Approval Notice

Thank you, Jesus!!!

Soup n' Soap ~ 2 Recipes in a Day!

I've made my second batch of liquid laundry soap, and I really like it, so it's my duty to share :)
I make 1/2 of this recipe at a time, simply because I can store it easier.

Liquid Laundry Soap - Front or Top Load
4 Cups hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water.
Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
Fill a 5-gallon bucket half full of hot tap water.  Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax.  Stir well until all powder is dissolved.  Fill bucket to top with more hot water.  Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
*hint* I continue to stir the soap occasionally to keep it from clumping.
Stir, and fill a used, clean laundry soap bottle 1/2 full of soap, then fill with hot water.  Shake before each use (the soap will gel).  (I store the remaining soap in ice cream containers)
You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons after soap cools.
Yield ~ Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons
Top Load ~ 5/8 cup per load (approx 180 loads)
Front Load ~ 1/4 cup per load (approx 640 loads)

I tried this new soup recipe and it was awesome!  Tweak it how you like!
*note* this is my double recipe so you may want to half it.

Lasagna Soup
3 lbs Italian Sausage
1 yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
4 Tbsp tomato paste
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
12 cups chicken stock
16 oz of any short, thin type pasta (I used 2 bags from the Hispanic food section)
Salt and Pepper to taste
16 oz Ricotta cheese
1 cup Romano/Asiago grated cheese
4 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
In a large pot, brown sausage over medium heat, breaking into small pieces.  Cook sausage till done, then add onions and cook till softened.  Add garlic, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.  Cook for an additional minute or 2.  Add the tomato paste and stir well to incorporate.  Add crushed tomatoes and chicken stock.  Stir to combine.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.  Next, add uncooked pasta and cook until al dante (only about 4 minutes).  Don't overcook or continue to simmer because pasta will become mushy.  Season with salt and pepper.
While the pasta is cooking, combine the cheeses.
Pour soup into bowls and top with a handful of cheese mixture.
Enjoy!!!

Whew, maybe I'll quit while I'm ahead :)

As Promised ~ A Recipe

This was a hit last night!
Know how I know?
The people didn't say, "Nice try, Mom."
The people said, "Let's have this more often!"
It's SO easy, and so yummy.  It's pretty rich though, just FYI.
So, as promised, here is the recipe for:

Beefy Onion Strudel
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp butter
1 large onion thinly sliced
1 Tbsp flour
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 cups cooked beef tenderloin or
    (I used 2 packages of OM board cut deli meat, cubed)
4 slices provolone cheese
2 (8 oz) packages unbaked Pillsbury crescent roll dough
1 egg, well beaten

Preheat oven to 375 F
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet, saute onions until tender and slightly browned.
Remove pan from heat and stir in flour very well.  Return to medium low heat and add Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce, stirring well until blended and thickened.
Remove from heat and add beef.  Toss to coat.
Unroll 1 package of crescent roll dough.  Do not separate.  Arrange longest sides of dough across the width of a cookie sheet.  Repeat with the second package of dough, slightly overlapping the two packages of dough.  Use fingers to press the edges of the two pieces of dough together.
Spread the filling down the middle of the large piece of dough.  Top with cheese.  Using a knife, cut lines 1 1/2" apart down both sides of the dough that has not been covered with filling.
To form a 'braid", start at one end and lift one strip of dough from the right side of the beef mixture and lift it up and halfway across the beef mixture.  Repeat with a strip from the left side.
When the strips meet in the middle, slightly overlap them and press together.  Repeat until all strips have been braided together.
Brush beaten egg over top.
Bake 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.
Cut into 1 1/2" slices and serve.
Serves 10

Just a Shout...

...of praise to the Father and thanks to His people!
Our last-minute, one-day garage sale, affectionately named Operation Treasure Transport, netted $1,221 to help bring Khloie home!!!
This would not have been possible without the orchestration of His hand and without your generosity.
Please join us in praising HIM!!!!

