Happy Fall!

One of the great things about homeschooling is the freedom to take off a day or two here or there and just do whatever! We did that in October and I decided to use part of the time to take some pics of the kids. We went out to our friends, Ken and Leigh Ann's farm and let's just say it was bearable. Boys + taking pictures = hard work, a lot of bribing, and negotiating for Mommy! Here are some of the better ones....

A Season of Birthdays

Since I am so behind on blogging, I decided to devote one post to the kids birthdays and their parties. With three birthdays in a 3 month span, we obviously didn't plan very well!

Owen turned 2 on July 6th and a Sesame Street birthday party was definitely a must! We had a great time and all his little friends did, too. Birthday parties for little ones are so easy as long as you have a playground! We had the party at our church, the weather was hot, but good, and everyone was in good spirits (sometimes you never know with 2-year-olds).

Blowing out the candles on his Elmo cupcake

Sophia, Addison, and Owen eating pizza

Micah, Owen, and Brad on a wagon ride

Riley's birthday was next on July 28th and she wanted a slumber party with her closest friends, Lacey, Vannah, and Skylar. I took them for pedicures, we had pizza for dinner, watched movies, worked on some crafts, and did lots of girly stuff. What sweet girls!

Make a wish!

The girls painting canvases

Lacey, Vannah, Riley, and Skylar

Walker's birthday was on September 27th, and we had a bike party at Oak Mountain State Park's BMX track. This is such a cool place, and if you go at the right time, you can have it pretty much to yourself. We went on a Sunday afternoon, took a few friends and had a great time. We are definitely going back in the Spring, and this time we won't forget our helmets!!!

Making it up the hills...

Owen and Walker

Walker and Blake

Summer Recap

It's been awhile since I last posted an update. So, here is our summer in a nutshell, what's going on now with us, and some adoption news.

• Riley and Walker took swim lessons at Bowers Park with Coach Blewitt. Riley was moved up to Pre-Team and Walker was moved up to Advanced Beginners. They did awesome. Riley even competed in two swim meets and won several ribbons. We are convinced that Walker has gills...he is a FISH in the water! Walker's lessons were 3 days a week and Riley's were 4, so we pretty much lived at the pool for the months of June and July.
• Riley had a ball at Kidshine Performing Arts Camp. This was the second year for our church to host it. She played David in the "David and Goliath" skit, and she sang a solo. Unlike me, she never gets nervous on stage and did a fantastic job

• Riley had her first ever slumber party for her 8th birthday. They had a great time watching movies, getting their toenails painted, eating pizza and just being silly.

• Owen had a Sesame Street birthday party for his 2nd birthday. I think I had as much fun as anybody just watching him eat cake...hilarious!

• Just a couple of weeks ago, we went to Gulf Shores - while everyone else was in school. No crowds = happy momma! It really was nice and very slow-paced. We got LOTS of beach time (Owen's favorite. He calls it "big waddo"), pool time, and eating seafood time (my favorite).

• Here is a pic of my garden. I had the best time growing tomatoes, zinnias and okra. My squash and zucchini didn't do too well, but there's always next year.

• I ran my first half-marathon in June....Renaissance Half-Marathon in Ridgeland, MS. It was so much harder than I ever expected, but what an accomplishment! I was thrilled! So, now I am beginning to train for the St. Jude Half-Marathon in Memphis in December.

Now with more current news...

Riley has started swimming with Crimson Tide Aquatics. This was her first week and she seems to really thrive. Coach Blewitt (that taught her this summer) is one of the instructors and talks about how Riley is smiling the whole time she is swimming. She is exactly right. Even when she is underwater, the child is smiling!

Homeschooling is so mucn fun, and very rewarding. We are having a great time and I love every minute with my kiddos. We are members of the King's Co-op, that actually meets at our church every Friday. Walker loves his karate class he is taking at co-op and Riley is excited about her Archaeology and 4-H classes.

Owen is talking more and more everyday. It seems like it all happened overnight. One day he was just saying a few words like Momma, Da-da, night-night...and the next day he was talking in complete sentences. It is so much fun to hear what he comes up with. Just now, he looked outside the front window and saw Tim cutting the grass with his sunglasses on. Owen said, "Daddy cwose his eyes?" So cute and so much fun!

In Adoption News...

We have had two different fundraisers this summer. In June, we had a garage sale that raised over $800. Several people donated a ton of stuff and we are so thankful. It was well worth it and we will probably do it again in the Spring. In July, we spent a whole day working on two widows' homes....we painted the outside of one house and did general clean up inside and out of the other house. They desperately needed some tlc. We got this idea from the Both Hands ministry....one hand helps the widow while the other hand helps the orphan, as the Bible says in James 1:27. Each of our workers were responsible for getting monetary support that went towards our adoption. It was a very exhausting, yet productive day.

