Sigh

Sometimes things are hard. Sometimes words cannot heal. Just got done crying over the fact that we will not have court next week. They hope to have court again in January. We will all leave this week and then have to return again for court when they reschedule it. Told J today and the stress of it all gave him a headache and he shut down. He had tears and they said he never cries over injury or sickness, he was was sad and worried. Why does an almost 8 yr  old have to worry about such things?! Truthfully it is good that court is not next week, I think it is better for the judge. But time is precious, we have already lost so much. I ache to have our family complete and all home. I know God is in control and I pray He gives J the peace and joy that can only come from Him in the waiting. trying to enjoy the last couple of days but a black coud hangs over it and I can see it in J's demeanor. God give me the words to comfort my boy in a second language and in a relationship that is brand new. please continue to pray for favor in the court when we do go. And please uphold sweet sweet J in your prayers- daily.

God is Good Always

Hello all!  Haven't been able to update until now.  Things as far as J go have been going so amazing!  The boys are having so much fun together just being boys.  We played hide and go seek with all the kids down in the avocado trees and corn field.  We also play soccer, daily.  J seems so happy and comfortable with us and we are with him too.  There was only one weird day when the whole town was around and all these older boys and he was shy with us.  But really it was awkward and everyone was surrounding us; the muzungas, (white people) so it was very understandable.  The last two days he addresses us frequently as mommy and daddy and has also shared his feelings with stuff.  Like when we went into court he told me after that he was crying because he could tell the judge was annoyed and he was afraid he would have to go up and talk.  Court did not go well.  Hopefully we can get what the judge is requesting and have court again next week.  We are really praying for that because courts close for a month, so if we can't get in next week than we wont be able to until the middle of January.  It was hard yesterday because all 7 of us are just ready to be a family.  One of the nannies told me J came into her room one night after we left and said, " I love my parents, they are so good. And I love my brothers."  The good thing about yesterday  is after court we got to have him in Kampala and be with him outside of the orphanage.  We went to a playground, and then we wanted him to try pizza.  We went to "Pizza Hot" not to be confused with Pizza Hut : )lol  It was not good, he didn't like it but really neither did we.  We have had other good pizza here, wished we would have taken him there.  Ah well!  The kids also got their picture taken with the Ugandan Santa in the mall.  J is wearing a Santa beard.  The picture is hilarious!  We are trying to just focus on the time with J and hopefully this court stuff will all work out.  We can not be anxious or worry about things that may or may not happen.  God is good and I know He was not surprised and I know it will all work out.  Please pray we can get the information we need to get into court next week, and when we do that it will go smoothly!!!

From Uganda!

Hi all, this is my first time getting online since we have been here, found an internet cafe.  Plane trip went as well as we could have hoped for, kids were awesome.  We have spent three wonderful days with our boy.  He is amazing!  Each day we feel like we get to know him a little bit more.  The day before we came he was saying, "tomorrow my miracle is coming." 
Mainly the boys have been playing soccer a lot together.  Today some kids from the neighborhood came by and J said come play and had his two brothers on his team.  So fun to see the three boys playing and laughing together.  J is super athletic and the boys are having fun climbing trees and running around together. Cade and J don't stop playing the whole entire time.  Cade was drenched in sweat today.   Kylin gets in the mix too but also loves to play with the little girls at the orphanage.  Becks is having fun too with the babies as she calls them (same size as her.)  The first day J thought he was coming home with us which was sad but now I think he understands that we have to leave and come back for him.  We have learned so much about him from seeing him in action and stuff the nannies say.  I think one of my favorite things was they told me that J asked, "Are my parents born again?"  To which they said yes. And he said, "That is what I have been praying for!  I worried how I would get to church if you found me a family that wasn't"  Ah, have I mentioned how much I love this sweet boy?!  His laugh is awesome.  We are all going to have so much fun together.  Brett was trying to block him from throwing the ball and he said jokingly, "go over there, go feed the goats" and was cracking up.  God is awesome and I love how he has brought us all together to laugh and love here in Uganda.  Got our first family picture taken at the orphanage, so amazing to see us all together, finally!  Please continue to uphold us all in your prayers.  Pray for court on the 11th and pray they get everything done before things close for Christmas.  Pray also for J's heart and that he understands the two trip process, sometimes it's hard to know if he gets it.  Thank you dear friends, for continuing to pray and be a part of our journey from afar. 

We are on the Move!

