Our Adoption Journey

Our adoption journey officially began on Monday, January 17th, and an informational meeting. It unofficially began much earlier than that. Mid-way through the meeting I looked at Scottie and said, "We are exactly where we are supposed to be." I just felt in my spirit that it was right. And I still feel that way.

We have been praying for several years for God's direction for our family. After cancer, a miscarriage and not knowing if a successful pregnancy is even possible, we began seeking God's will believing He desired for us to have more children. In November, we sensed Him leading us to adoption. Shortly after, the C.A.L.L. started in our area. While we have considered foreign adoption, we feel there is such a huge local need and decided to work with DCFS through the C.A.L.L. We have completed our PRIDE training and have our paperwork nearly done. We have our home study scheduled for next Friday and will complete CPR training on April 9th. The only thing left after that is a final DCFS walk through and our home will be open.
When we began our journey we planned to go "adopt only." We have the option to foster, foster to adopt or adopt only. As we went through training, we began to reconsider foster to adopt. Our trainers said it is typically the fastest way to go, but as foster parents, the goal is reunification of the child with their birth parents. So that means we could have a child or children in our home and have to give them back. At first we worried about Henry getting too attached and not understanding having to return a child to their parents. We ultimately decided we should foster to adopt and have a real peace about that decision. We have talked to Henry and explained that we may not get to adopt the first child we have in our home. We may only have them to love for a little while and have to give them back. He seems ok with this. Scottie asked him today if he wants a brother or a sister. He replied, "I would like one of each!" We feel we could take one child or a sibling group of 2.

So, the journey continues. Every day we are a little closer to the child God has for us. I pray every day for my children. For the family of the child. For God's direction. We have such a peace as we travel this road. We know there will be bumps ahead and this is not an easy journey, but are so excited to see what God has planned for our family.

Snow Day!!

We had a great day together as a family staying home!! It was my second snow day, but Henry's first. He was very excited! There was cheese dip, video games, TV and pj's all day!! Henry declared it pajama day at lunchtime. Except for a brief period where we had to get dressed to get out, we were all in our pj's all day!

Having fun with Daddy and Maggie outside in the cold!

Daddy' wrestling with Maggie in the snow! Yes, that's our dog under there!

Maggie is jumping to eat the snow. She loves it!

Soon they started throwing their snowballs at me! Time for me to go inside! Quick!!

My boys (big and little) and Maggie Mae had a wonderful time!! With another snow day tomorrow, there is more fun around the corner!!

Ramblings On Time

Lately I've been thinking a lot about time.
It's such a funny thing.
Sometimes it seems to go fast and sometimes it seems to creep along.
Does time really fly when you're having fun?
I have come to understand that I don't understand this thing called...time.

There are days when I wish I could go back to when H was a baby and hold him again.
But there are other days that I can't wait for him to be a grown up.
It seems I am often caught in the middle of...time.
Almost like I watching time go on all around me, but I'm at a stand-still.
Then I look in the mirror. And I see the effects of time on my face and my body.
I feel the effects of time as I get older.

I love this picture because it's exactly how I'm feeling.
I'm in such a period of waiting and watching and listening.

And it's hard.

It's scary because I don't know what's ahead.
But it's so good to trust in God and wait and watch for His hand.

He is in control and I rest in that.

There is such peace in that.

It's not that I don't trust God.
I do, with all my heart.
But I also want to know what He's up to.
I say, "I trust You, God. But tell me where we are going. Tell me what's going to happen."
It's almost as if I can hear him chuckle when I do that.
He shakes His head and says, "Oh, you of little faith. Just trust me."
And that's where I am.
Just trusting.


I know that time is that it is short.
I want to make the most of every moment, be the best I can be because I know that life is short.
I don't want to regret moments in time that I didn't take or missed.
I don't want to hold on to bitterness and resentment.
I want to forgive and show grace.


Think about time.
And do your very best to make the most of your time.

My Family

As Thanksgiving approaches, I realize how truly thankful I am for my family.

I also realize that family can mean many different things.

I have one brother. Always wanted a sister.

God blessed me with 4 sisters when I married Scottie.

I have an amazing church family who loves me and has blessed me richly over the last 7+ years.

I have friends who I consider to be family.

I live with the most amazing boys in the world.

I am outnumbered, but wouldn't trade these two for anything.

My parents still love each other.

(And they treat their only granchild like royalty!)

Our family.

I know these people love me for me and would do anything for me.

My dad's side of the family.

I have some wonderful memories with these folks.

God is changing my view of my family.

And teaching me how to trust.

Our family will be expanding.....

We will be adopting a child through The C.A.L.L.

We are super excited!!

We cannot wait to see what God has planned for our changing...

...family.

Henry Turns 8

Happy Birthday, Henry!!

Henry turned 8 years old on Saturday, October 2nd. It was such a fun day and I'm so glad we all got to be together on his special day!

He started off the morning "cooking" with me in the kitchen. In this picture he is talking on his banana phone.

We had his party at the Jump Zone. It was so perfect!! What an amazing place!!

Mr. Jerry is explaining the rules! The party was in the Razorback Room. Soooo cute!

Henry got some wonderful gifts. Lots of Legos, money and a kickball and bases from his Grama and Papa!

It was such a fun day!!!

At 8 years old, Henry:

You are in the 2nd grade and love school.

You enjoy Math, but tell me your favorite subject is recess. :-)

You love to play with Legos and like to build "scenes" with your Star Wars sets.

You are very creative and have a wonderful imagination.

Your favorite TV shows are Spongebob and The Suite Life With Zack and Cody.

Your favorite snack is Goldfish Crackers.

Your favorite food is pizza.

You like to go to the mall and Target with me (and I'm REALLY thankful).

You have a sweet spirit and hate to be in trouble.

You like to go to church with mom and dad.

You are a helper and a leader.

Your best friend is Taylor.

You killed your first deer last year at the age of 7.

You are such a blessing to your dad and I.

We thank God every day for you.

We are so proud of you!

We love watching you grow up and can't wait to see what God has in store for your life!!

Tinker Toys

Henry was playing with his Tinker Toys the other day and made "laser beams" across his door frame. He told me he would have to "scan my eye" to make sure I was a good guy before I entered. I love that even though he has a wii and a DS, some days he just wants to play with his Tinker Toys. Even if it is to build death beams and eye scanners.

The little turkey turns 8 in 2 days and is so excited. Birthday pics and fun stories to come.

Big Boys and Their Toys

Last week my parents came down to go to the Clothesline Fair in Prairie Grove.

Henry and my dad LOVED the old tractors.

They even got to drive them!!