Traces of him

I'm sitting here with a nervous feeling that, so far, has been non existent. There are some changes going on with adoptions in Ethiopia and we have seen some stand still in referral movement. They are stepping up some requirements for background of the child's history etc. This is so good for the ethics of adoption as a whole, but has families, and especially the kiddos, waiting too long for forever families. There are definitely days that I trust big and some that I trust small. I mean, I know that God is in total control but there are times I take back the reigns on trying to control my life. I am grateful for God's Word; His Truth. I do trust Him. I did figure that this could potentially be a more difficult time for me in the waiting. We have been so busy with the Holidays and with company that we really didn't have a ton of time to think about the wait. Well, that is all long gone and we are in the middle of a long, slow winter! I know God's timing is perfect and so I will wait. I guess I have to! :) Meanwhile, I will enjoy the traces of our little guy...


The girls opened these jammies from my Mom and Dad for Christmas. I was so excited. Then she had Derek open a gift and it was the little brother camo onsie! Lets just say I had to collect myself after that one! It was so special to me. I can't wait for them to all wake up on a Saturday morning to Daddy's pancakes sporting those pj's! Perfect!


I can't stand that I don't have pictures of our son in our house {well, obviously, we don't even know who he is yet} so I printed this map and placed it in a frame. I love that I have something to look at and it acts as a great reminder to pray for him and all the orphans.


We {especially the girls} needed a visual of what this wait looks like. We came up with, I mean, stole this idea for a countdown {thanks Karen}. We decided to fill a jar for each of us and with 61 jelly beans for the number we were in line. We started at family number 61 and now we are 57. On the day we received our updated # we each enjoyed a jellybean for each spot moved. So, if you are over visiting, please DO NOT eat the jellybeans on the mantle- you are surely welcomed to anything else we have!!! :)
In addition to these fun ways to keep little guy close to our hearts, we have begun the nursery makeover. It will be transformed from "Fruit shake Pink" to something a bit more manly! Derek is very excited to get rid of one pink room in the house. I'm okay with it too {we still have 1 pink and 1 purple room in our home!}. He has a closet full of clothes in various sizes {thanks Grandma Neat Neat} and a stack of toys and books as well. It's fun to prepare for his arrival, although still a ways off. Our prayer is that we continue to enjoy these days of preparation and wait. When he arrives, life will be different. 3 kids. Busy house. Less one on one time. I'm so reminded in God's Word...
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34
I don't know about you, but this can be a challenge for myself! Each day I will keep trying and, with God's help, I can be successful!

By the way, we have also given "little guy" a name...


To be continued....