tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54844413682453325992024-02-18T22:24:44.390-06:00The Crenshaw Family BlogTrue fasting: to loose the bonds of wickedness,to undo the straps of the yoke,to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke. Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house;when you see the naked,to cover him,and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Isaiah 58Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-20281957022058043252012-03-06T14:50:00.000-06:002012-03-06T14:50:42.618-06:00A day in Ethiopia...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A day in Ethiopia is filled with so many emotions, thoughts, and feelings! <br />
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To be on such a long journey filled with prayer and decisions and paperwork and waiting...THEN...you get "the call!" It is so exciting and unbelievable to see the picture of your child halfway across the world. The child that you have been praying for and didn't know what she was doing, if she was born, if she was going through something difficult, or even how old she was...you finally get to see her! And then there are hoops to get through to bring her home. You get to meet her and it is amazing and then you have to leave her, and that is heart-wrenching. Then you jump through some more hoops until you are cleared to bring her home! OH THE JOY! THE RELIEF! THE EXCITEMENT! Then, you pack up and jump on a plane a few days later...<br />
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The wait for her is over, but really everything is just beginning. I have read and researched and prayed and sought wisdom and counsel from those who have gone before me. And, it is so different to actually walk through it.<br />
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There are unbelievable moments of deep deep joy that she is with us. She is fun and mischievous and brilliant! She watches everything we do! She loves playing with water bottles, play-dough, stickers, and coloring books. She is a typical toddler in those ways...yet...she has such deep pain. <br />
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Every day gets better, and we are asking God to heal that pain. As a mom, it is HARD to not want that healing instantaneously...to want her to run to us and trust us and be comfortable and so excited just because she has a family now! But, when I think about it, I know that that wouldn't be right...and I wouldnt' even want it, because in the end, I know she will be healthier to really walk through these hard moments. If we skipped over them, she would be missing a huge piece of healing that God is bringing to her heart.<br />
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Today that hard moment came after a meltdown and Naomi kept saying "Asa! Asa! Asa!" We have wondered all week what that meant, as she always says it through tears. We have asked people and no one understood. But today, a lady said, "Oh, she is saying, 'There! There! I want to go there!'" Break. my. heart. Even as I type this, my stomach is in my throat. This whole time, when she is sad, she is telling us she wants to go "There!" ...back to Hannah's Hope. Where she knows people. Where people know her. Where people talk like she does. Where they know what food she likes. Where they know how she likes to sleep. Where they understand her.<br />
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In those hard moments, I am reminded that this is one reason why God never intended to grow our families in this way. It is because of a fallen, broken world that adoption is even needed or possible. So, in this fallen, broken world, there is deep pain. So, in the painful times, I will seek and trust God. He has led us on this journey, and he is not leaving us now. He is Emmanuel. God WITH us. He is all-knowing and sovereign. So, I will trust him even when my love is rejected. I am learning that there is hurt behind all of that. And, it is making me cling to God's Word in a new, different way. I hunger for more. I am dependent on Him in all of the moments, and thankful that He is strength in my weakness.<br />
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Let me tell you...I LOVE that little girl. It is amazing. I eat up every minute that she playfully cuts her eyes at me and grins the biggest grin. And...she is SUCH a Daddy's girl! He gets big hugs out of the blue. I love seeing her learn and play. I love that she likes things JUST the way she likes them. I love that she likes to sing songs. I LOVE her little sweet voice. It is SO CUTE! I love that God led us to her and is now bringing her to her forever home. There is so much deep joy in her, and I can't wait to see more of it. I can't wait to learn everything about her. She is SUCH a gift to me!<br />
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Here are some pictures of our little sweetie...<br />
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Here she is playing with play-dough...<br />
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</div>She is such a little "mama!" This morning she took the water bottles and pretended they were babies...covering them up with the napkin for a "blanket!" So cute...<br />
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Here is my little Daddy's girl...<br />
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(sorry for the eyes closed, but I want you to see that joy!...precious!)<br />
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And, a priceless moment napping with Mommy...<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-24585676096423322982012-03-05T15:01:00.000-06:002012-03-05T15:01:09.309-06:00THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Yep...the best birthday present ever....<br />
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</div><div>Meet our daughter, Naomi Renee Crenshaw!</div><div><br />
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</div><div>We have cleared Embassy, so we can finally show you who you have been praying for!! :) And, wouldn't you know that God would line it up to have our Embassy appointment on my birthday!!!</div><div><br />
</div><div>She is amazing, fun, beautiful, funny, scared, grieving, and delightful! There are so many emotions wrapped up in the last two days!</div><div><br />
</div><div>That picture above was from yesterday, but I will add some other ones from our first trip below!</div><div><br />
</div><div>More updates later....I am off to bed!!!!!!!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCnpgtgVACQqzIVZab_SiL26ZUOwrarsLba7nfmx6UEb4APGZ9KkopWeZ5Z-JPqxPJOkHT3yPxHgf7KjrFkXLMarqP53L5KsAkUG7ouSnjzbNJx4Oy9Ww0kYd5psVSowMBvgcQRbUMA-B/s1600/IMG_3039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCnpgtgVACQqzIVZab_SiL26ZUOwrarsLba7nfmx6UEb4APGZ9KkopWeZ5Z-JPqxPJOkHT3yPxHgf7KjrFkXLMarqP53L5KsAkUG7ouSnjzbNJx4Oy9Ww0kYd5psVSowMBvgcQRbUMA-B/s400/IMG_3039.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuFAvI6MZ3JOTb0YPuTAywUbCr-TVVpm8Pfvwn8LJrI_BRTnWDnqXatW4w6nnbIHNhazJYhFWiMnyg0twnAGtU4z7Gj_1xAU43HgsM5_RKmALH3MGiZealV9VBoSYhO2b4dVIY5tI1I89/s1600/IMG_3207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuFAvI6MZ3JOTb0YPuTAywUbCr-TVVpm8Pfvwn8LJrI_BRTnWDnqXatW4w6nnbIHNhazJYhFWiMnyg0twnAGtU4z7Gj_1xAU43HgsM5_RKmALH3MGiZealV9VBoSYhO2b4dVIY5tI1I89/s1600/IMG_3207.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you, Lord, for this precious girl. </div><br />
</div></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-45776438732244300242012-02-28T19:34:00.000-06:002012-02-28T19:34:21.908-06:00A Letter from us to you...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Precious Friends and Family,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We wanted to write you a letter to tell you how much we appreciate you and the impact you have had on our lives (especially the last few years!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also wanted to share some struggles that we will likely incur when we bring our daughter home in the next few weeks to months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly, we wanted to ask for your support in a couple of areas in this transition for our family.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You guys have blessed us beyond anything we could ever imagine in this journey of bringing our daughter home!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been almost 3 years since we started taking steps towards bringing her home, and you guys have been there every single step of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have prayed for us, encouraged us, given of your own finances, served us, loved us, written sweet notes, and held us up when times were hard!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THANK YOU!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SO MUCH!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have said this before, but our daughter has no idea how loved she is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has and will continue to experience the love of Christ through you and I am sure one day she will look back amazed at what God did in her life using people that didn’t even know her yet!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We are SO CLOSE to bringing her HOME..FOREVER!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are so thankful to the Lord for His faithfulness in our lives through all of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we get closer and closer to our final trip to Ethiopia, we are thinking more and more (and praying more and more!) for her little heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has gone through so much in her not-even-three years of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has lost family members. She has seen the effects of sickness and poverty in a way that most of us never will. She left her home where she was born and her community that knew her and loved her and helped care for her. She went to an orphanage where she didn’t know anyone, and didn’t really have anyone care for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after, she again was moved to a place where she didn’t know anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came to our transition home (Hannah’s Hope), where we learned about her. In this amazing place, though, she is very loved with the most incredibly loving staff through our agency!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has a place of belonging. She is played with, sang to, provided for, fed, clothed, and bathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She LOVES it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loves all of her “special mothers,” she loves her friends, she loves the babies that she helps “take care of,” and she loves the people that she sees all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She feels comfortable and secure.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And now we enter in to another difficult part of this journey…she will have to leave all that she knows and loves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though we know that God has beautiful things in store for her life, she does not know and understand this right now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will feel hurt, abandoned by the people she loves, and insecure in who we are to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this time, she will not know the language we are speaking, not many people will look like her, the food does not taste the same, the culture looks completely different, and there will be nothing in her world that is safe and secure to her.