A LITTLE BOY WHO IS SO FAR AWAY....

Our family is waiting, waiting and waiting to see God's plan! 

Waiting to see what the Liberian Government holds for the

 future of so many little ones in Liberia!  Our prayer is that God's will may be done. 

If that may be staying in Liberia or coming home to our Family! 

We are so thankful for the wonderful, 

loving, caring and God's servants who visit and love this special boy for us!  

Joni and Nikelle, you are God's Angels to our Family!

Look at one of the pictures we received this morning!

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34 

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”Psalm 37:4


“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 15:13


“Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer” Psalm 4:1 

BoYs

 With the week being so horribly hot, the boys didn't work so much with Mark. So I thought I could get Benjamin to pull out the dead evergreen trees with the four wheeler! Hmmm...didn't work so well, he thought he could ride them over first and than pull them out with a chain. Needless to say, he didn't pull trees out for too long!

Is this what  "Boys will be Boys" come from?

Brody enjoys putting his food through his curls!

This little boy is starting to show his true personality!  He figured out how to shake his finger at me when I say, "no no"!  He has just mastered shaking his head yes, it is so cute!  When in the car he loves to hear himself, he can just squeal and than he just giggles.Brody now has his top tooth pop through, with the other one right behind!  He is into anything and everything!  All the doors in the kitchen now have Brynn's rubber bands holding them closed! The laundry room door is shut at all times, when the door is left open I can hear dog food being thrown all over, and splashing! I come around the corner and oh man do I get a big grin! It still amazes me how boys automatically know what car/truck noises are. All the boys have made their little tongue do this cheek n tongue noise!  He also knows how to get us all to laugh during dinner! Thanks to his older brothers teaching him how to blow, his food just flies out or his milk, and we do more giggling behind our hands! I can't imagine our home with out Brody!  We just got his new birth certificate in the mail this week!!! Our little Mississippi Boy!  Hard to believe he is 11 months this coming week!! God Blessed our Family so much with this little guy! I know God has a plan for our family, and with out Liberia closing we would never had Brody in our life!
 I took Benjamin shopping this past week, and I seen a young gal pregnant, pushing a stroller. Reminded me of just about a year ago, meeting Rebekah! We have not heard much of anything for quite a while.  We just continue to pray that God is guiding her in all she does.
I ask for extra prayers for Marcus this week!  Marcus birthday is coming up too!!  Can't believe he is going to be 5!  Joni is hopefully going to go and make a visit, and see how Marcus has been feeling. Nikkel brought some goodies for Marcus, and I am SO ready for some new pictures, I am so thankful for Joni for with out her we would not hear or see a picture, and especially Nikkel (a young gal from our area volunteering for Samaritan's Purse) for bringing a love package for our little guy in Liberia! God brought this beautiful little boy into our life for a reason, and someday we will know God's plan!!  Please pray for our agency also, and those who are working out the details in Liberia regarding adoptions! 

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36

“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” 

2 Corinthians 4:1

Beau, Kassidy, Caleb and Benjamin

 This past friday we sent Beau and Benjamin off to our church's youth convention in Estes Park in Colorado!  I am excited to hear about their white water rafting went yesterday! Here is a picture of the kids before they left!  It is so great for them to go with their cousins! It is fun, Beau just graduated, Kass is going to be a sr, Caleb a JR and Ben a sophmore. and cousin Kade is a freshman! School starts August 18, which is too soon for me! Brody is going to miss the action around the house!

Brody enjoys the view from top!

 Brody is starting to notice so much! He was pretty excited to see the big bus!

Carmel RCYF

Here is the group going to ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH!

http://www.synodyouth.org/Youth_Events/RockyMountainHigh.aspx
You can watch live at 7 pm! Hoping to get a glance of the boys! :)

Weird to think 18 years ago Mark and I went  with the youth group and left Beau with family!!  Praying for the kids to feel the Holy Spirit working in their hearts, and that many of them will accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour! Next week Bradyn leaves for Omaha with his youth group on "Urban Plunge"!

