2012 Recap.

2012 has been quite a year for our little family! We have had some pretty significant changes come this year and there is no way I could be any more thankful! We have been beyond blessed and I'm really looking forward to seeing what 2013 has in store for all of us!! So, here's my little recap of 2012 for us...

January
We had Makayla's 4th birthday party with family and friends! So fun!
We celebrated being DTE (Dossier To Ethiopia) for three months! We thought we were going to be on the wait list for much, much longer. Little did we know the HUGE plans God had in mind for our family of four...
We also started sponsoring our sweet boy, Habtamu, in Adami Tulu, Ethiopia!!

February
Addison started walking!!
We had a spaghetti fundraiser at my MIL's church for our adoption. It was amazing!
We celebrated our one year 'adoption talk' anniversary. :)
I announced that I would be going on a mission trip to Ethiopia in June!
We celebrated four months DTE!
We got fully funded for our referral fee for our adoption!!

March
We went to the More4Orphans summit with our good friends, Adam and Ashley. It was a life changing weekend, to say the least.
We celebrated five months DTE!
I got all my travel shots for my mission trip.
Adam and I went to a marriage conference at our church and while we were there, Makayla fell off her bike. It took all I had to not run out of church to be with my girl.
I got fully funded for my mission trip!!

April
I went to Maryland solo to see Rusty, Janelle and baby Genova! Surprise visit to Delaware to see Brian, too!
We celebrated 6 months DTE!
We went to the zoo and to the library with good friends and had good times.
We were blessed by a dear friend that announced a photography fundraiser for our adoption.

May
Adam and I both turned 28 years old!
We celebrated 7 years of marriage at Empress Taytu!
We also celebrated 7 months DTE!
I had a great Mother's Day and even had a little tea at Makayla's preschool.
We went to a Cleveland Indians game with the girls, thanks to Adam's work! We were also on the Jumbo Screen while we were there, which was totally awesome!
Janelle came for a visit from Maryland!
I was busy preparing for my first ever trip out of the country!!
We changed our request for our adoption from 0-24 months to 0-2 years. Not huge, but obviously significant over the next coming months. :)

June
This was probably the most significant month of my life this year!! SO much happened and I don't think I blogged about any of it nearly enough.
I left for Ethiopia at the beginning of the month and had a life changing trip.
While in Ethiopia, we got our referral for our amazingly beautiful daughter and the very next day, I got to meet her!!
After I returned from Ethiopia, I was wrecked. I didn't know how to function in life and could not get any of Ethiopia out of my mind.
Addison turned 2 years old!!
Two short weeks after I returned 'home', Adam and I were back on a plane to Ethiopia for our court date!

July
We spent the first ten days of July in Ethiopia...much like the first days of June for me!
We passed court on July 6th and Kalkidan Grace is officially our daughter!!!
We had an amazing mission trip/bonding trip in Ethiopia.
We came home, brokenhearted, to be leaving Kalkidan in Ethiopia, but God has just the right plans for us. We also brought home four host children. It was an eventful flight home. :)

August
We got submitted to Embassy for Kalkidan on August 10th!! We are waiting to be cleared by embassy.
Kalkidan's case stopped moving for a bit, so Adam and I decided it would be best for me to head to Ethiopia to visit with her. We still kept up hope that Kalkidan would be cleared to come home while I was there. I spent two weeks in Ethiopia waiting to hear about Kalkidan and then BAM. The door was closed. I had to leave without Kalkidan. It was heartbreaking.

September
September was the hardest month of my year. I was stretched and pulled more ways that I thought possible.
NOTHING about Kalkidan's case moved. It was heartbreaking yet again.

October
It was another difficult month in our house. Things were just really, really hard. Adjusting and figuring out our new normal took over everything in my life. I literally cannot remember anything we did this month. Nothing.

November
We cleared Embassy on November 6th!!!!! I tried to get to Ethiopia the next week, but for some reason, they were not taking appointments. We got our appointment for November 19th!
I left for Ethiopia on November 17th and I was back in the country that has forever stolen my heart for the fourth time in six months!!! Only God...
November 18th is the day that I picked up Kalkidan from the Transition Home for the very last time. She is our daughter FOREVER!!!!
Kalkidan and I get home on November 22nd, Thanksgiving Day!! It was a special, special day for our family. We are a family of five!!!!
Every day for the month of November, everyone in our family shared one thing that they are thankful for. It was so much fun to hear what the girls came up with and such a blessing to remember all of the things we have to be thankful for every single day.

