A wonderful Christmas Indeed!!

Ok so I have been really behind on my blogging. I think if there was no Facebook I would probably blog alot more but since that is easier to update--it's usually my go to. Anyways I hope all of you had a Very Merry Christmas. We did at the Pierce household. We have been making and baking all kinds of things. We made Peanut butter chex mix -which I totally oinked out on because it had reeces pieces in it. YUMMO! The kids decorated rice krispy houses at my parents. That was a huge hit. We had a lot of fun making reindeer pops. Of course, ours were not as pretty as the blog where I got the idea--it was still fun and they were yummy.

Our biggest Christmas present happened on December 20!!! This is what we got:

Lori & Michael-






Great news:



The cases of Disha have been passed by the court and now waiting for the court documents.


How awesome is that? We were granted verbal guardianship of our little lollipop. Thank you all for the prayers. Please keep them coming. We are really hoping we could travel by March but nothing has gone as planned in this adoption. We waited 6 months from NOC to pass court. I am blessed that we received our NOC so soon as so many friends are waiting months for that. It really hit home though that God is active while we are waiting. I was at work when I got the emails and let me tell you. . .  I was useless for the rest of the day. I was giddy and thankful and oh so happy. I had ran over the scenario in my mind countless times--"where would I be when we got the news?" "when would it be?" I have to tell you that it was the right timing because I had been so down and stressed about this and not even realizing it. It made this Christmas so much better even though she wasn't here with us. Now we are loaded up with more paperwork. I seriously wonder how many trees have been sacrificed for this adoption. lol!!

Christmas was indeed wonderful. It was low key and was great to celebrate with family and see our boys enjoy the season. Our Christmas Eve service at church was awesome. It really brought out the true meaning of the season.... Jesus. Mike and I have enjoyed playing endless games of bingo and Spongebob yahtzee junior with the kiddos. I'll leave you with our boys Christmas picture. Happy New Year!!! Love and blessings!!

Lori

Halloween Recap

So I know some people don't agree with Halloween but I seriously have great memories. It is just time with my friends and warm memories.  I lived in a good neighborhood growing up and had lots of friends. Halloween was safe and fun. Even though times have changed I want the  boys and soon to be girl to experience it. We went to a trunk or treat at a friend's church and the kids played games and ate hot dogs and candy. It was actually called Light the Night for Jesus. We went on a hayride and they received a glow in the dark cross necklace with a wonderful story of shining their light for Jesus. We then went home to our crazy neighborhood--cars everywhere. People come to our neighborhood to trick or treat. We live in THAT neighborhood. It's cool and all but not safe to drive in. Anyways we were home and the kids were alseep by 9pm.  I will leave you all with a picture of our mummy and friendly blonde vampire.

Patience

Ok I am going to go insane. We have gotten lots of updated pictures and video of Disha. It has been a true blessing. With that comes excitement and the anticipation of going to get our precious daughter. Tonight I received news that some people have waited 10 months to get their court written/verbal guardianships from their NOC. We have only waited 4 months and I thought we might be close. The fact that I may have to wait lots longer is a blow that I am struggling to deal with. The verse that comes to mind is Roman 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."  God knows best and HE has a plan.

Noah

We have been through a lot the past 2 wks with little Noah. He had his tonsils out and then 5 days later he hemorrhaged and we had to rush him to the ER for surgery at 2am to stop the bleeding. It was scary but he came thru like a champ and never whimpered. I am so proud of him.  Me... I was another story. He is doing lots better now. It sure is hard to keep a little 6 yr old boy from running around and playing--instructions from the Dr. At least we are on fall break and the kids aren't missing alot of school.

Imagine my surprise when I find a new picture of Jaron on facebook. It took me back. .. . I knew it was him but thought it was recent and for a moment I thought he was still on this earth and his death was a bad dream. I can't tell you the connection I have to him and it was evident when I saw this picture. I have to say it was great to see a picture of him looking so good. I love this picture because it's just so sweet. I love to see the ayah holding him. When you look at this picture please remember and think of 20 other kids with special needs that Sarah needs to bring to her Covenant homes ASAP. She is raising funds for this so if you need any info--please let me know. Here is her site on facebook http://www.facebook.com/schindia.

WE WANT LUCY HOME!!!

