Thursday, March 17, 2011
Rebekah's Picture
Rebekah said "Mommy, you see?" She drew a picture of our whole family. She said "Daddy, Mommy, Abigail, Nolan, Rebekah, Elijah!" It was the sweetest thing ever. You can see all six of us in the picture and we all have belly buttons. :)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Rain....
First Earthquake!
I woke up this morning feeling like my bed was rattling, I couldn't tell if I had been dreaming it or if was actually real, I've be watching a lot of footage about the earthquake in Japan so I wasn't sure.! I woke up and was looking at Rebekah and it appeared like her bed was shaking as well! The power was knocked out immediately so I called Jason and low and behold we had a 5.0 earthquake! CRAZY! Nothing major, not even major enough to probably hit the news, but it was registered at the national earthquake center. Ahhhh.....my first earthquake, and hopefully my last. Only in Uganda!!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Our kids :)
I LOVE this picture. I really love this picture because it seems to capture my children's personality. Rebekah is always sweet and smiley and Elijah always seems to have a bit of a stinker smile on him. He's always looking for what he could get into next and this is so often what he looks like when he does so. 
Skyping with our church at home!!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
FIrst bubble bath!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Happy 5th Birthday Abigail!
Happy Birthday my sweet girl
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Going private in 3....2...1
Hello again everyone!!! As I stated before this blog will be going private! It will not be searchable via the internet and unaccessable to just anyone. If you would like to continue to follow our journey we welcome you to do so!! Please send me your email address and your name and if I don't know you personally tell me a little about yourself! We have readers world wide and would LOVE to get to know you! Blogger only allows for 100 viewers so once we reach that number we will not be able to add anymore.
Once you send me your email I will send you an invite to the blog and you can set up an account, each time you will have to sign in. I know, I know, it's sort of a pain but it is necessary in order to keep some level of privacy for us due to the sensitivity of our case as well as our family.
Please send me your request to allaboutabigail2009@yahoo.com and I will add you immediately! If you prefer to stay on our email list the same information will be distrubuted through that communication that will be on the blog.
This blog will be private on Friday March 11th.
Many blessings to you all!
Heather
Once you send me your email I will send you an invite to the blog and you can set up an account, each time you will have to sign in. I know, I know, it's sort of a pain but it is necessary in order to keep some level of privacy for us due to the sensitivity of our case as well as our family.
Please send me your request to allaboutabigail2009@yahoo.com and I will add you immediately! If you prefer to stay on our email list the same information will be distrubuted through that communication that will be on the blog.
This blog will be private on Friday March 11th.
Many blessings to you all!
Heather
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The "Whiskers While We Wait" Club
In addition to the prayer bracelets people are wearing for us a group of men have pledged their support of our family by growing out their whiskers while waiting for Heather and the kids to come home. We know that when men grow beads they get some questions or comments about it. Growing the whiskers allows people the opportunity to talk about international adoption and our God driven experience to get our children when they are asked about it. I am praying this opens up the opportunity to speak out the Lord in situations you may not have otherwise. It's also a reminder for prayers. At the end of our journey we'd love to hear how many conversations and testimony's it has resulted in! Thanks to all the guys out there participating!!! Please email me pictures at allaboutabigail2009@yahoo.com if I don't have one already. If you'd like to participate all you have to do is start growing those beautiful mutton chops and be sure to send us a picture once and a while so we can post the updated growth!!! And yes you are allowed to trim. :) Thanks for loving our family just as we are!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Hello from Uganda!
Life is beautiful and we are so incredibly blessed! I arrived in Uganda late Wednesday night and I got to pick up the kids on Thursday morning. :)
I can't post pictures of the children until we have legal guardianship but I will continue to send updates that aren't case specific.
Ohhhhhh........they are so sweet and wonderful. Elijah walked right up to me and let me pick him up and Rebekah gave me a big hug. It was so sweet. They were very quiet during the first couple of hours and then they let their sweet personalities come out. By that night they were in full force!
The area where they lived is humbling and shameful that any person would have to endure such conditions and sadly there are thousands of people is this area so poverty stricken. Very sad and makes me think twice about all that I have and all that I could do for these people.
