Sunday, February 24, 2013

We are...

HOMESTUDY APPROVED!!!!


Now, this doesn't mean much of anything since Nico's country hates us. But it's progress and one last thing I have to worry about. I am having a rough time with emotions right now, so please pray for me and Nico. I'm not sure anyone can understand how much I love this boy unless you've felt it yourself.


We're not giving up, baby boy. We love you so much.




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Friday, February 15, 2013

7 Quick Takes Friday


--- 1 ---

Hopeful news is trickling out of Nico's country. Please continue to pray!

--- 2 ---

My birthday is this weekend. I have notoriously bad birthdays. I really hope this isn't rotten as usual.

--- 3 ---

I love this story and picture so much. http://thestir.cafemom.com/teen/151215/adopted_13yearolds_mom_gives_him



--- 4 ---


I snuck out at 6 am to get these treats for the girls on Valentine's Day. They were so excited!

--- 5 ---
I'm gonna miss our Papa.

--- 6 ---

I need to go stock up on fish today. I meant to do it BEFORE lent started, but I dropped the ball. Amelia will be so excited, she loves fish and has been asking for it for months.

--- 7 ---

40 to Forever is well underway and today is for Olga! Check this sweetie out and look at all the great prizes you could win by helping!

http://fortytoforever.com/2013/02/15/day-3-olga-for-the-abell-family/

Happy weekend! No meat today! :)

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The beginning of Lent 2013, and an adoption update

Today is Ash Wednesday. The church at Amelia's school was packed this morning for mass, and so was our parish. I was amazed. Praying this Lent is a wonderful time of reflection for all of you.

We sent an appeal letter to the judge in Nico's region last week and now we are waiting for an answer on that. It could take 2 months or more... Yes, 2 months. We are still waiting on our homestudy, so we're waiting on that anyway. Once we have answers, we will know how to proceed.

That's about it, but I felt a need to update a bit, so here it is.

Have a blessed Lent.

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Monday, February 11, 2013

Oh, Papa...

I woke up this morning to a text message from my husband saying the Pope was resigning. I didn't believe it at first, since I thought Popes were Popes until death, so I logged into Facebook from bed to see it was true. It is.

I have to say, I am sad about it. Not because I am worried for him. I know that he will pass on and spend eternity with Christ. But, I am sad because change is hard, and he was Pope when I became Catholic.

Pope John Paul II's death was part of what brought me to the Church. I always admired him. His spunk, his compassion, his intelligence. Even though I was not Catholic yet, I watched the news coverage of his passing and then the council to elect Pope Benedict every second I could. Seeing the Vatican on TV so much moved me. Seeing the thousands of people there crying for their beloved shepherd. It was truly beautiful.

I was skeptical of Pope Benedict at first. I was unsure why they chose such an older man to begin with. I knew that we would end up with a new Pope pretty quickly. But, the more I learned about him and saw him in action, the more I loved him. This "older man" was the perfect father figure for our modern day Church. The authority we needed to ground us in such crazy times. A wonderful breath of fresh air speaking for the traditional beliefs that I hold dear. He did amazing things in his time as Pope. And I am grateful.

God bless you, Papa Bene. We love you so dearly. And we cry only the way a person cries for any loss, because we admire you and your accomplishments, and this world is a better place with you in it.


This will be quite the Lent.


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Thursday, February 7, 2013

7 Quick Takes



--- 1 ---

I'm going a little crazy these days. If you'd like to find me, I'm over in the corner quoting Lord of the Flies.

--- 2 ---

Charlotte really loves the swings. We go to the park almost daily. Taking advantage of the nice weather before it turns into summer in a couple weeks.


--- 3 ---
Our priest is great. He has started a new website: www.gotbaby.org and is using his car to promote it.

WTG Fr. Kline!
--- 4 ---

Lent starts next week! (OMG!!!) I am going to have this on my Quick Takes every week until it's over, because we are part of a Lenten fundraising campaign for our adoption. There is a neat giveaway and a new family or child every day during lent. PLEASE check it out!

http://fortytoforever.com/

--- 5 ---

My Lent last year was amazing. Kyle and I had our marriage convalidated, I did the Consecration, and at the end of it all, Kyle was baptized and we were able to take Holy Communion together on Easter. It was beautiful. I'm sure Lent this year will be a little different. I do love Lent and Easter, but I don't think much of anything can top last Lent. Unless I get some awesome news like I can go meet my boy, or something. I'm not holding my breath. :(

--- 6 ---

What are you giving up or adding to your life for Lent? I haven't decided yet. Ideas?

--- 7 ---

This is Dennis. He is in an easy and cheap country to adopt from. You can take one long trip and come home with the angel, or take two or three shorter trips. The process in his country is very fast, so you will need some funds on hand when you start, but I cannot believe this love is still waiting!!! Adoptions only cost about $24,000 from his country INCLUDING travel! Go get him! 


For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!
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Friday, February 1, 2013

7 Quick Takes


--- 1 ---

I have begun to love Fridays. Neither girl has school, and I can sleep in a bit and be lazy in the morning. Then I get to spend time with all of my girls and go shopping at Costco, beating the weekend craziness. It's great.

--- 2 ---

We sent off our secret thing to our agency this week after running around like a chicken with my head cut off for 2 days straight. Our Secretary of State office is brutal and let's just say I ended up a blubbering mess the first day I went there. Luckily, visit 2 was successful, and I shouldn't have to go back until we have to put together our dossier.

--- 3 ---

Lent is coming up!! While I doubt that Lent this year could top last year's, our family has been chosen for a wonderful Lenten campaign. PLEASE check it out, and remember to come back to it. There will be some great prizes and wonderful stories, and you won't want to miss it!



--- 4 ---
I want to have this as a shirt. I swear I am an idiot and have  made some awful social fax-pas lately with school moms, mainly. GREEEAT!


--- 5 ---

I took Amelia with me to the Capitol, so we used that time to do her Flat Stanley report! So cute.


--- 6 ---

This video made me cry so hard. I am not usually a fan of speakers like this, but this got me good. Give it a chance and listen. If you're indifferent to the orphan crisis, listen and maybe you'll realize why my family can't be.


--- 7 ---

Speaking of orphans! Squee! This baby is so sweet.

Libby

Happy weekend!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!
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