Sent from my iPhone

1302 Posts - How Exciting?!?

How exciting is that?  1302 blog posts?
Okay, that's not why I'm posting.
First, thank you to everyone who has donated the ginormous amount of items now organized, priced and ready to sell today beginning at 8.  You wouldn't believe all the stuff!
And a special thank you to April, because there is no way I could do this without you.  Your time and dedication to helping bring our Khloie is incredible.  Thank you, sweet friend!!!
In other news:
We have CIS APPROVAL!!!!!!!!!!!
We will soon be Dossier To China!
Hang on, precious baby girl, we are working our way to you!
And speaking of work, I'd better get to the garage sale...

ChipIn for Airline Tickets

I wish we were booking tickets, but that time is not here yet.
Some have asked if we would keep a ChipIn up so they can contribute to our journey to Khloie, so we have posted a ChipIn specifically for airline tickets and travel related costs.  This is not a vacation, and we travel strictly economy.

God is so very good to provide for every need!

We are still pricing items given by generous friends for our garage sale this Friday.
It's going to be awesome!!!

Trauma, Part III ~ The Unwelcome Guest

Trauma, I did not invite you into my home.  I didn’t even know you existed.  You surely caught me off guard and have momentarily changed who I am and who I want to be.  You, Trauma, will no longer rule my home.  You are not my child; you are a byproduct of his past, but you will not determine his future!  ~Connie~

*please remember my caveat ~ I am not an expert.  I am only sharing my understanding of the research I’ve read and the counsel given by those who are experts*

According to Heather Forbes and Bryan Post, there are only two primary emotions: love and fear.

Obviously, we know that love produces good things, but what are the manifestations of fear?

In our kiddos from hard places, their fear may present as anger, defiance, stealing, killing animals, setting fires, manipulation, self harm, lying, hoarding, gorging, screaming, arguing, etc.

To take a step back, when an infant or child is in need, he cries.  If that need is not met, and this happens repeatedly, the child eventually is conditioned to stop crying because he has learned it is to no avail.  The need is still there, the stress is still there, but the child has learned to suppress it.  (If you’ve ever stepped into an orphanage full of silent babies you know what I’m talking about.)  This results in a state of fear which will remain unless and until the child experiences trust, positive response, presence…over and over and over and over again.

As a parent, it can be so frustrating when our kiddos don’t ask for help or just say what they need. But when we consider the years of unmet needs and having to sooth themselves, we can begin to understand why it is difficult, or even impossible, for them to do so.  The child has never learned to appropriately deal with the state of stress, and since stress exists in every corner of our world, they find it hard to adapt and can easily become overstimulated.

If our kiddos have never had the opportunity to express, process or understand why certain things have happened to them, how can they express the pain?  They may not have the words or the feelings, so they express their pain through behaviors.  

In my personal experience, many everyday occurrences can cause a war zone, becoming an imaginary battle for survival for the child unable to adapt.  It may be a misinterpreted expression, a misunderstood word, a food served at dinnertime, a touch, a scent that stirs up a memory, a simple instruction.  Suddenly, the child feels threatened and responds from a place of fear. 

In our experience, this is where traditional parenting (child’s actions = consequences) may not work.  We are gradually trying to make the shift to a new kind of parenting…after 24 years of doing things one way.  It.is.hard.

It helps for me to understand that the manifestation of anger, disobedience and disrespect is actually rooted in fear.  It is not a calculated response.  It is a conditioned response, perhaps even an unconscious one.  The child who lives in a state of hypervigilance may easily be set off, even by things we don’t imagine or expect.  For us, the key is recognizing the fear and stopping the escalation. 

How can we do that?  

First is the recognition, and second is our response.  What could my child possibly be afraid of in this particular situation?  Does he feel threatened?  Unsafe?  What is he imagining the outcome will be?

