Tapestry of Life

Life and routine has returned to a majority of families. Today was the first day of school for public schools. But here at the Porterhouse, we have 2 more weeks of summer. Our summer has been hot and chaotic and hot and crazy and, did I mention HOT? With the drama of moving, settling in to our lovely new home, and finalizing adoption plans, we haven't had a chance to just relax , refresh, and spend quality family time together. So the next 2 weeks are dedicated to that. We plan to see movies, do some puzzles, eat good food, indulge in ice cream, and take a mini-vacation to the lake house. Craig is going to take a few days off, we are going to unplug and just enjoy being together with NO boxes to unpack, NO landscaping projects to finish, NO schoolwork to organize but instead LOTS of sun, boating, wake boarding, surfing, swimming, fishing, laughter and fun!!

I am thanking God for His provision in so many little details - little things that may not mean much if I try to explain them, so I won't try - but, trust me when I say HE has made Himself known in our lives and HE has made it clear how much HE loves us. I am more aware now than ever before of God's sovereign hand in my life. I need to remind myself frequently that living in this specific house, homeschooling my 4 amazing kids, Luke's baseball team, art school, church, friends, sweet baby A, precious boy F, gymnastics, museum school, the amazing people at YWAM Ethiopia, our homeschooling community, our adoption community ... not one thing is a coincidence or 'luck' ---- it is all from HIM. Only HE can knit the threads of our crazy family together into such a beautiful, comfortable, amazing tapestry that we are blessed to call life.

Adoption update:
Ethiopian courts are closed for rainy season. The doors are locked and nothing will happen for 5-6 weeks. Once they open we are prayerful that we will receive a court date quickly (see prayer request below). After we receive our court date, Craig and I will travel and get to spend time with our baby girl, and attend court. When the judge determines our paperwork is in order and that he/she is comfortable with our family adopting baby girl A we will have officially passed court and baby girl A will legally be a Porter (and we can finally share her gorgeous pic). At that point we will reluctantly leave our little girl (for just a short time), return home and wait a few weeks to receive our embassy appt. Once we have an embassy appt we will ALL travel and bring our baby girl home -- 6 plane tickets there, 7 coming home!! I am giddy just thinking about it!!!

Prayer request:
Will you join us in praying very specifically that once courts open, we will receive a VERY early court date? It is our prayer that we will be able to take a family picture with Baby A for Christmas. I want so badly to buy her a sweet Christmas outfit that matches her sisters and walk into our church on Christmas Eve as a family. Thank you for surrounding our family in prayer!

It's official!!

We have officially accepted a referral for a one year old little girl. She is GORGEOUS and I can hardly wait until we are allowed to share pictures of her.

Craig and I with his office manager who has notarized more documents for us than one person should ever have to!! A HUGE thank you!!

We are prayerful that we will be able to adopt a toddler boy in 6-12 months. Next step, court date this fall!!
Thank you Lord, YOU are Good!!

Now we're at Joe T's to celebrate (because that is where we always celebrate)!

Stay tuned ....

Exciting things are on the horizon - I am hoping to have a wonderful update to share in a few days!!!

Jeremiah 29:11-12
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."