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The process of learning to trust us, to trust that we will always be there to care for her is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">attachment</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally, a</span>ttachment between a parent and biological child happens as a baby has a need, communicates that need, and then mommy or daddy meets the need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This repeats over and over to create trust within the child for that parent. Children who come home through adoption have experienced interruptions in this typical attachment process. The loss of a biological mother at an early age is a major trauma on their little hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The many changes of caregivers also damages and confuses their hearts.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is where we need your help again. We want that attachment to us to be as strong and healthy as possible for her overall emotional, physical, and spiritual health in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of this, she needs to learn how to be a part of a family and how to trust us as her parents for her needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As our amazing community that loves our family, we want to tell you that we will spend a period of time (probably 2-3 months or so) where we will pretty much stay close to home and focus on this emotional need of our daughter, without extra visitors in our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know you want to meet her and love on her, and we really want that too, but we want her to have a healthy attachment to us first. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We need to be the only ones who meet her needs for food, basic physical needs, as well as emotional needs (cuddling, hugging, holding, etc). It would be a huge help to us when we start venturing out if you point her to us when she needs something. Waving, blowing kisses or high fives are perfectly appropriate and welcomed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please understand that we want nothing more than to have our little girl hugged, cuddled and cherished by ALL of you (she's totally irresistible and huggable). But until she has a firm understanding of family and primary attachments, we would be so grateful if you direct her to us when she is seeking out food, affection, or comfort.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time, as she learns that we are her parents, it will become okay to treat her just like our other children.</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You could also help our family by getting the other three kiddos out of the house!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be going stir crazy and would love a special time at the park/library/etc. with their loved ones!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure Mama will be going stir-crazy, too, so any texts, emails, or phone calls to encourage her is greatly appreciated!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will need some adult conversation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> We covet your prayers for wisdom in every moment with every need, healing for our sweet daughter’s heart, abounding love and compassion, and more patience than we knew we had for each of us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are asking and trusting God for these things!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thank you so much for really walking this journey with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have loved our family so well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that you will help us make the healthiest transition for our little girl!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please let us know if you have any questions or want to talk about any of this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love y’all SO VERY MUCH!!!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Love,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Brian and Erin<o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment--></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-10391806029425573022012-02-20T21:04:00.000-06:002012-02-20T21:04:15.069-06:00Counting Down!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Just wanted to update the process from here on until we bring home our little girl...FOREVER! :) Cannot wait!!!<br />
<br />
After we got submitted at the end of January, we heard from the Embassy about what they still needed to clear our file. We will give them that last little piece (which is an interview) on February 27. We are hoping that on that day, they will clear us to get her visa and bring her home. When that happens, they will give us a date to go back to Ethiopia. That can be anywhere from 2 days later to 2 weeks later. <br />
<br />
We are SO excited to be one week away from hearing from the Embassy again...hopefully to tell us that the wait for our little girl is over. We are so ready to hear her laughter in our house (in her house!) and have her little feet running around with the other kiddos. Her siblings long to have her home. <br />
<br />
We made a paper chain to countdown the days until we hear from the Embassy. On each link, we have something that each of us wanted to pray for her as she comes home. Every night when we tear off another one, we pray for the thing that is on that chain.<br />
<br />
Here is a picture from tonight with our countdown chain!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2KN-Z8XZB781E01BhJyOcy4LFQ2vkySOfZVnnbRN5sO5Tm2641hxt6jZgm9GU5DqywKv-Pv3JQ89RdypHBJk6aZHOuAIFG-sH2wT3Lb7SH3aT0X3c059g8RjN4sfnB8iMAoLBXMCPYzP/s1600/photo-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2KN-Z8XZB781E01BhJyOcy4LFQ2vkySOfZVnnbRN5sO5Tm2641hxt6jZgm9GU5DqywKv-Pv3JQ89RdypHBJk6aZHOuAIFG-sH2wT3Lb7SH3aT0X3c059g8RjN4sfnB8iMAoLBXMCPYzP/s320/photo-6.jpg" width="239" /></a></div> <br />
Please pray that everything goes smoothly and that we are cleared next week and get to go THAT WEEK to get our little girl!! </div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-29969825058283169472012-01-24T21:20:00.000-06:002012-01-24T21:20:03.073-06:00YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I am INCREDIBLY thankful to post that we were SUBMITTED TO THE EMBASSY!!!!!!! One step closer to our little girl, and this is the LAST part of the wait!!! We are so thankful to the Lord. It was a long road!<br />
<br />
Our precious case worker called and I was very guarded when I saw her name...I thought it could be another "medical update..." they always notify us if she is on any kind of medicine, even if it is just for a cold or ear infection, etc. Anyway, she said she had good news and it was a good thing that I was pulling into my driveway b/c I wouldn't have been able to see the road through my thankful tears! <br />
<br />
She said that this part of the wait would be the hardest...I am not too sure about that! I could be VERY wrong and I will let you know, but waiting 7 weeks to get submitted has been pretty tough. I am sure that a lot of it was based off of assuming it would look like other files and we would be submitted after 2-3 weeks. Those last 4 weeks of thinking "it could be the week" made for an emotional roller coaster. <br />
<br />
Anyway...what does this mean??<br />
<br />
Well, every child has to be cleared by the Embassy to get a VISA to come to the US. They have our file and will be reviewing it soon. This used to be a quicker process, but they are really digging deep into each case to ensure that there is not anything unethical going on. So, they will ask for different interviews and then compare that information to the information that is on our file. If it all matches up and they don't question anything, they will clear us to come and get her. They do have the right to send our file to Nairobi for more investigation. I pray that does not happen.<br />
<br />
Many are asking about the timeline from here:<br />
-our file was submitted yesterday...Jan. 23. <br />
-The Embassy usually notifies us that they have received it about 2 weeks later and soon after says what interviews they will request.<br />
-The interviews have been taking place about 2 weeks after the request.<br />
-If all goes well, they will clear our case a few days after the interview (after they review it again)<br />
-Usually at this point, families are hopping on a plane a few days after they are cleared!<br />
<br />
So, this could still be a long process...anywhere from 3-7 weeks, I am guessing?? Maybe longer if the file is sent to Nairobi. I am praying that it is closer to the 3 week mark! <br />
<br />
I am VERY thankful to be in this last step!!!!! Praising God for His love and peace in the wait, and asking Him to bring her home quickly!<br />
<br />
We went out for Mexican to celebrate, of course!!!<br />
<br />
Speaking of celebrating with Mexican food, we did that last week, too...when our precious son and sweet niece got baptized!! It was very, very special!!!! Such an incredible night! The two of them were so excited to "show everyone that they were Christians!" My amazing husband baptized Austin and it was so very special. He read a letter from us that encouraged him and challenged him in his faith, asked him some questions about his faith, and baptized him. My brother also got to talk about Emily and encourage/challenge her and baptize her! Oh my goodness, it was a memorable night, and I am so thankful for how they have learned and grown and made a commitment to Jesus. I can't wait to see what God does in their lives.<br />
<br />
Here is a picture!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMFV6mKxonuSKS5Aa_i-C8kEZ481LsN8AbnKoItV1aNrrFHMIxjnWzaRTRI5gAROa2rWhQrBIVs3PB2M_1ufFg2N_KgRQBRXXYp8a8IlHwEn85V8xuOPPTpUSmSZ9ZkD97L-xDAV1r_ym/s1600/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMFV6mKxonuSKS5Aa_i-C8kEZ481LsN8AbnKoItV1aNrrFHMIxjnWzaRTRI5gAROa2rWhQrBIVs3PB2M_1ufFg2N_KgRQBRXXYp8a8IlHwEn85V8xuOPPTpUSmSZ9ZkD97L-xDAV1r_ym/s320/photo-5.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-59291898855789202562012-01-16T23:20:00.000-06:002012-01-16T23:20:53.164-06:00Ups and Downs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This has been a really sweet week.<br />
<br />
It started off pretty rough. I started this "crazy cycle" where I would get progressively more excited towards the end of the weekend because I knew that Monday was coming. Monday is the day that AGCI (our adoption agency) can submit files to the Embassy. It has been six weeks, and our file hasn't been submitted. Most are submitted after 2-3 weeks, so I thought for sure it was coming...every week. Then, Monday would come. And I wouldn't get the phone call that I wanted to get, and I was completely discouraged and defeated. I just wanted our little girl home.<br />
<br />
Last week was no different, although, we did get a phone call. Just not the one I wanted. My phone showed our case worker's name and I was SO excited!!! But, she was just calling to talk about our fingerprints. Total let down. Sweet her, she has been so compassionate and "with us" every step of the way! I think she will be almost as excited as we are when we get submitted!<br />
<br />
So, the night I talked to her I was really discouraged, wondering when we would get to bring our little girl home. It seems like so long ago that we were there, and then the highs and lows of the week were all-comsuming. <br />
<br />
I prayed. I was so tired of feeling that way. My perspective was affecting so many other people. It is so easy in this process to focus on the hard things. The pain of the fallen world and fallen system and fallen people. The wait. The emotional ups and downs and the people that you bring with you on that roller coaster. I am so thankful... God so graciously changed my perspective.<br />
<br />
<br />