Then comes our response.  Is my instruction too complicated?  Is my tone angry?  Could my presence be perceived as a threat in this situation?  Did I say something, even unintentionally or perhaps misunderstood, that arouses his/her self doubt?

Our response can make all the difference.  In our experience, this is not the time to ‘preach’.  It doesn’t work.  With ‘preaching’ comes ‘the look’.  The my-eyes-are-glazed-over-my-body-is-stiff-I’m-outa-here look.

  

So what is the response that brings healing?  We are still working on that, and I don’t feel properly equipped to share yet.  If you’ve tried a new parenting style that works and opens the door to positive change, I would be so grateful if you’d share it.

Will it be This Week?

Our immigration approval, that is.

We were printed two weeks ago, found out my prints were once again unclassifiable and sent the required clearance, assigned an adjudicator last week...so all we need is our approval, signed sealed and delivered to Lifeline!

 

Once the approval is authenticated our dossier will be China bound!!

I stand in awe of God's goodness.
On Friday, we picked up our load of gorgeous mums, and we sold out on Saturday morning!
Today we are headed south to pick up a load of garage sale donations...and more mums. 

When we announced our garage sale last week, Kuyler mentioned it to his friends and they have gathered items to help bring his baby sister home!  Y'all, these are young men either still in college or just graduated from college, and they put their faith in action.  My heart rejoices at how our oldest son loves the Lord ~ when we told Kuyler we were adopting again, he sent a text to his prayer circle, and every day we received text messages of encouragement and Scripture from precious Brothers and Sisters we didn't even know!

Tomorrow we are sorting and marking the garage sale donations ~ thank you so much!!!!

Wednesday we don't have school so Kolton and Kooper will drive west to pick up yet another load of donated items!

Thursday we will haul everything to the home of dear friends who have willingly allowed us to invade their space for the purpose of our huge garage sales year after year!

Friday and Saturday, everything will GO to help Khloie COME home!

Kayden Faith ~ 8 Years Ago!

I remember the day like it was yesterday!  8 years ago, during the Moon Festival, we held you for the first time.

You were a tiny Treasure.

You have blossomed into a beautiful young lady, and you have blessed us more than we could imagine!

Happy 8th Gotcha Day, precious Daughter!!!

Clean Sweep!

 If it's not tied down, it's outa here!  We are having a clean sweep...

 

...for a garage sale!

We checked our October, and there was only one weekend available - next weekend, October 5 and 6!  It's kinda quick, but I usually work better under pressure anyway.

Thing is, we don't have a lot of 'stuff' because around here if it doesn't get used regularly it gets passed on.

But I imagine there are things hiding in each room and the attic that need to go.

We are also asking local friends if you have stuff you'd like to get rid of we are willing to pick it up before next Thursday, October 4 when we will be moving everything to our amazing-past-garage-sale-location, thanks to B and D!!!

This weekend is packed.  We will have the fresh mums available and hope to sell out by Monday.  Then next week is devoted to purging our junk.

It could easily become overwhelming...but then I remember WHY.  There is a precious little girl halfway around the world who desperately needs to come home.  Once home she will need immediate evaluation for health issues that we are not ready to share. 

Khloie has two medical special needs: one seems minor and may be a non-issue; the other is a bit of a mystery and something we are totally unfamiliar with.  But the Father knows!  He is the Healer, and He is our Provision!

We completely trust Him in every aspect of this journey to our girl, and when we said YES, we all knew it would be a journey of surrender and faith.  We are committed to do our part.  We hope to complete this process without further debt.  Truth is, we still have $18,700 debt from a few previous adoption processes.  It wasn't that we rushed out and borrowed the money in a panic; it was that we were ready to travel, and having held every fundraiser we could think of, we didn't feel that we could ask for any more help.

And that's ok.  It was part of the ransom to get our Treasures home.  We keep praying that God will bring a bountiful corn harvest that will cover it ALL!  And He can do that!