December
We are getting used to life as a family of FIVE. I still can't believe this is my life! Having a sweet new daughter that comes from a really hard place is, well, really hard. We have all had to do some adjusting. We've been under a lot of stress and it has taken its toll on the whole family.
We did something fun and Christmas related every day until Christmas, which helped us connect as a family. The girls all really enjoyed it!
Makayla turned 5 years old on Christmas Day!

Our lives have been turned upside down this year. It has been nothing short of chaos and even though chaos comes with a lot of stress, I would not change any of it for the world.

I am SO looking forward to a new start and a fresh beginning! 2013 is going to be just as amazing as 2012, I can feel it! I'm also going to get my tattoos tomorrow that I've been waiting too long to get, so I'm pretty stinking excited about that! God is SO good and I can't wait to see what He has in store for me and for my precious family in 2013! Happy New Year!!

Ethiopia.

I am still trying to wrap my head around everything that happened in Ethiopia.

Everything I saw. Everything I did. Everyone I encountered. Everywhere I went.

I don't know how long it is going to take for me to process it all. I do know that since I have been home for just six days, we have been working tirelessly towards so many goals. We have a lot of things coming up in the near future and I'm trying to get my brain all sorted out.

The one thing that I know for a fact is that I have never felt more alive than when I was in Ethiopia. I have never felt more at home than in a place where I don't look like anyone and I don't speak their language. I felt like I fit in and that is a beautiful thing. This trip changed the course of my life in the most beautiful way.

More to come...eventually. :)

Three Days.

I have only been back in the United States for three days.

I can't believe how much seven days in another country has changed my life. It has changed everything I have ever known. I thought our adoption changed my life...which it has, but this has magnified it about 1,000 times over. There's really no way to describe it. Every time I try to share with someone how I'm feeling, they tell me that I should focus on my family here and basically to get over it. That's just not going to happen. I am trying to focus on my family and to be present here, but I am forever changed. There's no coming back from that. There just isn't.

Even though I have only been back for three days, my parenting has changed. I'm not so nervous and anxious with my girls. They'll survive whatever, I'm sure. Seeing how children in Ethiopia just walk around by themselves and eventually get home, I know my kids can handle walking in Target without me staring at their every move. With that being said, things are safer in Ethiopia. At least that's how I feel. And from what Ethiopians have told me, it's true. People don't just take other people's kids there. It doesn't happen. So anyway I have just calmed down with my parenting and I really like it.

I also don't get so angry when they cry. They'll figure it out. And they really have nothing to be crying about.

My whole life has changed because of seven days in Ethiopia.

Home.

I got back to the United States on Sunday.

I have so much to process. So many things are going through my mind right now.

So much happened on our trip.

It was incredible and it was definitely a life-changing experience.

I feel very unsettled here. Things are not right.

It feels so weird. There are no people lining the streets. I have to wear a seatbelt. There is air conditioning. It's too hot here. There are no goats or donkeys or sheep or cows blocking the road. No cute babies to look at. There are no little African children wanting my attention.

I miss the smell of diesel. I miss my friends.

I was made for Africa.

15 Hours!!

I am literally leaving for Ethiopia in 15 hours!!!!

My bags are all packed and anything I don't have in there, I will live without. I've gone over my packing list thousands of times and seriously, if it isn't in there...I probably don't need it.

Please pray for the team and our entire trip. Pray that all of our bags make it there and that nothing gets stolen out of them. Pray that we glorify Christ in every thing we do while we are there. Pray that we hear and see Jesus like never before. Pray that we have patience during the waiting times.

Please just pray for us. I am SO excited about this trip, but I am also really nervous!! I've been a crying mess all day today because I really don't know how I'm going to handle being away from my girls for 10 days. They will be in good hands while I'm gone, this I know. Please pray for them and that things will go smoothly here at home while I'm away.

I am a bundle of emotions right now...mostly excited, a little bit nervous (but only about the flight and the bag situation) and slightly anxious. I really don't know how to put into words what I'm feeling right now. There is this constant flutter in my stomach...it's excitement for the unexpected and a good type of anxious feeling. I can't wait to set foot on Ethiopian soil!!!!

This is really happening!!!!!!! :D

Three Days.

In just three days, I will be on an airplane headed to Ethiopia!!!!

As I sit here, the skies are getting dark and I hear thunder in the distance. It makes me think about how it will be when it rains in Africa. Oh, I can't wait!!!!

There are so many emotions that are running through me right now. But mostly, I just feel at peace. I'm not really nervous or anxious about anything. I'm super excited and just ready!!! I am SO ready to be there and to serve. I am SO ready to step foot on the country that stole my heart a little over a year ago. I honestly can't believe that I get to travel to Ethiopia before we know who our child is!!

