In Pigeon Forge with no CAMERA!!!!!!!!

We left this morning for a mini vacation to Pigeon Forge because I have to go back to work next week. My 4 weeks off from work is now coming to an end and I am already pouting. Once school starts back for us it will be awhile before we get to go anywhere else. We get half way here before I realize that I left my camera at home. I even told Kaitlyn this morning don't let us leave without asking me do we have our camera. Oh well, we are having a great time anyway even if we can't take pictures. We ate dinner at the Apple Barn and it was delicious, then brought the girls back to go swimming. Chloe loves a pool!

She was so funny this morning. The last time we were here was in November and it was 22 degrees. It was her first ever winter and she hated the cold. We had her in her stroller with a coat, hat, gloves and blankets. Well when I told her this morning that we were going to the mountains she wrapped both arms around her waist and said "OOH, it so cold in the mountains, I need my jacket." I couldn't believe she even remembered coming here. I explained to her that it was hot in the mountains right now.

No adoption news for us, we are still waiting for the go ahead to start gathering our documents for the updated homestudy, but realistically know that could be anywhere from a few weeks from now to a few months. I am actually okay with this, the Lord has given me unexplainable peace about this whole process. I know it is going to happen when it is suppose to and I am okay with that. I did get an email today from J (caseworker) to tell us she will be out of the office from Aug 1st to Aug 18th because she is getting married on the 5th and will be honeymooning in Greece. I am very excited and happy for her!!!!!!

Not Exactly A Success...But Praise The Lord Anyway

We had our yard sale this morning. I went to bed at 2 am and got up at 6 am. Boy I am tired!
We made about a $100. Not exactly what I was hoping and praying for but a $100 more than we had, so I am still praising the Lord. I thought for sure the baby clothes and toys would sell, many still had the tags on them and I couldn't even get $1 a piece for them, I was really surprised by that. Guess I will need to come up with a more creative way to raise money for this adoption.......... Not today though, my brain is too tired!

Yard Sale Tomorrow

Tomorrow we are going to have a yard sale with all the proceeds going toward our adoption expense. I had said when I first started this blog that we would really be stepping out on faith with this adoption and it is true. I know very well that the Lord is going to provide for us because He surely has lead us to travel this journey, but I also think He expects us to do for ourselves too. We will be doing a series of yard sales until we get rid of all our stuff, hoping and praying that we sale most of it tomorrow. I am hoping the old saying is true, "our junk is someone else's treasure".

Praising Our Lord & Savior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am rejoicing at the news I received last night from my good friend DJ.
She & her husband just accepted a sibling group referral from Ethiopia. Two girls ages 8 & 6 and one boy age 3. DJ is now the mother of 4 daughters & 2 sons. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!
I am so excited for this family and for these 3 precious children that will soon come home to the US, a loving family and a christian home. GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!

Camp Kaleidoscope Weekend

Our adoption agency puts on Camp Kaleidescope every year for all their families that have adopted. We had a blast and can't wait to go back next year. Brent couldn't make it this year because he was out of town nor could Kyleigh's husband Matthew who was in Utah. Brittany stood in for Brent though and we all had a great time.
Saturday started off with a hayride up to camp, we got Camp Tee Shirts and water bottles, we then made a family tree, and made wishes to put on a "wishing tree". Our wish was for a baby brother from Vietnam, no surprise there. We then got henna tatoos, this was to identify what team you were on and who your team members were. Our tatoo was El Salvador and we were fortunate enough to have M from our agency and her family on our team. M was our team captain and she did a great job. There were alot of relay races and thank the good Lord she let me be the photographer!
It was absolutely amazing to see all the beautiful children from all over the word. The children were from Guatemala, Vietnam, Haiti, El Salvador, China, Russia, Ukraine , maybe more but I am not sure. All of them gorgeous, simply gorgeous. I have never felt so blessed in all my life, watching Chloe run around like a crazy girl and Kyleigh & Kaitlyn following her with nothing but love shining in their eyes. I thought several times that day, where would these beautiful gifts from God be if not for international adoption. It does make one stop and think.
I thank the Lord every single day of my life for the awesome responsibility he has entrusted me with in raising this beautiful sweet child from Guatemala that I love with all my heart and soul.
I can't wait to be given the opportunity to be mommy to one from Vietnam, then our family will be perfect! Thank the Lord from whom all blessings flow, praise His Holy Name!!!!!!!!

4th of July Pics from Hilton Head

Hello From Hilton Head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We got our fingerprints done on Saturday 6/30 WHOO HOO and left for Hilton Head on Sunday 7/1. We have had a wonderful time and hate to see it come to an end. Sorry there are no pictures but internet is very slow here so I am going to wait and upload them when I get home. Chloe and Kaitlyn have had a blast. Where we are staying the dolphins come right up close to you, so they have really enjoyed watching them every night and there was a spectacular fireworks show last night.
Joe, Julie and Abigail came on Tuesday and went home today. Chloe and Abigail played great together and I actually teared up last night watching fireworks with them, thinking these two precious girls were celebrating "Independance Day" here in the USA together. You should have seen them playing in the ocean, it just amazes me that this time last year Chloe wouldn't get anywhere near the water.
Daniel has really been enjoying "real seafood" as he calls it. He has had crab legs three nights this week. Needless to say I have had all the seafood I care to have for a while. We made Kaitlyn (the chicken eater) try flounder and she actually liked it. Yes that's all we have done this week, play in the sand, swim in the pool, and EAT EAT EAT!!!!!!!!