Thursday, July 30, 2009

News...but not the exciting kind...

Well, our court date once again did NOT happen- because of a technicality. They will try again next Thursday.

One of these days we WILL have great news to share but not quite yet. .

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Good News????

It sounds like this Thursday, July 30, might be "our day in court". We'll see..... I'll post when I hear news. Thanks for your prayers everyone. They mean A LOT!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Our Neighborhood

John & Mark took a walk around our neighborhood the other day. Many of these shots are Mark's. He was especially delighted to find this amazing moth on our driveway.

In the woods

Our neighbor's tractor.

A four legged neighbor

Cactus in our front yard

This home is one of the original places on our road and we dearly loved the elderly lady that used to live in it.

Who knew that Passion flowers grew in our area? So lovely!




Our neighbor's beautiful land. I'm thankful for & I love our home.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Update

OK, here is what I think is going on with our adoption...last Thursday was indeed a court day in Ghana. The judge did grant custody of a precious little girl to a family. (This is encouraging news!) Our boys were next & the judge said he would get to them next time. So, I think/hope that will occur next Thursday, July 30. (???)

Praying!
Hanging on!
Loving our boys!
Looking forward to getting to hug them!
Kiss them!
Begin the process of becoming a forever family...

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Total Subject Switch/ Dog Problems/Canine Mental Illness

This post will probably only be interesting to you if you are a "dog person".


Well, this has little to do with our adoption, but it's on my mind all the same.
We have a 3 year old male German Shepherd Dog named Hunter. We adopted him at 4 months from an animal shelter. He has the softest temperment of any German Shepherd I've ever worked with & is a real sweetie. He does not require strong correction. He is very obedient & trainable. He passed his Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification & earned his Therapy Dog International (TDI) license before he turned two. He is very sensitive & snuggly...and he is sick.

It started over a year ago when he became startled when he met a pony. He jumped back & barked frantically. I got him calmed down & then we hung out around the pony for awhile so he could relax in it's presence. Then he decided one day that a paper bag on the floor was something dangerous/highly suspicious. Very random. Later on, he decided he didn't feel safe in small enclosed areas like a hallway. He could not tolerate anyone besides family leaning over the baby gate to talk to him & would ever so slightly growl. That is NOT my sweet Hunter! I would immediately verbally correct him and he would snap out of it but then it would be a problem again the next time. Now, just this week, he has been choosing random areas on our floor & deciding they are scary. He'll stare at them, walk careful around them etc.


We have been to our vet (who I really respect) several times & have tried canine anti-anxiety meds. with no helpful results.
We are obviously well past the point where he can work as a therapy dog & I am concerned we are continuing to move in a direction I do NOT want to go! My vet says Hunter basically is suffering from mental illness.

Anyone out there have any experience with this? I've been searching for more info. & have been finding very little. Hunter is a sweet boy & a part of our family. This is a big concern. Thanks!

Friday, July 17, 2009

High highs & Low lows

The "Low" ...

OK, I found out a little bit...our court date never happened. It has been post-poned again until an undetermined time/date. I also found out that our precious photo albums with notes of love from us to our boys never got to Ghana. No one seems to know where they are. I'll be honest, I spent a good part of this morning in tears.

The "High"...

This morning, friends from our Sunday School class completely surprised me with a card & a sizeable check to help us towards adoption expenses. I had zero idea they were all collecting money to help us out & am so grateful & humbled by their love & support. I know many of them gave sacrificially. Wow. (I am a little bit speechless about it all still.)

So, this has been my day so far. Though I have definitely felt despair I am NOT resting in that, but in the assurance that my loving heavenly Father has got this all under control. He is the strength of my life. He loves those boys more than I ever could (even though I love them soooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I forget the reference right now, but I am remembering that awesome scripture that says "Though my flesh & my heart may fail, He is the strength of my life & my portion forever."In all of this, I know God will have the last word.

No News Yet

Well, yesterday was supposed to be our court date but we haven't heard anything yet. It seems that Obama's visit to Ghana has set everyone back so I don't know if that caused our hearing to be postponed again or not?

Hopefully we'll hear something SOON!!!!!!!!!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Please Pray

I am discouraged.

My seven year old has some ongoing challenges that have greatly flared up lately & my heart is weary, sad, broken, humbled... wanting so very much to help my precious boy be all he has been created to be.

I don't want to betray his confidence by going into detail, but please know that I'd sure appreciate your prayers.

Thank you.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Just a Bike Helmet

It's funny how I am processing our upcoming adoption of two more little guys. As excited as I am, it's hard to imagine having three sons, since I've only ever been a Mom of one. Of course, I've taken care of more children at our house & I know what that is like, but it's so not the same as having your very own forever-children.

I have been gathering things my boys will need - books, toys, linens etc. and the other day I got a bike helmet for one of them. As I put it in the closet next to Mark's helmet, it hit me ...I'm going to have three little boys! It's funny how such a little thing would effect me, but it was such a joyful jolt of the reality of God's blessing!

I'm going to have three little boys!! The desire of my heart fulfilled! How wild & crazy & fun & exhausting!

Thank You God for how You do things! I would never be brave enough to face this crazy life without knowing You will never leave me. Your big, big, big love overwhelms me, humbles me, surrounds me & gives me joy.