Author Archives: admin Before our adoption journey, I really didn’t even know the blog world existed. I had a photography biz and updated my photography blog every week or so…but I had no idea the families you could connect with and how many of them would impact my life. I. Am. So. Thankful. I want to share a […] ***PLEASE PAUSE MUSIC ABOVE BEFORE WATCHING/LISTENING…THIS SONG…so sweet!!!*** I heard this song on the radio while cruisin’ in the mini-van this week…and just had to put it to pictures. We were playing all day yesterday outside…blowing bubbles…not saying much at all—and I RAN inside to grab my camera to capture the moment. About 5 years […] Girl. I am married to a photographer and artist ~ I can appreciate all the moments captured on film of your family. Something extra cool when your spouse is the one doing it compared to someone you hire. You truly get the essence of that in which you are looking to preserve. I bet your husband appreciates it greatly too. And that song ~ yes, a definite good one!! i love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love LOVE your heart! And i can’t wait to pour into the children of Mali and show them His love and see what GOD has in store :)) That was beautiful! And, oh, I know what you mean about seeing pictures of so many babies and children without mommies and daddies. It just is NOT okay. SO beautiful. I know what you mean about dreaming of the next, and the next, and the next…..! Last night we were outside in the garden. Samuel was picking blackberries and Kenny was chasing the chickens with Landis and Evangeline, and my heart jsut screamed: “There is room for more! So many more children should/could have this!” Oh, that song puts a lump in my throat. Put pictures to it and the tears start flowing! Love you. Andrea — I’m already dreaming of “her” too… but we’ve got to get Tucker home first… but I’m not done! No where near it! I love the video… precious! I appreciate all of your work! The photos, the writing, the inspiration, the crafts, ALL of it! Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your life! Amazing!! You really are so talented! I’m similarly reminded each day through my daughter how much fun summertime is. Received your totally adorable (but not at all necessary) thank you in the mail today. Your newest son is just so cute!! That smile will surely be even bigger (if possible) once he comes home with you. Loved, loved, loved this vignette! It captures your family so beautifully! Can’t wait to see more photos of Isaac!!!!! This video is stunning! I love all the inspirational stuff you do to encourage others and glorify God. You rock sister! Can you tell us who sings this song. LOVE IT. xox  Waiting, waiting, waiting and hoping, hoping, hoping for travel dates asap! SOOOO ready to bring our boy home! In the mean time…this momma is stirring up the crazy with the crafty:). I declared the day “stencil day” and we had such fun putting Africa on…literally…ANYTHING and EVERYTHING we could imagine possible. To make your own […] I love your Africas everywhere! oh i love this! i may have to do some of this myself 🙂 i love the way you turn your waiting into things to do with your kiddos! and I love all the Africas!! My buddy Kim, the one who lives down by you, does the same thing for me – except instead of using paint on the shirts – she uses a clorox bleach pen!!! I love my africa shirts that she does (we all have a bunch!). This post makes me smile! I pray you get your travel dates SOON!!! You are very crafty and I love everything you did. you’ve gotta love the africa stencils! 😀 Hey Andrea! I love keeping up with your blog everyday! It has become my “treat” to myself at night while everyone is sleeping and the house is quiet, to sit up and read your blog entries! I am so thankful we had the opportunity to chat last week, I look forward to talking to you again soon! Please continue to pray for us as we are considering embarking on this amazing journey as well! bobi everything is better with a little africa on it! love the stenciling. i really, really, really want to try it but i don’t do well with things that take precision. or patience. maybe it would be a fun summer activity…as long as lulu is nowhere near the exacto knife! hoping you hear word of your travel dates SOON! Where do you get stencil paper? B/c I LOVE this idea! MUST. SEE. AFRICA. EVERYWHERE! =) You are indeed OOC … in such a beautiful way! .. I had lunch with a lady from All God’s Children on Tuesday. I was sharing with her your story & she said, “Wow, that sounds exactly like a client of mine. She doesn’t live in OH, by chance, does she?”.. 🙂 I said no, but.. just wanted you to know that there’s another family out there (Africa bound…) that has shared a similar story around the same timeline… amazing. Praying for a travel date SOON, my friend. 