We have had the first of three homestudy interviews with our homestudy agency, Lifeline. Our social worker is wonderful and we will be going back on September 11 for our individual interviews. Tim will be interviewed for 45 minutes and then it will be my turn. Between now and then, Tim and I both have to finish our autobiographies, work on getting our passport and finish up some required reading. We did get confirmation in the mail that our fingerprints and background checks were all good...but that was just for the state of Alabama. Now those go to the FBI...I've heard that's where it takes the longest. Our social worker told us to expect this part to take the longest and encouraged us to mail our fingerprints in before doing anything else. So we wait.....

Lately, Tim and I both have been watching other couples' Ethiopian adoption videos. This has really encouraged me and helped me see that some day we will be able to go over and get our sweet Olivia. It is definitely hard, but I know my God is faithful.

We will keep you posted....

Tell Me Why I'm Doing this Again?

It's a phrase Anna has said many times, though I'm not sure she realizes it.

When she was training for her first half-marathon and she was about to head out of the house to run 10 miles, she would say to me, "Now tell me why I'm doing this again." And I would remind her of the goals she had set and the feeling of finishing and she would feel better.

Or when we are having some friends over and she's feeling the stress of cleaning the house and cooking the meal, she'll say it. And I'll remind her about how we want to open our home to others and she'll relax and have a great time.

Or when we decided that every Tuesday was going to be daddy night (since I work so hard and provide so much for the family) and she let's me come home and veg out on the couch all night without acknowledging anyone, sometimes she'll get a little frustrated. She'll utter the famous words, I remind her of what a great man I am, and she lets me go back to the couch.

(Maybe I made the last one up, but you get the point)

So when you finally start the home study and dossier collection process, and the amount of information required is so large, they send it to you on a flash drive, it can feel a little overwhelming. Once or twice, I've thought "Tell me why I'm doing this again?"

When you look at it selfishly, you start thinking, "Hey, I'm trying to save an orphan here! Why do they need a copy of my birth certificate notarized and why do I have to answer all these questions from a social worker?" But quickly, you realize that all of these safeguards have been put in place for the child's best interest.

So, yes it's natural to think that sometimes, but we're plugging along. And we know why we're doing it. It also helps us realize this isn't a fairy tale either. We're going to add a real human to our family who'll need love and care for the rest of her life. And sometimes that isn't easy.

We've received so much support and encouragement from family and friends during this process. It's funny, most people just don't know what to say and they'll tell us "I just think what you are doing is so.... neat/great/etc." And it is, but it's so much more to us. It's listening to God's calling for our lives and acting on it. It can be scary/exciting/frustrating/rewarding all at the same time. We continue to solicit your prayers and support.

(I will say this. When you find out your 92 yr old Grandfather is proud of you and has been bragging about you to other folks at the assisted living center, suddenly I had allergies for the first time in my life and my eyes started watering. Can't explain it.)

In fact, we realized we haven't updated you guys in a while, so here are a few things that have happened since we last blogged...

• Since we announced that we plan to adopt, several other families have also made the decision. God is definitely moving in the University Church family and I don't think he's done yet. We've already told you about the Dixon's, but we're also happy for the Thrashers and the Davis'. Also, the Stricklands (no blog that I know of) and the Jenks (same) are involved in the adoption process as well.
• We have been accepted into the America World Ethiopia program...that's the good news
• Unfortunately they just announced that the average waiting time for a referral is 9 - 11 months for an infant girl from Ethiopia. Meaning, once we finish our dossier process (3-6 months) we'll have a little bit of a wait.
• We've also begun our home study with Lifeline Adoption Services out of Birmingham.
• On August 8, we will have a fundraiser for the adoption process by doing some general repair work to two widow's houses. If you'd like to help, please let us know.
• We've decided on a name - Olivia. We plan to keep her given Ethiopian name as her middle name. If, for some crazy reason, her first name is Newton-John, we'll rethink the name Olivia.

In all seriousness, we knew this would be a long journey. We're diligently working on the required paperwork and we're planning on being patient through the process.

To remind me "Why I'm Doing this Again", I have watched several videos on You Tube of other adoptions. I love this one in particular, because I can't wait to see the impact our adoption has on Riley, Walker and Owen. I have no doubt that they'll love their new sister unconditionally.

