The new addition...

How could anyone say no???

Meet Frankie, our new addition to our family.  

We get bring our new little guy home on Sunday!!!

The kiddos are so excited.  Yesterday while at Target we had to look at all of the different items in the pet isle...picking out what they think Frankie would love most.  It will be quite an adventure for our family but I must say, I am excited too!!!  I think this little peanut may just be my new little cuddle monster!!!

because sometimes people are just stupid....

"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."
-Anonymous

Prayer Warrior Mom

...is what I am reading right now...I always find it so awesome when something I read has such incredible relevance and importance to my life in the exact perfect moment.

Here is what I read this morning:

"God often answers us after long and persevering requests.  He hears prayers and grants blessings long after they appear to be unanswered or withheld.  He does not promise to give blessings immediately.  He promises only that He will do it according to His will and plan.  Although He promises to answer the prayer of the faithful, often He requires us to wait a long time to try our faith.  He may allow us to persevere for months or years, until we are completely dependent on Him, until we see that there is no other way to receive the blessing, and until we are prepared to receive it.  Sometimes, we are not ready to receive a blessing when we first ask.  We may be too proud, or we may not comprehend our dependence upon Him.  Maybe we would not value it, or the timing for it may simply be wrong.  If what we ask for is good and accords with God's will, He will give it a the best time possible."


How incredibly perfect for our entire family as we continue to wait....for our precious child from across the world!

His hand is always holding us...

His steady hand is always holding us...

You always think you know how you might react if a 'scary' situation happens... but when it does...hindsight is always better!

On Sunday night, Ryan and I had just went to bed, the clock read slightly before midnight.  The kids had been sleeping for hours.  When all of the sudden someone started knocking on our front door.  We waited thinking it would stop....when it didn't, panic raced through my veins.  Someone wanted our attention and they were not going to stop until they got it.  We call 911 and Ryan quietly tried to sneak a peak of the person now banging on our door.  Then just as Ryan was about to walk downstairs, phone in hand, to face the large man knocking on our door.....he disappeared.  Police searched for him most of the night, but came up with nothing.  Needless to say, I didn't fall back to sleep until daylight came....

Looking back, there are a few things Ryan and I said we would do much differently...so here is my advice to you.  Even if you think "a break in would never happen at my house," think again....and come up with several different 'what i think i would need to do' plans.  

Yesterday morning Ryan and I talked about our plans and things we would have done differently.  Thankfully, no one entered our home and no one was hurt....but it was a great big eye opener.

There is no doubt in my mind the Lord was keeping us in the palm of his hand...He was watching over our home, my family.  Our plans changed, we were not actually suppose to be home until Tuesday.  But instead, we decided to come home Sunday.  Had we not been home...I truly believe the home we walked into Sunday afternoon would have looked gravely different.

Praise the Lord for the Lord is good! Psalm 135

Idlewild Fun!

Summer Fun at Idlewild Park.

Mister Rogers Neighborhood, the train, Storybook Forest, Jumping Jungle....all of my childhood memories come rushing back and my kiddos get to start new ones right where mine leave off!

Waiting...

as we creep through summer....i can't help but wonder if this week will be the week???

we have now officially entered the "referral time period" and i can't help but dream and pray and hope that our baby will be revealed to us soon.

i fully am aware of God's perfect timing and i am thankful for all He puts in front of us everyday.  i understand our wait...and pray for God to keep working wonders with our family and our Ethiopian child's family.


Lord~ Please continue to watch over all of our children.  Continue to open Garyn's heart to sharing Your good work.  Thank you for creating Gianna and giving her to me.  She keeps the spirit of baby 'opia alive in our home and I am forever grateful for that.  And as we push forward through these next few months, please keep your hand on our Ethiopian child(ren), (Greyden and/or Georgia) and keep their families close and safe in your arms.
I am forever thankful for all you bless me with everyday.  Thank you for my family, my peace and my understanding... Your word and love and mercy bring me life EVERYDAY.
In Christ, Amen.


Until the day we meet our babies!

Family....

My Italian Family....

for years i thought everyone must be italian....
everyone must have the same traditions...

years later...

i understand how blessed i am to have a grown up with a family so strong in their heritage...

it is always fun to be home and experience the taste of italy again!

Mangia!