We're down to less than a week. The packing has begun. The feeling of change is in the air. Trenner is having an especially hard time today. He's been crying on and off all morning. {it's nap time right now, and I might just join him in a little cry myself}  So, we went to the park and walked laps. While walking he tells me he's scared and sad. He's sad E doesn't have a mommy and daddy yet. He's glad, though, that we are going to be her family. He's excited to have E home. He can't wait to hold her and kiss her cheeks, he says. He wants a sister. But, he doesn't want mom and dad to leave him to go get her. And we talk about how sad she must be to never have had a mommy and daddy. We talk about how in the next few weeks, he might get sad sometimes when he thinks of us being gone, but he can celebrate knowing that we are coming home. And I do my best to explain to him that just because we're doing something we know is good, doesn't mean it's going to be easy. Sometimes it won't even be fun. But it's worth it. And I rest in peace knowing on the hard days, my boys will have many family and friends to lift them up. They will want for nothing. They won't miss out on any snuggles or hugs. They will be surrounded by love. We are so thankful for family and friends, near and far, for giving up their homes, their time, their love, for our boys. I'm thankful that my boys will be covered in prayer. Yesterday, we were blessed to be surrounded by dear friends and family. They listened to our story. They heard our praises and concerns. They laid hands on us. Prayed over us. Prayed over our boys. Prayed over our daughter. No detail left out. No request unspoken. And I know we will be fine. Our sweet family of 4 {soon to be 5!} will be just fine. We have Him and you on our side. So, I reassure Trenner that we love him. God loves him. I reassure Solomon that we love him. God loves him. I thank Jesus for this last week at home with no work. Extra time for extra snuggles. Extra time to soak in Jesus's promises. and my heart is calm.

Until Edna's home,  

Thank you just isn't enough....

I can't even begin to express the gratitude our family is feeling for all of you. Really, it's just a bit overwhelming. As of today we are fully funded for our in country costs. We even had someone donate towards our plane tickets home. {I didn't include the cost of tickets in our total because we really have no idea how much they're going to cost. But, we do know that The Lord will provide exactly what we need exactly when we need it.} His promises rang true yesterday. He put us on this path not to forsake us, to leave us needing or alone. He put us here so we would fully rely only on Him. He put us here to show us exactly Who He is. To show us exactly what He can do. And He used you, His awesome and faithful children and we're in awe. Again, thank you really doesn't begin to express our hearts, but it's really all I can say right now. So, thank you. Thank you a thousand times over.

The sweet outfit my mom made E. I cannot WAIT to see how cute she looks in it!

Ya'll ready for this?! buhduhduh duhn duhn duhn

As of right now for our time in country, we are short ONLY $500{ish}! Straight.up.miracle. No doubt! If you're feelin' generous, loving, and awesome and want to help us on this final stretch, we might dance around for joy, cry a little, smile a lot, and just give you a big ol' hug! We cannot thank you, thank you, thank you enough for all you have done for us thus far. Our hearts are full.

until Edna's home {which will be sooooon!},

You guys, I have just been completely blown away through this whole journey to Edna. Really, there's just no denying that this is the road the Lord wants us on. We are leaving in *gasp* 10 (and a half) days! People keep asking what I'm struggling with. How I'm feeling. And really, the truth is, pretty peaceful. Don't get me wrong. I most definitely have my moments. Paperwork. Oh the paperwork. and thinking about how I'm gonna pack ALL my stuff in my little carry on. And, of course, it wears on my nerves a bit thinking about leaving the boys. But over all, God has certainly blessed me with peace and excitement for this new chapter. Family member and friends who are sacrificing their homes and time for our boys. Meeting lots of people who are in EE right now, helping me walk through this process. A sweet friend who just got to spring her sweet boy from the same home E's in. Chatting with her has been tremendous. {I mean, really, what did we do without modern technology?!} And then going over our money and budget with Trey. Holy.Cow. We literally started with nothing in our adoption account when we committed to E in November. And now guess what?!? Through the faithfulness of the Lord and so so many of you, we are soooo close to being funded!  I don't have the exact number off hand, but will have it by tonight. So, stay tuned and prepare to be amazed right along with us! We can't thank you enough for your prayers, your support, and all the love you've thrown this way.

until Edna's home,

Ohhhhh Solomon....

"Hey! My brown buns are hanging out."

"Dis poop looks like a banana."

"Dis is some floppy cheese."

"My name's Bottom. Bottom. Hahahahaha." -quoting from Despicable Me 2

"Look mom! No pee on the floor."

"Daddy-O. Mommy-O. Nenni-O (Trenner). Mimi-O." Aparently adding an O to the end of anything makes you clever and oh so funny...

"Pitcher's got a rubber arm!"

Oh, Solomon. You keep us on our toes as well as rolling on the floor....

Today.

"Do not worry about tomorrow! This is not a suggestion, but a command. I divided time into days and nights, so that you would have manageable portions of life to handle. My grace is sufficient for you, but it's sufficiency is for only one day at a time."
-Jesus Calling

One day at a time is hard. A to-do list a mile long. Papers, papers and more papers needing filled out. Planning our boys' lives while we're gone. Budgeting for our time away. It really just goes on and on. And today slips away while I'm consumed with tomorrow. and we suffer.

Yesterday, we focused on the day in front of us and only that day. We surprised the boys {and ourselves!} with a trip up to the dunes in Michigan. It's one of our favorite of all places. Only 2 hours away and a mere $8 to play in the sand, sun, and waves all.day.long. Snacking on our picnic all day. Lounging in the shade of our umbrella. Shivering in the freezing water. Watching in awe as Trenner and Trey trecked all the way to the top of the dunes. No worries, no lists. Just us and the day.

'The' Call

It happened. It finally happened after what seemed like an eternity! sheesh. We got 'the' call today. The call that told us we need to plan on flying out August 5th to go meet our daughter. The call that will forever change our family. The call that begins the journey to love and redemption and joy. The journey to our little girl. We have 4 weeks to prepare. 4 weeks to ready our hearts. our boys' hearts. and we couldn't be more excited! Unfortunately we only have 4 more weeks to become funded. Right now we're short about $5,000. BUT, we know the Lord has orchestrated this story. We know He will not leave us hanging or lacking. We're thankful for His faithfulness and the faithfulness of His children. If you feel the Lord tugging on your heart strings about helping us close this final gap, we will be ever grateful. We're thankful for your encouragement, your prayers. We're thankful you all have come along this journey with us.


until Edna's home, xo-

Oh how I long to kiss those cheeks!