Just the Pictures, Please

Reading spot
Eating licorice and looking outside (still and quiet at the same time -lol)

Building the snow fort on Saturday

Building the candles on Monday :)

Beautiful sunset behind the fort

Just Keep Waiting, Waiting, Waiting ...

This is the part of the adoption journey that I dread the most ~ the waiting. You know, when you've done all you can do and now there's nothing more you can do ~ except wait. Oh, but in those times of waiting God has revealed much to us. He has never left us to fend for ourselves. He has walked through the valleys with us. He has opened our eyes and hearts to His plans. It's no secret that a new list of medical special needs files came out last Thursday. It was Friday when we found out, and I was a bundle of energetic nerves through Saturday ... but we never got 'the call.' Sunday I began to stop and listen to my heavenly Father, and He had so much to say. We don't know when He will reveal our daughter to us, but we know His plans are best. And so we wait.
Today, please remember the family of our superintendent who unexpectedly passed away Saturday. He was a very kind, humble and godly man. I know his service today will be difficult, but my prayer is that it will also bring comfort and hope to those who do not know Him.
Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace. ~Jerry Bridges~

Ready for Orders!

Our new scents and wax came in today so we're making candles tonight and can take orders! Check out the menu in the right-hand margin or the scroll-down PayPal above. We need to move 100 candles :)

Speaking of Falls Creek

Look how much my boy has grown since last June! One of my youth gals gave me these pictures yesterday - what a treasure! Thanks, "K"!

Grateful Heart

Thou hast given so much to me,

Give one thing more - a grateful heart;

Not thankful when it pleaseth me,

As if Thy blessings had spare days,

But such a heart whose pulse

may be Thy praise.

~George Herbert~

Listen to the new lyrics I've added. Ruin Me by Jeff Johnson - awesome!

And The Winner Is ...

Comment posted on 3/25 at 9:58 p.m.

Congratulations, Holly!

Please email me for contact info.

Thanks to all who entered, and don't go away; there will be another drawing!

There Will Be Days

I have lots more pictures to post but blogger is being contrary today! But what am I complaining about- we have power in near blizzard conditions!

This was Friday morning around 6 a.m.

Friday afternoon

Saturday morning.

Look at the snow!

We haven't lost electricity or phones, PTL! While the kids were playing this morning I slipped away for a quick shower, praising the Lord for hot water. However, when I checked back in, I found that in 10 minutes' time Kambry had wet her pants and removed them, and Kaeleb had pooped his diaper AND stuck both hands in it, a fact I was unaware of until while changing him I saw suspicious streaks on his shirt, then noticed his hands - ewwww gross! Yes, there will be days! But look at the beautiful snow!

Watching the Storm Roll In

We're on the map! Not a good thing in this case. The power outage that was once a low risk is now a real possibility. We've gone from mist to sleet to lightning to more sleet. The temp is now 33. Makes a nice little bed for the 12 inches of snow predicted to blow in. I've filled every pitcher I can find with drinking water. And now we watch it roll in. May you be safe!

Spring Line!

Okay, here ya' go. Introducing 4 new candle scents + 1 oldie but goodie:
Faith ~ Peony
Hope ~ Downy April Fresh
Grace ~ Hawaiian Breeze
Strength ~ Botanical
Joy ~ Buttercream Crunch
Thanks a million for voting on the poll. I apologize if your favorite didn't make the cut, but some of the scents - well, sound better than they smell! We're also keeping a few of the not-so-seasonal favs but will be making them the 2nd or 3rd round. We should have all the supplies and have new candles ready for shipment next week! I'll get the new PayPal button ready soon. As always, please feel free to email me with your questions. Woohoo, spring is in the air (well, after the 12 inches of predicted snow :)
Don't forget to leave a comment on the Giveaway post!!!

Ya'll Ready For A Giveaway?!?

What's the Prize: 3 Amazing Candles (Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control)
Who can enter: YOU (Just leave a comment)
When's the drawing: Monday, March 30th
Come on, what are you waiting for, leave me a comment and get in the drawing!

Jesus Loves Kambry

Please don't forget to turn off the sound at the bottom of the blog before you play this adorable video!

Believe

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psa 19:13

Doesn't Get Any More Random Than This

A lot has happened and lot more is going to happen! First I want to take my hat off to April and the youth for doing such an awesome job on our youth center! She took some of the kids shopping for paint last Monday, they insisted on getting started the same day and by Tuesday night it was done! Not too many people could take on a project like that and get it finished - you rock! Really looking forward to having 5th Quarters, Falls Creek promos and weekly lessons down there.