Ok we are trying this again. I wrote a blog post last night and it didn't post. AHH!!!! Anyways the title says it all. We are praying and praying for Lucy to be home by Christmas. We got our hopes up and a little too sure of ourselves when we received our NOC after 4 wks and we were quoted a possible wait time of 8-16 wks. Well this wk marks 8wks for a court date. We were quoted 8-16 wks for this as well. We have to keep reminding ourselves that God wants Lucy home with us (her family) more than we do. It's just very hard and I don't think people realize it. I have been ok until the past few days and it has just caught up to me. I have a child that needs their mom. I kiss my boys to sleep every night and I wonder if anyone kisses her goodnight. I know Mike feels the same way. I honestly try not to discuss it because I feel like I will fall apart if so.

 We really need patience. This reminds me of a song: While I'm Waiting by John Waller.

Pray for us.

Catch Up

So it's been a while since my last update. I am not good at this blogging thing and I have to be in the right mood to write a post. The good news is that we have had a lot of things happen since my last post. We received NOC and now we are just waiting to pass the local court. We may be able to go get Lucy in 4 months. Wouldn't that be awesome?? I have an appt to get my shots next Wednesday at the travel clinic.

The most awesome thing  is I met someone online 2 days before they left to go pick up their child in India that just happened to be in the same orphanage as Lucy. She and her husband met Lucy and send us video. You have no idea how many times we have watched that footage. She is just the cutest thing. Big bright eyes. Mike also has gotten her room done. Once we take pictures I will post them on here.

Another amazing thing is that Mike is part of the team that is going to rebuild Steven Curtis Chapman's house. He got to meet him and his wife yesterday and tell them about our Lucy and Hayden and Noah. They are praying for us and so very nice.

Right now we are waiting to pass court so if you feel led please say a prayer.

Until next time. . .

Think PINK!!!

Yes you read right--It's a girl!!! We officially accepted a referral for a precious little girl from India. Not sure if we are allowed to mention where specifically she is from so I'll save that for later. I will tell you that she is 2 &1/2 and she is just precious. Her lips, her mouth, her skin. . .  it's all just perfect. Right now we are asking for prayers specifically for her heart to be open to us and for her to be at home with HER FAMILY by this Christmas---2011!!! 

I just can't express how excited we are. I sit and wonder all day long what she is doing and if she knows ---we are coming for her. Oh how wonderful that day will be.

We have lots to do--more paper work----prepare her room, buy her lots of clothes, and so many other things. The boys are so excited. My parents, Mike's parents, my sister, and friends are so excited.

I must be going. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. Until next time.

What now?

I woke up this morning looking for inspiration of some kind. I was listening to the song, "Your Name" by Phillips, Craig, and Dean. Someone else might be famous for it but this was what popped up on youtube. Anyways this verse seemed to reach out and grab me, "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:4. For many reasons this verse means a lot to me. I really can't put it in words but it just puts a smile on my face. I haven't blogged in a while because I just couldn't think of anything to write. Life seems to be going along as we WAIT. I feel like our life is kind of on hold while we wait for a match with our child. Now that is not to say we aren't getting out there and doing stuff but it just seems like until our family is complete we are in transition. I am sure alot of adoptive families can relate. Some great friends of mine want to do a fundraiser for us but we want to wait until we get matched with a child. So you see. . . that is on hold.

In the mean time I am reading a fabulous book, Radical, by David Platt. I am half way thru and just realized that the guy is only 32. WOW!!! The book shakes me to the core. It seems like what I am reading I have been thinking about previously so it's kind of crazy in that way. You see... he is getting back to the Bible basics--not our American dream with a little of God's word mixed in. The wild thing is I also just found out that he and his wife adopted their children. He practices what he preaches. On a typical day 26,000 children die of starvation and preventable disease. That is 26,000 Jarons.  It's sad because there are many ---TONS-- of us who don't even know or really think about it because --well.. it doesn't directly effect us. I used to be one of these people. I just went thru the motions of life and I was selfish and if it didn't effect me, it must not matter.  Well I am glad to say I got a healthy dose of awareness.  I just want to share it with everyone that doesn't know. How do I do that??? That is where I am now. How do Mike and I teach our children to be aware and do something about it? How do I not want to strangle the person that tries to tell me that their biggest problem right now is deciding what country club to join?

Anyways that is my latest. . . until next time.