10 months of waiting

when we started this journey we were not expecting a 10 month wait to receive our referral.  we were officially put on the waiting list on october 25, 2010, and we thought it would maybe take 6 months.

but here we are...over 10 months later...still waiting to see that precious face that God is going to bring into our family.  some days I am pretty good at waiting.  but there are other days when it is just hard.  it's hard not to wonder when...and who...and why not now?!

so.  to make the 10 month marker of our waiting journey into something fun...I thought I'd give away one of our shirts.  yes...we still have some!  you can see pictures of them at the top right of the blog.

I don't even know if anyone out there in blog land would like one...but if you do...just leave me a comment.  I'll draw 2 winners on friday.

giveaway! oh yessss!

gross but fun

most of the time I try to feed the girls healthy foods.  most of the time I try to eat that way, as well.  but sometimes we eat chocolate.  ok, we eat it a lot.  and sometimes I like to make fun things that I know the kids will go nuts for.  even if they aren't that healthy...and sound kind of icky to me.
last night I joined pinterest.  heaven help me with all the cool neatos I've already found in one hours worth of pinning and pin gazing.
I found this funny idea on one my friend keight's pinterest boards.  I don't even know what you'd call this.  some sort of turkey dog/spaghetti wonder.
we almost always have turkey dogs in the refrigerator because charlotte is a hot dog fanatic.  any time you ask her what she'd like to eat...she answers a hot dog.  even for breakfast.  fyi:  she doesn't eat them every day for every meal.
we also had spaghetti in stock...so I made this today for kid lunch.  mama had a salad.  but I would have rather had five guys burgers and fries.

start with this

 then put them together...throw them in boiling water

 have a fruit and cheddar cheese (previously devoured) appetizer

 and wow your children with this funny creation!

 she CANNOT believe it! 

 thanks mom, you are the BEST...even if this smells disgusting to you.

 we also tried a new to us fun beverage item today.  chocolate straws!  I found them at babies r us.

needless to say, the dockery children approved of today's lunch.  it was so fun to see their little eyes light up over such funny things.
speaking of dockery children.  I couldn't help it.  I bought a new crib sheet today that isn't girly.  I love it!!

come on baby...now you have a sheet without flowers.

our songbird

just to give more glimpses into our silly world...I present you with live footage.  the first is eden singing a kari jobe song called "no sweeter name".  it has a surprise bang up ending by charlotte.

the second is an original piece by miss eden.  she comes from a long line of musical theater dorks...and her favorite movies include: annie, the wizard of oz, and any disney movie that involves singing.  she can memorize a soundtrack in one day flat.  she sang before she talked.
I especially love her dramatic arm movements.
and how much she loves herself.

happy monday!

I never thought

 her hair would get this long

 she'd look so big to me

 her eyes would stay so blue

that she wouldn't need my help to climb this tree

I also never thought she'd tell me she didn't want her name to be eden anymore.  

instead she prefers petunia.

thankful for all these things I never thought.

thankful for this singing, drawing, sunshine girl.

muddy waters

to begin this muddy post I'll share a photo of the dirt dessert we made 2 nights ago.

I remember the first time I ever ate this delicious mix of pudding, oreos, and gummy worms.  it was at VBS and I was probably 8.  and I couldn't believe how great/exciting it was.  I still feel the same way.
onto more mud.
yesterday we had some rain, loud thunder, and a bit of hail here in the desert.
and after it was over and the hot sun was starting to emerge the girls wanted to go jump in muddy puddles.
why not?

after that...charlotte decided to pee in the grass. her favorite thing.  right through her panties.  so, of course I took a picture.

whatta gal.
we're loving this fun, muddy week.
adoption honesty:
mama is having a hard time waiting for baby brother.  but I'm just learning to trust and hope, trust and hope, and repeat.  next week will mark 10 months on the wait list for us.  it's been a twisty turny ride.  in the beginning we expected a 6 month wait for a referral (or match with a child).  we have been told to expect a 9-12 month wait at this point.  but, we'll see.  we know that we are at the top of the list, so that is encouraging.
praying for those waiting. those trying to get their kiddos home. and for ethiopian adoption.  we are so hopeful...and very ready!  oh boy, is this boy loved.

off to finish a thrilling game of strawberry shortcake memory cards.

same mess. different girl.

 eden.  blue eyes.  snow white skin.  almost 2 years old.  chocolate ice cream face.  sitting on the front porch bench.

charlotte.  green eyes.  brown as a berry.  already 2 years old.  chocolate ice cream face.  sitting on the front porch bench.

they are so beautiful to me it hurts.

where did the time go?

well...I didn't mean to take such a long bloggy break.  let's see if we can catch up.
we went to the beach!

and then, we spent time in Georgia with family and friends.

helped throw a baby shower for my bestie, nat!

ate ethiopian food and prayed and prayed that God would send us our little one.

and came home....just in time...for eden to start PRESCHOOL!!!
she was a little emotional.  I was a LOT emotional.  but she loves it and we are SO proud of her.

so, there you have it...3 weeks in a nut shell.
so thankful for our life!
as you can see we are still waiting for our referral.  9 1/2 months of official waiting.  we really don't have any idea how much longer we'll wait.  we are trusting God.  and we are so thankful for all of your prayers and kind words...it means the world!  tonight at dinner eden prayed that God would be with her baby brother, and that he would come home to us soon so that we can stop missing him so much.  I had to keep my head down for a few extra seconds to dry the tears :)  I pray the same things, sweet girl.