Noodle Time!!

 Addison is NOT a big eater..and that is an understatement!!  That being said, She LOVES Ramen Noodles!  Here is a pictorial demonstration of her really eating her food.  I have to photograph it as it so rarely happens!

  Happy to be eating!!!

 Big bite with the fork.

 Sucking down the noodles.

 Forget the fork...I'll just use my hands!!

 Ahh!!!  beautiful noodles!!!

 It ends with her jsut using her ahnds and shoving it her mouth! 

Update & New Photos!

We were so excited and surprised to receive an update & new photos!  We couldn't believe it!!!  The report says Avery is at a 9 month developmental level, so only a month behind.  She is creeping/crawling, waving bye-bye, playing pat-a-cake, has two teeth, and has starting eating cereal.  She currently weighs 18.5lbs, and is 27.95 inches which means she is pretty little still!  The photos show ehr with the care package we sent her!  Were so happy she got our gifts!

 I'm assuming the lady holding her is her foster mom.  So sweet. 

 I think this photo was taken at the foster mom's home.  It doesn't look like a Holt photo or room.

Here she is wearing the outfit Nick bought her.  It fits perfectly!  (Which means she is wearing 9 month old clothing)

Thoughts from my reading

I came across the following quote in a book I'm currently reading:

"...In keeping with our cultural biases, we have tended to overemphasize intellectual truth to the detriment of experiential truth - learning the truth by practicing it. We have been solidly concerned with true understandings of Biblical doctrine. We have largely conformed our teaching to what can easily be done in a classroom – conveying information. We have, therefore, tended to ignore the considerable body of truth that only comes through launching out in faith – dependence on God, truth that cannot be reduced to information (John 3:21). We fail to see that it is experiential truth that is in focus in verses such as John 3:21, "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." And John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (Notice: "know the truth" = knowledge, "set you free" = experience)

Had we not narrowed our understanding of truth to the informational and intellectual aspects of it, we might well have gone further in understanding and participating in the more supernaturalistic dimensions of our relationship with God. For experiencing a life of faith gets one well beyond that which can be rationally understood."

My prayer: That the gap between my Biblical knowledge and my day to day experience lessens. That my faith in what God says manifests itself daily in my life, experience, reactions, expectations and decisions. I believe in a supernatural, all-powerful, infinitely wise God who has filled me with the Holy Spirit and His power …May I daily believe that and live that.

“Prepare to Wait”

 

So and we've been speculating about the EP situation in Korea and came to conclusion that we would not get an EP (considering there are people who were matched in February who haven't even been submitted for an EP and were May 20^th!) This would mean it would be next year until were even submitted for one. We speculated that we'd get submitted in February and be approved in March and travel in April. Of course this was just conjecture and speculation; that is until the other day. That's when we got an email that said to prepare NOT to get an EP this year, and DO prepare to bring home a baby who is close to two years old - Yes...2 years old – a toddler. This confirmed our speculations. I don't have too many thoughts right now except I'm just gonna keep walking the road God's put us on, and I'm determined to bring Him glory regardless (through His strength and faithfulness)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." -Ephesians 3:20

This I believe.

The birthmother

I think often about Addison reuniting with her birthmother. I send her birthmother photos, videos, and letters so she will be able to watch her grow up and know she is thriving and loved. I also want Addison to know I valued her birth mother enough to foster this communication. It's a very small thing, but I feel Addison will want this, and will want to know she has my blessing if and when she wants to meet her birthmother. I never want her to feel as though I might be upset when she desires to pursue this relationship. God has been, and continues to teach me to hold my children VERY loosely. They are gifts, not possessions. I didn't feel this way initially, but my heart has had a drastic 180 since we first started the adoption process and I began to pray for her birthmother. Prayer changes hearts.

I say all of this because I ran across a touching video that depicts a Korean adoptee reuniting with her birthmother. She explains the conflicting emotions connected with this situation. It is so personal, touching, insightful and gives me a glimpse into what may be in store for my daughter…and the prospect of sharing her with her birthmother.

No Good News

We were notified by our agency that no EPs would be processed in July. There was a lengthy, drawn-out explanation that I do not wish to recount and my opinion on the explanation isn't something I'm going to share, nor would it be beneficial for anyone who reads my blog, so I have kept it hidden amongst the pages of my personal journal. When I contemplate this entire situation, which is entirely political, I tend to react…but these decisions, made by powerful people in a foreign country, directly impact many people and when I bring this information to a personal level; something I dread to do, I become very sad. I have a beautiful little girl in Korea, a little girl I love, for whom I've bought clothes, prayed for, created a room for, bought furniture for, and simply adore. She is beautiful, perfect…and yet she is no closer to coming home today than she was in June. She won't be any closer till next year…maybe. She is languishing and I'm sad.

During my devotions I always pray a random Psalm. I have no schedule I just browse the Psalms until I find one that speaks to my heart. It's random, but I find God always uses the ones I pray. I also I find this aligns my prayers and heart with God's so my prayers aren't selfish and misguided…well it helps. Anyway, this morning I was browsing, and I came upon Psalm 136. Here is a small excerpt:



¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

² Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.

³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.

⁵ who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.

⁶ who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.

⁷ who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.

⁸ the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.

⁹ the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.



I almost didn't pray it because I it said, "His love endures forever," way too much; it says it 26 times! (I realize as I write this that is a very stupid reason...but it was very early!) But I did pray it and as I prayed, I was reminded, comforted, and strengthened by the fact that God's love does endure forever. If you read this Psalm it kind of odd really; Look at what I mean:



Verse 10: To him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt

        His love endures forever

Verse 17: Who struck down great Kings

        His love endures forever

Verse 18: and killed mighty kings

        His love endures forever



I find this odd because I don't think about God's love when He kills kings, or when I read about the firstborn children in Egypt being killed. But then I thought, God did this to protect his children, to ensure they could fulfill the plan he had for them,(I'm sure there are other reasons, but I'm not chasing that rabbit trail this morning) and in that light I can see God's love. I don't see God's love right now in this situation, but I know His love endures forever. I know this because God reminded me of this 26 times this morning - in every verse I read.



Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.

    His love endures forever.

The 4th of July!

 Addie's cousin, Alyssa

 mom & dad

 Addie..posing wiht our friend Tom

 What's that Daddy?

 My sweet Jacker

 My sister-in-law posing while taking pictures!

 Mark, showing the babies poppers!

 Drew, refusing to look at the camera

 My brother-in-law with baby Owen

 My good-looking man!

Just some of our fireworks!  Addie liked the fireworks.  The noise and explosions didn't bother her at all.  She finally wore out at 10:45...but we had a great 4th of July

Pictures & Video!!!

I am so excited!!!  Yesterday I received a CD in the mail that contained pcitures and video of Avery!  I was thrilled!  She was 9 months old when these were taken!  She is so beautiful...  I can't wait to hold her and do her fabulously thick hair! 

She is wearing the outfit Drew chose for her so we know she got her care package!

I don't think she's very excited about the photo shoot!

I don't think there is a cuter baby...except Addison, of course!