Ok...So it has been awhile...again

Well life has really been crazy around here. I haven't posted in a while because of everything that has happened in the last month and a half. On Sunday, January 31 Andrea got really sick. She was throwing up and complaining of stomach pain. By Monday she had quit throwing up but she started having a temp of 102. We dismissed this because there was so much stomach flu going around that we just assumed this is what was what she had. By Thursday she still had this temp and was still complaining of slight discomfort in her tummy. We called the dr and she said that it was probably viral. By Monday she still had a temp so Andy took her in to get checked out. The dr said she still thought the temp was from a virus and her stomach pain was because of constipation (even though she had gone to the restroom). By Thursday she was still running a temp and had tummy pain when you pressed on it. She would have a temp of 99-100 in the morning and by 4pm she would be up to 102. We called again and the nurse said she could run a fever for up to 2 weeks and we did not need to come in. Friday we headed out to Gatlinburg to meet up with my parents for a weekend getaway. Since the dr wasn't concerned we just kept with our original plans. However, on our way there we called and demanded that some blood work be ordered so that we could get to the bottom of her fever. All weekend she was lethargic and not up to par as her fever ran its usual patter of lowgrade in the morning and getting higher as the day progressed. The dr reluctantly called in the bloodwork tests and as soon as we returned we took her in for the test (Tuesday). The dr didn't even request a follow-up appt. Wednesday morning I was a wreck and insisted that the dr see us that morning. Andy and I loaded her up and headed to the dr hoping that we would get some answers. When we got there some of the blood work had arrived and they showed that she had some inflammation in her body. The dr then said that she sent it to rheumatology to get their input. I kept saying that I thought it was her tummy because she still complained of it hurting in the area of her appendix, but the dr dismissed my concerns (which I had had since the beginning of all of this). She pressed on her tummy and said, "Well, maybe...she does hurt right by where her appendix is located." So, Andy asked if we could get a scan of her abdomen and she finally consented. We went right over to the CT scan place and waited for over 2 hours for the results. Poor Andrea was asleep on the couch in the waiting room. Finally the dr called us and said that they can't find the appendix on the scan but it appears it might be chronic appendicitis. She sent us to Riley Children's Hospital. When we arrived the surgeon compared her CT scan to one she had had last summer and said that it looked as if her appendix had ruptured. They took her back to emergency surgery not knowing what they were getting into because the CT scan showed a mass of inflamed tissue. When they got in there the surgeon found the the appendix had literally exploded and he had to take it out piece by piece. The surgery took 2 hours to complete (normally this type of surgery would have been 30 minutes). He couldn't believe it had been ruptured for so long. She went 17 days with a ruptured appendix. It is a miracle she is alive. She spent 8 days in the hospital. The drs and nurses at Riley were absolutely amazing! The surgeon called her a miracle. Needless to say we no longer go to that pediatrician. We did several interviews with various drs and found one that we feel will fit us well. It was truly a scary experience, but one where we felt God in COMPLETE control. There were people all over the country lifting her up in prayer. Andy and I were peaceful the entire time. We knew that the Lord was keeping her. She is an amazing little girl and now has a testimony of the healing and keeping power of God. So now you can see why I haven't posted in a while. Andrea missed school the entire month of February. She did an amazing job of staying up on her school work. I am so proud of her. Last week she got a clean bill of health from her surgeon and is excited to be able to run again. As for adoption news, we found out that we are next in line to receive our referral. We pray that this will come quickly because there are so many changes taking place in Ethiopia right now.

Let it Snow

Mommy and Biscuit...our newest addition

Noah playing in the snow

Andrea eating the snow

Nathan being his cute self

I haven't posted in a while. We have been extremely busy with wrestling, basketball, school, violin, and piano. Andrea getting sick and the snow storm actually made us slow down for a little while. Actually, Andrea has had a fever for 11 days. We are spending a lot of time praying for her and resting. She has missed 5 days of school. I think the Lord sent the snow storm so she wouldn't miss any more (they have had 3 snow days in the past 2 weeks). We did go outside as a family last night and build a snow fort. We don't have any hills around our property so we made our own snow hill out of snow! FUN. Andy and I stayed outside longer than the kids. We have about 8 inches out there. I love the snow. I don't even mind getting out in it. The kids love it too. The picture at the top shows our newest little member of the family, Biscuit. She is a mini shnauzer and is the best puppy ever. I LOVE HER! We start puppy school tonight so we shall see how well she does!

On the adoption front, we are moving up the list!!! Another family just got a referral this week. A 4 yr. old girl has been matched with her forever family. I just love hearing their stories. This family has already adopted one little girl from Ethiopia and is now bringing home her sister. LOVE IT. There are also 2 families over there now picking up their babies. I can't wait to hear about their adventures and see their children. God is amazing. We are praying that they have safe trips. Andy and I need to go to the international doctor to get our shots for our trip. It is going to be here before we know it. I actually had a dream last night that I was holding our baby girl. She was so small, but had the face of a 6-8 month old child. Her hair was dark and fuzzy, and her eyes were dark, clear, and beautiful. She looked at me very intensely and felt so comfortable in my arms. She was a very calm little girl, almost as if she was taking it all in. I know the time is getting closer when I will actually hold my baby and look into her eyes. I long for that day.