In the meantime, we will continue with the task at hand, doing what He has called us to do ~ work hard to get our girl home.

Rest will come later...

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last.  Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ~Jesus~

John 15:16

Love the New Tee!

Look at this new tee added to the Wild Olive Tees adoption fundraiser lineup!

All Things: For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

Our fundraiser at Wild Olive Tees is still going on, and y'all, there are over 30 gorgeous tees to choose from! In order for our family to receive credit, you must purchase a tee included in the Adoption Fundraiser lineup, and when checking out, please use our code: JOHNSON704.

So far we've sold 27 tees.  I wonder if we could get to 50...

Drumroll, please...

Wait for it...
First I want to THANK each of you who encouraged, prayed, shared and gave!  You have deposited into the life of our beautiful Treasure.
We are so humbled and grateful, and we pray that God blesses you many times over.
We prayed over each of your names before we drew tonight, praising the Father for His goodness and praying His blessings over you.
I am excited to announce the winner of the hp Pavilion g7 is
ADEYE SALEM!!
This sweet friend gives so much to others!  Just check out her blog and see what she and Anthony are up to now!
THANK YOU!!!!!

There's Still Time!

We draw for the hp Pavilion g7 tomorrow ~ Monday, September 24!!!
The ChipIn ends around 11 am CST, but we will draw tomorrow night.
$25 = 1 shot
$50 = 3 shots
1 FB or blog post = 1 additional shot
Thank you to those who have already given!
We are so humbled and grateful for every penny to help bring our Treasure home!!

Sports Mom

I'm into pole vaulting, long jumping, the 50 M dash, gymnastics - oh wait, that's just a day around the house.
'Tis the season of softball and football!
I love watching my teens play.
Truth is, I don't make nearly all the softball games.
My gear is atypical.  I've got a double stroller, animal crackers, sippy cups and blankies.  I'm that mom who makes 50 trips to the restroom.  I've even got an awesome camera to capture those Kodak moments...but no hands to use it.  Ah well.

My smarty-pants 9-year-old, standing beside me, just asked, "Why do we need to know this?"
Um, we don't.
But anything else I have to blog about right now is deeper than I care to think about at the moment.

Anyhoo, our softball girls start district playoffs today, and I'm gonna be there!  With.all.my.gear.
And I can't wait.
But I've gotta get back in time to finish the meal for the football team tonight.  I love to cook.  Although the people living in my house might wonder about that statement these days...
These busy days we're enjoying wolfing down a lot of sandwiches.  All in the spirit of the sports season of course!

Tomorrow night we'll all be at the football game watching Kolton's team rough it up.  It'll be a bonus night because Kinley's pom team will perform at halftime, and then we'll be hosting the 5th quarter. 
Maybe someday I will be the awesome sports mom I'd like to be - nah, probably not.
I gotta admit, it's really funny when Kasidi starts singing, "Win the battle, win win the battle..."
Totally worth it!
And that is the end of this totally random post.

Go, #2!!!

 

and #25!!!

Defying the Odds ~ Kasidi is on the Move!

Kasidi on the go from connie johnson on Vimeo.

HP Pavilion g7 Drawing in 1 week!

One week from today (September 24) we will draw for this baby:

...to help bring this baby home!!! Isn't she darling?!?

Answered prayer: today we walked into CIS and were fingerprinted early!!!!

I'm 99% sure my prints are still not readable, but we think that's an issue easily resolved.

Hopefully we will have approval in hand shortly and our dossier will be on its way to China!!!

Here are the details of our HP Pavilion g7
fundraiser:
It runs from September 10 to September 24 at
approximately 11 AM central time.
$25 gets you 1 shot
$50 gets you 3 shots
A blog or FB post gets you an additional
shot
You may use the Chip-In on the side bar or email
me for other options.
May you be blessed and may God be
glorified!

