It's Almost Time! . . .

While our court date is "April 9th", with the time difference, it will all really be happening the night of the 8th.  Would appreciate your prayers that all the paperwork will be clearly presented and that the judge would grant our adoption to be official!

We received the most incredible little gift in the mail today ... a short video clip from a recently traveled family.  Thanks Waltons!!!  It was of our babe playing with the doll we sent her.  How fun it was to see her in action as her caregiver was trying to get her to give the dolly kisses.  We are ready to see it all in person!

At Turtle Speed ... so it seems

So this is how the wait for the court appointment feels. I hope I don't discourage some ... I know there are those who have waited longer for even a court date. I think this whole thing is just catching up with this momma's heart. I watched the pics of our babe turn from baby-baby into baby-toddler wondering what on earth is going on in her life. And I've about had all the waiting I can deal with. This turtle image cracked me up ... it's how I feel ... get up and RUN turtle!! Ha.

Our babe should be finishing her TB treatments now and is getting so much stronger and healthy. We are thrilled. She is not fond of those she doesn't know ... hint, prayer request for when we meet her!!! She is especially attached to two of her caregivers and for that we are so grateful! This will mean a better transition and further attachment for her.

This week we had the most incredible gift as two families sent us pictures!! We even got two short video clips of our sweetie in action and one more is on the way I'm told, from another family. BLESSED!!!! ... wow, we've been blessed this week by those.

What are we doing while we wait? Cleaning and organizing and DOWN-sizing. Nothing makes me happier at the moment than to clear out clutter and have a home more manageable.

We hope next week brings news of a successful court date and that travel plans will be underway. Would very much appreciate your prayers on that.

Children Around the World

Wow!, we felt so blessed today. The local agency we work with for the ND part of our adoption hosts a Multi-Cultural Group quarterly. It is such a special time to connect with other families with similar dynamics. It was so fun seeing how the kids had changed since our meeting in the fall. The other family that has adopted from Ethiopia has a little girl that is just two days difference in age from our new babe. It was such a neat opportunity to whisper in Naomi's ear .... that is about how big "sister" is gonna be. This little sweetie had just learned to walk and it was so much fun seeing her toddle all around. Other countries represented were Guatemala, China, Vietnam and the USA twice! (woo-hoo!!)

We got to share of our experiences in becoming a multi-cultural family. It's interesting how different our experiences have been with domestic adoption and international adoption ... even though both of our daughters will probably share similar skin tones. It was just so awesome to be in a room full of people where you could talk candidly and know they would understand! To empathize with each other when you face challenges and to rejoice with each other in our diversity.

It's a blessing for our boys as well, to see other families with similar dynamics. They love seeing all the little kids.

Back when our family began, we never dreamed we'd someday be a multi-cultural family. What a special journey this has been. We've been stretched and grown in ways we never would have thought possible. We are just so full of joy as we anticipate meeting the new little member of our family so many miles away. We cannot wait to tell her in person how much we love her and how we've been longing to see her. AND!, we picked out some very appealing toys today to pack in the suitcase to try and entice her while she learns who we are! Mission accomplished!

News from afar . . .

"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." Psalm 25:25

All of you fellow adoptive families know exactly what I'm talking about. We work SO hard to do all of our part in this process ... the literal mountains of paperwork, the finances, during all those months it seems the work will never end. Then we get to the "waiting period". At first we are THRILLED to be there because it's the part we've waited SO long to achieve. But often quickly that "high" settles and we wait and we wait having absolutely NO control in anything. At times we almost wish there was just one more bit of paperwork we could conquer to speed it up, but there is none. Sometimes during that process we're found guilty of even wishing time away, just to be over the long enduring wait. What a challenge that was for me, because I did not want to wish away time with my children here that I have home ... yet I found myself struggling some days to cope with the "here and now" as I anticipated what was to come.

