Back to School

Brody enjoys twinkies a bit to much!

 Wow hard to believe school started today!  I usually like/enjoy having the kids home, but Tuesday, I realized,  it was time for school to start! Beau started college yesterday!  It is so weird to think of him as a college student. He is going to college 14 miles from us at a community college, which allows him to live at home, and work when he does not have class! Mark sure enjoys having him to help pour cement! He is thinking of getting his generals than transferring to a bigger college to get a major in elementary education!

Today the oral surgeon called to give estimates on Beau and Benjamin's wisdom teeth! OUCH! Benjamin has 6 wisdom teeth!! The estimate on Benjamin was $2970.00! Oh good grief! Needless to say, we do not have dental insurance! At least Beau's was $600.00 less!
I received the best update on Marcus! He is healthy,(as of now) writing his name, and loves to play soccer! I wish I could figure out a way to send used soccer uniforms for the orphanage with shoes!!  What fun what that be for any kid, but for a group of children in an orphanage would be so cool!

 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:1


If you have time, check out Joni's blog off to the side! She is in Sudan covering the famine! 


Enjoy your weekend, and we are preparing for a big celebration for a 1 Year Old next week!!! Let the fun begin!

1st Day of School....

It is hard to believe it is that time again!! School started today! Beau's last 1st day of High School! Beau is a Sr, Benjamin a freshman, Bradyn in 7th grade and Brynn is in 1st! All 3 guys are in the same school while Brynn travels to the neighboring town.

Brynn and Bradyn getting on the bus!

Beau and Benjamin leaving together!



To complete my morning to make it even more exciting!! Joni had a chance to go bring Marcus his Birthday wishes from his American Family!! Could this boy be any cuter!!!
How can you describe or even put in words the blessing Joni is to our family but to see Marcus' smile, God is so amazing! Thank YOU God for blessing us with Joni!! The pictures she sent to our family, is unbelievable, and to know, with the Lord's help, Marcus will be home, and to think, he will have a baby brother to come home to!
"Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
Matthew 6:21



"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

I booked my flight to Jackson, MS yesterday! I will fly out next Wednesday and Lord willing(which I seen on the schedule myself)Baby B will be born on Thursday am!! Mark will than drive out after Beau's football game Friday night! I feel bad for missing Beau's first football game being a SR, but holding his baby brother will be worth it!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him…" Proverbs 3:5
Thanks again for all the prayers! Today I am so thankful for the 4 great kids we have been blessed with! Than to see how great Marcus is doing, and to think God has a little baby planned out in MS! God is good!!!
I am so excited to think about the possibility of having a house full of boys!! Brynn is has realized, "this is just a boys life in our house, Mom!" She is so excited to e a big sister! Lord willing...

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? … But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:27, 33

Welcome to the Jungle

Can you tell, these 2 are cousin's??
Beau and Kass showing how talented they really are!?




Grand March
A classmate parents' in Beau's class owns a business that makes these awesome vinyl signs. The class had fantastic, huge pictures hanging all over the gym. Made decorating so much easier! It was beautiful!













Brynn and her big brother Beau!











Benjamin, Beau, Mark and Bradyn
"The Boys" Brynn and I usually call them all!












Cousin's-Joseph, Kassidy and Beau
All had prom the same night!
















Paula, Kassidy, Beau and Me
I think they both look stunning..Kass and Beau! :)
All I know is, after seeing how gorgeous all the girls looked, the dresses, hair, nails, oh and the shoes, the tux we rented, was A LOT cheaper than what the girl's parents paid! Beau had lots of fun, after prom is always a blast! Thanks to all the BH parents who did so much work, and those who donated to the After Prom, Thanks, the kids had a wonderful time, and the gifts are appreciated!

We are continuing to pray for Rod, Dawn and Family, as they have to say, see you soon to their..waiting kiddo's in Guatemala. Praying that the Guatemalan Government will sign the papers, so their family can be complete and all under one roof. Going on 5 years, is too long! I can not imagine how a mother and father's heart breaks, to leave them beautiful faces and hearts..
WE are keeping the faith with our little guy in Liberia..Praying that our case will be allowed to continued!!! WE serve a great big God, and He holds us in His Hands!!!

Show Choir in Nebraska

 

 

 

Grace is Sufficient!

School pictures....

