I Can't Keep It Any Longer... Here Goes!

Here she is ...Meet our girl Libbie, The Libster I've wrestled about posting our absolutely wonderful, amazingly GREAT news.... I wanted to wait until we had received our I-800A approval, and then I thought I should wait until we had received the Pre-Approval from China and then I thought I should wait until we mailed our announcements... but I just can't wait any longer!! I (WE, Lambert and Hoot are here blogging with me) proudly introduce Libbie Lin~Zhang Lambert... I just can't wait any longer. You may be receiving the same announcement in the mail within the next few days, but I had to share the good news with my blog friends. Thanks for all the encouraging e-mails and support. I've not wanted to share a lot about our referral on this blog, just to protect her and to make sure that we were without a doubt approved!!!

We're not certain about travel. Our dossier should be ready to go to China in about 3 weeks. It should be 3-6 months after DTC before we actually travel to China. Libbie's birthday is in December. She will be 3 years old. I am praying boldly that we will travel in December... I know that it will be only by God's grace that everything will be done by then, but I also believe God's still in the business of miracles. We have a friend from a Yahoo group that is in China now. They are going to try to snap some recent photos for us when they visit the orphanage this Thursday.... I am praying for a sweet photo of our precious Libbie.

1 Thessalonians 5:24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

I first read this verse on another beautiful announcement and I claimed this verse for our family after speaking to Kim at 3 Peanuts... she gave me so much encouragement when I really needed it. This scripture has brought me such a peace when there was a lot of uncertainty in our journey. If God calls you to it... HE will see you through it. He is always with you, even when you feel alone or distant from him. He is there guiding your steps on the narrow path. I wish all of you that are in the process or beginning to think about adoption, the courage to trust in The One who is calling you. Just trust Him!

My Heart is Singing for Joy

I'm a southern gal.. i love all things from the South and I love old Baptist Hymns!! One of my favorites is "Blessed Assurance" So my heart was filled with Joy when I learned that in Music class Hoot was learning Blessed Assurance by Frances J. Crosby. It's a beautiful little melody, but the lyrics are sweet sweet music to my soul.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!Heir of salvation, purchase of God,Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:This is my story, this is my song,Praising my Savior all the day long;This is my story, this is my song,Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;Angels, descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,I in my Savior am happy and blest,Watching and waiting, looking above,Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

If you haven't listened to it in a while go to Playlist and take a listen!!!

Miss Dixie

Dixie is the newest addition to our family... we brought her home from our summer vacation this year. We lost Bernie early this summer and weren't sure about getting a new puppy. We had a lot going on and there are going to be more changes coming to our family in the future. I think we waited about three (maybe two) months and then decided we (Hoot)really wanted a family pet. It's nice having a dog around the house. Hoot loves her and I have to say... she is a GREAT dog. The first night home, we had driven almost 14 hours and I was just certain she was going to cry all night long... she never made a peep. She ALMOST house trained and she has a great personality. She follows me everywhere. I've taught her to sit, but that's about all... she won't STAY yet and I can't take her off her leash. She can't be trusted with all the cats and squirrels in our neighborhood. She loves to go for walks and she LOVES to chase the water from the water hose. It wears her out and then she wants a good belly rub. I come home at lunch and let her out and play with her for a while. She willingly goes back in her kennel and waits for me to get home. I leave the Disney Channel on for her... I won't let Hoot watch Disney, so he wants to know why it's okay for Dixie... These eyes keep her out of a lot of trouble! She's family!

Hoot turns 6!!!!

This was from last year's birthday party. The year started off with a splash and has been a blast. Hoot has grown and matured so much this past year. I have truly enjoyed each year of his life for so many reasons. The first year was filled with all the many firsts, the second was great because his little personality was developing and he FINALLY walked. The third was fun and challenging as we learned to guide him and his little personality!! His 4th and 5th year of life seem to have flown right by. He has become a little person right before our eyes. He is loving and kind, funny and witty. He's truly more than I could ever have imagined. Other parents told me the love I would have for him would be indescribable... they were right. It's hard to put into words the love I have for this child. We began today with waffles in bed.... it was early... no coffee yet.

Then it was off to school. Parents are only allowed to bring healthy sugar free snacks for birthday parties... BUMMER. Hoot's favorite snack is popcorn, so we prepared goodie bags for each classmate. We also made a fun birthday fact sheet about our sweet boy. 6 fun facts about Hoot: he loves popcorn, plays piano, loves legos, star wars and is going to have a baby sister from China soon, and his favorite restaurant is Double Daves Pizza!

