Our Weekend

Catchin a little air 
Catchin a little relaxation.
Ahhhh, such a great day! We headed out on our dear friend's boat on Saturday. We were going to go out on our imaginary boat but decided that their real boat would be more fun.

Jordan learned a little somethin new.
He went from this

and a bit of this

to this

And when you're 12,
that's cool.
Way cool.

It was the face plants at the end that prevented me from desiring to rouse myself from my shady position on the boat to give it a try.
So I didn't.
The smart people The rest of us stayed  with more tame activities

Tubing

Jumping off the boat

and pretending to be captain's of the ship.
Even if we all know who the captain actually is....

Captain Angie!
ok Jeremy, you can be captain too.

It was a great family-friend- fun day!

And then it was Sunday.
And we went to church this morning.
And I sinned.
Like sinned, sinned.

And only because my aim is to keep this journal of our lives real am I willing to confess this to you.
Whew.
Here it goes....I.....I.....
...I wore white sandals to church......
...in the deep, deep south...
after Labor Day.
I know.
I guess there is a little rebel within me after all.

But all shoe etiquette was soon forgotten because when I sat down and opened the bulletin here is what was staring back at me from the message notes.

Let's just say that all of that mascara that I applied before church...
was wasted.
....and was running down my face.
I looked a bit like I belonged in a heavy metal band....
one that wears white shoes after Labor Day.

60 + days and still waiting

Well,
Nuthin.
I got nuthin new in the ridiculously long bout to drive me crazy wait for LSC's.

I'd be lyin if I said it didn't bother me at all.
It bothers me.
I'm there mom, it should bother me.
It isn't consuming me...which I guess is good considering I have four other sweet faces needing me at the moment....
but it bothers me.

Lately though my heart has been incredibly burdened by those left behind.
Take this little fella in the yellow shirt for instance sitting next to Jacob.

He is one of three kids out of the 8 in Joey & Jacob's foster home that doesn't yet have a family.
Within the next few months 5 of those children will be adopted and
he
will
watch
them
leave. 

He is 3 weeks younger than the twins and when I look at them it's all I can see.
A child.
A child left behind.

Wow. I'm such a downer today...
So how bout a joke?

Ok,
Here goes.

Knock, knock
Who's there?
Lettuce.
Lettuce who?
Lettuce in, it's cold outside!

Yeah. I need to get out more.

Please pray with us that Satan gets out of our way in bringing these boys home. We know that he knows that when we finally reach them they will hear the Word and be told of the love the Father has for them and we know that is the last thing the enemy wants.
And if you would like more info on the sweet boy in the picture, let me know and I'll tell you where to find him. He is precious!

Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Matthew 16:23

Yep. Get behind me Satan.
Love that.

Another prize added!!

My dear friend Yvonne has generously donated a Scentsy Warmer to be given away for our raffle!!
Can I get a woot-woot?!
We merciously have had a Scentsy warmer for quite some time and it masks the smell of sweaty boy fills our home with luscious fragrance.
Along with this warmer she is including 3 fall-themed scentsy bars!
Check out the rest of the Scentsy collection here! 
Thanks Yvonne!

A gift from afar!!

This has been the week of photos!!
and can I say.....that's like my favorite week?!

A blog friend of mine just returned with her daughter who was one of Jacob & Joey's foster sisters and in her disposable camera were pic's of the kids in the foster home.....
including two chuckle heads that I know.

Peace out brotha!

Kickin back watchin a little TV(Jacob green shirt)....please Lord let it be something appropriate for his little heart!

Hmmmm, whose that poppin in to the photo?

Sweetness....pure sweetness!

Thank you Christie and welcome home Tessa!!

Physically Sick...Spiritually Hangin on!

I've got a nasty head cold goin on...
it's all fun and games around here....
...until mom gets sick.
Good times.

In other news, STILL no LSC's...but I'm sure you guessed that already as you didn't hear crazy woman screams waking you up this morning...
...one morning you will hear that..
but don't be alarmed.
It's just me.
And I mean you no harm...
I was just really, really excited.

