Are the hoops getting stranger, or is it me?

Ellie is being served her summons to appear in court for her readoption proceedings. They had her touch the paper and that was it. We got no documents, nor signed anything, not even an official stamp on the papers.

To read a humorous story we had at this same location regarding finger prints, go here. Catching the gal in the back ground made me laugh. :)

I guess the sheriff badge stickers could have been our proof of summons, but they were destroyed before we got home.

Yeah! A good one in the bunch we took!

Oh and, notice what Austin has on?!

Urgent Prayer Needed

Evan and Emily have had a referral of a sweet little boy from Vietnam for the last 3.5 months. Due to the changes in adoption law between the U.S. and Vietnam, they must receive their "official" referral notice by Friday. If they do not get this, there is very little certainty. It is a real possibility that they could even lose the referral. "Referral" meaning a precious little guy they have been loving as their son since May, and have been praying for the years they have been in this process.

O Father,
We know You are sovereign in this situation. You will provide all that this family needs and You will provide for Tuan Anh, as well. It is the desire of our hearts that You allow for the adoption to continue, that Evan and Emily could bring Tuan Anh into their home and teach him about You. Miraculously, allow their paper work to go through , if that is Your will. Fill their family with grace and peace, comfort in Your plan.

Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry!" Psalm 88:2 NASB

What would we do without the fireplace tile?

Meeting More Family

Grammy and Gramps came for a visit this weekend and got to meet Ellie for the first time. Our kids have been blessed to have seven out of eight GREAT-grandparents around to love on them (the older three have known all eight). What a treasure it is to have godly parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents passing on a heritage of faith!


Fun with Grammy
Ellie liked to climb up on Gramps' lap.

A belated "Ahhhh"

We are trying to get all of the readoption paper work complete and be done. (This is normal, we are just changing her name and getting an IL birth certificate for Ellie, to make things easier down the road for her). I receive the court papers to sign, and the attorney has put down the date of October 17, 2007 as when the adoption was finalized, not December 13, 2007 as we thought. So, after calling and leaving messages back and forth, I have been convinced that the date is indeed 10/17/07. Which means that we were approved the day after we were resubmitted from our previo, which means we sat waiting for Barios to sign us out for TWO months. This happens to EVERYONE, but I really wanted our attorney to be wrong. I didn't want to think about how we could have been reunited with her on December 1st rather than January 27th.

BUT, God is sovereign and this was all apart of His perfect plan. Unfortunately, the sin nature in me wants to let out a little "AHHH" inside.

Austin

Name: Austin Daniel
Why we picked the name: Austin- means "worthy of reverence", "majestic splendor"-we pray that he would bring glory to God

shortened form of Augustine, an important father of the faith, but I would not sign "Augustine" on the birth certificate, so it was a compromise that Austin is a shortened form, we also call him "Auggie" a family shortening of Augustine :)

we are Jane Austen fans

Austin happens to be a city in TX (though not our favorite city, but in the greatest state in the nation)

Daniel- means "God is my judge" and is his daddy's name

Born: January 26, 2003

Why the logo: "Keep Austin Weird" is a saying of Austin, TX in support of local businesses (vs. national chains). It just seems to fit Austin, our son, because, well, he is just a little weird. I can't tell you all the crazy get-ups I have taken him to places in. Tucks every shirt in. :) Clip-on pens and belts are favorites as well. The Dallas Cowboy jersey is almost always being worn first out of the laundry. In fact, after putting together the adoption video, I realized he was wearing it in multiple pictures/videos. He loves dressing up . He will wear a snow hat, boots, and gloves in any weather if I let him.

Just as he likes to dress a certain way, he sleeps in the funniest of ways.

This is what we like to call his "model pose". He whips it out for most pictures and rarely takes a bad picture, if he is cooperating.

Austin is a very enthusiastic guy. He gets into playing games (decent chess player for a 5 year old), cars, and sports (football, swimming, riding bikes (riding a two-wheeler just as he turned 4), soccer, and playing catch).

Austin recently was awarded the "Littlest Engine that Could" award in honor of being a hard worker and the youngest by over a year on the team. There were only three "special" awards given by the swim team coaches. I am glad I was wearing sunglasses so no one noticed that I teared up. :)

Austin loves his siblings. I awoke to hear him helping Noah get dressed for the day. He will do anything to get Ellie to laugh and could play for hours with Hannah. Austin LOVES getting to go to men's prayer breakfasts (or McD's) with his Daddy.

We are waiting to see how the Lord will use Austin. He asks great questions about the Bible and prays for our missionaries and China regularly. Austin is reading some short verses from the Bible with assistance, worked to get door hangers put out today for our church launch coming soon, and his favorite song is "There is a Redeemer" (they sing it in Sunday School).

What a special gift we have been given in Austin... life is never dull or too serious.

A year ago today...

Edited to add: I originally posted this late July, but you tube was not cooperating, so I guess it decided to catch up yesterday.

I left my baby in Guatemala.

I know I have been doing a lot of, "this time last year" posts, but it was such a pivotal summer for me spiritually and for our family, it has been good to reflect on all that God has done.

So, in honor of that, I am reposting our visit trip video.

Happy Anniversary!!!

Wow! Today Daniel and I are celebrating NINE years of marriage!

Daniel, I am so thankful the Lord purposed you for me and me for you!

These are a few pics from over the years...well since the digital age for us anyway.