updated pictures

I saw the last picture of Jonah on my blog and said wow! He's grown up a lot, and so has Solomon... so I thought you needed to see how gorgeous they are now. :)

Starting our Adoption Journey

Wow... it's been almost a year since I've blogged. BUT, I have a new mission to blog about. We have officially started our adoption journey!!! Let me catch you up on what our story is...

Chris and I have always talked about adopting someday, even before we were dating we had the conversation. It's been a desire of mine for as long as I can remember... I'm not sure why it's so ingrained in my heart-but it really is. A calling, some would say. When the "kids" conversation came up in our relationship, we decided we would definitely be adopting. After Jonah was born, we wanted to adopt our next child. We went to an Adoption Resource Center (ARC) conference at our church to learn more. We were so encouraged and inspired by the information we learned. We had originally thought we'd adopt through foster care, since it's so inexpensive. We wanted to adopt an African American baby, or mixed baby, whoever needed us the most. At the conference we heard statistics about orphans here, and around the world. We were so moved by the enormous numbers of orphans in Africa...and truly felt the Holy Spirit convicting us of the fear of the cost of international adoption. We looked at each other after that seminar and said, "we have to go to Africa". We then went to the "affording adoption" seminar, and were even more encouraged. We heard many stories of how God had provided for the costs, and how faithful He was throughout the process. We really believe God has called us to do this, and that He will finish this good work through us. After looking into African adoption, we decided Ethiopia was the country, simply because it seems to be the "simplest" country to adopt from in Africa. We also found out you have to be 25 years old, which I wasn't. So we decided to wait a few years, hopefully have another child before then... and Solomon joined our family!

We found our agency, Gladney Center in Texas, through friend's referrals. (http://adoptionsbygladney.com) We researched it and loved what we found. It has been around for a while, has a great reputation, and most importantly for us, has their own orphanage and people living in Ethiopia. We have been impressed with them every step of the way.

So far we have completed a few paperwork items, have completed our "phone orientation", but are really just beginning. Paperwork is a big part of this process! Our basic time outline they've given us is:

4-6 months of paperwork

9 months of waiting to be matched with a child

5-7 months until the child comes home

total about 18 months

Hopefully everything goes as planned, and totally smooth! Then we will have a baby in less than two years!

Speaking of baby, yes we are choosing a baby. The age bracket is 4-12 months. We didn't specify a gender, and also are open to adopting twins if they're available. We really would love to adopt two kids, so we figure if we can do it at once, great! Scary, but great.

Cost, yes, cost.... a biggie. As I mentioned, we believe God will provide. For us, that means we don't fear the way we will pay for this. It's about $18,000. We are planning on doing fundraisers, and applying for grants, as well as our own contribution. It's daunting, for sure... but nothing is impossible with God. We are praying like crazy for funds to come in, for miracles to happen, for our lives to change-which they will. God has always been faithful to us, He blesses us all the time, and we can't wait to see what things God will surprise us with in the next 2 years. It's humbling and crazy to think about...

I will keep updating this blog, I want to keep everyone aware of the details, and keep people involved in the process. We are planning some events, and will definitely share those details when we can. Thank you for your interest, and support... we will need all we can get! I ask for your prayers most of all, please lift us up whenever you think of us. For patience and endurance, for unity in our family, for money to come in, for our testimony through this, for our child-to-be's mother and father in Ethiopia... Thank you.

Jonahisms

So for a while now I've been meaning to keep track of the funny things Jonah says. Of course they aren't nearly as funny without his voice and pronunciations...but oh well. Here's some classics-

(in car while I'm driving)
jonah: "Mom, you're an idiot"
me: "if you say that again you're going to get a spank in the mouth"
jonah: "no I'm not, you're too far away"

"Where does God live?"
"Where does Jesus work?"

"I don't like Solomon, I want him to go back in your tummy"
"Solomon, stop smiling at me!"

(dog is barking incessantly)
jonah: "job you stop barking or else you're going on time out. 1..2...3 okay you're going on time out" (then he pulls him into my bedroom and closes the door.)

gram carol: "jonah if you continue I'm going to have to call your mommy"
jonah: "you call my mommy right now!" (in angry, so what? tone)

"Don't be scared, Jesus is watching over you"

"Mommy and Daddy is the boss, I'm a child"

"I'm so frustrated!" (i hear this one daily)

"no I didn't pee in my pants, I just dribbled" (with soaked shorts)

"gram allison is my best buddy in the whole world"

(just woke up, first words out of his mouth) "I want to wear my tiger suit today"

(after I'm done working he usually says) "how was your work Mom?"
(as my clients leave he sometimes says) "thanks for coming here!"

