Happy Birthday Hannah!

Here's my niece, Hannah, opening an early birthday present from us when she was here.




Today is Hannah's birthday! She's FIVE YEARS OLD today! Look how BIG she's getting!

Where did the time go? I still remember when she was an itty-bitty thing when we first met her 2 1/2 years ago. (Well, truth be told, she's still pretty itty-bitty!)

We love you Hannie, and we miss you terribly. You are a precious gift from the Lord! We pray He blesses you with a year full of wonder as you learn a little bit more about HIS GREAT LOVE FOR YOU.

Congratulations on turning 5! Have a fun-filled birthday, sweetheart!

Here is a verse from God's word, just for you today:

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is with you,

He is Mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

I pray you hear His singing as He rejoices over you!

My Pilot

As most of you may know, Clint has been taking flying lessons for the past several months in pursuit of becoming a pilot with the department. Well, last week, he took his test to become a private pilot, and he passed with flying colors (no pun intended ;)!
Here he is with his instructor, Jack, after he passed the test--


He is well on his way, and I'm so proud of him. I admire his drive to go after what he wants and his energy and perseverance to carry it through to the end.
Now he will continue with getting his IFR (Instrument Flight Rating) as he must be "instrument rated" to become a pilot with the department.

You go, Babe!
I love you!!!

Sweet Treats!

Our neighbor, Emily, who's almost 3, and her mommy, came over to deliver us some Easter goodies yesterday. We have the BEST neighbors- they are always so thoughtful and generous.

Aren't these little bunny cars the cutest thing ever? (Okay, except Caleb's didn't survive long enough to get a picture taken before he devoured it!)

God's Little Wonders

Happy Easter!

Even though it's been a little sad and lonely around here since my sister and her kiddos left yesterday, we were blessed to enjoy an unexpected little visitor today!

We were all laying in the backyard, just sunning and chatting with each other. Camryn was sitting on the rock waterfall, and all of the sudden, she spotted a ladybug!

Now it's always special to spot a ladybug when you're in the midst of this adoption process- seeing that tiny, spotted creature in this great, big, busy world just gives you that ray of hope you need to keep holding on- that your lucky day is coming soon!

How special too, that Camryn spotted her today, on Easter Sunday of all days- a day where we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord. It just feels significant- reflecting on the new life this day represents, and the new life we can't wait to begin with Kelly once we bring her home. I know God is reminding me that He is with her today- just like His love raised Jesus from the dead, His love will raise Kelly up and bring her to us in His perfect time.

You know, that reminds me! It was Easter Sunday, 1994... I was pregnant with Caleb, and we had come home from church and a nice, big, yummy Easter brunch. I laid down on the couch and took one of those nice, long Sunday afternoon naps! I'll never forget- I woke to the strange and wonderful feeling of Caleb's little legs, kicking inside of my womb. It was the first time I felt him kick! Oh, the wonder I felt that day!

It may not be the same experience- I can't feel Kelly's kicks inside of my womb, but the feeling of wonder I have is the same. Even though the flutter may not be in my womb this time, it is in my heart, and I will cherish the significance of this day just the same!

Avila Beach

Yesterday, we took a trip to the Pacific Ocean! This was Eli & Hannah's first time to see it. Here are some pictures of everyone enjoying our day at the beach!

Having Fun in the California Sun!

The weather has been glorious here, so we have been soaking up every bit we can get!

Now you may wonder why the following pictures I posted are not amidst the giant Sequoias..? Well, the van rental fell through, so we had to adapt our plan and do something a little closer to home- so we opted for Playland & Storyland in Fresno.

So we didn't get to see the amazing Sequoias yesterday and take in God's amazing creation of giant, majestic trees. But rather, the beauty I enjoyed yesterday was in seeing God's heart through the sweet faces of our precious children, and in their fun-spirited, joyous hearts.

I can't wait till I can take in the beauty of Kelly's sweet face and pure heart too...
Until then, I'm enjoying the ones I do have with me immensely.

Fun with our cousins!

I don't have much time to post now- we are heading out to the Sequoia National Forest today- but I wanted to post some pictures so you could see what fun we're all having together!
I'm not going to let them leave!!!!

