Alyza Kate's Birthday Party

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday, Precious One

I've said it before and I'll say it again, adoption is not for the weak.

Today is one of those days that leaves an indescribable feeling of sadness, yet happiness in your heart of hearts.

February 28, 2007 our sweet Alyza Kate came into this world. So, today is her second birthday. It's been a really tough time for me, even though I knew what to expect. You see, we missed Jadyn's first birthday and well, quite frankly, it stinks. The only way I can describe it is to think about being away from your child on his/her birthday. I think over and over in my mind, does anyone care that it's her birthday? Will anyone tell her happy birthday? give her an extra special hug? give her an extra tight hug?

I pray they will.

I would ask that you pray for us today also. These are the things that cause my hair to require color to cover the grey. It's the things that keeps me awake at night, one of many things.

Alyza Kate,

Happy Birthday sweet girl! Today is your birthday and you may or may not even know it, but your family here knows that it is. We are praying for you, thinking about you, and longing even more to be with you. We cannot wait to come get you and bring you home with us. We will have a big celebration then and you can have a big party at that time. Your family waits for you and cannot wait until the day that we can give you that birthday kiss in person.

I love you,
Mommy

So, if you will, remember our sweet girl today. Ask God to bless her a little extra today and pray that someone will love on her just a little more than usual. Thanks friends, for walking this road with us. We love you.

We Have a New Daughter!

We are please to announce that we have received the referral of our beautiful Ethiopian daughter. We got the call at 1:28 pm yesterday from Abbey, our social worker. We were so surprised.

Of course, Pat was in Murfreesboro and I had to call him to tell him to get himself home - NOW. I told Abbey I would call her back when he got home, ran and got the video camera set up and waited on him to get here. Finally, they made it home and we called her back. She wasn't at her desk because that would have been much too easy, so I left a message. Soon, she called back and she emailed the information/pictures to us. We all gathered around the computer and opened the email.

Because of Ethiopian law, we can't post pictures in a public forum, blog etc. until after our court date. Just take my word, she is BEAUTIFUL. She is a little peanut, 23 lbs, but has the biggest eyes ever. Her eyes are the biggest part of her. She will be 2 this month on 2/28 and we are so sad that we won't be there for her birthday. But, we'll make up for it when we get her home. Pray, pray, pray for a speedy court date and that we pass the first time. We just want her home.

We are blessed beyond anything that we could hope for or imagine. We are praising God for His faithfulness and for His goodness. Thank you for sharing in our joy and rejoicing with us. God is good.

Don't Forget About Wall/Window Decals

Hey everyone!

Just a quick reminder. Don't forget about the wall/window decals that are available. They look great on your car and on your walls! What better way to start a conversation about adoption in the parking lot of the grocery store? :)

Thanks for your help in bringing home Alyza Kate. We really appreciate it!

Happy Almost Birthday Uncle Vern!

Today Tomorrow is my brother's/Jadyn's favorite Uncle Vern's birthday! (I didn't notice that it was the 3rd and not the 4th) Oops! Anyway, Happy B-Day tomorrow, we love you! Here's a little present from Jadyn.

Enjoy.

I Have New Look! Like It?

My dear friend from afar, Becky, did a little work on my blog. Actually, she did a lot of work. A complete makeover and I LOVE it! Now that we are adding another daughter to our family, one that happens to be from Africa, I felt the need to move away from a China blog, and move to something that describes our family.

We want our family to mirror the family of God. That why God led us to adopt. We want to be a picture, all nations, all colors. Our life is a full life, but we would be incomplete if we did not have Christ in our lives. In John 10:10, scripture tells us that He came so that we would have life and have it to the fullest. He has blessed us with a full life. Herein, lies the ins and outs, the ups and downs of what it means to be a Hood!

Let me know what you think about the blog and check out Becky's blog if you are looking for a "new look"! She is wonderful to work with and hopefully, she won't say that I was the hardest person that she ever did a blog makeover for!!!

Thanks for reading.