EC's 5th Family Day~

We arrived home just in time for EC's 5th family day~

She wanted me to take photos of her and afterwards I asked her to heart the ones she loved.
I think it is safe to say, she loves herself and what could be more wonderful???
Happy EC Day!!!!!!

Dreaming~

EC will be 7 in 28 days so she made a birthday chain during school today~

She's planning up a storm complete with a 3 layer cake and lots of gifts.

A Fun Week~

These two babes earned their vests and two badges at Cubbies Wed. evening~

One of EC's requests for her birthday was get a haircut so when I took her,
Erin gave her some curls too~

 Cute all four!

Thursday afternoon PC came running in the house to say he had to show me something
and bring the camera~

SJ had finally taught him to ride his her bike~

Now it's EC's turn!!!
A little dress up turned into Cubbie Princesses in high heels~

A Fun Week for sure!!!

Adoption Update~

We received our I800A approval (USCIS saying we are approved to adopt CA)

which was the last document needed for our dossier.

Today we walked all our documents into the GA Secretary of State in Atlanta

and had them authenticated then sent on to Houston for more authenticating.

When they return to us, I will overnight to our agency, Bay Area Adoption Services, 

and they will send to China making us DCT... Dossier to China~

Once it is China, we wait to be Logged In and wait once again for LOA~ Letter of Acceptance from China
saying YES, you can adopt CallaAnne!
We were happy to drop by to see Savannah and family. LOOK how tall EK is getting~

 It has rained SO much over the holidays and we have spent much time inside.
The easybake is seeing a lot of action~

Counting down to a new year and ready to ring it in!!!

Early Morning Moments~

Most mornings the bitty girls are up first and I try to school them right away

but some days they have their own ideas~

Stapling paper together for a book~

 Letter shaking (writing random strings of letters) and drawing pictures~

 Totally serious about it!

They don't even know they are schooling themselves and prepping for their future.

Authors and illustrators at five years old!!!

Lots of Snaggle Tooths~

SO let's see...

WP pulled a tooth Tuesday, EC on Wednesday, and SJ this morning @ 5am~

And wouldn't you know PC came back from brushing his teeth to say he has  wiggly as well.

Of course Dr. EC had to see if it really was. :)

Lots of snags around here!!!

Moments to Remember~

Setting up in the mornings is working so well.

I go before everyone is up to set up all their materials and make checklists.

I love our schoolroom and have one more addition to share later this week~

 Because SJ got a teaset for her birthday, it has given EC a new love for her set as well.

I can't think of a better K activity to start the day~

 The boys are really flourishing with the BOB books~

So proud of them!!!

Sweet Moments~

Let's see~

1. Someone says she doesn't need a nap... {5pm sound asleep}

2. School and playing Spot It!

3. Evening Scooter Club

4. Golf lessons from daddy

5. Major nesting going on here... {Tile and grout scrubbing}

I also took a 30 min free photog class yesterday called The World's Greatest Photo Tip

and you can take it too...

If you missed this class, you have one more chance to register:
Thursday, April 24, at 9PM Eastern
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/3175640627477075457?source=fblive

And after watching just LOOK at the shots I got~

EK~

SJ~

PC~

WP~

and Evie~

I was THRILLED and in LOVE with my camera again!!!

Family Time~

Really nothing sweeter than Time with Family except maybe getting really good shots of them~

SO FUN... to me. :)

We all enjoyed time sitting in the park just enjoying a warm breeze and time~

It especially was wonderful when Josh's parents brought their Bostons for the littles to love on {girls mostly}~

Family Time~

In the Park... celebrating the Oldest Original's Birthday~ Savannah!

{I also want to thank Lori Borah for the beautiful matching dresses the girls are wearing... we LOVE them}

Baby Evie~

With a 3rd birthday in February, EC is a tiny little thing.

Our agency sent 2 new photos today with a little update~

 Weighing 21 lbs and 27" tall, I think she will be easy to carry in China. Little precious peanut! Hold on sweet one...

{8 days until China}

Waiting for TA~

Article 5 was picked up yesterday and so we are waiting for TA... Travel Approval so we can book our trip.

Our agency is giving us a 3-4 week wait and a friend is saying maybe 10 days to 2 weeks.

At this point there is little hope we will travel this year and that's ok too. It will allow us to enjoy the holidays with our family as is and bring on the new normal come the new year.

I've had a few friends ask how the littles will be spread throughout the house so here is a little tour...

The Boys will share WP's room connected to the master suite. They have a trundle bed and dresser plus lots of toys to keep them busy.

    In the past, we have had co-sleepers or I have slept with little until they were asleep and then I moved to our bed. We will see how it goes this time. Who knows with two new littles. :) We like them being close to us!

The Girls moved upstairs when WP came home and they love their big room. We were able to squeeze in another bed for Evie although she won't be up there for a long while. Plan to have her down with us until we are all settled.

I guess it would be good if I cracked open these suitcases and get packing. I have SO much to do...

This will be the first trip to China without someone in tow. Haven't really let myself go there yet. Everyone says it will be WAY harder on me than them... we shall see. I know God has led us to leave them here and so we will gladly obey. Still doesn't keep my heart from hurting. 

 

The Little Things~

Any time we step out in faith we're in unknown territory.

Even though adoption is not unknown for our family, funds are always at the top of the unknown list.

We just know it is our calling and God will take care of it.

It has been taken care of for every single adoption in SO many ways...

many of YOU being blessings to us in a mirage of ways.

When we moved to Hartwell, we knew we wanted a boat to share family time on the lake.

It has been a great source of joy and an investment we haven't regretted at all.

Over the last two adoptions, it was our last resort to sell the boat if we were short travel funds

and for some reason, we were able to keep it.

This adoption has been a huge faith climb since last December when felt called to adopt Grayson

(WP's foster brother).

God used us to find Grayson's real family and continued us on this journey for our child. 

It became very clear that the boat would have to go this time so Scott put it on Craig's List months ago.

We had a lot of calls, at least 2 people came and test drove, but no one bought it.

Remember, we sent LOI on Friday not knowing what God would do?

Saturday Scott received an email from someone interested all the way from NC.

He was willing to drive down to get it if we could come down on the price just a little.

We knew we couldn't turn him down.

SO today he pulled into our drive with a friend (Both SO nice)

and went with Scott for a ride... 

long story short~ he bought it and the boat is gone.

Want to know the sweet part of the story? 

The LITTLE Things...

This man's dad is a professor teaching English in Guangzhou, China...

one of cities we have been three times and will travel through once more,

the city that always makes us wonder what else God has for our family,

the city where we always say goodbye to our precious babies' home country.

The Little Things are often God's confirmation that we are indeed in His will.

Friday we sent LOI, Saturday he sent the email.

Tuesday Scott was obedient to sell and God connected it all to China.

Is it just me, or is that just plain AWESOME?

Not gonna lie, it was sad to see it go but SO pales in comparison to the little one waiting for us.

At first it seemed a sacrifice but now it feels like a blessing.

God is good all the time.

Now if we could just sell this adorable house right in town.

(Scott is having a lot of work done on it right now!)

We hope to have PA (pre approval) this week and share our baby's sweet face

and then open our auction (updated) one more time to raise funds for orphanage fee~ $5800.

Blessings and love! 

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, 

according to his power that is at work within us, 

 

 

 

More Love!~

When it comes to love...

First is God, second our marriage,

 and then the amazing gifts of our children, all 6, I mean 7!

We sent LOI yesterday for a precious baby and hope to share this gift with you soon!!!

It is a happy day around here staring at another beautiful life God has given us.

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.