I had conveniently forgotten all of the incredible things...God's faithfulness to provide for us. Him allowing us to receive a beautiful little girl into our family. A redemptive story through the pain of loss. An incredibly loving transitional home for her. Food and clothes and everything that she needs right now. A bath for her every night. Sweet women who love her. Her brother and sisters here who ask about her and pray for her every day. An adoption agency who walks us through all of the questions. Resources in our community. Families who are willing to "live life" with us. Extended family and countless friends who love our little girl and have never even met her. God's Word. His Holy Spirit. Even little things like an extra spot in a room to put growing "packing" piles in. Sweet conversations with our children already at home. A finished room waiting for a little girl to be there.<br />
<br />
I decided I didn't need to put myself on a roller coaster anymore. She is being loved so much where she is, and I am thankful for that. We are SO READY for her to be home, yes. FOR SURE! But God has shown me so much in this journey, and it surely isn't about me and my emotions. I know there will be hard days, but I don't want to forget why we started down this beautiful and hard path of adoption in the first place. We felt led by the Lord. And we continue to. He is faithful. As hard as it is, I give up all control and rest in His beautiful plan.<br />
<br />
That being said, it is 8 am in Ethiopia right now. I am guessing the Embassy is opening soon. I am hoping our agency can submit files today since they were closed yesterday. I am praying that "N's" paperwork is all in order and will be submitted. And, I am really really thankful for the peace that God has given me.<br />
<br />
Here are a couple of pictures of her room:<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-5892336506120284422012-01-06T21:40:00.000-06:002012-01-06T21:40:30.984-06:00Last day in Ethiopia...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I haven't really had the heart to write this post, but I figured that I need to document all that I can, so here goes!<br />
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We got up and packed everything...big fat sadface :(...<br />
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We got to go see our little girl for a couple of hours in the morning. That day she loved those little things that you scratch off the black part and there is color underneath...you know what I am talking about? I have no idea what they are called! She also liked blocks and coloring. She started getting protective over the things that we brought for her (and all of the other kids!) to play with. Even if she didn't want to play with them, she didn't want other kids having them!<br />
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We made matching bracelets which someone recommended to help make connections that she is a part of our family. Brian and I both had one on, and we showed her that we had ones that were just alike. We put hers on her and showed her that they were all the same. We kept saying "Mommy's and Daddy's and ____(N)____'s," to try to make the connection. She liked them. I still have mine on, and the other kiddos will have one, too, when she comes home.<br />
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She had a GREAT time painting fingernails, too! She loves the doll that we brought for her, and she even painted the doll's nails! Ha! Olivia keeps saying, "Mom, did "N" REALLY paint these nails in Ethiopia!?!" <br />
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We made a photo album to leave with her with all of our pictures in it. It was really neat, because it had 5 different buttons you could push (one for each page), so we each got to leave her a "message" that corresponded to our picture. One of the pictures I put in there had a picture of our whole family, and we were holding a big picture of her. We wanted her to connect that she is a part of our family and that the kids in the album are her brother and sisters.<br />
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...<br />
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Then, back to the hotel for lunch and back for our final afternoon with our little girl. It was tough. She had just gotten some shots, so she weren't feeling so hot, but we had a pretty good afternoon anyway! She looked at her album some more and seemed really interested in it. We pointed to everyone and said their name and played what they said to her. She sat on Daddy's lap for a long time and even let me hold her for a few minutes! That was the only time all week! :) (it's the little things!!!!)<br />
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When someone came in to tell us that it was time to go, she was not happy at the moment (from something else that happened, but I can't remember!), so she didn't get into telling us good-bye. It was sad for me, and the bus ride home with all the other families (who had also just said good-bye to their little ones) was silent. I wish we had more time. But, I was glad that she wasn't torn up about saying good-bye to us. She is SO happy there and I am VERY thankful she is so connected to the special mommies and so very loved where she is. I had envisioned it being HORRIBLE to leave her...that she would be devastated...and it just was not like that. I am so glad because the thing that I was most torn up about is all of the pain and loss she has suffered in her little life...I didn't know how she would know that we are COMING BACK. I just thought that she would think we were leaving her, too. So, it was sad for me, but I am so glad that it wasn't sad for her. We just left like we did every other day we were there.<br />
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The flight home...I felt like my heart was literally ripped in two and part of it was in the US with the other kids and part of it was in Ethiopia with "N." It was terrible. Still is. We miss her so much. Trusting in God's timing. Trusting in His provision. Trusting that He is taking care of her and us. Begging Him to be supernaturally knitting her heart to ours in our time apart.<br />
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I can't wait to be back on a plane headed to bring her to her forever home.<br />
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Here are some pictures of some people who have been so influential in "N's" life:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl2EWSW3Gw0F0te6ErFcbO5eNddE5LYoDJ7Bz5KH2d-r3ymB9seg6-M7IYpUj0PFiAEpaWcrLwM60kZWnCzI5YK8HwQ7UwmInUBixQZe7Plz2yY3iq9kGAPc7GuDgpA5tgVnxzUKR-grh/s1600/IMG_2253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl2EWSW3Gw0F0te6ErFcbO5eNddE5LYoDJ7Bz5KH2d-r3ymB9seg6-M7IYpUj0PFiAEpaWcrLwM60kZWnCzI5YK8HwQ7UwmInUBixQZe7Plz2yY3iq9kGAPc7GuDgpA5tgVnxzUKR-grh/s320/IMG_2253.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is "T." I NEVER learned how to pronounce her name correctly, so she said I could just call her "T." She is wonderful! She was the expert on our little girl's file/history, and she was SO HELPFUL!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgwDBt7OsL7NEQsJ2Z9O30uZsvPGbG-SRALLp8sjpZNMzZowMl7fmzemde9rRBk5AGCElGHanCL2VZ3m0T3sdeWI24IFIiGXf4uzRleIh6cRCScbxQ8UXBKf7X-S_UPbTj7h4hTWhyphenhyphenIDC/s1600/IMG_3262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgwDBt7OsL7NEQsJ2Z9O30uZsvPGbG-SRALLp8sjpZNMzZowMl7fmzemde9rRBk5AGCElGHanCL2VZ3m0T3sdeWI24IFIiGXf4uzRleIh6cRCScbxQ8UXBKf7X-S_UPbTj7h4hTWhyphenhyphenIDC/s1600/IMG_3262.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Was. Everyone LOVES Was! He is our driver, speaks English really well, knows a lot about everything going on, and he is all the kids FAVORITE playmate!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeo3vClOv39XmRldA7iTxMwx_4Ya9c7RcShN2NgKklADCJ4bn6x36itw52LMoaymrAmPOoxmVwlpeRl2AXQrPqJTQH9DCetkoF4K30wUjMaJfl2P-gsHd_qAd0Ga-ROAr79o8jsk4MHZf/s1600/IMG_3245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeo3vClOv39XmRldA7iTxMwx_4Ya9c7RcShN2NgKklADCJ4bn6x36itw52LMoaymrAmPOoxmVwlpeRl2AXQrPqJTQH9DCetkoF4K30wUjMaJfl2P-gsHd_qAd0Ga-ROAr79o8jsk4MHZf/s1600/IMG_3245.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And...this is the amazing and famous Almaz. OHHH, Almaz!!!!! I heard incredible things about her and couldn't wait to meet her and she truly is so amazing. She loves these children and advocates for them SO well! She is from Ethiopia, but was in the states for many years and felt the Lord leading her back to Ethiopia. She followed Him, and He has done amazing things through her! I am so thankful for this woman!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-74594484599568838502011-12-06T11:13:00.000-06:002011-12-06T11:13:34.433-06:00Day...4???<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Can't keep track now of what day it is!<br />
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We had an eventful day! We got picked up at 8:30 to head to court. It was an adventurous ride that wasn't agreeing with Brian's stomach! Poor guy, he felt so sick! After driving through a lot of Addis, we picked up the man who was sort of representing us...in the court room with us. We went to the court then and walked up a bunch of stairs which is way harder than you think at this high altitude :) and waited in the courtroom area for about an hour. <br />
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Our orphanage was called, and we went in to where the judge was. We were asked many questions like, "Do you have other kids? Do they know you are adopting? Are you around others who have adopted? Have you received training? Have you learned about Ethiopian culture? Have you met your child? Do you realize that this is FINAL after everything is cleared?" Yes, yes, yes, yes...!!!!!!<br />
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She then said that our daughter's case was complete and everything was FINALIZED! AHHH...music to my ears! Thank you, Jesus! We were so thrilled!!!! It was really just the sweetest feeling to hear that. There could have been a number of things that could have led us to not passing, so I was SO VERY thankful to the Lord!!<br />
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From there, we went to a market to shop a little and then to an Italian restaurant. It was good, but what we loved was the art that was there! Local artists who sell in a "gallery" that is the restaurant. There were some really cool things.<br />
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We came back to the hotel for 45 minutes or so and then got to go back to Hannah's Hope! We had a lot of fun! We played soccer, colored, played with her baby, sang songs, and played ball. Precious time. She cried when we took her from her room to play outside, but she was fine after a couple of minutes. She even gave me a kiss goodbye!!!! :) <br />
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Tonight we are getting a GOOD night's rest and waking up to pack and spend the day with our little girl before we head back home. Our flight leaves at 11 pm or something like that, and then we will be back home Thursday afternoon. Pray for our goodbyes if you think about it. I am sure our little one will be JUST FINE...Mommy might not be! :)</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-42105735368704941512011-12-06T05:20:00.001-06:002011-12-06T05:40:38.757-06:00WE PASSED COURT!!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I am so thankful to tell you that we passed court today!!!!! Those were such sweet words to hear..."We have all of your paperwork, and your file is complete. Everything is finalized." !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yahoo!!!! That means according to Ethiopia, our daughter is a Crenshaw! Now we just have to go through the US Embassy, and we are hoping that we will be back in this amazing country in a month! There is no guarantee for that...there could still be red tape in that process, but we are hoping!<br />
