Big Kids, Little Kids, and Babies!!! and we're officially "paper pregnant"!!!

Yes, we have labeled our kids! We currently have three categories. Big kids, little kids (a.k.a. the twins), and babies. Each group has certain benefits as well as demands.

Obviously, the babies get lots of attention and they get "away" with a lot more. They are both growing so fast and learning new things every day. Both of them keep us very busy all day but they also go to bed early! : )

The little kids are twins and they were known as "the babies" for a long time. We recently graduated them to "little kids" since now there are two actual babies in the house. As a little kid, they have taken on some new responsibilities such as school work, cleaning their own rooms, and helping with house work. They like this new title and they remind us that they get to stay up later than the babies.

The big kids... well, I could do an entire post on all that they do. The comment I hear most is, "I don't know how you do it".... my response to that is always, "my strength comes from the LORD". That is absolutely true but I have lots of help..... it's not all me. We are blessed to have both sets of grandparents, an aunt and uncle, and friends constantly doing something to make my day easier (not to mention I have THE best hubby who can do it all). But these big kids, they can pretty much run our house on their own. They change diapers, bath little kids and babies, help with dinner and housework and the list could go on. However, they get more benefits.... they have friends over more, get to go more places and yes... they stay up pretty late. I love how close the three of them are. They enjoy hanging out together doing things like swimming, jumping on the trampoline, playing the wii and they're all time favorite..... cracking jokes about one another. Never knew that could be so fun but they love it!!!!!

Here are some recent pics of all of them :

Below, the babies are waiting for their "check-ups". This all went bad when the injection nurse came in.

Enjoying a fun day at the beach!!!

The little kids, have so much fun together. It's fun to watch Lilly boss Levi around..... he just does what she says. (daddy says she's preparing him for marriage : )

And here you have the infamous "big kids"!!! I love that they are so close and have so much fun hanging out together. Yes, they are normal... they fuss like all kids but for the most part, I must say, they spend a lot of time together just having fun.

Well I hesitated to put the word "pregnant" near a picture of myself..... for the record, "I'm not". However, we are officially, "paper pregnant". The papers have been signed and mailed, and the home-study is underway!!!

Praise the LORD!!!!! They said YES!!!!

So today has been a very exciting day at our house. We finally got the phone call that we've been waiting for. It came this morning with a sweet lady on the other end of the phone line saying, "congratulations Mrs. Bice, your family's adoption application has been approved". Oh my, I was so excited! She began telling me about all the documents she was e-mailing and the steps that we needed to go ahead and take; and I don't think I heard a word she said. Looking back, I should've asked her to hold on a minute while I scream and shout and then maybe I could have listened to her instructions. Oh well, thankfully she repeated the steps in her e-mail.

Most people have asked me the same question today. Why did you get so excited, did you think they would say NO? Well my faith was failing me the past few days. The agency told me I should hear from them with-in 10 days.....today was the 10th day. For Heaven's sake, why would they do that to me? For those of you who have already been down this adoption road, I know what you are thinking right now. "This little missy better get some patience quick". : )

So from what I hear, we have tons of paper work ahead of us... I guess I know what I will spend my summer break doing. HOMEWORK!!!! That's okay... when we hold that precious baby in our arms, it won't matter a bit how much time, money, energy or effort it took to get there.

I have a very "thankful" family tonight : ) Thank you all for your prayers!

You will LOVE this new "Gotcha Day" video.... precious baby girl from Ethiopia!!!!!

A friend sent this to me last week and I wanted to share it with everyone. I think these videos are so powerful!!!! God is breaking so many hearts and PRAISE the LORD, the fatherless are being adopted as a result! Enjoy this cutie pie!!!!

(stop my music at the bottom of the page)

Evyn's Gotcha Day + Adoption story from emily Vogeltanz on Vimeo.

Rallying the Troops and a NEW Book You MUST Read!!!

I hope all you mommas had a great Mother's Day. Mine was wonderful.... Not only do I feel so blessed to be a mom but what a blessing that I still get to celebrate with my mother and my mother-in-law. They are both so special to us, and this family keeps them very busy (and very tired a lot of the time). Thanks to Grammy and Nanny for all that they are to our family.

On to my first topic...... Rally the Troops!!! We have another young mom in desperate need. I don't know this young lady personally but I sure hope I get to meet her very soon. Here's what I do know. She is single and raising a 1 year old little girl. She recently found out she is expecting a baby boy in late summer or early fall. From what I understand... she doesn't even have what she needs for her baby girl let alone the new baby about to be born. This time, I don't have a list of things we need but if you are a momma (or even if you are not) you know the kinds of things that all little ones need to be comfortable, safe and happy. If you have things you could share or would like to purchase something for these children, that would be wonderful. Please let me know either by e-mail at pollybice@aol.com or just comment on this post and I will make arrangements to pick your stuff up. Thank you all for always stepping up to love and support these ladies. When they see your love for them... they are seeing God's love for them.

Last of all.... You MUST read THIS!

I could go on forever about how life changing this book is but please don't take my word for it. Check out the video on this website (scroll down to the bottom of the page) and then order the book for yourself. You will never be the same again!!!!! Stop my music at the bottom of my blog so you can hear the video. I've read the book and I'm still watching the video.

BTW... if you've already read this or are in the process, and I know many of you are.... give it a shout out in my comments.

Blessings to you all!

Been Waiting For This Day!!!!!!!

Today was the day we've been waiting on for many months now. As most of you know, we could not submit our adoption application until our baby was 6 months old..... well, that day has come. It always makes me sad when my newborns start outgrowing the bassinet and their infant gowns. This time, however, we did have something to look forward to. With every passing day we were getting closer to beginning our journey of adoption.

This afternoon, the kids and I headed to the post office, prayed over this "very important" packet, and sent it on it's way!!!!

The kids stopped for a picture as we headed out the door. Clearly, Lilly is very proud to be the one holding our paperwork and family picture.

Please pray that we get our "first" yes very soon. I mean could you think of a reason not to let an orphan have these adorable kiddos for brothers and sisters? : )

We will keep you posted!