Not just any stack of papers . . .

To most people this may just look like a big stack of papers. But this is not just any stack of papers . . . this is the paperwork (a.k.a. dossier in the adoption process) that will be put before a country on our behalf in order for them to determine if we can become parents to a child born in their country.

We are nervous . . .

What if there’s an error?

What if they don’t like something about us that was reported in the homestudy?

What if it gets lost in the mail?

What if . . .

What if . . .

Thank goodness for our faith in a sovereign God. This paperwork is in His hands. It’s a part of His plan for our lives.

For the past two months we have been gathering documents, watching education videos, completing interviews, obtaining signatures, and the list goes on. When we hold our sweet child in our arms this will all be worth it.

So we are excited . . . our dossier is on it’s way!

Love List

I’ve been wanting some of these cute ceramic berry baskets for some time but just haven’t broken down and purchased them.  They’re perfect as a table decoration or using them practically to store fruit for quick and easy access in the refrigerator.  Anthropologie has them in all cute colors but they were $14 a basket, and they’re not very big.  Plus shipping and handling so I just couldn’t convince myself.  This week Brooke sent me an email with a picture of the same ones I had seen from Anthropologie.  Remembering again how cute they were and how I would love to have them I started googling and found them on sale from Sur la Table for $5.56.  WHAT A DEAL!  They had white and turquoise in stock.  I was sold and purchased them on the spot.  Probably not something I needed but I will definitely put them to use and they’re so cute! 

By the way, if you order them, don’t be surprised by the enormous box they come in.  I only ordered three and they came in a huge box wrapped up as if they were the most fragile, precious item ever.  At least they came in one piece.  (Forgive the blurry pictures.  I took them on my phone.)

Click here to purchase

Wheelbarrow Races

B and I love having nephews!  We’re so thankful for the relationship that Scotty and Brooke allow us to have with Kase and Knox.  Yes, we spoil them a little (Brooke would say a lot) but it’s not just about spoiling them.  The opportunity to watch them grow and learn is such a blessing.  An added bonus is that sometimes we are able to be a part of teaching them new things.  Things like wheelbarrow racing.

It was just another impromptu supper at mom and dad’s .  Somewhere in the midst of eating supper, Kase and I were chasing one another with a giggling Knox following every step we took.  I’m not 100% sure how it started but somehow I started pushing B around, wheelbarrow style.  Kase of course was intrigued and wanted to try.  So I taught him how and he caught on really quick not to mention that he was pretty fast for a four year old.  Typical of a younger sibling, we look over at Knox and he was on his belly sticking his feet up.  If Kase does it then you better guarantee that Knox is going to try.  Knox had to alter his form a bit due to the fact that his little arms couldn’t hold up his body and move forward at the same time so he just scooted on his forearms. 

The race was on.  We lined them up, counted to three, and cheered them to the finish.  Wheelbarrow racing may not be the most important thing Kase and Knox learn but it’s a memory of being their aunt and uncle we can tuck away for continued enjoyment.

We're Adopting

We’re Adopting from Ethiopia!

Where do I start . . . 

How do I even begin to describe the Lord's journey for us over the past year?  I am attempting to write out our story to share later.  But right now I can say this . . .

It would be a lie if I said it hasn't been an emotional path for us.  However, it has been an extremely sanctifying process.  Dr. Russell Moore, professor at Southern Seminary, gave the following advice to someone pursuing adoption, 

“ . . . in this process you will learn things about the heart of God that you might not otherwise have known.”

We believe in the truth of God’s word which tells us that we were orphans and now are a part of God’s family being co-heirs with Jesus Christ.  We feel blessed that the Lord is leading us to demonstrate this picture of what He’s done for us as we grow our family.  There have been tears of happiness and sadness.  However, through these tears we find rest in knowing this is God's will for us.  Yes, it’s different than we imagined, but we trust in the truth from Isaiah that His ways are far higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9).  I’m so unworthy to be the daughter of a God who loves me enough to adopt me into His family and to have a plan for my life.

