I love technology!

We were able to skype with the kids today! Katya, the interpreter, is there and she helped us "talk". They were as happy to see us as we them. That made me feel good. I know it doesn't make sense, but I feel like they'll forget us. We were able to meet Artem's brother, Vlad, and he's so funny & adorable. His sister wasn't there, so we didn't get to meet her. We are hoping to get to talk to them again tomorrow. Bill & Hayden weren't here for it today, so I really hope they get to talk to them this weekend. I really needed this today. I feel renewed and ready for some fund raising! The boys told us they wish we had lots of money so we could get them right now. We told them we wished that too!
Thanks for everyone's continued prayers!

Making Progress!

We got a lot of work done this weekend! Thank you to the Parrish's for the bunk beds. We now have a "girls' room", a "boys' room", and the beginings of a "play room/music room".

Boys' Room

What will be the play room/music room

Girls' Room



Girls' Room

 Lots more to do, but we're on our way!

New perspective & renewed strength

There's nothing like seeing tragedy in someone else's life to remind you how blessed you really are. One of my daughter's friends from elementary school was killed in a car accident last night. She was only 14 years old, she would have been 15 later this month. Her father is in ICU with broken ribs and a punctured lung and another girl riding with them suffered a broken pelvis. My heart just aches for them-her parents, I think especially for the mother. Not only has she suffered the loss of her daughter, but her husband is injured and unable to be at her side.
Suddenly our problems seem so small by comparison. I was mourning the loss of children I never had and she mourns a daughter she will never hold in her earthly arms again.
I am thankful for my family and I will be thankful whether we bring home 1 boy or 3 boys and a girl from Ukraine. We will accept whatever it is that God has planned for us.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."         Jeremiah 29:11

Numbness has turned to heartache

How do you miss children you never had? I feel like someone has taken my children away from me. It reminds me of how a woman feels after a miscarriage. You never held that baby in your arms, but you had already imagined how that moment would be in your mind. You've spent weeks planning the nursery, baby names, and what your family will be like with the addition of this new person in your life. That's how I'm feeling about Artem, Vlad,and Leana today. We had planned how we'd have the house set up, how we would decorate the "boys" room and the "girls" room, we were going to turn the guest room into a hang out spot for the kids, and we'd even picked out middle names for each of the children-names with special,biblical meaning.
I guess we'll have to go through the mourning process because in our hearts we feel like we've lost these children. I guess yesterday was "denial" day and today has started the "pain & guilt" day. My heart hurts and I feel guilty that we can't financially qualify for these children. Maybe if we'd made different choices in our life we would be in a better financial situation. But if we had made different choices would we even be considering adopting right now?  Would it mean as much if we weren't having to step out on faith and let God do this? 
I heard a song yesterday and one of the lines really hit me. "There is usually pain in perfection." God uses these painful experiences in our lives to grow us spiritually and to perfect us. We are going to keep our eyes on Him, continue to try and do His will, and we know everything will work out in just the way He planned. That doesn't mean there won't be more pain on this journey, but we will be growing in a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our Lord.
"The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."       Philippians 4:5-7  

And then there was one...

We got very disappointing news today. This is ending up to be a week full of up and downs. First the doubts last week, then the elation Sunday when our Sunday school class donated the full amount for our home study, and now today news that we can not have all four kids. Talked with the social worker today and after reviewing our paper work, we don't financially qualify for all four. Not only that, we can't even pursue one at this time. Since Bill was laid off most of the year and has only been at his new job for 3 months, she recommends doing the home study in February and for only one child.   
I have to admit when she 1st told me I just knew I'd cry, but the tears never came. I just felt peace. God's timing is perfect and He is telling us to slow down, get your financial house back in order, and wait for this to unfold the way He has planned. I'm not saying that I'm not sad, but I think I'm more sad for Artem, Vlad, and Leana. We really wanted them to be a part of our family, but we have to keep in mind that its not about what we want but what He wants. 
We are going to continue fund raising so when the home study is completed we'll be that much closer to meeting the cost of our adoption.  We received $60 in donations from Toni Doss and her mom Kaye last night at church. Thank yall so much for your support! We have a t-shirt sale coming up soon. I will post photos of the shirts and you will be able to pre-order. We're also thinking about having a yard sale, so if you have some items you've been thinking of taking to Goodwill-bring it to the Hollidays instead! (We'll even come pick it up!)
Thank you for every one's prayers and support.   

Just plain giddy!

You ever have one of those days where you have a goofy smile on you face that won't go away? That's me today! Paper work for home study mailed - check, payment for home study mailed - check, list of requirements from facilitator in Ukraine coming - check. We are on our way!

Artem, Leana, and Vlad

Oleg and Hope



Answered Prayer

I have been really struggling over the past few days. We haven't received a lot of donations so far and I had begun to be overcome with doubts. Maybe this wasn't the path we're supposed to be on. Maybe we had just got caught up in our own emotions and made a commitment to do something we knew we would not be able to carry out. What are we going to do if we can't raise the funds needed to bring these kids home?
You can not imagine how unprepared we were when we arrived at church Sunday to find that our prayers had been answered! Bill & I were met by one of our best friends who is also a member of our Sunday school class as soon as we arrived to church. I thought she would burst before she could get the words out! Our Sunday school class, the Refuge class @ Frazer, is paying the entire amount of the cost for our home study! All the worrying, all the doubts - gone in an instant. There are no words to express our gratitude. Thank you just doesn't seem big enough. We are totally humbled. We do not deserve such an extravagant gift.
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU Refuge Class!

Oh yeah, we now have names for all 4 children. Oleg, Artem, Vlad, and Leana. We are so happy we can now refer to them by names and not just Oleg, Artem, and his 2 siblings!