OOOOHHHH...

My baby boy! I imagine that he is saying OHHHH! Isn't he the cutest little boy you have ever seen!! Got these pictures this morning!!! I will share some more later!! THANK YOU to the best woman in the world for sending us pictures!!!!!

After I cried and settled my pain in my heart...I sent the pictures on to daddy and grandma!! My mom (grandma who lives up the road) cried too!! And she most often is not emotional like me! :)

This is my son, my little boy who is waiting (seems like FOREVER, I know) for us to come!! Soon my son I will be able to wrap my arms around you and kiss your little cheeks, the best of all tell you that you have a family that loves you very much!!! Thank you God for this blessing!!

Thank You!!!...

I can NOT say THANK YOU loud enough to so many people that have helped us along the way to bring our son home!! It is exciting...I was driving the other day and thought about the old saying about how it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it is taking a village to bring our son home. Just know you all are thought about and prayed about a lot!!

Today we got more donations..not through Chip-in which brings our total to $505.00 Praise God!!! I am so excited and so thankful!! We continue to pray and be thankful for EVERYTHING!!

Stay tuned..more topics to come and a continuation of THANK YOU!!

Many Topics to Come...

There are many topics in my head that will be posted soon. Some of the topics will be:

Sacrifice: An act of giving up something of value for the sake of something that is of greater value or importance

Thank you: I think self explanatory :)

Heart: A muscular organ that pumps blood through the body AND A person's feelings or capacity to love or compassion

Patience: The capacity to tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without becoming angry or upset

Stay tuned...they are in my head I just have to write them done...soon I will be posting. We are having a relaxing Sunday. It's quiet the sun is out and I am loved!

My Heart...

My heart is very sore and achy!! This morning Jovan said "doctor make my leg longer" and he showed me with his hands how long it will be. His orthopedic doctor is going to try and put some kind of prosthetic on his shorter leg to make it maybe possible to have him walk upright using a backwards (following behind instead of him pushing) walker. I told him that he would have to use a walker and he sounded so sad..then he asked if he still would need his wheelchair. I said yes...

I died inside!! My son so wants to be like a typical kid! He loves soccer and his special ed teacher called the other day and asked if he could play with his classmates (Jovan is in a regular classroom, but has a special ed tacher for his physical IEP)...I said yes, just take off his glasses. He plays the goalie I think. What do you say to a child who has a forever tough uphill climb to make in life. I know in his head he knows..and lately it is really coming out in many questions.

We always are positive about his situation and his mobility issues. He can do so many things!! So far about the only thing he can't do is bring dishes to the table or clear his plate from the table. I know we can probably figure out something to do for that (I have an idea)...but is it a big deal not to clear his space at the table? I don't think so!

In our home we all take care of the house according to ability!! Chores are a given here! Both Kristina and Jovan have their list. Jovan has recently taken the recycling down the steps to put in the garage. That is a big job and a little scary, but he wants to do it. He has about ten steps to go down to reach the garage door. And it takes him several trips sometimes..but he succeeds and it is awesome!!

My heart does not hurt so much...God is good, thinking about all the positive things he can do and just thanking Him for my son...every single inch of him!! Thank you for listening to this mother's pain...and NO I do NOT feel sorry for him, I just feel bad that I can not "fix" him the way he wants to be! But I think most mother's feel that way when their child has pain on their heart. Enjoy your children...every inch of them!!!

Friends...

The definition of friend is: one attached by another by affection and esteem. I am sure lots of people have friends and some may even have LOTS of them. Growing up I had friends, really good friends and then they or we moved away. This happened all through out my childhood!! It was tough at times not to have friends...but I am truly truly blessed with the ones I have now!!

Why am I bringing this up? Well to be honest I have to say that something is really bothering me. It is breaking my heart and my eyes have tears quite often. It is about my son..our son who is almost 5000 miles away from us. He is loosing his friends..he sees other kids get their mommies and daddies and he wants them too. When I found this out it put a huge huge ache in my heart (and please don't tell me that God can heal it or whatever please, because I know and my ache is better, but still there). I have learned many things from God during this adoption process, but the pain in my heart just hurts. When I see our kids do something I want our other little boy to be in on it too. Thanksgiving, setting up our Christmas tree, playing in the snow, and so many many other things like that.

The thing that goes through my mind is, I am a true believer in Christ an adopted child of God! Then why oh why is this verse so difficult to live? We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) This verse should be easy to do now...but I sometimes have much trouble!! I know and have faith that God is holding my son in His arms right now! I know that God can and is my son's friend and that God is the best friend my son will ever have!! God will not leave my son ever! I can not see this, yet I sure believe it!! I have faith that it is true. And I am so very thankful that God loves my son unconditionally like me! God knows what a sweet boy our son is! He created our son, no other little boy is like him..

One day our son will have friends, hopefully a very close friend. I can not wait for the day that my son brings friends home! I can't wait for the day he calls Jovan friend! Kristina and Jovan tell each other that they are friends..I know they have room for more friends in their life..especially a new brother.

Up Up and Away...

