Unexpected Blessing!!

I was busy packing and getting ready to head to Dallas Wednesday when I realized I missed a call from our adoption agency. I listened to my messages and received news that we had a sweet surprise they wanted to share with us! I called Lambert to tell him I thought we had received the long awaited video!! I anxiously called our agency and got VM!!! I hate VM!! So I hung up and called right back, still VM! I left a message and then waited about 2 hours for a return call... The phone rang around 2:00PM and the news was... (drum roll) LOA!!!! I almost drove off the road!!! We weren't expecting our LOA at all. The average wait is 55 days and our agency told us it could be longer... We were on day 43 when it came!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!! I couldn't wrap my head around it... we would receive the Fed Ex package Friday (today) so were ready to file our I-800!!! We're hoping for a two week turn around and then we will wait for the NVC to process it(not sure what they do, but it takes about 10 days) next, we will wait for Article 5 (not sure what this is either,but it takes about 2 weeks as well) then we will wait for TA (travel approval) NEXT we will be CHINA bound!!!!! PTL (praise the Lord)

We went to ICE at the Gaylord Texan for Thanksgiving. It was amazing. I couldn't get over the detail in the ice. It was so life like. We had the best time sliding down the ice slides and drinking hot chocolate. It was 15 degrees inside the exhibit so when it was over, we were ready for the hot chocolate. I highly recomend it if you're in the Dallas area during the Holiday season.



I am in the Christmas spirit. Can't wait to dig out the decorations tomorrow.!!

Thanksgiving Blessings

We are truly a blessed nation. We've spent a lot of time learning about missions this year. Many of our friends have traveled to Haiti to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The reports they bring back astound us. Yes, there is devastation everywhere, but in the midst of all the suffering the Christian people of Haiti praise God with joy and thanksgiving in their hearts. Almost every testimony that we've heard includes an account of how the people worship. (not like we worship on Sunday) but with loud shouts of praises to the King. Their eyes light up and their voices can be heard throughout the streets riddled with death and decay. We've heard the truth that through suffering the follower of Christ will draw closer to him... I've never suffered. Not a day in my life have I ever experienced suffering.

Job 36:15
But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.
Interesting passage... it doesn't say he will deliver them from their suffering, it says he will deliver them in the midst of their suffering.

The people of Haiti are experiencing God in their suffering. This amazes me and I am thankful. I am thankful that I have a relationship with the God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He doesn't change and he has given me everything I could ever need because he sent his son to pay the debt for my ugly sin. Every blessing is from Him. Thanks be to God!

James 1:16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for The Cross and the ultimate price that was paid so that I could have a relationship with God!! I will praise him with loud shouts and thanksgiving in my heart!!

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving and reflect on all the blessings you are thankful for too!

Guys Only!

Today was early release day for Hoot. He was super excited that Lambert would be picking him up from school and spending the afternoon with him. So, this morning Lambert told him that when he picked him up they would head over to Hoot's favorite pizza place. This place happens to be right across the street from my office. So I said, well that would be great. I could meet them there and then they could go on their way... Hoot informed me that today was just a guys day... No girls... mom, sorry, your a girl... I thought surely he would forget by lunch time so I called while Lambert was in the pick up line... He put Hoot on the phone to talk to me. I ran the plan by him one more time thinking he might change his mind and have mercy on his poor hungry mother. Once again he informed me that it was guys only and I wasn't a guy... then he said, I don't want to make you cry and you don't need to find a new family, we can spend time together when you get home from work... and with that, he handed the phone back to Lambert... I ate lunch, solo... When I got home I found out that they spent the afternoon at Toys R Us and this is what they decided on... Lambert went to see Toby Mac tonight so it was a mommy and Hoot night. I'm not nearly as cool as Lambert, but we did have a good time together.

