I don't have much time right now, but I had to update everyone to say that we passed court today! Praise God!  I just booked our airline tickets.  We will be leaving October 9th.  Thanks to everyone who has encouraged us and prayed for us. 

Kelli

Wow, I can't believe how busy we have been.  I guess it is good because it has kept our minds busy, so we are not sitting around just waiting to leave.  We will be traveling in 2 weeks if all goes well in court.  Vince and I are so excited.  I can't wait to meet my sons.  I love the sound of that.  While I am there, I want to soak up as much as I can.  I pray this experience changes Vince and me.  That we continue to let our minds be shaped with an eternal focus.   I already feel God at work in our hearts.  Almost as if he is saying this is only the beginning.  My heart is so full of love for the people of Ethiopia already.  I think being there will give us an opportunity to see how we can be used further. 
During my prayer time in the morning, I have been praying for Yonas and Yosef's birth mother.  She has been on my mind a lot.  I pray that I get an opportunity to meet her while we are there.  I know that God has placed this on my heart for a reason.  He will reveal to me the purpose as he sees fit.  Feeling an absolute peace in whatever circumstances come our way.  God has been my firm place to stand, and I wouldn't be able to walk this road without my faith.  I know that Vince feels exactly the same.  Can I just say how incredibly blessed I am to have him in my life?  It gives me so much joy to know that the God who plans our steps is also the same God who loves me enough to bless me with more than I ever deserve.  I am eternally grateful for how far he has brought me. 

Well, what have we been up to?  We just returned from a busy couple of days in Maryland/Washington DC.  It was a wonderful opportunity for us.  Vince had to travel there for work, and we tagged along.  We are thankful that his work allows us to do these types of things.   Here are some pictures from our trip. 

This was at the National Museum of Natural History

Arlington Cemetery

Best place by far we have had school

Love these girls!

They did lots of swimming

Our hotel

Last night Vince and I went to the Casting Crowns/The Afters concert.  Thanks to my brother Kyle.  It was an amazing concert.  Casting Crowns always is...It was exactly what I needed to hear, not only in song, but also in the message spoken.  I love how God does that :)
We forgot our camera, but here is  one picture Vince took with his phone.

School is going pretty well, with a few bumps in the road here and there.  It has been hard to get on a routine because of how busy we have been.  I finally accepted that our whole year will probably look like that, even though I am a routine type of girl.  I am thankful for the flexibility in our schooling that allows us to take the necessary breaks while we have so much going on.  I just hope that doesn't mean we are still finishing up our school year in July! Ha!

Thank you so much for those of you who continue to pray for our family.  It means so much to us.   Please pray for our court hearing next week.  This will determine if we can travel in 2 weeks.  Also please pray for us as we prepare to leave.   Abby and Gracie will be well taken care of, but I know that it will be hard to leave them.  I pray that all of the details surrounding our trip would come together. These are just a few things you can pray for specifically. 

Love you all,

Kelli

Today is really just another day at our home.  We finished up school a little over an hour ago.  Things are going really well.  Abby and Gracie are currently playing together.  They have been playing Little House on the Prairie a lot.  One of our favorite shows!  I love to sit and listen to them.  The things they talk about and share.  I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Yesterday, we finalized our travel arrangements for our first trip.  We will be leaving on October 9th and will be home October 16th.  We also found out a little more about what we will be doing while we are there.  We know that our boys will stay in Nazareth, so we will be staying there for a couple of days.  It will give us more time at the orphanage with them.  As with this whole process, things could always change.  We still have to pass court on September 29th.  Please continue to pray for us! 

Camp out in the backyard

Vince decided since we didn't have time to go camping, we would just set up in the backyard.  The girls loved it.  I slept inside in my warm, comfy bed :)

Putting up the tent

Gracie all dressed up

Messy fingers after roasting marshmallows

Abby and Bella

This was the next morning.

It was cold!

A couple of school pictures

We are currently studying Egypt.

This is our take on a reed boat.

Pyramids

 Kelli

Today was our final yard sale.  We are so happy to have our space back in the garage!  I think it was a great success, and we are glad we decided to have one more.  We are so thankful to everyone who gave us items to sell and everyone who helped.  I couldn't have made it both days without my mom. I don't think she ever stops going!  She has been such a strong support for me.  I am so thankful for her.  Love you Mom!

Last week we were blessed to get some videos of Yonas and Yosef.  What a joy it has been to watch them and see their smiling faces.  We were able to see a little more "personality" than what you get from a picture.  I think all of us are anxious to meet them.  Gracie said she has "butterflies in her belly just like Christmas".  So precious.  We find ourselves talking about how things will be next year at this time.  Wondering if they will be home for Christmas.  We are not getting our hopes up, but that would be the greatest gift for our family.  Sleeping has become difficult for Vince and me.  We find ourselves awake at the craziest times thinking about them.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9