BrynnBradyn

Benjamin

Beau

Beau's still playing football......:)

Beau is in there somewhere! What fun to have a winning season! God has been so good to the

team and we pray that it will continue! The weather has not been so nice! Needless to say, Mark and I are coughing, and coughing! Tomorrow nights game will be in the 60's ! :)

A friend is going through a treatments for thyroid cancer, and some ladies decided we needed to have a fun night out, with encouragement and uplifting her! The intention is to get her ready to be quiet in isolation.We had a Ugly Sweater Party, and had a wonderful evening for Jo. Please pray for her and her family.

2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

We have been hearing some rumblings about Liberia.....keep praying!

If you get a chance, check out Katelyn's fund Auction Friday night, and Sunday will be an awesome day of worship with other fellow adoptive parents! I am really excited to see the Steven Curtis Chapman's Orphan Sunday!

Blessing's!

1st Day of School!

Wow, it has been over 16 years that I have been "Home Alone" all day! Last year Brynn did TK!

Brynn was so excited!! She had to sleep on the couch, because of her nervous tummy, she woke up at 11:00 thinking it was time for school!

We had Open House last night, we went to school met the teacher, put our school supplies in our desk!

Here is Brynn's teacher and friend Lacy! Lacy's Dad is a classmate of Mark! Oh, I hope and pray these 2 behave better than their Dad's!

I am so surprise the boys did not want a picture with their teachers? :0

Here we are all ready for school! Of course Beau

had to drive himself, and the other 3 took the bus!

It is crazy to think, a Jr in High school, 8th Grader, 6th Grader and Kindergarten!

Mark and I are so lucky to be able to attend every school program offered! Elementary, Middle, JR High, and SR High!

Bradyn, Brynn, Beau and Benjamin

Bradyn and Brynn getting closer to the bus, Benjamin is always right behind!'

Well I better go check if the puppy went to the potty outside. Oh this was such a good idea at the time! But she is really cute!

Prayer Requests:

The Post' family in our church, who has had so much in the past year, had a motorcycle accident on the way to Missouri, Fonda is being transferred around noon to a near by hospital from St Joseph, MO. Please pray for the ride to go smoothly! It is a long ride, and with so many injuries. I can't imagine how painful this ride could be. Friends (who where with at the time)and their daughter are driving up to drive Warren back home. Pray for healing and the Dr's direction on the surgries needed for Fonda! Please also remember the couple who where with during the accident, it is so hard to see and help those who you love.

Our Adoption Agency: we put some questions in about everything that is not happening/happening. There just seems there are no answers concerning Liberia!

Our agency is planning a trip to Liberia in October.

Psalm 29:11The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

It is hard to get these all to line up! :( Trying to find a background that pulls up quicker! Sorry for the changes!

The Wait is On!

This week we will see what comes our way!

We did find out Marcus is doing well, and a great appetite! Waiting for some recent pictures! Oooh, I can't wait to see him!

Mark had a blast snowmobiling. He made it home yesterday! Friday night I took Brynn to Hotel for Dogs, we ended up leaving early. :) I needed to pick up some pictures at wal mart! Needless to say, we made a dash for the restroom, and didn't make it! Thank the Lord, some friends from Hull came to our rescue! Thanks T and Lindsey! Brynn heaved all night, every 1/2 hour! Around 5:30 am it started the other direction. Poor kid!

I thought (maybe praying too) a couple weeks ago I would be in sitting in Liberia this week. We have our church Soup Supper Wednesday night and the Music Booster Soup Supper at our High School Friday night! This week, I will be making pies and packing, just in case we get a phone call!
Please pray for adoptive parents who are waiting!

Pray for children who are waiting also, so many who need a warm home with parents who love them! Pray for Marcus and Mother Wleh' orphanage, this will be their 1st child adopted!

Thank you to those who donated items/cash for the orphanage! Our bags are getting full! My lesson in Sunday School was Jesus sitting at the temple as people passed by and gave money. This lady came and gave what she could. I can just see Jesus sitting by the gate of the orphanage, any place where children/families need help! We are going to see so much when we go! God is surely working in all our hearts! Thanks Again! God Bless You All!

Thanks for checking up on us!

Waiting is so Hard to do!

God has a reason for all things, and I know that in my heart and soul. :)

This week I contacted the Senator's in Iowa to find out how the homeland security office could loose our pressed original Birth Certificates and Marriage Licence? I have since than got new ones and photo copied those and resent the copied ones. The Agency had to resend our Home Study also, so where are the first round of paper work? I also talked to the Harkin's and Grassley's office about trying to find out what or where we are at as we wait to get approval to get finger printed for our I171's? As I understand it they Homeland Security office sends paper work down to Monrovia, to start Marcus' paper work to come to the United States! But I could be way off. I was told I should receive a phone call back from both offices today (Friday), but I know how this all goes....it could possibly be next week! I re-emailed the office in Des Moines again for the 3rd time within a week also.

