All in the Name of Education

Really!

Yep, home school has it's ups and downs, but today...

 

 

was definitely an UP day!

My awesome friend, Kim, over at Barrels of Blessings arranged a home school field trip today.

It was the yummiest field trip ever cause it was a field trip to KK doughnuts!

I mean seriously, is that not the best field trip ever!

Caleb sure thought so as did my other 4 who somehow scored doughnuts hand picked for each of them by their loving bro!

 

 

Thanks Kim, I suddenly feel the need to learn all about ice cream!!!

Hint Hint!

Sunday Snapshot - Sweet Surprises

When you are in the middle of an adoption, there is just nothing better than surprise pictures!

We got them with Lizzie

and we got them with Lucy

y'all remember that incredible God story, don't ya?

If not, go here to read all about that crazy miracle!

And now...

 

 we have those sweet surprise pics with Maggie!

They are not the clearest of her beautiful face...

but we don't care.

It is another incredible glimpse into our sweet child's life, another wonderful connection with the Mom who sent them to me, who just happen to recognize our dear Maggie in the birthday pictures she got of her precious daughter and once again...

I find myself thanking the Lord for His sweet surprises.

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

John 1:16 

To read more Sunday Snapshots, go to Stefanie's wonderful blog here, 

Sunday Snapshot - What Could I Say...

but thank you.

Ya see, I am not what you would call an avid gardener.

I did not inherit my Momma's green thumb and in fact, I would go so far as to say that my thumb is rather brown!

Heh!

So, when we moved into this house, I was excited about the beautiful Irises that the builder had planted in the yard.

Not excited enough, however to actually take care of them so after a while, they just stopped blooming.

Sigh...

However, every year, one or two determined, stubborn Irises would pop their pretty blue heads up as if to say, 

"It's ok, we understand.  You are a very busy person."

or possibly...

"You will not defeat me!"

Yeah, so, this year, there was only one lone survivor who was, in the end, too enticing for sweet Em.

My precious one just had to pick that flower for her Momma and while I hated to see this tenacious flower get picked...

What could I say?!

To read more Sunday Snapshots go to Stefanie's wonderful blog, here,

3 Little Letters...

That mean so much!!!!

LOA

Yep, we got LOA for Lucy!!

It was exactly one year ago this past Friday that with great excitement and peace, we sent off our LOI for this sweet girl, our sweet girl....

and now, after a very long but very purposeful year....

we finally have

Now we are waiting on our sweet MAGGIE to get caught up which shouldn't be too long!

Yep, you read that right - we have a name!

Fufu will now be Margaret Strobel...

or Maggie....

or Maggie Fu if she is in trouble!

*grin*

Both Margaret and Strobel are family names and when we looked at her sweet smile and called her Maggie, it just felt right! 

Thank you Lord! 

Lucy and Maggie won't be waiting much longer and I am thinking that we might need a bigger fridge...

not for all the food but for all the pretty pictures we are going to have from our newest additions!

Password is victoria3

Victoria 3 from Lifeline Children's Services on Vimeo.

I can't wait to hang their creations on the fridge where their "waiting to come home" pictures used to be!

Sunday Snapshot - BFF's

Evie (on the right) was our Lucy's sweet friend at the CP hospital where they were cared for... until Evie was adopted home by her wonderful forever family back in January.

 

 

The above picture was taken by another traveling family who so wonderfully offered to check on both girls for us and for Evie's family.  When they tried to talk to Evie, she ran to Lucy for comfort.

Aw!!!!!

Fast forward to yesterday...

 This picture captures the moment when Evie saw the picture (on the left) of Lucy for the first time!

 

The best part...

 

Evie's beautiful family lives only about 4 hours away and when we move...

2 hours!

God is so good!

Praying Lucy home - in Your time, Lord!

Thank you sweet Sharon for making that incredible picture that just made my day!

To read more wonderful Sunday Snapshots, go to Stefanie's amazing blog here

Happy Birthday For Real

Longing to have you home...

but trusting in the Lord's time to bring you home.

We had a little celebration in your honor...

 
as we did for our sweet Lizzie when she was waiting....

and rejoiced in the fact that this will be your last birthday without us!

I admit though, it was tough on Monday, knowing that Lucy would have been home for this birthday if not for our unemployment but He has grown me to a place of contentment in His timing and that is an invaluable blessing.

There's the money shot!  A long awaited for smile!

These precious pics above are from the birthday fruit party that we sent to our sweet girl but the video below is from the cake party that she had about a week ago.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Hoping we can combine the cake and the fruit into just one party next year!

or maybe not - hehe!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET LUCY!

Sunday Snapshot - True Love

The picture of contentment...

so hard to think that he was just one day away from being killed in that shelter.

Happiness is a warm puppy. ~Charles M. Schulz

Even though you are aptly named (sigh), we are so glad you made it sweet Chewy

To read more Sunday Snapshots go here to Stefanie's wonderful blog,