This is not the actual picture of our plane or runway..but you get the idea. We are very soon (well if after the country's winter break in January) we are going to go up up and away to get our son!!! Praise God! Right now there is a new fundraiser going on to raise our son's expenses needed to come home. He is needing a medical exam, visa and plane ticket. Which is roughly $1500.00. You can see his fundraiser on my friends blog that is doing the fundraiser right here.

Right now I am looking into fundraising ideas and wish I had some cool electronic gadgets to give away, but right now I don't...so I am just leaving it open to whatever God does and however people are led. If anyone lives close enough I would clean bathrooms for a donation! :) For those who know me you know that the bathroom is my most favorite room to clean! :) (Really and truly!!) Have to have a little humor now..peace and joy are dancing in my heart because we are going to complete this adoption and close this journey and get our son!!!

We still have our fundraiser with Cardsforanymoment going on. The cards are so cute and I am

going to give both kids one of these when we leave! Isn't it cute?

I forgot to mention to continue to pray for us as we get ready to fly up up and away! There have been many many interesting and disheartening things that have happened to us along this journey. And MANY lessons I have learned from God while I have waited.. But, if I believe that God is in control and his timing is perfect then this LONG wait was HIS plan, not mine!! Soon, God willing we will be going up up and away.

A Journey...

When you decide to make a life change, do you prepare yourself a lot of information or do you just jump right in? Hum... I do both. When we first started out looking and pursuing adoption I read and studied myself to death!!!! Oh my, I was constantly filling myself with details and thinking I was doing so much better knowing it all! Yeah right, God showed me that I really only needed to trust him with the details because all of that research I did was for a DIFFERENT country then the one we adopted from!! So, I did some research on the EE (Eastern Europe) country we were adopting from. It is after all a part of my heritage as much as the previous country I studied about. We followed God's lead...

Then to do all the preparing, packing, and exercise a large amount of faith in patiently waiting. My hubby had never traveled out if the country, I had several years prior. Although I was not very successful... I was so very ill with nerves and got sick in flight!! But I was however successful in changing planes!! I was happy about that!

Well the day came...nerves were high and so was the feeling of being ill!! We had a dear wonderful friend bring us to the airport!! Also the one who listened to me daily while I tried to wait patiently! She made me eat a banana, and I felt so much better!!! Then we were off and still a wee bit nervous.

Our plane ride was fine although a little bit cramped for my hubby. (We now spend the extra dollars for the few more inches..makes a huge difference for my much taller then me husband!) Changed planes and landed at our destination country. Got through customs and such and went to look for our driver. Um...not one person with a sign for us. A wee bit of panic set in when I realized I did NOT have the sheet with our in country info contacts! And all of that info was on our computer...unattainable at that time.

But we all know that God provides don't we? I hope so! There was a couple that we started talking to at the airport one stop from our destination country. They were traveling back for their summer vacation, as now they live abroad. We shared with them about our adoption journey and they shared with us about the country. Anyway, after we did not see anyone for us and the airport was thinning out hubby and I were praying so hard for an answer of what to do... Our new "friends" came over to check on us, they were concerned about us. A friend of theirs met them at the airport that they were not expecting...(imagine that) Turns out he was a taxi driver! So after praying some more we decided to do as he suggested and head to a hotel to sort things out and get on our computer. We were able to contact our wonderful facilitator she was able to help us out. While we waited we went looking for a wee bite to eat. We walked all the way around the hotel with not a morsel of food to be found. Headed back to our room and tried to order room service. Had a pizza and cokes brought up. It was different then our pizza so we ate what we liked and it helped a lot.

Finally we were tucked into our apartment and slept for quite some time!! We arrived a whole day early to get over jet lag and get settled. Now this is funny...we walked out of our apartment courtyard all ready to explore, and going past the gate freaked us out!! Okay maybe me more then hubby, and he agreed to turn around and go back into the apartment!! After searching the internet for a map of some sort we ventured back out again. We walked up and down the street in front of our apartment each way as far as it would go. What fun and the hours we were gone oh my!! I even let my hubby go down some side streets, we saw so much and even an open market! What fun!! We then stopped at the corner grocery and bought a few things. It was like a treasure hunt so fun and exciting!! (at least it was for me!)

Our adoption journey had begun! Next day we met our beautiful little girl that God had picked out especially for us!! And what a journey it had been so far!

Why am I telling all of this story and maybe not very interesting to you? There is a moral and an ending to this I promise! The moral of the story is NOT to panic, NOT to overly obsess about planning your adoption journey! Go through it one moment at a time and immerse yourself in your surroundings! Don't worry about what you know because it might not be that way! Look all around at the people, buildings, animals, and take in the smells and sounds too! You are going to a foreign country and YOU are the one who is different! Chances are the country is a LOT different then what you used to. Food, taxi rides, beds and most importantly the traditions and customs will be different! When we were in country I always tried to be very courteous and follow others lead the way!! In America we are such a now society!! (I can say that because that is how I am sometimes too) We want everything our way, our time, and even the quickest way possible! I won't mention how we all need to rely on God and his timing because we all know that too! :)

Just remember to enjoy your adoption journey (or any journey God chooses to take you on) and praise God that he took you on it! Rejoice that you are getting a HUGE gift from God! He will never leave or forsake you!! Psalms 38:21 O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me O my God. In a different country or even in your own backyard! Thank you God!!