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Thank you for praying! Just wanted to update before we head back to Hannah's Hope to see our daughter for a bit!</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-15136734006723142332011-12-05T14:42:00.000-06:002011-12-05T14:42:00.601-06:00Day 3...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Here is a picture from last night's traditional Ethiopian dinner...<br />
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Instead of using utensils, they use a bread that you can unroll and tear off, and then you scoop up the food with it and eat it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDPiIU67fz34bgLI1fizupUH7uEQF79vtnr5I84WXzfHa8R6uOTmmL9tAktlM7KdVTPwYZ2Rfsm6rsxjifJYNNn6sZARdUZd5sivWQxj07N1VicY-RcV4Jgd47cv4whTfo5JoqlchGN0c/s1600/IMG_3146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDPiIU67fz34bgLI1fizupUH7uEQF79vtnr5I84WXzfHa8R6uOTmmL9tAktlM7KdVTPwYZ2Rfsm6rsxjifJYNNn6sZARdUZd5sivWQxj07N1VicY-RcV4Jgd47cv4whTfo5JoqlchGN0c/s320/IMG_3146.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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And here is the picture of a "coffee ceremony" that is common here. They pop popcorn, roast the coffee beans right there with you, and then ground them and brew it. They bring it out with incense burning.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today we went to see our daughter first thing. It was a great time! She continues to warm up more and more to us. Still clinging to her "special mommies" and all things familiar, of course! Definitely to be expected. Her favorite things today were listening to music, playing with her baby doll, playing ball, and "cleaning" my arm with a wipe! She still loves peek-a-boo and gets really giggly! It is the most precious sound! And her voice...LOVE her little voice! It is so cute!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also got to go to the orphanage where she was very briefly before Hannah's Hope. We wanted to bring a gift to them, so we bought them a goat on the way there with another family that is here. It was quite the experience! Haggling the cost, picking the goat, and then bringing him to the orphanage. It is quite the memory to have! Here is a picture with one of our friends from Hannah's Hope who drives us everywhere...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow is our court date!!!! We leave first thing in the morning! Please pray that we pass court!!! We were told to expect that we won't, but there have been some other families passing, so maybe they are all caught up on paperwork! We will see! Praying for great news tomorrow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-48045995046748744202011-12-04T13:46:00.000-06:002011-12-04T13:46:33.946-06:00Meeting Our Daughter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Oh my goodness...I don't have all the words (probably never will!) to describe today! I REALLY wish that I could put her picture on here so you guys could see just how precious she is! But...soon enough! As soon as we get her on the second trip, we can!<br />
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So... We didn't know quite what to expect and really didn't want to have any expectations for how our little girl (sorry...can't post her name either) would respond to us when we saw her for the first time. We just prayed. Prayed for her little heart that is probably so confused. Only God can give her a peace about what is happening in her life. Only God can know what all is going on in her little mind. Her eyes show a lot...she is so curious, and apprehensive, too. <br />
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She was very unsure of us at the beginning. I praise God that she is VERY loved and attached to her special mommies...one in particular. It was precious to see their bond. I longed for her to trust us...to know that we will always love her. But as a child of God, I respond the same way she did. Trusting the things that I KNOW and that are tangible. God is so trustworthy, but I had to learn that. I had to learn that He really is who He says He is. He really will do what He says He will do. And, I am still learning those things! So, today, I am drawn to the Lord more...to TRUST Him more. As I try to put myself in my little girls shoes and imagine what it is like to go through the things that she has gone through and the loss that she has experienced, I long for her to rest in our arms...I long to be Christ to her. I want her to know that our God is a Redeemer. And, I am so glad that she didn't trust us right away...that she doesn't give it away freely.<br />
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This trip has also left me amazed at the beauty of God's creation. Watching people in the airport from so many different places, all looking so different...so beautiful! God is so creative!<br />
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It has also left me amazed at God's presence in all of our lives. We are all doing different things, going different places. Some suffering, some worrying, some thankful, some angry, some unjust, some fighting on behalf of injustice, some sick, some healed, some joyful, and some with deep pain. He is there. Through it all. He knows it all, and He is with us. That has been amazing for me to ponder.<br />
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So we got to hang out with our little girl for a good while this morning, and towards the end, she interacted with us more and more. We got to go back in the afternoon, and God gave us some sweet moments of smiles and even laughter and fun times playing together. We got to see her little personality some while we just watched her interact. She is just so precious. So helpful and loving to the other kiddos. <br />
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This evening we got to go to a traditional Ethiopian restaurant and it was so much fun! Singing, dancing, and I even liked some of the food! :)<br />
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Tomorrow we get to spend most of the day with our little girl! I can't wait to get to know her some more!<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-22577763006090555232011-12-03T16:37:00.000-06:002011-12-03T16:37:35.743-06:00YAHOO!!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hello from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!!!!! We are SO THANKFUL to be here and in our hotel room!! God was so good to give us smooth flights...only one time we had an hour delay, but it all worked out GREAT!<br />
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Here we are about to head out of town! The car all packed with 3 tubs of donations and a checked bag for us, too! Thank you to all who donated to our transitional home! They will be so blessed by everything!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are some other pictures from the airport and on the way! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Below is us going from NJ to Frankfurt, Germany. It was so weird to be flying through time zones and totally missing a significant number of hours! The darker part is where it was night, and then we were flying into the lighter part, which was daytime.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0prSutxJcOhcKtKqNu09f4I2__Il6TdXM0ywD9t4V6LBM5U4PTCZWh-thirZDSgMWfwLn25vzlhkHLXTL25O4KBMOBLGwXxlkyXp8KEdVpvXSDTJ717dUCefhG4sBJPRUazX66UHNBwJY/s1600/IMG_2100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0prSutxJcOhcKtKqNu09f4I2__Il6TdXM0ywD9t4V6LBM5U4PTCZWh-thirZDSgMWfwLn25vzlhkHLXTL25O4KBMOBLGwXxlkyXp8KEdVpvXSDTJ717dUCefhG4sBJPRUazX66UHNBwJY/s320/IMG_2100.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In Frankfurt, I needed some caffine! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ9v4J8-jtZj7SsaszMGarAdqxBA9jV4JXQ0wnLCzSVkjJJDNE6upar6KCooWCjLGI5__mXgwNttLYTWfObSrezJnxxJXOt6tM8neCnGIKbqCIW73H_lg8CY0f9oRWOdKXX_ZgrT20Gb9/s1600/DSCN0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ9v4J8-jtZj7SsaszMGarAdqxBA9jV4JXQ0wnLCzSVkjJJDNE6upar6KCooWCjLGI5__mXgwNttLYTWfObSrezJnxxJXOt6tM8neCnGIKbqCIW73H_lg8CY0f9oRWOdKXX_ZgrT20Gb9/s320/DSCN0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last leg of the trip!!:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4-Ill3HsjlLx7a_mblhyqukB4JZ0bwzBHv-9bqcHGzgqnD9CRu7x0ZdmNxweWsRhAFkS0UavMPGD-FSRJ4v6HuYgn7XGwvgTCdAv5B2m_hRfnKmdwcgyB9FBAgUJw7wG54X55eCscOBy/s1600/IMG_2101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4-Ill3HsjlLx7a_mblhyqukB4JZ0bwzBHv-9bqcHGzgqnD9CRu7x0ZdmNxweWsRhAFkS0UavMPGD-FSRJ4v6HuYgn7XGwvgTCdAv5B2m_hRfnKmdwcgyB9FBAgUJw7wG54X55eCscOBy/s320/IMG_2101.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Getting so close....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfomBCOjiO-55CbgsL015JxFUlYLZED8YR6bBIFQobgy7gOCuFt6ZoI3RplKZj2pHuMKPKhWagS3Vvu-G-Kay1vD8QJo4XSPE7G7u8_ajE-8AYYDT6gckTfkeKHPupZC01NpbSZ6tVkyc/s1600/IMG_2105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfomBCOjiO-55CbgsL015JxFUlYLZED8YR6bBIFQobgy7gOCuFt6ZoI3RplKZj2pHuMKPKhWagS3Vvu-G-Kay1vD8QJo4XSPE7G7u8_ajE-8AYYDT6gckTfkeKHPupZC01NpbSZ6tVkyc/s320/IMG_2105.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And...we are HERE! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghraTblrLgJdncSujrUGakqu4iSxz6BZwxFbXWetZFflqsJFwZ2iX5DCQzsPZvvCz7nZCQ_Cy3Whhi1uxEtzAEWmQQIAEOKRtP4O0tt3UFY0W8L4pOZV32ZzCmu_Jm-ZoeZX3igb6pL6_L/s1600/DSCN0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghraTblrLgJdncSujrUGakqu4iSxz6BZwxFbXWetZFflqsJFwZ2iX5DCQzsPZvvCz7nZCQ_Cy3Whhi1uxEtzAEWmQQIAEOKRtP4O0tt3UFY0W8L4pOZV32ZzCmu_Jm-ZoeZX3igb6pL6_L/s320/DSCN0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We met up with a super sweet couple who are also adopting through our agency, so they got our picture when we got in! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we arrived in Addis, we were welcomed with a three hour wait to get our travel visa! Shew!! There is a HUGE conference in town that starts tomorrow, so it was a bit crazy at the airport! But, we made it! Our sweet driver said he waited 4 hours for us! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I look exhausted in those pictures, and I am...so I am headed to get some rest before we meet our little one! :) CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-59161641272104525842011-11-27T11:00:00.001-06:002011-11-27T11:02:49.431-06:00God's is so faithful!Just wanted to update everyone and give glory to God that He provided ALL of the rest of the funding that we needed to go get our little girl!! We received an incredible matching grant from Brittany's Hope, and the auction that I posted about was a huge success! the people that bought items were able to have it doubled through that grant! :) I have to be honest and say that when you first see the amount of money it takes to adopt, and then look at your bank account...and see the large discrepancies there, it can be daunting! We asked the Lord to provide and trusted Him to do just that! We have been so privileged to get to see first hand God provide for His children. It has been so amazing!!! He has used individual donors, a yard sale, a grant, and an auction to bring our daughter home! We have been so blessed by the generosity of family, friends, and complete strangers! There are so many people who are bringing this little girl home...not just us! And, words cannot even express how grateful we are!<br />
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I am so thankful that our kids are beginning to learn this lesson, too. Last week at church, they were talking about God's faithfulness and I think they asked the kids to tell about how God has been faithful in their lives. This is what Austin did...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0Oo1KvJy5JZkhKp5DkKusuJo2kXA1KGwddavc5_PEp6rXBG12nSRvhfMHNYEtPlHenXdmkWfFC-hxQShi_Tn4hcuGxG5L80YJeYD9BVmjfRfVeTsE93bqG_WMekRd1bzsdXo6Gi2xsj0/s1600/IMG_2072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0Oo1KvJy5JZkhKp5DkKusuJo2kXA1KGwddavc5_PEp6rXBG12nSRvhfMHNYEtPlHenXdmkWfFC-hxQShi_Tn4hcuGxG5L80YJeYD9BVmjfRfVeTsE93bqG_WMekRd1bzsdXo6Gi2xsj0/s320/IMG_2072.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
