Was it worth it?

Let me just say that mom had to WORK for this picture. We started off the morning with MK refusing to wear the outfit. She never once has cared about what she wears. I get an occasional complain when I struggle to get a tight neck hole over her large head. But for whatever reason, when she saw this top in my hand she started screaming. In order to get it on, I tried reasonable discussion, distraction, bribery and finally used force (as in pinning her to the ground while she was pulling it as hard as possible in the opposite direction). It was not pretty!

After about a half an hour on helping her get back to reality (Reality being that mom had bought the outfit specifically for an occasion like this and she WAS going to wear it!), we were ready to make the trip to see Santa. She was elated to eat her first "candy caney"!

As you can see she didn't really take to Santa, so I once again made the Santa shot while a friend snapped the picture. And you can't even really see the adorable outfit!

So in the end I ask myself, was it really worth it? I'm praying that this is not already the beginning of clothing battles! Two strong wills don't make an easy agreement!

A year go, we had no idea...

I have so many things I need to be doing right now like getting ready for church, but I have so much on my mind that I want to share before it's replaced with lesser important things like pictures, packing, presents... My mind is going in several different directions, so I pray that you're able to understand as I try to put it in words.

Lately I've been reminded of how we really have no idea of what God's plans are for us and how our lives will be played out. Not only no idea, but that the ultimate control is not in our hands. So I take you back around a year. At this time, I had just started taking pictures for others. The idea of a business was very small. Didn't really charge...etc. I was pregnant, then I miscarried...

So now that I've set that up, let's go to last year's Christmas. We were at my aunt and uncle's house and I noticed a cousin of a cousin (yes, you read that right) with a nice camera, so I start talking with her about photography. In our conversation, she gives me a website of one of her good friends that was a photographer.When I got home that night, I checked out her site. She was a talented photographer, enjoyed her website. That piece of paper with the website got put in a stack of papers (yes, unfortunately I have a few of those these days.) A couple months later, I came across the paper and decided to look at her website again. Her website now took me to her personal blog. She no longer did photography as a business but was in the middle of her adoption process. I began reading her blog on and off. She would still give photography tips and had great parenting ideas. What I didn't realize at the time was that God was teaching and opening my heart at the time through her writings. My own photography business was picking up a little, but wasn't very fruitful. I remember making a valentines ad for the paper and didn't get anything back from it. (Just an example, of where it was.)

Now we come to beginning of May, when Roger and I make the decision to adopt. Our thinking was that we had no savings or ideas of funding, but we'd get a loan and pay it off little by little. In the craziness of getting all of the paperwork for the adoption, God also blessed my photography business. And I'm talking tremendously. The months of May through now are a blur when it comes to the photography business. Somewhere in the middle, we realize that God is using this as the main financing for our adoption. We had no idea!

I link up to several adoption blogs, including Andrea's (Babe of My Heart). God has used these incredible women I know to raise awareness, encourage, and teach others. He uses these things, that seems so small, as part of His plan. Now, some of my family and a few friends read these. My sister shared with us a few months ago that their family was now beginning the process of adoption. A year ago, she had no idea!

A year ago, I had no idea what this year had in store. I can definitely say that NONE of this was in my new year's resolutions! I had no idea that God was using a cousin of a cousin giving me a photography website to mold our hearts to His. I had no idea that I would be wishing for a day of no photography! I had no idea that my miscarriage would be used in the transformation of my desires. (I'm still not quite sure what I believe about this...because I don't think he caused the miscarriage, but used the miscarriage.)

I think I know some of the things 2011 will have in store....but maybe I don't. Will there be blessings? I'm certain. Heartache? I'd like to hope not, but probably. But I know I can rest in the peace of knowing there is a sovereign God who works all things to His glory!

There you have it...the thoughts impressed in my mind now. There's several other disconnected blurps I'd like to add. But not sure how to tie it all in! Maybe someday I'll be a good writer and be able to be used through it as many other's writings have been used to help me along the way...

normal!

We received great news yesterday that Mary Katherine's tests were "normal"! We'll go back to the neurologist December 7 to find out what the next steps will be. We're praying that she no longer has concern and dismisses us from her care!

Prayer Request

I'm posting this to my fellow readers in request for prayer. Mary Katherine has some tests and a doctor appointment in OKC Monday and Tuesday and mom is having quite a bit of anxiety over it all! The tests are called Nerve Conduction Velocity Test (NCV) and an EMG. We wake her up at 4:00am tomorrow and she is to be sleep deprived for the tests starting at 1:00. After some research, I've found that these can be very painful for the patient. It involves needles into her muscles and other electric shocks to test her peripheral nerves. I do NOT want to experience this tomorrow, but understand that it is the next step in a possible diagnosis or clearing out other possibilities. Tuesday we see a pediatric orthopedic specialist. I predict that she will be hesitant towards any doctor after Monday's testing. Please keep this in your prayers! Thank you!

