Abby's dress that she was SOO excited about!

Opening the first gift

Abby had the biggest one under the tree!

Nolan was all smiles while dad tried out the new flip video camera

Being silly!

Abigail's photo shoot from early December :)

This was as excited as the dogs got all night.  

Merry 1st Christmas baby girl!

“If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn’t help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus is just as selfish as we are or we’ve got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition. And then admit that we just don’t want to do it.”

– Stephen Colbert

Special Christmas wishes to everyone from the Osborns

Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

No ordinary Christmas lights.............

Throughout this process of adopting there have been so many people who have blessed our family with a quiet service.  We have had endless people help us out in so many ways and today I was unbelievably touched by another quiet service.  One that I could have never imagined.

My neighbors have their house all lit up (see picture) like a gingerbread house.  Each string of lights is even and carefully attached to their house, looks like a professional did it!  We drive by their house everyday and each time my children marvel at the multi-color lights.  Jason and I marvel at the amount of time it must have taken them to put up the lights and how nicely done they are.  They haven't decorated the outside in a few years and we just attributed the absence of lights on their house to the "who has time?"  I can hardly get the 4 strands on my evergreens in my front yard much less an entire home!

But this year was different, soon after Thanksgiving it was lit up, beaming like a festive gingerbread house, it's the only one on our street.  It was the first house with lights Abigail had ever seen.  To my surprise today when I spoke with our neighbor (the homeowner), she told me that they put the lights on the house because it was Abigail's first Christmas and they wanted it to be there for her to see.  I was floored. 

How incredibly nice it was that the neighbors thought of our daughter and her first Christmas and wanted to make it special for her.  They took all that time just for her and we didn't even know.  We've been driving by enjoying the view for 3 weeks but never knew it was for Abigail.  After speaking with her I went back to my car I sobbed.  Just sobbed.  That is one of the nicest things someone has ever done for us, such a quiet service.  Everytime I drove by and saw them I had no idea.  So next time you see lights out on a house, maybe there is a story or a kind gesture behind it.  Maybe its a reminder of what we can do special for other people.  I am so humbled.  Thank you Meyer family!!  Truly a gift we will never forget.

I SUPPORT ADOPTION BRACELETS!

Bracelets for Elijah and Rebekah!  Our greatest hope is that we can spread the word of adoption!  Each of these bracelets is made from %100 recycled silicone and sells for $2.00 each.  No matter how many you order it is only 50 cents for shipping.  One side of the bracelet says "I support adoption!" the other side says "Rebekah and Elijah 2010."  They come in 2 colors, pink and blue.  Our hope is that everyone will wear these bracelets until our Rebekah and Elijah come home to their forever family.  All proceeds support our journey to get our beautiful kids!

First Snow......

Ohhhhhhh how Abigail has waited so patiently to witness the first arrival of snow. This year the snow arrived later then usual so we had to be patient. However since it started falling last week it hasn't seemed to stop! We have had these awesome blankets of soft snow falling. She can't stop staring at it. The first day she literally went to the big window in our dining room at least 50 times. Each time say, "Mom it's snowing again." She said "It's on the roof too! And it's snowing far far away over there." She was truly amazed. Still I find her staring at it and checking first thing in the morning if it's there. Today while trying to put on her own mittens she complained it was hard to get her thumb in the whole. She's not used to the coat, boots, hat and mitten routine. When the kids got to play in the snow I had to peel them inside. It was an incredible "first" for her.

Looking out the window at the snow

Still dark out but Abigail and Nolan are getting the first peek of the snow!

And during breakfast!

Nolan outside shoveling

 Looking again!

 Abigail all bundled up in the car!

 

Running around the driveway in her church clothes! Just got out of the car at home and she took off in the snow!

 LOTS of snow!

Jo from Australia in Uganda

OK this is going to seem like the most bizarre post.  However we met this wonderful woman from Australia Jo at our guest house.  She was working on a year long mission trip and we would love to talk to her!!!  Jo, you have posted many comments on our blog, even asking us questions, however when you post a comment I am not able to reply because email it was sent from is kept private.  PLEASE email Jason and I at allaboutabigail2009@yahoo.com we would love to talk to you!!!

Buy a t-shirt to help bring Mercy Home!