(If you can't see it, it says, "Breaking News!! God is faithful because He led the Israelites across the sea. Last year I was waiting for my sister to come to my house. But I waited some more, and now it is 12 days!) He meant it was 12 days (now 5!!) till we traveled for court. Sadly, we still have to wait another month or two till she gets to come home.<br />
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Oh my goodness, how this blessed me!! Thank you, Lord, for showing your faithfulness (not only to us, but to our children as well!) through this process!<br />
<br />
That was last week at church. This week, I stayed home with everyone in their PJs. The girls have been sick this week, and there is still a lingering cough that I didn't want to pass around to friends! :)<br />
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So, here we are...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jLJ91IgrBOSGw2euU0sU7JQyC_3IhhF8dmJJEheZfypxnakKV9wrn4cKH8C_yiPiqSG5QDPp1jHHe-mUIkAh1pXJ8Yzh2pgWPrIwjWt50WTsbsrOLH0HrBV-DwfNZiFb14vY8dciCOJH/s1600/DSCN0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jLJ91IgrBOSGw2euU0sU7JQyC_3IhhF8dmJJEheZfypxnakKV9wrn4cKH8C_yiPiqSG5QDPp1jHHe-mUIkAh1pXJ8Yzh2pgWPrIwjWt50WTsbsrOLH0HrBV-DwfNZiFb14vY8dciCOJH/s320/DSCN0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Making sugar cookies! :)Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-83496431769041291332011-11-11T23:42:00.000-06:002011-11-11T23:42:56.949-06:00Want a preview??Just wanted to tell you that you can go to my husband's blog to see some preview pictures of some of the art that will be featured at the auction TOMORROW NIGHT! :)<br />
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Here is the link:<br />
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<a href="http://briancrenshaw.blogspot.com/">briancrenshaw.blogspot.com</a>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-74207900417445496882011-11-10T15:57:00.000-06:002011-11-10T15:57:55.266-06:00AUCTION!!!!!Come one, come all!!!! We are having an auction (featuring many paintings from my amazingly talented husband, as well as many other donated items!!!) to raise the remainder of the money that we need to travel (twice!) to go get our little girl from Ethiopia! <br />
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Some sweet friends of ours are hosting this special event, and we are so excited! Please tell ANYone that is interested in art, auctions, orphan care, or just a date night! It is this coming Saturday night, November 12! See the invitation below!<br />
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If you are unable to make it, please pray for the night and that God would bring people and it would be a blessing to others, as well as our family as we prepare to leave!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJevkRcCpQSVguK76AeZHWAu0e_X6EZGWbe9wts88T99i0jQyPZEWxsVow6pOdWNrXHoarjfDFAL8knLd0pEQF6F7r_WcqFIrCLkjmiThe-HR3HA_HTcXM1ab6zMOqZzXE4Q0V39qQQsUc/s1600/wine+and+cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJevkRcCpQSVguK76AeZHWAu0e_X6EZGWbe9wts88T99i0jQyPZEWxsVow6pOdWNrXHoarjfDFAL8knLd0pEQF6F7r_WcqFIrCLkjmiThe-HR3HA_HTcXM1ab6zMOqZzXE4Q0V39qQQsUc/s320/wine+and+cheese.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-13789405052143561642011-10-30T22:18:00.000-05:002011-10-30T22:18:15.825-05:00Want to help me??When we go to Ethiopia, we will bring some big tub containers of donations for the transitional home (Hannah's Hope) that our daughter is in. It is a fabulous place with a wonderful staff who love all of the kids there really, really well.<br />
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One reason why they are able to provide for the children's needs so well is because of the donations that families bring over when they come. <br />
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We would love for anyone to be able to be involved in helping with donations! <br />
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I would love to be able to provide for Hannah's Hope so they can continue to do what they are doing so well...caring for these sweet children! Here is a list that our agency sent out with "urgent needs" just last week.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" class="Bs nH iY" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; width: 1239px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="Bu" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><div class="nH if" style="padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="nH"><div class="nH hx" style="color: black; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 4px;"><div class="nH"><div class="h7 " style="clear: both; padding-bottom: 0px;"><div class="Bk" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); border-bottom-left-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); border-top-left-radius: 7px 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; position: relative; width: 990px;"><div class="G3 G2" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(188, 188, 188); border-bottom-left-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(188, 188, 188); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(188, 188, 188); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(188, 188, 188); border-top-left-radius: 7px 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-top: 3px;"><div><div id=":13g"><div class="HprMsc mNrSre"><div class="gs"><div class="ii gt" id=":15b" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 20px; position: relative; z-index: 2;"><div id=":15a"><div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"><div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span>1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Diapers (all sizes)<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span>2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Soy-based Formula<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span>3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shoes and Clothing for Older Children (new or like-new)<u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span>4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shampoos, Conditioners, and Lotions for Older Children<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span>5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">10-20 three-ring binders (2-3 inch)<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span>6.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cold medications for older children and adults<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span>7.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Amoxicillin for all ages (250mg or 400mg)<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span>8.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Whole Organic Flaxseed<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span>9.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Slash Pocket Folders <u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span>10.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Laptops, specifically one for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in Mekelle, Tigray<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span>11.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">2-3 Pairs of Reading Glasses from CVS (actual prescription strength not known)</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Here are some things that were mentioned that are on-going needs:</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. Baby Wipes</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. Bibs</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">3. Hand Sanitizer</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">4. Kleenex</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">5. Infant and Children's vitamins</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">6. Avent Bottles</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">7. Desitin (diaper rash cream)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">8. age appropriate development toys for infants and toddlers</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">9. Blow up balls/outside toys</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">10. Sidewalk chalk</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">11. Bubbles</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">12. Children's DVDs or CDs</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">13. Men's and Women's deodorant</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">14. Good quality electric shaver</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">15. rechargeable camping lanterns (for when electricity is out)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">16. Twin sheets (mainly flats) in children's patterns and colors (solid or print)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">If you would like to help us with any of these items, please feel free to drop them off at my house at any time! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">If we aren't here, you can leave it on the porch! You can email me, too, and I can pick them up! Thank you, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">Thank you, thank you!!!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-79436056314667477232011-10-30T13:37:00.001-05:002020-10-29T22:21:43.078-05:00BIG WEEK!This week was fabulous!! WE GOT OUR COURT DATE!!!!!! We will be heading to see our daughter in 33 days! December 2! We are so thankful to have gotten this news. We got our referral on September 21, and then our court date on October 25(almost 5 weeks later).<br />
<br />
After we return from court, it is usually 2 months until a family can travel back to pick up their child. So, we are thinking that by Valentine's Day, we will have her home. Of course, sometimes it is much longer than that, and we are praying it is even shorter than that!<br />
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We are so thankful that in less than five weeks, we will be able to meet our daughter! We have many lists to check off between now and then, and it is going to be so much fun! Packing, getting our daughter's room ready, getting shots (not so fun), gathering donations for Hannah's Hope (where our daughter lives now), and so much more!<br />
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We went out to eat to celebrate. If you know us, you know we love Mexican, of course! We don't love Ethiopian food (yet)! So, our celebration night included one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. I had to show you this picture...<br />
