Gabi's Christmas Concert

Gabi Girl had her first chorus concert last week.  This was just a quick preview at the school's Christmas shop.  The real concert is in January.  She had a great time and they sounded terrific.

Snow

The first snow of the season.  It was just a few inches.  But of course the kids made the most of it.  They had snow clothes and hot cocoa.  And they built a really sweet snow fort.  And they went sledding.  And tomorrow the sun will come out and the snow will melt.  Just the way I like it.

We're Back

So I haven't written in a long time.  I think I started to think of this as an adoption blog.  And our adoption journey has not gone very smoothly.  In fact pretty much every problem, issue, conflict that is possible has come up.  We have had a lost daughter, an already claimed daughter, hospitalized daughter, daughter who passed away.  We have had country slow downs, agency changes, lost dossier, USCIS paperwork screw ups, 4 home study updates, finger prints expired.  And now...

We accepted a referral through an organization called Wren's Song.  We are really excited to be working with a group that we know to be completely honest and diligent.  This is not an adoption agency however.  This organization helps us to complete an independent adoption.  Our newest daughter is three years old.  She is a spunky little spit fire according to all accounts of those who have met her and it definitely shows in the photos we have of her.

And...

There is threat of war in DRC.  Militant groups have taken over cities on the eastern border.  These groups claim to have plans to take over the capital and then the country.  Most believe these ideas to be false.  That they would never make it all the way across the country.  I don't know what could happen.  All I know is 5 MILLION people died the last time this militant group rebelled.  Even more families were displaced.  Children were left without parents.  Families were left without children.  Women were raped.  Children were forced to fight and kill.  Villages were destroyed.

I have come to love the people of DRC.  Especially the children of course.  I can call so many of them by name.   I have seen their smiles.  I have seen their tears.  I have seen their scars.  I have seen their needs.  My friends have brought some of them home.  Or have high hopes to bring others home soon.  Friends who have a similar love for people a world away.  Friends I have never met in person but have shared some of my highest highs and lowest lows with.

Our daughter is not living on the eastern border.  However she is also not in the capital.  She is in a remote village in the center of the country.  Closer to the rebellion than I would like her to be.  Also, because she is outside the city, we can't have the contact with her that we would get if she was in Kinshasa.  AND she is not receiving the nutrition we would like.  And it seems as though our case will move more slowly.  So I watch my friends take and receive pictures of each others' children.  And move through court so quickly.  And yet again... We wait.  We wait with anticipation.  And while we wait we will continue to share our story.     We will share our love for the people of DRC.  We will do anything we can to make people aware of the conflict in their country and pray for them daily.

Crawfish, minnows and tadpoles oh my...

Did you ever play in a creek as a kid?  Get dirty and disgusting? Catch creepy crawly, slimy, pinchy things?  Some of my favorite memories of childhood are carwling around in the water searching for something to catch.  We have this great creek right down the street from us.  Not sure if the kids are really supposed to be able to climb in and play.  But we let them go for it.  And they had a blast.

Climbing in

Anything in there?

Hanging out and super cute

 First catch of the day

See anything?

Determined

Ok time to just relax in the sun

Voyaging back from a trip to the "potty"

 Wish they wouldn't be so serious all the time!

Crawfish!!!

Gabi proving girls can be tough

Evan being brave!  He was not so sure

Ok so maybe we aren't the best parents in the world... Ha Ha Ha

Our Angel

Maya Lajoie Wilson

January 13, 2010-June 17, 2012

Our sweet girl went to be with Jesus last Sunday night.  She will always be our baby girl.  We held her so tight in our hearts.  We dreamed of the day we would hold her in our arms. And we were so close to having that dream come true.  Holding tight to the fact that Jesus has her, and she finally has the Daddy she deserves.

Andy's graduation

After attending our church preschool where I work for four years.  Five days a week.  My booger boy is moving on to kindergarten.  I can't even imagine how strange it will be next year to walk into work without him in tow.

 

Double Digits

Can't believe my baby girl has reached double digits.  I am so proud of the young lady she is becoming.  Gabi girl is sweet and loving and creative and outgoing and fun and respectful and responsible and sensitive and caring and beautiful.  She is my partner in this house otherwise full of boys.  She helps me out every time I turn around.  She loves to read and stays busy with every art project you can possibly imagine.  Her current passion is making everything under the sun, solely out of duct tape.  At 10 she says she will be a fashion designer when she grows up. 

For her party we went to Cake Art by Amy for cake decorating lessons.  Amy did an amazing job teaching the girls each and every step and the girls used their creativity to come up with incredible cakes.

Step  number one was coming up with a design and drawing it out.

Next came mixing the icing

Frosting the cake

Licking the knife

I think this was the girls' favorite part.  They used fondant to create the designs for their cakes.

Finishing touches

And the cakes.  Aren't they fantastic?

Back to the house for a sleepover.  They made tie-dye T-shirts with spray on dye.

Wearing and Signing their shirts the next morning.  

Love this girl.  So blessed to God has given me the opportunity to be her mother!