Thursday Update

I could not have asked for anything more. Andy came home from work a little early yesterday to help me in my desperate state of exhaustion and we had a much needed, light-hearted, family dinner. The kids were exhausted so we got them tucked in early and were able to get the house back into some state of order. It was not perfect, but thats okay. It was much more reflective of real life and that feels right!

We woke up this morning to our first "fever-free" day in our house since Nov. 4th! Our social worker came and to say she is wonderful would be an understatement. We had such an enjoyable conversation during the hour and a half of our joint interview. Caleb then lead us all on a tour of the house before Andy had his individual interview. It truly went so much better than I ever could have imagined in my wildest dreams. She will come back one more time after Thanksgiving to meet Zach and I will do my individual interview.

This means we are coming to the end of our homestudy portion of the process. We will soon begin working on our Dossier that will be sent to Russia in order for us to be issued travel dates to fly out there and meet our new son.

Next step...a house fire inspection. That means that real firemen get to come to our house. Rumor has it from friends that have done this before that they arrive in the fire truck. The boys will not know what hit them. This is going to be amazing!! I wonder if the firemen are used to posing for pictures while conducting a home fire inspection...well they better get ready!

Tonight is date night so we will go out and celebrate a successful homestudy and healthy kids!

Wednesday Update

We got the call from our social worker on Monday that she would be coming on Thursday morning (tomorrow) for her first of two visits to our house for the homestudy! This is wonderful news as it is another big step in the process. She has talked to two of our references over the phone and will be meeting with the third in person before she comes here tomorrow. Things are moving along.

I am once again amazed and grateful for the way that God continues to show me that I am not in control of this adoption. It is not about me and my ability to make this happen. It is in God's hands alone. My desire is to spend all week cleaning and making sure this house is the most perfect place she has ever seen. I want to spend all week anticipating and researching every need a child with down syndrome might have and give our social worker comfort in our huge knowledge of local resources for this child. Then I will be in control! I will make this happen and I will make sure we pass this homestudy inspection with flying colors. However, that will not be the case...

I am fighting to keep my eyes open even as I type this. Caleb and I spent the entire night in the emergency room. Both kids have been sick for days with a terrible virus that has been going around with spiking fevers. Zach is on the mend, but Caleb's breathing was very labored last night so off we went. So today in my bleary eyed state, rather than being super mom I am working on getting through the day and hopefully I will be able to clear a path through the house for the social worker to walk through tomorrow.

I feel peaceful knowing that God has been in control every step of the way and I know He will not leave us. He loves adoption and our future son and He loves us! We are also being held up by the amazing support of all of you! Thats all I need to know!

Okay, I am off to make another pot of coffee and turn on another episode of Bob the Builder.

So you might have noticed...

We've been blessed.

If you've been keeping score on our fundraising badge, you've noticed that a considerable amount of money has been donated toward our adoption. Thousands of dollars. Is this amazing? Yes. Do we know how to express our thanks adequately? No.

How did it happen? Simply put, God has been working through the generosity of his people...

...through the gifts of people who supported my half-marathon on Oct 1.

...through a friend who offered to loan us a little money at the perfect moment.

...through several people who gave large gifts that made us cry.

...through people who started drinking a new kind of coffee.

...through friends who generously turned their daughter's birthday party into a fundraiser without asking us.

...through people we've never met before who love orphans with Down Syndrome.

...through some California college students who spent a Saturday washing cars:

...maybe through you reading this right now. Thank you. God bless you.

The support we've received has truly been overwhelming. It is so humbling to be on the receiving end of such sacrifice and generosity. But it's a story that needs to be told, not because we are so great or our cause is so great, but because God is so great.

This summer, before we had told many people about it, I was feeling extremely anxious about the fact that we sensed a call to adoption but didn't have $30K laying around. How would this ever happen? Were we out of our minds?

Then, as if for the first time, I read some words that I'd read a million times before: "Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you." Really? Is that for real? All these things? Could it possibly be that if we follow God's call that he would be faithful to provide and make a way?

It's for real. God is providing for us through people near and far, through people we know well and people we've never met. We are so grateful. God is good.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Maggie's Retirement

After a long and distinguished career--almost 8 human years, 56 dog years--our loyal canine companion Maggie has decided to retire.  In a written publicity statement, Maggie said:

"It has been a good run with Andy and Bethany.  After a somewhat rocky start as a puppy with that terrifying crate and Andy's futile attempts to voice-train me, the Nagels and I enjoyed a good many years together.  They replaced both of my knees after frisbee-chasing injuries, fed me every day (it was so exciting each time!) and let me run around and sniff a lot of stuff.  They never kicked me, even when I barfed on the carpet all those times.  Things became especially fun when those smaller humans Zach and Caleb showed up, although it took a little while to get used to the constant tail and ear tugging and I did notice that I went on shorter walks.

However, I knew that it was time to move on when I heard that there was yet another small human that would be joining the family.  I started shopping my resume around but the doggie jobs are scarce these days.  Then, a great opportunity arose for me to go live with Ellen, this nice lady who Bethany calls "Mom" and the boys call "Mamoo."  When her dog Annie went to heaven, I applied for her position...and got it!

So it's clear to me that it's time for me to move on into the next phase of my life.  I'm very excited to live in Colorado with someone like Ellen (Annie had it pretty dang good, from what I saw.)  And, of course, I'm happy to work hard keeping another person company.  I'm really good at it!  I'm also happy for the Nagels and hope that new little guy comes soon.  Woof!"

So, Maggie flew on a plane to Colorado last week and is now enjoying the good life out in Colorado where the streets are paved with gold and dogs run around unleashed.  We miss her (especially how she cleaned up under the dinner table!), but are glad for her new life in Colorado!