Faithful

This morning my hubby got paid. On pay day I sit down and do our bills and organize our finances. It is what I have done since I have been out of my parents house. Today one of the bill I am paying is very special. Today I am paying a huge credit card bill. This bill is a testament of God's faithfulness in our lives. Today I pay the final costs for our adoption.

Three and a half years ago God started us on a journey. With three tiny little boys and a tiny little home we felt God leading us to start the adoption process. This was a little crazy. Our youngest was only 6 months old. Our oldest was barely 4, and we had one in the middle. We had always planned to adopt at some point. But it was expensive. We didn't have anything saved for it. We wanted to move into a bigger house, get good at this parenting thing with the ones we already had, blah blah blah...

But we obeyed. In some ways it was irresponsible. We knew that price tag was enormous. We knew that we didn't make enough to cover the cost. More than that we knew God wouldn't leave us hanging on something he called us to.

God is faithful! Our adoption took more than twice as long as expected. It cost at least twice as much as anticipated. It was the most difficult time in my life emotionally. But this morning. My precious little girl is sitting with her brothers watching PBS in her PJs. This morning I am sending the payment for our plane tickets and in country package in FULL. God covered our adoption completely. We have no debt from our adoption at all!

I am so thankful for all who have loved us, encouraged us, supported us financially, listened, and most of all prayed for us. God is so faithful. God is so good. If He calls us to something HE is faithful to us. He will finish what He starts. I am overwhelmed with His goodness. Even when I questioned God never left. He carried us through this. If God is calling you to something that seems impossible. Know that nothing is impossible for him. If you have thought about adoption, but the pricetag scares you. If it is God's will He will provide.

Thank you to all who have walked this journey with us. Praying that through our story you can see a glimpse of God's glory. God is so good.

One month

One month ago we picked up our little girl FOREVER! They brought her out to us and we never have to give her back. Most nights I go to be with pure and utter thankfulness. Last night I sat on my couch looking across the room at the man God blessed me with as a husband. There are toys on the floor, dust on the furniture, dishes in the sink, and I am so thankful. Our family is whole again after such a long wait.

Our house is loud. Our girl is just like our boys. Full of energy and noise. She is opinionated and sassy. She can't leave her room without her beads. She plays in the dirt and chases the boys. She wrestles and giggles and kisses and screams. She is pure joy with spurts of crazy temper tantrums. She is obsessed with cocoa wheats. She puts every sticker she gets in the middle of her forehead. She is silliness all day. She is learning so much each day.

God knew exactly who was supposed to join our family. I am so thankful for my crew. Each of the blessings God has given us is a precious gift. Each of them is amazing and has unique characteristics that make them wonderful. I feel so blessed beyond words. Thanking Jesus daily that "he does not leave us as orphans" He didn't leave me as an orphan in His spiritual family, and my daughter is no longer an orphan on this earth. Praise the Lord for He is good.

It's been awhile

I haven't been blogging much lately. Mainly due to our newest addition. Also, we've been enjoying a lazy summer.

Here is a little of what we've been up to:

 We went to the zoo as a family. If you look close Bubba is hiding behind Mommy.

 Got to see some giraffes up close and personal.

 Acted like monkeys...

 and rode the train...

 It was very exciting...

 We've been working on bringing this little girl home for so long. Now she is here and we are so blessed!

 Our neighborhood VBS was lots of fun. There was a program to show all the new songs the kids learned. Our boys loved it.

This has been what we have been up to for the past few weeks. This sweet girl joined our family and we have all been spending time getting to know each other. She is such a joy. We are so thankful for the way God is healing her little heart and helping her feel part of our family. I love having her home. Her brothers think she is the best person ever. They are already very protective of her. I love seeing the way that God has taken care of her and us in the long wait. He is a good God!

Just checking in

Well, it has been awhile. We've been busy...