"Daddy is a man, I'm a big boy"

(at store)
cashier: "hi! what's you're name?"
jonah: "Jonah Adam Squarepants"

"hmmm...how about...." (his answer to any suggestion he doesn't like..fill in the end of statement with his idea)

I'm sure I'll think of more sometime... he is hilarious and precious. I wonder what he'll say tomorrow...

My exciting life

Okay, so I have to get over the guilt of how long it's been since I've last blogged. Why am I constantly putting pressure on myself to "perform"? Always, for as long as I can remember, I have been striving to be perfect. No one else's standards, just my own unrealistic expectations of myself. I drive myself nuts. So, it's okay Hannah... just because you haven't typed one thing on your blog in, oh, 3 months. Oh well... I'm sure all of my 2 readers will forgive me.

So... I thought I'd list the things I'm excited about. Let's concentrate on the good, positive things in my life.

#1 I am going to be a mentor to 2 junior high age girls in Elgin. They live in a subsidized housing community and have a pretty tough life. I haven't met them yet, but hopefully will next week, and then start getting to know them. I am so excited for this opportunity. I really have never done this, actually nothing like this at all. I have been convicted in the last year or so that I am not doing anything uncomfortable, anything to grow or stretch myself. I think that is a vital part of a growing faith, and it was missing for me. So I did a service project with a place called Riverwoods Christian Center, and got connected with this specific community. I felt drawn to these kids, and I know God is moving my heart to impact someone's life. I'm nervous, I don't feel "worthy" of the task, but that's good. When we are weak, He is strong. Please pray for me as I build these relationships. I will keep you updated!

#2 I am leading a women's Bible study at our church called Entrusted With a Child's Heart. It is a wonderful study, and I know I will learn a lot. I'm also nervous about this one, since I am significantly younger and less experienced than most of the ladies at my table. But I know that God placed me there, so I'm trusting Him that it will be okay!

#3 My boys are adorable. Solomon is really starting to have his own personality. He is so charming and sweet...his eyes twinkle when he sees me! Jonah is so smart and amazing. I am overwhelmed at how blessed I am to have these children. How am I going to parent them well enough? It's so scary. Again, please pray for me to have wisdom and grace.

#4 Chris and I are leading a couples small group again this year. I love our group and meeting together always lifts my spirit. We'd love to add another couple or 2 this year....

#5 My Mary Kay business. I feel like it's beginning for me now, I am getting more and more orders, and I think it's only going to get better. I love the company and products, and I am having a lot of fun with it.

#6 One of my best, oldest, friends and one of my cousins are pregnant! I'm so excited to share in their experiences and to have some new babies to love! They are due really close to one another and it's so exciting.

That's it for now...I know there are probably more things to look forward to this fall, but those are some highlights. I am blessed beyond measure. God has been so faithful and good to us... writing these things out really makes me thankful to Him for all that I have been given.

Our 5 year anniversary

So Chris and I got away for a few days for our anniversary this year...it was a big one-5 years! We were so excited. We had an opportunity to go to a lake house up near Lake Geneva for free, so we jumped right on that. We haven't been away like this since our honeymoon, so this was very needed. It was a blast... we went up on Saturday, and came home on Monday. I think it could've been one day longer, but oh well. My mom took care of our boys, and I don't think we missed them too badly. They did great without us, so I think it was a good experience for them to be apart from us also. We didn't do much, layed in the sun, watched the boats zoom by (wishing we were on one), ate out, watched movies, and slept in. Who knew I could sleep until 10am?! Apparently it's still in me, even after 3 years of getting up waaaayyy too early. The best part was having no responsibilities. It's something I really didn't think of, but laying there in the sun, not having to do anything was amazing.

Chris and I had some quality time together, which was needed too. We don't get a lot of time just the two of us, especially for 3 days in a row! I felt that old chemistry again, you know, the flirty, silly games and fun...it's so sweet. We still have that-don't get me wrong, but it's different when you have 2 little kids around all the time. You just can't focus your attention on each other completely, or let yourself go. You have to be responsible and the parent. Just being together, in love, was wonderful. I say we do it every year. Chris will always be my favorite person to be with...he is incredible. I just can't believe I'm lucky enough to have him.

