The girls are here!! They are so sweet!! We have been to Super Walmart already. One of them wants everything. She is having to learn the word no. I am sure she is just trying to see what I will buy her. We were looking for swimsuits and couldn't find any that weren't little bitty bikinis. They wanted them and I had to say no. We tried to find flip flops and they didn't fit right. We were able to pick up the top bunk mattresses while we were there today. We are going to have lots of laundry around here in the next few weeks. They have all changed clothes 3 times since lunch. I guess I will worry about that next week. They are enjoying the beautiful warm weather. They are riding bikes and skooters and appear to be having a great time. We are so blessed!!

Arrival is soon!!

I just spoke with the SW. They are in route and the girls are very excited. We are very excited on this end also. We are trying to get things cleaned up around here for the girls and for a shower being hosted at my house Saturday morning. Never a dull moment!! Tonight we will be putting together the new bunk beds for the girls room. It will be a fun bonding time for our family. The boys love to put things together and we will be moving all three girls in together. I think it is very cool that they will all be moving in at the same TOGETHER. What sisterly bonding!! I am sure we will have our first "discussions" during that time. The painting is completed in the room and it looks great. Morgan's things are in the attic and the girls will have stuff with them. What fun!!!

Meeting the Girls

We had a wonderful time meeting the girls today. They were very loving and friendly and warmed up to us after a few minutes. They asked many questions about their new home and family. They really wished Morgan had come to meet them also. We had a great time feeding and chasing the ducks and playing on the playground. It was hard to say goodbye, but we will all be seeing each other again soon. They willingly gave hugs and kisses to both of us.

We have had a long, mentally and physically exhausting day!

Bunk Beds

We were going to put together one set of bunk beds tonight in case we were missing any parts. Well, we are missing both lower bunk panels. We received two canopy extensions instead. I don't think that will work. We can't contact the company until Monday. I am still hoping we can get the beds put together before the girls have their visit next week. Ugh...very frustrating!

Letters

Morgan and I shopped all day yesterday. We had a great time and were very tired when we got home last night. We had a surprise in the mailbox. We received letters from the girls! Morgan had sent them a letter with our scrapbook. They responded to her letter. They are so sweet!! The letters are from our soon to be daughters. How exciting!!

During the night...Psalm 139

During the night last night, everytime I would wake up I would think/hear Psalm 139. I couldn't remember which Psalm it was. Well, when I opened my Bible everything came back to me. The entire Psalm is great. This scripture is just what I need today. Of course, that is how God works!! Anyway, I really like verses 1-6, but verses 13-16 really are special to me. On November 19, 2008, God woke me up early one morning and led me to this scripture. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." I was a premature baby born at 30 weeks in 1970. The doctor told my parents that I may not live. If I do, I may not walk or talk. Well, obviously that isn't the case. My parents always pushed me to not allow my problems from being a preemie hold me back. I could accomplish anything I wanted, I just had to work harder than some. Anyway, I feel like God told me that morning that He knew me in my mother's womb. He knew the purpose for my life. He knew that my handicap wouldn't be a handicap for me! He gave me and my family the strength to overcome! He knew then that my heart would be for adoption. He planted the desire there. He saved me all those years ago, so that I could save children later on in my life! I believe he allowed me to go through things as a child and young adult which will now help me be a better mother to these girls. What an incredible blessing that I have been given by God!! What he told me today about this scripture is that he knew these girls in their mother's womb. He has had them in His hand since conception. He knew that they would be my daughters. He designed them for my family. What an awesome God we serve!!

It is busy around here.

The painter is here today. Morgan is so excited she just can't stand it! The bunk beds are scheduled to arrive today. Morgan and I are going shopping tomorrow for more blankets, pillows and allergy covers for the mattresses and pillows. Any suggestions for top bunk bed mattresses? Mattresses come with these beds, but the reviews aren't great. We have mattresses for the bottom bunks, but we aren't sure what to get for the top. It is amazing what all you need just to add beds to the house.

We will probably purchase some matching baskets for the girls so they will each have their own basket for their special things and everything else will need to be shared. Of course, I say this today and the plan my change the first day the girls are here.

Homeschooling the kids right now is a challenge, but we are getting it done. I am so glad we worked really hard in the fall so we will finish early May. We will need that time to bond as a family. We get spring fever anyway and are ready to be finished. The math books are getting close to the end, which means school is almost over for the summer!! Yeah!! We have standardized testing in May, then we are finished.

Getting ready!

We have the bunk beds ordered for the girls room. I thought they would take a while to arrive, but they should be here this week. Wow! The girls room is going to be painted Thursday and Friday. Hopefully it won't take too long. It is wild adjusting to having five children and seven in our family. I guess when we go to restaurants now we will be a large party. We won't be able to put a chair at the end of the booth anymore. My boys will probably volunteer to sit at another table near us to get away from their sisters. They will now be out numbered. They could over power Morgan before, but no longer!!

We have a house divided for football teams. They were talking this morning about which team they would probably be for and what if it is a different team or not any team. It is fun listening to them talk about everything going on in our lives.

I have to go teach...more later.

We are getting twins!!

We found out today we are matched with twin eight year old girls!! We will be meeting them Monday!! We are all very excited!!

The Girls Bedroom

We are having the girls bedroom painted this week. Morgan has wanted it pink for years so even if we aren't matched she will be happy. We have purchased new bedding for twin bunk beds. We have had a lot of fun getting ready to redo the room. We have purchased lots of items and have kept all of the receipts just in case it all needs to be returned.

I am so ready for Tuesday to be here!! We are continuing to pray for God's will to be done. I know He is in control and knows what is best for our family.

Our Adoption Journey

Well, we have a date for the big decision. Next Tuesday, March 23rd, we will know if the state believes we are a match for the twins. We feel in our hearts they will be our girls. God is in control!! We have already seen his hand at work in many ways with this placement.

Morgan has always wanted her room pink. Well, we have a painter coming to do some work on the outside of the house, so I convinced my husband to have him paint Morgan's room also. She is very excited about having a pink room. The grandparents on both sides are excited, but everyone is holding back until the decision is made Tuesday. It seems like it is taking forever to get to Tuesday!! The social workers I have spoken with say that if we are matched, the transition will happen quickly. I guess Tuesday will take forever to get here, then time will fly!

Please pray for all of the people involved in making a decision that will change the lives of 7 people forever!! Please pray for my husband and I as we move forward in this process.

The Call

Well, we received a call from our social worker today. A staffing for our family will occur in two weeks. We could easily be becoming a family of 7 very soon. I can see God in the process already. I don't know why I am surprised. The names of the children are what my daughter calls her babies. They also can be described as thin and blonde like Morgan. How exciting!!