Won't See This Often

I've been wanting to share these pics of Kam in a dress...She's a beautiful girl inside & out no matter what she's wearing, but typically it's NOT a dress (I think I can count two times since she was three!) In the first pic she's with one of her best friends, Dante, & the second shows her with her best girl friends, Kenzie & Libby. The last picture was fun b/c her sister, Kearsten, had to jump in on the photo action! Love those girls........Enjoy the pics!

By the way, 8 DAYS TIL WE GO TO COURT TO ADOPT PUNKIE!!!! WOO-HOO!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Bubby!!!

Today, our "Mr. Bubby" is 10 years old!! I just had to post this picture...Kade is serious about his football! The boy threw for 3 touchdowns yesterday and had two long runs for TDs yesterday. This kid has LOVED sports since he was little...no trucks for him, he was all about any ball he could get his hands on! He is very much looking forward to next year when he gets to play tackle...oh, mercy!

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While we are so proud of you, Kade, for how well you do with all your sports, we are even more proud because you have such a big heart!! You have been such an awesome big brother to Punkie, & I admire you so much for the way you treat others with compassion. Last year when you were playing basketball & you stopped play on many occasions to allow your physically challenged teammate the opportunity to dribble, shoot the ball, & score was such an example of showing God's love to others. We love you, Mr. Bubby!!

Praying His Will

We had a sermon in church a couple of weekends ago that I cannot shake. The scripture reference was John 8: 48-59, but the specific hook for me was verses 49-50 (this is from The Message):

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Jesus said, "I'm not crazy. I simply honor my Father, while you dishonor me. I am not trying to get anything for myself. God intends something gloriously grand here and is making the decisions that will bring it about."

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So, what's my internal wrestling match about? We have made it no secret that we feel called to adoption and hope to adopt again once Punkie's is finalized (which, BTW, is on the docket for November 4th). I began praying about our next adoption awhile back, but after that time in church, I have had that FEELING...you know, where something's not quite right? I think it's the way I was praying.

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What have I been praying? That God would make it EASY this time. I've made no bones about the emotional toll these last couple years have taken. But, in my hope for it to be "easier", I have fallen back into the nasty habit of trying to take control. I'm afraid that I have set before myself a path that seems paved smooth instead of surrendering to whatever "gloriously grand" thing God has planned.

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Here are a couple of notes I jotted down from the sermon that continue to push me:

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"Jesus pushes us beyond our assumptions about everything."

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"Being connected to Jesus is being connected to the impossible. Jesus does the impossible through our obedience."

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This past Friday, my prayer changed. I wish I could say that I was on a mountaintop or somewhere glamorous, but it happened while I was folding laundry (lots of laundry):

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God, I know I asked that whatever was next, that it would be "easier", but I'm afraid that by looking to what seems "easiest" that maybe I'm not really on the right path. If You have something else planned, I want to submit to that, even if it seems "hard". I do not want to miss a blessing that You have for me just because I'm afraid.

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I don't know where this prayer will take us, but one thing I do know for sure is that even though the last two years have been a couple of the hardest of my life, God never left us and we have been blessed beyond measure. I also know that I do not want to live a "safe" existence that conforms to this world's idea of sanity. I am surrendering my plans because I know and trust that His plans will be way better than anything I can conceive and He will take care of the tough stuff. Call me crazy, but I simply want to honor Him.........

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that we are scheduled for court to finalize Punkie's adoption on NOVEMBER 4TH!

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I am thankful that we have an awesome adoption caseworker & attorney that are "bustin' it" for us.

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I am thankful for friends that turned around yet another batch of references in record time without so much as a grumble.

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I am thankful for prayer warriors who continue to pray this sweet girl home as well as for our family & my sanity, in general.

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I am thankful that we serve a mighty God that is generous with encouragement when it would be just as easy to smack me upside the head when I become so easily frustrated.

Over Another Hurdle...Heading for The Finish

I was completely exhausted yesterday, so I am just now posting this news. It truly has felt like a marathon of sorts, but we are almost there!! We have been officially "matched" with Punkie, and we have signed the paperwork accepting her as our adoptive placement! Yay, God!!!

We have been hoping to have her adopted before the end of the year, and the court date has been set for December 2. However, our caseworker has been working so hard and said she was actually hoping we might get it in November b/c that is National Adoption Month. Well, our attorney marched straight over to the court, and they have an opening on November 4th. Oh, mercy, wouldn't that be wonderful!?! We will have to wait until Monday to see if our caseworker is agreeable with this because that is really quick and she does have certain paperwork that she has to have submitted 20 days prior to finalization. We would appreciate prayers...I believe with God, nothing is impossible!

I am still not able to share her name & pictures, but hopefully soon!!

Be Blessed ~ Dardi

Fall Tradition

Beginning in September, the kids start saying, "It's almost time for Pumpkin Bars!" This is a FAVORITE treat that I began making years ago around the first of October. They are super easy, & everybody seems to like them (hey, how can you not like something that is covered in cream cheese frosting!?!?). Enjoy!!

PUMPKIN BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

4 eggs

1 2/3 c. sugar

1 c. oil

16 oz. can pumpkin

2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

Beat eggs, sugar, oil & pumpkin. Add dry ingredients; mix well. Spread in ungreased 15 x 10 x 1 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Frosting:

3 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/4 c. butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. powdered sugar

Beat until smooth & spread over cooled pumpkin bars.