So during this wait we long for bits and pieces of our child's life to be revealed to us. It can haunt us how much we've missed out on .. the things that will forever remain unknown to us. I was not anticipating just how hard that would hit me when we received our babe's referral. I'm kind of a photo-nut! I absolutely love to take photographs, create with them, preserve them. The earliest photo I have of our babe is at nine months old. While I am SO grateful for that, fully realizing some children won't even have a baby photo ... it still was a loss and I needed to just accept it as that.

As families have traveled and shared pictures with us, now I have received a few more "bits and pieces" of our babe's life. Each one is an amazing gift. Someday she will have these and be able to see that she was treasured, loved and nurtured ... even during this time we are apart. So this morning when I had new pics in my inbox ... yeah!! ... so happy ... and sad. Sad of what we're missing out on, but SO happy to see every tiny detail.

You'll remember from an earlier post we sent a doll to our babe. So these pics were of the family that delivered it. From one picture you can tell that the doll passed the "taste test" and is being enjoyed! :)

Yes indeed ... "Like cold water is to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." How we long to travel to that distant land ... Lord willing, it will be soon.

A couple pictures and a couple thoughts . . .

So ... here it is, another Monday. Here is ND that means another cold, windy and snow-on-the-ground Monday. Snow is fun in November, December, January and if you stretch it ... can be fun in February. But March? .... not so fun. I'm ready for TULIPS!

Wish I could show you pics of all our precious children, but since we have yet to make it to our court date ... I'll have to settle for showing you four of them. I still kind of chuckle when I realize the "number" of children we'll have. I think we're going to make it to the prestigious title of "mini-mega" family. Mega would be like 10 and we're only half way there, so we'll graduate at the "mini-mega" size. :)

Anyway, Easter was a reflective/somber time for me. It just so clearly explains the "why" behind all that is going on in our lives. To think about what God did for us, by sending his ONLY son ... that He would care THAT much for me ... it's so hard to comprehend. Jesus is the absolute foundation for why we went on this adoption journey yet again. And while I am about to burst open with anticipation and joy of meeting our next child ... and pouring out my love to them .... it's only a fraction of what God offers to us, every day.

We have a COURT DATE!!!!

What a glorious ray of light on a very drab North Dakota day! So here's the deal ... I have really been struggling with all this lost time with our little one. We were ready back last fall for her .... and yet she had to wait several more long months and it just was really ripping at my heart. So I've been asking God for a miracle with her court date and to redeem some of this lost time. As you know in the world of international adoption ... NOTHING is in stone ... so this is just a date and it's possible it can be post-poned, or a new date given if her case doesn't pass the first time through. But just as I asked for a miracle for her date ... I will keep asking for God to make the path smooth for her court hearing. I'm especially burdened for her birth-mom in this part of the process.

So! ... the date is April 9th! With the time difference, we'd like to ask you to be praying the evening of the 8th and any moment in between that the Lord leads you to pray! Thank you so much.

Monday Morning Ramblings . . .

Well, I must admit ... I just hesitate to post anything on here lately. I often sit and ponder just how much to share. While writing a friend last night, I told her ... "I feel like there is no more stretch left in my rubber band." There's this wonderful little devotional put out by the Shaohannah's Hope ministry. In it a parent is giving some insight in one section and one sentence really stood out to me this morning. "God isn't going to send you where He is absent." How true this is! I have to say that this journey I've been on is something I have never experienced before, even having adopted once already. It's like all the layers of my heart have been peeled back and God is using this time to teach me so much about HIS children.

As a mom we take on so much responsibility for the day-to-day needs of our children. I think this is in part what makes this section of the waiting so difficult. In our babe's pictures I see her moving out of the "innocent baby stage" into this cautious season of wondering what on earth is going on in her life. It is a comfort to know how much the Gladney staff cares about these precious children. Yet we are eager to move on to the next phase of this journey and begin the process of earning her trust and helping her to heal.