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Austin took a bite out a chip and then looked at it and said, "Look! It is Africa!" :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7tEpudYL8Hyd8rSQwU2-UkIv_bsjTgAcs5lUc8MHLR5UzWTMTArN_tnejBTxDh_FWV3KsL5bMoAhs159xkDJ8CoIbnqce6saHqn-_-vH0RSJ-wUun8zu_VN99MNqoNvojp3uTn5QoTUp/s1600/IMG_1985.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7tEpudYL8Hyd8rSQwU2-UkIv_bsjTgAcs5lUc8MHLR5UzWTMTArN_tnejBTxDh_FWV3KsL5bMoAhs159xkDJ8CoIbnqce6saHqn-_-vH0RSJ-wUun8zu_VN99MNqoNvojp3uTn5QoTUp/s320/IMG_1985.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were so excited to get that phone call that we could book our flights to see our daughter!!! When I picked Austin up from school, I told him I got a very important phone call that day. He immediately said, "WE GOT A COURT DATE FOR ETHIOPIA!" (Actually he said his little sister's name that I wish I could post!!! :) )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Other fun stuff:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pumpkin Carving!! Even better...this time next year our little girl (Lord willing!) will be carving pumpkins with us! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rVbVxlzB-fpXFMTAI3pp-fdN2-TuTyEdCj2LB3VBRkNdLN9HQ4TTu7y5qOQ3ClVyW7ru6SAltChjrIPj597wyuxUOI0X3p5JAMNoiqkq4nGxA5AMZn_mxMAxyeIEzQ5GJekvnbWkjHxT/s1600/IMG_1989.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rVbVxlzB-fpXFMTAI3pp-fdN2-TuTyEdCj2LB3VBRkNdLN9HQ4TTu7y5qOQ3ClVyW7ru6SAltChjrIPj597wyuxUOI0X3p5JAMNoiqkq4nGxA5AMZn_mxMAxyeIEzQ5GJekvnbWkjHxT/s320/IMG_1989.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(our precious, joyful Olivia!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKkOoWfZN79g5FurI0lNeNXVnQKcmNtOwMzP9UwaPDJIi614ixGvB7FsSsoTq0gnSVBSAW6Bgz_gAEwFiELxCmQhfmxmFw0C4EPM7kw7xXYeb7tnYPnzSLFPuhrMkfO9pakZbTyth-sNO/s1600/IMG_1986.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKkOoWfZN79g5FurI0lNeNXVnQKcmNtOwMzP9UwaPDJIi614ixGvB7FsSsoTq0gnSVBSAW6Bgz_gAEwFiELxCmQhfmxmFw0C4EPM7kw7xXYeb7tnYPnzSLFPuhrMkfO9pakZbTyth-sNO/s320/IMG_1986.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Daddy and Austin working on his little pumpkin he picked out!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here are the kiddos at the growth chart at the pumpkin patch:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_AKwnpVy2xHasXfPgyLJ1Saia3DR8vFhYDQZkmIHI6UUi4pF2nOkbTskTdFtNYtl-FwIWhFBkh4VIQ3cixYhyphenhyphenAcqqH9oSBLgXW9iaJvmVhi1NM_Ua-hDojp9WgKvCjeM3AWHMI7H6-mu/s1600/IMG_1968.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_AKwnpVy2xHasXfPgyLJ1Saia3DR8vFhYDQZkmIHI6UUi4pF2nOkbTskTdFtNYtl-FwIWhFBkh4VIQ3cixYhyphenhyphenAcqqH9oSBLgXW9iaJvmVhi1NM_Ua-hDojp9WgKvCjeM3AWHMI7H6-mu/s320/IMG_1968.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoy the rest of your weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-89811576005557233352011-10-12T20:29:00.000-05:002011-10-12T20:29:04.548-05:00Next Steps!We are so thankful for all of the love and support of everyone on our journey to bring home our little girl! So many people are asking what comes next, so I thought I would pass along the next steps to you here.<br />
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In Ethiopia, they are translating our documents and information and combining it with the information of our little girl to make one file. It will be submitted it to the courts to get a court date. The courts have been closed for the last two months because of rainy season. They close every year for August and September. They just reopened TODAY!!! We are hoping to hear about our scheduled court date SOON! :) <br />
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After we pass court, we will be submitted to the US Embassy. Our Embassy appointment is the final step. We will take one trip for about a week for the court date, and then usually about 2 months later, we will return to Ethiopia for another week (Embassy). On that trip, we can bring our little girl home.<br />
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We are hoping to travel sometime in December for our first trip (court), and then bring her home in February or March. One thing that our social worker was very clear on was that this court/Embassy process is VERY unpredictable. You just never know what is going to happen with the court system, extra paperwork or research that they might require, etc. We are praying for no bumps in the road!<br />
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So...prayer requests:<br />
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<ul><li>Our little girl's safety, health, and adjustment in a different place. I can't even imagine the things that she is thinking/feeling right now. I am sure she is so confused. There will be so much that she has to grieve: the loss of her family, friends, culture... all things known to her. Please just pray that God will comfort her little heart as only He can!</li>
<li>Pray for our family to be prepared for this change...for wisdom for us in parenting each one of our kids and preparing their hearts for their little sister! They are so excited!</li>
<li>Pray for us to pass court quickly and without any problems.</li>
<li>Finances! We are hoping to hear back this week from a grant we applied for to help with all of the travel costs. It is a matching grant, and we are going to have an art sale to raise money for it! more to come on that later...</li>
</ul><br />
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Thanks for praying for us!!!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-53869848949736821442011-10-10T21:44:00.002-05:002011-10-10T21:46:55.007-05:00THE CALL!!!!!The amazing call that changed everything! Adoption can be compared to pregnancy in some different ways...everyone likes to joke that people are "paper pregnant" when they are working on their adoption paperwork. Well, the night we got THE CALL!!! can be compared to looking at our positive pregnancy test. Everything changes. But, you don't even know what will change! You don't know what is in store, but you could not be more excited! You just jump around the room in amazement!<br />
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September 21, 2011. Just before 5:00 pm. Brian came home a little early because he was wanting to spend time with us as he had to go back to work that night after the kids went to bed. <br />
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(sidenote: Earlier that morning, I had emailed our case worker ("B") with our agency, AGCI, to see of we could extend our age parameters to 0-28 months so that we wouldn't have to redo our homestudy (again!!) as Eliana got older. Our agency typically stays in birth order, and the adopted child must be 10 months younger than your youngest child...essentially, however a birth could happen "naturally" in your family is how they get their parameters. They feel that all of the children adjust better that way. )<br />
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So, I was bathing the girls and Brian came upstairs and said "B" called on your phone. Then she called on my phone. She needs to talk to us tonight. I was completely NOT thinking our referral...at first I didn't even know he was talking about our case worker!! Then, he clarified..."B" from All God's Children...<br />
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Then, I knew!!! I started crying and saying, "THIS IS IT!!!! THIS IS IT!!!! IT IS OUR REFERRAL!!!!!!" Brian wasn't so sure. He told me to not freak out, that she probably was just responding to my email. I was insistent! I said, " Brian! She would NEVER call on YOUR phone for that!! I know this is it!!!" He said, " Well, call her!"<br />
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She picked up the phone right away and said that she got my email (I am calmly saying, "Oh, yes...good..." And then! She said, "But I REALLY want to talk to you about a LITTLE GIRL!!!!" Oh, melt my heart! I couldn't wait to hear every detail! We both got on the phone and she went through all of the details that she knew of. We put on a movie for the kids to distract them, and we asked our case worker every question we could think of! She really wanted us to talk through her age (she is 28 months), as she is older than they originally wanted our parameters to be, and get back with her the next day. <br />
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We already knew we wanted to move forward! I think I asked Brian 500 times that night, "Oh my goodness, what are you feeling right now!?!" We sat down to eat about 20 minutes after we got off the phone. We wanted to all look at her pictures together as a family (Our case worker went over all of her info, but then she puts it all together on an email with her pictures and sends it when you get off the phone. They know we wouldn't hear a word she was saying if we could stare at her beautiful pictures the whole time!). The kids are so excited and they talk about her all the time. This morning Olivia made up a song about how we are "going to the airport to pick up _(my little sister!)__" They pray for her all the time, showed their classes her picture, and we talk about what she is doing at whatever time of day it is!<br />
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So, we pull up that email with her pictures...oh, melt my heart...we look through the first few, and then there is one that looks like she is looking in our eyes, ready for us to bring her to her forever home! I still think about that moment and tears just well up in my eyes. Our daughter. She is amazing, and I don't even know her yet.<br />
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There are so many "God details" in all of it...<br />
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<ul><li>her name and what it means and means to us (We can't share her name or her picture until she is legally ours...sorry!! But if you see us, stop us and ask and we will show you in person! We can't put anything on the internet, though.) </li>
<li>the age parameters and that I had JUST asked for "up to 28 months" that morning. She is 28 months. Our case worker said, " I just had to laugh when I read that email!" </li>
<li>The fact that Brian is a twin and has experience with twins and how to encourage and give them separate identities (Because of Eliana's age compared to our newest little girl, they call that "artificial twinning"). </li>
<li>A couple of weeks after we decided to move forward in pursuing adoption (2009), she was born!</li>
<li>some significant dates in her life and what we were doing at the time</li>
</ul><br />
Well, the next day we had planned to go to Nashville (just Brian and I) to go to a conference that ShowHope was doing with Dr. Karyn Purvis. It was incredible. I admire her so much, and I love all of her research, studies, books, videos, and conferences! She has researched and speaks/teaches on parenting children who "come from hard places." Another post for another day, but it is incredible information.<br />
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So, we headed off for what Brian refers to as "The Amazing Race," adoption edition in Nashville! We had some time-sensitive phone calls to make and reports to write up on our daughter and her transition to our family. The first part of the day, we were in and out of the conference taking phone calls and heading to office stores to print, fax, etc! It was hilarious looking back! <br />
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It was a sweet time filled with so much excitement! We canNOT wait to meet our sweet girl! Just before I started writing this post, I looked back over a little bit of our adoption journey. Trusting in God's perfect will and sovereignty, and sifting through all of the unknowns. Assuming we would get a referral right away, and wondering why we didn't. I know that God already knew this little girl would be a Crenshaw. He has orchestrated every step of her life and ours. Hard times and good times...He knew they would all happen. Any other time we would have gotten a referral, it wouldn't be HER. I can't wait to let all of you meet her!!<br />
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Since I can't show yall a picture of her, I will leave you with one from last week. We went to the beach, and it was a sweet time to get away as a family (my parents got to come, too!), have fun, relax a bit after a crazy couple of weeks, and connect! But, we missed her so much. So, I will leave you with this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9hz0pukXOkAC8AvOs_ruPBXK-ZtrrQesHmpvaapKx3NAYBtQOfwHx2Eo9fNEKL2MX_UFM-M4ba26oIDvBNsfXKcfdQ4E0j9mooisvNnMFCFwbgq16L4z2nFvkm0PRYrVPZihHc8CRQYv/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9hz0pukXOkAC8AvOs_ruPBXK-ZtrrQesHmpvaapKx3NAYBtQOfwHx2Eo9fNEKL2MX_UFM-M4ba26oIDvBNsfXKcfdQ4E0j9mooisvNnMFCFwbgq16L4z2nFvkm0PRYrVPZihHc8CRQYv/s320/photo-4.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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I will post all of the "next steps" and prayer requests soon!!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-56589210465986029612011-09-14T15:59:00.003-05:002020-10-29T22:16:59.041-05:00SummerThe rest of our summer was fun-filled!!<br />
