Monday, October 29, 2007

Good News...Katie's on her way home!



This little cutie, Katie, just a couple of months younger than Ellie, was at the children's home with her until today, when she was placed with her parents! Their beds were close together (I have pics of Ellie in Katie's bed) and she will live just a short distance away from us. What better than to rejoice in the Lord while we wait!
I was surprised that I had this pic of her hair in her eyes...the mama's usually had her hair all done up. :)
45 days in PGN, 6.4 weeks...no news of a kick out. :) Keep those prayers coming!!!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Hey, EN families...

Angel is visiting EN in two weeks. I just wanted you all to know if you did not visit her site already, so she could know about your child or take something (you will have to do this quick). (You can also congradulate her on the good news!) God bless you all! Praying those kids are coming home soon!

Friday, October 19, 2007

Five Weeks in PGN

In a recent conversation with our case worker, she said that most cases that are not kicked out by four weeks will most likely make it through without one. Keep praying for Ellie and the other 5000 children in process!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Tagged

I have been tagged by Roseann, fellow Guatemama, and have absolutly no adoption news, so here goes...

Jobs I have had
Chick-fil-A ....and I still love it
Daycare...still love kids
Americorps
Tutor....I still get to do this on occasion
Retirement Benefits Analysis
Subsitute...only two days, hated it

Places I have lived
Ohio...was back for the first time in 20 years this week
Texas-Bedford, Dallas-three locations
Illionois-Peoria-three loc, Washington-two locations

Foods I love
Chick-fil-A
Diet Dr. Pepper
granola bars
Avantis
grapefruit

Places I'd rather be
In Guat getting my girl
St. Thomas, with my hubby, on those miserable midwest winter days

Books I love
I can only say that I really love the Bible
I have enjoyed the Beverly Lewis amish series

I am Tagging:
Amy
Marianne
Jennifer
Stephanie

Friday, October 12, 2007

Happy 15 months Sweetie!

Didn't know what the date was until late... our little girl is now 15 months old!

Favorite Foto(s) Friday

Four weeks in PGN....

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourselves over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:7 ESV


My dainty little girl was the only child to touch the worms!

This kid loves his daddy!

Noah 2nd bday celebration, we were in Guat on the actually day, but we had "Mouse Cookies" before we left. :) The kid loves this book!

Playing in the rain, just playing in the rain...

Our first day together!


Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Please Help the Fatherless in Guatemala! Contact Your Senator Today!



TODAY AND TOMORROW ARE THE DAYS TO CONTACT YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING GUATEMALA ADOPTIONS!

As many of you know, Guatemala has been cracking down on corrupt adoption agencies. This is a real problem and does need to be addressed.

However, there are also many reputable foster homes and adoption agencies (such as our own) that are working to provide homes for children in need. Unfortunately, the president of Guatemala recently declared that all adoptions to countries that were non-Hauge compliant (such as US America) would stop January 1, 2008. He claimed that this would include cases in progress which is a dramatic change from previous communication from the Guatemalan government. This is obviously a great concern to us as Ellie may still be in the system come January 1!

I'd like to ask a favor of you...would you please contact your congressmen or senator today or tomorrow and ask them to sign the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) sponsored letter to President Oscar Berger? You can find out more about this letter and Guatemala 5000 initiative here: http://jcics.org/index.htm.

In the last few days, it seems there has been some good news. Our state department, thanks to the efforts of many of you, has encouraged the Guatemala Children's committee to include a grandfather ammendment into some pending legislation. You can find out the detail on the aforementioned website, but the bottom line is that the pressure American citizens are putting on their government is being effective. The next 24 hours are critical to keeping up the pressure!

Monday, October 8, 2007

I Am Having to Get Creative...

When you are in PGN, there is no news (we think we are still in), bad news (kicked out), or great news (OUT!). We have not had a case update, so I am having to get creative to come up with adoption related posts, to follow my own rules for this blog. :) This past weekend, we made a quick seven-hour drive to the great city of Minneapolis (or "Mini-apple" as the older kids trained Noah to say...he was disappointed there were no apples) to visit some churches during Daniel's sabbatical. In addition to meeting John Piper and hearing him teach, we got to have lunch with Cameron, and his parents, Aimee and Brian. Cameron was at EN where Ellie is, and we spent some time with him in July. When Aimee and Brian picked up Cam, they sent lots of great pics of Ellie. It was fun to trade stories, meet these people that we have already bonded with, and I loved getting to see Cameron "on this side!" The camera was left in the car, so we just go a quick shot in the parking lot, to allow me "to have something to blog!" :) Thanks guys, it was a fun lunch!

Friday, October 5, 2007

Favorite Foto(s) Friday

Three weeks in PGN and counting....There's that smile!




Favorite Quote of the week:
Noah had just bumped his head and came to me for comfort. With no tears, he simply put his head down in my lap. As I rubbed his back, I said, "Are you my brave little boy?"
"No, I'm baby monkey." :)

Monday, October 1, 2007

October Pics and Medical Update

I was surprised to receive our medical update and pictures for the month, and it is only the 1st! She is now over 20 pounds, and she grew 1/2 of an inch (from August). She is "healthy and eats well...She has started to walk on her own now. She smiles a lot…just not at the camera! " I think they are worried that we will be upset because all of her pics are of her crying, almost crying, or at the very least, nervous of the large round object by her. I have met her and know what it takes to get a smile, so I am not too concerned, but we will just have to wait... She will have to get used to all the corn and pumpkins we have in the Midwest!



New Picture!


October pics have not been sent out, by I found them on the missionary couples' site (under "Fall Photos"). I loved getting to see Ellie, but it was so great to see how much the kids at the home have grown! This one was taken on Sept 27th, two months since we have held her.