Waiting.  Hurrying up to get stuff done...and then waiting some more.  International adoption is A LOT of waiting.  The good news is that God is there, in the waiting, beckoning us to abide in Him.  I hate the waiting, but I love that I am forced to just trust and abide.  Tough stuff and sometimes a daily struggle to continue to have peace, and it does come. The peace comes in waves, and has been constant throughout.  The peace that overrides all my emotions because it is not from me, it is from above. It is from the One who has been leading us to J from the beginning, the one who has been comforting J before we even knew of him.  
The exciting part is currently we are not waiting, we are moving.  We have been packing, making lists, planning, anticipating and now we look forward to boarding a plane tomorrow!  It has been 14 months since we were officially matched with him, 14 months of waiting.  Now we are moving, finally,  all of us.  J will get to meet his mom, dad, older brother, younger brother, and two younger sisters next week.  I am so overjoyed that we get to all go as a family.
Please pray for court to go smoothly, and for health and safety as we travel. Pray that J will be prepared to meet us as much as he can be.  That it would be a wonderful time together, our first as a family.  I will try and update but internet is sketchy, so if you don't hear anything just keep praying! : ) Thank you all for being a part of our journey.  God bless you all, thank you for being our prayer warriors.  Sent the kids to bed extra early since we are leaving at 2:30 am so all I can give you is a pic of our luggage, which Brett is now currently putting in the van. Yep, it's really happening : )

Blessed Beyond Measure

Our fundraiser; Give $8, Get 8 began when Brett and I were trying to think of a simple fundraiser that people could latch on to. A number came to mind, the number of candles on our sweet boy's next birthday cake.  So we asked people to consider donating $8 and asking 8 friends to do the same.  The first day we got over $200!  I thought this is awesome, would be so great to raise $800 at the end of the week.  And then on that second day over $800 dollars came in! Due largely in part to some dear friends who donated $588.   Every single day we got money in $8 increments, from friends and strangers alike. And numerous people continued to share our story and we saw more people give.  Many people gave above and beyond and it was so amazing to watch that total rise.  So at the end of day 7 we had over $2,000!  What?!  Crazy right?  But hold on it gets better, WAY better.  A donor came in on the last day and said they would match whatever funds came in.  How awesome is that?! What a generous offer! And I must admit I felt like a KLOVE radio host announcing the new twist of events in our fundraising efforts. : ) Shortly after that an angel donated $1000! one-thousand-dollars. wow.  And it was matched.  And more people gave that day. In $25, in $50, and in the magic $8.  And every single dollar counted, and we are grateful for every penny that came in.  It was a sacrifice and each one of you saw a need and you answered the call.  We are overwhelmed. We wanted to share with you the total so we could all praise together this great and wonderful God, who truly is the Great Provider.  The Lord has provided us with....

(Daddy's feet not pictured as he was at work)

That's right, $4,561!!! In just 8 days.  And the total isn't done because several people have sent in checks.  From the bottom of our hearts we just want to say thank you.  I LOVE that during this fundraiser we found out that we have a court date and you all got to be a part of us hearing that news. In days we will be purchasing plane tickets with this money.  Isn't God's timing amazing?  Please continue to pray as we travel the first part of Decemeber.  Pray for safety, health, and that court will go smoothly.  We will continue to update as we can from Uganda, but internet is sketchy.  Thank you for being a wonderful part of our adoption journey.  It has strengthened our faith to see God provide through all of you in such a mighty way.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. 

Final Day of GIVE $8, GET 8!!

Today is day 8 of our Adoption Fundraiser. And we have some exciting news, a donor has offered to match all funds that come in this final day!  This is so huge!!

 Our little Ugandan will be 8 next month and so we are asking people to consider donating $8 to help bring him home.  And then asking 8 friends to do the same.  We have been so blessed to see funds come in and our children get to see the Lord work in a tangible way.  It has been such an amazing week!  Thank you all for being a part.   We still have a ways to go, so please continue to share our story and pray, on this the last day of our fundraiser!  We are so thankful, and blessed beyond measure.  You people are awesome! Yellow Button is in the top right.  Takes paypal and credit card.  Thank you!

 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 1Chronicles 16:34

Day 7 of 8: GIVE $8, GET 8

So we are nearing the end of our fundraiser and have been so blessed and amazed by the generosity of sooo many!  Our sweet boy will turn 8 next month and so we are asking people to consider giving $8 to help bring him home from Uganda.  And then asking 8 friends to do the same.  The biggest news we have to share is... WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!!! I can hardly think straight to write this out now.  We are so excited that we will be in Uganda the first part of December!!! Please continue to pray that court will go smoothly and we can bring him home as soon as possible.  Thank you friends, we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love.  Please continue to share our story, we just have today and tomorrow!  Thank You!