Libbie's Sprinkle Part I

These are photos from sprinkle #2 because I dont' have the photos from sprinkle #1 yet. I am so blessed with beautiful friendships. I wasn't planning on haivng a shower for Libbie, just because she won't be a baby and we really don't have a lot of NEEDS... But it turns out we had 2 sprinkles! Her closet is bursting with dresses given to her by a sweet sweet friend who has two little girls. Lambert is going to re-organize the closet for her and build in extra hanging space and drawers (he doesn't know about the drawers yet)(now he does because he reads my blog daily...:) (love you honey). We really didn't need anything, but it was super fun registering at pottery barn kids for fun gear!

As you can see from the photos, my friends can throw a party. The food was almost too beautiful to eat. (almost)
Please sign the registry and come enjoy the party!



Just one of several spreads!


Like I said ALMOST too pretty to eat... It tasted as good as it looked I promise!


The party favors. the fortune read, "welcome home Libbie"


Details details beautiful details!


Just beautiful!


Red velvet cake balls.... YUMMY


This is my sweet sister. she came in from Dallas with my niece, Bella



Beautiful Friends (Co-Host)


My very best friend (hostest with the mostest) and my mom.


did I mention the food??


And the gifts.... I'm demonstrating for everyone how one might push a sit and stand stroller. I'm very animated and we all looked very red... I think we were all glowing!


The pottery barn school house chairs OH MY!!


The BIG Brother... What a sweetie pie!



We count our blessings everyday. It was a very special evening celebrated with very special loved ones. I can't express how thankful I am for the intimate friendships we have developed over the years. We celebrated with old and new friends that have encouraged us and cheered us on through every step of this adoption journey. We can't wait to bring our sweet Libbie home to meet the friends and family that already love her to peices!

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity

Details from Sprinkle 1 to follow soon!

Hanging by a Thread

I don't remember losing my teeth this early...I was talking to my sister about this and we clearly remember the 2nd grade school pics with big toothless grins... I think it's the hormones in all the food now... (we just made that up, but there could be something to it) Please excuse the goldfish spittle that's all around his mouth and the crusties on his nose, I had to get the shot.



His poor tooth hung on for several days maybe weeks after the first tooth fell. He could wiggle it back and forth. totally creeped me out. He was so proud when he came home from school today.. they made a big deal about it too. He's a very proud boy!

It's GONE!! He will be asking Santa for two front teeth!



PS... we got some GREAT news regarding Libbie yesterday. The update said her casts have been removed and she will begin therapy to start walking. We're expecting a video soon... It seems she is using a walker now to help her gain strength in her legs. I have had a lot of fear and doubts these past weeks. All the what if's have crept in.. I think because it's getting closer and there are a lot of unknowns... God is so faithful and good.. I'll try to share this without tearing up... okay... in our casa mine and Hoots favorite thing to do is cuddle... we cuddle EVERY day weather we need it or not.. we live for it Saturday mornings. Hoot has said all along that when Sissy get's here the first thing he will teach her is how to cuddle... At the end of the report we received yesterday it listed her hobbies, and favorite things... "she loves toy cars, dolls and she loves to cuddle" God sent us a cuddler!!! He knew, he knew all along she was a Lambert... All my fears and reservations flew out the window and I have been on high since reading the report. He's got it all in HIS hands... He knows and He knew all along!

Psalm 139:13
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 33:11
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


Beautiful truths from the greatest love letter ever written. I am truly on high!!

Photo Book For Libbie

We made a photo board book for Libbie... We added recent photos of us and sent it to China with a family who is there now. They were so sweet to pack it along and lug it with them along whit all their other baggage. We are so grateful. We were hoping to have an update today, but no news came. Everyone told us that the last leg of the wait is the hardest ! They were right. I am getting VERY impatient and want to know something NOW.. God is certainly teaching me patience through this journey. We hope she gets the book and knows that her forever family is waiting impatiently and that her world is about to be forever changed along with ours! We love you sissy and we pray over you tonight.