This is such a huge blessing to me and something I have been dreaming about since we started our adoption. To get to go there and serve is going to be amazing.

I'm not totally packed yet, but the donations are packed and ready to go. I still need to pack my clothes and run to Target for some last minute things...just to be sure I have everything I need.

Hopefully I'll be able to post on my blog while I'm there. If not, you'll just have to check my Facebook for an update at some point. :)

Come on Friday!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Ice Cream Time!

I was having a slight panic attack about my upcoming mission trip that is happening in FIVE DAYS!!! I found out that someone that recently went to Ethiopia had some of her stuff stolen out of her luggage. So that had me freaking out for a good part of the day today. :/

But my team leader saved the day and talked me down from my crazy. Love her!! I'm back in Sanityville now and will be taking a carry-on with most of my clothes and toiletries and then a backpack with my fun stuff...laptop, Kindle, etc. :)

So the girls and I went out for some ice cream today after dinner since Adam was at Chipotle and Janelle just left this afternoon to go back to Maryland. We were lonely and needed a pick me up. :)

This little girl is a riot!! Love her.

And this treasure is such a beauty, inside and out. Love her.

These gorgeous girls have my heart. I will treasure this picture for years to come!!

Addison kept backing up to her sister when I told them to stand by each other for a picture. :)

This is what she does when I try to take a picture. :)

Big Sister had to copy. :)

Enjoying her very first ice cream cone!!!

I'd say she loves it. :)

This girl!! She is so amazing!!

Makayla said, "I want an ice cream beard!" HAHA!

She got really sad when it started dripping on the driveway. Poor girl.

But we cleaned her up and she's happy again!!!

Makayla was trying to get her sister to look at the camera for the picture. HA!

Such a sweet little cheeser!

Just enjoying life...

Then this happened... :(

And then this happened. Yep, that's Makayla giving her cone to Addison. I am so thankful that I captured this. What a precious sight. No coaxing from Mommy or anything. Just the pure instincts of her heart to give her little sister her cone when she dropped hers on the driveway. Such a compassionate and loving little girl. I am so proud.

I also got prayed for by some fabulous people at our church. This was the first time anyone has laid hands on me for prayer. They prayed for my mission trip and it was such a huge blessing to know how much people care. And guess what? The pastor knew my name! The last church we attended for almost a year, the pastor didn't know what my name was, so this was a nice surprise. It's nice to know that people will be praying for me while I'm gone.

I literally leave in 5 days!!! Less than that now since it's so late here, but oh my gosh...

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!! 

I am so excited to have the opportunity to be going on a mission trip to a country that I dearly love. I've been praying my heart out this week and sharing all my anxieties with Jesus and praying that He would calm my heart. The only thing I'm really anxious about right now is not getting all of my stuff when we arrive in Ethiopia...or someone stealing something from my bag. But, I've been talking it out with God. And that ice cream helped a little bit, too. :)

FEAR.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about fear. What scares you? What makes you nervous? What are you worried about? Though nervousness and worry are not the exact same thing, I feel like they all kind of tie into each other. If you're afraid of something, you probably worry about it and then you get nervous thinking that it might happen, etc., etc. Recently, with my upcoming mission trip (three weeks from tomorrow!!!), I've been thinking about the things I am afraid of...or worried about...or nervous about. Anyway, here's my list. Please read this to the end before you get all judgy. Trust me, it ends well. :)

I won't be able to brush my teeth with the faucet water. And if you've ever seen me brush my teeth, you know what a challenge this will be for me. Toothpaste suds are oozing down my arm, almost to my elbow every single time. I don't know how to stop it.

Right now, I wash my hands approximately 138,305 times a day. I'm probably pretty OCD about it, but whatever. We are supposed to use baby wipes to wash our hands while in Ethiopia. Since the water is not safe to drink, why would it be safe to put on your hands?

I also tend to get water in my mouth when I take a shower. It's the natural thing for me to do, I guess. No idea how I'm going to remember to keep my mouth closed when (if) I shower. Which brings me to my next one...

I take a shower every single day. And usually they are about 15 minutes long. I shampoo and condition my hair daily. I shave my legs every couple days, as well. I use more hot water than necessary. Typically in Ethiopia, there is no hot water. Or no water at all. Which means no showers most of the time.

I loathe bugs. And last night during our conference call, I discovered that there are massive amounts of ants that were crawling all over people during a trip that one of my teammates took there.

