Still a Kid....

Kory is such a great dad because he's such a kid himself! Kids love him. While we were hiking at Salt Fork, he took a moment to swing on an oversized vine. Once a kid, always a kid!

Ten Years!

Friday was our 10th wedding anniversary! We celebrated by spending the weekend at Salt Fork State Park. We hiked, swam, relaxed, ate, and enjoyed the scenery. We appreciate the rolling hills when what we are used to is flat, flat, flat. There was a Bigfoot convention held that weekend, too, but we didn't spot Sasquatch! Anyways, we had a great time. Ashleigh enjoyed a "no rules" weekend with "Grandma" Pam, my co-worker and very close friend.

If ten years of marriage passed by this quickly, then the adoption wait should, too!

Promises...

Okay, everyone...I've been really bad about keeping our blog updated. I was searching for something on the Internet the other day and found this awesome blog about another family adopting from the Philippines. They have links to other blogs of families adopting from the Philippines. I feel so alone at times that this was so cool! It inspired me to update ours.

http://ribaradoption.blogspot.com/

Check it out! It's an awesome blog. I love their entry about people asking why they are adopting from the Philippines. The answers are many that we feel, too. Why are we adopting from the Philippines?
-They are a Christian country and they will only adopt to Christian families. This is important to us because our faith is such an integral part of our lives.
-Our child we sponsor through the Church of God Children of Promise child sponsorship program is from the Philippines.
-We fit the requirements they set and we love their requirements such as only one trip, a maximum of 4 days in the country (though we want to stay longer), and although the requirements for our dossier seemed to take forever, the Philippines are thorough and particular about who they adopt their children to.
-The weather is always warm, they speak English, the people are friendly, and the food is great.
-And the number one reason of all, the most important, this is where we feel God has called us to adopt!

So, we will keep waiting!

Waiting...

Still Waiting...

I spoke to the social worker last week. Someone from the agency is in the Philippines, and when that person returns, the agency will have a more accurate idea how long the waiting time is lasting before a match is made. She told us, though, to expect to wait a while yet.

Life here is good, though. We had a nice Christmas. Here is our family in our Ohio State get-up at Kory's family Christmas.

Keep praying! We would love to have that little one home with us by next Christmas...

Mug Shots

Why do passport pictures have to look like mug shots? We went to Rite Aid this past Saturday and had our pictures taken for our passports. It is offensive in some cultures to show your teeth. I don't know how to smile without showing my teeth! What I ended up with was a picture that looks like a criminal mug shot. It's awful. Kory and Ash don't look so bad. But really, I don't care. I mean who is really going to see it except the overworked person at customs who really could care less what my picture looks like. So, my mug shot is going on my passport. We have to fill out the paperwork and go pay for them yet. So much to do, so little time. Especially this time of year!

Adoption Dinner at our Church

We are so blessed to have so many wonderful family members, friends, and a wonderful church family. We had an adoption benefit soup and sandwich luncheon at our church the first Sunday of November to help us with adoption expenses. So many people helped us make this day possible. We appreciate the support, prayers, and love from all of you! It was a fun day!

In this picture, Ashleigh and my friend/co-worker Linda are making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the kids. A personal favorite of mine, too!

Here they come!