Thank You...

I just want to say thank you for all of the comments and prayers about our adoption and some things that have happened!! For several days I really struggled with being sad...just kind of like a worn out feeling. Today I was able to rise above it..thanks to God, my sister and my friend Peanut Butter/Jelly!! :) A renewed joy and such a peace!! It just so wonderful...knowing we just keep moving forward every step of the way seeking God's wisdom and direction.

Have you ever felt like you really needed to do something and knew it had to be done to the furthest finality? That is just how it is with me! Some people might not understand...but it is clear to me to go on! And I am so glad, so very glad that I have stayed to course during this journey!!! Right now I am calm and peaceful and so thankful for my family and friends! Thank you for your continued prayers for us and our son!!

Feelings...

Do you ever feel like sometimes you are not heard...no matter how hard you try? And sometimes trying to explain things makes it worse. And even though you are honest and truthful to your very core, you are just not believed? How does that make you feel? For me it makes me feel very sad, angry, frustrated, whithered and just plain want to quit.

It has taken a lot of faith and really trusting God to get us as far as we have in this adoption. Each of our children's adoptions have had their own trials, obstacles and difficulties, but none as hard as this one. I have learned more about trusting and waiting upon God than ever before. That's how He works isn't it? - through our pains and sufferings we learn obedience, trust and worship. In Hebrews the Bible talks about how Jesus learned obedience. Hebrew 5:8 Although he was the Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

The adoption site we were working with literally turned on us. Instead of encouraging us on we received reprimands that we weren't raising money fast enough, that I was not following their directions and even worse that we were standing in the way of this little boy receiving parents.

It hurts like crazy to be misunderstood and worse yet to be falsely accused! I wanted to give up! Not give my up my heart's desire for our son, but give up the struggles and battles we keep encountering in reaching him! How deep can a heart be broken? I've learned the depths of pain in a new way.

But who is God? He is alive and well! He sees when we are crushed! He hears our heart's cry! He's not indifferent to injustice! He rises up to our defense! That is the almighty God my family and I worship! And he is tenderhearted and with a sense of humor!

I was filled with joy and laughter with what God showed me. So in the very midst of my despair, I got my Bible out and found a couple of passages in Isaiah. They just jumped out at me! I am so thankful that God showed me these passages!

Chapter 43:5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth.

Chapter 41:11-13 Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall parish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I will help you".

He has made us stronger so we can continue to do God's will no matter what! I will hold out my right hand and join it with my heavenly Father!

So now this goes back to feelings... so many! But I will tell you that we are not giving up! We are climbing the huge mountain ahead of us. Being strong and trusting God in all of this. He led us to bring this boy home where he belongs and God will help us no matter what the opposition is!

There will be one less orphan as soon and I hope all you faithful readers and the heavenly hosts above rejoice with us! Please join with us and pray for God to continue working through us. I cling to this powerful verse in Romans 8:31 (NIV) If God is for us then WHO could be against us? That to me means NO ONE can be...

Hebrews 11:1...

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (RSV)

That's all I have to say...just pray...

Winners...

I am finally posting the winners/gift recipients of our son's birthday party. Thank you so much everyone for being a part in bringing our son home!!! It was an emotional birthday...tears because he wasn't here for it, and joy that so many people have helped us bring us this far! And a peaceful feeling that we know God is in control of our journey and we trust Him!!!

So here goes..Angie C will be receiving the book

Jeannette W will be receiving the first sign

Julia N will be receiving the second sign

Jennifer R will be receiving the third sign

(You will be receiving an email letting you know as well!) :)

We are so thrilled to death that we are getting closer to our end goal!! A HUGE blessing from God!!!! Can't wait!! Makes my heart hurts a lot...waiting, not so patiently sometimes..but waiting. I have put a few clothes in his dresser..gotten his winter coat and boots ready..(now remember I thought Jovan was going to be the same size and the clothes were originally going to be his.) So our second son is getting hand me downs from his older brother! So sweet! :) I have only purchased swim trunks..they were marked down to a very low price.. :)

Well, we are in for some snow this weekend and I better get some things ready. Surprise my hubby and get the shovels and salt in their respected places and all set to GO!! :)

Good Morning...

Today we (the kids) will pick the names of the winners in our birthday give-away drawing. There is still time to give if you want. They will draw names when they get home from school. The picture above was taken this morning during breakfast..I love the way God gives us brand new days fresh and new. And so many beautiful colors too!! I have linked the give-away prizes here. It brings you to my friend who made the signs and giving away a great book!! :)

Thank you very much for all who donated to bring our son home! It means so much to me to see how God gives us wonderful people in our lives and on this journey! The road has been long, but we believe in God's timing! It is perfect...and we trust and have faith and hope to the end! Enjoy your day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!

Please Pray...

There has been 2 geological shifts in the last two days where our son is. It is about 70 miles away, but still felt where he is. He is okay, but there is a family traveling to adopt their son and he is located much closer. You can read about their journey here. Pray for them as they will be traveling soon. Please keep the country and specifically the areas hardest hit and for the loss that people have experienced!!