I take my own pillow and blankets to every hotel...even to family's houses. Obviously I won't be taking my own sleeping items to Africa with me.

I will have to put my toilet paper in a trashcan next to the toilet.

I have to carry toilet paper with me because most places will not have any in the bathrooms.

There are hyenas. Okay that's totally awesome and a little scary at the same time.

I have absolutely no idea how I am going to control my emotions. Every time I think about our trip, I get teary eyed. And I haven't even stepped onto African soil yet! I think that I am going to be so overcome with emotion that I really don't know if I can hold it in.

I also don't want to look silly if I pray for someone while I'm there. I am not someone that prays out loud here at home. I'm always worried about what other people will think. But that got me thinking that I want to make sure I don't miss any opportunities while I'm there. I don't want to not do something that God was calling me to do because I was afraid of what other people were going to think about me.

I realize that these are very petty issues. None of them really matter, which is why I'm going on this trip. If I were honestly worried, nervous or afraid about any of these things, I wouldn't be going. None of these things can stop me from travelling to a country that I love. None of these things will ever come in the way of me doing what I was meant to do for Christ. They are all such tiny, random things and they really don't matter.

It doesn't matter if I have toothpaste dripping down my arm.
It doesn't matter that I have to put my toilet paper in a trashcan.
It doesn't matter that I won't have the comforts of home.
It doesn't matter what other people think of me.

You know why it doesn't matter? Because that's not the point of this trip. The point is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. To go and serve. So why would my comfort level EVER be an issue? The good news is that it's not. Yes, I think about these things. I think about how different it will be while we are there, but it doesn't freak me out. It doesn't scare me. It doesn't make me nervous. It doesn't make me worried.


What does matter is what I do for Jesus.
What does matter is who I serve.
What does matter is how much I love.
What does matter is that I listen to the Spirit.


I want my entire trip to be Spirit-led. I want to only hear from Him. I want His voice to be the one that stomps out every other voice and if that means that I look ridiculous to some people, well so be it. I don't want to put Jesus in a box. I want to do EVERYTHING for Him.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..." -1 John 4:18a

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." -2 Timothy 1:7

Last Week!

Last week was crazy busy! I let my life get the best of me and I totally forgot to blog about it. Instead I just enjoyed it! :)

Addison had her first ever popsicle on May 1st. She totally loved it.

Last Wednesday, I turned 28 years old! I know, I can't believe it either. My day was wonderful. I went to bed on May 1st reading the sweetest text message from my mom and then woke up to awesome texts from my family and countless birthday wishes on Facebook!

The girls and I went to lunch with my mom...Fiesta Jalapeno's. YUM. She got me some pretty fabulous stuff from Delicate Fortress, which I am in love with!! :) I left Makayla at my mom's and took Addison to the doctor because she's been falling lately while walking. There's nothing in her way and she doesn't trip on anything. So weird. Anyway, I took her to the doctor to see if she had an ear infection or something and that would affect her balance. He checked her ears, saw a bunch of wax, took the wax out and in the process, nicked both of her ear drums. I know, right? Not cool. She was SCREAMING so I knew it was bad. He said she'd be fine, but there might be some blood coming out of her ear later. Way to freak a Mama out!

So long story short, she's fine. She hasn't tripped since we took her to the doctor. Which sounds very much like when she wasn't walking and we took her to an orthopedic surgeon and she started walking the next day. This child. ;) There was a lot of blood in her ear the next day, but like I said, she's fine now.

After that, we headed home for nap time since my precious girl was exhausted. She napped and I'm sure I watched some tv show and waited for Adam to get home. We went to Olive Garden for dinner and Addison hated life. I don't blame her, though. We got through it (somehow!) and headed home for bed time. A pretty great birthday...except for my baby girl getting her ear drums nicked. :(

Last Thursday was Adam's 28th birthday! We're a day apart...pretty sweet, huh? :) Makayla had a Mother's Day Tea at her school, too. So Addi and I went there. It was pretty cute. They sang two songs that they made up and then we had some snacks. We met Adam at Pizza Hut by his work for lunch and had a fun time. After that, we came home for nap time and then we went to Old Carolina for dinner with my mom and stepdad. It was really fun, though Addison was still hating life, which makes it difficult to take her anywhere. :) And that was that!

Whenever we pick Makayla up from school, Addison runs into the classroom and they are SO happy to see each other!! They hug and I was trying to catch it, but the kids were all lined up so it didn't work out. :) 

Her flower cookie.

This is what Addi does when I take pictures of her now. I think she's trying to fit herself into the shot. ;)

Not the greatest picture of any of us, but it's me and my girls.