Thanks for checking in our silly family!!
God Bless You All!

On Your Mark...

  This week we had our final post home study update with our SW, Heidi!! We are so special, and since our adoption(s) have taken longer than most, we are blessed to have 2 SW! This is Heidi, and God has blessed us not only as our SW, but a wonderful friend! Here we are at the Casey's Bakery!! Lord willing next month we can celebrate the finalization of Brody Josiah! 

Want to see what I learned to do??

Here I go.....

Oh, boy here I go...



Are you watching??



I did it I am up!

Praying for Sondra and her Family!!
Praying for Ronaldo, Julia and their Family waiting for Guatemala to let them come home!
Children waiting to be adopted!

Our Birthday Boys!



Benjamin's 15th Birthday!



Beau checking out his new little brother Benjamin, 15 years ago!

Benjamin and Bradyn

The cutest little boys!

Until this little boy came home!

Brody...

February is a busy month of Birthday's!

Benjamin turned 15 on the 9th, and now Bradyn's birthday is Saturday!!
I am reminded daily of turning 13, and how he is going to be a teenager!
For Benjamin's birthday, he chose to go to Sioux Falls, and see a movie,
eat at Texas Roadhouse, and shopping for a pair of cowboy boots with
the money he has been saving and with birthday money, he was ready to pick out a pair!


Bradyn, has a list for his Bday, plus colored pictures he printed out on the computer!!
He has been telling me what I need to bake for "comet time", so he can celebrate with his class!


Brody has been up quite abit at night! Yawn! Last night was every 2 hours!! He hears us coming up to the crib, and he stops crying and starts smiling!! I know he is coming down with a cold, coughing, a bit of a runny nose and sneezing! Tomorrow night will be our last home study visit, and we can finalize in April!! It is exciting to see how much he has grown, and how God has blessed our Family!
 Well, time to rock a bye!!

Please continue to pray for Sondra, her 4 sons and husband!!

Praying for some family's who are over in ET, picking their precious daughter up!

Many Blessings to you all!

Great Devotion and the coming and going's of our Family!

You have to check out Proverbs 31 Ministries today, awesome devotion!!
Younger, Cuter and Skinnier
For some strange reason, I can not pull it up to copy!

It is a crazy week so far! Made a quick trip to SFalls, and checked in on my little sister! I am trying to get "healthy" and the salon has Ideal Protein I am trying! I am getting there, but oh, do I miss my cooking! :( I am determined to loose and feel better! And of course the wedding is i n 5 1/2 weeks! I have my dress and needed to get a pair of spanx! I have not tried them on yet, I better wait in case I need help pulling them up! :0

Stopped and Benjamin's football game, and since than I have warmed up! Boy oh boy was it chilly out there! 45 degrees!

Today Paula is taking me to Sioux City for Girl's Night Out! Anita Renfroe is going to be there!! I have not been to this, but have heard it is fabulous!

The family is so excited for the big game tonight!

LET'S GO YANKEES! LET'S GO YANKEES!

Have a fantastic day, we have sunshine today, and the rest of the week looks cold and rainy!

My 3 Sons

NIGHTHAWK FOOTBALL

Beau - Varsity

Benjamin

JH NIGHTHAWK FOOTBALL

Bradyn

Midwest Youth Football League

SIOUX COUNTY STORM

Don't they all look so serious, except Bradyn! It is fun going to watch! I wonder

if Marcus will like football???

Football, Bridal Shower and a New Picture of Marcus!

Friday Night we went to the football game! Beau is part of the team, and we were so excited to watch him get in Friday night. But it didn't happen, I feel so bad for him. The Nighthawks won 40something to 6.

Saturday morning we left home early to go to Adrian, MN to watch Bradyn play in his first football game! :) Our area just started the Midwest Youth Football League. The Sioux County Storm lost, but they did a great job, considering this was their first game.