Scott Hasenbalg in this devotional says this: "The adoption journey is not easy, but every hour of toil, every obstacle encountered, every tear shed, every sleepless night - all are but a shadow of the price that God paid for us. Jesus came to be a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28), and if God was willing to pay that ransom for us, how much more will He be willing to lead us in ransoming His beloved children from their state as orphans? And it is His love that compels us onward in obedience, whatever the cost, for He who calls us is faithful. Our God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, who is rich in mercy and grace, who generously provides for all that we need, this God knows the costs we will incur, and promises to be with us and for us every step of the way. This is about faith in action. This is an invitation to experience God in ways we've never experienced Him before". Wow! ... how true. And so we walk on and trust Him. Little did I know back a year ago when God was speaking to my heart that there was a child in Ethiopia that we were to go and bring home ... little did I know all that this journey would entail. One thing is for sure ... we will never be the same. God has done something in our family that has changed us forever ... and we are only part way there. God is not sending us where He is absent ... He will walk us through each step, sometimes carrying us. His grace is sufficient both for us and for this precious child that He's bringing into our family. He has a wonderful plan for her life. He has sustained her and He will continue to work out every detail of her future because He loves her ... because she belongs to Him ... because she is HIS child.

As we approach Easter ... do you realize that for your own life? You are HIS, He loves you and He doesn't want to leave you just as you are, but He has a plan for your life. His plan for our lives doesn't always look familiar to us. But I can tell you that there is no better place to be.

Cleaning Out!

Okay, Becca, this post is for you! Ummm ... you asked for something "fun and inspiring ... to keep me busy". Well you could just come over and see for yourself what's got me busy! I am CLEANING OUT!!! Yes, it's true ... our home has kind of been neglected this past year as we worked hour after hour on our "Stamp a Child Home Project". I'll spare you the details.

I could easily spiral downward during this time of waiting for a court date and dealing with all the unknowns, but I'm trying with all my might to stay productive. While I am praying for a miracle for an expedited court process for our babe, there is really nothing else I can do about the situation. I've been asking God to redeem some of the time lost with her. As I contemplated on what our transition will be like in bringing her home, I decided there is PLENTY I could be doing right NOW, so that I can put all things aside again while we settle in as a family.

SO! ... that's the inspiration behind the dump truck picture. What I would LOVE to have a picture of is my dear husband eyes when he came home for lunch and saw the mountainous piles headed to the "give-away-place". That was a great photo opportunity that got missed, I'm afraid. I assured him there was NOTHING in my piles that he'd miss and kept right on filling bags.

Since our 3 yr. old is a very easy waker-upper, we decided some creativity is in need for our transition time when we come home. The great big closet David built in our bedroom for storage was the perfect solution to this in-between time when we want to be close by to meet her needs without waking up the 3 yr. old! So off the closet doors came (that needed to be replaced anway) and thanks to my amazing middle son, in went the crib! Just ask the guy and seriously in 15 min. the crib was down from the upstairs in pieces! And in about 15 min. more it was all back together! And I must add that the youngest son was great at keeping sister occupied while we tackled everything. That's what I call team work.

Dolly for sister

Naomi was happy to give sister's doll a hug before we ship her off to TX. Then she will travel with a family to Ethiopia. We are SO BLESSED by the families that God has brought into our lives through this journey. We thought it would be fun to see a pic of sister with the same doll so we can compare size! :)

One week down waiting for a court date. They have been taking a horribly long time. We are asking God for a miracle to redeem some time that has been lost on this journey. Our little one has waited far long enough for her family! How grateful we are for the Gladney staff in Ethiopia and the way they care for the children. Yet we ache to hold her ourselves.

Always on my mind ... forever in my heart.

Just a quick posting here. I am working on an order for our Stamp a Child Home project. If you have questions about that, just leave a comment and I can share more in email. Thanks. Anyway! .... as soon as I saw this saying in a new stamp set I purchased, it so perfectly summarizes an adoptive momma's heart.