Makayla with her precious little card and coaster that she made me. <3

Friday we stayed home because we already spent enough money this week!! HA!

Saturday we went to Empress Taytu with Adam's mom, stepdad and little brother. It was amazing, as usual!! This is only the second time we have ever been there and the third time we have had Ethiopian food and I think it gets better every time!!! We had great conversation and then met a sweet Ethiopian princess named Sofie. Her little face was painted up from something that was going on in Cleveland. She was so precious! I was coming out of the bathroom and she was going in and asked me if anyone else was in there. I told her no and she said, 'I want to go look in the mirror and see my face.' I told her she looks beautiful and she said, 'Mmmhmmm.' BAHAHAHA!! The girls both loved her and little Sofie even came over to say hi to the girls. It was super precious.

Before we left for Empress Taytu.

Daddy and his girls before dinner.

Take one at a family photo...

Take two...

And take three...the best we're gonna get, I think! ;)

Sunday we stayed home because our week has been crazy busy! And then Monday was our anniversary...

Great Day.

Today Makayla is 4 years and 4 months old! I can't believe how fast these kids grow up! She is so much fun and such a joy to our family. I didn't get any pictures of her today, sadly. :(

Well, today was an all around awesome day!! Makayla spent the day at Nana's house, which she loves to do! On the way there she kept saying, 'Addi, you're not getting out at Nana's. Only me. It's me and Nana Day today.' Love her! So she was there all day and Addi and I came home and just played together all morning. We had a fun little lunch at home.

I got some AWESOME news this afternoon and I'm not going to share with you (Don't worry, Mom. You already know. ;) And Nate, I'll tell you.)!! It's kind of a secret right now. And it does not have to do with our adoption. Totally vague, I know, but after yesterday's drama I went through, this was fabulous news to get. :)

I also got my travel itinerary for my mission trip!! Woohoo!!! I am getting more and more excited with every day that passes. I really had to say OUT LOUD that I am going to Ethiopia!!! I'm not quite sure that it has sunken in yet that I will be traveling out of the country and to another continent!! And my baby is there!!! So crazy awesome.

Addi took a wonderful nap and I got some random stuff done around the house, caught up on some shows and just enjoyed the peace and quiet. :) Also, Adam got a job at Chipotle today!! Wahoo!! Yep, my husband will do anything he can to bring this baby home. I love him so much.

Oh yes, I can't forget that I got my Flip in the mail today!! I won an auction on eBay last week and got a Flip for about half the price...and it was brand new in the box!! I played around with it a bit, but I'm looking forward to getting some good videos of the girls tomorrow.

I went to pick Makayla up after Adam got home and after I made dinner. I know, I totally rocked today. So after I went to pick her up, I wanted to spend some one on one time with her, so I took her to Panera for dinner. Yeah, right after I made dinner at home. She loved it. I loved it. That's all that matters. :) Then on the way home, Makayla kept saying, 'Okay Mommy. Tell me about when you were a baby.' I was like what?! So I made some stuff up about how I rarely cried and I was an awesome baby. HA! She liked it.

We came home from our fun little dinner out and Adam put the girls to bed while I left to head to my mom's house for ANTM Night. Went to Target before going to her place to get a packing envelope for something we sold on Amazon. This week, we have sold two things on eBay and three books on Amazon for our adoption! Every dollar counts!! :)

That was my totally awesome day today.

And I also read this today:

"More than half of all Africans do not have access to modern health facilities. The result is ten million annual deaths from the four most common preventable diseases: diarrhea, acute respiratory illness, malaria, and measles. In many cases, one simple shot could save a life."

"All one can say is that whereas the poor in Kinshasa (DRC) complain about the price of bread, the poor in Kentucky complain about the price of motor insurance...If poor Americans were to compare their standard of living with what is normal elsewhere in the world, let alone in Congo, they would see they have little cause for discontent." -The Poor Will Be Glad

Makes you really think about how good you have it, no matter what your circumstances, doesn't it?

"Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." -Psalm 100:2

One Year.

Today marks one year of us being accepted into the America World Ethiopia Program!! Pretty awesome, right!

And in that one year, we have raised almost $24,000!!! It just amazes me how God has used this past year. He has stretched me more than I ever thought possible. He has opened my eyes to a whole new part of the world that I knew nothing about before. He has shown me what my true purpose in life is. He has brought so many people along on our journey this past year.

