This kid

Luke should never be underestimated. When he does things, he goes all out. I mean, really. It's full force all the way. In fact, he even can throw a fit so big he holds his breath, passes out and will even pull off a seizure every now and then. I may be a nurse but he is keeping me on my toes for sure. (No worries, Doc knows and he will grow out of it.) Oh, and is he persistant. But along with that big-ness comes the biggest smiles, the biggest laughs, and the biggest ball of joy. Luke knows no stranger. He loves big! And we like him. Thinking he is going to do great things for the Kingdom some day.

Experimenting with my make-up all AFTER he had climbed up to the table, spilled his sisters milk only to play in it, later to find a crayon in which to create new artwork on the walls all over the house. All in one morning.

Welcome, Spring

What better way to say "Welcome back, Spring", other than just flat out enjoying it. While Abigail and I were out on a little dessert and a movie girls' night the boys did just that. They ran in it, raced in it, rode in it, rolled in it, and ATE IT UP. Oh Spring, how we have missed you!

Thrilled to introduce...

Hannah Sitota Giddens

The joy came this morning with a blank email from our agency director titled "CASE PASSED TODAY". Those may be the best three words we have heard is such a long time. Thank you all for your prayers. This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad!! Oh so glad!!

So now what...

• The court issues an adoption deed. (takes about 1 week)
• Paperwork is sent back to MOWA where a new birth certificate is issued. (about 1 week)
• Passport is issued. (about 1 week)
• Case is submitted to U.S. Embassy for review. They can request additional information from in-country agency staff.
• When Embassy finishes reviewing case and clears everything we are then given the okay to travel and agree on an appointment date to have our visa interview. The Embassy appointment usually occurs 6-8 weeks after we pass court, providing the case is not sent for exhaustive investigation.

See you soon, Hannah Giddens!!

Court update

We have been waiting with great expectation for this court date today. In fact, because of the news with the MOWA organization last week and them slowing adoptions by 90%, we worried that if we did not pass today it would be a very long time before we saw our daughter home. Today didn't happen as expected and as our small minds had hoped. It was bigger! God does bigger and better than we could ever imagine. So I guess you are wondering what went down. Well....

As you know we have all along been waiting for a letter of recommendation from MOWA for Hannah to be adopted by our family, the Giddens' family. We have awaited THREE court dates for this letter to arrive and it still had not made it there today. Unfortunate for us. But the good news is that the courts have ordered that MOWA have all missing letters on existing cases completed by Monday. ALL of them, whether they have to work through the night or not, they ALL must be completed. This is a cause for rejoicing for so many families. We are hoping and praying to this end. And, if the Lord wills it, and Hannah officially becomes a Giddens' next week, our agency believes we could be bringing her home in May.

So thank you for praying on our behalf. We ask that you continue to pray as we see this process out. Pray for Hannah and that her homecoming would be very soon, for ALL the waiting families, for MOWA as they set new policies, for the U.S. Embassy as they make decisions on adoptions there, for Ethiopia and its children who still wait for someone to call Mom and Dad.

Rejoicing and praising God for his goodness!!

Tory and Kedra

"How small minded are we to pray for a miracle for just us? And how great is our God to provide a miracle for so many!" -Derek and Tori Jones (waiting to bring home Zoe)

The Mud Hole 2011

Bring it on, SPRING, we are sooooo ready!

Saying goodbye...for now

When you come to seminary you meet some of the most amazing people in the world. They touch your lives, you grow together, you raise kids together, you laugh 'til your belly hurts together, you cry over sickness and almost death together. They become your family away from home. The Marshman's were one of these famlies to us. Unfortunately, you know from the day you meet that the time you spend "together" is temporary. And let me tell you people, it doesn't get any easier. So the time came last weekend for us to part. But we part with hope. The hope we have in Christ and for the day we will all be together again forever worshiping at His feet with these amazing people. (And hopes for plane tickets to L.A. very soon.) We love you friends. You are missed.

friends visiting

Carey and her kiddos came to visit in February (yes, I am way behind in blogging but the flood is about to be released. I think.). It is always such a great time with those guys and we miss them dearly. Check out this crazy crew.

Slumber party of the decade!!

Are these some fierce looking men or what!?