Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all!!!!
How blessed we were in 2010.  Our trip to Uganda has changed everything for us in our family.  Our adoption of Abigail has been nothing short of utter bliss and our spiritual journey as a family just gets stronger by the day.  Sure, there's been heartaches and difficulties in the year, but it makes the joy so much sweeter in the end.  I don't believe in filling out a New Years resolution list because the reality for me is that I only have today and if I can't change it today then it's not worth worrying about it in the first place. 

This year will be remembered as the year of patience.  How defined that word has become to us between the months of March and June of this year.  We learned how important our closest friends are to us, who really cares about our family, and we learned more about ourselves then I think we care to admit.  I've met a LIFETIME supply of people I now call family and who love my children as if we were related.  So blessed.

I look forward to this year one day at a time.  Everyday Abigail makes enormous strides and continues to grow in our family and our new life here.  She is such a blessing.  And with that I am so grateful for her endurance and strength.  Nolan became an instant incredible big brother.  He went from having everything to himself to sharing everything and he has done so with such grace.  We are so proud of him.

Jason and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary with a little getaway for the night.  It was the first night we've spent away from Abigail and she did great.  And so did we. :)  I love spending time "out" with just my best friend and although it doesn't happen too often with having 2 kids now I cherish the time it does.  I am so blessed in my marriage that we make time every evening to spend with each other, these days we are working on the house together.  We are content as can be and that makes everyday wonderful. 

With the countdown beginning to my next departure we look forward to our journey back to Uganda.  I have mixed emotions as I have to leave my 2 children here while I go and get my 2 children there.  I've had to remember this year that God loves my children more then I ever could and I will continue to put my faith in Him that he will provide for all their needs.  Although an exact date of travel is not known yet we know it will be in February.  With that being only a month away I have started the process of getting everything together here so when I know I'm going, I'm ready.  It's only 11 months from my first travel date last year to get Abigail.  CRAZY!

It's a lot different going to Uganda this time.  It's not as scary because I know what to expect.  It's also WAY more scary, because I know what to expect. :)  Because we had a delayed experience last time I'm going into this open minded enough to know that anything can happen.  People keep asking how long we'll be gone but the answer at this point is however long it takes.  I have not put a number of weeks in my head and for purposes of keeping my sanity I don't plan on it.  This is the part where I have to remain obedient to my calling and put my trust in God for the details.

If you would like to be on my email adoption update list and you are not on there currently, please email me at allaboutabigail2009@yahoo.com.  You don't need to write an email, just put "add me" if you would like to be added to our list.


I will not be posting anything on my blog while I am gone as it is risky to post case specific information.  I will however be emailing regular updates and pictures of Rebekah and Elijah while we are in country.  My blog will remain private while gone so there will be no access to it.  Upon arrival home I will make the blog public again and post a last update.  I have loved this blog dearly and loved how many people have continued to follow our journey, pray for us and befriend us from all over the world.  After Rebekah and Elijah come home it will however be a time for us to be done with our blog.  After 4 kids I'm not sure I'll have time to keep up with it and Jason and I feel it's time for our life to become private.   

Friends, family, strangers, prayer warriors, if you'd like to follow along on our journey we would love to have you.  I would love to add you to my adoption update list that has reached over 220 addresses  now!

Many blessings to you in 2011.
In Him,

Heather