Tomorrow night is Benjamin's first football game of the year! Go Nighthawks! I will post a picture on here tomorrow night!!
Today was my little sister's first Bridal Shower!! It was a wonderful day! Karen(Julie's going to be "Mom") family and friends all chipped in and gave a great shower for Julie! She received many gifts! Brynn and her cousin Addi had so much fun helping Aunt Julie open gifts! I can not believe the wedding is in 2 months!! Our dresses came in Friday! :) We only need the flower girl dresses to come in! I am more excited to see them! :) Addi and Brynn are going to be so cute!

I have prayed that Marcus would be home by the time the wedding is here! I know deep in my heart, this is highly unlikely. We did get this cute little picture of him this week in his school uniform. It is so amazing that a country so poor, has uniforms for their school aged children!

Oh our sweet little boy in Liberia! We pray for you so much throughout our day!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13:4

Soap Box Racing & Parade

It was a crazy Saturday! Not only was it Mark's birthday, it was Summer fest in

our metropolis! The boy's decided they wanted to take out the Soap Box Cars

and try they're luck! Benjamin decided to let his cousin Kade, give it a try in

his car. Bradyn used Beau's car. It started early in the morning, and I had tons

to do since, it is catch up from baseball. We had not had a Saturday off in it

seems for 2 months, so I had Mark take the boys, and Brynn and I did laundry,

mowed, and made a carrot cake for Mark's birthday. Brynn and I got a phone

call to come to town with the camera since Bradyn was winning! To our surprise,

Bradyn took 1st!! When Beau drove the car, he neverfinished 1st!

Bradyn was so excited. Kade took 4th place which was fun for him too!

Here are some pictures of the day!

Bradyn coming down the hill!

Soap Box Racing

Way to go Bradyn!!

Bradyn, Benjamin & Kade

Bradyn's car!

The Cement Pump

Beau's car in the parade.

Brynn and her cousin Ella!

Have a blessed week!

*Try to do something for someone who is need of a hug, smile or a card!

Football

Not much to report on the Liberian Little Boy! :(
We sent off an email, questions about this little guy we have come to love! It is amazing how your heart can just love someone you haven't met, or seen in person!

B2 and B4

Aunt Julie and B2

We are that way with God! We read about His love for us,
He knew of us before we were even born! Faith, that is what we should

have in our every thought! Faith that God is walking with us, whether we struggleing with some issues, family members, sickness, or on a journey of the unknown.

We have faith everyday no matter what we do that God is in control!!

I do a bit too much research, looking for information on families adopting,and the one thing that really stands out is about on every blog, forum I read, the one common link, besides adoption is, God. God is the center of every one's life! I find that so awesome!!

Prayers, Devotions, Scriptures, it is all so good!

B2 and B3

B3 has informed us this is our Adoption Family Verse:

1Corinthians 13:47
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I am so proud of our boys, and daughter, God has blessed us beyond measures! DH and I praise God for not only blessing us with 4 unique children, but also walking, guiding and helping us on our journey to bring Marcus home!

Have a wonderful Fall Day!!

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!

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!

Waiting....

Got a "blirp" of an email, with not much of of anything else, but M is doing better. Disappointing not knowing what is really happening. Maybe we will get lucky and find out what is really happening over there! Still waiting for our Homeland Security fingerprint appointments.

Today as I was driving, I was listening to KNWC and they where discussing Steven Curtis Chapman's Families loss this summer, check it out:

Good Morning America on August 5th (8 o`clock hour)

Larry King Live on August 7th

People Magazine issue of August 15th

Today I registered all the kids, 10th, 7th, 5th and TK! Whew it is going to be different around here! I am not ready for school to start, I may sound crazy, but I really enjoy having those crazy kids around!

Boys will be Boys!