Her New Name

Survey says...
You like the name KHLOIE!
And we had already chosen that name too!
Thank you for all the beautiful suggestions. We are still praying about a middle name.
And speaking of prayer, we are on our way to CIS this morning to attempt early fingerprinting and we would treasure your prayers that they would allow it, and that my prints are readable this time.
Have a blessed Monday!!!

Sent from my iPhone

One Step Closer...

We received our appointment notice for biometric prints yesterday!

We are going to appear early, just in case they will allow us to get them done ahead of schedule. And if they refuse, then worst case scenario, hubs and I get a lunch date!

CIS approval is all we lack for our dossier to be complete - yippee!!!!

Can I ask for your prayers?

We need to stop and rest in the Lord for His provision. This is the scariest part of the paper journey for us, the funds.

It feels like we've been trying to step out ahead of Him and do things our own way.

We need clarity as to His direction.
Thank you for praying for our Treasure and our family!

He went out, not knowing where He was going.

Heb 11:8

"Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. it is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason - a life of knowing Him who calls us to go.
~Oswald Chambers~

Trauma, Part II ~ What is Trauma?

We interrupt the regularly scheduled programming to bring
you…a dose of reality.

First I want to thank each of you who had the courage to leave a comment or email, asking me to pray for your family, offering to pray for my family and telling me your story. You are such an encouragement! We are not alone!

• 
  So, what is trauma?
  Automobile accident
  Physical abuse
  Emotional abuse
  Sexual abuse
  Neglect
  Depressed parental care
  Pre and perinatal birth trauma
  Loss of caregiver
  Prolonged experiences of unmet needs
  Bullying
  Domestic violence
  Medical trauma
  Adoption
  Foster care
  Surrogacy
  Frequent moves
  Unstable or unsafe environment
  Experiencing or witnessing horrific injury or death of
  another

*This list is not all-inclusive*

I realize I’m possibly in the minority of slow learners,
but quite frankly, this surprises me! I’ve
generally thought of a traumatic event as being a physical act. It truly opens my heart and mind to
understand trauma more clearly!

And of this long list, the fact that my child has experienced
many of them totally changes things for me!
I need to learn a new way of parenting.
Because many of our children have never been taught cause/effect thinking, but rather have lived in a state of ‘survival mode,’ the common forms of discipline for inappropriate behavior simply will not be effective.

Many of our children express anger or rage in times of
overwhelm and stress. We may think this is the root of the problem: they are deeply angry. In fact, the anger and frustration are manifestations of the true emotion: fear.
More on that in the next post.

I’m keeping this short and sweet because I some of us may
need to simply absorb this information before moving on.

And now to revive that happy place within us, let’s run to
the secret chocolate stash (because if we’ve been dealing with this for any length of time, we all have one), call the one friend who doesn’t think we’re making this up, or curl up in a fetal position in a corner.

After all, those would be typical fear responses for us bigger people, right?!?

HP Pavilion g7 Laptop!

I want one of these.
Oh, yes I do!
I only do fundraisers with items I would like for myself.
I know tastes vary...but could you use one of these for $25?
Yep, $25 gets you a shot at this beauty with these features:
AMD Dual Core A4-3300M 2.5GHz, 6GB, 500GB, 17.3" High
Definition+ HP BrightView LED, Blu-Ray Drive, Webcam, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

While we wait for our biometric fingerprint appointment and approval from immigration, the rest of our dossier is being processed. We are moving forward to our daughter, which is awesome! But it also means more fees.

It is so humbling to constantly hold fundraisers.

I wish it weren't absolutely necessary.

But we approach them with expectation - the expectation that God will provide ALL we need in His time! We don't expect anything more or less.

And we approach them with humble thanksgiving for every person He calls to pray, share and give, investing in the life of our daughter who will soon be an orphan no more!

Here are the details of our HP Pavilion g7 fundraiser:

It runs from September 10 to September 24 at approximately 11 AM central time.

