Friday the 13th!

When I received the text the baby was going to be born on the 13th, my heart jumped and I praised God, not on is it my Dad's birthday, I have a birthday on a 13th as well as my best friend! Lucky number, right?
Well, no baby today. I am not sure where our little Mississippi Girl got the 13th from, but now we are told Monday the 16th! We are a bit nervous and curious if this will be the day or not! You find yourself asking questions, should of, would of but we can not do that, it is what it is!
This morning we had a great meeting with Social Worker that we have been in contact with! The southern accent here is amazing! Brynn is thinking she can do it quite well! The SW, Mark, Brynn, Bradyn and myself met Ms.R for lunch at the Olive Garden. We had a wonderful lunch talked about the expectations, and how Monday will go! We asked for proof of some sort of the scheduled CSection for Monday. Needless to say, the Dr's are out of the office on Friday's by 3, so we have no proof! URG!
It is hard to not be upset, confused, nervous and out of sorts. We had our minds that today was the day, and now Monday(LORD willing)!
I want to tell our Friends and Family thank you so much for the prayers and the text messages, and emails! Mark spent time on the phone with our SW's(Deanne and Heidi) and Pastor Mark! I don't know what we would do with out their kind words, encouragement and love to us!
We are waiting till Monday to see if this will be the day. In the mean time maybe Ms. R will go into labor on her own and we won't have to wait and see!
My pregnancies where not rosie, but this is far from rosie by any means!
Tomorrow we are going to have some fun! Hopefully we will be all caught up on sleep! Brynn told me I have Grandma eyes! I have my Grandmother's puffy eyes!

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 30:19b-20a

Thanks for checking in!
Thanks for praying and continuing to uplift us in prayer!

New Pictures...The wait continues!

God has blessed us with pictures of our little boy,
whom we have been praying for since May, 2008!

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.

1 Samuel 1:27

They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep.
Psalm 107: 24

This was the Lord's work, this wonderful lady, whom we only know from emailing. Took time to bring Marcus his birthday goodie bag! She took time away from her children at another orphanage, volunteering her time helping build a better place for children. "Thank You Lord, for bringing her into our Family's life, to bring some joy to Marcus and his family at the Orphanage!"

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30

To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.

Psalm 3:4

I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me.

Psalm 120:1

Marcus blowing this fun thing! What are these things really called?

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalms 107:1

We all had a special blessing from this little girl in the Buzz Lightyear costume! Buzz was/is a the main toy to our house!

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet… seek me daily and delight to know my ways…" Isaiah 58:1-2

Our Family struggles during this wait time! So many questions, not many answers! When we started this journey in 2 years ago, we never imagined the obstacles we would endure. The process of adoption is not easy! Last night I talked to another family who is also on this journey. Any adoptive family really bears all it privacy, revealing information about fiances, how you deal with children on good days and bad days, joys and the concerns of your heart. Yet, why do us parents/family do this....God places this in a Mom/Dad's heart! It is crazy how you just can't remove the feeling of adoption. To see these pictures of Marcus, just floods my heart to see his sweet face. As our Family continues on this journey, we pray that God Blesses all these children in these pictures and the Nannies. For none of them really know the outside world, of clean water, clothes, bed's without screens, windows, bathroom, kitchen, lights, tv, toys, pets, grocery stores and knowing there is always food on the table. I just praise God that God is there, God is in Liberia, God is here in our home, in our hearts. While the Liberian Gov't continues to wait to reopen...we are constantly looking and praying for God's will for our family! There are so many families who are also waiting for Liberia to reopen. There is a family by us who is waiting for Guatemala to let they're children come home! I know we have been waiting, but this family has been waiting for 3 years for they're 2 children to come home! Please pray for all of us waiting! God is a great big God and without Him, we would be lost!

Thanks for checking up on us!

Blessing's to All of You!

What a way to end the week!

Last weekend we celebrated 4th of July with Mark's family reunion at Inspiration Hills. Mark's Grandmother was an identical twin. The sisters married brothers, on the same day and gave birth to their 1st child hours apart. The sisters always had the same outfit to the earrings on. This family had strong christian values with tons of humor.