🙂 LOVE the stenciled goods… 🙂 Surprised the fish tank didn’t get stenciled…lol! FUN! I know what ya mean about being STINK’IN READY!!! Got an updated Abby passport photo today….the cuteness is killing me:) No passport though! SOON FOR BOTH OF US!!!! Nice. 🙂 Very good job.  I have read countless articles and books on parenting adopted children, but this might be my favorite book so far… If I only could reference two books–it would be this one and Dr.Purvis’s The Connected Child. This one, however, has a bit more detail and I’m a highlighting maniac as I read it. Good stuff. […] Thank you Andrea….this is so helpful and I’m gonna go get this book!! Oh how I am so excited for you! the pics of Isaac’s hands and feet are just precious! Can’t wait for you to finally meet him!! Thanks for sharing. I’ve been looking for some good books like this. I am especially trying to understand the concept of attachment right now. I want to be as prepared as we can when we adopt. Thanks for sharing! 🙂 I will add these two books to my order. 🙂 Hoping you get your call VERY soon! 🙂 I’ve read both books you mentioned and I love what you shared in your blog today! Great sharing and wonderful advice for those of us with adopted children from the US as well.  I love traditions…and I especially love traditions that teach our children what the days we celebrate and remember are all about. A few years ago, I told Rich that I wanted to spend days celebrating their true meaning—and Memorial Day is no different. SO…instead of grilling out…instead of going to the lake…we go hear from […] AMEN!! Love your family pic thinking- soon another will be coming home!!! amen!! 😀 Keep training those kiddos of yours in His ways, Andrea! You’re doing a great job :)) AMen. Just like I wrote on FB…it is not about grilling,it is not about the day off,or lake…it is to REMEMBER our soldiers who gave their life for our FREEDOM and the ones that are still out their to allow us our Freedom of today. My dad-Marine,2 brothers-Marine…1 is at Walter Reed helping wounded soldiers get up and learn to swim ,jog and live ! You are so great to share your passions of life with others…So much the way we have raised our kids. One is at Emory Med school 1st year and one has completed 10th grade at St Pius. Shockley got the Pope John Paul Award at the school…what an honor…using the gifts God has given is honoring God ! |
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by admin
Oh my sweet friend – I was praying for you all night long. For peace, for your weekend to be incredible sweet and fly by, for a phone call early next week. And I love love love the pictures!!! Oh, how I wish I could “play” with you all! and hannah says “thank you” – she is feeling so much better today – Praise the Lord!
Oh, Andrea – I found your blog through a blog, through a blog. Pretty amazing how we can all connect, and support one another without knowing each other. Wow. We have just begun the process, but I can only imagine the ache in your heart as you wait. Now that he is yours and you have to wait. It seems so crazy, but the day that you are united with your son, is going to be a day of dancing and singing in Heaven and on earth. I will pray right now for the news that we will all be waiting on, and that your travels and transitions would be safe and smooth. Sending you love from a Mother’s heart.
Catherine
I love the banner for Isaac! We just got your cupcake note in the mail yesterday – he is sooooo yummy! That smile melted my heart. Can’t wait for you to bring him home.
I love seeing pictures of you with your family and friends. Your smile lights up the world, Andrea. I just love it and can’t help but smile back. I think the calm of the phone is precious ~ gives you time with your three babies and time for Frank for his first weekend away. He needs that before you travel. God is preparing you AND your family perfectly. In His Time Thy Will Be Done.
Andrea, i just want you to know I’m praying for you and dear precious Isaac. I really admire you for doing what you’re doing and HOW you’re doing it 😀 Kudos to you, for surrendering it ALL to Him and helping others along the way :)) Love ya!! And praying for you!
Definitely praying for your travel dates soon!
WOW.
Very touched by the story of Christie as well as the outreach, love and support of this amazing blog community.
What an example you are to us all. You have a real gift in encouraging others to persevere and trust as you wait with expectancy for the endless glimpses of glory He has provided along this journey to Isaac.
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
Love that Becca, too. 🙂 And, yes, how cool is the blog world? Love how encouraging and inpsiring it is. 🙂
~Gini