Thanksgiving Surprise...

We were so excited to get the call today informing us that we have our LOA. The LOA is the official letter from China accepting us as adoptive parents of Isabelle. I wish I could share her photo, but our agency is very cautious and asks us not to post any specific information until we've actually traveled to China. So for now you'll just have to take our word for it...she's beautiful!!

Several weeks ago we also received information on Isabelle's health. She is not receiving enough oxygen and needs surgery as soon as possible. Due to her tenous health, our wonderful Congressman's office - Patrick McHenry, and also a contact at the immigration office are trying to expedite our U.S. adoption paperwork. We are amazed at everyone's willingness and enthusiasm to help us!! We truly see God's hand at work.

Please pray with us that our adoption paperwork will continue to find favor in the eyes of the officials and that all involved will be willing to put a top priority on getting it complete.

Also, please pray that God will protect Isabelle's heart and lungs. Our pediatric cardiologist are AMAZING, godly men! They even sent a pulse/oxy machine, directly from their office, to our agency to be delivered to the orphanage in China. They are hoping to get updated oxygen levels in order to plan Isabelle's care upon her arrival in the States.

We are praising God for His gift to us of another daughter and know that He has her firmly in His hand!!

New Blog

If you are interested in learning about simplifying your life, saving money and getting more organized, check out my new blog.

Since deciding to adopt, 3 years ago, I've been on a quest to maximize all of our resources. Adoption is expensive but so worth it!! So, needless to say, when we decided to adopt again this year, my efforts have been redoubled.

I'm hoping to encourage others while challenging myself as I share on my blog the most effective ways I've found to Simplify, Organize and Economize.

I want to be able to spend my most valuable resources...time and money...on the things that matter most...things of eternal value. I'm determined not to invest in temporal riches. However, despite my commitment, I still find that society and the media have a certain pull on both myself and my family.

I'm praying, with the Lord's help, that this blog will keep me focused on the "end game". Please join me as I continue to "run with perseverance the raced marked out for us." Heb. 12:1b

(FYI - You can just click on the blog name, in my post, and it will take you to my other blog. Or you can type www.simplifyathome.blogspot.com in your address bar and you'll get there too!! Thanks for the question Julie.)

Another day on the farm...

Life on a farm is always full of surprises. This morning's surprise...49 escaped laying hens. The girls went out to feed the chickens this morning and discovered the roof had blown off of the portable hen house Phil built. They spent the next 30 minutes chasing hens around the pasture.

But all the work is balanced with moments like the ones pictured below:




Horses are very reticent to stay laying down when a person approaches. It takes a long time to earn their trust and to be able to do what AnnaGrace is doing with her pony. Torie snapped these photos with her cell phone. This is one of the many reasons I LOVE life on a farm!!

Other happenings this month...

Michaela turned 14...how did that happen?? Do you remember when you were young and you hated everyone saying "you've grown so much". It's such a lame thing to say and yet I hear myself saying that to my own children when they have another birthday. Birthdays are a continual reminder to cherish every moment.



Lest you think Michaela always celebrates her birthdays in her robe, the pink robe was a birthday gift from Phil and I. Michaela is taking some on-line classes for homeschool. They are in the morning and one of the perks of being homeschooled...you can go to class in your P.J.'s and robe! She was excited to get not only a robe, but a HUGE mug, from Torie. Now she has visions of morning classes wrapped in her cozy robe while sipping on her hot chocolate!!