Now believe me when I say that this past year has not been all sunshine and rainbows. I distinctly remember crying out to God in the car, asking Him where this impossible amount of money was going to come from. I had no clue. I freaked out at nearly every possible turn. I asked Him why our letters that we sent out to everyone we know got one donation back. I begged for Him to bring people to us that care and that know what we are going through. And He did. Oh, did He ever.

My faith has grown exponentially in this one year. I was definitely lacking at (many, many) times, but He never failed me. Not once. Somehow, the money has always been there when we've needed it. And as you all know, we are fully funded through our referral fee already, so if it comes tomorrow (it won't), we can pay for it and not have to say no to a precious child. How amazing is that?! And He's still working!!

My mission trip was fully funded in a little over a month!! That's on top of all the money that we have raised for our adoption!!! It just blows me away!!!! He is SO faithful. Also, I got a fun little package from Visiting Orphans today, too. I think it's pretty neat that I got it on the same day that we have been in the adoption process for one year. Some pretty fabulous books and a t-shirt for our trip. I can't wait!

Since April 4th, we've been fundraising with Delicate Fortress and I got our first update for the week yesterday. Do you know how much we raised for our adoption in just two days? $168!!!! Yeah, in two days! Isn't that awesome?! I'll get our next update on Monday and my goal for this fundraiser was $200 and I'm hoping God exceeds that. He has blown our socks off before...no doubt He'll do it again. :)

This year has been one of insane growth. Growing closer to Jesus. Clinging to Him at every turn. Praising Him with every single donation. None of them are overlooked and every single one gets us closer to our baby. Honestly I have no idea where all this money has come from. I really don't. Thankfully, I do have it all written down. And God knew when we started this journey that we would be here today. One year later, waiting for almost six months and about $7,000 away from being fully funded for our entire adoption.

How's that for amazing?! To Him be all the Glory.

Eeeeep!!

I got fully funded for my mission trip today!!! Actually funded $10 over what I needed!!! Which is SO awesome!! That extra will be going in our adoption fund, so yay for that, too!! :)

Also, we broke the $22,000 mark for our adoption fundraising!! How awesome is that?!

Oh man, it's been a good day. I love how the Body of Christ just comes together and makes these things happen...and happen so huge!!! I mean, I don't even have to pay my next payment to Visiting Orphans until April 1st and BAM! I'm fully funded a whole 9 days before that deadline! And I was getting a bit worried for a second there.

I cannot wait to see where this next $9,000 comes from to fundraise our two trips to Ethiopia for our adoption.

God is good.

Korah.

Here are some links for you to check out if you'd like to see where I'll be going on my mission trip to Ethiopia.

I get really excited and really nervous reading this stuff. I don't know how I'm going to keep it together while I'm there...only by the grace of God...

http://www.wakinggiants.com/tag/korah/

http://mycrazyadoption.org/a-boy-who-grew-up-in-korah/

And here is a little video about Korah.

Update on Life.

Finally, right? I know I've been bombarding you all with some awesome quotes from some awesome authors, but I haven't updated on the happs around these parts!

Well, at the beginning of this week, I was feeling pretty discouraged about my mission trip funding. I mean, I know God is going to fund it. There's no question about that. He had already come through immensely. And hello? Look at our adoption fundraiser! That can only come from God.

Anyway.

I was just getting sad because I sent out this crazy awesome email to everyone I know ever telling them about my trip and blah blah blah and a lot of people responded and said how awesome it was, but no donations were coming in. (Yes, I have gotten a couple donations {for which I am very thankful}, but most of this was our own money from selling my jewelry, etc.) And since I sent out this letter and told everyone how they can donate online, I have been checking my little online thing daily and more than once a day. It was getting unhealthy. On Monday morning, I asked God to bless me in the form of just one donation through my online link. That's it. Just one. I was very bold about it and held nothing back.

And you know what? TWO different people have donated $100 each to my mission trip fund THIS WEEK. How amazing is that?! And it's all totally God. He knew I needed that encouragement and He totally delivered...like He does every. time. AWESOME.

Also, Makayla is really funny and super cute. I mean, duh. But she totally is.

We had this conversation in the car on the way to preschool this morning.

M: I'm getting rid of my bike because I'm too big for it.
Me: You're not too big for it. Wait, which bike?
M: My Dora one.
Me: But you aren't too big for it.
M: I wanna get rid of it for our garage sale for our Ethiopia Baby.

AWWWWWWWW, right?! She is so precious and I am in awe of how much she loves this baby.