At the reunion there was 600 relatives there, figuring they were missing 400. Whew, here is some pictures from part of the weekend!

Outdoor Church Service

Most of the relatives ended the celebration at Carmel Church (our church) where it all started. The evening service is usually a small crowd, but with all the Sandbulte's there, it was full. It was really moving afterwards, in the cemetery, there was a little white flag that represented a family member who passed away. There are 2 diseases that have taken special members home to live with Jesus. (Wescot Aldrich, and Huntington's diseases)

After church we had a fireworks display. It was awesome!

Talent Show....Grandpa sang with his grand (big)kids!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today was the last day of our Baseball Season 2009! I love baseball and will miss sitting with other Mom's. Here are some pictures of the last week of ball!

This is Benjamin catching!

Brynn enjoying the game with her "friends"!

Beau had his last game the other night! He had a great season with the JV. The Varsity starts districts Saturday Night! Good Luck Nighthawks!
Poor Bradyn's last double header was rained out! He was so bummed! Here is his last game with his best summer buddies!

We have had lots of rain this week, with hail! I have see pictures of some big hail. I guess our niece Becky's back car window has a whole in it from hail!

Our family went to see the new Ice Age last night. Cute movie. It is more funny watching Mark and kids giggling! Oh, that Sid the sloth cracks us up!

Here is the nicest surprise we got today!

In November, Pastor Aaron, Nick and Troy brought a baggie of stuff for Marcus! This is the Christmas shirt! Marcus is going to preschool and is doing well! Praise God!! God is surely hearing our prayers. The other day I was talking at a ballgame(hard to imagine, huh?) and Carol said her sister is friends with a Liberian family from their church. Carol said this Liberian Mom is going back to Liberia for a visit! I asked if it was possible for the Liberian Mom to take a care package to Liberia, and try to get it to the Orphanage or Trokon! WOW, God is good! So this week I quickly put together a book of all pictures and lamented them, picked up new underwear, dum dum suckers, match box cars and 2 bottles of vitamins. I am also so excited because Cecilia has a little boy the same age as Marcus, just a few months younger! :) Mark No word on when Liberia will reopen. We are just so thankful for all the prayers for patience, peace and health for Marcus!

Another Week...No News

This waiting is really starting to get hard. Knowing, that our case is stalled in Liberia! :(

There really is no timeline to what or when adoptions cases will be started up again. The hardest part is understanding what God's plan is for us! We find ourselves questioning the "What If" game. This week it was such a blessing to talk to 2 Mom's who are/have adopted internationally! Thank you so much you 2! Your words of encouragement, advice and love are amazing! :)

The prayers are felt!

Psalm 25:5
Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

It is hard to believe the kids have there last week of school next week! I am so excited to have them home, and VBS around the corner, and baseball games!

Happy 60th Birthday to My Mom!

It was fun to take my Mom out for her birthday! We went and met Julie at 26th Grille for lunch, and took Mom to get her first pedicure! To bad we are watching our calories, we didn't even celebrate with cake! :(

Hopefully my sisters and I can get together to give mom her present soon!

My mom is an amazing lady!

Mom: Thank you for raising us all in a christian home, I appreciate all you do for my family, you have so many wonderful gifts you share, you go out and spend your days with those Grandpa's and Grandma's who need help, those struggling with cancer, you are always there for your grandchildren, you have become a Yankee fan even though you would rather sit at a lake with your toes in the sand, when the grand kids are sick you have words of advice, or you come over to to help them feel better and most of all you are always there to listen to me, when Mark and I miscarried our first baby you held our hand the whole time, you rejoiced with us with the birth of our 4 children, and now as we wait to see what God has planned for our family, you have a listening ear.

Thanks Mom, I Love You!

Our family is so happy for a family in our church! Congratulation's Tim & Kristi!

