challenge SIMPLIFY!!

Jake and I are always talking about simplifying our home.  So tonight we both got rid of five things we don't need and we going to keep doing that every night until we are more simple.  We just have too much stuff.  I am so excited.  For example tonight I got rid of three scarves, a bra, and a purse.  Every night we will just look through our stuff and get rid of five things.  Let me know if any of you want to join us and we will keep each other updated.  I love getting rid of stuff!!!!!  It makes me so happy.  Before we started this we got rid of a lot of clothes but we still have so much to get rid of.  SIMPLIFY!!

Wait

Psalm 27:14

    Wait for the Lord;

     be strong and let your heart take courage;

    wait for the Lord!

  Today was supposed to be the day the the kids were legally ours but God has a different plan.  Their court date was postponed until March 13th.  I am so thankful that it is only two weeks away but you never know we may get postponed again.  Hope in Africa is confident that they will be approved at this second hearing.  This morning as Jake and I and the kids were all on our knees praying for the children and for this court date God brought peace.  Next I went to check my email and received the news.  God is giving us a wonderful opportunity to learn to wait on Him and to be patient.  As I cry today it is only because I have to wait longer to hug my children and tell them I love them.  Please pray that they will have their court date on March 13th and that all will go through smoothly.

Tea Party

Halle Glass, Rosemary Thompson, Jasmine Green, Marya Stutzman

Marya and Jasmine getting ready to go to the party.

Marya

the girls playing outside in the little cottage

It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Marya went to her first tea part yesterday.  She had a great time and it was so fun to see her all dressed up.  This was Marya's first time to be dressed up like this.  She really thought she was something else.  I kept telling her, although you have a beautiful dress on and you look lovely, it is only really beautiful if you treat the girls kindly and with love.  They had pink lemonade in there tea cups and rice krispie bars with strawberries.  It was so cute to see the four girls together.  There moms are some of my best friends so it is fun to see the girls all together.  Marya borrowed the dress from Jasmine.

New Videos of the Kiddos

(videos have been removed)

Care Packages

(pics have been removed)
A couple of weeks ago we sent some care packages to our children. We sent them each a blanket and a small toy and a photo album of us. We just received some pictures of them holding up the photo album. I immediately started to cry when I saw them, it makes me feel even more connected to them. I just cannot wait to get my hands on them!!

Ezra is 2

Ezra making his airplane noises and sharing with his big sister.

Giving mama kiss and saying thank you for his cake.

I have loved every moment with my little boy.  I can never get enough of him.  When we sang to him on his birthday he just smiled all big and when we were done he just wanted to wrestle.  We had Chad and Meredith over and Rachel and Azariah, Holden is in Indonesia so he was not there.  Ezra loves Chad and Holden.  Ezra is a wild boy but he loves to play by himself and give hugs and kisses.  He shares well with sister and loves to sing and dance.  There is just nothing like a two year old boy.  Ezra's new thing is to often say, come, mama, come and pat his leg like I am a dog.  He just always wants to show me something and I love that.  He is going to have a blast with his new brothers.  Thank you Lord for this precious gift.  I just can't believe I have my little Jake.

It just does not feel right.

(pics have been removed)

Every time we sit down to eat, got to church, get in the car, lay in bed together, run around with the dogs, read books, or dance together. I feel like our family is not whole. We are missing three of us and my heart aches for them. I am constantly thinking about what this or that will be like with three more kiddos. I cannot wait to get my three boys in a bath together and just watch them go wild. I cannot wait for Adanech and Marya to do each others hair. I cannot wait to look them in their little eyes and tell them how much I love them and how much we want them and have been waiting for them. I cannot wait to lay my hands on them and pray for them at bedtime and to sing to them. I cannot wait to hear their little voices call me mama. I have so many things I cannot wait for. But right now, God is refining me. HE is waking me up at night, He is bringing me so much peace. I do not feel anxious. I am standing on the word of God and it is so sturdy!! I know that during this time God is preparing me, Jake, Marya, Ezra, Adanech, Abreham, and Petros to meet and become the family that God has intended. The wait is hard but I am thankful for each day as he prepares us.