Updates

Summertime Update

It's been a busy summer-with few blog updates. A few big things (and lots of little things) have happened this summer and of course I have too many pictures of them all-so here's the quick summer recap through pictures. 

The cousin count went up this summer! Aunt Maggie had baby Caitlyn and her cousins can't get enough of her!

The cousins got lots of time together this summer before the Potts' moved to Michigan. It was so fun to see them all together. I love that they get to experience story time with their Great Grandpa. 

This little dude turned THREE. It's amazing how much he's grown and changed in the last few months. His favorite things are trains, tractors, farm animals, and balls. He's super sweet, cuddly, and loving while at the same time he LOVES to annoy and pester. This summer has been a huge blessing for him-he's made several new friends through our church that love to run, play, and throw things as much as he does. 

Their daddy loves them so well

He's obsessed with popsicles. And story telling. He's been so fun to watch and see change this summer. He is beginning to truly fit into his 'big brother' title well. Josiah is obsessed with babies and has already volunteered to help change diapers when Gideon gets home. He talks a lot about sharing his room with Gideon and prays for him daily.

This girl prefers only wearing 'beautiful' clothes. She loves sparkly things, jewelry, and butterflies. She also loves playing in the mud and getting filthy equally as much. I adore her.

Addilyn and Josiah went to Grannie and Pops house without Mom and Dad this summer. I took this picture right before they walked out the door and the kids were starting to get a little nervous. But, they were nearly tear free and did a great job with Grannie and Pops. When I met Grannie to get the kids back-Addilyn cried for a good long time about leaving Grannie and Pops. 

We've started getting bits and pieces of our house ready for Gideon. It felt impossible to even considering these things would get worn/used and just the sight of them used to bring tears. Now, I excitedly wait to see my two boys together in those matching pi's and clothes. God is truly doing miracles for this boy and our family.

This summer has been a summer full of time with friends and my girl learning how to mix old and new friends together  well. 

The day we were unsure would happen: our PAIR file has been sent off. This stack of papers grew after I took this picture but this is the police reports, birth certificate, multiple private investigations, medical paperwork/ explanations, and lots of personal paperwork of Gideon's story. Right now it is at the National Benefits Center getting checked and double checked-they will decide to either make a request for more evidence (RFE) on a specific part of Gideon's story or send it to the US Embassy in Ethiopia where they will check it as well and could also request more evidence. Once all of those steps are done-we will be issued a court date and will make travel plans to get to Ethiopia. This will not happen before October as courts are closed until then-hopefully shortly after though! After our court date-it usually takes about a month until we will have all the necessary paperwork (passport, medicals, etc) and Gideon will be cleared to come home!

These two love summer fun. Pools, splash parks, big slip and slides-they love it all. 

After teaching in the public school system for years before staying home and falling in love with Addilyn's preschool through the school district last year, we've made a choice I've never thought we'd make. We've spent much of the summer praying and thinking through all the positives and negatives of every schooling option and we've decided that we will be homeschooling this year. We don't know if it'll be just for this year-or for multiple years but it is most definitely the right choice for our daughter (and our entire family) this year and we are SO very excited to see all the fun we have learning together.