Botanic Gardens: End of the Season (?) Visit

I have always thought of the Botanic Gardens as a 'summer' place to visit, when the blooms are alive & at their peak. And I know it is beautiful during that season. But, we recently went with some friends and I found the end-of-the-season landscaping/plants to be just as amazing. Here are some pictures of the plant life. Photos of the human-life, the friends we went with, to come shortly :)

 

 

 

Corn Maze with the Plattner Pals!

Our Nashville cousins (aunt/uncle, too) were in town recently. While Blake was at a work event, Xander and I tagged along on our first ever Corn Maze adventure. All I can say, good thing we had some 'big kids' along or we might STILL be trekking thru the cornfield :)

racing ahead of zachary

X-man with Miss Moriah

feed Mr. Bunny. the x-man LOVES bunnies, much to his daddy's delight who has fond (and sometimes not-so-fond) memories of raising bunnies when younger

   

very important! must punch the card!

 

emily, savannah, elijah, jonathan, xander, zachary & moriah

 

Playing At the Park

With the chill of the fall season fast descending, I am all too aware of the limited number of park days that remain. Just a couple of shots of our latest park adventure with cousins, Isaak & Brooke.

 

 

Love This Drew-by!

So much fun to see the X-man loving on his cousins. We helped bale some hay while downstate recently and these two guys were my 'helpers' as I kept them occupired and safe, while all they wanted to do was be close to gpa/dad. I had them run around the hayfield picking up loose hay piles; soon they were giggling together and having a blast! 

 

Farming Buddies

While taking a break for the fields outside (it was Sunday afternoon), Xander and Isaak practice their inside farming skills. Pictures can be deceiving, though. These images do not begin to capture the number of brawls/shouts/screeching and other such boy-ness that accompanied their farming together-ness. Who cares if there are 2 combines and 5 tractors in the room -- I want THAT one, now! 

 

Football Guys

Alexander does not believe it is possible to play football without hiking his shoulders up to his ears and flexing. Here he is showing of his 'skills' with cousin Ethan who has a REAL football costume :)

Adoption Update

Unlike our first adoption when posts about our progress headlined this blog, I have (obviously) not written as much about our second adoption journey. The main reason? Instead of simply aniticipating being parents, we ARE parents and that keeps us plenty occupied & blessed. Secondly, I have come to realize my mind can too easily become fixated on the when/how/whys. God has been teaching me that my questions/desires/fears are just as safe and seen by Him when tucked within my heart as those which are daily pulled to the surface and expressed.  

Nonetheless, many of you have inquired about our 'status' and shared with us that you are praying. Thank you! Here is an attempt at answering the most frequently asked questions of late.

Why is the wait so long? Not sure exactly; a combination of things perhaps. (1) Revised Ethiopian governmental regulations and paperwork requirements. (2) Orphanages closing their doors, not because of a lack of orphans but because of staffing, funding or other circumstances. (3) Part of God’s plan in allowing us to become involved with the Safe Families for Children ministry at a heart level, not just a way to fill the time but in a no-turning-back manner.

When do we expect a referral/to be matched with a child? We are hoping & praying, and hoping & praying, this will happen before the end of the year. It is possible. In the meantime, we hope for the best and prepare our hearts for the reality that it might not/probably will not happen this soon. 

Where are we at with things emotionally? We are okay, on most days. It is unsettling to believe your child is somewhere on the other side of the world without knowing that child’s story or having an image to look upon. In addition, the knowledge that another family’s pain/heartbreak is a pre-requisite to OUR joy…well, these emotions can only be resolved by trusting in the sovereignty of God whose ways are above our ways & thoughts above our thoughts.

How can you pray for us/continue to pray for us? Pray for patience. Pray for JOY in the waiting. Pray we do not become self-focused but instead see opportunities to serve others. Pray our hearts can continue to be prepared for transitioning to a family of four. Pray we can treasure our Alexander without the burden of fear in wondering exactly how we will bond with/love another child – okay, so perhaps I am more anxious about this last item than Blake :)

Thanks for joining us on our adoption journey. Thanks for loving us. And thanks for praying for our family.