$25 gets you 1 shot

$50 gets you 3 shots

A blog or FB post gets you an additional shot

You may use the Chip-In on the side bar or email me for other options.

May you be blessed and may God be glorified!

The Name Game ~ updated

*update below*
We are still undecided on the best name for our waiting Treasure. We chose Kimmie because we pray for her daily and wanted to call her by name.
We're still trying to decide what her new name will be. Just for fun, you can vote for her name!
If you have any awesome 6-letter K name ideas, please share!

Thank you all so much for your awesome suggestions! I'm loving them!
Of course I love Kenzie, Kennah and Kinley because we've already used those names :)
I absolutely love the name Kelsey...but I have a beautiful niece with that name. She has granted me permission to use the name, but I just can't do that to Grandma. You're welcome, Mom :)
I've added two more names to the poll. Kimmie and Kinidi were tied. I'm still open to suggestions...

Trauma, Part I

“How many times have I told you not to yell at your brothers
and sisters?”

“How can you remember this and not that?”

“How can you wake up one morning happy and the next morning mad?”

“Are you 2 or 20?”

Have you ever asked yourself these questions regarding your
child? Because, of course, none of us
would say them out loud…

If you’re the parent of a child from hard places, you may
have already read Jen Hatmaker’s post,
“The Truth about Adoption: One Year Later.” If you haven’t, I would encourage you to read it. I found it relevant, humorous and real.

I wish I could say that we experienced the same level of
healing at 8 to 12 months home, but we are still in the healing process at nearly 3 years post placement. Progress is evident, but I liken it to pushing a broken egg up the side of a glass bowl
with a fork. While we are making forward progress, there is much substance left behind – 1 step forward, 2 steps back. I am hopeful we will reach the top of the bowl, but I wonder how much gunk will settle in the bottom, only to surface in an unforeseeable moment of change.

I’ve asked myself many times why I feel compelled to post
about trauma. It’s not to educate because I’m not an authority. I’m a mom whose only professional credentials do not include recognizing or treating children affected by trauma. And the
mere fact that I’m living it doesn’t make me a professional; it only makes me a traumatized mom:)

I’ve also found that, generally speaking, those not directly
affected do not wish to be educated on the matter. Admittedly, it’s much easier to take the daily or limited interactions with the child at face value. Many don’t realize they are seeing the “I’m-coping-with-this-overwhelming-environment-by-acting-silly”
kiddo. Or the kid who subconsciously doesn’t trust anyone and can’t engage in relationships beyond surface level. They don’t understand the child who responds out of fear and overwhelm. They may not witness the behavior that mimics bi-polar disorder.

Now that I’ve established that I’m not writing to educate, why am I writing this?

1) This will serve as a memorialization to mark
where we’ve been, how far we’ve come and eventually to reflect on how God has redeemed us. May He be glorified!

2) To educate myself. I need to understand the root of my child’s responses, and learn practical ways to change my reaction and lovingly guide him through the healing process.

3) To encourage other parents walking this lonely
path. You are not alone!

You see, I’ve been that parent who has longed to return to
the ‘waiting’ phase of the journey where I fell in love with a child on paper and couldn’t wait to bring him into the safety of our home, surrounded by siblings who were crazy about him and opportunities that were endless. No amount of reading could have prepared me for the child who rejected his family and viewed opportunity as another chance to fail.

I’ve been the parent who looked at the calendar and realized
five days have passed and I haven’t left the house...or planned a meal beyond ramen noodles…or covered my grey (eek!)…or answered the phone…or responded to emails…

I’ve been the parent who’s sat on the floor for hours, through
tears and sweat, trying to comfort my hysterical child who desperately wants to trust but is afraid because he’s not yet experienced a ‘happy ending,’ and flinches at the attempted comforting hugs because to him, touch equals pain.

I’ve been the parent desperately seeking resources offering
practical help, or at least affirmation that our family is not doomed and our other children will not grow up miserable, resentful or institutionalized because of the trauma we introduced into our once serene home.