Pumpkins, Ponies, and Peter Pan

Mary Katherine and I spent almost a week in Tulsa with the Webb family. Mom was taking pictures and MK was getting some great time with cousins! She's becoming the age where she really enjoys seeing them and playing with them (and all of their toys).

While there we visited a pumpkin patch.

"Welcome to our log cabin!"

Pumpkins make great seats when you are in need of a break!

I was able to convince my mom to come for the trip. I really had to pull her arm to get her to spend time with her grandkids.

A long (two minute) ride on a pony was a must.

And, of course, posing with the many picture places.

This was my first trip to "the pumpkin patch" as well. I was a bit surprised that it was simply a stand set up in the middle of town. Pretty simple set-up. I'm thinking we need one of these in Laverne--easy money maker!

We had a little dress rehearsal/picture shoot Friday for the Peter Pan cast.
Featuring:
Peter Pan: Ev
Captain Hook: Wy
Tinkerbelle: MK
Crocodile: Levi

Some were a little more excited about their role then the others. I think Levi really wanted the part of Peter Pan.
Sunday, the kids went around the block trick-or-treating. Of course, they all loved getting candy!

Mary Katherine happily accepted a ride back on the wagon!

Dad came over on Sunday to see us on Sunday for a little Trick-or-Treat fun!

Thanks to the Webb crew for hosting us! We enjoyed our time with you!

Oklahoma State, We Harold Your Fame...

We were able to spend the weekend in one of my favorite places on earth--Stillwater! Since I was a young lad, we've been able to go for OSU's homecoming. It's such a fun tradition with many great memories and I love being able to pass some of them on to MK.

We began our weekend with a few attempted family photos. I'm sharing this one, as it will obviously not make the Christmas card. Why does it seem that in all photos recently I'm making crazy, big mouth faces at MK?

This picture cracks me up for a few good reasons--Roger's comical face and MK looking in the other direction (probably at her favorite OSU marching band). I'm also (very non-chalantly) checking my vest and necklace making sure they're in the right place when the effort is all in vein because I'm so far crouched over that you can't even see my vest or necklace.

In front of the AGR house dec. (This ended up only 1 of I believe 4 that we saw because of the rain.)

I guess MK hasn't had much experience on dad's shoulders although it looks very comfortable for Roger.
Group shot checking out the Sigma Nu house dec.

We finished off the evening with a night out at Palomino's restaurant. I was reminded that eating with 4 children all 4 and under is very eventful!

The next morning, we made it to the 9:30 am parade and had plenty of waiting time for the action to come our way.
In the meantime, Ev and Wy entertained us...
"Oh wait guys...stop fooling around...here comes the OSU marching band!"
Here's MK clapping, marching, and singing along to "Ride,Ride, Ride..."

If you're looking for a straight hair part on this girl, forget it. Never had it, probably never will. But I love the pigtails and how they perfectly curl up!

Then we finished off our morning with a tailgate celebrating this guy's first birthday!

Happy Birthday Little YaYa! (or Doy as MK likes to call him.)

Roger practiced up on his throwing arm while we were there.

Unfortunately, we had to call it a weekend before the ballgame, because I had to get back for a wedding. BUT we had a great time and will look forward to next year's adventures!

Thanksgiving to God

One of the daily routines for MK and I is a trip to the post office. For some, this is a chore, but something I actually look forward to. There's a few articles I can always count on...Monday-- there's Roger's ag journal, Thursday-- the local newspaper to catch up on all of Laverne's exciting news...and well that about sums up the expected (other than bills). And then some days you get the unexpected. This past week has had the unexpected

I spent this morning in tears in response to the genorosity of friends and family. I don't know how to thank you all for your sacrificial gifts. I know that it comes at a sacrifice and because of that it's hard to accept. These gifts are not only bringing us closer to our financial requirements of adoption but they continue to challenge me and encourage me in my faith. Thank you!

I came across this passage last week.

2 Corinthians 9:11-18
You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their apporval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the genorosity of your contribution for them and for all others. While they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

You may have noticed not only the financial means increasing, but some changes in our timeline. Early last week we received our approval for the USCIS for adoption. Our paperwork was sent to the orphanage in Uganda and we are now officially on the waitlist. The time frame at this point is 3-4 months to receive our referrals. All of this of course varies with each person. It's a little longer than what we originally thought, but we trust that this will work out in God's timing.