Rebekah is a shy and quiet little girl with a lot of spunky fun antics, she's very sensitive and very loving. She is absolutely beautiful like Abigail and I believe they are almost exactly the same size. She is a little mommy with her little brother. Loves to have her hair done and play with babies. She has been through so much tragedy and emotional distress I am amazed at her sweet little spirit and ability to thrive.
Elijah is a little pistol. HOLY COW! I forgot what being 2 was like! He has TONS of energy and loves to be the center of attention. He has an adorable smile and he's always trying to dance and sing. He also is a HANDFUL. Having 2 kids in Uganda is entirely different then one 4 year old. I don't have things here like strollers or car seats, all the modern amenities that help with your children! They are eating like I have never imagined 2 kids could eat, their first meal was spaghetti, and both kids went to town on it!!
They are amazed at all the new surroundings, especially the toys and clothes. They get SOOO happy at meal time and I think are still shocked we eat more then once per day!
Uganda is beautiful, everything feels so familiar, like I never left. The weather here is warm in the upper 80's and is a nice change for a while!!! Although it was a little hard to adapt to the first day! WOW! We ran out of gas on the way home from the airport so that was interesting!!
I was blessed by my dear friend Monica coming with me for the first 2 weeks so we've been having so much fun. And it's nice to have company here since Jason was unable to travel this trip. It was too early for both parents to leave Abigail this soon so he made the ultimate sacrifice for us and had Monica come. I've been so excited to share Uganda with her and she has been a huge help with the kiddos! She also helped with all the fundraising we did so she's been there through the whole process to get these two precious ones.
In Him,
I can't post pictures of the children until we have legal guardianship but I will continue to send updates that aren't case specific.
Ohhhhhh........they are so sweet and wonderful. Elijah walked right up to me and let me pick him up and Rebekah gave me a big hug. It was so sweet. They were very quiet during the first couple of hours and then they let their sweet personalities come out. By that night they were in full force!
The area where they lived is humbling and shameful that any person would have to endure such conditions and sadly there are thousands of people is this area so poverty stricken. Very sad and makes me think twice about all that I have and all that I could do for these people.
Rebekah is a shy and quiet little girl with a lot of spunky fun antics, she's very sensitive and very loving. She is absolutely beautiful like Abigail and I believe they are almost exactly the same size. She is a little mommy with her little brother. Loves to have her hair done and play with babies. She has been through so much tragedy and emotional distress I am amazed at her sweet little spirit and ability to thrive.
Elijah is a little pistol. HOLY COW! I forgot what being 2 was like! He has TONS of energy and loves to be the center of attention. He has an adorable smile and he's always trying to dance and sing. He also is a HANDFUL. Having 2 kids in Uganda is entirely different then one 4 year old. I don't have things here like strollers or car seats, all the modern amenities that help with your children! They are eating like I have never imagined 2 kids could eat, their first meal was spaghetti, and both kids went to town on it!!
They are amazed at all the new surroundings, especially the toys and clothes. They get SOOO happy at meal time and I think are still shocked we eat more then once per day!
Uganda is beautiful, everything feels so familiar, like I never left. The weather here is warm in the upper 80's and is a nice change for a while!!! Although it was a little hard to adapt to the first day! WOW! We ran out of gas on the way home from the airport so that was interesting!!
I was blessed by my dear friend Monica coming with me for the first 2 weeks so we've been having so much fun. And it's nice to have company here since Jason was unable to travel this trip. It was too early for both parents to leave Abigail this soon so he made the ultimate sacrifice for us and had Monica come. I've been so excited to share Uganda with her and she has been a huge help with the kiddos! She also helped with all the fundraising we did so she's been there through the whole process to get these two precious ones.
I feel complete, I already don't remember what it was like before them and it feels like they've always been here. I'm blessed to have this time here in Uganda with them, SO blessed. They were SOOO excited to see Daddy and they giggle at his silly faces on Skype and smiled constantly when Nolan and Abigail came on. They were dancing afterwards.:) They also got to meet their Grandma and Papa and were REALLY excited about that! How grateful I am for technology!
May the glory be given to God for bringing us these beautiful children, I am so honored He has chosen me to their mother and I can't wait to bring these sweet children home to our family.
In Him,
Heather
Friday, March 4, 2011
We are so Blessed!
Heather met our kids, Rebekah and Elijah, on Thursday morning. : ) The critical bonding has now begun and they will now be staying with her until we get our papers to come home. Heather shared that both children ate a plate of spaghetti in record time at lunch and are potty-trained already. Yes!
