So loved already...

Tonight, the girls were helping get the table ready for dinner. Lorahbeth was walking around the table telling who was going to sit where. She said, "daddy sits here, JennahKay sits here, AudreyAnn sits here, mommy sits here, I sit here, and EllaGrace can sit right here!"

I love that they love her already! What a blessing!

Brief update...

At this point, there's not really much to report, since we haven't started the process yet. We are currently talking to another agency.

Though we really like America World, they have a few qualifications that we don't meet. So we're still on the search for an agency.

I've spoken with someone from An Open Door adoption agency and have recieved a ton of information regarding their El Salvador program.

That's still where our hearts are being pulled to. We will be trying to get together with a lawyer at my mom and dad's church in Albany after the first of the year. Dad said that he has done a lot of domestic adoptions and would be glad to talk with us.

Though we feel we're being led in a particular direction, we won't close the doors on the idea of domestic adoption. The Lord might change our hearts...

At this point, we're just trying to get all of our ducks in a row.

I find myself getting frustrated sometimes, because I just want to get the show on the road. I know that our girl is out there...she may not even be born yet...and when the time is right, God will lead us to her.

In the meantime, we continue to talk about her with the girls in everyday conversation. They are so excited to have another sister! They tell people at church about their new little sister. We pray for her too, as do the girls in their prayers before bed. Their innocence and love for her is so cool! They don't know her, but know that they love her already!

I'll update more when I know more! This will serve as a "paper pregnancy" journal for our girl, so that she can read this one day and know how much she was wanted and prayed for and eagerly anticipated!

We love you!

Mommy, Daddy, JennahKay, Lorahbeth and AudreyAnn

Here goes nothing...

Well, I guess by taking this step, I'm confirming what I already know to be true. WE'RE ADOPTING!! And I must say, we are all very excited!

Some of you have known that we have been talking about this for some time, but this weekend has made it official.

Billie turned to me the other night on the couch and said, "let's go get our little girl". To which I responded with tears in my eyes, "okay".

So here we are, after having talked about it, prayed about it, researched it, talked to the girls about it and talked to others who are either going through it or have already received their child...what's our next step?

Well...our biggest hurdle at this point is the financial end. That's always the biggest hurdle for anyone! We know that God is leading us to do this, so we're going to trust Him for the details. At this point the plan is to save up a big portion of the cost before we get started. We will not be taking out loans, but will apply for whatever grants we can get our hands on!

Anyway...we are talking with America World Adoption Agency and still have a few questions to have answered before going with them, but at this time they are the agency that we are most excited to work with.

We are feeling led to adopt internationally and if all goes well with AWAA, we will be working with their El Salvador program. We can't wait to add another brown eyed girl to our family!

So please be in prayer for us as a family as we start down this very uncertain road and as we anticipate the growth of our family!