OK so I'm hoping with my number of followers I can help a friend of mine.  Her name is Melissa and she's adopting a little girl named Mercy from Uganda.  Although she has different issues with her case then we did she has been stuck in Uganda since the end of August.  Almost 4 months!  She has two sweet little girls and a husband waiting for her to bring their Mercy home.  I know first hand how expensive it is to live on two continents as well as what this airfare will be for her to go home for Christmas.  I know the financial and emotional toll can be devastating and we want to be able to help this family out!  We are asking the Lord to seek favor on her family and allow her to bring her daughter Mercy home.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read her blog at roadtomercy.blogspot.com

The t-shirt logo is from her website and I think they are just amazing.  I love them and if you purchase one the proceeds go towards helping little Mercy come home.  These would be excellent Christmas gifts!!

The Meaning: The arrows represent our need to focus inward on our own spiritual walk (white arrows), which will then, in turn, help us focus outward on our mission of serving others (black arrows). The words come from Micah 6:8, "And what does the Lord require of you? Act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." And of course, the "Love Mercy" is in red to signify their sweet baby girl.


Shirts: $15 per shirt. 50/50 cotton blend unisex shirt. Sizes Youth XS (2-4)- Adult XXXL. Additional $3 per shirt requested for shipping.

To order: email Melissa at melissabusby@hotmail.com and put T-shirt order in the subject line. You can pay with PayPal or with a check. When you order, Melissa will send you details on how to pay.

In addition to the t-shirts I know I have an amazing list of prayer warriors.  Please keep this family in your prayers, they are desperate to be united in the United States together.  I'm personally asking for prayers for this family before you go to bed tonight, there is a very important meeting tomorrow for her.  I'm praying that everyone will follow this family's journey, and rejoice with our fellow brother and sisters when that visa is finally released and they can go home.

What's in a name......

After what seems to be an eternity to decide Jason and I have FINALLY chosen the names of our two little ones joining our family.  We went back and forth as to whether we should change them at all but we felt as a family we wanted to do this for them.  That and we aren't sure if they have even gone their whole life with the names they are being called now.  We want them to have a fresh start.


We are still uncertain of their middle names, we would like to keep their African names as middle names as we did for Abigail.  We will keep with tradition and our two new children will have two middle names like Nolan and Abigail do.  


So here we go: 


Rebekah will the our daughter's name.  I love the biblical spelling of this name, although it's a little more common name it was a fitting biblical name for her.  It's also the name of a very special Ugandan who's had such a huge impact on our children and we thought it was perfect to name her after her.


Elijah will be our son's name.  Elijah was a prophet and when we saw the name we knew it was it, no hesitation, it was perfect for him.


So we will call them Rebekah and Elijah from here on, we are so excited to announce these names publicly and can't wait to bring our little ones home for good.  Our goal for leaving is March 1, our attorney I think would like it to be sooner but we are still finishing up our home study and immigration approval and raising funds!!  Selling beads like crazy to get there!  If God can get our immigration approval back sooner then I will be there sooner to get them!  The awesome thing is that I am leaving this in God's hands, he has always provided before and I know in his way he will provide again.  As always, His timing will be perfect.

Abigail's First Christmas Tree Decorating

Thanksgiving Blessings :)

Mmmmmmmm...........the smell of Thanksgiving food is still permiating my house!!!  All I want to do is eat!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE Thanksgiving.  Good food and amazing friends we now call family, we are so blessed.  We had 7 children here total to play!  I have never in my life heard children laugh so hard.  Abigail was the only girl in the group and she kept up with the best of the boys.

Amazing to think last year we were wondering what it would be like to have Abigail home.  Trying to put in perspective her spot at the table and the sound of her voice.  It's so fun to be able to experience all the first's with her.  Despite all the things we could complain about not having we are so incredibly blessed.  This past year has taught us exactly how MUCH we have and how LITTLE others do.  Jason is amazing about always focusing on the positive and giving thanks for all we have today, he is such an incredible role model for our children.