Yellow Button is in the top right.  Takes paypal and credit card.  Thank you!

Day 6 of 8; GIVE $8, GET 8

If you are visiting this blog for the first time, welcome! Thanks for stopping by and reading our story.  Let me fill you in.. We are in the process of adopting a sweet boy from Uganda who will be turning 8 next month.  In honor of his next birthday we are asking if people would consider giving $8 and asking 8 friends to do the same.  International adoption costs are huge but our hope is if a lot of people give a little it will all add up.

Want to be inspired by some kids?  My nieces, who are 6 and 9 have committed to give $8 to help bring their cousin home.  My six year old niece is giving ALL.  Eight dollars is all she has in her piggy bank.  She is a saver and has saved everything she has received from the tooth fairy for the last 8 teeth  : )  They both have written emails out to 8 of their friends to encourage them to do the same.  And their friends are responding.. I am inspired by their generosity, aren't you?  Here is a pic of them with our kiddos.  (my nieces are the little blonde girl and the one on the bike)  Thank you K and L, you girls rock!

AND THANK YOU!!! We are so blessed as we see God provide each day through the generosity of friends, family, and even strangers.  Please continue to share our story and encourage others to give.  We only have a few more days!  Pray that God will continue to move people to give, can't wait to post a picture of J home.  All of you are a part of our journey, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Day 5 of GIVE $8, GET 8

This is day 5 of our 8 day Adoption Fundraiser.  Our little Ugandan will be 8 next month so we are asking people to consider giving $8 to help bring him home.  And then asking 8 friends to do the same. Yellow Donate button is in the top right, it takes paypal or credit card.  Every dollar counts, every dollar is sooo appreciated.  

A dear friend of ours had a wonderful conversation with our boy while she was over in Uganda visiting her son.  J was having a hard time and she was encouraging him to have hope in the Lord and she slipped off her bracelet and put it on his wrist, telling him she would send his family the same bracelet.  HOPE.  Harder to have when you're 8 and just waiting.  I pray J has a confidence and hope that we are coming.  So here are our hands minus his, can't wait to have one more hand on the pile!

Thank you so much to those who have generously given and shared our story.  Please continue to share and pray, we still have a ways to go! It was another great day yesterday.  I am holding off the totals for the rest of the time so I can give the grand total at the end.  Great Job friends, B gives you a big thumbs up!

Day 4- Give $8, Get 8

 Our Give $8, Get 8 adoption fundraiser is a simple concept that we hope really takes off.  It's this; our sweet Ugandan boy will turn 8 years old next month.  So we are asking folks to consider giving $8 to help bring him home.  And then asking 8 friends to do the same.  And those people can ask 8 friends, who ask 8 friends, who ask... well you get the idea!  It's the little snowball rolling down the hill concept or an army of ants each doing their part. The yellow donate button is in the top right, it takes paypal or credit card.   I know times are tough for a lot of people, but if a lot can give a little we can still get there.  So please pray above all else that God would move and people would give.  Please share our story, share this link, share in our journey.

Some of you have asked me exactly how much we need still for our adoption.  Before this fundraiser the number was $11,500.  But we, I mean all of you, are really chipping away at that total.  We are so blessed each day as we see funds come in.  Please keep sharing and praying.  So... want to see how much you all blessed us with yesterday?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! So since it is day 4 of our 8 day fundraiser I thought I would give you a recap.  It is brought to you by the number 8...


Day 1- $283
Day 2- $856
Day 3- $185

Pretty cool, huh?

Here is one of our sons saying thanks in his own special way...

Day 3 of Give $8, Get 8

If you are new to this blog and our adoption story let us catch you up. We are in the process of adopting an almost 8 yr old from Uganda.  In honor of how old he will be on his birthday next month we are asking people to consider giving $8 to help bring him home.  And then getting 8 friends to do the same.  We will be doing this for.. you guessed it 8 days.  This is Day 3.  Can I tell you how amazed we are at people's generosity?!  We are overwhelmed.  Grateful. Blessed. Yesterday morning I was praying and thinking how it would be great if at the end of this fundraiser we were able to raise $800.  Then God had bigger plans, way bigger plans.  He provided more than that just yesterday, in one day.  Bringing our new total to...

