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. Jeremiah 29:11

Thursday, February 24, 2011

We Interrupt this Crazy, Busy Week to Remember...

....our week in Paradise!
Our ship, Celebrity X Summit

St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

St. Kitts

St Kitts

Grenada

Ready to start the day on the "Spice Island"

Our ship... from afar... taken atop a mountian in Dominica


The beautiful Island of Dominica
 Just a small sampling of the wonderful time we had sailing the Southern Carribean.  I am hoping to post some stories of our exciting adventure... check back soon...

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Introducing...

Our Newest Treasure... 
Tobias...aka. Toby
Our Precious Baby Boy will be two in April, and it will be the last birthday he has to spend without a family.
We are beyond excited to add this precious child to our growing clan.
We are praying that all the necessary paperwork will be completed in record time and that we can bring this sweet child home sometime in early fall.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Let the Vacation Begin...

Snow, Snow and more snow...but, we aren't gonna let you get us down. Brad and I were sweating it out a little at the beginning of the week. 15 inches of snow covering the Midwest meant that we would be unable to get our kiddos delivered to all the wonderful people who agreed to care for them while we were gone. Then, an angel  appeared (well she sent a message). She and her hubby would come to the house and care for all 6 of our children for the next 11 days. Now, keep in mind, they have 1 sweet, sweet little girl, and we have 6 children (4 of which are boys)...need I say more. Our children are good children, but they are children and can be a bit rambunctious at times...simply from the sheer number. I feel confident in leaving them with these friends. They are our youth ministers at church, and they definitely can handle it. ...You might say a little prayer for them though!
We are taking off this afternoon, just a bit early to handle any road conditions that might come our way. Spending the night in a hotel near the airport and taking a shuttle to catch our first leg of the flight. We then will board our plane for San Juan Puerto Rico on Friday afternoon (please no more snow). We must be on board the cruise ship by 4 pm Saturday afternoon! Then we set sail for the Southern Carribean and warmer temperatures. Brad and I are thrilled that we get some long awaited and much anticipated time away...together...alone...to re coop and rejuvenate. Me...I am almost giddy! I feel like I am taking a second honeymoon (only this is much longer, as we only got 2 days for our  first one).
It won't take long... I will miss the kids...eventually! Who am I kidding... I will miss them after the first 2 nights; however, I am making plans to just have a blast!