Announcement :)

So I have an announcement that is well overdue. For those of you who don't already know, we are adopting! Yes, it sounds crazy, but when does God ever ask us to do something "normal"? Jake and I are beginning the process to adopt two little boys with Down Syndrome from Ukraine. Their names are Pavel and Oleg. They are absolutely adorable and they have stolen my heart.

Its a long story how we finally came to this point, but here is the "readers digest" version... in Ukraine (among other countries), kids with Down Syndrome are orphaned from birth because there is no society for kids with special needs there. And if they are not adopted (usually out of the country) from the orphanage by the time they turn four, they are institutionalized. Now, I don't remember where I read this statistic, (so it could be a little off, don't quote me on this) but somewhere I read that 80% of them don't live past one year once they've been transferred to the institution. Wow.

So God brought me across these two little angels. I was looking at their pictures for a couple of weeks before God spoke loud and clear to me. It was time to get serious and step up to claim these boys. Bring them home. So knowing what a huge responsibility and decision this was, I immediately went to His word. And what did He speak there? In the midst of my tears to the Father, this is what He said- Micah 4:9 "Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in your midst? Has your counselor perished? For pangs have seized you like a woman in labor. Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in birth pangs." Wow!! Then He took me to Proverbs 24:11 "Deliver those who are drawn toward death and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter." Hmm, I thought. Sounds like He's confirming it to me!

So through much prayer and conversation between Jake and I, we made the decision to move forward with this. My heart is so full, I don't even really have words. Its all very surreal right now. And I'm in paperwork up to my eyeballs.

For now, I need to ask for your prayers. Please pray that God would continue to orchestrate. Pray that the paperwork goes smoothly. Pray that the money would come in- we'll be sending out support letters soon. Pray that God would have His way in our lives.

I've also started an adoption blog where you can follow all of the adoption updates. www.bringinghomeboys.blogspot.com Check it out to see pictures of my little boys!

Up Close: A Mother's View

So most of you know that I'm kind of obsessed with Reece's Rainbow ;) and are seriously praying about adopting a baby with Down Syndrome. Well currently I am a Reece's Rainbow Prayer Warrior... which means that the girls and I have been praying for two little orphaned angels who have DS and live in another country. I STONGLY encourage you to sign up to be a prayer warrior for one of these sweet babys. Prayer is a powerful thing... since I signed up, the little girl we are praying for has been matched with a family!! Hallelujah!

To find out more about praying for your own little angel, click here. Or to check out Reece's Rainbow's Christmas Angel Tree Project, scroll down and click on the button to the right. (Or click here.)

SO... I'm also trying to win a book called "Up close: a mother's view". Its a book about family life with a child with Down Syndrome written from a mother's perspective. For a full book review click here. One of the amazing women who have already adopted through Reeces Rainbow (and wrote the above linked review) is giving away two copies to anyone who post's about it on their blog! So here it is!! You can also enter to win this book by clicking here if you'd like to. But if you win, I'll expect you to let me borrow it. :)

Note to family memebers- if I don't win this book, it would make a GREAT christmas gift! *wink wink, nudge nudge* :)

Kory

So, Kory is a dear friend of ours from way back. He's come to be known as uncle Kory around here because, well, he's around a LOT and he's family in our hearts. :) The other night he started this little game with the girls (among countless others) that I was able to catch on tape. If you look closely, Ashley is wrapped up in this blanket (and then later, Emily gets in). The FUNNIEST part to me is listening for Jake's laugh in the background!!! Then play it again and note the noises the girls make while they are being swung! Too funny. To all you facebookers out there who have already seen this on kory's facebook- ppbbtthhh! To the rest of you- enjoy! Oh and mom... don't watch. :)

(Scroll to the bottom and pause the music first!)

Halloween

Just a few pic's from Halloween... the girl's really enjoyed "trunk or treating" at church. Our church had its second annual "Trunk, treat, and tailgate" Halloween night. Emily went as a bumble bee, Abby was a ladybug, and Ashley was a pink angel. Although if you asked her daddy, she was "a pink explosion". :) (She had wings too, but didn't put them on til we got there.)

Pomegranates

So you were fore warned when you read the description of my blog to the right- this blog is a strange mix of all the ramblings in my head. This is one of them.

I LOVE pomegranates. And I am so happy that it's fall, because it means GOOD pomegranates. And pomegranate coupons! Hannah if you come across any, let me know! I have to thank my sister-in-law Stephanie for first introducing me to this fruit. Because now- I'm in love. Nothing makes me happier than getting up early in the fall, putting on my fuzzy slippers because my kitchen tile is cold, getting a cup of coffee, a spoon and a small bowl of pom seeds and checking my email. Yes Audra, this is the ONLY time of year I actually like getting up early. *wink*

Just looking at this picture makes my mouth start watering. I'm a weirdo, I know. I was also looking up nutrition facts for pomegranates, and they are like the healthiest fruit ever. What better way to kick off flu season, than with a bowl full of anti-oxidants! And look at that color! It screams fall to me. I think I'll paint my kitchen red next...

He's home!

Thanks for your prayers for my hubby... Jake and Brian made it home safely last night. It was an awesome trip and very productive. Looking forward now to our missions trip there next summer!!!