Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Adoption Announcement

Join us in prayers of praise and thanksgiving!!

Our petition for the stepparent adoption of Brandon Michael has been granted by the State of Oregon. Dawn is now his legal mother, just as if he was physically born to us.

Not knowing his biological mother, at age 5 Brandon gave me his trust and love. We explained that when people are added to a family, God doesn’t let us lessen the love for people already in our lives, but instead gives us a new piece to add to our heart as the new person is integrated into our life.

Vital Statistics:
Age: 12 years, 7 months
Height: 5 ft. 2 in.
Weight: 93 lbs.

Our family is complete!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Time Warp

Countdown Status:
- 48 days until I start work in Bloomington
- 37 days until Christmas
- 25 days until we leave for Hawaii
- 9 days until Thanksgiving

It's getting closer and closer! I am not entirely past the anxiety, but I am now able to adjust my focus away from the negative things, and think about packing for Hawaii. Looking around the house, it doesn't feel like we're getting ready to move. Very few things are in boxes in the garage. Closets & drawers are still loaded. We are eating up some stuff out of the freezers and I haven't done a big fall stock-up of non-perishables for the winter. I think this weekend will be the time to get the rest of the summer clothes sorted, some packed for Hawaii, and some just packed away.

My brother and I have both decided that we don't care about activities and sight-seeing in Hawaii. We will both be content just sitting on a beach, staring at the ocean.


Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Just a quick one

Countdown Status:
- 60 days until I start work in Bloomington
- 49 days until Christmas
- 38 days until we leave for Hawaii
- 22 days until Thanksgiving

Whew! Our fact-finding trip to Illinois was fruitful. It is a very stereo-typical Midwest college town. There is very little change in the landscape. Can't wait to see the seasons change there. Met some of Mike's extended family, that he hasn't seen for almost 25 years.

I have found myself mentally divorcing (?), detaching myself from Salem. I supposed its a coping mechanism for all the change. We'll definitely have a place for our belongings.

Please pray for the sale of our house. I find myself repeating to God, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief." I want to trust God's timing, but now that we have less than 8 weeks to be there, it's becoming apparent that only he can work a miracle to sell our house and have it be an appropriate amount of money that we need.

I'll be back soon!