updates on Evan and our S...

sweet Evan is such a little fighter! i am SO proud of him!!! he had a good day yesterday and i just know that all of our prayers are working. there is still a road ahead and he isn't out of the woods just yet, BUT, i had to let you all know that prayers are essential right now for this little guy. he is being lifted up by so, so many and he continues to need the prayers. also, you may want to read this tearful update from his momma. grab a tissue and then fall to your knees in prayer.

i'm so thrilled to have two positive updates to share this morning.. evan's progress toward healing and movement with our girl's case...

i hadn't heard a single word from our agency since our dossier arrived in country. i was really starting to get antsy and finally decided to send an email requesting an update yesterday. i was so relieved to hear that things are starting to progress. right now, our case is headed to birth certificate court, as well as guardianship hearings.

{would you please pray a prayer that these specific hearings go smoothly and quickly? thank you!}

to give you a sense of where this puts us on the roadmap to bringing S home, here is a look at the process that our agency provided. we are currently at steps 3-5.

in addition to finding out that our case is progressing, i also had a wonderful surprise in my inbox this morning...a new photo of S!! i know that this may not sound like such a big deal to some, but let me try to paint the picture of what a new photo means to an adoptive momma's heart...

a new photo is like a fresh water oasis in the middle of the parched dessert.
a new photo is a glimmer of hope and light in the darkness.
a new photo is a life-raft floating in the desolate sea.

i know, i know. a bit melodramatic but each photo is such a treasure. dave and i study and memorize every single detail of these photos. we cling to the hope that they provide. hope that our girl is healthy and safe. we also get to watch her grow with the help of photos. she has changed so much since we first saw her face two months ago. i'm shocked at how fast she is growing and changing. i truly cannot wait to get her in my arms. i love her with all that i am and i haven't even met her yet. i am not normally a gushy-girlie girl over photos of little ones. but i am with my own babes. i gush and fawn over my sweeties and like to show them off to everyone. so, if you happen to pass me on the street, ask me to see photos and there's a strong possibility that, an hour later when i'm still showing you photos and videos and relaying some silly story, you'll be regretting having asked in the first place.

i cannot wait to take these hearts off of S's little face. you all, she is so stinkin' cute. it's too much. her brothers are going to have their work cut out for them keeping all of the lovestruck boys away in twenty years when we allow her to date.

notes: i played around with the fun new valentine's theme on picmonkey, can you tell? :)
that is powder for a heat rash on her neck.
she really is the cutest thing in a hat. i didn't think she could be cuter. but, apparently, she can. 

have i mentioned that i leave tomorrow morning for atlanta for created for care?!?! oh my goodness. the joy and excitement of being reunited with some of my absolute favorite people is just off the charts!! i cannot wait to hug each one of my adoptive momma besties. i'm praying that God opens my heart to hear what He has in store for me this weekend. He showed me so much last year and i am looking forward to some quality time with my Savior. i can't wait to tell you all about it!!!!!!

off to disinfect every surface of this house, nathan was diagnosed with the FLU again yesterday. my nephew, my mom and nate are all out of commission. i'm on a mission to convert this house from a petri dish to a sanitized, healthy home again!

love to you all!