Happy Birthday Hope!

Today is our sweet little Hope's birthday. I really wanted to go ahead and hop on the jet plane and bring my little sweetie home, but I am trying to be patient and wait on God's perfect timing. We sent Hope a package for her birthday. I made her a blanket, we sent some small toys, candy, and a precious stuffed animal. LeeLee also decorated a photo album for her and we sent tons of pictures of our family and our home. We know we think she is adorable, so we hope that she thinks we are acceptable looking as well. All the kids drew pictures for her and we sent her a long letter. I also sent along several disposable cameras and am hoping that they will take pictures of her life there so we will have those for her. Last night as we were going to sleep we prayed that she would have a birthday filled with blessings. I keep claiming Jeremiah 29:11 for her.....I can hear Jesus whispering in her ear,"I know the plans I have for you Hope, and they are plans that include many blessings, I will not harm you, but I have come to give you great hope and an amazing future!" As I imagine Hope resting in the love of Jesus, I am humbled that God chose us to parent this precious 6 year old girl. Happy Birthday my precious girl!

Homestudy Completed!

I got word today that our homestudy has officially been forwarded to the state. We will wait for them to forward it to the United States Immigration and Citizenship Division. Please pray that this goes quickly thought the state! I feel like this process is kinda like a triatholon, and right now I am still in the swimming part.

The cutest hair clips

I have had alot of people ask me about Hope's hair, and why it is so short. Well, I believe it is probably for sheer convience. So, knowing that she will come to us with short hair, I've been trying to figure out how to make her look feminine without looking ridiculous. I found these great felt hair clips on etsy, http://www.etsy.com/shop/Emmaleesboutique I think these will help her look like the precious little girl that she is without looking like a present! The maker of these clips is holding a giveaway on her facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Emma-Lees-Boutique/251307682321?ref=ts I have been sneaking a few of the clips I bought for Hope out of the bag, and LeeLee has been sporting them. They are all just too cute!

Snow Day!

It is so rare to get a snow day! We were a little skeptical when they called school off before the first flake fell. I however and glad they did, we had a great day playing in the snow. Didn't I make a really good snow dog? It looks just like Rags if I do say so myself!

Daddy Daughter Dance

It's that time of year again that Paul takes his beauties out for a night of fun. Noelle always knows how she wants her hair and nails to look. We started on her hair, and LeeLee said she wanted her hair curled too. I didn't know how her hair would do because we have never curled it before. But it took the curl and I think she looked like a little Asian Shirley Temple. They both had fun, but they were so exhausted that they had the dessert part of their date the day after.

Roller-Skating LeeLee

LeeLee is so coordinated and is willing to try anything. These pictures really are misleading because she actually got good at skating. We were there for one of her friends birthday parties. Once I convinced her to let go of me and let her fall a few times, she had it down. She picks up stuff so quickly it amazes me.

Going to the Chapel Again!

Another one of our college student couples got hitched! Sarah and Billy are both so precious to our family. We love getting to be a part of these celebrations. This is our third couple to get married. Luckily, these two are still in school, so we still get to have them over for Generations. Eventhough this is a joyous occasion, would you please join me in prayer for the first couple we had to get married. Jeremey, the husband passed away this weekend, and we are devastated. Alaina his wife is now a 25 year old widow. We are so blessed by these students and we truly feel like they are our own that this has hit hard to lose one, and have another is great pain.

Hunter's first tooth

Hunter lost his first tooth. He pulled it out himself. He already had the new tooth coming in and he was determined! The next week Noelle lost three and Hunter lost another one. The tooth fairy has been very bust at our house. But again to show the heart of my kids, they brought us the money and said they wanted us to use it for Hope. I can't say enough how much I love the heart of my children!