We'll update again soon with some more info, until then, we'll be sortin' through some paperwork......

True Beauty

It's been a little while since Anna and I have updated everyone on the adoption process. After much prayer and research, we've decided which Adoption Agency we will use and plan to send in the paperwork this week. We've also begun the fundraising planning and we'll be having a garage sale with our friends the Dixon's this upcoming Saturday at the University Church bus barn. We'll also have a few other fundraising opportunities in the future if you'd like to help.

Anna and I ran a half-marathon in Jackson, MS today. I'm so proud of her, especially when she told me this one won't be her last. My normal running crew didn't come with me on this one, so I had to run this one alone. When you run 13.1 miles, you have a lot of time to think. (Apparently I'm one of the 5 people left in the US that doesn't run with an ipod.) Just a few random thoughts that went through my mind on the run today:

OK, there is tanned. There is really tanned. And there is leathery! Some of you people need to back off of the tanning beds. And that applied to men and women today.

Why do the spectators say "Almost there!", when you are halfway there? Happens every race. For you non-runners out there, almost there is the last mile. Any further, just say "Keep Going!"

Man that guy has an awful running form and he's so slow. Hey wait! He's in front of me.

There's a small dead snake in the road. Umm... where there is one snake, there is more!

However, because we're going through the adoption process, most of the running time was consumed with the thought of the adoption. One thing that God has made clear to me lately, is that this process is not about bringing a child to America. It's about taking care of an orphan that had no other choice. It's about giving a child a loving home, regardless of where I am from, or where she is from. I am thankful for the opportunities that God has provided me here. But I'm also well aware that there are things in our culture that I absolutely hate!

I was reminded of that in a blog post that I read yesterday before the run. There is nothing new here, but the visual evidence is amazing... and utterly sad. The effects on both women young and old make me sick. If I leave it to the magazines, TV and movies, my daughter is going to have a completely distorted view of beauty. That goes for Riley and the daughter we plan to adopt from Ethiopia.

(For those of you that didn't click the link, this picture says it all. Just take a look at the differences between the actual photo and the one that made the magazine cover. But seriously, go click the link and see the entire post. Please?)

Here's the crazy thing. It was HOT during the race today. Crazy HOT! And there were fit women everywhere running in what amounted to a bikini. (FYI, women... a little modesty...please?) And our culture would define those women as beautiful. But you know what? There was nothing more beautiful to me than seeing Anna round the corner at the end of the marathon. Knowing the amount of time she put into training. Knowing what she stands for. Knowing what crossing that finish line meant to her. Knowing how she loves me, a complete goofball. Don't get me wrong, I think she is gorgeous. But of all of the qualities mentioned, that ranks last when it comes to beauty.

Unfortunately our culture doesn't do a good job of teaching women that. We men don't do a good job of reinforcing that with our wives and daughters. True beauty is in the heart.

Now if only we can teach that to both of our daughters. (Wow! Still feels weird to say!)

Why Ethiopia?

In the last few days, I have been asked this question more times than I can count. There are so many countries with orphans needing homes...so, why Ethiopia of all countries? Several different factors played into this decision for us.

• We were drawn to the fact that Ethiopia has close to 4.8 million orphans in an area that is roughly twice the size of Texas. Not to mention the poverty, disease, famine, and living conditions...it is one of the poorest places on earth.
• We also want to adopt an infant. Ethiopia is one of only a few countries that has infants for adoption - some as young as 4 months old. Adopting an infant will keep us from having to worry about a language barrier. This is huge considering even a 2 year old already has a somewhat large vocabulary compared to an infant. Also, the younger the child, the less hardships they have encountered...one would hope. Plus, I love the baby stage!
• Since we began talking about adopting, we keep going back to the idea that the child we adopt needs to look totally different than us. This may sound really cheesey, but when you think about it, does the color of someone's skin really matter? I heard someone say the other day that God has adopted all of us, and he has never drawn racial lines. Orphans in Africa deserve to be a part of a loving family just as much as orphans in Alabama....O.k., so this is my soapbox.
• We considered several different countries. As we prayed about where God wanted us to "go", in one way or another, those other countries just didn't work out. So, we were left with Ethiopia. We have a peace about that decision and feel like this is where God wants us to be.
• Ethiopia also tends to be less expensive, with a faster process than some other countries. .
• Only 24% of households have access to safe drinking water.
• One in ten children die before their first birthday.
• In the 1980's, 1 million Ethiopians died of starvation
• Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school: 88% will never attend secondary school.
• Ethiopia's doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000.
• children and family are honored above all else.
• Between 60-150 million kids live on the streets.
• 82% of the population survives on less than 1 dollar a day.
• 1 in 3 people are HIV+; the average life expectancy is 37.