“Into the darkness you shine

out of ashes we rise

there’s no one like you

my God is greater

my God is stronger

God you are higher than any other

Our God is healer awesome in power”

(Chris Tomlin, Our God)

Love List

Brooke and I were grocery shopping together this week when we came across a true treasure.  

Early in the shopping trip we ran across peppermint mini marshmallows.  I'm not a huge marshmallow fan but my friend Emily makes homemade peppermint marshmallows that are amazing so I decided to give these a try and threw a bag in the cart.  (No, that's not the treasure.)  Later, as we were checking out Brooke noticed jars of marshmallow bits in vanilla and peppermint which were even smaller than mini marshmallows so I tossed the minis out and the bits in.  

OH MY GOSH . . .

GREAT DECISION . . .

THEY ARE DELICIOUS . . .

AMAZING . . .

ONLY $1.50 . . . 

ADDICTIVE . . .

AN ABSOLUTE MUST TRY!

P.S.  I can't even find them on the website they are so new but I did find an article in the Chicago Sun-Times that they are a new product starting in January.  

12 Reasons for Christmas

As Christmas was nearing last year I began doing a bit of research on Christmas traditions.  Since it was B and my first Christmas together I wanted to establish our own traditions.  This search turned out to be an overwhelming amount of humbling truth about Christmas which has only made me hunger more to truly be focused on the birth of my Savior.

The Gospel Coalition and Desiring God Ministries (John Piper) are just two examples of websites that typically share articles, videos, audio, and even family traditions of well respected pastors on the topic of Christmas from a biblical perspective.  When reading through some of these articles, I came across the 12 Reasons for Christmas which comes from a sermon by John Piper that I want to share in hopes that your family can delight in these truths.  We are so thankful for the birth of Jesus and all these reasons for His coming and we never want to lose sight that this is the reason for Christmas.

1.        “For this I was born and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37).

2.       “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8; cf. Hebrews 2:14–15).

3.       “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

4.       “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

5.       “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

6.       “God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:5).

7.       “For God so loved the world that whoever believes on him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16).

8.       “God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).

9.       “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

10.    “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against . . . that the thoughts of many may be revealed” (Luke 2:34ff).

11.      “He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).

12.     “Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarches, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy” (Romans 15:7–8; cf. John 12:27ff).

Love List

ALL THINGS PEPPERMINT

I realized it's been almost a month since my last post.  What can I say, we've been busy (more on that later).

When I first started this I know I said I don't have favorites, that I can't narrow down all the things I love to just one.  However, this is an exception.  My favorite is peppermint.  Peppermint what?  Peppermint anything and everything; soap, decor, flavoring, colors, scent, if it's peppermint I LOVE IT!

These are a few I keep in stock or enjoy on a regular basis.  You definitely should try one or ALL of these!

• Bob's Sweet Stripes Soft Peppermint (I drop these in my coffee)
• Origins Smoothing Souffle (a mix of spearmint, peppermint, orange, and rosemary)
• Starbucks peppermint mocha (They actually have the peppermint flavoring all year long)
• Lush Mint Julep Lip scrub 
• Ice Blue Lush soap
• Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Magic Soap (I usually find this at Target but sometimes Walmart has it)
• Fresh mint from my garden

While I love peppermint all year long, Christmas time is a great excuse to go CRAZY!  Check out some of the peppermint love around 8050.

Yes, I have a full tree dedicated to peppermint.  My friend Jennifer provided the inspiration for this when she bought me the enormous peppermint disk that tops the tree.  Thanks Jen!

Peppermint Stocking

A special holiday treat.  Unfortunately, I have to stock up at Christmas time because it's a seasonal special.

My mom always seems to find the best smelling peppermint soaps.

And what would a gift be under the tree if it weren't peppermint themed.

Indulge in a little peppermint this holiday season!