After school we stopped by Target so Hoot could buy one toy with some of his birthday loot... he chose The Optimist Prime Transformer... It's really loud!!

Next we met daddy at Double Daves for Cheese Rolls and Pizza.

Hoot had two more gifts to open... One from Daddy and the other from Granna and Papa!! Let me begin by saying my family loves cars... classic cars and Rat Rods.... you probably haven't heard of a Rat Rod, but Hoot thinks they are VERY cool... this character is Rat Fink... he is also very cool in Hoots opinion. Papa searched for a t-shirt in his size and found not one but two! This may have been Hoots favorite birthday gift this year....

More Rat Fink tattoos.... he'll have to wait for the weekend to wear these!

Lambert loves surfer classic cars and all things California.... Ron Jon is one of Lambert's favorites... Hoot has asked for a Ron Jon shirt for a while now so Lambert found one for him!! He said this was the best birthday ever!!! It's 8:15, he's bathed, homework is done and he's on his way to bed... We can't wait to see what the big #6 has in store for Hoot!!!

Party and First Day of School!!!

Even the parents had a good time assembling their lego craft and party favors. This is the new puffed up 6 year old pose that Hoot has going on. Were not sure where it came from, but were ready for it to go away. Every pose... his chest swells and he throws his shoulder back.... it's involuntary

The cake.. uhhggg. Not what I envisioned, but Hoot LOVED it.

I made the Lego men cake balls myself... they were super easy and cute and guess what??? I left them in the fridge and never passed them out... I ALWAYS forget something. This is the new smile ... we were singing happy birthday... sweet times. I think it's so funny at every party all the other kiddos want to open the gifts.. it's hilarious... the presents aren't theirs, but they can't help but open them!! Hoot does the same at his friend's parties... it's the anticipation... get the paper off the package!!Hoots new tough Six year old smile... very mature now... and puffy and just like that... he leaves my nest... it will be college in a BLINK.!! Yes, I'm still crying.... I woke up this morning and got all emotional. my eyes are puffy and my nose was swollen and red... but I love this picture. I love this boy. Even the puffy pose! I've prayed over this sweet boy even before he was born. I want him to make healthy friendships through his school years. I pray for his salvation, for righteous living, wise choices, bold faith passion for Christ and for his future wife... oh how I pray for a good wife (and daughter in-law....) Hoot is sooooo sweet.. this little guy was not ready for kindergarten today... Hoot knelt down beside him and introduced himself, by lunch time... they were buddies. He's such a kind soul... (he gets that from his momma) HA! The party was a hit. I scaled WAY back from previous years and invited only family and close friends. It was less stressful for me and so much fun for Hoot and his friends. He could really care less about the details... it's ALL about the presents and cake!! Well the cake was not at all what I had envisioned. I don't know what happened... (that's all I'm going to say). We have good friends... GREAT friends. I am thankful for old friends and new. Glory to God in the highest. He brings us through seasons of our lives that aren't pleasant only to show us the glory of his plans for our present and future. I am so thankful for six years with our amazing son. I am looking forward to what He has in store for our family... Glory in the highest.Glory in the Highest!!!! Every Nation will bow down and declare Glory glory hallelujah! What a joy that we can freely claim it now and forever!!!

Psalm 126:3The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Full Party Planning Mode

I created the invite myself. It turned out pretty good, but the font was a tad bit small. Lambert took the photo of Hoot upside down while we were in Galveston for Mother's Day. I loved it so much. It's one of my favorites. Hoot is his mother.... Granna and Papa's package arrived today. I immediately hid his birthday bag. I set a few goodies aside that Granna packed for him (all pirate themed) and then went into the laundry room. When I came out, he had already found the "Loot" and was sneaking it out of the kitchen. It's a good thing I put the gift bag in the cabinet or he would have opened it too! After dinner he mastered his first ever 100 piece puzzle on his own!!! He was so impressed and so was his momma!!

Yep... He's turning six years old this month!! It's so hard to believe, but it's already here. We decided last year that we would throw a Lego themed birthday party. I've tossed ideas around in my head for around 6 months and the weekend is finally here. Hoot is soooo excited. We've go lots of fun stuff planned and I've found some really neat party ideas online.