For those many folks that expressed the interest to Skype, internet has been a issue for Heather and possibly could be solved by the weekend. Keep checking her online status.
Back home, the kids and I have been overwhelmed with love, meals, and phone calls. Thank you for caring about our family and being obedient to "loving your neighbor" as our Savior commands us to do. : )
In Him,
Jason, Nolan & Abigail
For those many folks that expressed the interest to Skype, internet has been a issue for Heather and possibly could be solved by the weekend. Keep checking her online status.
Back home, the kids and I have been overwhelmed with love, meals, and phone calls. Thank you for caring about our family and being obedient to "loving your neighbor" as our Savior commands us to do. : )
In Him,
Jason, Nolan & Abigail
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Skype Address!
I've had so many requests for my Skype address so here it is!! jason.heather.osborn Feel free to Skype me while I am there however keep in mind that Uganda is 8 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone.
Blessings!
Blessings!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Uganda or BUST....Again :)
Here we go!!!! We have clearance for take off!! Departure day is on Tuesday March 1st!
Fingerprints were done at 2:00 pm today and tickets were booked by 4:30!
Crazy thing is I am leaving exactly 364 days after the first departure to Uganda to get our Abigail!
ALL Glory is given to God for this awesome news!!
See you from Uganda!!
Fingerprints were done at 2:00 pm today and tickets were booked by 4:30!
Crazy thing is I am leaving exactly 364 days after the first departure to Uganda to get our Abigail!
ALL Glory is given to God for this awesome news!!
See you from Uganda!!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
One Step Closer!!!
Today is a great day! We are one step closer "paperwork" wise! Tomorrow we are finally able to send out our application to immigration as well as our Ugandan paperwork. Upon receiving the paperwork our attorneys will be able to apply for our court date!
With God's grace we will still be leaving by March 1st YEAH! I can't wait! I have been anxious the last couple of weeks because some things took a little longer then I anticipated. Notice I said then I anticipated. I'm again humbled because I know this is in God's time and in his will and if he decides we don't travel until June then I will choose not to complain about that.
Lets face it, the idea of getting into the warm sun and out of the piles of snow is a little appealing right now! I just cannot wait to see those faces and hug those bodies. Abigail asked today why I couldn't go and get them yet and then she said, "Mom, I think they are waiting for you to come."
We still aren't in the clear for traveling yet and today's victory is small in the scope of everything but HUGE in our day and today we are celebrating because we have been blessed!!!
PRAISE GOD!
With God's grace we will still be leaving by March 1st YEAH! I can't wait! I have been anxious the last couple of weeks because some things took a little longer then I anticipated. Notice I said then I anticipated. I'm again humbled because I know this is in God's time and in his will and if he decides we don't travel until June then I will choose not to complain about that.
Lets face it, the idea of getting into the warm sun and out of the piles of snow is a little appealing right now! I just cannot wait to see those faces and hug those bodies. Abigail asked today why I couldn't go and get them yet and then she said, "Mom, I think they are waiting for you to come."
We still aren't in the clear for traveling yet and today's victory is small in the scope of everything but HUGE in our day and today we are celebrating because we have been blessed!!!
PRAISE GOD!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Happy 11 Months my Abby!
I'm posting this in February at 11 months because I'm certain I will not be home to post a one year posting about this.
Exactly 11 months ago, almost to the minute I met my little girl. I landed at the airport in Entebbe and after getting out of immigration there she was. She was exhausted and tired because it was late but she immediately came walking up to me with a big bouquet of flowers. I instantly picked her up and held her. I just wanted to hold on, I kept saying "Hi Abigail, Hi Abigail, I love you Abigail!" She had no clue what I was saying, she didn't speak any English. She was seriously stunned, there were no tears, but there were no smiles either. She had insisted before the airport getting me flowers and my friends bringing her happily obliged. In the hour car ride to the guest house from the airport she fell asleep, on me. One of the best moments of my life. She was so small curled up on my lap, all 22 pounds of her. There are no seat belts used there so I really got to hold her. I distinctly remember looking outside thinking, HOLY CRAP, I am in Africa for real. It was all so surreal.
The next morning was an exciting morning of tears of joy, smiles and laughs that have never ended. She's been with us ever since that moment in the airport. Abigail has done amazing things the last 11 months and her light shines bright in our hearts and in this community.