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I got to go to camp with the students at our church for the first time!! I have never gotten to go because of the ages of our kiddos, but we decided that with another Crenshaw coming soon (hopefully!), this was the summer to go! It was God's sweet sovereignty because when we first started leading the youth group, the now 12th graders were then 7th graders. These 7th grade girls were in my Bible study before I had more babies and stopped leading a group, so I got to experience their last camp as a high schooler. It was really neat to see how the Lord has grown them. They are amazing young women!! <br />
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Here are some camp pics:<br />
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Our precious room:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVy0d0J8ZhBuL7HddLCYTLhL6ikUvSeuS8vG6_Jys0X1DercyEgW5Pe0B2QjpD06GnyKN5nwSu7pUDX447N_p1OGPcM5NrpN-gY7KGAAgK32bIxIKNApYYOYCIMv6lcb0nVAVzmq0Qb_P/s1600/IMG_1609.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVy0d0J8ZhBuL7HddLCYTLhL6ikUvSeuS8vG6_Jys0X1DercyEgW5Pe0B2QjpD06GnyKN5nwSu7pUDX447N_p1OGPcM5NrpN-gY7KGAAgK32bIxIKNApYYOYCIMv6lcb0nVAVzmq0Qb_P/s320/IMG_1609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Here are the girls:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsjvdoGYOOXWMxFzS5henbyB8hsiFH8YFm2dnrVR8lr-90bnfznLuQwwqZWszp5gL5IER4ROMrCslrPFH_ZnxzZhsVMYg1VlkUFpp0BCcYAdH_W5ECC4O0_I8vRHJLJigsrBrvtjo4Gyf/s1600/IMG_1614.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsjvdoGYOOXWMxFzS5henbyB8hsiFH8YFm2dnrVR8lr-90bnfznLuQwwqZWszp5gL5IER4ROMrCslrPFH_ZnxzZhsVMYg1VlkUFpp0BCcYAdH_W5ECC4O0_I8vRHJLJigsrBrvtjo4Gyf/s320/IMG_1614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And the guys:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL6WyeVPru-LsTF8sNEwtiNjFC49yYi24AWkK5S51zedHbF_387IVEj8I91KYelgqdArntsTP6VeTsMjJZOxgyUsCDKd2Cmqk1A_mqO8VzgpZCPrJW2ZjnlFzf1wDT2xYT7SrWUhExMa2/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL6WyeVPru-LsTF8sNEwtiNjFC49yYi24AWkK5S51zedHbF_387IVEj8I91KYelgqdArntsTP6VeTsMjJZOxgyUsCDKd2Cmqk1A_mqO8VzgpZCPrJW2ZjnlFzf1wDT2xYT7SrWUhExMa2/s320/IMG_1618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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There were so many really powerful moments that week where God moved in the students' and leaders' hearts. Towards the end of the week, our incredible camp pastor, Ricky Jenkins, talked about "dreams," and how we all have God-given dreams and to not lose sight of those things. He talked about the older we get, our dreams go from a passionate "God use me to........" to "it would be nice if God would...." He asked Brian and I to share some dreams that God has placed on our hearts. We shared about adoption and what God has done to teach us more about Himself and those in need. We shared about how we would love to see more orphans placed in their "forever families." Afterwards, we were presented with over $400 for our adoption raised by the students and staff that week. This was so powerful...so amazing to me. I was "ugly crying" knowing that this group of believers (who did not bring "extra" money to camp!!!) rallied together and gave to our family. I am still so humbled and so honored and so blessed. Their generosity is amazing to me. They are a huge part in bringing this little one home. <br />
Moving on, now that I am ugly crying again just thinking about it...<br />
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So, while we were at camp, our kiddos were back home with Nana and Pa, and by the looks on their faces, I am sure you can see just how much they were missing us...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Treat for the day...BombPops!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Making homemade ice cream!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My parents are so thoughtful...they even brought them to go serve others by cutting down fallen limbs from a storm!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRIfG6juVQGqfYtGo3LlZ-XLcBfNPym7nh1aw-h7sbN-WwkyQEcsol4kVl1bDewtsApMqjvVHzBsLhTs3-Lv3IcU79rE2EKOhGQtXZjxuUgDWzD-2nS471X1fSHKr58q_U-m0ZAXcRfC_/s1600/DSCN5848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRIfG6juVQGqfYtGo3LlZ-XLcBfNPym7nh1aw-h7sbN-WwkyQEcsol4kVl1bDewtsApMqjvVHzBsLhTs3-Lv3IcU79rE2EKOhGQtXZjxuUgDWzD-2nS471X1fSHKr58q_U-m0ZAXcRfC_/s320/DSCN5848.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nana taught her to tie her shoes!! YAY!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyX3pxL3uCH3ay7lU3Q6onL6oDBNWUZ9fJhaIZ-bulpwjniqAAQSW42k1g7HN4jbZW_m8ktCNaC81dg4Pto7kxYtsOSUqdwsujg0FXWBHJjT7AJDz0w-BJ7qP8BkZaFgJjTsL-W-eBOcmA/s1600/DSCN5863.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyX3pxL3uCH3ay7lU3Q6onL6oDBNWUZ9fJhaIZ-bulpwjniqAAQSW42k1g7HN4jbZW_m8ktCNaC81dg4Pto7kxYtsOSUqdwsujg0FXWBHJjT7AJDz0w-BJ7qP8BkZaFgJjTsL-W-eBOcmA/s320/DSCN5863.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Going to see Winnie the Pooh!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4Ftu9WbfYiLV_rg-BNmKDpp1TB5eN1djInpyf5UL6m0w75yITTa0X-TzLUE_ChXaXBwSXhBRLWW5TlZDG5ziOKqO1GqFgWIDvYB63KE8fORgBoFlD1cpBcqDqQD2TEiHB-nkEvB52dBg/s1600/DSCN5864.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4Ftu9WbfYiLV_rg-BNmKDpp1TB5eN1djInpyf5UL6m0w75yITTa0X-TzLUE_ChXaXBwSXhBRLWW5TlZDG5ziOKqO1GqFgWIDvYB63KE8fORgBoFlD1cpBcqDqQD2TEiHB-nkEvB52dBg/s320/DSCN5864.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yummy breakfast treat: Donuts!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCH6i4T12wBC-YZ9cWfQD0B9sq7rOK3liZocb4tUViei9AsIB6d3szNnw05H8mXCXI9THjLDqjQFx4kvp2hzqGN4qSRv7d78HK7egvc2LlJdqtbvmFh-qlCxAGF5qIu6nlrEo_Ast4ZXNI/s1600/DSCN5895.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCH6i4T12wBC-YZ9cWfQD0B9sq7rOK3liZocb4tUViei9AsIB6d3szNnw05H8mXCXI9THjLDqjQFx4kvp2hzqGN4qSRv7d78HK7egvc2LlJdqtbvmFh-qlCxAGF5qIu6nlrEo_Ast4ZXNI/s320/DSCN5895.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bowling!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We are so blessed to have them in such great, loving, hands!! :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We also got to spend some quality time with some of the Knoxville Crenshaw cousins! Here they are at the sprinkler park together:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TIrJHRFLqXMSJEX8nVIW4OspdvUUxPpuwv4lrrYTVSfixsg00rv_H3L0PF-ZcrRsSB96WgvSNJsv80qzbgKj7LIU-m8HYJNGFVpCELw1AEy3NHmiKUUkj7cvLgGYO7D4zh-3N9MBhyl4/s1600/IMG_1548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TIrJHRFLqXMSJEX8nVIW4OspdvUUxPpuwv4lrrYTVSfixsg00rv_H3L0PF-ZcrRsSB96WgvSNJsv80qzbgKj7LIU-m8HYJNGFVpCELw1AEy3NHmiKUUkj7cvLgGYO7D4zh-3N9MBhyl4/s320/IMG_1548.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOH70hGcNkRFZF-yHY_XYgYhjFuFhGygg7QQXep15R395rEJSDz6A4tBJnosjajxD9Q3FDlf9is0LFkt5xyylWlUBx3s-Y2D11k8EkzcuARnKAhxou_vE3thDAePQkG7lSewncFzh1eP3/s1600/IMG_1532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOH70hGcNkRFZF-yHY_XYgYhjFuFhGygg7QQXep15R395rEJSDz6A4tBJnosjajxD9Q3FDlf9is0LFkt5xyylWlUBx3s-Y2D11k8EkzcuARnKAhxou_vE3thDAePQkG7lSewncFzh1eP3/s320/IMG_1532.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mimi and Pops came in so everyone could be together! Here they are with all of the grandkids (minus Luke :( ):</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxNxQcjHPy55erFF-JytNjBAT8xDjXb75yP9y8MXaOfMfwRhRDetbkweTItCca_WiyyU0nwYc9WyIjCJgh2l8znED7dDxisWW0RhI3Zr2HYaMtIdhSSlZYzuUt_rM_IwgiowjQWA8AWmi/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxNxQcjHPy55erFF-JytNjBAT8xDjXb75yP9y8MXaOfMfwRhRDetbkweTItCca_WiyyU0nwYc9WyIjCJgh2l8znED7dDxisWW0RhI3Zr2HYaMtIdhSSlZYzuUt_rM_IwgiowjQWA8AWmi/s320/IMG_1567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">A definite low-light from my summer...my dear friend Christy moved away. Definitely excited about what God is doing in their life and very sad to see them move away. Love you, <a href="http://edwardsfamilyupdates.blogspot.com/">Christy</a>, and I am so thankful for you!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpov-IsNtqK-_a9d50ZWctpIbKpQ_r8ouTm0nO7DXGvjrrVtJGx7IKFoaJ-k10c4QIUC2qFZD0g4ZxoPvH9ZdUgVq5m9D9OlaYYlx-2rpbrqj8GUmDitZoEqLAAYCZmnBJZ3Eai-YZepO/s1600/IMG_1654.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpov-IsNtqK-_a9d50ZWctpIbKpQ_r8ouTm0nO7DXGvjrrVtJGx7IKFoaJ-k10c4QIUC2qFZD0g4ZxoPvH9ZdUgVq5m9D9OlaYYlx-2rpbrqj8GUmDitZoEqLAAYCZmnBJZ3Eai-YZepO/s320/IMG_1654.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">We got to hang out with this litttle guy for a weekend while his parents were away:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6O1PwgYLrPa_IbYuuzZNM8C9aN3kS-ZZA__fQFOGThlqe4iRQsfO_blkZeXUyt7SeqtXlmHxeKSrsRlXNXKeDv_sIQSuQipxJtBNX4C3_cZNNoZ7becbmTE_yrWYijItJPeTe-ZW0Udc/s1600/IMG_1683.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6O1PwgYLrPa_IbYuuzZNM8C9aN3kS-ZZA__fQFOGThlqe4iRQsfO_blkZeXUyt7SeqtXlmHxeKSrsRlXNXKeDv_sIQSuQipxJtBNX4C3_cZNNoZ7becbmTE_yrWYijItJPeTe-ZW0Udc/s320/IMG_1683.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We kept thinking all weekend that he could be the same age as the newest Crenshaw! It was fun to watch the kids play "big brother/sister!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMi_ywv2yWbWbPk-Yk2H7BCdImbituAc4xJKw2ovPqAzO6vT1BeYRiRPoc09qJxBZtxKex1BZ44SwM3JB-8LzK_lZpFOu4AwbPA2Uh-Hx2JP_tyqsdpMp9jKhzUQaOQXS47QeO_6PLRn9/s1600/IMG_1679.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMi_ywv2yWbWbPk-Yk2H7BCdImbituAc4xJKw2ovPqAzO6vT1BeYRiRPoc09qJxBZtxKex1BZ44SwM3JB-8LzK_lZpFOu4AwbPA2Uh-Hx2JP_tyqsdpMp9jKhzUQaOQXS47QeO_6PLRn9/s320/IMG_1679.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One more thing we did this summer: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EFdJ9b7d1IJqDPq4g3iZB_x2HSclltGqVt3fgLgShyphenhyphennjD_OF19pyqa4Rrp27yADWCx3sxSwMtkHoiVugUATFTgiLrltXBOnUeOBqagBroQ-CApFkwyjllLD2vOPFdqVVVsYjcNfU1Va8/s1600/IMG_1586.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EFdJ9b7d1IJqDPq4g3iZB_x2HSclltGqVt3fgLgShyphenhyphennjD_OF19pyqa4Rrp27yADWCx3sxSwMtkHoiVugUATFTgiLrltXBOnUeOBqagBroQ-CApFkwyjllLD2vOPFdqVVVsYjcNfU1Va8/s320/IMG_1586.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PAPERWORK!! Our home study had to be updated, so we started the paper chase again. I am so glad to have that behind us again. Maybe we won't have to update it again before we go to Ethiopia!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Praying, praying for that call to come SOON! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-16501810359487506432011-05-27T23:15:00.000-05:002011-05-27T23:15:42.284-05:00Birthday season!I am just so ecstatic that school is out! Along with that comes birthday season at our house! We have many birthdays back to back.<br />
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Today we celebrated our precious Olivia. Oh, what joy she brings to our family! She is FULL of life, joy, emotions, and spunk! I love it! She reminds me to not be so serious in life. She reminds me to take a little breath and lay down for "just one more song..." or "one more back-rub..." or "one more prayer..." I am so thankful to the Lord for giving us such a healthy, happy girl.<br />
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She loves "Tangled," so we had a "Tangled" birthday party today to celebrate her turning five!<br />
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Here are some pictures:<br />