So, there you go! In a nutshell, these are our reasons for choosing Ethiopia. Stay tuned for more about the adoption. Hopefully, by this time next week we will have sent in our application to our agency. Here we go...

How We Got to "The Next Chapter"

It all started with a phone call last summer.  

A friend of mine asked me (Tim -  sometimes I'll be guest posting on Anna's blog throughout the adoption process)  to start a LTG (Life Transformation Group) with him.  An LTG is a spiritual accountability group among guys which includes some intense scripture reading.  Week by week, the same theme kept screaming out at me across the pages of the Bible  - "God cares about his people.  All of them."

Internally, I was conflicted.  I felt like God cared about me and I cared about others, but did I really?  Did my life really reflect that?  Some of my friends would argue yes, but deep down inside I knew it.  I really didn't care much about others.  I cared about my family and friends, but that was about it.

For months, I've listened to God's call of compassion for others in my life.  I knew he was calling me to do something bigger, something so "crazy" that it had to be from God.  (Crazy has been a common word around our house for the past month.  We just keep saying it over and over again.)  

In late April, my assigned reading included the book of Obadiah.  The following verses just hit me like a ton of bricks.

The Lord says to Edom,
   “I will cut you down to size among the nations;
      you will be greatly despised.
 ³ You have been deceived by your own pride
      because you live in a rock fortress
      and make your home high in the mountains.
   ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’
      you ask boastfully.
 ⁴ But even if you soar as high as eagles
      and build your nest among the stars,
   I will bring you crashing down,”
      says the Lord.....

.....“Because of the violence you did
      to your close relatives in Israel,^{b]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[b]}
   you will be filled with shame
      and destroyed forever.
 ¹¹ When they were invaded,
      you stood aloof, refusing to help them.
   Foreign invaders carried off their wealth
      and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem,
      but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.

For several days I was constantly thinking to myself, "That's speaking directly to you!  You live in your little fortress and you stand aloof refusing to help others."  At that point, I became consumed with the thought of "How can I help others?  It's time to come out of my fort and do something about it."  But I didn't know how, or where, or when.

One day, while I was driving home, it hit me.  What if we considered adoption?  I knew Anna would never go for it, so I figured it was just some "crazy" thought.  I came home and started asking Anna several questions about the adoption process of our friends, the Dixon's.  Finally fed up with my questions, Anna asked me why I was so curious.  So I just blurted it out...

"What if we adopted?"

And I waited for the laughter.  

The roll of the eyes.

Maybe she would just ignore me.

But instead she said "OK".

"YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO SAY THAT!!!!!!"  was my initial thought.  

(No one ever tells you this when you're dating, but there is nothing more attractive than a woman that loves God.  However, it can also be a little tough, as she's going to listen to the will of God over your own personal selfish desires.)

I immedietly started backing out.  Finding excuses left and right for why we shouldn't adopt.  Finally, we agreed to spend the month of May praying about it.  Day in and day out, God kept providing answers that said "YES, I want you to do this"

There are too many examples to put in this post (which is already too long), but just know this, God speaks in so many ways.  He spoke through people that had no idea we were considering adoption.  He spoke through his Word.  He put more "CRAZY" thoughts in my head than I can count.  And he did the same thing for Anna as well.

When she would doubt... 

I was rock solid.

When I would doubt....

She was rock solid.

And by the end of the month, we were both rock solid.

Finally, here are a couple of specific things we feel God spoke to us during the process

1. This is what I want for you.  Trust me, these are my children and they need to be taken care of.

2. The child needs to look different from you.  What better way to demonstrate God's love to others than to love a child as your own that doesn't look like you.  (Not sure the why on this yet, but I'm going to trust God on that one.)  

3. I'll take care of the finances.  (I still doubt tremendously on this one.  But I do believe that God will have an answer for us.)

So.... that's the short version of how we got here.  Things have gotten so crazy around here,  the entire family breaks it down to "Stomp the House" after dinner every night.  Don't know what I'm talking about? Click here (pay special attention to the rap starting at :40 "Go Go Maria..Oh No No Maria..")

We covet your prayers during this process.  We are currently finalizing our decision as to which agency to use.  If you have adopted in the past, are currently adopting, or know of someone who has, please contact us.  Some of the best information we have gathered to this point has been from others who have been through this process.  

We love you guys and can't wait to see what God has in store for us next.  

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