I've stopped counting how many days we've been waiting...
my mental health has thanked me for that. ;)

All I know is that
it
has
been
a
long
long
long
time.

But it's ok.
We are firmly within His grip.
And our faith is un-wavering.

So it's all good.
No worries.
It'll get here.
The boys may have moustaches and be of voting age by the time they get here..

but they'll get here.
I just know it.

Besides, I think I've figured it all out.
See this picture?

I think there is a new thing going on where the kids have to write their own LSC's.
And man alive those Mandarin characters can be tricky!
No wonder it's taking so long!

A bit more about Jacob

I couldn't think of a better Sunday Snapshot than our birthday boy himself. It's been quite the week for our little guy!


I'd say Jacob's pretty jazzed at the news of having a family....but that's just a guess. ;)

A little bit about our sweet boy.
He is 7 months older than Joey and they moved into the family home from the orphanage within months of each other about 3 years ago.
This child has our hearts.....big time.
I can't get enough of how his personality shines through each of his photographs.
He
cracks
me
up!

Jacob's "special need" is cleft lip & palate. Both of which have been repaired along with a heart condition that is common among cleft affected children. Medically he should be good to go but we see an immense amount of orthodontic work in his future...also quite common with cleft issues.....but we just don't see any of that when we look at him...
we see love!
We see our son!
We see a boy hand crafted by the Maker and placed right into our lives and directly into our hearts.

He is our ever unfolding miracle...
and for that we are ever grateful.

They remind me of someone....

It's been amazing to see how God is weaving these children into our lives and to see how, even from an ocean away, they
are.
our.
sons.

He truly is the Father to the fatherless...... He sets the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy....(Psalm 68:5) He cares for the orphan and we know that He cares about these two precious kids. How He orchestrated all of this and events in our lives leading up to this amazes me every moment of everyday.
It's indescribable.

In lieu of the new photos showcasing their sweet goofy-ness it has occured to me....
I've seen these shannagins before....
....it's oddly familiar.

Exhibit A:
circa 2004-2007
...starting with stuffed animals in the refridgerator. That's what I get for going potty by myself and leaving two two year old's alone for 1.2 seconds.

Yep.
They're our children.
No doubt about it.

Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own. 


Author: Fleur Conkling Heylinger

Prizes prizes everywhere!

I am finally pulling myself away from staring at some cute photos of two certain boys and rolling out our prizes or "thank you gifts" for any donations to help us get these boys home!..... Ok...wait....one more cute pic....I just can't help myself...

 ...ok, whew! I feel better now. ;)

We are stepping out and reaching out to ask for help...not the easiest thing to do but we know that God can call many to rise up and walk this journey with us. These dual adoption expenses are kicking our butt but those dual smiles are just so, so worth it! So thank you for considering helping us along this journey!  Without further ado....the prizes!!

Kim at Wheat & Wildflowers has generously donated the "Wo Ai Ni" necklace!

A $25 Starbucks* gift card!

A blog makeover by Alexis! She redesigned my blog a few months ago and this precious 16 year old girl not only has some mad blogging skillz but she has a huge heart for the orphan and her proceeds go to support missions. She is donating one basic blog makeover package! This makeover will include: a custom header, a custom template, background colors/papers, and coordinating font colors



The rockin ladies over at Wild Olive have donated one short sleeve shirt of your choice shipping included!



A sweet bracelet by the Purple Pearl.

Boy Mom Designs has generously donated this long sleeve tee!

It's just one of many oh so cute designs they have over there! They also have Girl Mom tees....but I wouldn't know anything about that. ;) Check em out!

My dear friend Yvonne has generously donated a Scentsy Warmer to be given away for our raffle!!
Can I get a woot-woot?!

We merciously have had a Scentsy warmer for quite some time and it masks the smell of sweaty boy fills our home with luscious fragrance.
Along with this warmer she is including 3 fall-themed scentsy bars!

