Jordan's initiation

Jordan was initiated into Youth Group tonight. She was basically a human ice cream! Got toppings such as chocolate syrup and whipped cream poured on her! I can't believe my "baby" is old enough for Youth Group!! I can hear the song, "Sunrise, Sunset" swirling around in my head!!!

Back Home

Our Hawaii travelers are back home. These are just a few of the pics that Jordan took with actual people in them! We have lots of pictures of flowers & Jordan's webkinz dog. :) Dayle is supposed to be getting me a CD of his pictures! They had a great time and the pictures make me want to go too!

Our Hawaii Traveler

I've been able to talk to Jordan every day since she's been gone. Quite a treat...thank God for cell phones. She is having a great time! She's told me that it is so beautiful there. She and the other 3 girls woke up before the grandparents yesterday, so they quietly got some cereal and at breakfast on the balcony of the condo. Too cool!

The plan was a trip to the aquarium yesterday afternoon. They had been to the beach in the morning and apparently caught a Hawaiian sunset the first night on the island.

I'm glad she is having a good time, but can't wait for her to come home.

Roots and Wings

Someone once told me...and it may have been my mom...that you have to give your children roots from which to grow and wings to fly. My "baby" is on her way to Hawaii tomorrow morning. So far the journey has gone well. No tears (from me or Jordan) when we said goodbye yesterday. They are at a hotel near the airport for the night and fly out in the morning. Last thing Jordan said to me this evening, "Mommy, I'll call you when I get to Hawaii." Wow! It is weird knowing she will be there...so far away. What an experience!!

Saturday night I found myself praying in a way I didn't realize I would ever get to pray. I prayed for Jordan and her safety, of course. I was also praying for our new baby...one that we had a chance at getting after a call from the agency Saturday night. After learning more about this little one, we had to pass. He has some brain damage from prematurity. We are okay. God gave us both discernment. Our baby is out there...waiting for us to find him/her. The thing that struck me Saturday night was that for the first time in years I was praying for my "baby" here at home and our baby yet to come. What a great feeling...almost tangible!! To be able to love a little being that I don't even know. I pray for this little guy and his new family. I pray for our baby that we don't even know...

May God watch over both of my babies...

Our baby birds

This is the second blessed event in a nest on our front porch. We've had four birds each time. The bird in the grass is one of the first ones to fly away. Jordan & Lance got to watch the first two learn to fly and leave the nest. Lance had to help one of the babies off of our porch...it flew into a screen. (Don't worry...it is okay.) Jordan got some great shots of the babies in the grass!! It was neat to have a Science lesson on the front porch!!

Glorious Strawberries!

We went strawberry picking last week!! Yummy! Our freezer was empty...no jam of any kind. SO...off to the patch! Total we picked 27 1/2 pounds of strawberries and made 8 batches of jam! Our first pint jar is already half way eaten. For some reason that first jar always tastes so good!

Waiting for our baby...

We have mailed the profile books and they should get to their destination by tomorrow or Tuesday. Lance e-mailed the director to ask the dreaded question...how long does a birthmom have to change her mind. Well, in our state of choice...she can't. Once she signs the surrender papers, she can't come back and take the baby away from us. WHEW!!!

So now we wait. A common phrase among adoptive families in waiting...we are PREGNANT ON PAPER!! No morning sickness at all, just some mild anticipation!!!

We watched a little guy this weekend for some friends of ours. Samuel is 2 1/2 and was a complete blast!! I am really excited about expanding our family! It was neat to wake up to him each morning and hear his little footsteps around the house. I enjoyed watching Lance take care of him and show him how to BBQ. I enjoyed hearing Samuel call for Jordan and yell when she wanted to play with his tractors. (Only Lance was able to play tractors or cars with Samuel.) It was great fun and makes me that much more excited.

So now we wait...