Dare to hope?

Our adoption case has been considered an 'open' case since our last court failure.
I guess that means that all needed paperwork has been submitted and now we have been waiting on signatures from MOWA.
Unfortunately, MOWA has been a little busy lately and all the 'open' cases have been piling up.
It's been 3 weeks of waking up every morning and wondering if this is the day and 3 weeks of going to bed disappointed. I have been having a hard time even believing that we will ever bring the boys home...I have to let them go in my heart, knowing that whether or not they ever become ours they will always be His. That thought has given me peace, but it doesn't diminish the longing I feel to grab those babies in my arms and never let them go.
So a lot of discouragement, a lot of why's and a lot of prayers!

This morning we heard that Wed.'s have been designated 'open court days'.
It is wonderful, encouraging news! There are a lot of cases stock-piled, and so it will take a while to get to all of them, but at least there is hope now that maybe, just maybe one of these weeks we will have a turn too!
Dare I hope?

Happy Easter!

Sitting Pretty

Hmmm...what does she have?

Sharing...

Just a taste...

Love

Just received the news that once again we didn't make it. No reasons yet.

I am feeling like one of those inflatable punching bags...you know, the kind that you can kick and punch and they always pop up again? Over and over and over again. Until finally they spring a leak, crack from too much sun or just get plain old popped.

This adoption process that we started 2 years ago has left me feeling battered like few other experiences in life. I've definitely " sprung a leak" by this point.
Not too sure how many more times I will be able to rally myself enough to be able to "pop up again."

Yet I'll keep trying, patching myself up with faith in the One who knows all things, keep going until all possibilities are crushed, or I explode into a thousand tiny irreparable pieces.
Because when I think of those little ones... 2, of millions, sitting, waiting, and alone... there is no other option.

Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie...

Snow Day!

I thought it was never going to happen.

After years of begging, pleading, and lately; groveling, my husband FINALLY consented to taking a trip north for a day of fun in the snow. The kids were super excited!

It's not that he doesn't love his children-quite the contrary- but I guess years of working in the snow on his former job in his former home-state took it's toll; he has a STRONG dislike for the cold, white, cold, sparkling, cold, beautiful stuff.

Living in a balmy (fine. so it's really dry and arid.) climate like we do, we don't own things like hats and gloves, even socks are a rarity in our household; much less coats, snow pants, and boots.
I had to run all over the place trying to round some gear up, and after finally finding some sales and borrowing things from some cousins, we had enough to keep us warm for the day. I really had a hard time finding boots though, and finally out of desperation bought some bright, hot-pink boots because they happened to be the right size... only problem was; they were for a 10 yr old boy.

Yeah...so NOT cool!

Ah, leave it to mom though, to save the day! (and a tender boy's fragile ego)
I got a permanent marker and spent the 2 hour driving time making sure not one speck of pink shined through.

I think I did a pretty good job, huh?

Oh...oops! Well, I'm a firm believer in what you don't know won't hurt you, most of the time...and this was definitely one of those times!

We had so much fun!

Mikayla was not impressed with her first snow experience...must be her daddy's genes coming through.

The rest of the kids loved it though. Lots of sledding, snowball fights and snowmen.

Jerry did, in spite of himself, manage a smile or two.

There were some pretty cool hills to sled down; some very steep and with ramps.
Luca went down one and got the breath knocked out of him...we were all oohing and ahhing over how awesome he looked and didn't notice right away that he was gasping, "I.......can't.....breathe....."

He managed to pull through though.

As much fun as we had, I do have to admit, that it is awfully nice to be able to walk away when you're done...drive 2 hours home, take off the layers and spend the rest of a lovely day...

picking and eating oranges.

praying

Our court date is on Thursday.

Is this the week it will finally happen?

We're praying for a miracle!

Isabella Rose

Happy Birthday, my Princess !

I can't believe it's been 4 years since I held you in my arms for the first time!
What a miracle you were, not just because you were healthy and perfect, but also because after 5 boys there was finally a girl joining our family.

You have filled our lives with so much joy and laughter.
There is not a day goes by that you don't fail to amuse ( and sometimes annoy) with your constant chatter or your active imagination.

Despite all those older brothers, you are a girly girl to the very core.
It's all about babies, princesses, and pink... the loveliest color of all!

You have big dreams for your life .
Growing up, getting married, (and no, it definitely can't be your brother) babies...
lots of babies if your doll collection is any indicator...your dad's pretty sure you'll be a soccer star too.

We love you, Bella.
Don't grow up too fast!