My week of adventures

Oh yes, this week has been something else...and mind you-it's only Wednesday! I have had some interesting/unusual experiences that I thought might be fun to write about.

Experience #1: Cleaning our garage.
Well, this may not seem very interesting to you, but if you saw our garage before, you'd understand. We have a 2 car garage, with a little storage area inside also. Well, before our "clean sweep", you maybe could squeeze one car in, but be careful opening the door to get out. We had tubs of storage items, furniture, toys, left over construction items, and loads of crap (not literally). So I decided it was time to do something about it. Chris and I tackled the job on Sunday...but couldn't finish it in one day. I completed it Tues, and it's beautiful! All our storage is in one place, toys are organized, garbage (all 12 bags+ of it) is out! I had taken some miscellaneous items out to the curb hoping the garbage men would take them, but not sure if they would. Well, a few minutes later a pick-up truck swings by and throws my stuff in the back...awesome. So yes, I am very excited about this project. It was tough and yucky...but it's done (until next year when we'll probably have to do it all over again)

Experience #2: Crashing our brand-new-used car into our garage.
Yep, I did it. All my fault. I was going to back out the Buick so I could work on our 1/2 completed garage-cleaning project, and turned it too soon, and too sharp. The front left side of the car was in those garbage bags I told you about earlier... It was bad. We took the car in today, and it's an estimated $1200+ worth of repairs. That sucks. The garage got it's share of damage too, although we don't know how much yet. The frame is bent, so we can't close our garage at all. This sucks too. I'm just praying no animals decide to move in... Yes, this was Chris' new car, and he wasn't too happy. But at least he didn't yell at me like Jonah did. Jonah kept yelling at me saying "Mom, you hit daddy's new car!!" I was like... I know, Jonah, you don't need to keep rubbing it in.

Experience #3: Attempting to be a dog groomer.
Well, I'm not a dog groomer...nor will I ever be. I thought I'd give it a try with our miniature poodle, Job. I figured, "how hard could it be?" Well, it's hard. I decided I better start tipping our groomer more. I started with the scissors, cutting around his eyes and face. Chris held him still for me. That part was pretty good, and I just figured I would blend in the top of his head with the clippers. Job's hair on his head is typically left longer, it's like a little afro. So I cut the face really short, and the head was really long. Then I cut the ears... this is where it started going badly... How the heck do they do it? I do not know... So I got the clippers out and took a swipe. Uhhhh.... why aren't they going through the hair???! No, they are not cutting anything, just getting stuck and probably hurting my poor dog. So Chris told me I should probably give up...just blend the head in. Well I tried...not so good. I think he looks like a hyena, with a tiny little head and big body. Poor guy, he is usually so cute. Chris said to call the groomer asap... I don't think he likes my work.

I'm hoping the rest of the week is a little more normal, I'm tired.

Our Independance Day

I don't know about you, but I LOVE the 4th of July. I love being outside with friends and family, I love fireworks and glow sticks, I love wearing red/white/blue (and now especially matching my whole family!), I love eating fun holiday food, I love not feeling guilty about playing the day away, and I love to watch my kids experience those things too. This year was great. We always go over to my sister's house, and this year was no different. There were a lot of kids, and Jonah had a blast. We did some fun "classic" games, like a balloon toss and watermelon seed spitting contest (I came in 2nd in the adult category, I might add). Jonah loved the slip and slide, he was so cute! We ate yummy food, and tried not to get sunburned. Let me tell you about my new fav product called Supergoop...it's organic sunscreen and bugspray. I love it. Anyways... it was a great day. We ended it with a bonfire complete with marshmallows and fireworks. Jonah loves fireworks, he always has. Every time one would end, he would say " I want to do that again!" Solomon slept right through them in Daddy's arms... Jonah did his first sparkler this year. He was a little nervous, but it was fun. One was definitely enough for him. Next year will probably be a different story.

We are very blessed to have such wonderful memories. We have great families, although not without problems, we love them and are thankful for them. I am so thankful to live in this country. To be free is an immeasurable gift. I cannot imagine living somewhere where worshipping Jesus is against the law, or where I have to fear for my life daily. Let us not forget how blessed we are in America.