MY ANGEL IS A CENTERFOLD!!!

Just look at my son!

There he is FRONT AND CENTER in the Family Album Section of Adoptive Families Magazine, page 46.

I honestly don't remember ever submitting his photo for the magazine. I believe that they got his photo from the 2008 Guatadopt calendar because they were looking for the cutest baby on there.

This photo was taken in August of last year. It was Shay's first trip to the beach.

ANOTHER VIDEO!

Tim Hawkins is a Christian comedian and ever since we saw that homeschool video, the girls and I have been cracking up at all his other videos on YouTube.

This video is funny, but it packs a punch. It is about marriage and how if your not considerate of each other's feelings, your prized possession could be found at the bottom of a lake.

On Saturday, Sammy got his version of the "Lexus" in the video. All I have to say is, I hope I never find the keys...

"Orphans... Who Cares?"

"Pure and undefiled religion … "

God's concern for the orphan, the widow, and the alien is so central to His plan for us here on earth that He gives us a startling and profound statement in James 1:27. "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

Why would God tell us that caring for orphans is "pure and undefiled religion"? Perhaps because caring for an orphan teaches you about loving a person who may be slow to love you back. Perhaps because you receive just a glimpse of how God may feel when we fail to return His love for us ... when we rebel against Him. Perhaps because the world sees God's heart when He works through His people to help the helpless.

And perhaps it's because caring for orphans is such a perfect picture of our relationship with God. In our inability to please God in our own efforts, in our utter helplessness to initiate a relationship with Him, we are very much like orphans and strangers than we like to admit.

When you talk with parents who have adopted, you often see taht they understand something deep about the heart of God. Taken from the article entitled, "Orphans... Who Cares" written by David Boehi at Familylife.com
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Adoption is a legal transaction that redeems another. God did that for us through His son. We have the wonderful opportunity to do that in the life of a child.

Caring for the fatherless is not simply a compassionate and kind act, and adoption is not merely an additional means of growing our families to the desired size. Caring for the fatherless and adoption are at the very heart of God. Caring for orphans is about obedience. . . It is about knowing the God whom we serve. Taken from "Hope for Orphans" at Familylife.com (http://www.familylife.com/atf/cf/%7B8e975f2e-4c1c-4315-aaff-34a97eb367b5%7D/AdoptionGuide.pdf)

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n Every DAY 5,760 children become orphans

n Approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually, but… every YEAR 14,050,000 children still grow up as orphans.

n Every 2.2 SECONDS, another orphan child AGES OUT with no family to belong to and no place to call home

n For every child that is adopted, 600 orphans will die.

n If 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world.

Do you have room at your table for one orphan?

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me..." Mark9:37a

My Beautiful Ballerina is in PGN!!!

Josie's case entered PGN, the final court, yesterday. We were told that PGN is running at 4-to-6 weeks, so long as ther isn't a kick out. Please pray that our stay in PGN is short and sweet. (Josie's case is moving along so much faster than Shay's did.)

The Joys of Homeschooling

I saw this video and had to post it. It's really cute. Scroll down to turn off the music before you hit "play."

HOORAY FOR PA!!!

It finally came... We got PA this morning! Our I-72 was rectified and we were re-submitted to the US Embassy on Thursday and got PA only TWO days later. Praise God, what a great start to the day! Now, on to PGN please.

Another post of the boys!

Here is Shaybear just after learning to ride Sammy's scooter. Notice the concentration it takes when trying to figure out what foot to push with.

Sammy has learned how to make skid marks on the driveway. This summer, we will be taking those training wheels off. This kid was born to ride.

Koda is sick. He must've eaten something that just didn't agree with him. He was much better this morning and is eating and walking around with a ball in his mouth. He's moving slow, but at least he is moving.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE AN ADOPTIVE PARENT, IF...

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.

2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love & family.

3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.

4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.

5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who've experienced the blessing of adoption.

6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.

7. You've been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.

8. You'd no idea how you'd afford to adopt, but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing He'd provide. (& He does!)

9. You've taken an airplane half-way around the world (five times already) when you swore you'd never step foot on an airplane.

10. You believe God's heart's for adoption.

11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart & family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.

12. You know what the word "Dossier" means & you can actually pronounce it correctly!

13. You've welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

14. You shudder when people say your child's so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you're the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

(I saw this on a friend's blog and had to post it on mine. Thanks Tammy!)

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My sweet boys.

Just look at those cheesy grins.

Such handsome little dudes!

There's Shay with his devilish grin.

Reading a book together.

This didn't last long. So glad I got a few pics.

Sammy helping mom do the dishes

Not bad for 3-1/2 years old! He's hired!