Check out the little blessing they're family has been praying for! God does hear our prayers! :)

http://bringinghomeblue.blogspot.com/

Psalm 69:30
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving

Liberian Court, here comes Trokon! :)

This is a huge week for us and the Gentlemen working for us in Liberia!

Trokon, and the children at the Orphanage!

Trokon, and another gentleman, Larmouth are getting papers together and going

to court! :) We have been emailing each other, and I would love it if all my readers couldalso pray for these 2 men! Prayer is so important, and to reach out to those around the world! Mark and I can not wait to give this man a great big Iowa hug!!

Rice arriving, look how happy the children are!

As we anticipate going to Liberia, I asked Trokon, "what is needed in the orphanages?" Of course I was thinking activities for the children. I wrote that I picked up some soccer balls to take over. He replied, "food and medical supplies!" Although I am going to take some undies for the little guy running around with out a pant on! :) I am in awe of how we are so blessed, food of abundance, medical clinics, a new one in Sioux Center for those who can not afford it, and materialistic stuff. I am not sure how to go about getting medical supplies to take over there. Any suggestions, please comment! Trying to stay calm, in regarding our I-171a. We need that to arrive to finalize some paper work in Liberia.

As for a name for Marcus, we are going to name him
Blake Marcus on his BC, we will see how attatched he is to Marcus and go from there!

When we pray, B4, prays "Lord be with Mickus, Marcus or Blake, whatever his name is just bring my brother home!" I do like Marcus, and so does hubby! Wonder why? :)

Rainy Day!

My mom said, about 30 some years ago there was a bit of snow on the ground! Only rain today, which is nice! DH and I are going to spend the day together! What more could I want? Maybe, a cute picture of a little boy in Liberia, with a sign saying "pick me up soon", a cute picture would be very nice also or a phone call saying our Agency is licenced, I did get a great big hug from B1 and B3! B4 knows her Daddos cell phone number and went to the pharmacy to get cards! :) What a sweetheart!! B2 woke up late, and must of forgot what day it is! No, just a bad morning of being a jr high student! I have been blessed with 4 healthy children, and an awesome husband, so what else could I want on this day???
I would love it if you could all specifically pray for our Agency to get licenced this week! Than we can keep moving ahead! We are at a stand still now! Ugh!! We all were praying and crossing our fingers Marcus would be home before Christmas!

The Waiting Game

At our home, we (the boys) tend to get a bit excited waiting for certain Indy Car Races, Chicago Bear/Cincinnati Bengal Football game, and when the Yankees are doing well, baseball game. The topic at the dinner table tonight was who was racing next year with IRL, and what a line up of stuff to watch Sunday afternoon. It is so nice to be able to visualize when it is going to happen. With this adoption process, we tend to be so careful of visualizing anything quite yet. The bedroom upstairs is collecting some dust, (OK, a lot of dust) a bag of boy clothes from my sister sits in the doorway. The Liberian government is still putting their stuff together to officially start the adoption process again, so many of us are waiting to move ahead.

We will plan our Family vacation after Christmas, that M will not be traveling with us to the Florida beaches. But just maybe, it will be a Christmas of surprises. :)

Friday Night was the 1st Varsity Football Game for our High School, I felt so bad for B1, standing on his crutches the whole evening while his buddies suited up.. The good news is only 4 more weeks left on them! :)

B2 is having some bumps and bruises from JH football. We are so excited to see him play!

B3 is excited to start band :), he is going to try his luck at trumpet. B1 has his beginner one. I can't wait to hear that thing again! :(

B4 started dance yesterday, oh was she so excited to see her little friends. Although us Dance Mom's have developed such a great friendship! They are the best ladies to sit and talk, encourage and laugh with!

This past weekend we attended a wedding in Sioux Falls, and hit Life Light! My dear friend was camping and somehow found a gentleman to drive B1 in the golf cart to our spot in the grass! Micheal W Smith was great!

Sunday we decided (after the Indy Race) to head back to SFalls to hear Natalie Grant and Casting Crowns! Wow, Casting Crowns was awesome!! It is so evident how God was so present, with all those people praising God together, praying and singing songs!

