Hoping, Praying, Waiting for you

Hoping, Praying, Waiting for you

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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Summertime!



I love that being a teacher allows me summers off with my kids.  I get time for slower mornings, fun adventures and even the chance to check some things off the "to do" list.  Yesterday we had a wonderful trip to the zoo, just us girls.  We ate lunch while waiting for the Sparky Show, checked out the animals and ended the trip with a nice surprise that it was Free Monday for the carousel - I happened upon it yesterday, but found out it happens every 3rd Monday in June, July and August so we will probably making a return appearance :)  Here are a few pictures of our much welcomed stress-free day:


I am so blessed by these two sweeties and am also continuously amazed by all the new things they are learning.  Shannon spends her days making art projects as gifts for the rest of the family, reading books to ME, and just yesterday I taught her how to tie her shoes.  Today she woke up begging to tie shoes again today and promptly borrowed one of her daddy's shoes, slipped her foot inside and tied the shoe all on her own with no help or reminders from me.  Amelia has decided she is too big for me to dress her anymore and insists on putting all her clothes on herself - including her big girl underwear since she is now potty trained.  She wakes up with a smile and a snuggle almost everyday and loves to copy her big sister.  I love how much they love each other and play so well together (that's not to say they always get along). 

I'm also dreaming about what future summers will be like as our family grows and the adventures they will have together :)

Friday, June 15, 2012

A change of events

After the news Monday about the bank wanting more for the Chaparral house in Apple Valley than we originally wanted to pay we spent the next few days looking at several other houses on the market.  None of them felt like "home" and the next best option was one that would take a significant amount of elbow grease and money.  We came home a bit discouraged, and decided to ask our mortgage lender to run the numbers on the new bank offer for the Chaparral house.  Turns out with interest rates as low as they are now, it really wasn't a huge increase from the monthly amount we had planned for. 

We still weren't 100% sure if we wanted to go back to it with the increased price so Ben and I dressed the girls in their jammies after dinner, hopped in the car and drove by about 5 or 6 houses that were "possibilities" ending at the Chaparral house - many of which we had already been inside earlier with our realtor.  We prayed for God to give us direction and peace about which house should be home, or possibly to wait for one we hadn't seen yet.  Some houses we were able to rule out immediately without getting out of the car, others we walked around the property.  When we finished at the Chaparral house, we each took turns walking around it.  As we drove away we asked how we each felt.  Ben went first and said exactly how I was feeling as well: "That is home, and it gave me a great sense of peace when we pulled up to it."

While it isn't the price we planned on, it is within our budget.  I can't help but think back to the Sunday we announced in church the sellers had accepted our offer and a woman in front of us (who we'd never talked to before that Sunday) found us after church.  She gave us the bag of coins and said she felt like God wanted her to give them to us to remind us that saving for the adoption process, including purchasing a new home, won't be easy but God will always provide.

This decision just feels right and both Ben and I are at peace with God's timing and plan.  Currently we are looking at a possible closing date in August and then we can move forward with the home study process to bring our future children home someday.  I look forward to seeing how the rest of this adventure unfolds :)

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

And the search continues...

So, things have not exactly gone according to our plans recently.  We found out two days ago we are not getting the Chaparral house in Apple Valley - the bank for the short sale came back and wants 32K more than the listing price, even though we already offered 15K above asking price.  It was difficult news to hear, especially after 4 months of waiting and dreaming up decorating ideas, but we are reminding ourselves that must not be the house God wants us to be in. 

In addition to the news about losing the house we wanted, we've also been dealing with major issues in our rental property in Sleepy Eye involving completely gutting the basement from 8 inches of sewage backup.  Long story short, it has been a stressful last 2 weeks and we are ready for some good news.  I am trying my best to trust in God's plan and timing and remember He sees the bigger picture. 

My "silver lining" has been my summer days home with my sweet girls.  Whenever I've been close to tears Shannon or Amelia, or both, have somehow managed to do something that makes me smile.  They are definitely two amazing blessings in my life, as well as my handy hubby who is plugging away at all the repairs for the Sleepy Eye house.

I could, and honestly have been tempted to, sit and wallow in our bad news streak.  My heart aches for our future children and I am eager to officially start the adoption process so we can bring them home.  This past couple of weeks feels like we are moving backwards.  Fortunately, though, there are also so many wonderful things surrounding my life and I am choosing to focus on the countless blessings God has given this family and cast my cares upon Him.

So for now, we continue the hunt for the right house and wait to see what adventures God has in store for us as we look to grow our family.  We are praying for wisdom and guidance in this process and for protection and care for whoever it is that our future children will be.