Getting excited!

I am getting so excited about this adoption. There have been a flood of referrals this week, and court dates/travel is going quickly as well. This just brings me hope that my baby's "spot" is opening up at the orphanage. We are 3rd on the "list" for a baby girl. OVERJOYED. For some reason I keep get a feeling in my heart that the referral will come in March. I don't know if this is realistic or not, but I just keep hearing that. That will be one year since we started the process. I can't stop looking at the pictures of the children who will be coming home soon. It makes my heart swell. I told Andy the other night that we were 3rd and he said he is starting to get nervous....a good nervous. We have a lot of work to do to get ready for that day, but it will be worth it.

News

Overjoyed today...a family in our adoption group passed court today. We will have 3 families travelling right around the same time. How much fun for them. I must admit I am a little jealous. I would love to be going over there with them, but our baby girl is not ready for us to come and get her. She probably hasn't even been born. But, I keep reminding myself that in God's perfect timing. There haven't been any referrals for quite some time. Honestly that is really depressing. I really want things to start moving. There are so many orphans in the world that need a home. Let's get a move on!

Christmas Review and New Year's Eve Plans

Little Nathan T is so excited about his truck and trailer. Love these kids!

Handsome Noah has his goodies stacked up on the couch.

Beautiful Andrea loves these little puppy in my pocket things. These are ocean in my pocket.

Look at this mess!

Needless to say, we had a very blessed and abundant Christmas. Santa knew exactly what everyone wanted and he came through in his usual fashion. Oh the joys and excitement of the holidays. God is so good. On Christmas Eve we went to church for the Christmas Eve service. Andy put it all together and it was wonderful...short and sweet. He showed a clip from the Nativity Story and we sang beautiful traditional Christmas carols and then lit candles at the end. So beautiful. After church he went to pick up my "surprise" present at his sister's house. The fedex man was suppose to deliver it there, but they left a note saying no one was there to sign for it. Andy was furious. We drove all the way to Indianapolis Fedex to pick it up. We didn't get home until 9 and we still had to bake cookies. UGH. It was memorable that is for sure. The kids woke up around 7:30 and the festivities began. So much fun. I can't wait for Olivia to get her to enjoy it with us. We have ornaments on the tree just for her. Hopefully she will be able to be with us next Christmas. That is my prayer for the new year.

Today is New Year's Eve and we are anticipating a fun filled evening at our church. We are having an Extravaganza! We are performing a skit that is super funny. I am sitting behind Andrea and putting my arms through her shirt...Noah is putting his arms through Andy's shirt and we are then performing daily tasks such us makeup, eating, catching a ball, shaving (with no razor). It is sooo funny. I will post pictures later. Have fun tonight and be safe.

Christmas time

I can't believe that Christmas is in 3 days. It is such a wonderful and joyous time. My kids are bouncing off of the walls. This is a picture of us at the Christmas tree farm. So much fun! We were talking today about little our baby girl in Ethiopia and where we will hang her stocking for Christmas. We don't know when she will be with us, but our hearts are with her. A sweet friend of ours who has adopted 4 little girls gave me an ornament for our tree. She said that she always kept an ornament on her tree for her girls that were still in China. I cried when she gave it to me. I have been really trying to keep my mind off of the wait...but we got some news that the wait time has increased to 9-12 months for a referral. This puts us in August at the earliest. So, we may not even have her home for next Christmas. I must admit that I am quite upset about this, but God is good about keeping me busy. I just pray that the long winter months are not too difficult. There is starting to be some movement over in Ethiopia though. Lots of families have court dates approaching, and one family will be traveling to get their little girl the 3rd of January. Hopefully this will make space for our little one who will be coming into the home. God has perfect timing in everything though. I don't see it from my perspective, but He sees where she is (even if she is still in the womb). I will devote my time to praying for her health and her mother's. I will also pray that she will know she is loved and wanted. What a precious little girl she is.

Short update.

I wanted to share with you are most recent family photo. Every year at Thanksgiving we take a family photo around my parents fireplace. We have found that as our kids grow and the more we get we don't fit as well around the fireplace. You should see the one with our family, my brother's family, and my parents. We look a bit squished. I can't imagine what it will look like next year when O arrives. She will be the completion of our family and it will be sooo wonderful to have her with us.

We are in full swing with the Christmas festivities. We will go get our tree on Saturday. I am a little bummed because we are going to a farm that does not have a tractor ride. We have always taken a tractor ride out to the field and picked a tree. The tree farms around here don't offer that and we don't feel like driving a billion miles to a place that offers that. Oh well...we will see how it goes.

We have been busy practicing our Christmas program for church. It is called "Cookin' Up Christmas" and is sooo cute. The kids are doing an amazing job preparing. I am very proud of all of them.

Not much activity for us on the adoption front. Our dossier is being translated and should be done by the end of December. We will then be eligible for a referral. But, those have been slow coming in our agency. The courts are so backlogged that there hasn't been much movement. We are praying that the new year brings more referrals so that we move up the list. Until then....we are waiting. I believe that is how it is going to be for a while. But, we are in it for the long haul.