The Joy of the Lord...

The joy of the Lord is my strength! I believe that! During this adoption process many things have happened. Some really affected my in a very hurtful way. Nearly knocking me to the ground, but I reached up and out to God and he has sustained me!

Lately when I need strength or peace I pick up my feet and run for my Bible! In Ephesians 6:10-11 (RSV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Here it is in black and white. God will be there to help me stand!

One of the Bible's I have been reading is one that belonged to hubby's grandmother. I have no idea how we got it..but I love seeing what she underlined and notes that she had written. I did not really know her very well, but would like to think that she happy that we are adding to our family. The other Bible is one that she had given us for our wedding present. It's interesting after all these years how they are joined together. God is good! Each of these Bibles and the one that is mine and the one that has carried me for many years each have a different version. God is using THREE different ways to tell me what I need to hear and obey!

And I am listening loud and clear...and still learning and still asking for help to stand. And my verse I have repeated many times is Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? I have read many adoption blogs (cried, laughed, gotten goose bumps, and prayed for them) and you know I have read many parents that have had family and friends go against them. Things that people say and sometimes do may happen, but we need to rise up and reach for our heavenly father! He loves us and wants us to run to him, like we want our adopted children to run to us! When was the last time you ran and reached up to our heavenly Father?

Kids...

Yep, I have two going on three. Thank you God! Well, kids sometimes need a little more encouragement on some days. Yesterday was an example for my daughter..let us just say that it was not a very spectacular day. It was a day for frustration, and a day that was a reminder of how to listen much better!

So what do you do on those days? For me it was quite a combination of emotions. Because she

did not listen very well there was a chain reaction. Later after she was told the consequences of her actions (that is being disciplined) ...we had a great evening!

We needed to use this card to find out what happened. Kristina knows these cards and she sometimes has a hard time expressing herself, so this took pressure away and she was able to tell me what happened. Sometimes seeing a picture is easier then words. As in this case with my daughter.

How sweet is this? Kristina loves cats! The cat girl! :) So this was a sweet way to remind her that even though she had a rough day and she needed to be disciplined I still love her! Very very much! More then mommy can stretch her arms wide!

My children love to look at pictures!! Of anything..even of those icky bug pictures! :) So these cards are great for my children to see and understand. I am showing these cards and giving real life examples of how we use cards in this family with our kids.

These cards can be found here. Not only are they great for kids, there are many other kinds as well. Love them! While we are still raising money for our adoption this company is donating to our adoption fund. You could find many reasons for these cards and also help us at the same time. Check it out! When you buy cards it would be really awesome to know how you used them..maybe someone else could get ideas! Just leave a comment on my blog!

New Post...

It was brought to my attention that I have not blogged in thirteen days. Well, as some bloggers know sometimes you are just too busy or run out of ideas to blog about. FYI not the case here, well maybe the busy part but no I have not run out of ideas and topics! :) Lucky readers you all are!

Right now I am dealing with P words. Some not my favorite because they are hard to do sometimes! But one is an absolute joy and a thrill to do. Curious?

Patience:

1) bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint

2) manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain

3) not hasty or impetuous

4) steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity

5) able or willing to bear

Perseverance:

to persist in a state, enterprise, or understanding in spite of counter-influences, or discouragement

Praise:

1) to express a favorable judgement of

2) to glorify (a god or saint) especially by the attribution of perfection

~for me it is glorifying GOD~

Those are all P words..my most favorite is PRAISE and my most favorite way to express myself! Just ask my kids and dogs! Let's just say my kids love when mommy praises God more then my dogs. :) Through thick and thin we are to praise God! It is easier to praise him when we are happy and thankful. But we must also praise him when we aren't happy.

Perseverance is a tough thing. What it means to me..state of mind and being, to hang tough. Like stand firm when being attacked and wait quietly until it is over. Maybe not the correct meaning..but one I keep in my head. Or like a roller coaster ride that goes up down and all around it doesn't matter...just HANG on!

Now patience is quite the word! As I was reading each of the definitions, I realize that I am NOT patient! Bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint...um NO I do not. And the list goes on and um the answer is I am not patient! Then it come to me that God is patient with me! Oh, did that make me sit up and really think about that. How many times has God called me to do something or not to. How long does he wait for me to come to him with my every need instead of my forging ahead by myself? How long does he wait for me to come and ask forgiveness? He waits... And he waits with patience. Some day I would love to wait bearing my pains and trials calmly or without complaint!! It is a blessing to know God does have patience and perseverance with me! Thank you God!

For me, I must have patience along with perseverance and always praise God for everything!!!

Happy Birthday...

Our little boy had a birthday today. (he is sleeping now) I tried to post earlier today and my computer didn't cooperate! Gave me so much time to think.. Today I went to a meeting to start and adoption support group at our church. It is exciting! On my way to the grocery store I was filled with such a peace from God. Almost like he was telling me to relax..he's got my back.