Today was an amazing day for us from all the way across the globe.  Our two future children today found out they would be adopted.  They were moved into a permanent location with a permanent caregiver until we arrive.  They received clothes, toiletries to bathe, shoes, beds with mattresses, blankets, sheets and most needed, food.  They are receiving medical care this week because they have been without regular food for so long it's been difficult for them to eat.  They have not been tested for anything as of yet but we are taking them as they are, nothing will change that.  How AMAZING on this incredible holiday our children find out they have a forever home and a family yearning to hold them.  We were told they were SOOOOOOO excited and that just makes my heart burst with happiness!  We are suppose to be receiving pictures of their living arrangements and photos of the children this week, we can't wait!  This just sealed the day for us today, but it isn't just today we will be giving thanks, it should be everyday.  We're beaming proud parents!

So today on Abigail's first Thanksgiving we talked about giving our thanks to God for all that we have.  Jason asked both of our children to list 5 things they were grateful for so here is our family list.  Unedited just as it was, I posted the list below.  Many blessings on this incredible holiday!

Abigail: I am thankful for:

1. Mom - because we snuggle and rock in the rocking chair
2. Dad - because you guys take care of me
3. My Brother - Because I love him
4. My Bed - Because I didn't have a nice bed before
5. My Clothes - Because they are nice

Nolan: I am thankful for:
1. God - because he gives me clothes
2. Friends - because I play with them
3. My sister - because I like when she gets to sleep in my bunkbed
4. Mom - Because I snuggle with her
5. Dad - Because we play football together

MANY MANY MANY BLESSINGS!

Blessed in Valparaiso, Indiana

Below is a newspaper article from the local paper in Valparaiso, Indiana on November 21st. The support we continue to receive from city to city or state to state is amazing.  Our world is full of caring people who love children regardless of their skin color.  I'm touched that our story touches other people's hearts.  Check out the corner of the picture, it's our kids!

Jason

By Susan O'Leary Times Correspondent


WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | Christmas shoppers elbowed through jewelry, candles, and chip dip Saturday and discovered some unique offerings at the Holidaze Arts and Crafts Show at the Porter County Expo Center.  

At a booth called All About Abigail, Heather Osborn, of Mattawan, Mich., displayed multicolored bead necklaces and bracelets made from recycled magazines and fingerless mittens sewn from recycled wool sweaters.

Women in Ugandan refugee camps make the jewelry, while Osborn and her friend, Monica Lull, sew the mittens. Proceeds provide food and education to women in the camps and help fund adoptions of Ugandan orphans.

"They have nothing, but they are so rich because they are happy," said Osborn, who spent four months in Uganda when she and her husband adopted their daughter, Abigail, there last June.

Since both women learned to sew in October, they've made 400 mittens.

"They are great for texting and ice fishing," said Lull. "We have bus drivers and mail carriers who buy them."

Osborn and Lull met last March, but Lull plans to travel with Osborn on her next Ugandan trip.

"We believe God has blessed us completely and brought us together to do this," Lull said.

Shopper Karen Anton, of Crown Point, purchased two angels made in Uganda from banana leaves from Osborn.

"We were intrigued by the charity story behind this and the craftsmanship," Anton said.

We're Expecting!

Jason and I are happy to announce that today we accepted the referral of two more children from Uganda.  The little girl named Angel is 4 - exactly 7 months younger then Abigail and the little boy named Kenny is 2.  They are siblings.

Jason and I came home from a weekend of fundraising and found out about the two children.  Although I would like to keep their situation private because I will leave that up to them to tell some day, I can say the story is very horrible.  I couldn't shake it from my heart and God kept laying it on us.  There was a very urgent need to find these children a family and we accept it with honor.  The children have been fending for themselves and living on the streets and as today they have been placed in a safe location and we will begin the process to bring them home to our family.  Because my blog is public I am not able to post any pictures of the children but they are beautiful.  They're eyes have a sad and lonely look in them like Abby's did in her first picture.  Their clothing is worn, filthy and tattered and the little boy is not even wearing pants.  Neither child has any shoes on.  Yet somehow when we look at those children we see a beautiful daughter and son we cannot wait to love. 

This adoption is NOT the ideal time for us but we know that HIS time is perfect and our strength will come from him.

When we were originally thinking 2 more kids we were thinking at least another year, however after praying on this for days we know in our hearts these are the children God has placed in our hearts for us.  So I'm sending the application off tomorrow and we will begin to update our home study as soon as possible.  I am hoping to travel in the spring or early summer to attend the court hearing and pick up the children.

