Cool presents!!
I don't really know why I allow such silliness to happen in my life, like letting my 10 year old have a sleep-over birthday party (belated by now). I think this has definitely filled his "cup", though. Which is ever so crucial-- always, of course, but especially with Daddy on his Big D. and the newness of having two new siblings becoming ever more a reality. And really, all EIGHT kids are doing very well!! That is no joke, either! That is for-real! :) They loved the taco dinner-- chosen by Wyatt, of course; and the ice-cream cake was a HUGE hit! It was semi-homemade... can you believe it?? I just didn't feel like spending money on one of those gross ice-cream cakes from the store-- they are only sorta good, and then they just sit in your freezer and take up space. So, I invented the "Team Dragovich" version of the ice cream cake. I made and baked a graham cracker crust; let it cool and let three different kinds of ice cream sit out to soften at the same time. Then I spread the softened ice cream on top of the crust-- in 1/3's (1/3 vanilla, 1/3 chocolate, 1/3 chocolate chip). On top of the ice cream I put a thick layer of crushed oreo cookies-- the boys LOVE to help with the crushing, of course; and then spread cool whip (softened) on top of that. Finally, I made the number 10 out of green m & m's and VOILA!! Wyatt watched me make his cake and he said, "Wow, Mom. You are really going all out for me! I mean, your just going way above what I could ever expect!" :) That was pretty cute.
Wyatt's homemade ice cream cake
Lighting the candles
Ha-ppy Bir-th-day To YOUUUU....
I finished putting together two cute care packages for our new ones in Ethiopia. Sammy helped me pick out some of the contents. It was pretty funny watching him at work. Here is what we put in each kiddo's 1 gallon sized ziploc bag:
T-shirt
underoos--Star Wars--Clone Wars (surprise) for Joshua B.
undershirt and fairies undies for Rebekah S.
beanie bears
photo albums
books: Good Dog, Carl, The Mixed up Cameleon, Harold and His Fairy Tale
vitamins
mini-football for Joshua B.
Yes, I know. It is weird that I sent underwear. And books that they can't even read, yet. I couldn't help it. I felt this need to take care of the necessities-- underwear and vitamins. And I can't do ANYTHING without including a book. I am not sure I expect to ever see any of it again. Other than the photo albums. I'm sure all the rest of it will get re-cycled (the clothes) or used. I did put their names on the beanies-- but I'm really not sure if we'll come home with them. That's okay. I just want them home :)... and Daddy should just come home, too!! :D
A friend of mine said to me the other day that as she was praying for us, she had this realization that almost half of my family is on the other side of the world. Yup. This is true. And someday, our kids will understand that their daddy was in the same time zone as them, wanting to come get them, wanting all of us to be together; and waiting patiently for it to happen. That's pretty awesome.
I am anticipating our court date now. Every family who adopts knows the mounting pressure of waiting for their court date. For us, this waiting is magnified by the reality of Tony being able to travel to Ethiopia to pick up the kids. It will be within a month of his original coming home time-- yet, he will most likely have to receive special permission to get out of there. Then, depending on how quickly he gets out and gets home... well, he will have MAYBE a week before turning around and flying BACK over the ocean to ET to pick up NEW kids, when he has not even really gotten to see the OLD ones for the past 7 months. It all sounds very daunting and overwhelming, to say the least. But... I believe in a God who causes ALL things to work for the good of those who love Him and call on Him! He will uphold us with His righteous right hand, and we will be stronger as individuals and as a family for having to walk through this refining fire. We covet your prayers and support during these next several months!!! Thank you, so much :)!
Grace and Peace,
Shari
1 comment:
Shari;
Thank you for your fun and honest posts! I think your ice cream cake was perfect and obviously very appreciated. Your care packages will also be appreciated, too, I'm sure. You really can't go wrong with practical!
As our family waits for our referral, your example of faith in the midst of uncertainty is a shining example. We also have a lot of unknowns to be sorted out in the coming months: an out-of-country move (how much extra paperwork is that going to cause!??!), new jobs, new house, new school system, etc. When I start to get overwhelmed by it all, I comfort myself with the knowledge that nothing will be a surprise to God--the God who loves us more than we can imagine.
Blessings to you and your family as you navigate your unique journey!
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