Eli

Sisters!
Camryn & Hannah
Caleb
Camryn & Emma- cutie girls!
Girls playing on the slide- what fun!

Caleb, Emma, Hannah, Camryn & Eli

Eli & Hannah, having fun with baby Liberty
Caleb & Emma, chilling together
Mommy & daughter- aren't they beautiful?

No New News

Sorry for not posting in a while! It's not that I haven't wanted to post, it's just that I haven't had anything TO post!

Let's see... we're working on Kelly's room, which has been fun- I'll post pictures of it when it's done.

I have no news... I'm anxiously awaiting an email or phone call from my agency, but nothing has come yet. =(

I have to admit, I'm having a hard time. Every day that passes feels like 20. I can't believe we're almost half way through March and we still haven't heard anything yet. There are a few on a Yahoo Group from my agency who had their LOI's around the same time I did, and they got their LOA's this week... they are looking at traveling around the beginning of May. WAAAH. That means that our chances for traveling around Kelly's birthday (April 29th) are quickly diminishing. =(
It's hard to even think about Kelly sometimes, because it just makes me feel sad that she's there and we're here, and there's NOTHING I can do to speed her coming home to us. It's the lamest feeling ever- like nothing I've ever experienced. Even praying the same thing over and over again starts to feel like I'm just bugging God, or like I think He's forgotten that I prayed this same prayer the day and night before. I'm realize how much I really don't get the whole "ask and keep asking" thing. It just seems silly- like God needs reminding..? "Oh, thanks for praying that again, Jen. I almost forgot!"
I know He can do anything- He's the creator of the Universe. I also know that sometimes things don't happen the way we'd like them to, for reasons beyond our understanding. So I'm trying to let go and trust God, but not "give up" at the same time. Does that make sense?

I've been reading a few books to help prepare me for parenting a little one with attachment issues. One's called, "Toddler Adoption" and the other is called, "Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control." They're both great books, but the "Beyond Consequences..." one has really challenged my thinking, in a good way... it's calling me to change the way I think, act, and REACT... very good stuff.
I added the website to my favorite links- I really like Dr. Post and Heather Forbes, the authors. I'll share more on that as I digest it all...

I'm SOO looking forward to spending some time with my sister and her kiddos! I can't wait for them to get here! We're going to take a trip to the coast and Sequoia National Forest while they're here. Other than that, we'll just relax and enjoy one another's company.

Connie, my very sweet neighbor, has been shopping for Kelly!!!

She is mommy to Jonathan, 4, and Emily, who's almost 3... they're both very sweet, precious children, and cutie-pies too... they will be wonderful playmates for Kelly one day soon. I actually have many wonderful neighbors who have very sweet children-- I'm sooo thankful!!

Connie has graciously handed down lots of Emily's clothes to us, which has been a huge blessing... but ON TOP OF THAT, she has also bought us some darling things for Kelly!

Here are some pictures:

She got us this sweet little Thumper-

Then, these cute, little Carter's outfits~ the pictures don't do them justice!

I also wanted to post pitures of some outfits my sister and my step-mom, Corie, got for Kelly. These are more from that Gymboree sale I mentioned...

This first one is from Corie- isn't it sweet? Again, the picture doesn't do it justice!

The little purple violets embroidered onto the top and pants have such delicate, sweet detail. And the little socks to match are so sweet too!

My sister got this next outfit for Kelly. There are little tulips that dangle from the sleeves- you can barely see them, but they're sooo sweet... and the pants have little tulips embroidered all over them. Darling!!!

This is another top to match the pants. The little ties at the shoulder's don't show up very well in the picture, but they are such a cute touch!

Oh, how "Retail Therapy" really does help to pass the agonizing time while we wait. Nanna emailed me yesterday and said she got some things for Kelly too. And Aunt Carolyn is sending a book.

We're all doing our best to wait for our precious little sweetie to come home, and it seems shopping for her helps us to pass the time until she gets here!

Hurry Home, Kelly. We ALL can't wait to meet you!

Family pics