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 : )