Lots to Celebrate!!

Ok, girls (ahem, Rebecca & Laurellee)...you're cracking me up! Thanks for the little fire lit under my rear to get a post up. Yep, been a bit busy, so here's what's been happenin':

We have LOTS to celebrate as of late!! First, I am celebrating the fact that I FINALLY seem to have found an acceptable paint color for the little girls' room. Who knew that shades of coral could have neon properties?? True story...I tend to always second guess paint colors as soon as I start putting them on the wall, but I've learned to reserve judgment until it's had time to dry. I was really not liking this color as I was getting it on the walls, but knew I had a real problem when I turned on my ladder to see Kaya looking at it with shielded eyes. Yes, it was that bad, & no, I didn't take pictures b/c I was feeling a bit bitter about the whole thing. As of 9:30 last night, I do believe we have it right, so when I finish up their room, I will share pictures of that!

Last weekend, we got to celebrate Daddy's birthday! It was great to hang out with family & to celebrate Joe. I think we enjoyed being together so much that, well, no pictures of that either.

This past Saturday night, we got to celebrate a sectional championship for our girls' basketball team...the first one in a VERY long time!! We are so proud of Kam & her teammates b/c the last two seasons have been really rough b/c they were so young, but they have worked hard with their coaches & have made great strides this year. Looking forward to their district game this Thursday! And on this occasion, I was not a complete failure as we managed to get some pictures!

Kam is beside me, & beside Joe is Sydni, Kam's official, unofficial little sister.

There really is nothing better than sharing M&Ms with Grandma & Grandpa at a basketball game!

On the adoption front (have you been waiting for this?), we continue to celebrate! We are celebrating the fact that approximately 120 people/groups/families joined us in Bringing Kemeri Home & so lovingly gave over $8500 towards her adoption and many, many more have let us know they are praying her home!!!! We celebrate the love of God poured out through each & every person & pray God's blessing on you...You are AWESOME!!!

AND

WE CELEBRATE THAT ON MARCH 19TH, 2012, KEMERI ABIGAIL WILL BE IN MY ARMS!!!!

Yes, friends, we have travel approval, & Kade & I are scheduled to leave for China on March 15th. Oh, my tummy does flip-flops just typing that!!! It is so surreal that it's happening! I'm trying to stay in preparation mode, b/c if I let the thoughts of finally seeing her & holding her enter into my head, I turn into a hot mess. Just buying her socks the other day did me in.

So, back to my lists I go, but not before I share one more picture of smiling faces! Thanks for celebrating with me!!!

Due Date In Sight {I Think...I Hope}

Sorry it's been quiet in these parts. The love poured out on our family recently left me kind of speechless. I promise to give an update on the outcome of God's provision soon.

In the meantime, thought I'd give a little update. I've been doing a lot of pondering lately. And crying. And nesting. Is there such a thing as adoption hormones?? I don't know, but I am all over the board people. All. Over. The board.

I look around me & feel abundantly blessed to be married to my best friend & have the privilege of being Mommy to these children. It is not easy, but it is never dull, & there are moments of beauty & joy that take my breath away. There are tough moments to walk through, but we do it together. And it's worth it.

Our 2 oldest daughters began their student teaching/field experiences a few weeks ago. I have loved hearing their classroom stories, & I am amazed at how these two little girls suddenly became young women. I find it interesting & awesome all at the same time that even though they don't share their Daddy's genes, they have inherited his heart for children that are hurting & broken, choosing to see beauty & potential where others have given up.

We have been going to basketball games, doing school projects, *trying* to organize some things, painting, rearranging, painting some more. My upstairs currently looks like something exploded, but we're working on that when we're not otherwise engaged with the Tiny Tornado. We were recently missing Kade's ipod & the TV remote which turned out to be in the garbage along with a couple of toys, bottles of lotion, & a pair of boots. We've now graduated from digging things out of the trash to fishing them out of the toilet. Per Kade, "Somebody needs to keep an eye on Kendi." I do believe a better defensive strategy is in order.

Why, yes, this post is definitely all over the board. I warned you. I go from enjoying these moments of life to obsessing over timelines, paperwork, etc., etc., not to mention the fact that there's a little girl on the other side of the world that is becoming a part of our family! I am happy to say that the paperwork, for the most part, is done. We are awaiting Article 5 pick-up on Friday, & then our wait for travel approval officially begins. As I was filling out our visa applications (not fun), I informed my husband while home on his lunch break that if he'd had to either physically birth our children or take care of all this paperwork, we would probably be childless. He didn't disagree...Instead, he left the house & returned with a bag of M&M's. He's a good man.

So, now that I don't have the endless amounts of paperwork to distract my thoughts, my mind is going a million miles an hour. What will it be like to meet her? What will it feel like to kiss her cheeks? How long is her hair now? (We haven't gotten any new pictures since she was 18 months old, & I'm not sure we will.) My arms ache to hold her. But I can't yet, so I pray. I pray that the Lord is preparing her heart. I pray that she has been shown our pictures so that there is some bit of familiarity. I pray for her health. I pray for everyone that will stay home while Mommy & Kade go away for 2 weeks. I pray. and cry. and eat chocolate. But, I digress.

Still with me? Well, you just crazy b/c I don't even think this mess amounts to any bit of sense, but since you did, here's a couple of sweet pictures for hanging in there with me.

XO ~ Dardi