Girls rule!

Wall of Fame. These are our collages of past youth events (and they all include a Baby K)

That is so cool!

I said it would be random! A tired girl can fall asleep anywhere after church. (She had clothes on for church, just FYI ;-)

Ode to the blankie. Oh, you've served Kayden well. You were once soft and fluffy. You've comforted her from one side of the world to another. And now you must be put away for safe keeping and reminiscing.

Kolton is our new horticulturist! He is trying his hand at strawberries and sweet peppers. He's also cleaned out my flower beds and has agreed to make them thrive. I haven't grown anything since the goats cleaned them out several summers ago. (The goats are gone!)

April and I are planning a garage sale to raise funds for both our adoptions! We got a call from a family yesterday who donated a load of after-garage-sale items - PTL!

The candle poll is open till Wednesday so vote on your favs. Amy and I have decided we're going to keep a few of the old favorites and add some new ones (yes, Joy will stay!)

Oklahoma Hearts for Adoption has a speaking engagement this Tuesday. Pray that God would use us to encourage others contemplating adoption and/or orphan care.

We got to spend a day with Kuyler after his evangelism event, and we are so blessed by his heart for the Lord! We are so proud of you, son!

We are in the processing of installing our irrigation system for the sweet corn and are looking forward to having the business right here on our yard this summer. Those flowers sure will dress up the place, Kolton Tee!

My little ones haven't had a fever for 24 hours now, praise God!

The kids go back to school tomorrow, and the last nine weeks seem to fly by - yeah!
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Phil 4:8

Zoo day!

The kids are feeling much better - thank you for the prayers. We kinda wore them out yesterday by taking them to the zoo, but it's the last few days of spring break ...
It's just a trip to the zoo - what's with all the stuff?

Look at the fish!

Best seat in the house

Whose the tourist?!?

He's felt better

One is much too cool for this picture stuff

S'long, monkeys. See you next time.

Always a pose

Let's go eat!

And that was pretty much the extent of our spring break fun. Hope yours was good!

The Little Ones

No wonder Mommy never has tape! "Yook, Mommy, I tape my moush." This girl, after hearing her bedtime story, climbed into her bed and tucked herself in tonight! Oh praise God! I claim victory! I am so proud of you, Kambry Hope!
Please pray for my little Kaeleb Jon. He hasn't felt well all week, and he's really sick tonight. My poor baby who likes to drive his trucks just wants, "Mommy, holdy."

So, What's Next?

Glad you asked! As of today, we have submitted ALL documentation necessary to put us in line for a referral from the Shared Agency Waiting Child List (not sure that has sunk in just yet). A new list should be coming out in the next few weeks; however, we are not necessarily expecting to be matched that quickly. If not this time, perhaps next time. We are gladly on God's time table.
So basically, we have submitted our dossier for Lifeline to have authenticated then forward to CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) or DTC (Dossier To China). Ten days or so after DTC we will be logged in (LID or Log In Date), which will be an official landmark in the paper process. I don't know what the new expected wait to travel from referral is, but I'm guessing late summer, early fall.
I want to praise God for His amazing plans and moving in the hearts of those who seek Him. There are three other families in our church who have responded to the call to adopt, and we are so thankful to be in the company of David & April, Dale & Tina and Tino & Ruth. That's four families in our church on the same journey to God's heart. This is not a large church, folks. We average an attendance of 100! Certainly God isn't just speaking adoption into the hearts of people - He's working in missions, children's ministry, youth, music and calling us to be a house of prayer!
And now, it has occurred to me I haven't posted pix of the kiddos in a while, so here ya' go.
Yeah, Baby, there's what the Approval looks like! It's not called an I171H anymore.
In all the busy-ness, we found time to visit the park.

Maybe there's a different way down ...

That's my Kayden, always on the lookout for flowers for Mom!

My little man hasn't been feeling well

But this one feels good!

This is the way we watch TV, watch TV, watch TV ...

Mommy's little cuddle bunny

He doesn't feel good, but he always wants to help Daddy.

Kolton making jerky.

Kuyler will come in late Friday night. He spent spring break on missions training. We'll have all the peeps in the nest for a few days anyway!