And here's another convo we had this afternoon while going to get Nana for some lunch. Our lunch was delicious and totally fun, by the way. I love that I can text my mom and tell her I'm bored and then we can just go to lunch. :)

Okay, a little back story. M and I have been talking about her cutting her hair this summer. And the only reason I suggested this summer was because it's still cold and having long hair keeps you warm. Or something. And plus people usually cut their hair short in the summer. So I've been telling her that she can get it cut after I get back from my trip and she always gets really excited about getting her hair cut AND about my trip. She thinks I'm going to see our Ethiopia Baby. It's so sweet. :)


Me: So do you want to get your haircut before I go to Ethiopia?
M: Yeah I do!
Me: You're going to have to sit really still so they can cut it straight.
M: Yeah! I'll sit still like Laney (our neighbor friend) did! Nana didn't sit still...her hair is all curgly because she didn't sit still.

And cue the laughter!!! BAHAHAHAHA!! It was hilarious. And I was literally LOLing and Makayla said, 'Stop laughing!' while she was laughing. It was an awesome day today. And also, my mom's hair is wavy...that's why M said that.

Oh this kid. She cracks me up.

Addison is a walking fool! She is all over the place and hardly ever crawls anymore. She's even to the point where I can (usually) put her down and stand her up instead of sitting her down. I've been waiting for this for so long! I love watching her walk all over the place. It's super cute.

And M and Addi play this game that M calls 'Stroller Game' where they run around with their grocery cart and stroller all over the house. I love watching them play together.

Sometimes I feel like I get so caught up in life that I forget some stuff that happens. But I guess that's the point of living life, right?

One more precious little moment that happened today and then I'm off to watch How I Met Your Mother with my fabulous husband...

Addison got up from her nap earlier than usual and she was crank butt. She was m.a.d. So Adam turned the boob tube on because, really, who does that not soothe, right? Adam was holding Addi on the loveseat and they were laying down. So I asked Makayla if she wanted to come lay with me and so we were laying on the big couch. And we were all just watching Wonder Pets together. It was a beautiful moment and one that I wish I could have captured on film to look back on in the future. It was so wonderful and even though I don't have it for everyone else to see, I have it in my mind and those are some of the best memories anyway. <3

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -Winston Churchill

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." -1 Timothy 6:6-8

WAY Behind.

I am so far behind blogging our every day life stuff around here. I've done countless crafts the past few weeks, Makayla has had her yearly check up appointment, Addison went to an orthopedic surgeon, our spaghetti dinner fundraiser...there's been so much going on and I haven't blogged any of it! So here goes...

Makayla had her yearly check up on February 6th. She's doing so well! She got four shots...poor girl! She took it like a champ, though. And she wouldn't let us take her bandages off for a week! HA!

She is 40 1/4 inches tall and 39 1/2 pounds, which are both great! She really did a great job at her check up and Addi was the one that freaked out! :) As soon as the nurse came in, Addi started crying and almost didn't stop...until I pulled out the Fruit Loops! Which our girls happen to call 'colored Cheerios'. They crack me up!

Addison had an appointment on February 15th for her lack of walking skillz. So, we went to the doctor, waited for F.O.R.E.V.E.R. and then were told nothing's wrong with her. Yep, nothing. Which is awesome news, don't get me wrong. She didn't need x-rays or anything! He said she probably has some balance issues, but that's it. So then, the very next day, our precious little Addi girl gets up from sitting on the floor and stands up on her own!!! For the first time!!! Yes, the day after her appointment! She's always impressing us. :) And now she's a total pro at it. She's been walking like crazy ever since. And just tonight, she was taking off all over the house! I mean, walking from the laundry room to the living room and back again! It's been amazing around these parts.

The other day while Addi was practicing her walking, I was telling Makayla about how she used to wear these striped pants that Addi had on when she was learning how to walk. And without missing a beat, M looks at me and says, 'Yeah, they're practicing pants!' HAHAHA!! Hilarity.

Makayla went to the dentist today and she did GREAT! She was a little nervous when they took out the pointy thing (technical term, I'm sure) to check her teeth, but other than that, she was a champ! I think the hygienist clinched it when she told M she could pick a toy from the treasure chest. Does every dentist office have a treasure chest? Because my dentist office that I went to growing up had one, too! Weird.

Um, I guess that's it for now. I have a major long list of stuff I need to get done before my trip to Ethiopia. Most of it is normal stuff. You know, like get a will, get Adam's music on my laptop, put all my pictures on my external harddrive, raise the money for my trip, make a headband, finish (or start...) the pillows for the living room. The usual stuff you do before going to another country and all that. :) I got my paper notarized for my trip yesterday! Now the only thing I'm waiting on are my two spiritual references and I'm hoping to have those this week! This is all so exciting...and nerve-wracking!