My children are SOOOOOO excited.  Abigail has been this giddy little girl all day announcing all the things she's going to be playing with her new brother and sister.  And she's proud as a peacock that she will get to be a big sister.  Because of when the girls are born they were be in different grades which is better for both girls.  Nolan asked if we could go get them now and is beside himself at the idea of a brother.

I cried and cried this morning when we got the approval to go ahead from our social worker.  We don't have all the details figured out but fortunately we don't have to, I'm placing that in God's hands.  And with his strength we will grow to a family of 6 bringing glory to him throughout this entire process.

We are so blessed tonight.  Looking at our dining room table it's hard to believe in no time all the chairs will be filled.  We are asking for many prayers for our future children.  We pray in advance for the Holy Spirit to work through all the people that have a hand in this.  We pray for our own family for patience in this process to bring them home.

Welcome to the next Osborn journey!

Veteran's Day

Father in the name of Jesus,

I pray tonight for the men and women in uniform. Forgive me for taking for granted my freedoms while men and women are in harms way at this very moment protecting it. Forgive me for my selfish ways while the soldier's family spends the coming months alone waiting for their hero to come home. Lord I ask that you keep them safe from harm and bring them home. I pray for those who's spirit and body have been scarred from the battles I cannot comprehend find comfort with you. I pray for the men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty and for their families that have to endure a life without their loved one. And most of all Father I ask that the peace you give us sustain us.

Hear my prayer Lord.

Amen

Quiet moments.......

I love the quiet moments during the day when I can just have a moment to myself.  Some days I don't get them at all but some days like today I got to have a nice 10 minutes.  It's in those times when I hear God speak to me.  With the excitement of another adoption and two kids that have lots of energy I often forget to make time to just listen.  Sometimes when I stop and listen I have this ability to not hear what the Lord is putting on my heart and in turn I am not able to be obedient.  Today during my quiet moment I felt peace.  Just peace.  How exhilarating it was.

When I started my last job at Stryker, God laid on my heart it wasn't where I needed to be and I was angry.  Angry because I worked so hard to get to that point and it wasn't in His will and I wanted it to be.  When I left my job I was positive I would be beside myself with boredom and now I'm constantly reminded what I would be missing if I wasn't home.  We have a BLAST.  When He led us to adopt Abigail and I was afraid of not having enough of me to give to two children and not just one, He's shown me your heart just grows to fit all the love.  When I moved into a smaller house then I imagined I was afraid I would feel crowded.  My King taught me that a home is what fills it, my amazing husband who stands by me no matter what, my amazing children who are the apple of my eye and our house is busting with love.  I wouldn't trade that for a bigger house in a million years.. I was afraid the older I got the less fun I would feel, I've never felt more secure and alive. 

I used to live with the idea that the next vacation, the next new car, the bigger house, the nice new outfit, the new hair style, the bigger job etc. would bring happiness and don't get me wrong they did, but it's short lived.  Today I'm wearing my "mom" pants, I haven't gotten a shower yet, I'm putting on make up and playing hair stylist with my daughter and there is nothing more I would want for my life then what I already have right now.  I feel free.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20

Prayers request

As we gear up for another weekend of bead shows I have a prayer request.  I have a friend having a very difficult time with her son.  He's left home and at 17 there isn't anything she can do about it.  Please pray that the Holy Spirit move through him and pray that the evil stays out of his choices.  I ask this in the name of Jesus, I know that I have an awesome following of people that have prayed for us and I'm asking that you help bring this family peace.  If you pray for Heather and Jason's friends God will know who you are speaking about. 

An update on our situation I believe the downstairs will be getting underway this week.  We have to redo our electical, break up cement for the bathroom and knock out a wall!! YEAH!  I'm so excited!  The kids are excited to, I think they think the babies are coming right away if we do that.  Haha.  I keep saying in God's time.

Happy Halloween!

Truly the BEST Halloween EVER.  3 days of celebrating and we are tuckered out!  When you a adopt a child you have all sorts of "firsts" that are so darn fun.  Sure when you have a baby you have a first Halloween but it's just so different.  Being able to show Abigail all the fun and festivities was truly an unbelievably fun experience.  Last night on the hay ride she looked at us like we were absolutely crazy, but she had a blast.  She kept calling it a "hair ride" today.  Hahaha.  Even the dogs got into it this year.  Friday we had a Halloween party, Saturday was trick or treating and Sunday was trunk or treat at church.  My husband claims to have been dressed as Greg Brady and I think he was a little sad last night after he had to take the wig off for good, he literally wore it all weekend. (see pics) :)  We had date night on Saturday and I think he was sad when I asked him not to wear it out.   And yes I said date night!  SO FUN!!!!!   Then again I always had a crush on Greg Brady so he looked mighty good.  Enjoy the pictures!!!

