Big Weekend

What a weekend!!! Mark and I started off Saturday morning by getting up at 6:30 to get ready to go to a Transracial Adoption Training Class put on by Bethany Christian Services. The class started at 9:00am until 12:00pm. So Mark and I both were hurrying up trying to get ready and trying to get our daughter out of bed on a Saturday morning. Not a fun process!!! She wanted to sleep in. Who wouldn't want to on a Saturday morning?? I knew we must go to this class because our social worker was in charge of this class and I wanted her to see we were trying to do whatever it takes to learn more about transracial adoptions. After getting cranky at Summer for not getting ready quickly we were off to drop her at Nana's house while we went to the class. Mark and I finally made it to the class on time. I am so glad we went!! We both learned a lot and so glad we have some great African American friends in our lives- Rodney and Angie!!! They both will help us out with Connor. I am so thankful for having them in our lives!!!! The class went over 45 minutes and we were so hungry. Mark and I rushed back to Nana's house to pick up Summer to all go out to eat some lunch. It was fun. We don't get to eat out much since we are always trying to save money for the adoption. It will be worth it when we bring Connor home to become part of our family!! I am so ready for that day to come!!

After lunch we went home and played in the yard. Summer and I made a fire in our fire pit to burn some leaves in the yard. Summer helped for a bit, but mainly was playing in her tree house that Mark has been working on. She goes in it and try's to hit us with acorns. So funny!! Her aim isn't that good yet.




Summer in her tree house!







I am so glad we have a huge yard to play in. Maybe one day we will have a pool in the yard. MAYBE!!!! Not any time soon.

Then on Sunday we went back to the park for a bit. Summer really likes this park and it always has lots of kids to play with. Here are a couple of pictures of us at the park again!!!















We are trying to keep Summer busy on the weekends so she isn't always asking when are we getting Connor. I just say we are praying that it will be soon. Then she asks does that mean in a couple of days? We just laugh and in my head I sigh!! I don't really know when we are going to get a referral. It is up to God to make that choice. I know we will get him one day, but just don't know when. It is so frustrating to not a timeline to go by!!! All I can do is stay busy and try to not think about it too much. It is hard though when you can see a little boy running around the house with Summer ( of course in my head). I just pray everyday that I will be prepared, and God is preparing Connor for us when we meet as a forever family!!! That day will be AWESOME!!!



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Weekend at McDade House

What a great weekend at the McDade house!! The weather has finally become a little warmer so we were able to get outside and do some fun things. Mark washed the cars and the black car looks black again not grey!! Mark, Summer and I went to the park to meet Paul, Angie, and Kate. Summer and Kate are cousins and they love to play with one another. I just wish we could do it more often. We love those guys!!!!
Summer on the tire swing.



Summer and Mommy!!



Summer, Daddy and Mommy!!



Summer trying to climb the wall








We had so much fun with them at the park!!!! I wish Connor was here with us at the park. He would fit in so good with us and Summer. I pray that we will get matched to a little boy soon. His room is ready, we are ready and Summer is ready to be a big sister to him.

Then came home to cook out some hamburgers. Is it spring yet????? I am so ready for Spring to get here!!!

Yesterday we got a letter from our adoption agency explaining to us how we received the grant money. A family gave some money to our adoption agency to give out to some of the families that might need a grant. How inspiring? Mark and I have decided to help others that might need help during the adoption process after ours is complete. I think it would be a great way to give back since someone helped us out. I want to thank this family and we so really appreciate it so much. I did write the family a thank you card and our adoption agency is going to give it to them. We do not know who they are, but I hope to meet them one day in person once our son is here and that he can thank them too. We are so blessed and thankful for this family that they would help another family bring their child home. We thank you again!!!!


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Grant Money!!

Mark and I received a grant today(1500.00) from our adoption agency. We are so thankful for this. This money will be used for travel. It isn't a lot, but anything will help us out. I have been praying that we would get some financial assistance while we wait for our referral. We still need around 5000.00 for travel. It will come before we have to travel. I can't wait for the day when we get the "call" and I pray that we have all the money we need for travel!!! Please keep us in your prayers that we will get the money and get a referral soon. I pray for all the families who are thinking about adopting, and those who are going through the adoption process, and the families who are traveling to meet their children. I hope it goes well for you and your families!!!


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Our Dossier Is In Ethiopia

Our dossier is in Ethiopia getting translated and authenticated. I am happy to see another milestone completed. I am so excited that things are starting to move forward for a change. I am so ready to get a referral. This month our dossier would have been in Taiwan for a whole year. Waiting..... I am glad we changed countries. I wish we would have went with Ethiopia at the beginning, but then we would probably not have the money either. So now we are waiting....

The waiting process during an adoption is hard. Very hard!!! Not too many people know how you really feel unless they have been through it themselves. However, I want to help other people who are thinking about going through the adoption process either by financially or just taking time to sit and listen to them vent at times. There will be times when you just want to vent, cry out to God, and just want the adoption to be over with.

I see our daughter growing up everyday and wish we could get Connor here now. I was hoping it would not have taken this long. I want them to be kind of close in age. Summer is so ready for Connor to get here to become part of our family. A friend of mine made us some shirts that Summer and I can wear for when we get Connor. Thanks Amy!!




Don't get me wrong. I am excited that I am experiencing the whole adoption journey. I just never thought it would be so hard! I believe some things are hard so we will not rely on ourselves. We go to God for comfort and peace. I believe we experience hard times in our lives so that we will drop to our knees and cry out to Him, "Abba"!!! I am not asking Him to not make us wait for our son. I am asking for His help during the waiting time. As I wait, I will do it by rejoicing in whatever God has in store for me.
Philippians 4:4
" Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
I am so much closer to my God from this experience. I would not want to change it for anything.


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