I’ve been the parent questioning my ability to rear a child,
wondering if I’m setting safe boundaries or simply exercising control.

I’ve been the parent left in a stupor, wondering what
happened in the split second between the silliness and the sudden rage.

I’ve been the parent who’s spent days searching blogs for
signs that we are not the only family whose front door seems to have the invisible greeting, “Welcome to h*ll.”

I’ve been that parent, and I’m learning to be a better parent, to all my children. I’m far from there, but each day is a new opportunity for me to run the race. I’m thankful for the little
things, like the fact that every day will eventually end and sleep will come, a new shirt can make me feel great, an old verse can bring new perspective, a caffeinated beverage can change everything. Well, not everything, but you get the idea.

Change is occurring. We’ve come a long way. We’ve had to make some not-so-popular choices. But helping our traumatized
child become an adult is not about momentary popularity. It’s going to be a lifelong journey. It requires daily prioritizing and
remembering the goal. It requires change on our part. It requires a change in vocabulary. We’ve ousted the elusive term ‘normal.’

We are seeing trust blossom ever so slowly. We have begun
counseling in a non-traditional way, and it is probably the single most beneficial tool yet!

As I embark on this journey of discovering the effects of
trauma (an experience that produces psychological injury or pain) and the many ways it manifests itself, I will pray for guidance in sharing.


May we all find hope and encouragement, and most of all, may He be glorified.

What New Thing?

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Isa 43:18-19

I love this passage!
It is so relevant.
I've been pondering a post on the effects of trauma, specifically repeated trauma in adopted/fostered children.
The effects can be devastating, lifelong, can bring hopelessness, brokenness and despair.
But then as I read God's Word, I gain perspective.
I am reminded that I should not look back and dwell on the past, especially when I know that God has unimaginably good things ahead.
As I enter a season of prayer, I am wondering if I can also pray for you.
Prayer changes people, and people change things!
It would be my privilege to lift your requests to the Lord.
If you would allow me to do so, please leave a comment or email me, and know that I will be faithful to intercede for you.

Kenzie ~ "I Choose Jesus"

Can I get a witness?!?

And the Pendant Goes to...

Casey and Carra! (please send me your contact information)

Thank you to everyone who shared! Stacy's fundraiser is still going on.

Have a blessed busy weekend!

The Winner!

Congratulations, Crystal R! You won the kindle fire!!!!!

Thank you to everyone who gave to help bring Kimmie home!!!

kindle fire Friday!!!

We've reached another milestone in Kimmie's adoption ~ our paperwork went to immigration on Monday!

We are still trying to raise the funds for fees, and tomorrow we will draw for the kindle fire!

This process has been fast and furious, with greater fees, due to the newest H*gue regulations.

I will say time and again that God has never failed us! Never, ever! And He never will.

We don't even know the spectacular things He has planned to bring our Kimmie home, but we know He's got this! And He's got her!


Each $20 contribution gets a shot
Each $40 contribution gets 3 shots
Each FB or blog post gets an additional shot
There's still time to get in...

Also tomorrow we want to show our appreciation for those who have shared Stacy's Faith/Hope Fundraiser for Kimmie by giving away a pendant. All you have to do is share it on your blog or FB and let me know! We will draw the winner tomorrow!

All glory to Him!!!

The Beach, Final Round

In no particular order. And I do mean that.

What noise?
The big kids left the beach for some souvenir shopping, and thought they'd shock me with this mock tattoo on my 16 year old.
Back off, girls :)

House rules

At the Naval Museum

Packed lunch on the way.

Brother Dude, you gonna share?

Kasidi would randomly break into song, "Big Big House."

Blue Angels practice. It was awesome!

The girls were thrilled.

We always had good food!

This krew always packs a lunch. Kennah is in charge of the chips!

On the way home, these people went crazy!

What a blessing!!!!!!