We never saved Abigail, I will never ever take credit for that because the truth is she found and saved us. She taught us what the term "family" really means and what God's unconditional love really looks like in physical form and action.
Since that day I have never been the same. I arrived a very exhausted, naive, close minded, American woman. I returned completely changed, border less, once broken and reborn. I learned more about myself then I can ever explain, I was buckled to my knees before my Savior completely desperate and I learned the definition of what struggle, destitute, poverty, sovereignty, oppression, obedience and prevail personally mean.
May her beacon of light always shine as a living testimony of God's faithfulness and unending grace for all people to see.
Happy 11 months my princess.....(See pictures below)
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families. Psalms 68:5-6
Exactly 11 months ago, almost to the minute I met my little girl. I landed at the airport in Entebbe and after getting out of immigration there she was. She was exhausted and tired because it was late but she immediately came walking up to me with a big bouquet of flowers. I instantly picked her up and held her. I just wanted to hold on, I kept saying "Hi Abigail, Hi Abigail, I love you Abigail!" She had no clue what I was saying, she didn't speak any English. She was seriously stunned, there were no tears, but there were no smiles either. She had insisted before the airport getting me flowers and my friends bringing her happily obliged. In the hour car ride to the guest house from the airport she fell asleep, on me. One of the best moments of my life. She was so small curled up on my lap, all 22 pounds of her. There are no seat belts used there so I really got to hold her. I distinctly remember looking outside thinking, HOLY CRAP, I am in Africa for real. It was all so surreal.
The next morning was an exciting morning of tears of joy, smiles and laughs that have never ended. She's been with us ever since that moment in the airport. Abigail has done amazing things the last 11 months and her light shines bright in our hearts and in this community.
We never saved Abigail, I will never ever take credit for that because the truth is she found and saved us. She taught us what the term "family" really means and what God's unconditional love really looks like in physical form and action.
Since that day I have never been the same. I arrived a very exhausted, naive, close minded, American woman. I returned completely changed, border less, once broken and reborn. I learned more about myself then I can ever explain, I was buckled to my knees before my Savior completely desperate and I learned the definition of what struggle, destitute, poverty, sovereignty, oppression, obedience and prevail personally mean.
May her beacon of light always shine as a living testimony of God's faithfulness and unending grace for all people to see.
Happy 11 months my princess.....(See pictures below)
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families. Psalms 68:5-6
One of our first pictures received of Abigail ......August 2009, just 17 months ago
Abigail now :)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Snow Beating!
Let it SNOW!!!! 13 inches of beautiful white blanket fell upon us yesterday! We bunkered in for a snow day and the kids had a blast playing outside in it! Everything look so beautiful! My husband did quite the amazing job of removing it from the driveway. :)
Blessings!
Blessings!
The snow crew! They really are smiling under their scarves!!! They were 3 layers deep in clothes!
My dog was wondering how to get down the deck stairs :)
Fresh snow on our picnic table you can hardly see!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Girls Night Out........
Oh and we measured Abigail today because she seems like she's getting so tall and she has grown over 2 inches since November 28th!! CRAZY!!! She's our little bean sprout!
Blessings!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Fundraiser t-shirts!
I meant to put these on my website a long time ago I just couldn't keep up!! As our fundraising comes to a close I wanted post that I have a few remaining t-shirts left!! They are long sleeve white t-shirts, pre-shrunk cotton with our adoption logo on them. The t-shirts sell for $15 plus $3 for shipping. See picture. All proceeds help bring Rebekah and Elijah home!!! The only sizes I have remaining are as follows:
1 - 2X
3 - Extra Large
1 - Large
1 - Medium
1 - Tote Bag
That's it!! We have been SO blessed. I will update the quantities as these sell, it's first come first email! Please email me at allaboutabigail2009@yahoo.com if you would like to purchase one and I will set it aside for you. You can either paypal or mail me a check. When you email me I will send the information.
That's it!! We have been SO blessed. I will update the quantities as these sell, it's first come first email! Please email me at allaboutabigail2009@yahoo.com if you would like to purchase one and I will set it aside for you. You can either paypal or mail me a check. When you email me I will send the information.