My son had another birthday by himself..some would say that is not right. Even more would say he has waited too long. Yes, I totally agree! But I say to those people..God is in control in this adoption..and it is HIS timing that we depend on to the end! No matter who is not happy with it. My verse for this adoption.. If God is for us, then who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NIV)

I have had to cling to that verse so much during this time of waiting for our son!! Can't even share any details...oh someday I might, but right now let me say nothing. I am true to God and follow his lead..doing what he calls me to do.

Okay, enough of the so much time to think part of this post. Now let's get down to the birthday boy. Today he is seven. And I know he will get his wish for a mommy and daddy!! Go God! He has gifts waiting! (I picked out specific gifts from my huge gift bin) (I save and buy toys when they are SO inexpensive!) I can't wait to see his face and hug him and tell him that God gave him parents. It's all about God and how good he is!

Happy...

Have you ever been truly happy like from the tip of your head to the tips of your toes? Like just for nothing? Well, driving home from Target...I just smiled and realized that I was so happy, well maybe more like filled with joy!

My joy I know came from God! Lately there have been some...hum...lets just say trying times that many times I needed to cry out to God!! Oh my, yes I did!!! Pain and frustration tore at my heart.. But through many tears and many prayers I have the joy in my heart..just because I called out to my Abba Father and rested in his arms! Without our heavenly father for love and wisdom I would have quit a long time ago.

What would I have quit, you ask. Well, let's just say adoption is hard. When you love someone and can't be with them it is HARD! Knowing that it is paper...plain paper with a greenish ink. You know the kind that sits in your wallet, the kind you give your kids because you love them. The kind you put in the offering plate like God wants us to, oh and the kind you give away to have special things to eat and drink. That is what is missing to go and get our son. I want to throw in the towel..cry..and even thoughts of just "running" to EE and get him!!

The joy that comes with a new morning that God gives us to live. Joy that God has everything in his hands with his plans. My job is to do what needs to be done at home to get ready and he will do the rest. I can relax and just smile knowing God loves ME! Knowing he has plans for me is peaceful and fills me with happiness! Do you know the feeling?...

It's A Party...

My friend Jody and her family are having a birthday party for our little boy. I mentioned it already but I wanted to add the chip-in that she created for him. She also has signs that she is giving away two signs to two people that donate to our son's birthday. She will draw the names at the end of the fundraiser. The two she has on her blog right now were exactly the words I needed to hear this morning! The heart of this family is so huge and inspirational!! www.thecampbelljourney.blogspot.com

Travel...

Yes, we could set up a travel date. I found out today. We are still short funds and can NOT travel without them. We are about 3800.00 I know God is in control..and boy is writing this post is hard! Our funds were always in place way before we traveled for our other kids. God is teaching me to totally depend on him!! And this would fall under that category!

Our son's seventh birthday is Friday. Can you please help us by getting our son the one birthday present he really wants. A mommy and daddy! He has said this many times..that is what he wants! .

Please pray for us and God's will to be done. Thank you!

Check out my friends blog who is hosting a birthday party for him!! And trying to raise funds for his birthday. http://thecampbelljourney.blogspot.com/

Another place that is donating to us..check it out www.cardsforanymoment.com. The cards are awesome..Jovan has used them and he is just beginning to read! He looks at the pictures! :)

Keep us in your prayers!

Listen...

"Have Faith" Jesus answered Mark 11:22

Faith...

Do you have faith? Trust in the Lord with all your heart and not lean on your own insight. Proverbs 3:5 I believe faith and trust work together! I don't know about you, sometimes I have a hard time keeping my faith "bucket" from spilling and losing faith!

190...

20

190

They're not very big numbers, are they?

What about 3800? Is that a big number? In the scheme of things, not really. I've seen much bigger. But that $3800 is that last amount of money that is preventing us from bringing our boy home. That's it! That is all that is standing between us and a plane to Eastern Europe!

So where does the number 20 come in? That is the $20 people spend on Starbucks each week, or on McDonalds, the magazine subscription your niece was selling last week...or any number of things in life that, when they think about it, probably is really money they'd rather spend elsewhere. For us, that $20 is a life.

And what of the 190? If 190 people felt that they could spare $20, one little boy in Eastern Europe, who has spent his entire life living in an orphanage, will be spending Christmas home with his family where he belongs! Talk to your family, talk to your kids. Ask them if they think your family can spare $20 so that one little boy might know the joy of a mother, a father, a brother and a sister.

Just click on our son's picture on the right sidebar and it's that easy to help him come home!

Everything Apples...

On Saturday we went to the BEST BEST apple orchard I have ever been to!! Oh my, it was awesome!!! We got there a little after they opened. (Good thing because when we were leaving the place was FULL of people!) And we rode a hay wagon to the place for the kids to play. That had a train that the kids climbed through and up on. They had a blast. Of course my daughter had to try out the swings. :) Then we saw some animals. Goats, mini horse and plenty of chickens! Oh, Kristina climbed stairs up in an old corn crib. The round wire thing...maybe called a silo? Hubby said it is a grain bin...okay whatever. :) It was tall and she did it just fine. Then the highlight...a huge mountain of hay!! Like a one story building. HUGE! The kids climbed and climbed! Jovan needed a little help getting to the tippy top..was too tall for him to reach up. Kristina went up all by herself. That girl surprises me all the time!