Our family just is getting used to "just wait and see". It is starting to get harder on DH and myself, but I think how hard it has to be on a 5, 10, 12 and even the 15 year old to understand all this.

On a brighter note, our Agency sent Marcus' photo book, book about blankies, and a blankie! I am so thankful and pray that it arrives there! I also pray that this gives comfort to the "family" at the orphanage to know where he will someday come home too! We took pictures of the outside of the house, all the kids separately, they're likes, and some of the yard! I can't imagine what a culture shock this little guy will have!

This week has been homecoming at school. Tonight is the game, and a tailgate BBQ! A bit windy, but the temps are in the 80's!

Tomorrow I am going to a hair show in Omaha with some friends. It will be so nice to get out with a over due trip with a friend! :)

Have a terrific weekend!

Fall Weather

Isn't this time of year just beautiful! I love the colors of fall, the fields are all changing color, it is cooler in the evenings, you can even have the windows open at night. That is only if the breeze is from the right way.

Tonight we have a JV football game, of course B1 is still on crutches. 2 weeks and 5 days and counting until he is done with them. Oh, he would just love to put that jersey and pads on and jump right in. He just has to wait! That has become a very used word in our house.

Tomorrow, B2 has his 7th grade football game! Oh, I can't wait!! 1st football game with the whole school thing and it is against friends from church. It should be very exciting!! I am sure he will be all wound up tonight and especially in the morning.

As you can tell, we got our school pictures back! It is so great to see how much they have changed over the year!

Far as the adoption: we are inching, forward! This week, we are just praying for the adoption agency to registered!

We had a wonderful Sunday, Church was awesome, with our Pastor back, we are so thankful for Pastor Mark and his sermons!

The guys were very disappointed the Chicago Bears lost. :(

We received a couple pictures of Marcus, B4 studies them, looking at his eyes, "oh, mom he looks sad," "oh, look at his dirty face, what did he eat?" "mom, why is he brown?". We had a great conversation, between a mom and a 5 year old, about how God makes everyone different, different countries. Last week I bought the book, Shaoey and Dot, by Steven Curtis & Mary Beth Chapman. We have read that quite a bit!

God is good, and we praise Him for his goodness, His love and most of all Jesus Christ!

Have a terrific Week!

Our little Girl is Growing Up

Being a parent is truly a blessing, although there are the times they get fighting mad at each other. Watching them grow up and make wise choices ( is our prayer every day).
You always wonder who they'll pick out for a girlfriend or boyfriend for B4! My wise Grandma Kooi, always told me to pray as a young teenager for my spouse! She said it is never too early to pray for him. I guess, B4 better get a praying!
Last night on the way to dance this was our conversation:

B4: Hey, mom I gotta boyfriend!

Me: Oh, is he in your class?

B4: No, we play catch at recess!

Me: Do you know his name?

B4: No, but I am his girlfriend!

Me: What is your Dad going to say?

B4: I don't know?

Me: I thought your Dad's girlfriend?

B4: I guess I gotta break up with him!

Today she informed me she was just "joking me"! Oh boy! What are we going to do! So sweet and innocent! Her daddos and brothers were not to excited to think of her liking boys already! Although after school she also said "I broke up with him"! I think she hears her brothers talk a bit too much!

Adoption News: Just talked to our SW, she said we are w a i t i n g for New Horizon's to get accepted in Liberia. Liberia has all the paper work from our agency, we just need prayers for our Agency to get the licence needed to bring children home, especially our little M! Trokon the man working with our agency was going to check on M today, so hopefully we can get a new picture to see how the nutrients and supplements are working out! We only heard his health is improving! Praise God!

I would love it for all those reading our blog, if you could say prayers for the paper work to be processed and accepted. That way we can inch a bit forward to bring home M!

Also please pray for all those in Haiti and other areas who have experienced the hurricanes.

Thanks for checking in and asking how M is doing!

God Bless you all!

School Day's!

That bus is back and the boys are on, I bet the bus driver

can hardly believe they are dressed and happy!

The sophmore drives himself to school, not wanting to take a nice picture for Mom!

All smiles for this little girl who is in TK, it is only 1/2 days so the bus picks her up!