Early Christmas Present

Hallelujah! We have our travel date!!!

We (Evelea, my oldest daughter; Gail, my mother in law; and I) will be leaving on December 8th and returning with Therese on December 24th. That means one month from today, we'll be home!

Can you think of a better Christmas present?!

I have a LOT to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I will be praising God for His wonderful provision. He has orchestrated this whole thing from the beginning and I am so thankful to be a part of His amazing plan.

I AM GOING TO GET MY DAUGHTER!!!!!!!!

Orphanage Donation

Several sweet friends have asked if they could make a donation to the orphanage. Of course! Here are a few ideas:

stickers

balloons

baby wipes

gallon size Ziplocs

Bandaids

Polysporin

blue Bic pens

coloring books

toothbrushes

toothpaste

underwear

And anything else you can think of that is small, lightweight and fun or helpful for kids. There are about 45 kids living in the orphanage all year and about 120 who come through the orphanage in the course of a year.

An Unexpected Lesson

On Fridays, Carter and I have a quick lunch at McDonald's between kindergarten and his physical therapy session. It is a sweet time for both of us. Today's lunch date was made especially sweet when I witnessed young McDonald's employee with Down Syndrome pray out loud over his lunch. This young man bowed his head, folded his hands and prayed out loud, loud enough for me to hear what he was saying. Listening to this man pray fervently for his friends, family and co-workers with thankfulness for his food and his job, was not only sweet, but a bit disarming.

Why am I bit embarrassed when we pray over our food in public? Why do I worry our server will be put out somehow if the prayer gets a little long? How many times have I been ashamed of my faith? Why am I ever afraid to speak His name?

I wish I knew this young man's parents. I want to thank them for raising a son with such a strong, confident faith. I want to ask them how they did it. I want them to know how much he blessed me today.

Still Waiting

This waiting is killing me. I am usually a pretty patient person, but not today. You want to know how super impatient I am today? I'm not even happy that it is Friday because that means at least two more days of for sure not knowing when we can go get our girl. (insert foot stomp)

Last night I wrote her a letter and sent it to her via email. Someone will have to read it to her of course because she doesn't know English yet. I considered posting it here, but it feels a little too tender to me to have anyone else read it just yet. But I'll tell you it felt amazing to finally express my love to her. All these months I've been praying she could feel my love across the ocean. Today, she can see my photo and hear my words of love for her. Last night I fell asleep with my hand reaching out in her direction, asking God that He would allow her to feel my hand holding hers.

She's almost here. Really. Just a few more days.

Operation Christmas Child

Want to make a difference in the life of a child?

Simply get out a shoe box, fill it with some small items a child would like (ie, hard candy, crayons, stickers, toy car, flashlight, doll) as well as a few personal hygiene items (ie, toothbrush, soap, bandaids). You can include a personal note and picture of your family. Secure with a rubber band. You can find out drop-off locations here. The staff at Samaritan's Purse will get your box to a child who has never experienced the hope and joy of Christmas.

If you pay $7 online (to cover shipping expenses), you can track your box to find out to what county your box was shipped. How cool is that?

This is a GREAT activity to do with your kids. My kids love deciding what would be fun to include in the box. It is so important that our children learn that there are children who don't get anything for Christmas (not to mention might not get their basic daily needs met). Activities like these help our children to appreciate what they have and eliminate the "gimmies" that can occur at Christmas.

National Collection Week is here- November 15-22nd, so go pack your box!

It's a New Day

As we were headed out the door for school the other day, Carter informed me that he wanted to walk to school by himself (meaning, from our car to the school playground). Typically, the big kids jump out of my car and run to the playground, while Carter and I enjoy a little one-on-one time leisurely walking together to the kindergarten line.

I decided to indulge his independence, half thinking he wouldn't follow through at the last minute. I reviewed a couple of safety tips and he purported that he would be fine, that he really didn't need me, and it was a new day. He rather emphatically stated again, "Mom, it is a new day".

Wow.

He hopped out of the car (with a little help), and walked with his sisters to the school. I stayed way behind and watched. About half way to the line, he turns around and gives me a huge wave and shouts "Bye, Mom".

After making sure he truly made it to his line, I ran back to my car and sobbed. Oh yes, this momma's heart just broke. Of course I want him to be independent and self-confident, but I just didn't imagine this day would come so soon.

Later that day, Carter performed some "dangerous" tricks on the playground that he has never done before including going down the roller slide by himself and jumping off the slide (kinda). He just looked at me and said "Mom, it's a new day!".

Oh buddy, it is and new day for both of us. A day where you sprout some new wings and I lose my way just a little.

Adoption Fundraiser

Help some new friends of ours bring home their son from Burkina Faso by purchasing one of the cool t-shirts found at their website: goseeklove.com

And sorry for the jumbo pic, I realy need to take a computer skills class or something!

Here's My Girl!

Oh Happy Day!!!

Here is our girl! Please welcome, Therese Evangeline Solgos!

We are unclear exactly when we can pick her up, but somewhere between 6-10 weeks from now. I am thrilled beyond belief!!!

Victory!!!