The bag of apples we all picked..took a long time! :)

My beautiful kids sitting on the top of the largest hay mountain I have ever seen!

All of us climbed up and played on the hay!

We were there almost four hours and went on hay rides a plenty. The last place we went was to pick apples! The bag of apples weighed about thirty five pounds (15.88 kg)..which is heavier then Jovan. :) There was a huge hill that we had to climb and get the apples. Jovan was carried and the apples rode in his wheelchair down the hill. :) Both the kids and parents were very tired after this adventure. It was the BEST BEST field trip we have done in a long time. It was worth every cent of the four dollar per person entry fee. Did I say the word BEST yet? THE BEST!!!

The weather was awesome too! It was totally a Minnesota fall day! Crisp, little windy and clear sky! Hubby's mother was visiting from out of state so we took her along.. She enjoyed spending time with the kids.

It was decided that going to this apple orchard will be an annual fall tradition for our household! Next year there will be one more going and having a blast! Thank you God!

Thoughts...

Sometimes when you think and have thoughts it is invitation for Satan to come and get under your skin. That is what is happening to me. Clinging to God and the promises he has for us. Plugging away and doing what God wants me to do. Praise God through ALL things! Trials, tribulation and best of all joy!!

God has plans for me..maybe not what I think they should be..but HE holds me and cares for me and I know I am safe! That is the most wonderful thought for me.

Perseverance, patience, waiting, trusting, believing, and FAITH! Faith believing in things you have yet to see...with God all things are possible!!

Enough Said...

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, then who could go against us? Romans 8:31 (NIV)

Our Meeting Day...

The day we met (actually met again) our son was a day I will never forget!!! Let me clarify something..we really had met Jovan before. We met him the very same day that we met Kristina. She was adopted in 2007. So we knew of his wonderful spirit, engaging smile and electric personality!!! God moved many mountains to have us adopt again and I give God ALL the glory!

The day before our Ministry appointment was the day we arrived in country. That night sleep was not really attainable. Nerves, excitement, and pure thank fullness were the emotions we had. In the morning we got ready...my memory was getting my hair all done and because of the humidity it went flat! :) Ruined TWO pairs of nylons!! UGH! Out the door we went!

Grabbed a taxi to a park where we met our facilitator. It was so great to see her again and helped to calm our nerves! Don't ask me why we were so nervous..we knew exactly what was going to happen because we had done it two and a half years earlier. We walked many blocks and arrived at "the building". After passing through security and after getting settled we started. The details of Jovan's birth choked me up!!! I kept saying to myself "don't you dare cry" and I only teared up! :) I will not share the details..but I will say there had to be a TON of emotions when my son was born.

After the meeting we got a cab and headed to the orphanage. We could have walked as we knew the way!! When we got on his floor they had him in the hallway and he knew we were coming! The sweetest thing I remember is that they told him that his mama and tata were coming from America. And what a meeting! I did NOT want to let him go!!!!! But I had to share! :) We played in this little room with toys and a book we brought him. Full of energy he was. I just looked at him and could not believe that we were there. Like a dream!! Our son, one who was wanted and waited for!! All of those years, months, days, minutes and seconds dreaming about this meeting paled compared to what it was really like.

My little boy...wow it feels like he has been here with us since he was born! Today my mom said that it feels like he was born from my womb. Wow! Brings tears to my eyes. To know where my son started out and his physical condition to where he is right now is nothing short of miraculous!!! God's plan is amazing and if you follow along with God's will for your life you will be amazed at what wondrous things HE can do! We wanted God's will to be done more then anything!! And I knew we would be comforted if we were not allowed to return! Now that wonderful gift from God is sleeping down the hall!! :) Thank You God!!

One Year...

One year ago we met our son!! (Again) What a joyous day that was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is us...we have a son!! I remember that day like it just happened yesterday! And now one year later he is getting ready to go to school! Stay tunes I will post more about our son later.

Prayers Please!!...

Several months ago my friend traveled to a couple of Eastern European countries. While in one of the EE countries. This is her story... I met one little girl who, at 10 years old, was in imminent danger of being transferred. She'd already come from one horrible situation, and was now stable in a good place for 3 years, but was going to be transferred again. Our contact there begged us to help find her a family before that transfer happened, which I promised to do.

I just didn't know, right at that moment that family would be mine.

Fast forward a few weeks, when we had committed to adopting her. After dealing with the Icelandic volcano at the delays it caused us in getting home, and a few other issues, we started our homestudy process, only to come to a screeching halt when it was discovered there was a paperwork glitch in the system on their end. This child was immediately removed from all registries until they could get it worked out.

That was in May, and it's still not figured out. Instead, the child's case manager doesn't want to deal with it, because this child is not worth the time or energy when there are so many other more adoptable children needing homes.

At the end of July we decided to move forward in faith anyway! That if we got our homestudy done and through USCIS, at least when word came that she was ready, WE would be ready. Our homestudy will be on it's way to USCIS at the end of the week, and all we will have left to do is wait for their approval, then continue to raise money.

