time at a cheerleading competition.  I keep wondering what Little Man is going to think of the craziness that is competitive cheerleading.... and next year it will be.... times two! lol!  He may want to run for the hills! :)  Well basically it means he will get lots of dippin dots - "the ice cream of the future" (for the last 30 years!), cotton candy, and other junk food!

Halle Caroline and her bestie... Chandler

And this was my view for about 2 days straight! lol!

That's about all I've got for now!

January Smanuary

I hate January.  Yep, I do.  I hate cold weather.  I would rather it be 110 degrees than 50 degrees. no lie.  I have been traveling the country lately, trying to make some money for this adoption. No, not soliciting donations, just working my job that is about to make me crazy because I have been gone so much.  I was in Omaha 2 nights ago.... 5 degrees.  Last night was Kansas City.... -1 degree this morning = MISERABLE.

Yesterday marked....



3 dumb months that we have been on the wait list.

A little LOT frustrating.... we started this process 1 year ago yesterday.... and here we are... just 3 months into the wait.  And don't even get me started on USCIS!!! We originally thought that we would be bringing Little Man home around this time.  We are no where close to bringing Little Man home at this point.  I'm just ready to have him here.  I feel like our whole lives are on hold until we finally bring him home.

I know, I know... God's perfect timing.... well God's perfect timing is sort of on my nerves today.

Aren't you glad you read my happy happy cheery cheery blog today?  Maybe I have the winter blues.

You probably need to read this....

Just do it... click on the link and head on over!

http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2011/01/crazy-in-2011.html

Missy is an amazingly gifted writer.... You will be blessed for sure!

A little bit more Christmas...

Here's the last of our Christmas posts.... our Christmas afternoon with the Cheathams.

Halle Caroline and cousin Luke

more cousins

all the cousins!

Aunt Heather and baby Will

 Halle Caroline got a megaphone charm! :)

me and my favorite boy! (Brooks always reminds me that he is my only boy!  not for long! ;)  )

The teenage boys!