Words Can't Even Say How Much...

We love you, baby girl.

For Canon, Meskerem & Laurelai

**********Canon**********
www.prayforcanon.blogspot.com

***Meskerem***
www.thewhitefamilynews.blogspot.com

Laurelai

From Mommy: It's been a tough couple of days. Saturday as we were picking up a few things at Wal-Mart, we got the call no one in the world wants to get. Solomon's friend, Laurelai went home to her Heavenly Father. Her parents, our friends, had to say goodbye to their baby. We know it will be but a blink in the eye of eternity before they're all together again, but it stung with a strength that shook me to my core. Everyone around us continued to buy milk and hurry on their respective ways, and I just wanted to scream, "STOP! CAN'T YOU ALL JUST STOP FOR A MINUTE?!" I can't even explain why I wanted everyone to be still. I just did. I needed them to realize, to know what a beautiful girl she is and that she was now healed. Home.
That same day in Arkansas a Mommy who I've been blogging lost her little boy. The doctors couldn't stop the bleeding in Canon's brain. He was home now, as well.
The day after next, the White family lost their little Ethiopian daughter whom they were set to pick up from the orphanage in mere weeks. Septicemia took Meskerem just days after her excited family completed her nursery half a world away.
God is good. All the time. I say this because I know it to be true. I say it because I know that Lelly, Canon and Meskerem are safe and happy. And I know that these parents would do the tough days over a million times just to see these faces smiling at them. Faces they'll see again soon. Faces they'll cup in their hands and smother with kisses. Faces that will smile at their Mommy and Daddy when they hear, "I'm so glad we're together again - I missed you so much!"

Crowing Gazy

Note from Mommy: Still no news on our Committee date. My stomach is in a permanent knot, I've forgotten what it feels like without tension squeezing it. Nana and I have been working every available "shift" on the scrapbook which will represent our family at Committee. Since our family isn't allowed to actually be there (each family has an adoption worker representing us), this book is the only thing they'll have to glimpse inside our household. No pressure, ay?
So, needless to say, I've been obsessive and even driven to tears trying to achieve the perfection I NEED for this book. Then I gather up all my emotions and failings, and give them to God with fervent prayers for His plan to be accomplished in spite of my efforts (it certainly won't be because of them). I then promptly take it all back from Him and spiral back into my worry and inadequacy. I'm glad this journey is nearly over, but frantic that the journey will end without her continuing it with us.

Farewell, Furgus.

This is an archival shot of Furgus and Malachi. 3 weeks ago we saw Furgus for the last time. We searched the area and made several trips to the Humane Society to check the strays, new arrivals and to paw through the 4x6 cards of "DOAs". (Note: Mommy didn't know what DOAs were and had to ask the nice lady at the counter. The explanation hardly painted a picture on which we wanted to dwell.) We had no luck and we're sad to report, we have officially said goodbye to Gus, wherever he may be. He was a noble and brave pet and his antics will be missed by all.

The Fitz

So, after he had grieved the loss of our Furgus, Micah hears a noise and pulls this stowaway out from the undercarriage of the van. How long he'd been there and where we'd picked him up - not a clue. He was dirty, hungry, thirsty and cold. And now, apparently, he's home. A bit strange, though, is his odd resemblance to Furgus. Had he been a bit larger, we would've just brought him in and assumed he'd lost his collar and come upon hard times on some unfortunate journey he'd taken. Strange, indeed. So, we officially introduce the newest member of the Lewis menagerie: The Fitz.

Welcome to the family, Fitz.

"Even our Pancakes are Getting All Girlie..."

A Note From Mommy: Mmmmmm...heart-cakes. You know what I like? The permeating testosterone levels in the house are called into check when Rayna's around. She adds butterflies to our worms and snails, she contributes ruffles to our ties and polo shirts, she flings a splash of pink into all the blue. Don't get me wrong, I adore all things "boy", but everything tends to soften a bit with her presence. Oh, there's still a lot of wrestling going on, but at least there are some tea parties now and again.

Why We Need This Book:

WE'RE FINALLY GOING TO HAVE A COUSIN! Yes, folks, it's true!! And it only took Uncle Shawn and Auntie Julie 15 years (maybe they should have read our book, eh?)! Needless to say, due to our relentless ecstatic blathering, the entire homeschool co-op knows of our impending cousinhood. Lori found this book for Mommy and us. It explaines the basic mechanics in humans and also (oooooh - Mom was so excited!) in chickens. God bless Lori! It was an instant classic and the pictures had our whole family on the floor in laughter. So! A new countdown clock for us! One that will tell us all, "How many days 'till I can see the baby?" A popular question over here. We are very ready to see this little cousin we already love so much! We're so psyched!

Disclaimer: Mommy has warned us of the sensitive nature of this information (very similar to the whole Santa Claus thing: "Don't tell your littler friends the entire truth regarding this topic, lest they become traumatized and confused and their parents lead an initiative to get us thrown out of the playgroup...").

"THE CALL"

Today we got, "The Call". YES! We will be going to committee for adoption privileges!! The day after we appealed to our friends and family for prayer. Coincidence? I think not. The State handing down a decision early? Not likely. That's called God's hand, folks! Now, we have around 30 days to drench this thing in more prayer before we go to court with the other families.
Believe and pray with us, friends! Belief, prayer and thankfulness make a powerful combination (thank you, Lisa). "God, You are a Father. You know what it's like to desire a child for Your own, and never be separated from them. You found a way for this reality, even though it required so much of You, cost you so dearly. You are the original adoptive parent, as your children are called into Your "forever family". Please make our family a parable of Your love. Let us be a testimony to your plan. Amen."

The Price of Science

We set up an aquarium for Solomon's Science Fair project (can fish hear?) and set out for PetSmart to choose out his test subjects. What's unfair? His project entailed a huge project for me - rearranging our already at-capacity school table to accommodate our new scientific venture. Ugh.

Hee hee...fish 'n chips?

Uh oh.

The Proper Care and Feeding of a Princess:

Yes, they actually sell "Princess Feed". Suitable for Princesses of discriminating taste. Rayna saw the box knew that this particular cereal was manufactured especially for her.