Seeing the Details

I love how God can use the everyday,
the mundane,
to teach.

The other day as I was glancing out my kitchen window,
looking down at the sewer plant that, yes, is right behind our house,
and to the river and tree line past that,
I saw a beautiful sunset.

When I think of our "starting over",
with ALL of this multitude of paperwork that I've done already,
worked my tush off to get done in a timely manner,
only to now have to redo it all to switch to Haiti,
the BIG picture is overwhelming,
somewhat "icky" (like the sewer plant),
and just too much.

But when I take a minute to reflect,
to actually look at some of the details in our story,
in how we arrived at this place,
and in the beautiful ending I know that only HE can coordinate,
it's in the details right now that I find the beauty.

Final Day

Today was our last full day in Tennessee. We're going to miss it I think!

Today Grandma treated.

First, was the kids' second activity choice of the trip...

Magiquest

They are all about knights and swords and kingdoms,

so this was right up their alley!

You get a sword that becomes yours and if you go to any other Magiquest at any time later,

it remembers what you've done and what quests you've concluded.

You can then pay a small fee to go in with the wand you already have.

(I saw that there is one in Niagara Falls - our summer trip -

and one in the Dells too!)

Training...

It was pretty cool actually.

Once training was over, you have 90 minutes.

There are central computer type stations that tell you where you're at in your quests,

and you can choose the next quest you want to enter into.

All over the place are things you can wave your wand at and they animate.

Very cool!

Liam just completed one of his quests and had to go see the princess...

Braeden was ALL ABOUT this activity!

Afterwards we went to a yummy local restaurant for a GREAT lunch!

And went to a pottery place for Grandma to choose a gift

for friends taking care of her dog while she's here.

I'm always in awe of the natural beauty in this area!

Tomorrow we head back home.

It's been a perfect, relaxing, spring break!

Now back to getting things done for this adoption!

Day Three

Today was great... again! :)

Gorgeous weather!

And I (barely) made it out of the drive alive!

(I didn't let anyone get in the van with me in case.)

There was no room for error on the passenger side where the mountain went straight down.

Very scary, but made it!

We headed out in the afternoon and went to check in at the hotel.

Then we ventured out to a retail place called The Christmas Place which has some cute stores.

When we decided to venture here over break, I talked to the kids about activity options for our trip, and they got to choose two things for us to do as a family.

One we went to tonight...

The Lumberjack Feud show...

As you can see, highly entertaining!

The kids LOVED it!

And Liam was even given a lumberjack "cookie"...

...which he had signed after the show!

So much fun!

Day Two

Much of the same fun and carefree kind of day as yesterday... with a little storm thrown in for good measure...

It was pretty though

And even though we lost power, it was only a short time and then it was back

Tomorrow we spend most of the day here and then head into town and to the hotel.

Spring Break

For spring break we headed out of town with Grandma! The kids have been so excited for her to come and go on vacation with us!

We found a GREAT deal on a mountain chalet... but I was NOT thinking... about driving a twelve passenger van on mountain roads, especially since we'd arrive after dark. It was a NIGHTMARE! :( I was super stressed, hardly able to see street signs, had to try to turn around a couple times which about threw me into despair, and then when I did finally find the chalet, could barely make out the tiny ridge that was the driveway. I was expected (in pitch black) to turn into that!? Looked like I was going to drive right off the mountain!

But we made it in and after unloading I spent most of the night fretting and being sick to my stomach thinking of how in the world I was ever going to be able to drive back out. (I'm still wondering!)

During the night I made the decision (because we had a nighttime show on Wednesday and it would cost quite a bit to take a cab to and from) that we would stay here Mon, Tues, Wed, leave Wed and go to a cheap hotel that wouldn't be much more than that cab ride, and then spend a couple days there doing local activities.

Monday we had a blast at the house...

blowing bubbles

sitting in the hot tub

playing hide and seek, taking a much needed nap (Liam and I), eating lots of good food, watching Disney channel (we don't have cable at home and they are thrilled), making wands out of sticks, putting glow sticks in a nighttime hot tub, hollaring "HI HO!" in the metal spiral staircase bannister, using the iPad, enjoying the gorgeous weather, working on my IEPs for school, watching for bears (never saw any), and bugging our siblings (only a bit at least!)

Today is another day here... let's see what adventure awaits! :)

Drumroll...

Finally was able to speak in person to the one at my adoption agency who is in charge of the country I am finally transferring to.

(Loved her and had a great conversation!)

I also got the go ahead to be able to share where it is we will now (hopefully, prayerfully, at some point) be adopting from...

Haiti

Such a beautiful country

But in so much turmoil and having so much need

I am once again paper chasing

gathering documents

redoing medicals

and getting our dossier ready to be sent

All so that we can finally know WHO will be joining our family

And although Haiti is a VERY long process (we're looking at a good two years before a little one comes HOME)

I'm excited God has put us on the road HE chose

And I know the outcome will be nothing short of miraculous

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. New Living Translation