Son #1 just got back from Rocky Mountain High a bit ago. Home feels so much better when you have all under 1 roof. He had a wonderful experience, and saw many lives change because of God's great love for us, most of all Jesus taking away all our sins!
Sunday night we had DH's cousin lead our church service. Dave & Jody are leading a conference in Okoboji coming up. Son #2 and #3 had great fun with their son Sunday after the church service. Monday night we met at a Pizza Ranch and took "R" home with us. Wow, can boys have fun! "R" is so much like our 2 it is scary! I think Dave and Jody better come more often to Iowa to see the "wild life" we have in our cattle yards down the road from us.
Of course our 2 decided they better get their beds from upstairs to downstairs, learning if you stack the mattresses carefully on the stairs you get a great slide! (with a lot of pillows at the bottom of the steps!) Whew, no broken bones, few carpet burns and a dolphin deflated with tons of giggles!
Monday we heard from the Liberia that they were processing some medical stuff. We are waiting for our I600A's to get our finger prints taken. God is guiding us while we pray for that little guy. Our arms are starting to ache to hold him in our arms! Let's pray for earth moving great news soon!!!!
Have a great weekend!

Hot Summer Days!

There are many things you learn when you adopt! I know there is tons of paper work, your past dumb things you did in high school does catch up to you, your reference letters are very important, people are funny when they say "your adopting?", "Why"?. Now I am finding all different web sites that help you along the way. Yesterday I did receive my I600A's back. I now know you can only get a cashiers or money order from your bank, not the bank that is in your little town. But we got it done! We have not heard anything this week. I did pick up some boys clothes at Kohl's for the orphanage. I was going to send them, but the SW said just to bring them.
Just got a phone call from the SW and I quickly gathered the paper work for our dossier for Ethiopia(we thought we were going that route when the Liberia presented itself!) so I sent those off to Blue Earth! Another inch forward!! Yipee! So hopefully & prayerfully that is a good sign!
It has been a hot and humid week. We could use some rain. It is something to see how the corn and beans are growing in our back yard!
We are totally done with baseball. The 2 boys had Father Son Baseball Games:

DH had a very hot day pouring concrete and than 2 games of baseball! It is so much fun watching the boys play against the dads. The dads usually bat left handed in the 4th Grade level. The 6th Grade dads tried to have a bit more competition.

Yesterday we again remember why we put a pool in the back yard! Wow how refreshing on a hot day! Mowing under the tramp provided some entertainment with bunnies.

Our Pastor and his Family are heading home this weekend from their Sabbatical. They are know touring the Netherlands! We are excited to have them back home!

Dance and Baseball

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Here we are in the middle of June, Princess just finished her dance recital and now it is officially Baseball Season at our Home! This little girl has the opportunity to watch, try all the concessions, talk to anyone willing to talk her at all these games! Needless to say, they all know her name, who her "boys" are, how old she is, birthday, and the fact she is going to TK in the fall.

Our oldest plays for the High School Team, he usually plays Freshman and some JV. He loves everything about the sport. His passion is pitching or 2nd base but lately the coaches are playing him at 1st base. Right now he is watching the Yankees! Here he is in blue, batting.

Our 2nd Son played in a tourney this Friday/Saturday and their team took 2nd place! He love to catch. He caught 5 out of the 6 games! He does a fantastic behind home plate!

Our 3rd Son plays where ever the coaches put them. He would love to try to pitch, but the coaches do the pitching for the boys! Usually you find him at 1st base. We had a relaxing Father's Day with DH's Family at Yankton! I didn't get a chance to see my Dad on Sunday, but he was with my sisters and their Families! Happy Father's Day Dad!!! We all love our Dads and Grandpa's we are truly blessed beyond words!

Speaking of being Blessed...our Pastor is in Romania right now. I thought I would put a picture reminder of Pastor Mark. This is a fundraiser our Youth Group is doing!
On the Adoption...our SW has been in touch with the Orphanage, getting some more information. If it is God's will, we hope we can put some "concrete" information on this blog! We are praying for this little one, and all those involved in this process!

Have a blessed week!!