We pulled into the Holiday Inn Express at 12:30am. DH was up at 7am, we all slept till 9:00am. Went to Perkins! Perfect day!:)

Tuesday morning I thought B1 had an appointment with his surgeon at 9am, of course in SFalls again, to our surprise, maybe we surprised the receptionist more, his appointment is tomorrow Thursday! So a trip to SFalls, considered a quick trip up and back! Ugh!

We want to Congratulate a couple in Katelyn's Fund who received a phone call Monday am, with the addition of a precious little boy! We are so thrilled for them!!

Children are a blessing from the Lord!

We are still waiting for our I700 to come in the mail! :)

Have a great week!

Happy 2nd Birthday to a Little Boy in Liberia!!

Today is a very special day for a little boy in Liberia! We took some pictures to send via-Email to Trokon this wonderful man who is working on that end of the world!! This morning we made some sign's of course the little girl here had to put she loves him!

We did find out M is feeling better. Praise God! We got an adorable picture yesterday, little M got a haircut. DH pointed out to me how it feels to have someone else cut our children's hair. I have a salon in the house, which has become a hobby. Maybe, just maybe I might get to cut his hair soon! Not going to get to excited, it's going to be a bit.

The government over in Liberia is still working on some details with the adoptions. If we could all pray for the Liberian government, so the little ones over there will be able to go to the families who are all desperately waiting to get word when to travel!

Speaking of traveling, a family we know well is getting ready to go to Ethiopia to pick up their twins! We are so thrilled they are leaving on the 13Th!

DH and I were talking the other day, we sent off all our paper work off year ago! Not sure of where God was going to guide us on this journey!

It has been a good week, with tons of blessings, my nephew broke his leg and is in a cast and it is Birthday after Birthday in this month!

Have a blessed Sunday!

Thanks for checking in and most of all praying for us!!

Philippians 4: 6-7

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything ,

by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God!

And the peace of God,

which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds

in Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:6-7

This is where we are at..trying not to be anxious about this adoption. As we sit

and know this is going to really make us "consume" all our thoughts throughout

our daily activities. We are reminded we need to take all joys, concerns and thanks

to our Heavenly Father. We really have no clue what orphanage little M is at.

We know a lawyer is working on his case, supposedly getting a physical soon so we

know more details about when, why and what involves being brought to the

orphanage. Little M's birthday is coming up, we would love to send some "stuff", pictures

of his going to be family, a blankie and a stuff animal. We also found out how much

it costs to send it down to Liberia. DHL is what the agency uses to send documents

over there, not a very cost effective. Than I think of what it costs to drive anywhere

right now. The package is going a lot further. So do we make a bigger effort to

get it done or should just will wait and see.

With school coming around to corner, a vacation at the end of the year you can not help

think about where will this timing will fall in? I am constantly reminded of God's timing and not

being anxious over His timing. When I was pregnant and thought that I was going to

stay pregnant forever, I see our 4 beautiful children and reminded, that eventually

in God's timing arrived in our arms. Today we have to mow, Son#1 is getting ready for Rocky Mountain High with the church youth group, needs a MRI on his knee this afternoon. Thought we better take care of his knee buckling before football starts. My niece is over night, what a treat to have her here. She is going to be so sick of Princess following here all over.

Today is my good friends birthday so tomorrow is going to be a

shopping day with her and another friend!

God Bless You all and Thanks for dropping by!

~Patience~

Why are we all have a hard time of being the word patience?
It seems we always have to hurry, hurry get the kids out the door
for the bus, hurry home, hurry here and there.

Romans 12:12-13

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer! Share

with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality!

This is what our family needs to do as we wait for the finger prints to come
back. Our home study is being sent to proof read it. Scary thoughts to
think someone is going to evaluate the way you parent.

We will start our Love & Logic class April 21, we should have the best kids in
the area! Ha Ha!
Our oldest turns 15 on Friday! He was born on Easter Sunday! He is growing up
so fast!
I challenge you all to practice your patience, and be faithful in prayer!