Abigail loved the idea of instant long hair.

 Logan dressed as a hot dog :)  Poor girl

 When you are a cute bubble bee it requires pretty nail polish

 Pretty Miss Bee......

And Mr. Pirate.  You know you are past

the cutesy fun childish costumes when your

son want to wear teeth like this!

All Smiles!

 Don't you love the hunky Greg Brady standing in the back?  WOO HOO!

 Too cold for little miss Bee so she wanted to wear the warm giraffe outfit!

 Here's me with my hubby Greg the hunk.

 And the eyelashes?  Almost killed me putting them on.

 I have nothing to say except MMMMM HHHHMMMM......

 Someday our children will be so embarrassed when their parents

dress up for Halloween so for now we have to go all out!

 When it's cold out, real pirates wear sweatshirts :)

 Trunk or treating at the church!  SO fun!

My sweet little flower Lizzy :)

 I asked the kids to paint faces on the pumpkins to carve out.

I drew Abigail what I thought was an example of a pumpkin face 

so this is what she drew on the pumpkin.  So cute.  Ha ha

I asked Abigail to take a picture with her pumpkins and this how she posed.  Haha

You can see she's saying cheese back there!

 Much better Abby!

Nolan's cyclops pumpkin!

Sick week

WOW, this has been the sickest week ever!  With my FAVORITE upcoming holiday this week we proved to have some challenges!

First off on Friday I had my 2nd sinus surgery.  For those of you that can understand what that's like uncomfortable doesn't even BEGIN to cover how I feel.  First of all people were meant to blow their nose. They just were.  I'm mean COME ON!!  Don't blow your nose until further instruction?  You don't realize how miserable that is until you have to abide by it. Horrible. Such a simple thing I will never take for granted.

On Sunday Abigail suffered her first bee sting, first episode of hives and her very first fever.  She was running around like crazy on Sunday and at dinner she looked 'three sheets to the wind' and BAM, she had a fever of 104.5.  After a cold bath, Tylenol and a trip to the ER the fever broke within 24 hours.  She was the hit of the ER :)

Last night I ended up in the ER overnight.  I picked up the stomach flu somewhere and at 2 am last night, BAM.  By 4am I felt like I had met my demise and I was positive I had taken off a minimum of 30 pounds.  Sadly I was wrong about that.  I'm sure the explicits of my bodily functions is not why you came to my blog this week so I will spare you the stories. :)  I had to have potassium and fluids and was booted home to recover.  So much for that flu shot.

On a good note it's Halloween this week and my family plans to be decked out in style :)  We decided this holiday will have the whole family involved.  Pets and all. :)  So here is to an amazing week of costumes, dress up and lots of candy!  Can't wait!

Back to bed I go!

Heather

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

Mother Teresa

Fall.....

The leaves were so colorful it was hard to see the kids!

Pictures of the trees in our backyard.  SO beautiful

Ohhhh how I love fall.  I think it's the most beautiful time of the year.  I actually feel sorry for people that live where there isn't fall.  The crisp morning air, the warm sweater weather, sunshine afternoons and the amazing colors that illuminate our trees and last but not least the leaf piles.  I know so many people that complain about the fall clean up in the yards but we love it.  I look forward to winter and the gorgeous blankets of snow and mostly I can't wait for Abigail to see it's beauty live from our windows.  I love living where we have 4 seasons and we love each one equally.

We went out this afternoon to take our fall pictures, these were taken in our backyard woods.  I got a new camera so the pictures are done by yours truely :)  I'm still learning :).  Abigail is still amazed at the leaves that fall, last week she said it was messy on the lawn and we need to clean.  Hahaha.  We'll be driving and she'll say Mom!  That tree is Orange!  That one is Red!  The best part about fall?  The apple cider and donuts in Michigan and pumpkin patches.  Just love them.  I am so blessed......