Update

We are in Ukraine. Things seem to be going well but we are a little behind schedule. We have baby photos of Laurel and will hopefully be able to see her on Sunday. We also move apartments on Sunday. Thank you for your prayers and we will update as we can. Also, we will post photos if we can. We love everyone!

Martha/Mike

All our bags are packed we're ready to go......

It's really happening!! Tomorrow morning (Monday) we are headed to the airport to fly to go meet our daughter!! We have been overwhelmed by people's generosity and compassion. We are truly humbled. Mike and I appreciate your prayers for the following things:

1. Please pray for Noah. He will be staying with Grandparents and having a wonderful time but we will miss him greatly.

2. Please pray that the Lord's will be done and we be able to see Laurel. If not, please pray we will be open to another child he has in mind

3. Safety on the planes/trains/automobiles

4. A whole host of other things that I can't even think of right now.

You all will be greatly missed. We have such a HUGE community of friends and family and church family and are greatful beyond belief. So........... (cue the music) "I'm leaving, on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again......." Except we DO know our return date ;)

BEACH TIME

A BEAUTIFUL RAINSTORM

OOPS! FORGOT TO ROTATE

NOAH & JACOB SUNBATHING

FUN IN THE YELLOW SUBMARINE

LEARNING TO SURF

We had a wonderful time at the beach this past weekend with our good friends the Haynes. The boys loved the pools, beach, putt putt, and just being with each other! We had a blast and a good time of rest and relaxation.....

Which is a good thing b/c we have HUGE NEWS!! We have our appointment to fly. This is very sudden due to the fact that we requested a date to fly after August. But of course they ignored our request. Anyway, for more specifics you'll have to go to Laurel's private blog so I can go into it more in depth. We are flying next week to get our baby!!

Bible Verses

I believe in taking advantage of these years when children's brains aren't yet cluttered and their hearts are sweet and pure. So, we've decided to cram as many Bible verses into Noah as we can. His memory is amazing and I'm envious of that. Here we are having a picnic outside with Baby Connor, enjoying the day. Noah gets a little shy when asked to perform for the camera but you get the idea.

Please pray today as our dossier is schedule to hopefully be registered today (Monday) with the proper authority's. Hopefully we will get a fly date soon. Check out Laurel's blog for more details.

Quick Update

I think I've already posted this picture but it's just so darn cute!! Anyway, a quick update on our adoption process. Our facilitator has the dossier and is translating it now. She says she will do her best to submit it to the SDA on Monday!! Fast Fast Fast!! Also, a local paper did a story on our process which comes out today. So... Run right out and get ya one now :)

Farmer Noah had a Farm EI-EI-O

"Duck - Or Hen"

Evil Scout

Just a few cute pics that a took today of Noah and some of the animals. He actually caught this baby chicken all by himself! It could have something to do with the fact that their feathers are over their eyes and they bump into things but Oh well.... he was proud of himself.

IN EXCITING ADOPTION NEWS:: We submitted our dossier today!!! It's officially on its way!! It won't be long now (hopefully). PLEASE PRAY that it will be translated and accepted. Also, we still need about $15,000 to complete the adoption so pray the Lord makes the funds available. For more detailed info please visit Laurel's private blog.

PLAY DAYS

This was only about half of the birds that tried to fit in my birdbath

Noah and his beloved friend Nick

Sweet Baby Connor reading a book

Sparklers!! I know it's blurry but Noah tried it once then ran away!

Pool Games- my big boy!

Mmmm. Watermelon is "dewicious!"

Play dates galore going on at our house! Noah gets to play everyday now with Baby Connor and his friend from church, Nick came to play Friday. Talk about in heaven!! They drove the tractor all around the yard and watched the men put in out brand new septic tank. I know, you say, it's JUST a septic tank. But, you don't understand ..... it's BRAND NEW and actually works!! Hurray! It's the little things that make me happy :)