We're Here....

Folks, we made to Ethiopia.  It really wasn't as bad as the first trip since it took only half of the time it did the first go around.  Doug wasn't as comfortable as me because of his legs but our leg from Amsterdam to ET was very spacious and roomy as only half of the jet was full.  I stretched out across 3 sits and slept!.  Today we went to the orphanage and meet with JP.  He as so sweet and came running to me with open arms and a huge hug.  It was quite the different story than last time.  We played and laughed and chased each other.  It was a true answer to prayer and a reassurance that he is going to do just fine.  I got to see that "all boy" side of him when he was being mischevous and roughing around.  Oh, my heart melted when he laughed and hugged and played with me.  He kept kissing the picture of Lydia in the photo album he had.  I think it's because he loves babies and he just couldn't get enough of her pictures.  He had some good time with his Grandpa, too.  We are going to his birthplace tomorrow and spending the night. I will hopefully meet with his birth family if they agree to come.  On Monday afternoon we will get JP for good and he will stay with us for the duration of the trip. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.  I have really seen answered prayers this week! Will keep posting as much as I can.  Joey may be updating bc two emails a day is a little overwhelming here!  Will keep all you posted. Tia

Submitted! BUT....

Wanted to update that we were submitted to the US Embassy for an interview and travel on April, 8, BUT (there's always a but) JP turned two on Saturday (real sad day for his Mama and Papa) and that brought a whole new issue. Some weeks ago we sent an amended home study to change the age of child that was originally on our home study. We are now waiting to get this processed before we can bring him home. Also, the US Embassy requested a court document that needs to be submitted, too, before we can travel. Once again, we are "caught up". Please pray that the officials, that hold this little boy's life in their hands with our paperwork, will be efficient and the Lord will give them speed in these matters. I have most of JP's bags packed. I'm only missing essentials like diapers and such (kinda important) but will get it done this weekend. We are close! So all you righteous people out there pray for my boy. "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiver. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16 Here at Easter I am reminded that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, is the same power that lives in all of us that believe and are saved by the name of Jesus. "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:12-14 Bold promises from our Lord and words that bring hope to my soul. Let the Father be glorified in this situation!

My Baby's first Birthday

I finally got the pictures from Lydia's first birthday uploaded. I can not believe that she is a year old. Man, I feel like her baby days are flying by and I'm helpless to stop the time.

We celebrated her 1st Birthday at home with family and a few friends. Unfortuately, she was sick that day and not in the best of moods. All her birthday pictures don't show the typical smiling baby that she is. But she had a good time trying her first piece of birthday cake and playing with her cousins and Aunts and Uncles.

At a year Lydia is cruising and standing on her own. She is now walking when she chooses to but prefers the faster method of crawling. She is a climber. I found her on top of the coffee table oneday while I had my back turned. She has figured out how to climb on her sister's bed and has fallen off a couple of times because she can't control her excitement once up there! Lydia LOVES baby dolls and gives them "love" on a regular basis by hugging and patting her babies backs. Lydia has learned how to bother her sister. She likes to climb on her back when Bethany is sitting on the ground and her favorite way to get a reaction from her sister is pull her hair!

Lydia is saying several words: Uh-oh, all done, hey, dog (with barking noise:)), ball, Mama, Dada, kitty cat. She likes to wave bye-bye and hello. Her favorite toy is a ball and her dad is hoping she will be his ball player. She is 96% for her height so she will her daddy's ball player or her Mommy's ballerina:)

Lydia looks so much like her daddy and has his advenerous and active spirit. She is a very busy girl that is always on the go. She has been such a sweet addition to our family. I can't imagine life without her. She brings us so much laughter and happiness. My prayer is that she will grow to become a confident and secure little girl through Christ. I pray that her Father and I have the wisdom to grow her spiritually into the Godly woman that the Lord intended her to become. Thank you Lord for this special gift. Continue to guide us and protect her.

Got it!

A little update. We know that JP's birth certificate has been processed and we are now waiting to hear about his passport being issued and/or his application being submitted to the US Embassy. We are getting close.... maybe I'll get the travel call in 2 weeks or so. Keep praying people!