Being Real

Looking at the blog today, I realize I have not posted anything for nearly a month. A lot has happened in the past month, so I could tell you that I have just been too busy, but a more accurate explanation would be this adoptive momma’s blogpost.

Dawn has captured the feelings associated with this stage of the adoption process beautifully and I want to share it to help others understand what we are experiencing.

At the moment we feel so weary. Everything we do makes us think of the son that is missing from our home – playing with Annaliese and wondering what it will be like to play as a family of 4, buying groceries and wondering if we actually need a gallon of milk or if we will get a call today saying we need to leave in a few days, singing/hearing a worship song that reminds us of the greatness of God but falling to our knees questioning if He hears our cries – and it is hard.

Although we know in our heads that God is in the control, our hearts are having a difficult time catching up.

Please continue to pray for our family during this time of unsettledness.

Adoption Update

My apologies for the poor updates lately, but I wanted to let you all know that we getting close to being able to travel to meet our son!!

Our case completed the PAIR process last week for the U.S. Embassy and we are now waiting for one more approval letter to clear the Ethiopian portion. This letter could arrive tomorrow or could still take weeks.

Please continue to keep our family in your prayers, specifically for upcoming travel and upcoming changes for our family unit. We trust He is in control and covet your prayers.

Will keep you posted…

Happy Birthday Annaliese!

Happy Birthday to our beautiful, energetic, independent little girl!! We love you so much!!

Time to Party!

Started the day with Annaliese and Coach Jonathan’s first soccer game of the season. Go Team Blue : )

Came home and enjoyed the remainder of the day with family to celebrate Annaliese’s 7^th birthday!!

 

 

Hey! Are those trick candles?! 

Adoption Progress!!

Received notification this morning that our adoption case skipped step #2 of the PAIR process (not terribly common) and moved on to step #3!! So glad to know our paperwork is being processed and not just sitting on someone’s desk!!

We also received an update on Gojam today, which included new pictures!! Cannot wait until we can post them : ) He is doing well.

Will keep you posted as we learn more…

Birthday Present Prep From Mommy & Daddy

Sent Annaliese to Aunt Rachel’s house tonight so “mommy and daddy could have a date night,” but really to setup her birthday surprise – we have completely redone her room!

Before…

After…

 

 

 

 

So fun to decorate with her personality in mind this time : )

School Open House

Enjoyed going to Annaliese’s school tonight for the Open House. Got to meet her teacher and see her classroom for the first time.

The school is looking to hire a new ELL aide, as the one from last year resigned, so Annaliese is participating in all of the typical classroom activities without any extra support this year. Her teacher told us how impressed she was with the work that she has been doing! Blessed with great teachers : )

Travel Prep

We had an appointment at the Carle Travel Clinic today. Went in thinking we were just “jumping through the hoops” to get our scripts for malaria medication and Cipro, but ended up each needing two vaccines : ( All ready to travel now!

First Tooth

Look who finally lost her first tooth today (with a little help from daddy)!

Family Camp 2014

Enjoyed being at family camp with many of the DeNeal’s this weekend. Annaliese especially enjoyed the time with her grandma and grandma & her two cousins.

Ice Bucket Challenge

Our turn...

 

 

First Day of School 2014

Can’t believe we have a 1^st grader in this house : )

Puzzle Fundraiser

Finally getting names on these puzzle pieces (because I finally had the guts to start it)! Sure glad I can write small : )

Want in on it??
http://jsdeneal.blogspot.com/2014/03/new-fundraiser.html

Illinois State Fair

Had a blast today at the Illinois State Fair!

Saw animals…

Enjoyed shows/demonstrations…

 

 

 

Rode rides…

 

 

 

 

 

 

...and just had fun!