SINGIN' IN THE RAIN-AND BIG BOY BEDS

We had a big weekend!! First, I finally broke down and took Noah's crib down. We put up a toddler bed that a friend gave us. To help Noah feel better with the whole situation (he loved his crib and cried when we took it down), we too him to Wal-Mart and let him pick out a new bed set. We came home with Lightning McQueen. I hope he likes him for the next 5 years! Then Grandaddy from S.C. came up for a visit. We took Noah to the park and rode the carousel and the boats just in time for the monsoon to hit!! And of course, played a little in the rain with our boots and umbrella.

NOW I KNOW MY ABC'S---SORT OF

Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. Busy, Busy, Busy!! Have you ever had a few weeks in your life you would like to erase? Nothing major, just some disappointments but as my pastor says......BUT GOD. God is so good and never leaves us in the dark. The song we sang on Sunday "Blessed be the name of the Lord" really spoke to me. The line "My heart will CHOOSE to say, blessed be the name of the Lord." Even when I don't feel like it, even in uncertainty, even in periods of doubt......BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!!!!

On another note.. Noah would like to sing his ABC's for you. We've been working on them! And he's been so enjoying baby Connor!

HIGH ROCK

Noah and Great Granny

2 Bears (presents from Great Granny)

The bull named Bubba

Making Wishes

Playing in the Tractor

Below: Baby Connor

Last week, we took a trip to High Rock which is where my Grandmother and Great Aunt live.

Noah had a wonderful time playing in the fields, seeing the cows and peacocks (He didn't even cry this time!!) It is always so beautiful up there and seems so peaceful.

The last picture is of cousin baby Connor whom I have the privilege to watch for the next several months. Noah loves having him around and calls him "sweet guy."

In adoption news: Please pray for wisdom for us as we decide what road to take next. We have still not heard back from our agency but through lots of other investigation and talking to others in the field we have pretty much found out that Ukraine is not adopting children out under the age of 4 and not healthy or even semi-healthy children out under the age of 6. We are just kind of standing still right now trying to decide what to do next. We really appreciate your prayers.

Doing Our Part

The infamous Baby Arnie (above)

I heard that Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are in danger of going under due to the downward turn in the economy so here we are doing our part to try and keep the business afloat. Noah found this hat that we had gotten months ago and put it on and said "Mama... I make you hotdog." Pretty funny little boy I have.

Now for Adoption News: We have applied for some grants but it will take 3-5 months to hear from them. We have been fervently praying that if International Adoption is the right path for us that the Lord would make a way for us financially without having to go into debt which we DO NOT want to do. The next day (I kid you not) the Lord opened a door for me to be able to care for Mike's little 12 week old cousin 3 days a week for a few months. This is an answer to prayer because I'll be able to earn a little income and still stay at home with Noah. Not to mention being able to watch this precious little boy grow. Stay tuned to pictures of the sweet little boy Connor!

Also, family has given us scrap jewelry, lots and lots of change, stuff to sell on ebay and other gifts some they are even making for us to try and sell. We are so blessed already!! Thank you to you all who are helping to bring a little girl into our family. We are also planning a yard sale in April to benefit the adoption.

**One thing you can be in prayer about: As of right now, the rumor is the country we want to adopt from is not accepting Dossiers for family wanting to adopt children 2 and under. Please pray that the Lord will make clear our path for us to keep pursuing this country or turn elsewhere.

NEKKID BOY

I'm sitting here all wrapped up and hoping to goodness we get some snow tomorrow. Have you ever just been in the mood to see lots and lots of snow? I'd love nothing more than to wake up Monday morning and be "snowed in" (which around here only takes about 1/2 inch). Oh well, one can wish.

The top picture is of my experiement with potty training Noah a few days ago. He went the whole day without pee peeing anywhere but the potty (yeah). But, the whole poop thing....lets just say we'll have to work on. He loves running around with no clothes on. He streaks around saying. "nekkid boy, nekkid boy!!" Should I be concerned?? ;)

Play Days

Since the days have been so cold lately, I've struggled with finding things inside that keep Noah busy. We could watch that 100th video but sometimes I just can't take the videos anymore :) So, I tried painting with him. He wasn't interested in painting on the paper but I found that he LOVED painting his farm animals with watercolors. Then they were dirty and of course needed a bath! Brilliant if I must say so myself (and yep this is about as creative as I get!)

In adoption news: I sent off for some grants this week and Granny and Nanna & Poppy gave some of their tons and tons of extra change they had lying around. We took it today to the bank and there was $270 worth of change in the jars!! Praise God... every little bit helps.

Extreme Makeover

Just so you know.... I'm pretty sure I have the best Daddy in the world. In December a neighbor of our church had a huge junk pile out beside the road. Well, being the junk freak that I am, ( and with the help of some teens from church) I proceeded to raid this wonderful heap of junk. Yes ,Yes ,I got permission from the man first. I rescued two pieces of furniture One of those is featured in the pictures above. The first picture is of the 1800's buffet BEFORE my talented father got a hold of it. The second picture is the AFTER that I just moved into my kitchen. I know it's amazing isn't it!!?? I just love it. I love the story I'll be able to tell of this awful, thrown away piece of junk that was rescued and lovingly restored by my Daddy. Aren't Daddys great? Kind of reminds me of what Jesus does to our lives when we surrender to him. He can still use us no matter how broken and ugly we are.