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Here is the cake table:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyUIJcfQKseVgcN-LB55xHpALoLb5WDSwP-VWZ4DnbPOk3GHT6dnkHvEKlh8sYTWC326u_UJqYZ5ZW2HW_lcKix7Sk7ORfu9NnXxOxJhh_ZslNtIXM730ovM15k8vKCDc_IAikTpfuAkR/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyUIJcfQKseVgcN-LB55xHpALoLb5WDSwP-VWZ4DnbPOk3GHT6dnkHvEKlh8sYTWC326u_UJqYZ5ZW2HW_lcKix7Sk7ORfu9NnXxOxJhh_ZslNtIXM730ovM15k8vKCDc_IAikTpfuAkR/s320/IMG_1393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Here is pin the hair on Rapunzel:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNooSfCIS_nJHh9XHcAuPo7b0Kx5nXpLsTnV6ZLUAklmBlWHzc-uukc2kjy7870wbK9MrOHedAxRvTsGhaYXTzOdLeiKNC42ycpuHorKBRzPESyKam850eZyeeaF7eEx-mT7SwxU5TPug2/s1600/IMG_1384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNooSfCIS_nJHh9XHcAuPo7b0Kx5nXpLsTnV6ZLUAklmBlWHzc-uukc2kjy7870wbK9MrOHedAxRvTsGhaYXTzOdLeiKNC42ycpuHorKBRzPESyKam850eZyeeaF7eEx-mT7SwxU5TPug2/s320/IMG_1384.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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The birthday girl coloring one of the coloring sheets:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPUrJDU_7qEm5I0UTwFT0dfek_VyGg8jisyWFQuFjjmEc0r3Hpoa_PPtwcin6Y2X1o4zfcf3oK6kes_BB5HFG5jkP6NEXBGwZzPr1PuuNbt7sRlk2mcWP-O7g8MoeL4HXz4DlvhS7jlAz/s1600/IMG_1377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPUrJDU_7qEm5I0UTwFT0dfek_VyGg8jisyWFQuFjjmEc0r3Hpoa_PPtwcin6Y2X1o4zfcf3oK6kes_BB5HFG5jkP6NEXBGwZzPr1PuuNbt7sRlk2mcWP-O7g8MoeL4HXz4DlvhS7jlAz/s320/IMG_1377.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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A mini-Rapunzel! Liv didn't want to wear her dress for the party, so her little sis GLADLY wore it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvNOzb6hiNNVHMAkFYQYzbG3QdawTdCHrq0r7-Pf_8qODYNSTgUCKwL3oCBwmJbkO7Sg77Ow_-_-yqs_Sb576VoohUoFOFMxX8v6PqdxUexDVc-GNSimDpK1Mh7tOr7OX-OQWxbKdiLAi/s1600/IMG_1399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvNOzb6hiNNVHMAkFYQYzbG3QdawTdCHrq0r7-Pf_8qODYNSTgUCKwL3oCBwmJbkO7Sg77Ow_-_-yqs_Sb576VoohUoFOFMxX8v6PqdxUexDVc-GNSimDpK1Mh7tOr7OX-OQWxbKdiLAi/s320/IMG_1399.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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We were making Pascal (the chameleon from the movie) party blowers:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHEmqQ-rFihp0DwInKQ5FVcQt09KZN1atwhF5rBAYP-emFa-dHQimJxeNtZtVyqxVlKuP9q0kd68Saf1jLh0NmOZf0KRvAOdD7Zl0STDWYhvDU0u4o9jqSFo6asahAecT7DaODTV_cids/s1600/IMG_1378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHEmqQ-rFihp0DwInKQ5FVcQt09KZN1atwhF5rBAYP-emFa-dHQimJxeNtZtVyqxVlKuP9q0kd68Saf1jLh0NmOZf0KRvAOdD7Zl0STDWYhvDU0u4o9jqSFo6asahAecT7DaODTV_cids/s320/IMG_1378.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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I loved getting to celebrate Olivia with one of her favorite things. It makes me want to grasp with all of my heart how God celebrates me. He made me. He loves me. He knows my favorite things, too... I love that.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-31196852871812340442011-05-23T20:56:00.000-05:002011-05-23T20:56:25.595-05:00Birthday VideoI was going through old videos and pictures and I thought this was so cute! When we celebrated Austin's birthday at Mema's house in Newbern with the Crenshaw side of the family, Mimi got some trick candles! It was too funny! Sweet Austin was such a great sport!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzkZSFJN39i2hp4SuDO2GFB_dPhpzL1bOIggK8MF2mN7NI3cdmzdVT2S2I19a9YG9BpJeIUCuLFnsXcLJs2gw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-56057505535233275692011-05-15T21:10:00.000-05:002011-05-15T21:10:17.342-05:00My SEVEN year old!!A couple of weeks ago, we got to celebrate this guy turning seven!:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSWK-ElaUtUiBLzsPV3ZnoMyvwGmHMn-gf2iDltKfZ6sdSXLaQx9IqlEt9R5T4DXP4U5-wXDn0hX7jTOyrkudR3R60gjYyLiiKflk2L9XrDQ-AzBw3cNeDOhmhTijHgjKqsi0ap_xQGKK/s1600/Austin+field+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSWK-ElaUtUiBLzsPV3ZnoMyvwGmHMn-gf2iDltKfZ6sdSXLaQx9IqlEt9R5T4DXP4U5-wXDn0hX7jTOyrkudR3R60gjYyLiiKflk2L9XrDQ-AzBw3cNeDOhmhTijHgjKqsi0ap_xQGKK/s1600/Austin+field+day.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a cutie!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am so thankful for so much about him, but one of the things I love the most is his tender heart. God has given him compassion for others and a sensitive spirit for Him. He brings such joy to our family!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The apple not falling far from the tree, he wanted a "painting party!" (I am not the artist...my sweet hubby is! More on that later...)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was so much fun! He had his cousins there and his buddies from school, and each one got to paint a canvas to bring home as their party favor. They did a great job!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is his cake:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Surrounding the cake are little cake balls ("paint balls!") It made a LOT, so I put all the extras in little paint cans:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApVgtI5bvM38wIfnFNgbbnoTqwn6PT9AtYNWg4l3xdEaqptlqCiXLuS24P0zPZrzGpfrnVFuRbdxXEKteiBDZgsBF4bRM3nOIhsYaibbD-rTV0u84FT-6f8sO-IUYwMIy215-eLaqGobF/s1600/paintballs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApVgtI5bvM38wIfnFNgbbnoTqwn6PT9AtYNWg4l3xdEaqptlqCiXLuS24P0zPZrzGpfrnVFuRbdxXEKteiBDZgsBF4bRM3nOIhsYaibbD-rTV0u84FT-6f8sO-IUYwMIy215-eLaqGobF/s320/paintballs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They were yummy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are the kiddos painting away:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOKi6ReNtDiNaexXTyprK6diPFPQqIvK3KLUdTGHZ9YE1G1HfRZ2LzVhHDdQWdpxy4YKE4QcEigcfm6pg7uKYwlKS5US40jRRYyh-AVHe25E8VvjpfeJWYRcfXSdwXbNInvp8gIEJPQw2/s1600/austin%2527s+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOKi6ReNtDiNaexXTyprK6diPFPQqIvK3KLUdTGHZ9YE1G1HfRZ2LzVhHDdQWdpxy4YKE4QcEigcfm6pg7uKYwlKS5US40jRRYyh-AVHe25E8VvjpfeJWYRcfXSdwXbNInvp8gIEJPQw2/s320/austin%2527s+party.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFe729r2Kk52hJvGwNXg94nW9RcpQSCfYoOP-4_6R1JiO5qpz-XOtYLAZ9TuSxyLJ9wV1uCK1Lz0a4bQNwIpRraehKHIvdAj3kBze5gAj2Sp49umxsygNYKOsv2LT60dgPvdWaO6NWKMI/s1600/austin%2527s+party+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFe729r2Kk52hJvGwNXg94nW9RcpQSCfYoOP-4_6R1JiO5qpz-XOtYLAZ9TuSxyLJ9wV1uCK1Lz0a4bQNwIpRraehKHIvdAj3kBze5gAj2Sp49umxsygNYKOsv2LT60dgPvdWaO6NWKMI/s320/austin%2527s+party+2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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And, Eliana looking at all of the finished products:<br />
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It was a great time of celebrating our little guy! God has blessed us so much through him!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-33244758529798526872011-05-15T13:36:00.001-05:002011-05-15T14:52:23.692-05:00God is so faithful!Of course the title of this is a given...as believers in Christ, we all know this to be true. But, we all experience it in different ways and the "freshness" of this truth in different depths.<br />
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My heart is FILLED with thankfulness! I don't know how to put it all into words, but I truly got to experience a miracle last weekend. We had a yard sale that we were preparing for for a long time to raise money for our adoption. We had a TON of people donate a TON of things for it! We got to see the generosity of the Lord through the body of Christ in a tangible way. People not only donated their things, but their time and service to help us sort, gather, bake, set up, organize, sell, and clean up! <br />
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There were three families in this thing together, and we all were blown away by what God did!<br />
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To recap:<br />
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<ul><li>Thursday was set up day! We had two storage units FILLED, plus things at each of our houses and a storage place at an office! We rented a UHaul and got it all there (after almost 12 hrs of moving!).</li>
<li>We had an unbelievable location! We have some friends that live at a very busy intersection and they let us use their yard! How generous! Their whole house/yard were taken over!</li>
<li>We were not going to sell anything on Thursday...just spend the day organizing and setting up. BUT...the Lord had other plans! People saw things coming and they started stopping and buying! At the end of the day, we had raised $3,000!!!!!! WHAT?!? We didn't even remember anything that sold! We looked out into the yard and it was still FULL!!!!</li>
<li>Friday morning came bright and early! It rained through the night, so everything was wet. We were sad, but people kept coming and not one person even mentioned that things were wet or complained! WHAT??!?</li>
<li>My sweet friend Kristin (who was one of the families doing the yard sale with us) said that God used the rain to remind her that it is all about what HE was going to do with this...not about our (wet) stuff, the weather, or anything else. Amen!</li>
<li>At the end of Friday, I think that we had a total of around $8,000!!</li>
<li>Saturday brought some more rain around lunchtime. We covered everything up and hoped that it would stop soon. People continued to come and were shopping under the plastic covers. WHAT??!?</li>
<li>At the end of Saturday, we were overwhelmed with emotion, exhausted, and SO VERY THANKFUL for what God had done. It felt like we were in the New Testament but instead of fish and loaves, we were seeing "stuff" and "money" just multiply. It was amazing. Truly.</li>
<li>A sweet Ethiopian man came!!! He told us pieces about the Ethiopian community here in Memphis, and even the Ethiopian church that he goes to! I can't wait to meet more people from the country our child is from. What a cool way to keep parts of their heritage!</li>
<li>God used this yard sale to provide for other people in need, too, whether it was a flood victim or a family in need of a carseat, or an encouraging word. It was really sweet to watch.</li>
<li>In all, the total from the yard sale was $11,200. Again...WHAT??!? Who raises over $11,000 at a yard sale?!? Thank you, Jesus! And...we still had stuff to help two other families get started on gathering for their yard sale next month to raise money for their adoptions! And, when I say stuff, I mean truckloads!</li>
<li>My sweet friend Wendy (also one of the families doing the yard sale!) sent us an email the week before saying to pray, pray, pray...the theme: beauty from ashes. Wow...did God ever bring beauty from ashes! People donating what they thought was their "junk," to raise SERIOUS funds to bring kiddos home to their forever families. THAT is beauty! </li>
</ul><div>I can't say how thankful we are for the part that SO MANY people played in this! From designing fliers to donating stuff to working with us that weekend to (most importantly) pray for God to show Himself faithful in raising a huge sum for us. So...THANK YOU!!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here is a picture of us at the end of Saturday....with God's provision! </div><div><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484441368245332599.post-36887916485968656972011-03-26T11:42:00.000-05:002011-03-26T11:42:11.828-05:00SPRING CLEANING??I am totally motivated to start CLEANING OUT! Are you??<br />
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We are having a HUGE yard sale with another family to raise money for our adoptions on May 6 and 7. We would LOVE all the stuff that you are trying to get rid of! We are making it EASY...we will come pick it up! Big or small items, we don't care. We have access to a trailer to come and get the big things from you!<br />
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Please give me a call or email me and tell me when you want me to come and pick it up! <br />
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This will be a HUGE help in bringing these children home!!! Thank you!!!!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04141131891213587737noreply@blogger.com1