WOW!!!  We are speechless friends.  Please continue to share. We have a long way to go still. If you have given please consider personally asking 8 friends to do the same.  Share our link and pray, pray that God will continue to work through the generosity of friends, family, strangers.  Donate button is in the top right.  Thank you, thank you, and just because we can't say it enough...

Day 2 of 8--- Give $8 Get 8

Wow!  We are humbled and amazed after just Day 1 of Give $8, Get 8.  The idea being since our boy (whom we are adopting from Uganda) will be 8 on his next birthday we are asking people to consider giving $8 to help bring him home.  And then getting 8 friends to do the same.  So thankful for all those who responded.  Some people we have never met gave.  Some people gave above and beyond.   Every dollar counts!  Thank you so much to those who gave, those who shared our story, and those who prayed.  Please keep praying and sharing.  $8 can truly make a difference, thank you for being a part of our adoption journey.  We still have a long way to go but we are on our way.  I soooo hope we can have him home for his birthday and take a picture with a big 8 on his cake and show you all the wonderful things God has done in and through you.  So... want to know how much came in yesterday? 

Praise the Lord and thank you again. Keep sharing and praying my friends!  Donate button is in the top right.

GIVE $8 GET 8

8...eight...8...8....eight.  Just a number to most, but for us it is sooo much more.  It is the number of years old our little Ugandan will be on his next birthday.  For those of you who don't know we have been in the process of adopting him for a little over a year.  He has known about us that long as well and has been waiting for us to come. Him waiting kills me. Even before that I began to pray for him, when he was only six. We are hoping and praying he can be home before his next birthday at the end of this year.  So in honor of that we are asking if you would consider giving $8.   And then...getting 8 friends to do the same.  I know times are tough for a lot of people but maybe if a lot can give a little we can still get there. So please pray above all else that God would move and people would give.  Share on facebook, talk to your local friends, let's see what happens. Thanks so much for being a part!
Here are some kiddos who want their brother home..

***Thank you, thank you, thank you.The little yellow button on the top right takes paypal and credit card.   BTW we will be doing this for.. you guessed it 8 days : ) This is Day 1.

One Year and Counting...

I recall like it was yesterday, the day we found out I was pregnant with our first child.  We had been married a little over a year and I had just graduated college.  We were so excited, scared, and nervous.  We went out to dinner that night and just smiled and stared at each other. Occasionally one of us would offer up a name suggestion or say, "This is crazy!"  Almost immediately I felt this connection to the baby growing inside of me.  I began to worry that I would miscarry.  Only knowing of my child's existence for a couple of hours, I worried that I would lose him.  The bond between a mother and child is so strong and unmoving.  I didn't miscarry, and Brett and I welcomed our first son into the world on April Fool's Day.  As we celebrated his first Christmas, unbeknownst to me a baby boy was being born across the world in Uganda.  I would not see his face for six more years (and three more children later), but when I did I knew immediately that he was my child.  I knew it in my heart, down deep in my mommy soul.  My love is unmoving and I will not rest until he is home and safe in my arms. It has been one year since we officially began the process of adopting J.  ONE YEAR this month.  Some days are sooo hard to bear.  I think and pray for him everyday, all of us do.  The kids talk about him daily and already think of him as part of our family.  I have heard his voice call me Mommy on the phone, I have seen his different expressions in countless pictures, but I long to see him face to face and give him a big ol mommy hug.  I thank God that He is leading us on this journey and I know He will accomplish what He has begun.  Right now we wait for a court date, where he would become our son.  For us to finally hold our boy, something our hearts have done for over a year now. 

Rear View Driving

I admit that I glance in my rear view mirrow quite a bit while I am driving.  I just love watching my kids when they don't know I am watching them.  I can see my boys in the back of the van cracking each other up in a way only another little boy can understand.  I see my girls right behind me holding hands, always holding hands when they ride in the van.   I love listening to their silly, sometimes deep conversations with one another.  Of course it is not always this peaceful while we drive but for the most part they are pretty good riders. I think they are such high energy that often times to have them all strapped down helps me to appreciate them more. : )  But the other day as I glanced back, there it was glaring back at me.... the void.  Amidst all the kid laughter, small voices, and the hum of the van, there was a blaring absense. In the back seat of the van, between my two boys, there was an empty space. The place where our Ugandan son will be. I could visualize J there, laughing with them and joining in all the craziness that is a van full of children, our children.  I can't wait until the day when I look back and see every seat in our van occupied by a child, each one of them God knew would be there before time began .  Each one a wonderful testimony of the goodness and greatness of our God.