I've been trying to get all my shots and pills for my trip figured out for the last two days. There's a lot of stuff you have to get taken care of before you leave the country! And did you know nobody pays for it?! Well, I shouldn't say nobody. But, I have to file a claim with my insurance company after I pay out of pocket for everything. Eh, it's the price you pay, I guess. HA, totally wasn't even trying to make a joke there.

Okay, I'm out. Gotta go finish my book and then hit the hay!! Night!

I Will Go.

Adam introduced me to this song tonight. He said, 'This is your song!'

And that made me smile.




Here are the lyrics!

"I Will Go"

To the desperate eyes and reaching hands
To the suffering and the lean
To the ones the world has cast aside
Where you want me I will be

[Chorus:]
I will go, I will go
I will go, Lord send me
To the world, To the lost
To the poor and hungry
Take everything I am
I'm clay within your hands
I will go, I will go, send me

Let me not be blind with privilege
Give me eyes to see the pain
Let the blessing You've poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain
Let this life be used for change

[Chorus]

I wanna live for you
Go where you lead me
I wanna follow you
[Repeat 3x]

[Chorus]

Send me! [4x]

New Friends. New Trips.

Adam, the girls and I went to a new friends' house today! An amazing adoptive family that has one son from Ethiopia and is adopting another son from Ethiopia! Their little boy is so stinking precious...and hilarious! He had me cracking up all night long!

We had a blast with our new friends and loved getting to know them. I can't wait to hang out with them again!! :)

While we were at their house, they showed us the beautiful video of when they went to Ethiopia to bring their son home. It brought me to tears. It was so amazing to get to see this gorgeous country that has wrecked me.

On the way to their house (it was a 1 1/2 hour drive, so I had a long time to think), I kept thinking about how I am going to Ethiopia...THIS YEAR. In, like, 3 months!!!!! And then, seeing that video...oh, it was a beautiful torture! It just makes me want to hop a plane, like, yesterday and GO. I'm telling you, Ethiopia has changed me and I haven't even stepped foot on the country yet! It's amazing how my heart has just been transformed just by hearing about the country, the people, the sights, the sounds...all of it! And I get to go there!!!!

I really can't seem to wrap my head around that fact. It's. really. happening. I'm not even sure that I can convey to you the joy, excitement, nervousness, anxiety, amazement, joy, and humbleness that God would call me to this, that I feel when I think about that. It is awesome and there is no place I would rather be than right here, feeling what I'm feeling.

I am going to Ethiopia!!!

P.S. Today (February 18th) marks one year since we had our first discussion about adoption! Yes, we moved quickly, but when you know, you know. That seems to be our motto...Adam and I got married 6 months after meeting each other. We were engaged after 1 month. See? When we know, we know.

Exciting News!!

Alright, I have been holding in this AWESOME news for quite a while, but today is the day that I finally get to share it!!

I am so excited and thrilled to announce that I will be going on my first ever mission trip to Ethiopia!! Not only is this my first trip to Ethiopia, it is also my first mission trip EVER!

Adam and I have been praying about this trip for a while and actually, since we started our adoption, I have been wanting to get there and serve. Well, now is the time! We are almost fully funded for our referral fee...just in time to fundraise for my mission trip! :) I know that God has this all under control and He is going to bring the funds when I need them! It's a huge step of faith and it's scary, but it's going to work out. I know it is! :)

I am so excited, nervous, scared, joyful, anxious...every emotion under the sun! When I signed up for the trip today, I was shaking much like when I filled out our application for our adoption!! Like I said, it's a huge leap of faith, but God has been faithful so far and I know He won't stop now! If you are interested in donating towards my mission trip, you can do so by clicking on the yellow 'Donate' button on the right side of my blog. I would be so blessed by any amount that you would like to donate so that I can go and be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Oh, I should also mention that I am going with a team through Visiting Orphans. We will be visiting Korah (the local dump) and many orphanages in Addis Ababa, as well as Shashamene. I can't wait! The next few months are going to be full of fundraising, prepping, praying and excitement!! Wahoo!! Also, there will be more information in the near future on ways you can donate via the Visiting Orphans website and it will go right to my trip funds! I should mention that it's tax deductible, as well. :D

I'm so thankful that God would call me on this journey in the midst of our adoption preparation. I can't wait to serve these precious children and love on them!

Please keep me and the whole team in your prayers over these next few months....and while we are in Ethiopia, as well!

"Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
   make known among the nations what he has done." -1 Chronicles 16:8

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." -James 1:27

"The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" -Matthew 25:40