They're coming home!!

Scott and Heidi passed court yesterday for their little girl, Zion!!! She is officially a Rink and will be able to come home with Fisher, her brother!! Amazing. Zion and Fisher are both about one year old. Starting this journey, Scott and Heidi never thought this would be the way things worked out. But, God has worked it all for good. They are going to make one trip (next month) to bring home their babies.


This has been a good reminder for me. I know God is working. I know God's ways are higher than mine. I know that now I see through a glass darkly, etc. etc. BUT....it's hard to wait. Several weeks ago I said our paperwork for Jada had left the orphanage and we were waiting on a court date. Well, our case manager was misinformed. Our paperwork never did leave the orphanage. In fact, it still hasn't been released from the government official that's suppose to be filling it out. We've been waiting almost 6 weeks on this piece of paper. One piece of paper. 6 weeks. Ugh!!! Once he releases the paperwork, the orphanage will take it to Addis and then we can get a court date. However, as we wait, court is slowing filling up. They already have cases through the end of May. Court closes sometime in July (for 2 months) for rainy season. When we got our referral, I was really thinking we'd get through court before the closure. Now, I don't know. So, this is where the rubber meets the road so to speak. In the midst of trial, frustration, disappointment, fear, will I still trust God? Will I lean on His promises and know that He's good, that He has a plan? Yes, because He gives me the grace to do so.

Spring has sprung!

Yeah for warmer temperatures and sunny days! Today was gorgeous and felt sooo great to get out of the house. A beautiful March day. Tonight my floors are once again covered in sand (as happens every spring/summer) and I have piles of dirty clothes and muddy shoes, but it's so worth it. Bart had the day off today and worked on a few projects at home with the boys while I ran to Target to get some warm weather essentials for the boys.

Fixing the sand box. My boys all love it. I hate the mess but love the hours of entertainment!

Rearranging some landscaping. I hope you can make out this picture below. I made it large so hopefully you can see good. It's Carson playing bball but look beyond that. Yes, that's right, just past the pool gate. See them? Two little girls hanging on our fence.

Last year we planted all those trees along the pool fence to give us some added privacy. LAST YEAR, it worked. This year, we have new neighbors. Doesn't look like a few trees will stop them. :) Don't get me wrong, they really are sweet girls, I just kinda like my privacy.

Good thing he's so cute, cause he's sooo ornery!

Paperwork and a great cause

Finally our paperwork has left the orphanage and is in the capital, Addis! That took way longer than I thought, so frustrating when there's nothing you can do. But, it's there and now we pray that as it's reviewed, it all looks good and they submit it for court. There's a chance that the Ministry of Women's Affairs in Ethiopia will look at our case and ask for more paperwork. :( I'm praying this doesn't happen. If they say okay, then about a week or two from now, we should have a court date!!

Also, please check out Lori's blog if you are looking for a good place to donate some money (any amount!) and want to help the people of Ethiopia. This organization uses donations to build wells for clean drinking water. A great cause!