Family Unity

Sunday's are the greatest days. We spend most Sundays going to church and then hanging out with my brother's family. They have seven children ranging in age from three months to fourteen years. My kids have so much fun playing with their cousins. They are making memories to last a lifetime. I have to admit I have a lot of fun playing with the kids too and hanging out with my best friend and sister-in-law Jackie. This last Sunday we celebrated Holly's fifth birthday. Holly is in the red dress on the back of the couch. I talked the kids into a group photo by asking them to make their crazy faces and the adults joined in too! I was able to snap a photo of most of them smiling in between silly moments. We also spent some time on Sunday watching old films from when my mom was a baby. My dad recently put these on DVD and brought them to me this last week. It was so awesome, and emotional, to see my grandparents and other family in their youth.

The kids were also happy to spend some time with Brad's parents over night Friday and Saturday with Dad while I worked on a continuing education class. They got to go sledding and bowling and had a blast. Brad didn't take a camera so I don't have any pictures. Maybe Grandma can send me a few?

My husband and I have been discussing all the blessings the Lord has bestowed on us lately. It is one of the reasons we feel called to adopt, to share our many blessings. Listed at the top of these blessing is our family. Weekends remind me of the precious gift that family unity is. The Bible tells us this in Psalm 133:1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for a brethren to dwell together in unity!" I know Brad and I are seeking to maintain unity in our family as God has called us to do.

Good Friends

Our good friends, Dave and Michele, gave us this coffee for Valentine's Day. They said they saw it at the store and couldn't pass it up. We were very touched by their thoughtfulness. It is amazing the emotions that anything with Ethiopia attached to it elicit for us. It is as though drinking this coffee brings us one step closer to holding our little boy. It is wonderful to have friends who we can share this experience with. As a side note, the flowers in the background were a surprise from my friend Tiffany. They were delivered on Valentine's Day. So beautiful! This post goes out to all of our wonderful friends who have been so supportive with our adoption. We love you guys!

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's day was spent doing crafts, making heart shape pizza's and hanging out with babysitter, Kelsi, while Mom and Dad got away to do some shopping. Mom and Dad were feeling happy and relaxed after an afternoon away and the kids had a blast.

We are also happy to announce that we have a new member to our family. We received a call tonight from our brother and sister-in-law with the news of their new puppy! We are excited to meet her and look forward to many puppy tales!

Sympathy Pain

Jason started the day with a croup cough, spiked a 102 fever around three and ended the day with a puke bucket. Luckily, he had two companions to share in his misery. Amazing how the dogs stayed by his side the whole afternoon. Even at his lowest moment, Jason is stroking Skeeter's head. Pets are such a wonderful way to teach a child about compassion and dedication. 1 Timothy 4:4a "For every creature of God is good."

Packer Buddies

Jason had his friends Allie and Karson over to play today. It was nice not having him tell me he was bored while his sisters were doing school. The boys thought it was so much fun that they were wearing similar sweatshirts. All day long they carried things in their pockets.

We are still waiting for are home study report. Our social worker said today that her transcriptionist is back in the office after having surgery and it should be coming soon. I am in one of those hurry up to wait moods today. I know that God's timing is perfect and that he has our son picked out. I know I should be happy and rejoice in all delays because that means the time will be perfect for the referral God has planned. The verse I am memorizing today is Psalm 69:13 "But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation."