NEW PICTURES!!

We received new pictures of our little guy this morning. Oh my gosh is he cute!!! He has some hair now and the best smile. We were told he was one of the happiest babies there. That makes us feel very good. I have a feeling I will not be getting much done today, just staring at his photos!! :) He has changed a little bit but he is 2 months older now than when we received his referral.
Hoping and Praying we will hear news of a court date this week!! We are at 9 weeks now.
We had a crazy busy Thanksgiving break. We had dinner at my inlaws on Thurs and then I did some shopping with friends on Friday. It was actually a lot of fun. We were done with the big stuff For Christmas so it was much more relaxed and we didn't have to stand in line very long at all, at any store! BUT getting up at 430 am kicked my rear. Then no nap...and had a lot to do Fri afternoon preparing for my sister's house on Sat. I got up early and headed to her house (3 hr drive). Traveling with a 2 yr old was not a lot of fun! We survived the trip there and back but by Sun. night we were all cranky and tired!
My house is decorated for Christmas...we just need to finish the tree tonight with Tifanie here and put the lights around the deck.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I am praying for everyone who is waiting!

Blessings~
Tina
***Worry is a heavy load, but a kind word cheers you up. Proverbs 12:25

OFFERING THANKS...

I wanted to get this post up before I went to bed because I knew that in the morning I would be rushed to get things done and out the door early.

I read this devotion in my book a few weeks ago and have been saving it for Thanksgiving Day. I hope you all enjoy and get as much out of it as I did.

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess. 5:18

Sometimes, life-here-on-earth can be complicated, demanding, and frustrating (AMEN). When the demands of life leave us rushing from place to place with scarcely a moment to spare, we may fail to pause and thank our Creator for His gifts. But, whenever we neglect to give proper thanks to the Father, we suffer because of our misplaced priorities.
Today, begin making a list of your blessing. You most certainly will not be able to make a complete list, but take a few moments and jot down as many blessings as you can. Then, give thanks to the Giver of all good things; God. His love for you is eternal, as are His gifts. And it's never too soon- or too late-to offer Him thanks.

When you and I are related to Jesus Christ, our strength and wisdom and peace and joy and love and hope may run out, but His life rushes in to keep us filled to the brim. We are showered with blessings, not because of anything we have or have not done, but simply because of Him. *Anne Graham Lotz

Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!
Tina
**Give thanks to the Holy One...Give thanks!

BEING THANKFUL EVEN ON THE TOUGH DAYS...

I am thankful for more things than I can count. I have certainly been blessed beyond measure and so much more than I deserve. There are many people who have it so much worse than I do. SO...if I complain about things then I begin to feel guilty because there is someone out there that has been through more or dealt with more and still survived. Today is a tough day. I was so hoping we would get a court date today but it did not come. We went out today and went to the "baby store" to make a return from the baby shower plus we had a gift card to use. We got the pak n play (very cute!) and some other odds and ends. We then headed to the "toy store" to pick up some things for our child that we adopted for Christmas. SO... I stayed away from the computer most of the morning...Got home praying we would come home to some good news and well...Nothing! But I am still thankful...I know that it will come and I know His timing will be perfect! I am sad but it will all go away the day we hold our son for the first time so for this alone I so very thankful. Until I hold my precious little guy...I know God will protect and keep him safe and I know He will continue to carry us through this long journey.

Blessings to all!
Tina
***Today, Lord, let me count my blessings with Thanksgiving in my heart. You have cared for me, Lord, and I will give You the glory and the praise. Amen

2 MONTHS & THANKFUL FOR...

It has been 2 months since we first learned of our little guy and saw his picture for the first time. It is a day I will never forget and still get so choked up when I talk about it or even just think about it. Still hoping and praying we will hear of our court date very soon!

Today I am thankful for my friends and family. My friends are always so willing to pray or just listen when I need an ear. I am sure they will be happy when little guy is here as well so that don't have to hear about it anymore! :) They have always done so much for us from the very smallest things to big huge things and we so appreciate each and every one of them! Our family has been such a great support to us always but never more than when we decided to adopt. They are so very excited for little guy to arrive so that they can love on him to. They have prayed for our little one for the last 3 years. We are really so blessed to have such great family and friends. I thank God for all of them each and every day!

Have a blessed Tuesday!
Tina

THANKFUL FOR CHILD #4 & MISS HEIDI...

I was so busy yesterday that I did not get a thankful post up! BAD TINA!!!!!
So, I have decided to do 2 in 1 here.

I am VERY thankful for our little guy. I love to just sit and stare at his picture and cannot wait for updated pictures of him in a week or so. Throughout this whole journey we have seen God's handy work and never more than the day we received that call. It was exactly 11 months to the day...his birth name is exactly what I had dreamed it would be (easy to say :) ). His name means "the gift" which is one of our favorite scriptures...Every good and perfect gift is from above...James 1:17. I am thankful for what this journey has and will teach us. And I am so thankful to be chosen to be the Mommy of our little guy. I am also thankful that he is safe and sound in the arms of Jesus until I can get him into mine!

I am also very thankful for Miss Heidi. She has been such a blessing to our family as we have waited for our little guy to arrive. She has filled our home with so much love and joy these past 2 years! We love her as if she were our very own little one and I believe she loves us as much. I am thankful that her Mommy and Daddy are so willing to share her with us. She will always have a special place in our hearts and in our home. Just to hear her call my name or watch her wait for my kids to play with her is a joy. God sent her to us to pass the time as we waited to see our little guy and bring him home. For that I will always be thankful! And my heart just melts when she comes to me tired and says..."Rock a baby". And we climb into the chair and do just that and sing...Jesus Loves Me!

I Hope you are enjoying your Monday!
Blessings~
Tina

I AM THANKFUL FOR CHILD #3!

We waited longer between Randy and Emilie but that was not our choice. Another God thing!! :) It took us over 2 years to get Em and we were so thrilled to be pregnant with her. She has been known to call herself the miracle child and she got that from her Daddy. We prayed and prayed to have a third child and once she arrived we were sad to find out that she might be our last. Emilie brings so much joy, silliness, love, frustration, craziness, & life to our home. With Em there is certainly never a dull moment. I know Emilie has made me a better Mom. She has taught me so much about how to deal with life and the hand you have been dealt. She can make me insanely crazy and frustrated and then turn around and say the sweetest thing and I know that is why she is mine! God knew I needed a child to teach me more about unconditional love, patience, and acceptance. I am so thankful for my sweet baby girl and all she brings to my life.

Thank you Emilie for making me a better Mom. God has truly blessed us with you. I know you will do great things in this life.

Happy Saturday All!
Tina

8 WEEKS

Two posts in one day...WOW. I thought about putting them together but decided Randy deserved a post to himself! SO...we are still waiting for a court date and we have no idea when it will be. I am trying to stay positive! Tomorrow is my birthday and our first baby shower. I am wishing for a little early birthday gift TODAY!! Wouldn't that be the best gift right now???
I am looking forward to our baby shower. We wanted to have one before we went to help collect donations and one after we got home so that family could meet our little guy and we would not feel the need to take our little guy around to several places. SO...this shower is for our friends and Church family. It's also on my birthday so that will make it even better!! :) I hopefully won't have to think about getting older!!

So...there were several referrals this week which is great news! Just wishing, praying, and hoping for some court dates VERY soon!

Have a blessed weekend,
Tina
***God will strengthen you with His own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient. Colossians 1:11

I AM THANKFUL FOR CHILD #2-

Although we were not quite expecting to have child #2 quite when we did, we are still very thankful for him. Randy was a bit of a surprise in more ways than one. We thought we were going to wait a little longer between our first two kiddos. God thought differently! There is only 2.5 years between the two. AND Randy arrived 3 weeks early on New Year's Day. YES...SURPRISE & HAPPY NEW YEAR! Randy will soon turn 17 and I am still trying to figure out where those 17 years went? He has always been my sensitive child...if he did something wrong he would always tell on himself and apologize. Tifanie had him playing whatever she wanted because she would tell him she didn't want to play with him and he would say...it's ok sissy I will do it your way. He was always giving in to her. My boy has plans to join the military this year when he turns 17. I have mixed emotions about this. I have known for several years this was his plan but the time got away from me and now...well...I am in denial that he is really old enough to make this choice! :) It is hard enough saying good-bye to my husband BUT I can not imagine saying good-bye to my son! I know God has great plans for him and I am thankful He has given me the chance to be Randy's Mom.

Thanks son for all you have done and will do!

Hope you are enjoying your Friday!
Tina

I AM THANKFUL FOR CHILD #1!

Tifanie made me a Mommy for the first time. Tifanie was born in Germany while Don was serving there. We spent the first 3+ years of our marriage in Germany. It was tough but great at the same time. Boy could I share stories...but not today! :) Tifanie was born almost 6 weeks early in a German hospital. What an experience! She spent the first week of her life in the hospital and I did not leave!! I never knew I could love something so much as I did this teeny tiny little baby! Tifanie has gotten us through a lot of firsts...and not all were fun...not all were easy but we have learned from each other and she has certainly taught me a lot about being a good Mom. I am so very proud of the young lady she is. She is a very giving person and I see it all the time. She is going to school to become a ....well she is unsure right now. BUT we are so proud of her for sticking with school!

SO...Thank you Tifanie for being such a great and fun daughter! And thank you God for blessing me with my first baby girl!

Have a great day,
Tina

I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR MY HUBBY!!!

My husband is a wonderful man. I could not have asked for a better man to spend my life with and for a better Daddy for my kiddos. He is a fixer and always has been. He feels very helpless if he can not fix things when we are upset. So you can imagine how hard the last 3 years have been for him. And I have not made it easy on him...poor guy! He will ask what he can do and I say...get me my baby boy...the look in his eyes is enough to know that if he could have, it would have been done!
He is a very hard worker in everything that he does. It drives me crazy sometimes but I know he is doing it for our family. He would do anything for his family, his friends, his soldiers, and even a complete stranger. I always say he doesn't know a stranger!!
God has truly blessed me with a perfect mate!
Thank you, Honey, for putting up with all of us and for making our lives better just by being here for us and taking care of us.

Happy Wednesday,
Tina

I AM THANKFUL FOR GOD'S LOVE FOR ME...

I am certainly not derserving of this love...but yet He gives it! I am constantly giving Him my worries, fears...and things I can not control. AND then I take them back. I have been in a constant begging state these past 3 years...and He is still there granting...watching...carrying me through. The day I saw our little guy for the first time...I was reminded that His hand has been in this all along. How do I know? His name...the meaning of his name...the day we received the call...and there are many other things.
SO...Thank you, God for loving me with an unconditional love...even though I am so not deserving!


*****CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SALYERS FAMILY!! They passed court today and will hopefully be on their way to get the beautiful baby girl very soon!!

Blessings to all today!
Tina
**Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1

THANKFUL POSTS...

I am going to try and post all the things I am thankful for up to Thanksgiving Day. I wanted to start with a devotion that I read a few days ago.

BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE...

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you, And be gracious to you. Numbers 6:24-25

Have you counted you blessings lately? You should. Of course, God's gifts are too numerous to count, but as a grateful Christian,you should attempt to count then nonetheless. Your blessings include life, family, friends, talents, and possessions, for starters. And your greatest gift-a treasure that was paid for on the cross and is yours for the asking- is God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
As believing Christians, we have all been blessed beyond measure. Thus, thanksgiving should become a habit, a regular part of our daily routines. Today, let us pause and thank our Creator for His blessings. And let us demonstrate our gratitude to the Giver of all things good by using His gifts for the glory of His kingdom.

God is always far more willing to give us good things than we are anxious to have them.
Catherine Marshall

Have a blessed Monday!
**Congratulations for the referrals today!!
Tina
***Lord, You have given me so much, and I am thankful. I know that every good thing You give me is to be shared with others. I give thanks for Your gifts...and I will share them. AMEN

6 MONTHS...

Our little guy is 6 months old today. I can't believe he is already 6 months. Time sure flies when you are waiting...waiting...waiting! :) Sure hope it will not be much longer before we have him home. I know for sure it will be another few months...Please Lord...give me peace for the wait!

7 WEEKS...

It has been 7 weeks since we saw little guy and have been waiting for a court date. Today we hit a bump that could delay things. We are praying it will not delay it much if at all but we just don't know. It has been tough to take today. I am trying to be positive but it gets hard sometimes!

Today...after I heard about this bump...I prayed and cried and asked why??? We will be hitting 3 years in about a month...Yes...3 YEARS!!!!! I am still trying to figure out what I am to learn through all this...Please anyone want to weigh in here?? I do know that as I prayed I heard these words...TRUST IN ME...TINA...TRUST IN ME! So...

I came down to the living room and did my Bible Study lesson (yeah for me, done early and not at the last minute like last time! :)) I read the lesson and of all things it was on waiting. HMMM...

So...as hard as it is, and it is not like I have a choice... I will wait. I will pray for peace...I will trust in HIM and I will keep my eyes focused on where they should be. This has not been an easy journey but is so worth it. I am thankful that I have his picture to look at and it does help. He is the most beautiful little one EVER!

I hope you all have a blessed weekend,
Tina
***"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

VETERAN'S DAY...

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!!

Today I want to thank all of the men & women of the military for all that you have done or are still doing for all us here! I know all too well the sacrifices that are made by you and your families and I am so proud of you who serve our country with pride!

Most of all I want to thank my Dad and Father in law for their service in Vietnam. I know it was not easy. I know this more now than I have ever before. Growing up I was not always aware of the sacrifices they made. But the older I get the more I am learning of it and the more I see. I am very proud of these two men!

I also want to thank my husband!! He has served now for 21+ years! He loves it...I can't always say I do. It is not easy to say good bye over and over again. But...I can do this knowing that He is doing it for me and for our children and even for all of you! He is a good man...and is willing to take the responsibility to fight for our freedom when he is called to do so.

Our children see this in him and he has passed it on to them. I am thankful for that. Our family has seen what going through a war is like first hand. We have lived in the land of the unknown...I think that has made us more aware of others who are dealing with this right now. I pray daily for the families who have lost their loved ones...and for the families who will spend the holidays apart...it is not easy but with A lot of support and prayer...and most of all God...you will survive it! We did...and will again when the time comes! I can't promise no complaining or tears...but I can promise that I will be proud of him when he goes!

SO...please say a prayer for those serving today. (Don has troops in Afghanistan and Iraq) AND say a prayer for those who have fought before! And remember those who have lost their lives for your freedom BUT please also remember the families here at home living the unknown!

Have a blessed day,
Tina
***Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called the sons of God. Matthew 5:9

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!

Yes...the post is right! Last night hubby and I went Christmas shopping to try and finish up our list. I love having our Christmas Club account it makes it so much easier to do the shopping.
We still have a few things to get and then some stocking things but for the most part we are done...WOOHOO!!!!

Here is Heidi and Emilie checking out the Toys**R**Us catalog when we got it! They laid there together for about 30 minutes checking it out and then Heidi began trying to tear it apart!! :)

This weekend I have a women's breakfast to attend and then we are going to my inlaws for the day (Sat). Sunday I am hoping we can go to the movies (mattinee) and see the new Christmas Carol movie.

Hope you all have a blessed weekend!
Tina
***For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all He does. Psalm 33:4

6 WEEKS...

It has been 6 weeks since we saw our little guy's face. I am so looking forward to updated pictures in the next month. I am sure he has changed some...they do that so much at this age.

This has been a great week in the adoption world. There have been several referrals...WOOHOO, and I hear that there were court dates given today as well...YEAH!!! Although, I sure wish it was ours, I am very happy for those who did receive their court dates I know so many have been waiting longer than we have. I am still praying we will get ours very soon. PLEASE!!!

We are going to go do some Christmas shopping tonight. I am usually about done with it by now. I do have some bought and put up but need to get it finished. We are going to visit family this weekend so we can pick up some of our Christmas stuff from the storage unit. It usually takes us 3 trips to get everything. Since Thanksgiving is so late in the month this year we may decorate a little earlier...but I may need to be motivated first!!

Hope you all have a blessed day!
Tina
***Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18

PRAYING FOR THE MOUNTAIN TO MOVE...

Today my devotion was...WHEN MOUNTAINS MOVE.

I thought I would share.

You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2

God gives the gifts; we, as believers, should accept them- but oftentimes, we don't. Why? Because we fail to trust our Heavenly Father completely, and because we are, at times, surprisingly stubborn (AMEN!!!). Luke 11 teaches us that God does not withhold spiritual gifts from those who ask. Our obligation, quite simply, is to ask for them.
Are you a woman who asks God to move mountains in your life, or are you expecting Him to stumble over molehills? Whatever the size of your challenges, God is big enough to handle them. Ask for His help today, with faith and fervor, and then watch in amazement as your mountains begin to move.

God uses our most stumbling, faltering faith steps as the open door to His doing for us "more than we ask or think." Catherine Marshall

*After hearing last week that we most definitely would not be seeing our little guy before or by Christmas I struggled. To be honest...I thought I was doing a great job of keeping it together!! I kept telling everyone it would be the beginning of January...maybe the very end of Dec. BUT I was and AM still praying for a miracle. So after reading the update and seeing that others travel dates (still tentative) have been moved back I was so heavy hearted. I had a BIG cry...I prayed for peace...and now I am still working on being ok with all of it! We are still waiting for a court date, which I am hoping and praying it will be in early Dec!
This month I want to try and focus on the things I am thankful for in my life. I will start my thankful posts next week and work up to Thanksgiving Day.

Have a blessed evening!
Tina
***Dear Lord, the Bible tells me that when I ask for Your help, You will give it. I thank You, Lord, for Your help, for Your love, and for Your son! AMEN