Thank you for ALL your support, I love walking around town and seeing our t-shirts on other people!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Sending our love to Rebekah and Elijah
We were so blessed to have the opportunity to send some things back for our beautiful children waiting for us in Uganda. Another Uganda mom, Mercy's mom, was back in the US for the holidays and I was able to ship her some items to take to the children from us. She arrived back in Uganda on Tuesday and although her luggage was a little delayed she arrived safe and sound. Soon the children will be able to receive the things we sent and we are SO excited.
We made photo albums for each child. We put lots of pictures of Mom, Dad, big brother Nolan and big sister Abigail so they can start to have actual faces to look at. Those were the hardest photo books I have ever made. I sobbed. The kids made the most beautiful pictures for them, each one wanted to draw a picture of our house and carefully placed each member of our family on the drawing.
We sent the softest blankets we could find and Rebekah got a doll and Elijah got some cars to play with. My kids hugged and kissed the blankets like crazy so they could feel the love all over them. I wiped tears of joy and sadness on them and I can only pray they feel a glimpse of how much we love them. When I sent the package I was so excited and happy they would get it and then I was so sad because I wish it was me there to deliver it. But soon, VERY SOON, we will be able to hold them at last.
I wonder each hour of the day how they are, what they're feeling, wanting to reassure them that everything will be OK. For now I have to rely on the Lord to bring peace to their hearts. I pray they are able to hug the blankets as much as we did and feel their family's love waiting for them to come home. Soon my babies you'll be here. :)
We made photo albums for each child. We put lots of pictures of Mom, Dad, big brother Nolan and big sister Abigail so they can start to have actual faces to look at. Those were the hardest photo books I have ever made. I sobbed. The kids made the most beautiful pictures for them, each one wanted to draw a picture of our house and carefully placed each member of our family on the drawing.
We sent the softest blankets we could find and Rebekah got a doll and Elijah got some cars to play with. My kids hugged and kissed the blankets like crazy so they could feel the love all over them. I wiped tears of joy and sadness on them and I can only pray they feel a glimpse of how much we love them. When I sent the package I was so excited and happy they would get it and then I was so sad because I wish it was me there to deliver it. But soon, VERY SOON, we will be able to hold them at last.
I wonder each hour of the day how they are, what they're feeling, wanting to reassure them that everything will be OK. For now I have to rely on the Lord to bring peace to their hearts. I pray they are able to hug the blankets as much as we did and feel their family's love waiting for them to come home. Soon my babies you'll be here. :)
Our care package for the kids!! Filled with lots of Love!
Workin hard on the coloring!
Proud artists :)
Pictures for the kids!
Giving Lots of hugs and kisses to the blankets!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Onward we charge
Here we go!!! Our last and final requirement for our home study will be met on Monday and the home study will be complete!! Then its time to send off our immigration application and beg for a speedy fingerprint appointment. :) We received our paperwork to send back to Uganda which will be going back next week and we will then be assigned a court date!!! YEAH!!!!!! SO CLOSE!
On the home front we have all moved into our new bedrooms. Jason and I are finishing up the addition of a bedroom and bathroom to our house and the kids have settled into their rooms. They were VERY excited. I was also excited to get the rooms ready for Rebekah and Elijah, their little beds are so adorable and innocent looking. I try to envision what they will look like sleeping in them and it's more then I can imagine.
It seems absolutely UNbelievable that we are this close again. My kids ask everyday when they are coming home. It was actually a little sad when our social worker came to our home to do the home study Abigail thought she was bringing the kids over. :( She was so disappointed but it's so sweet to see how excited they are. Ahhhhhhhh...........We are so blessed.
Have a great week with Jesus all!
On the home front we have all moved into our new bedrooms. Jason and I are finishing up the addition of a bedroom and bathroom to our house and the kids have settled into their rooms. They were VERY excited. I was also excited to get the rooms ready for Rebekah and Elijah, their little beds are so adorable and innocent looking. I try to envision what they will look like sleeping in them and it's more then I can imagine.
It seems absolutely UNbelievable that we are this close again. My kids ask everyday when they are coming home. It was actually a little sad when our social worker came to our home to do the home study Abigail thought she was bringing the kids over. :( She was so disappointed but it's so sweet to see how excited they are. Ahhhhhhhh...........We are so blessed.
Have a great week with Jesus all!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
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
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
Monday, December 27, 2010
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)