Just what I needed to hear

I have often said that I want to open my mailbox and find a letter from God with what I'm supposed to do in life. I promise, I would jump right in and just do it! Turns out that life doesn't work that way. Today I was reading a blog that I follow regularly called Stuff Christians Like by Jon Acuff. It's very funny and makes me think a lot about my life. You should read it too. You should also read his book called Quitter because it's awesome. Anyway, what I read today really summed up what I need to hear right now.

"Good, you’re right to fear that xx will go away. Because that will happen. It will vanish and evaporate one day. That’s why I don’t want you to give your all to xx . I want you to give your all to me. I want all your hopes and all your dreams.
Because I am unchanging. I will not go away. I will not fade, I will not vanish. I am the great I am. I and I alone can make that statement. You can’t see it right now. Your eyes are blind to the things I’m doing, but know that in the mosaic of my mind, the only mind that spans generations, I am preparing you for something. I am tilling your heart and your soul right now. I am stirring up everything you think you know about you and me because I am preparing you for something. And what that is, I will not say, but know that it is mine, and things that are mine begin in love and end in love and they never make sense to the human mind because my designs are too wonderful to fathom.”

You can read the rest of this post here http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2012/03/the-map-the-plan/

I have a handful of close friends that are really struggling with the fact that their "plan" didn't work out as expected. I'm right there. Hang in there - I think some big, awesome things are in the works if we just give up a teeny bit of control.

Step by Step

The last few weeks have been very uplifting.  We are seeing some awesome Amazon purchases! (Whoever decided they needed a new tv and accessories...I love you. Just saying.) Our garage is quickly filling up with goodies for our yard sale and just last week a coworker of mine offered some furniture for the sale.  We are officially set for a fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A (details to follow in a later post) and so many have already RSVPd via Facebook. What's even more impressive is my out of town friends who have asked "How can I help?"  I have a very good friend who is close to pulling the trigger on starting down this same path, and it's awesome to have someone to babble about all the details with who actually cares.  I can't share who it is right now, but I'm really excited.  Last but not least, I made a new connection who just brought home two little ones from the same area we are adopting from. It's awesome to have somebody who has been there, done that.  I am constantly amazed at how open and encouraging the adoption community is.


Two weeks ago, while sitting in the waiting room of the pediatrician's office, Madeline turned to a complete stranger and said the following very matter of factly: "I'm growing a baby sister in Africa."  You can imagine the look. I just nodded with the knowing look that kids will say anything. I was super proud of her, especially as she's not much for talking with strangers.  She insists on praying for baby sister and our sponsored Compassion child at all meals and before any form of sleep.


I'm headed into the home stretch of this semester and quite honestly, I don't want to write papers, I want to finish my paperwork! Praying for focus right now.  I'm trying to pace myself by allowing one adoption To Do per day. I've sent away for a lot of official documents that we need and am already seeing them come back.  Hopefully in the next week I will be mailing a letter with some great information to all of our friends and family.


Just for the record, I have be fairly vague on her about our process, including which country specifically we are adopting from.  I don't want to do anything to jeopardize the process for our family or others, nor do I want anything I write to be misinterpreted.  But if you have questions, definitely e-mail me or catch me in person. Brad and I are so excited about this journey and our prayer is that others will choose adoption for their families as well.

Welcome to Our Mansion

This is the doll house that Madeline got for Christmas.

She frequently resides in the 2nd story.Ridiculous!

Happy Spring

From our happy little family to yours

Enjoy these beautiful days while they last!

Lady Bug

For Christmas, my sister got Madeline this lady bug night light.  She absolutely loves it and can't sleep without it these days.  It glows in red, purple, and green and throws stars all over the room.  Best of all, it shuts off autmatically after about 20 minutes. Long enough for Madeline to enjoy, but doesn't drain the battery! It's super cute and a very charming way to have a nightlight.

Let the Paperwork Begin

You know you have a whole new outlook on life when it's Saturday night (and St. Patrick's Day to boot) and the highlight of your evening is driving to Office Depot so you can purchase supplies to make a paperwork binder.  And yes, that's a true story. 

Despite all the insanity of school and work right now, we are diving head first into the paperwork stage of our adoption.  I laughed because every piece of paper from our agency says to take it one step at a time and not get overwhelmed....and then I looked at what all was required and I figured out why all the warnings! 

So now I have a nice binder, organized by topic, with all my important paper in sheet protectors. Nerd alert! 

Let the paperwork begin!

Great Wolf Lodge

We had a fantastic weekend at Great Wolf Lodge with our friends, the Harless family.  We swam and rode water slides until we were pruned.  The girls had their first "sleepover" together.  We hardly even ate we were so busy.  I wish I could show you picutres, but we were pretty water logged.  We will definitely be returning for another weekend getaway in the future. 

Pretty hair. Glad that Madeline will at least sit still for Ashley, even if I'm not allowed to do her hair.

Best Buds.

Weekend Project

Up next at the Long house: Madeline's New Room! Here's what we're striving for...only better!

She picked it out!

Good Reads

For Christmas we bought Madeline several adoption themed books to help facilitate a discussion about our upcoming life changes. I know there are tons of great kids books on adoption, but I was really happy with what we have so far:

This book has Madeline convinced that any time someone is sad it's because they miss their mommy. Very cute but a little confused.

By and far, this is my favorite book.  Bright colors and a perfect message about how families are made.

(And whoever bought a new flat screen tv and accompanying items this week....I love you.)