As I type, the future of this child rests in the hands of ONE PERSON who will decide her fate, and weather or not we will be able to adopt her, or she will be sentenced to spend the rest of her life in an institution. They have actually tried placing her in foster care first, but the foster families have refused to take her! Because of her craniofacial malformations, they cannot take her out in public there. The person in charge is going to try one more foster family before either moving her to the institution or releasing her for international adoption. If she is institutionalized, the lack of medical care she desperately needs RIGHT NOW will mean the loss of what little vision she has left within a year or two at best. She will begin to suffer massive headaches due to cranial pressure due to lack of space for brain growth, and compression of her brain on her spinal column. Sentencing her to the institution will be sentencing her to severe neglect and painful suffering like no human...no child... should ever have to endure.

But God can work all kinds of miracles.When one small person like me prays, he hears. But when we storm the heavens with prayers, he hears, and later we can all be a testimony to yet another miracle he performed in the life of a child.

If you would storm the heavens with me, that we could all see the miracle for this one child, what a testament to God that would be!

Can we all please pray for my friend and this little girl! Please God hear us praying and begging you for her life and please God bring her home. Amen

I Know...

Yes, there many things I know! :) Several things I do not know. My children start school tomorrow, and it is very emotional for me.(Oops, I started this a few weeks ago.) It' like there in the big leagues now, going to school everyday. I know I will miss them terribly! Those are my babies!

I know my children will be excited for quite a long while. They really like school and learning things. Jovan knows many things and this summer he learned the sounds that each letter makes! Not bad for a kid who spent quite a bit of time alone in the orphanage. I know that God kept him safe while I prayed and begged God for a family for him. He is an amazing little boy. During the open house at school he figured out on his own to get up to the drinking fountain to get a drink. My heart leaped with joy!!! His wheelchair fits under the tables he has and is at the height the other kids are at. Kristina has a desk and Jovan would be too short to use that. God takes care of every detail.

My daughter is excited to go to school! I know her language has improved this summer! I know she is understanding more and how to figure things out! I know I want the best in the world for her! I know that one day I hope I can explain about her "tummy mommy" and the HUGE sacrifice that she made to have Kristina live. I know that I think of that woman often and can still see in my mind the moment she handed Kristina to me and walked away down the street. My heart and I were so emotional!

I know that being a parent is not always easy! But it is something that I love!! I waited a LONG time to be a mommy! I knew since about the age of seven that I wanted to be a mom! Shortly after that I knew I wanted to be a mom with special needs kids! I know that was God who instilled that love and desire in my heart. He gave my husband that same desire!

I know that I love God! Not for what he does for me..that would take years to blog about! But I love God for who he is! To me God is comfort, greatest love, safe, and exciting! God is my father, the one that loved me before anyone else did. How cool, I rest in God's arms a lot!! I pray and desire God's will for my life. I know that Jesus died on the cross for me and took away all of my sins. Every one of them! Nothing can take that away. I have known Jesus since the age of five. Yes, and I remember exactly what happened and can still recall many of the words my mother talked to me about. I came to Jesus with my arms held high and wanting peace and love! I got it and so much more! :) I know there is only one way to heaven..that is accepting Jesus in your heart. Knowing that all of your sins are wiped clean and you will be adopted into the kingdom of heaven.

Adoption is always on my mind. I have been adopted into God's family, my father was adopted, and my children were/are adopted. So cool!! I know that it is God's will that we adopt our son. I also know that God's timing is perfect..I know waiting is VERY hard. I know that in the end it is worth every breath, every tear that I have shed waiting for our son to come home. I like the fact that I know many things...and I know that I must continue on with my day! :)

My son...

My son is a sweet, funny and determined little boy! He is six years old and has Cerebral Palsy. That diagnosis does not define who he is though! The desire for him to have a family is strong as he has asked many times for a family. We have seen him both times we picked up Kristina and Jovan. He played, ran across the playground, rode the ride on toys. He is funny and so sweet. His face shines so bright! And has a sweet laugh. He is someone that I would be honored and blessed to call my son!

We are trying very hard to raise money to bring him home quickly. He has waited a long time for a mommy and daddy. I hope one day that he will understand about God's timing and how perfect it really is.

For us it is to save every little bit of money we can...even our children have offered their piggy banks to go get our newest family member. They know he has to go on an airplane before he comes home. The toy department now has become a place where we do not go, as this mommy has explained the difference between wanting and needing. (A lesson we all are learning!) Don't get upset, my kids have PLENTY of toys! They lack for nothing! :) Even school clothes are done for the

boys..not a penny spent. Kristina needs shirts...nothing big. Everything else is done. I am pretty excited about that!

We have a couple of fundraisers going on. My friend sells Arbonne. It is an awesome cosmetic and makeup company. Natural ingredients and just wonderful. I use MANY of the products. Skin care line is so great, I could tell a difference in ONE day!! The make up just feels like your normal skin but in color! :) She is donating between 40-50% of HER profits to us. The products last a long time..it really averages out to be about the same as what you would pay at lets say Target or Walmart. Check out the website.. www.arbonne.com If you are interested leave a comment with your contact info and I will get you in touch with my friend.

