"Good one" and nightime prayers

 Since Bella has been home, we do our prayers at night, just like we did with the older kids.  For some reason, Zach did his prayers primarily with Jason.  The others did them with either.  Bella does them with me, although Zach loves it when I have to work on a night that Jason does because then he gets to put Bella to bed and that includes prayers.  In our prayers we ask Jesus to bless ___fill in the blank____.... and then we usually take turns naming family and friends.  Recently,  Bella asked, "anyone new?"  And then I added, "Marjorie."  Bella asked, "Whose Marjorie?"  I explained that she is a woman who is a friend of a friend who just found out has cancer so she is very sick (a story for another day-but The Lord working, not like we may want but his clear fingerprint).  And Bella said, "Good one, good one!"  Then Bella added a friend of mine, Margaret.  No reason, and asked if she was "good one."  I said, "of course." So now, throughout the day Bella and I look for someone new to pray for that would be a "good one."  That person has been a stranger who looked angry or sad, a friend in TX who has a head/heart hurt,  friends celebrating their 3rd birthdays or a friend who just needs some comfort or healing.  But the word has gotten out...so now Zach wants in on it.  We can't wait to see who Bella names, such a window into her soul, and she can't wait to see who I name.  We are truly blessed by the children in my life!

***Can you tell I need a new camera?????

Two weeks until court, Mother's Day, Andrew returns

My Mother's day gift... the high chair.  I love it.  B will be able to sit up at the table with us.

B and Eliza's room. 


Saturday at my sister's house.  The cousins had so much fun together.  

**Two weeks until our court date.  I am trying to remain calm and prayerful.  Two weeks until we either go on a paper chase in Ethiopia for a missing document, or until we can officially claim B as ours.  We have finished her room.  We are packing her suitcase.  I am trying to stay calm and prayerful.  There are so many families that this court date has not been an easy hurdle.  As we are coming close to the date, I feel even more for them and wonder what court will mean to us.  One friend in particular passed court but has not been able to go get her daughter..  She writes so eloquently about it.  It is beyond painful.  Please offer her words of comfort, pass it on to Michele Obama if you are close to her, or better yet...if you are the head of the CDC... please reconsider.

Andrew has returned from the Dominican.  He was in charge of administering an eye exam, and finding glasses that suited the person.  He gave out over 200 pair of glasses.  He was amazed at how it feels to minister to others.  The day he returned, he said....I am going back next year and I am joining Peace Corp after college.  He had an amazing time.  One night when all the other people in his group retired... he went off complex and played baseball and soccer with the drivers.  They taught him one of their dances and he simply hung out with them.  They, as a group, saw approximately 1000 patients.  It does feel good to have him home safe and sound.