Update on Josi's Case and September Recap.

Here we are at the end of September already. I can't believe the year is almost over. It's already autumn. Gosh, it feels like yesterday summer had just begun.

I was contemplating whether or not to make a blog post without news of our case; but I decided to anyway. So just as I was uploading pics for this post, I got news. Unfortunately, not the news I was waiting for. The PGN has decided to give us another previo, (another kick-out,) this time for an illegible mark on our PA, (Pre-Approval from the US Embassy.) After I pulled myself together and said a prayer for patience and understanding, I am back finishing up my September Recap post. Anyway, our attorney has to get a new copy of our PA, have it translated, and then resubmit us to the PGN. We were really wanting her home by Christmas. Now, that is not possible. I do know that God our Father is in control of all things, and he has his reasons and timing beyond our understanding. My faith is in Him.

(This is a photo of Josi back in March.)

Last week, I was looking up airfare prices to Guatemala, (I do that quite often.) and stumbled upon a great fare, $319 round-trip , including tax. I didn't even have to beg, and Sammy said I could go! So I did it! I booked the flight to visit Josi. And... I'm going to bring little Sammy too. I am so excited! I wish so badly, especially now that we got another kick-out, that I could bring the rest of the gang; but it would just be too expensive. So I have rounded up Robby and the girls to watch Shay for the Friday and Monday that I will be gone, while daddy is at work. I am VERY nervous about leaving Shay. I have never left him overnight since he's been home. I do believe it will be a lot harder on me than it will be on him. He's going feel like he died and gone to heaven for four days without mean ole mommy telling him no every five minutes. I'm still not sure if this was the best idea; but I can't help it, I need to see my little girl again. It's been over six months since I've seen her and held her hand.

I did get to visit with Josi via Skype last week. It was the best visit yet. It is very hard to communicate with her, but there's not much to say to each other when she is singing and dancing for me. That is a language we can both understand. She was all dressed up in her princessa dress and singing a beautiful song to me in Spanish. She was also singing me songs in English. My girls knew the songs and were singing along with her. Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers' songs. I figure when she comes home, if she can't understand us, we can communicate through song. I can't get over this 5yo little girl singing songs that my girls know. Amazing.

She is amazing!

I am heartbroken that she won't be home for Christmas!!!

(This is a photo of Josi back in March.)

I got a new picture of our sponsored child, Mesfin. This is a photo of him taken in August. I can't believe how much healthier and happier he is looking as compared to the first couple of photos that I received of him. He has his arms wide open, and looks like he is waiting to welcome someone. I cannot help but see Jesus in this precious child. I looked up the meaning of his name, Mesfin Berhanu. Mesfin means *prince* or *duke*, and Berhanu means *guiding light.* This child may not be considered a prince in this world, but he is just as much as a prince as I am a princess to the King of Kings, our Heavenly Father.

I have fallen for this prince.

Here is Sammy and Caleb dressing up as explorers. The kids play this game called "Nigel Camp." It is a camp set up for young children that need to become more brave. The parents bring their timid children to this "Nigel Camp." The camp teaches the children survival skills and how to wrestle with tigers and other jungle animals. Aubrey is the instructor and Haley is the fierce Tiger. My kids have such vivid imaginations.

Here we are one evening eating out.

"Eating out" meaning eating out on our back patio.


I got out-voted. Sammy got his hair cut SHORT. This is one of the snapshots just before I took him in.

Here he is after the buzzer. He wanted spikes. So we obliged. Now he wants us to call him Spike. We obliged... again. (He has no shirt on because he was so itchy from all the hairs in his shirt.) It seems like his eyes got bigger and he grew two inches in height. Amazing what a haircut will do. I can't wait until it grows back in.

Shay, being his cute self. It doesn't matter what this child does. He is just cute. He's even cute when he's throwing a tantrum... honest.

Aubrey had 6 teeth pulled in two-weeks time. They were all baby teeth. We are preparing for major orthodontia work here.

Haley got braces on her front top teeth. She was so excited, until she felt the pain. Now she is wanting to do a "do over" and take it back.

Here are the girls being goofy.

Aubrey pretending to be mad.

Sweet Aubrey, she can never keep a straight face.

I LOVE MY GIRLS!!!