Eye Candy

I've been looking for inspiration a lot lately. Not just for Libbie's room, but for the house. I'm needed to change things around and I love perusing the web at eye candy. Thought I would share some of my favs! I'm really drawn to the lighter colors these days. The white contrast looks so crisp against the different colors and textures.

Sweet sweet little girls room. I bought a chenille bed spread for Lib's room. I can't wait to share. I promise as soon as it comes together, I will post. I did a little with Hoot's room too! I didn't want him to feel left out.

I love these little girls. Great design.

I would love to snuggle up in this little nook with a good book like Pinkalicious!!!!

Beautiful chest in a bathroom.

Love the parasols

I've loved this room since I first laid eyes on it in Country Living magazine several years ago. It's soooo me.

I found the goose lamp on e-bay several years ago, but i got outbid. it's just so precious!

GOD IS GOOD!!!

Well... we went for our Biometric appointment this afternoon and by the grace of our great Lord, they permitted us to be finger printed. Within one hour are back ground checks were complete. No problems... YIPPIEE. Now we wait for our USCIS officer to complete the review of our file. They have asked us for some supplemental information and I'll know more about that tomorrow. I am praying for a good conversation with the officer and that everything goes GOOD!!! Thank You Dear Jesus!!

ONE STEP CLOSER

I'm ready to have all my chicks in my nest!

We received our USCIS Biometrics appointment notice in the mail today!!! If I were in better shape I would have done a cartwheel in the drive way.... I didn't... We're going to try to walk in early to the immigration office tomorrow in hopes that they will have mercy and grace and permit us to have our finger prints taken. IF that goes well and IF our case officer will oblige we may be able to lock a file in the next couple of days. Hold on... I'm going to do a cartwheel now... Okay I'm back. couldn't pull it off.

So... today I got word from another adoptive mom who informed me that someone was inquiring about the little girls file from our Yahoo group... I stopped biting my nails over 10 years ago.... my cuticles are bleeding and the nails are gone. I had several appointments with clients today and did a lot of driving. Before I even realized what I was doing my fingers were hurting. I prayed and praised and asked God for his will in our lives and in this little girls life. I know He is the author and perfect creator and His will shall be done. Why is it so difficult to TRUST? We also got sad news today that a couple from our small group did not receive the referral they were so hoping for. I ask that you pray for them. I know their hearts are breaking. They have amazing faith, but this was a blow. I will post tomorrow when I know more! Keep up the prayers. We feel them!

Psalm 72:17May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.

Classics

I love a good Classic.... Cars, music, movies ,clothing. There's nothing better than a little Marvin Gay, Sexual Healing, Lets Get it On... or Bill Withers, Ain't no Sunshine. I love classic movies like, Mr. Smith goes to Washington, or Terms of Endearment... Love it... WELL Guess what... Hoot stayed the night with Nanna last night and I'm FREE today. Just me... no hubby.. just me and the classics... I'm loving my play list CRANKED up loud while I piddle around the house... Usually,were having craft time by now and I'm cleaning up the breakfast dishes and soon I'd be getting ready for lunch plans. Not this morning, I've got my cup of coffee in my cute vintage cup and I'm lounging and loving it.. Now later... i plan to stalk the mailman because our little package still hasn't arrived with our fingerprint appointment.. but for now... "ain't no mountain high enough.... LOUD!! remember the day.. I set you free... i'll be there when you want me... ain't no mountain... LOVE IT!!! Bye!

Libbie's Room

Okay... I LOVE this room!!! I don't think I can pull this off on my budget, but were going to try to duplicate some of the fun details from this room.

I bought this pink potter barn braided rug for next to nothing!

This is a vintage bed lamp I found on e-bay... it's so cute. It clips over the top of the bed frame. Krylon makes a sweet pink color called ballet slipper. I haven't decided if I will paint the bed frame pink or leave it a creamy white color. either way this will be perfect.

I haven't found the bed yet, but I'm waiting to hear back about this one! I hope it hasn't sold yet...

I found these two quilts for a STEAL. I'm on a quilt kick.

Bella Notte Melissa Floral bed skirt. GREAT buy!

I've been doing some e-bay and craigslist shopping!! I have found some deals!! I think it's all going to come together. I'm really trying to decorate her room on a budget and keep a vintage feel. I think I've got some great buys.