Please consider supporting us through Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries

Stephen here. So no big news, still waiting. Just thought we would post a little update. We are STILL waiting on the Child History. We have now officially been waiting 308 days for this. Once we get this, we are told things can go much quicker. We did get news that there is a Thai volunteer that sees him at the Babies Home on a weekly basis and she has agreed to start teaching him some English words and showing him pictures of his "mommy" and "daddy". We are very happy to know they will be doing that for him. Angela is ahead of me in her lessons of Rosetta Stone - Thai Level One, so I need to get cracking.

On another note, we wanted to tell you about a ministry we are involved with called Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries. They have agreed to serve as a means to gather financial support towards our adoption expenses. You can give by check or online and your gift is tax-deductible, and then funds are disbursed to our expenses. In order for the gift to be tax deductible, our names cannot be written on the checks. A post-it or additional note would suffice. No gift is too small and we appreciate those of you who have already given. We have raised about $2,100 so far through this method. We can also send you a brochure if you would like, just let us know. Here is their address and link to give online:

Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries
Attn: Donna Bost
1417 North Lincoln Street
Spokane, WA 99201

https://01.secure.elexio.com/donations.aspx?id=308208&websiteurl=http://www.kingdomkidsadoption.org&siteid=2387

We hope to be able to post pictures soon. Just not sure when/if that will be allowed. I believe we will have to make the blog private, so watch for notification of when that happens. We know this is a very busy time for you all, and thank you for considering us in your giving this year. We hope that you have a wonderful Christmas with your family. Please continue to keep up with us during the process. We really are blessed for all of your love, prayers, and encouragement.

A CHRISTmas gift from the grandparents!

Yesterday we mailed out our second package to our little man. But this time, the gifts were from Max's grandparents! They all wanted to make him a very special part of Christmas this year. There will be lots of gifts around the tree for him that Stephen and I will get to enjoy opening, but they wanted to make sure he got a little something to open himself. Isn't the t-shirt awesome (it says "My Mom & Dad)?! We weren't sure if the staff would allow him to wear it or not, so we had two made just in case and that way he'll have one here at home as a keepsake. We also made sure to include a football for him. Stephen is soooo excited to one day share his love of the game with Max. I can't wait to see the two of them tossing the ball around in the backyard (make it soon Lord!!!) We all know that Max may never remember receiving these gifts, and that there is very real chance that they may all get lost in the shuffle at the baby's home and not return home here with him, but that's okay. We want Max to know when he looks back at this blog, that his WHOLE family loves him beyond belief and that without a doubt he is a very real part of all of us. We are SUPER excited and finding comfort in the hope that this should be our last Christmas spent apart!!!!

Wisconsin = BEAUTIFUL

So, I admit, when my schedule worked out that I was able to join Stephen on a business trip, I was pumped....but then I found out the trip was to Wisconsin! Wisconsin?! Why couldn't it be one of his trip to LA or Florida?! But, my apologies to Wisconsin. It was awesome! We spent most of our time in Door County, the peninsula that juts out into Lake Michigan, and it was incredible. The leaves were still on the trees and the colors were beyond words. Who knew a place like that existed so far north? We had a fabulous time, met some great people, and got to relax a bit. For those who are looking for a fun getaway, its perfect. Quaint streets with little shops and B&B's along the water. Perfect!

On the adoption front.......well nothing new. Our social worker is on vacation (which I suppose she's entitled to!!) so we won't be hearing anything for sure until she gets back in another week or so.

My awesome husband got me some really great stuff for my b-day and once I get the pictures together from that I'll be sure to post them. Now, we're off to Ohio for the weekend to spend some time with our super awesome friends. Can't wait!

Our little Aggie, class of 2029!!!!

Stephen, proud papa that he is, got his little man some new football watching gear. The white t-shirt says "I may be little but I'm a BIG Aggie fan." and the maroon one says "Start 'em young, raise 'em right, aTm" He was so pumped when they came in the mail. Can't wait for my two favorite guys to finally get to hang out!

Surprise!!!

This past Thursday night was AWESOME!!!! I headed to the church office, expecting praise team practice and was totally surprised by a shower for Max!! There was cake (totally delicious and made by Dawnetta!!)and lots of gifts!!!! Look at all this stuff!

We got a car seat, tons of toys, super cute clothes and the Rosetta Stone in Thai (thanks Michael and Rachael!)




Max's room is really starting to fill up!!

My incredibly talented sister-in-law (and super proud aunt, might I add!) Made the cutest shirts for Max and Noah (my nephew). Aren't they adorable?!?!? Can't wait to see the boys side by side wearing these!

HUGE thank you to the praise team (especially Jon and Debbie for organizing everything). You guys are AWESOME!!

Nesting at its finest!

So, we had a super fun day painting Max's room. We've still got lots to do, but we're really happy with the color. The curtain's were a last minute purchase, and I think I like them! Now I've got to press them because they look a mess!!! Our plans still in the works include, a new ceiling fan, staining the dresser to match the bed (that Stephen's dad built!), finding some fun things to put on the walls, and a toy box that my dad is going to build that will match the bed too!!! This morning when I got up, it was so fun to walk past his room and see his little bed there! It makes it all feel so much more real. Can't wait to have him home!

A present for our little man!!!

Tonight Stephen and I went out and bought Max a few things to send along with his photo album. It was so much fun! Of course, we had to watch ourselves, I think we were tempted to buy the whole store. Our social worker reminded us to keep things small and simple for now. So, that's what we did. He's now got a toy truck, a book with simple English words, a coloring book, a super cute truck t-shirt, and a bear to snuggle with. And, of course, the thing that excites us the most is that Max will now have pictures of his mom and dad!!!

I also have to take a little time to brag on my awesome husband a little bit. Since we set out on this journey of adoption, I have been looking forward to the day that we got to share our news with our awesome church family. I thought we would have to postpone the big announcement until next week since Stephen had to be on campus this weekend for work. Well, Stephen pulled some strings at work and planned the big reveal with our pastor without me knowing! It was the coolest thing. Our beautiful little boy's face up on our big projector screen and the pure joy and support of our whole church family. It was awesome!!!!! And sooooo emotional. I feel like all week all I've done is cried tears of joy. Its been great!

Now for Stephen's birthday tomorrow! He wants to spend the day painting Max's room. What an awesome dad! We're going with blue, and we've chosen the cutest bedding. I'll be sure to post pictures when we're done!

Stephen and Angie