How we spent our summer vacation : a picture story

We have a lot of down time at that beach.  Which I have to say is  REALLY nice.  These are the highlights of our trip.  The pictures I forgot to take were of the daily walks to the little store for candy, slushies, and ice cream, the breakfast chaos (17 people trying to eat in a three bedroom cottage :), or the peaceful moments just enjoying our time together.  These are memories our children hold onto and continue to talk about long into the winter months, by February they are already beginning to plan what they'll do the following year at the beach.  These are memories:

Tae gets to catch up on his books (we go to the local buck a book store while there and get books for the beach)

 We put puzzles together on the porch (the other half of the family put puzzles together, I just take pictures and sort side pieces)

 We go crabbing....

 any time of day...

We find rocks and throw them in the water.

More crabbing...

 Find drift wood (he's very proud of his find)

Get some time with each kiddo.

 Tye Dye t-shirts

 pose for pictures

 and enjoy our family.

There were so many great pictures of the fun we had with our extended family, but since I didn't ask permission these pictures will have to do.  The beach for us is such a fabulous family renewing time, and I am very thankful for all the fun we had!!

Vacation

This week we've been on vacation at the beach. And the best part is the opportunity we have to just be. That is something that is truly missed when we are at home with work, karate, doctor appointments, camp... You get the picture.
Pictures will follow when we get home because the Internet is sparse here, and I like that.

I have had the opportunity to take some morning quiet time to sit on the rocks at the beach and listen to some quiet music, pray, wonder, listen, and think. This is my time to settle and be with God. I love it. It's part of why I love this trip so much each year.
This year I do more wondering then usual. I wonder what next year will be like. Will our precious baby be here? How old will they be? What will they look like? How long will we wait? I pray for comfort for the birth mom, and her family. I pray for patience for us while we wait and wonder.

Whatever this year brings God's got our backs and I know with him all things will go according to His plan and I take comfort in that. He made the stars, beautiful beaches and chocolate cupcakes ;0). He can handle this.
Can't wait for what next years vacation!!

My boy turns 9

Each birthday is a great milestone.  This year Tyler decided to celebrate his 9th birthday by having a big back yard party.  We gave him a budget and decided on what was most important to him...he wanted lots of friends.  Knowing that he could only do that with a home party he decided on a large water party complete with 3D shark slip n slide, face painting (done by his talented cousin), and water guns and balloons galore!  He invited 29 kids and luckily only 12 came (I'm not completely crazy, we know from past experience that this week in the summer a lot of people are on vacation).

It was 2 hours of pure chaos and Tyler LOVED every minute of it.  Everyone was wet by the time the party was over, but no one went home bored. 

What can I say...Tyler puts on a great party!!

So I heard I'm neglecting my post :O).  I guess because there is no pressing news.  I passed my really big test, the books went out, and our profile was shown to one mother.  That's it...now we just wait.  I think it's better not to know when you're book is being shown...no build up.

The boys have been talking a lot lately about when their baby comes...
they will give them this toy
they will tell this friend
they will get their room decorated like this (Super Mario Bros theme)

They look at others babies and ask if their baby will be that big/small/cute/hairy.  I LOVE that they are beginning to look at this adoption in a personal way.  That this new child will be in our lives forever and will become their sibling forever. Which will change their world. 

I know the wait will be hard and for the boys they want things NOW, but for now we patiently wait for God's time (right now it's patiently, talk to me in 6 months and I'm sure I won't be so patient;), and pray for all the individuals involved in this process. 

Productive day in our process

Today was an eventful day for us in this adoption process.  Our Life Book was put up on the adoption agency's website and we received a call from our home agency asking if we would like our profile shown on Wednesday...well duh...of course :o)

This means we have to get a book to them ASAP so I am sitting with our ever so slow printer, printing out one copy to be sent.  I shouldn't get excited but there is a little glimmer of antisipation in my tummy.  There is also a filicker of sadness too.  For the birth mom who is making this decsion.  I pray the Lord will give her peace in whatever desicion she makes and will wrap her in his glorious grace.