There is a company that sells the cutest little cards that can be used for any occasion. I have used several...just slip a card anywhere. In your child's lunch box, in a briefcase, on a keyboard. I personally have used them to stick one in my husband's shoe and also his shaving kit. He was so surprised, and it really made his day. Kristina has a couple as well. I had one that Jovan gave my husband. I have a few that the kids can use...this one was for a dad. Jovan can't read, but he knows the word dad. He came in to the living room and handed my hubby the card. Brought me to tears, and hubby was taken aback and loved it! The great thing about these cards is that you can give it anonymously to anyone! There is even cards with Bible verses on them. Check out

their website www.cardsforanymoment.com

Won't you please take a look and remember they are awesome products, so not only do you get something...you also help bring a little boy home to his family! We have a button on the side that you can donate directly and get a receipt for you donation. As little as two dollars would be great. Two dollars is a one way taxi ride... Every little bit adds up. My children are excited to bring home their brother. They know we are all working hard to bring him home.

Life..

The above picture is four generations of women/girls in my family. Some in the picture have a good life and some not so good. We are a combination of Ukrainian, Serbian, German. I have a mixture of all of them. Now I am going to tell you a story about a little girl.

This little girl was born in 1919. In a small town in Ukraine a couple hours away from the capital. She had parents, siblings, and a grandmother she lived with and she was loved very much. They were somewhat poor and her mother often just drank the broth after boiling perogies. Her mother made sure that her children never went hungry. They all worked hard. Her grandmother was a mean woman and sometimes tied this little girl to a table leg. This little girl grew up and was happy and then...

The time came when WWII started the girl's brother joined the war. The family continued to work hard in the fields and doing farming work. Well one day this girl and her sister were in the fields working and soldiers from another country came and took the girl away and left her sister. Her sister had a chance to hide...

I will not write about the time she spent during WWII...just imagine. She had seen many many things during that time including concentration camps. After the war was over she made it to a safe country and a place to work a little bit before she decided where she would go from there. Well she met a man and they decided to come to America. They were married and had a little girl. When they traveled, the daughter of the little girl was four years old.

After they finally moved to America, she got a job the same week they came. She did not speak English but she worked hard with her husband and they bought a house in a neighborhood with other people from her country.

Time went on with this family..not so good..the husband of this now woman was very abusive and I will leave it at that. Life was very hard for this woman and her daughter. It continued for a long time. The woman kept working hard and living her not so good life.

Many years passed and this woman's daughter grew up and married. She ended up with four children. Her daughter raised these children to love and respect their grandmother. Now this woman's grandchildren loved her! They watched her work hard and also see the hard life she had to live with.

The woman finally was able to have a better life when her husband passed away. He suffered very much because of lung cancer and a brain tumor. But before he died the best part is that he accepted and trusted Jesus before he died! So the woman was happy and grew older by herself. She was able to retire and spend time with her grand kids. Her grandson moved in with her for quite some time to be there for her. Time went on and the grandson got married and moved away. The rest of the grand kids helped her out as well.

One winter a granddaughter and her husband started spending part of their week living with her and taking care of her. It was very hard on the granddaughter and her husband to go back and forth. Then it was decided that the grandmother would move in with her granddaughter and husband. Big change, and it was a difficult change for the grandmother.

Fast forward almost seven years and the granddaughter is still taking care of her grandmother. The woman daughter works full time and is gone during the day. So the granddaughter takes care of her.

The granddaughter was blessed with children. A daughter that the great grandmother just adored! So on the life went. The woman got older and older and her body and heart gave her trouble..and just seemed to fade away a little.

Now this woman is very old...ninety one and a half. She has pain everyday and has a hard time walking and also a hard time talking as it is getting harder for her brain to translate from Ukrainian to English. She is now losing her short term memory.. It is very sad to see.

During this time of fading and even continuing to the present this woman has wanted to go to heaven. She cries and begs God to take her to heaven, and doesn't understand why he doesn't. Now it is an everyday occurrence with many tears and sobbing. And suffering with her health.

It is a hard life for this woman...she loves the Lord and still praises him, but oh she is so ready to go to heaven!

Now, if you haven't figures it out yet...I am writing about my grandmother. A strong woman who I admire and love very much! So much so that my husband now says I act just like her! I take that as a compliment! :) It is very hard on me to see my grandmother in this state. When she shes Kristina she lights up like a light bulb! Kristina is her princess, and Kristina returns her love which is so wonderful to see.

I pray for God's timing for my grandmother..it will be VERY hard to have her go to heaven. My children and I have talked about it many times. Kristina has been to a funeral..so she somewhat gets it. Sorrow and joy on the very day that my grandmother gets to sit at the feet of Jesus. For some reason today it is hard to see her sad. Maybe because it is gloomy outside? Sometimes it is hard to understand God's timing..for many things. A birth, a death, and even an adoption! :)

I hope my grandmother lives a little while longer so that she can know our newest son coming home. Not to just see him, but to know him. Sounds selfish I know...but that is something I have wanted my whole life...my grandmother to know my children! God has granted that! Thank you God!!

Those are my thoughts today...now I must go back to my fall cleaning/getting ready for school to start/and preparing for an addition to the family! :) Busy Busy