We got to send out a care package to our sweetie this week! SO happy about that. The kids drew pictures and we sent the softest blanket ever and a chewable-safe photo album with our pictures. It felt good to finally send a couple of things that have been waiting here all these months. We hope they can bring comfort to her, not only now, but also when she makes yet another transition into our arms.

Okay ... back to designing cards. At least now the end is in sight!

If you are the creative type and would like to see some more ideas, pop over

HERE!

A Day to Remember . . .

Well .... of any days that I am NOT home to get that infamous call .... you guessed it ... TODAY! After some tracking down of me and 3 kids in town, David was able to reach us and I made it to our social worker's office in the town I was in (I did have this plan, just in case!!). Everything is kind of a blur right now. Partly because of just the awe of "this day" anyway ... but also trying to put the pieces of our precious daughter's life together. All that she's been through ... it's almost more than this momma's heart can stand.

What a JOY it is to see her smiling face and know that she is now healthy and well. Such deep joy ... yet such sadness over all we've lost with her. Wow .... but we have a whole life to enjoy together.

I will write more later. I just wanted to say "Hey everyone!! it finally happened! and we have a 12 month old precious child of God waiting for us on the other side of the world!" The day finally arrived ... the timing in every detail of her life and our journey is just almost unreal.

And I'd like to give a shout out to all you amazing families that have traveled recently. I know ya'll have more pictures of our sweet girl!!! .... so FYI she got to the Gladney home last November and would have been in the older baby house I do believe. Please email me and we'll figure out how to get pics. Thank you SO MUCH. robertsfamily@mlgc.com

More to come later. Oh, and I'm sorry, but I cannot post a pic of her on the blog until we pass through court ... so you can pray for that!!! ... it'll be a very hard wait. Thanks!

Well well, we made it to 21 weeks of waiting!

We're not really into breaking records!, so I hope that we don't do that with this adoption wait. Ha! :) But it is definitely a time that God has been using and it is certainly not a fruitless time! We are are rejoicing in who HE is and all that HE has done and will continue to do through this adoption journey.

Greatness

Psalm 145:3

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

Salty Tears - Yet Trusting Him

Today was an odd day ... I had like 20 min. alone with no other person (or personS) was around. I've realized as our older kids have gotten, well ... older ... that my "alone time" is more and more scarce. Normally this is just fine. I thoroughly enjoy time with my boys while sis is napping and we can do "older people" stuff.

But lately I've realized just how numb I'm becoming. If I so much as wear half a frown, my little girly is asking ... "MOMMY!, WHAT'S WRONG???". Well honey ... I have NO idea what tomorrow is gonna bring for 20 and a half weeks now and it could make a momma's heart go bonkers! (be assured, I do not tell her this)

So what happened when I finally had that alone time? T-E-A-R-S. Tears??? Okay, they are much more salty than I ever remember. Made me realize just how long it's been since I've had a good cry. This is a good thing to do once in a while by the way. :)

Anyway, an old Twila Paris song came to my mind. It's one that so often would through the years when I'd be facing an especially trying time. Perhaps you know it. It was clear back at our MBI days that we saw her in concert. Seems ages ago ... gee, I guess it was!

Tonight after everyone headed to bed I did a search for it and found this video. What's even better is that she goes into another great song next that is truly the cry of us waiting families .... "Do I trust you, Lord?". There are so many unknowns wrapped up in adoption, especially international adoption.

I have nothing profound to share ... just that I am SO thankful that my heavenly father knows right where I'm at. He knows that I trust Him, even when I don't have answers. And when I struggle to trust Him ... all I have to do is look to Him and He'll show me how.

20 Random Things

So ... here we are! 20 weeks of waiting for our referral. As I contemplated what to share with you, I decided it was fitting to share 20 random things with you. Some of these are things we've learned a long the way ... some are truths from God's Word that bring strength.

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." - John 14:18 Sometimes he asks us to join Him on such a process. What a ride adoption is!

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." -Psalm 68:5 It's not about us, but what God does through us to bring this all about.

I've learned that when our family works as a team, the possibilities are limitless! This journey has truly been a family endeavor!