Waiting for our little girl to come home

Going to the zoo

 

 Riding the carousel 

Riding the train

Doing some laundry...lots of laundry

Playing at the farm

Hanging out with friends

Visiting friends that it's been too long since we've seen

Catching fish in the pond

Working on some school

 

Celebrating 9 years of marriage to this awesome man

He is such a great daddy.

So that is just a peek at what we've been up to.

It's a Girl!

Ah, blogging. How I miss you. This has been a crazy year. I have had little time to sit down and write. And most of what I would have written was a little less than happy. It has been a rough year. Adoption is hard, and it has taken a toll on me.

Through it all God is good. We are so blessed. Last week we met our daughter. She is perfect!

We are now waiting to bring her home. Hopefully, she will be here in the next few weeks. Until then I am trying to keep busy preparing.

 We are doing her room is the fun girly owls. It is so exciting to have girl clothes and toys to organize and play with. Dolls, tea sets, dresses, and shoes are all so much fun!

We are so excited to bring home this precious blessing. She  is such a gift and I am so thankful for her, for the journey it has been to get here, and for the future God has for our family.

Impromptu Freezer Cook

This week Kroger had a sale on bone in chicken. I decided to stock up. Since I had all the meat in the fridge I thought I'd just prep this weeks meals.

First I cut the meat off of several chicken breasts I then threw all the bones in the crock pot to make this broth. Once that was started I boiled the breasts for shredded chicken.

Next up I threw together a few dump recipies

Chicken Caccatore
Caramelized Baked Chicken
Crock Pot Beer Chicken
BBQ Drumsticks

I also had some ground turkey so I threw together some yummy Johnny Marzetti. This is one of my faves!

I used half of the shredded chicken to throw together Honey Lime Enchiladas. These are a family favorite.The other half I froze for some later recipes.

I will use some of the chicken stock to make some chicken noodle soup for lunches this week.

Hopefully, this will keep my evenings a little easier and my freezer a little more full. 

Seven years ago I went into the hospital with a bag packed, a 5 page birth plan, and no idea what I was in for. I was joined by a nervous hubby, my best friend, and a huge belly. I went in at 8am on February 19 to be induced. It took forever. I remember watching "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". I was so hungry. I wasn't allowed to eat anything. So by about lunch time I was ready to order a pizza. My sweet man ditched me at about this point to go grab a bite with his parents. Not at the hospital cafeteria. Not at a quick drive through. NO they went to a steak house. And then they had the audacity to bring the leftovers to my room. So now I am hungry and I have to smell food. (Seven years later and I am apparently still holding on to some bitterness.)

The winter Olympics were on, and I couldn't have cared less. But there isn't a ton to watch at 3am. After a nap I woke up feeling like all those drugs they had given me were wearing off. (Yea, 5 page birth plan out the window.) Nurse came in and announced it was time. Doctor arrived. A few pushes later boom, there he was. My first born made his appearance on the scene. Looking just like his daddy and perfect in every way. I was in love.

 Now seven years later, and I am blessed everyday by this kid. He is such a joy. I love his passion for life. His excitement for all things. I love his craziness that is unending and sometimes exhausting. So much of who Isaac is has been the same since he was born.

 He still loves to be outside. He loves an adventure or a special trip.

 He is still a good helper. Being the oldest is a lot of responsibility. He does such a good job helping his momma out with picking up, taking care of the pets, and helping out when asked.

This boy has always loved to eat. The older he gets the bigger his appetite seems to be. He can easily out eat his mom at this point. Polishing off an entire adult meal when we go out is nothing for him. Look out grocery budget. He isn't getting any smaller or less hungry. 

 He still loves his friends. He loves making friends. He loves telling jokes. He loves making people laugh.

 He is still a total goof ball some times. He keeps us all entertained.

This has been a big year. Isaac started first grade. He is still playing soccer. He also started basketball. He is growing so fast. He is in size 8 already, but he is still so skinny it is hard finding clothes that fit well. He still loves animals. Our family got a new pet rat this year, and Isaac takes good care of her. He is such a fun dude. I am blessed to be his momma. 

Happy Birthday, Isaac. I love you!