Monthly Update!

I do not know why I have not posted in a month. I think it is because of the major work God is doing on my heart right now - sometimes it is too real.

In the last month I was able to travel to the big city to attend a home schooling conference with one of my dearest friends. We had so much fun and thanks to her sweet husband we had a 5 course meal at one of the best restaurants in the big city. I love getting away. It was so funny how I went to look at curriculum, but ended up really looking at ways to teach my children character. WHAT IS CHARACTER??? I really think God has put it on my heart to build on who he is and what He wants for them, instead of all the academics, which I tend think are so important. I know there is a balance and like most things in my life, eventually I will find that balance even if it is only for one week.

We have asked our oldest daughter, Olivia, if she would like to go back to school - SHE SAID YES! Oh my heart was crushed. (am I not the perfect teacher?????) I knew she wanted to go back and that is why I asked. I also know she will do well at school or at home. Olivia is very black and white, believes in justice, has a huge heart, and does not waiver on who she is in Christ. She is so tiny, but her imagination and goals are huge! She loves school, rules, a lot of friends, class pets (real animals:)) and new challenges. We continue to pray and trust God will lead us to all make the right decision.

We travelled to Utah for my grandmother's funeral. It was beautiful and so sad. My father was the primary care taker for her for years and he is having such a difficult time. She is whole and totality healed now, unfortunately those words do not help grief.

Getting out to Utah was most interesting. We decided to take Quinn (4) and Amelia (2). We thought we would save some money by letting Amelia sit on our laps. We incurred $700 over the amount of buying her a regular seat. When we were boarding the plane, they asked if she was 24 months. I told them she was 2 - that is what the on-line ticketing asked. FYI - the regulations are 24 months - not 2.5 years(29moths)! I do not know about you, but once my children reach 2, I stop counting months! Amelia got a one way ticket there and a one way ticket back!!! Quinn and Amelia spent most of their time with my mother's parents and had a ball! It was wonderful seeing everyone and celebrating my grandmother's life!

The adoption front . . . UHHHH. . . this is the most tender place in my heart. After praying and praying, we have decided to not adopt Kevin. Everything in me wants to go get him, my mother's heart cries for him, but he is not ours. I am trusting that God has such an awesome plan for Kevin and my mother's heart will continue to cry out on his behalf. We have been praying about setting up a grant for his adoption - I do not know if that is my heart or God leading us to help Kevin in this way. I have seen how grants for adoption have helped so many people and I also know that in adoption, God always provides the money. We will continue to pray.

But, we did finally send our dossier to CHINA!!!!! I hope we will be logged in in about a week or so. Faith's orphanage still has not contacted New Day to say she has a family and to my knowledge the family has not contacted ND. I do not know why. I do know that the only direction we have ever received from God concerning this adoption was to pursue Faith and log in with AAI. We have been faithful to what he has called us to do and our hearts are open to any direction He wants to take us, but we have not received any further directions. We wait. I know his plan is GRAND and he that he LOVES Faith and us. I continue to pray for the family that has her file and at the same time I struggle as to why after hearing our story they did not give up her file. Why was the path to Faith one of the clearest journeys I have ever been on with God? I cannot wait to look back on this journey and really understand and oh to see Faith with her forever family will be wonderful!

Off to horseback riding!