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." -Psalm 130:5 "I/We" cannot make this happen! It is only the Lord and we must wait for Him to bring it to completion.

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" -Matthew 25:40 At times we've gotten so weary on this journey. There have been times my perspective got out of whack. When we stand in Ethiopia I want to have NO regrets. The weariness will all fade away when we see first hand the needs before us.

I've learned that God's ways are SO far beyond mine! ... He's used complete strangers to join us on this journey and help it come to completion.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." -Proverbs 16:3 Wow!, when God calls you to do something, He will make it succeed. We've seen His power and provision in the day-to-day ... we'll never forget it.

"God sets the lonely in families." -Psalm 68:6 How joy-filled we are that He is about to do that again in our family.

"Bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth ..." -Isaiah 43:66 We never dreamed years ago that this would become a reality in our family.

I've learned what a blessing it is to go to bed tired at night, knowing that what I did that day truly mattered to God, even if no one else ever knows about it.

God said, "My presence will go with you. I will see the journey to the end." - Ex 33:14 As hard and long as this is .... we are NOT alone!!! How I have to remember that daily right now.

"Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." - Psalm 31:24 My courage has crumbled so many times. This verse brings much comfort.

I've learned more about what really matters in this life. Wow!, we Americans can really get things messed up concerning priorities!

"Children are a gift from God." -Psalm 127:3 Adoption, or even having a larger family, is not all that popular in today's culture. God's word is clear.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11 My heart rejoices when I read this verse and think of our soon-coming child. God has a plan of hope & a future for her. What a privilige it's gonna be to get to see that lived out.

I've learned that God IS enough, no matter what your situation. I would not have signed up to learn it in the ways He's allowed, but trust His heart and know that He knows best.

"Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we aks or think ..." - Ephesians 3:20 Wow!, have we seen this!!! Thank you God!

"Before they call I will answer, and while they are still speaking I will hear." -Isaiah 65:24 God hears us! .... and He hears the cries of the waiting children. They are HIS and He cares!

I've learned to embrace the incredible gift of a friend ... even when we're miles apart and in some cases have never even met in person! God provides what we need ... how I needed this! and God knew. I am so humbled by how He cares for us.

And lastly, I've learned that with God all things are possible. I am right now living out all the "reasons" why I thought I could never endure an international adoption. And I guess that's still accurate .... "I" can't!! ... but with God! .... it is the only way I make it through. How faithful He is.

Moments and Miracles

One thing I've found to be so challenging along this journey is to keep living in the here and now, while eagerly anticipating the future. I know you fellow adoptive families can all too well relate. I truly don't want to miss these moments with my children or my husband ... yet truth be told, it is a daily challenge. Steven Curtis Chapman captures this so well in his song "Miracle of the Moment". Below is the video for you to enjoy. God is always at work ... even when we don't have all the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly together in front of us. He is the master designer and He is in control. My mind can be consumed of "what ifs" and "if onlys". May you see the miracle of the moments today.

Week 19

We're at 19 weeks of waiting for our referral, with nothing profound to say about it. That's about what the temp was in the cold North today as well! ... well, maybe we reached that. Brrrrr.

A Special Night!

What a special night we enjoyed at the Steven Curtis Chapman concert. We have really appreciated what he and his wife Mary Beth are doing with the Shaohannah's Hope ministry. So, to get to say thank-you in person, was a special privilege. The journey of adoption can sometimes be a lonely one. Not always will others understand what God is doing in your life. How neat it was to see SCC's two sons with him in concert and see a glimpse of what God is doing in their lives.

We enjoyed a wonderful evening full of worship and "pink lights"! Naomi would squeal with delight every time the lights flashed pink! She was not so sure of being on stage when it was time for that. It is our prayer that others got to catch a glimpse of what it looks like to step out in faith, trusting God to do what we might see as impossible. It's so not about "us" and so all about HIM.



If you're familiar with the Show Hope project then you know that at each concert they pass buckets around and collect change, which when all put together makes a tremendous difference to "Show Hope" to orphans. We were blessed with being a recipient of that last night. We have seen time and time again how when people work together, so much can be accomplished. What a joy it is to know we're one step closer to meeting the needs of this adoption. We can hardly wait to meet the special little one that this has all been about.


What a journey this has been. When we stepped out and answered God's call to adopt again, we honestly had no idea how we'd get there! (humanly speaking) All that we could see where mountains and obstacles. Adoption is a daunting task. The paperwork alone could wear a person out. But throughout this whole process God has continually reminded us of the "why" and "who" this is about. He's taught us great truths about His heart and what He sees as important. He's poured into us strength when we were tired and weary. Last night was another wonderful example of His faithfulness, as He ministered to us through songs and helped us to know once again that we are not alone. We are just so grateful to so many people who have joined us on this journey and has helped to make a difference in the life of one more child.

Week 18!

Eighteen weeks and a whole lotta M&M's later ... here we are. Maybe we should make a beautiful cake like this while we wait! Hhmmm ... nope, we have too many other things to do! We'll have to stick with getting our chocolate fix from M&M's. Hopefully I won't have to find an image for week number 19 or 20!

Hidden Blessings

I have to say .... we began this "blog thing" to have a place for family/friends (since so many are SO far away from us!) to be able to keep up-to-date on the adoption journey. Well, what I didn't realize would happen is that God would bring special people into our lives that are walking their own journey of adoption! People like Becca. Now Becca didn't know I really do not care to play "tag" again .... where you get to tell all sorts of things about yourself. I'd rather crawl under a table. :) But I will try to be a good sport and play along. My family would be laughing ... I don't "do" sports! Thankfully this game does not involve running!


8 things I'm passionate about:
My family ... let's see Hubby, 3 amazing boys, 2 special unexpected daughters ... see I'm up to 6 already!
Adoption
The life-sustaining truth of God's word


8 things I want to do before I die:
Do my best to raise up some amazing kiddos!
Live my days with a focus on eternity.
Tackle a couple of writing projects that I'm afraid to start.
See my children all walking with the Lord.
Run a little coffee-house with my husband.
Pursue my interest in photography.
Get to enjoy my beautiful multi-ethnic family consisting of many grandchildren!
Go somewhere alone with my husband (like for longer than a 24 hr. period of time!), who is my closest friend. :)

8 things I say often:
No more M&M's Naomi. (yes, she's an addict)
Stay on task!
Have you done your jobs?
I love you more than ...
Okay - I quit ... I know I talk plenty!, maybe I should be more aware of what I say! Ha. :)


8 shows I've recently watched:
Hhmmm ... don't watch many shows ... too busy making cards and other things for our project! :) When I'm not doing that .. here are a few things I like to do:
Spend time with my husband (especially when it's all quiet after the kids go to bed).
Drink coffee in one of my favorite mugs with just the right amount of creamer.
Have friends over.
Hear from a long-distance friend.
Play games with my kids.
Get visits from family.
READ!
Cook.

8 artists I never tire of listening to:
No one specific ... sorry, I'm kinda boring. I love music though!

8 things that attract me to my friends:
Seeing them seek after God.
Hospitality.
Shared interests.
Compassion.
Honesty.
Their desire to grow.
Trust.

8 things I learned in 2007
That God would lead us to bring home a child from Ethiopia.
That my husband truly loves me in sickness and in health (ishy health stuff in 2007!!)
That God would truly meet all of our needs.
God knows our heart, even when the world may not.
That being in my 30's is really a great thing!
That marriage can just keep getting sweeter.
That my boys are half-grown!, I better enjoy them!!
That my view of what's important has changed a great deal.

Okay, sorry for boring you. Now what happens next is you torment someone else with this job. I will give Kimberly the joy ... another special waiting mom whom I appreciate so much. And sorry for complaining Becca ... I'm a tish cranky waiting for that call! :)