The rockin ladies over at 147 Million are donating a tee as part of our raffle! They have some new designs that they are rolling out so head on over here and check em out!

You will be able to select which tee you would like and sizing and such. Thanks ladies! We are blessed!

A handmade necklace in deep green.

My sweet friend Glenda from RocketFoot.com has donated this running shirt!

Give the guys something to read while they're eating your dust. RocketFoot's original, Girl Power inspired, feminine fit tee looks and feels great. Our performance fabric features dry wicking properties that draw moisture away, keeping you cool, comfortable, and looking great. RocketFoot.com

Two handmade candle holders(this will be two separate prizes) made out of wine barrels straight from Napa Valley. My good friend Troi crafts each one by hand and they are naturally stained by the wine that it aged in the barrel on the flip side of each holder. Glass votive holders(not pictured) are included. They are stunning when lit, look great on a window sill and gorgeous inside a fireplace.

Also by Troi a wine stand. Counter-balances your wine bottle! Gorgeous!

My friend Megan has graciously donated a Pampered Chef knife to giveaway on our raffle!
It slices
It dices
It...well, it's a knife so it does all sortsa things!
It's the 5" utility knife from their Forged Collection!
Holla!

You can check out the rest of Pampered Chef products here!  

Christian author and speaker Marla Taviano has graciously donated one set of her books!

 


Also, my friend Jennifer a Mary Kay consultant

is giving one winner a chance to order anything Mary Kay at....are you ready for this?....
50% OFF RETAIL. Any order big or small.
That's 50% off of her consultant's price..which is remarkable! She is throwing in free shipping to you as well!
Holla!

Finally, my friend Bobbie, an AdvoCare rep is donating two packages of AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink.

Since 1993, AdvoCare® has been a world-class nutrition company specializing in health and wellness, weight management, vibrant energy and sports performance.  AdvoCare Spark is AdvoCare’s best selling product.  AdvoCare Spark® Energy Drink mix is a unique multi-nutrient system that's designed to provide nutritionally advanced, long-lasting energy and enhanced mental focus.* Its 21 vitamins, minerals and nutrients work synergistically to give you healthy, balanced energy without making you jittery like other caffeinated beverages.  Up for raffle are two(2) boxes of AdvoCare Spark!!

www.advocare.com/0911494 or order or learn more about AdvoCare and our products

Bobbie Mach, AdvoCare advisor

Now onto the deets of how this works!
One free entry by posting this link to your Facebook page or blog! Just leave me a comment letting me know that you did!
For every $10 donation I will enter your name to win. $50=6 entries.
If you have already donated no worries! I am keeping track to ensure everyone is entered appropriately!
I will draw names and the first person will pick what prize they would like, the second one their chosen prize and so on.
This will run from now until October 15th and all money raised will go toward the boys orphanage fee of $5,100 per child. 

Above all we can't say thank you enough for walking this road with us! Bless you!

Introducing our son...Jacob Benjamin

It has occurred to me that since they sailed right over PA for him and the C-C-A-A said that they have officially matched him with us that we can share his photos.So it is my great pleasure and honor to fully introduce to you our son,
Jacob Benjamin Chinese name Last name

So as all of you that have been following our drama filled, insane, crazy sauce journey know Jacob recieved a cake yesterday for his 7th birthday. It was also the day he found out that not only was he being adopted but that he gets to come home with his BFF.
That's a big day!
We recieved 21 photos this morning of his party and I am in desperate need of your help.
I just can't tell if they are excited....
...if they are at all happy about what is to come....
-sigh-
..... just take a look and tell me what you think....

LOL! Just kidding! Look at those two!! I'd say it was a Happy Birthday indeed!!

We are in LOVE. 
They are going to fit right in...as we may or may not be incredibly slightly goofy around here too. 

STILL no LSC's...quickly approaching 60 days......but we won't dwell on that.....ahem....much.
So for now we'll just focus on these two...
Brothers through and through.
Oh happy day!