i600A Approval!

 

We got our i600A approval form the U.S. government last week, approving us to be adoptive parents!  The next step is waiting for a referral to a specific child and then sending in our Dossier to DR Congo.  We hope to be matched with a specific child by this summer.

Spring Break in Wisconsin

 

The boys and I flew to Wisconsin to visit family over Isaac's spring break.  The flight there was a bit rocky with Micah.  Micah loves to run around the house with minimal clothing these days.  So the minute he spilt juice on shirt on the plane he was trying to strip down.  Not appropriate on a plane of course.  So as I tried to keep him from taking off his clothes he kept yelling, "I'm wet, I just want to be naked", at the top of his lungs over and over.  But we made it there, clothes and all, and had a great time once we got settled in.

 

We celebrated Cousin Maddy's 5th birthday

Maddy and Micah were quite the team... making a mess with water

Painting class with Aunt Jan, mom, Kristin

 

Isaac wanted to eat all the easter eggs, no decorate them

 

Micah's first Chuck E Cheese experience.  He loved it and always mentions that Chuck E' loves cheese anytime he eats cheese now

Butterflies!

 

We went to Wisconsin for Isaac's spring break a week ago.  Luke stayed home to get a bunch of work done.  January to April 15th is his busiest time at work and it gave him some time to put in a lot of hours.  We had a fun week in Wisconsin taking the kids to different places.  Here is a video of Micah in the butterfly exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum.  More pictures from the trip to follow.

Adoption Update

 

We submitted our homestudy and i600A form to the U.S. government about 2 weeks ago for approval to adopt.  This takes about 2 months.  After that, we are ready for a referral of a specific child.  We have been praying for our sweet little one and cannot wait to see a picture when the time comes.

We Are Adopting!

"Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.  Defend the case of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."

Isaiah 1:17

 

 

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east."

Isaiah 43:5

 

 

 



We are excited to announce that we are in the process of adopting a little girl from DR Congo.  We started the process in January and have since completed our home study.  I have always wanted to adopt as a way of growing our family, and have been waiting for Luke to feel the call too.  One night at the beginning of January Luke rolled over in bed and said he was ready to adopt.  It came out of nowhere, but was definently God's timing.  I asked him if he was joking, and he said he was 100% on board.  6 months ago I had been nagging him about wanting to start the adoption process but he was resistant then.  The next morning I set out to find an adoption agency that was a good fit.

 

 

We chose Africa because we have always had a heart for this part of the world and it was a good adoption fit.  We are wanting to adopt a younger child and the process is relatively quick.  There is such a need for adoption in DR Congo.  War, genocide, malaria, malnutrition, AIDS, tuberculosis, poverty, rape, and abandonment have left 5 million children orphaned in the DRC.  There is little opportunity for education and work later in life.  



Rockets!

 

The boys got this rocket launcher for Christmas.  Micah loves shooting it off around the house.  If you are ever looking for a great gift for a niece or nephew this is a great idea (great for working on gross motor skills if you are into physical therapy activities).

Twinkle, Twinkle by Isaac

 

Here's sweet Isaac singing Twinkle, Twinkle.  Most people know that he has autism and is behind in language, fine motor, gross motor, etc.  So it is huge that he recently started singing whole songs.  It has been a challenge and joy raising a child with special needs.  It makes you treasure him doing something as simple as singing a song. 

 

(P.S.    Ignore the finger in th nose at the end. silly boy)