Keeping it FUN!!!

Okay, mondays are always good.  The beginning of a new week, fresh with possibilities:).  And I know that I am being stalked (love it! - and hope that we can start stalking S soon - they are next on the girl's list:).  So, here's what I propose: every time you check my blog to see if we got a referral, could you take two seconds and leave a comment?  Just for fun.  Because it might keep my mind off the phone ringing:)  and because I love hearing from you all!
So, today - here is the question - What is the most adventurous thing that you have ever done?!!
I'll start - I would have to say that flying over to Yemen during college by myself and living in country for two months is the most adventurous thing I have ever done.  and would love to do again!
Okay, now it is your turn!!!  cannot wait to learn more about you all!
(and do not forget - I can see how many times you all look at my blog, so let's have some FUN!!!!)

On to February!

To all my friendly stalkers:), nothing happened here today.  Still sitting at number 1.  Thankful for the weekend.  Since we began this journey, I have been blessed with the ability to "turn off" on the weekends.  It is not just that I know our agency is closed and there will be no referrals, but I am able to be completely at peace about our journey, and not question the timing, wait, call, etc.  I love the weekends.  I am working this weekend as well - which will make the time fly!
So, instead of doing referral paperwork tonight:(, I finally uploaded some pictures to our computer from november/december when we visited my parents in Richmond.  Have a great weekend.  Tonight we have peace - peace in His timing.

Precious little one - we have waited for you for 11 full months now.  Thank you for what you have already taught us.  Your big sister "called" you on her phone tonight to sing you a lullaby - you are constantly in our hearts and minds.  Keep waiting - we are so close!

Number ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are number one!!!!!!  We are cautiously excited - you see we waited at number 2 for 47 long agonizing days.  Fun times.  So, we are well aware that it could be a very long time before our phone rings:).  I am incredibly peaceful about this right now - but that could change in an hour of course.  Hopefully my next post will be to announce that we got the call about our daughter!!!!
Hang in there, little one - we are just one step away!!!!!

We are thankful

Written by Noah, Jadon, Hannah, and Becca
Today we are thankful.  For so many things. 
We are thankful for Jesus
We are thankful for snow days. 
We are thankful for the world. 
We are thankful for our family. 
We are thankful for a warm house. 
We are thankful that our power has not gone out during our 20 + inches of snow in the last 10 days. 
We are thankful for toys. 
We are thankful for our sister in Ethiopia. 
We are thankful for friends. 
We are thankful for thick and creamy mac and cheese. (Jadon's:)
We are thankful for noodles (Hannah's:)
We are thankful for pop tarts (Noah's:)
We are thankful for food.
We are thankful for computers.
We are thankful for school (when we actually have it:)
We are thankful for cameras and binoculars.
We are thankful for transportation.
We are thankful for grandparents.
We are thankful for trees.
We are thankful for the beauty outside - white snow, blue sky
We are thankful that the boys are old enough to help with shoveling!
We are thankful for a new king-sized bed that all 5, and soon 6 of us, can fit in.
We are thankful for friends and family that listen to our hearts, our joys, and our sorrows.
Today - we are thankful.
What are you thankful for?

It is a new day!!!!

Hello to all my fabulous blog readers:).  Yes, it is a new day - and the mornings are sooooo good!  I am filled with hope, and optimism, and with the knowledge that today I could see my daughter's face for the first time!!!!  Oh, how I love the mornings.  I have been getting up between 5-6 am every morning (cannot sleep), having a cup of tea, doing my devotions, and sitting in a quiet house with the fire warming up my toes.  What a great way to start the day!  Today was no different, except I had the cleaning bug (yes, for those of you who have known my for a while, you know that I used to be a cleaning freak).  Not so much any more, but any so often (every other month or so:), it hits me and I am a crazy woman!  So, before 10 am this morning I have gotten all three monkeys up, dressed, fed, put J on the bus, drove N to school, went to the doctor for our TB test reading (for those of you worried :) it was negative:), picked up the last of our paperwork for our homestudy update, and cleaned the entire house!!  Bathrooms, dusting, vacuuming, windows, kitchen, and washed the entire floor (the only rooms in our house that have carpet are the two kids rooms and the play room.  Love it!  But.....now I am done, and I have the rest of the day to figure out what to do!  Toben and Hannah are playing house (watching him while Gini and Megan are at the dentist), the puppy is sleeping (big surprise), coffee has been drunk, dinner is simmering on the stove (homemade sauce for the spaghetti).  So - angry birds here I come!!!!  (yes, I am slightly addicted:).
Oh, and did I mention all our snow?!  We already had 3-5 inches from this weekend, and then yesterday we got about 15 more inches!  It is beautiful!  I love love love the snow!  it is so bright, and the sky is so blue, and everything is so very clean.  This is one of the few perks of living in New York!

Thank you all for keeping us in your prayers - it has been 36 days since the last referral and I might be going slightly crazy.  maybe. a. little.  We are praying for our daughter - that she is safe, and warm, and being fed, and being loved.  Precious little one - we are so in love with you already.  Your three monkeys here cannot wait to have you home - they start their day praying for you and we end our day praying for you.  Hang in there - we will be coming soon!