Not Today

Sweet Mary called with the unwanted news that we did not pass court today. However, it is o.k. The judge is requesting an additional piece of information. My heart feels good knowing that the Ethiopian courts take the future of their children seriously.

Today's news really isn't what we hoped for, but we do go forward trusting that God is at work and His ways are not always our ways.

We are all four bummed. But it really is o.k. How many times have I read in other blogs that international adoption is not for the faint of heart?!? So true.

Our new court date is June 16th. That is Sage's 10th birthday!

A Family of 4 to a Family of 7 Tomorrow?

It is so hard to believe that our court date is tomorrow! In some ways this last year has been so very long. In other ways, it seems like just yesterday we were nervously beginning this process hoping to adopt a child from Ethiopia. Hmmm, we love it that God had other plans for our family.

So as we sleep (or not sleep) tonight, our children's future will be discussed by some individuals that we likely will never meet this side of heaven. Our prayer is for God's beautiful and perfect will and timing. However, I keep reminding God that we really would love to pass court tomorrow.

We received a quick update on the kids today. They looked as if maybe it were morning and were just getting up and around. They had those sweet sleepy eyes. Moms, you know the ones I am talking about!

Thinking of all the other families with court dates this week!

Many, O Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
-Psalm 40:5

A Week in Pictures

Less than two weeks until our May 20th court date!

Here's a little of life at our house recently. In no particular order:

New window treatment's for the girls' room! My mom and grandmother made them and we love them! They really help to put the finishing touches on the room.

Madison recently got out all of her American Girl stuff. She set up the doll bed, washed and ironed the doll bed sheets and organized all of her outfits and accessories to share with her new sisters. We ordered new AG dolls for Y and M. We hope they like them!

Now all we need are two sweet little girls to make the room complete!

For a last little trip as a family of four, we went to the Gladney Skittle Event at Six Flags last weekend. Sage has always wanted to try lobster and he got his chance during lunch at one of our favorite restaurants Papadeaux's.

We enjoyed a Texas Rangers vs. Chicago White Sox game during the weekend. We arrived at the field early to watch batting practice. (That's why the stadium seats are empty!)

Cole, Riley, Evyn, Madison, Anaka and Sage

We spent the evening at Six Flags with cousins and new friends. We loved that there were no waiting lines for the rides. The kids thought it was pretty cool to get to ride over and over without getting out of their seat.

Sage, Madison, Marta and Yordee

The highlight of our evening at Six Flags was meeting Ryan and Abby Brown, their daughter Marta and Ryan's sister Yordee. Ryan has sent the updates on our kids and Marta helped to translate our letters to the kids in Ethiopia. We were able to ask questions about our kids as well as hear Ryan and Abby's stories of God working in their lives. Truly a blessing.

Dustin grew up riding motorcycles and has always talked of buying a dirt bike ever since we were married. His 40th birthday is coming up and he purchased his birthday gift for himself... a 2006 Suzuki RM250. The bike was previously owned by Cody Elkins, a professional FMX rider.

This picture was taken just before he popped a wheelie. I really don't think I'll be riding his motorcycle again anytime soon. (I was kind and didn't post Dustin's injury pictures. He's had a couple of pretty good crashes along with some very sore ribs. Yes, he always wears a helmet... just not in this photo.)

Our soon to be 10 year old son getting ready for his first peewee baseball game. To say that Sage is passionate about baseball is an understatement.