more on 2009 ice storm....

OK, so after the last post, I left off on the burning of the popcorn note.... That night, as I had mentioned, was filled with getting up every hour or so, to tend to the fire. The next morning, which now would be Thursday, Tim came by after getting of from the fire station. He too had had a busy 24 hours. We packed our things, and decided to come home, eat breakfast, gather more clothes if we didn't have electricity and go to the YMCA for HOT showers!!!

After a LONG-HOT shower, we all decided to stay a while, so that we didn't have to get back out in the cold. We played basket ball, ping pong, air hockey, goofed off, and generally had great family time!

Lunch time was approaching, and really wanting a hot meal, but not wanting to venture back to cold homes, we decided to once again battle the cold, and look for a place who offered either free kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal, or at minimum a reduced rate... Here we go again! Brrrr

YES! THANK YOU LORD!! My sister-in-law had connections!!! Not just connections, but a very dear friend at a restaurant who took care of all our meals!!! You heard me right, Free for Everyone, not just the kids!! WHAT??? Are they kidding? Taking care of the bill for 4 adults, and 7 children??? Awesome!! A hot meal at a great Amish restaurant! Needless to say, my plate was filled with nothing but starch! Straight comfort food for me!

OK, so that I am not making anyone wait any longer, I did get a call today, from the O director! NEWS??? Yes! Good? Maybe! Let me back up. Since the electricity had been out for more than 24 hours, my phone battery was ready to kick the bucket. It was beeping at me, and the battery bar was red.... After Tim brought us home, I got a phone call, and you guessed it, from Gretchen! I answered and said something like...."HI" "do you have news for me?" This is what I heard. Yes. It was not a call to say that we were out, but a call to tell me that our attorney, bless her heart, made yet another trip to IBESR only to sit and wait, and then to be told by the director of IBESR that she was to busy and to come back next WEDNESDAY! UGG! Seriously? Are you kidding me? OK folks, I am a little sad, but I do believe that we will get out of this crazy office soon! I really pray that it is very soon. I was also told that the director is trying to make out an agreement with dispense and parquet... I really have a lot of respect for the attorney and the director, who I really think is just trying to help us in the long run. What this all means exactly? I don't know. Other than we need to be praying for the two offices who don't seem to be on board... Praying for the attorney and the director for strength, and the right words when dealing with not so easy offices, and for my son to continue to learn about his family, through pictures, skype time, and visits.... Until then, I will continue to pray, and give God the respect and honor he deserves. He is in control, not me. He knows my heart, mind and desires. I pray our file will be approved and released soon, and that our process will not be delayed any further. Please pray with us, and believe with us, that we are going to be released very soon!

Please stay tuned for more on the winter storm 2009 report....

winter storm take 1

Happy to announce first of all, WE HAVE POWER!!! So much has happened since Tuesday night, when we lost power to our home due to the storm... It has definitely been one WILD ride to say the least. All the while, I am very happy that we have power, sadly, there are thousands without. In this weather, it's very hard, Freezing temperatures are not easy to deal with. Every since Wednesday morning when we still didn't have electricity, I have been on a photographic journey to document this event....


This is our beautiful tree in front of our house. Each and every branch is encased with ice. It was so beautiful. I loved each and every aspect of how the ice clung to everything. (this does not mean i loved the ice on the roads...)

Our lamp in our front yard, had really cool ice formations.

After a about 15 hours, and no return of electricity, I decided it was time to find somewhere else to go. After talking to my sister-in-law, the girls and I decided to grin and bear it, and take that long, slow drive to her house. They didn't have electricity either, but they did have a wood burning fireplace, which equaled HEAT!!! The picture above was our expressway... Traffic was traveling about 20 miles per hour. I actually enjoyed the drive. I LOVE adventure!!

Once at family's house, we settled in, with cooking our food and some special snacks over the open fire. I have come to learn that I NEVER want a wood burning fireplace. I enjoy the smell it gives off, but not the mess, or the time you have to put into it to keep the fire going, and stay warm. That night, I was up about every hour freezing, because the flames would be so small, that the window draft was more than the fire draft!

We enjoyed food, camp style cooking, family, and making lots of memories. We all slept in the living room, in front of the fire. This was after having to move lots of furniture and mattresses. The kids thought this was great!!! They have had a blast the last few days!

We tried to make biscuits over the fire in a cast iron skillet, Didn't work, Jiffy Pop, Didn't work, and melt snow from out side, so we could have water to flush the toilets, (this only works if you put a lid on the pan, otherwise the snow will evaporate!) They're house is on a Well, so unless there is electricity, no running water, or flushing toilets...reason for melting snow.... Gladly, I knew this ahead of time, and brought a ton of water with me, in addition to lots of bottles of water that we had from our house....

Stay posted for more on the Winter storm 2009, including an update about our adoption still to come! Check back in a day or two for more info... =)

Matthew 21:22

If you BELIEVE, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.


:)

WE LOVE HIS HAIR!!!!!!!!

Isn't Jutane Beautiful?

Oh my goodness!! This is so awesome!! This is exactly what we have wanted. Our son with longer hair......Thank you so much Todd and Nanny Jutane for this!!! Love you guys!

Once again,

We are praying that this is a good adoption week for us and so many others. Won't you Pray with us???

I will.....

Pray, Pray, Pray that next week will be our week, and many other's week!!! Until then, Have a great weekend!! I will!

I am

Wishing today were the day.....

A new table and chairs!!! Thank you to our special friends for such a wonderful gift!!! We love you guys and thank you so much for listening to what the Lord put on your heart!! You guys are amazing!

my two favorite Haitians!

Thanks Megan!!!