Catching Up

Yikes, it has been a busy spring!  Last night I was going through my camera card and realized how many fun things we've done this spring.  But, I haven't been able to get them up on the blog.  So for the sake of remembering the memories we've been making... check out the following 'new' blog posts:
(I back dated them so it all flows in order for the next blog to book I make :) This will make them easier for you to find them.

Enjoy... 

 First Hair Cut

Puddles

Wonderful Weekend

And, a random picture from our first week of summer... 

he's going to love this picture in about 15 years ;) 

Two

Two years ago yesterday our lives changed forever.  It was two years ago yesterday that stood in Maurices in the mall and hastily answered my phone completely unaware that it was The Call.  The call in which our social worker said " Well, I have a referral for you.  Its a little boy- he's just six weeks old".  Oh, my.  Tears, joy, relief, disbelief, met expectations, longed for dreams, possibilities revealed and thousands of answered prayers.  It was a day I absolutely will never, ever forget.  Here's a little family flashback...

Today is the Day!

It is crazy to think how life has changed since that day.  God has been so incredibly good to us- it really truly is unbelievable how He has knitted together our little family.  God still perfectly orchestrates our days. 

In honor of our 2nd Anniversary we found ourselves sitting across the living room from our social worker once again.  On our 2nd 'referral-versary' we had our home study visit for our process to bring home our 2nd little Ethiopian.  We can't wait to see how God unfolds this next chapter.  The latest update is that our social worker is writing up our home study while we finish up our training hours.  Then, we'll apply for our immigration approval. We're getting there... that's the most important thing.  

In the mean time, we're really looking forward to another summer with Kaleb.  I'm convinced I'll be living outside and spend most of my time with 8 feet of some form of water.  

Thanks for the prayers- we greatly appreciate them!

A truly wonderful weekend...

I am in incredibly blessed lady, I tell you.  This past weekend not only included my birthday but also Mother's Day.  And, it was fabulous :) Here are the highlights... 

Kaleb helped plant a few replacement flowers.  

We worked outside nearly all day- working on flower beds and getting things in order. 

Then, we took a break to open up some birthday presents... 

thanks to all for their generosity.  Very much appreciated! 

Kaleb worked very hard to 'open it'... 

he knew there was good stuff inside! 

Sometimes, a screw driver just doesn't cut it... 

gotta bring out the power tools.  

Then, on Sunday which was Mother's Day... my Mom, Dad and brother met us at church followed by grilling out at our house.  It was beautiful out and Kaleb really wanted to water Mama's new flowers...

And, this was his newly invented drink dispenser.  Crazy kid! 

A little update...

This week has been quiet for the most part regarding our adoption process.  Last week, we completed all our paperwork- basically overnight.  So, this week- we've been waiting for everything like background checks, letters and documents to arrive back to the Bethany office.  We've also started our training hours.  Next up for this coming week- hopefully schedule our home study update meeting(s).  We're pretty sure all our references, documents and 'things' will be at their office Monday morning so we're set to go.  This weekend, we're enjoying some sunshine.  While working outside this morning, I couldn't help but remember one of my first blog posts three years ago.  I planted the first spring flowers.  Today, through God's amazing provision and handy work... I had my helper :) 

Go God :)  So incredibly blessed!

Many thanks...

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the amazing enthusiasm and support for our second adoption!  We're excited to start this process again and that we have so many who are excited for us as well : )  Our family has been so blessed by your words of encouragement and excitement! 

So...what's the latest?  Well, we picked up our paperwork on Monday night, went to jail on Tuesday night (for fingerprints of course ;) and turned in all the paperwork need for our formal application and home study in on Wednesday at 8am.  We had the folder for a whopping... 36 hours.  Can you tell we're eager and excited to get in line to bring home the next little Roth.  The only thing not done from the pile of papers were the physicals.  Mine is done, Wes & Kaleb will wrap that up on Tuesday. 

In the meantime, our social worker has contacted our references and is working on processing our background checks and paperwork.  This weekend, we'll start working on our training hours and... playing outside soaking up the sunshine.  Spring is finally here : ) 

Now that you've cheered us on, would you take the next step with us in praying for our family?  Pray that our paperwork and process will move as quickly as possible and for Ethiopia.  Ethiopia is a country of such vast resources yet tremendous needs and of beautiful people yet many who struggle greatly. 

  ^"This is the confidence we have in approaching God:

 that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." 

 - I John 5:14

With Great Joy...

With great joy and excitement,

we sent the following to our families this past week...

  

 

 

Since bringing Kaleb home, we have always known that Lord willing we would add to our family again.  We have been blessed that God chose us to raise Kaleb.  He truly is the sweetest blessing we ever could have imagined.  Ethiopia is an amazing country with beautiful people, an incredible history and tremendous need.  These past few weeks we've felt God confirm that another one will be waiting for us in Ethiopia.  

And, we're thrilled that God has again chosen us-again!  We are excited that Kaleb and his future little brother or sister will share the same homeland and cultural background.  And, best of all- we get to add another kiddo to our family, nothing can out-do the awesomeness of that!! 

That being said, just like they say no two kids or pregnancies are alike.  The same is true for adoptions.  This time around, we know it will take a lot longer.  Right now we're in the homestudy and paperwork phase of the process.  Once that is all done, it will be a long time- like, maybe Baby Roth II will get here in time for Kaleb's kindergarten graduation.  We realize that and know that God's got it all figured out.  And, we're alright with that.  Once our paperwork is done, we're going to sit back and enjoy life with our little man Kaleb.  We're going to live at the pool, go camping and make lots of memories.  And, then... when God's timing is right- He'll introduce us to our next little one.  

Right now, imagine that God has called our name.  So, we're getting in line. 

We know Baby Roth II will totally be worth the wait!  

In the meantime, please pray for us, our hearts while we wait and for God to lay the smoothest past possible for the journey that lies ahead.