I don't do this often.

I don't do this often, in fact this may be a first outside the safety of Sunday School and Bible Study. We need prayers. I can't share many details and I hate to be glib about it. You all know we have a foster child. He's our third placement. His situation is horrific. Really horrific. Without any self centered egotistical meaning, I do think he is in the best possible home. I don't think anyone is his 'family' can give him the life we can or the love we can. I desperately want this child to stay in our home. Not because I don't want to say goodbye again (though I don't). Not because I don't want a broken heart (though I don't). He truly is safe and loved here.

Others could love him, maybe. Others could keep him safe, maybe. But not like we can. In my heart of hearts I feel like he's my child. If someone doesn't ask about him or his situation I can literally go days and forget he's not 'mine'. I didn't feel this way with my other two. I loved them to pieces, but early on we knew they weren't ours to keep, just to love for awhile. This guy is so different. Within 24 hours he felt like my child. I would throw myself in front of a bus or bullet just the same as my other three boys. I don't want him taken from this family. So pray with us. It's going to be a long process. Pray for all actions to be in our favor. Pray that his family realize he's best here. Pray that at the end of the process we can adopt him and claim him forever. He also has a sibling. I cannot get into more details, but please pray that the best home be found for his sibling. Sadly I know it's not our home, but the perfect home is not with the family either. Just pray for us. Please. Thank you so much. After reading so many blogs about adoption, funding, foster care. It's hard not to believe in the power of prayer. Please feel free to share as well. I love you all.

Do It, Lord

I just read an amazing post over at It's Almost Nap Time. Their adoption is now fully funded. They are set to bring home their amazing little one. (as soon as they are placed) She ended her blog like this:

"My friends, I dare you to dare Him
It takes just three little words: "Do it, Lord...""

Now may the God of peace, 

who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus,

that great Shepherd of the sheep, 

equip you with everything good for doing his will,

and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, 

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be glory for ever 

and ever.

Amen!

Hebrews 13:20

 

So, here's my prayer. Do it, Lord! Move the mountains of paperwork. Cut through the red tape, Lord. Let this precious little soul stay in our home. Be raised in our home. Let him never know any home other than this one. Let him be surrounded by the love of a mommy, daddy, and three big brothers. Let his church family hold him up in prayer and rejoice with us. Let him grow to know the love of a Nanu and Granddaddy and various "aunts" and "uncles" (and his real aunts and uncles). You saved him from horrors unknown. His precious eyes have seen horrific things. Thank you for saving him before those sights could become memories. Lord, you pull him out of the pits of hell. You brought him to us, and we are so blessed and humbled that you would trust us with him. Now, we must ask, beg. plead. Do it, Lord. Let him stay, let him be ours, let us raise him in your word, let us dedicate him to the church, let him continue to be surrounded by nothing but love. Nothing is beyond your help, Lord. So we ask: Do it, Lord. Amen.

Catch Up Time.

So my weekly blogs went out the window last week. Life is life and we had a lot going on. So back to Manic Monday. We had family photos done Saturday! This is the first time that we've done family pictures outside of a studio. EVER! I'm so thankful that Shandi came up from Newport News to take them. I can't wait to see how they turn out. They were also M's first photos! Things are going well with him. He's an absolute dollbaby. We're all so in love.

I can't share much about his case or how things are going, but I will say we're re-doing the purple room. I found a great bedding set at the thrift store yesterday. I hemmed and hawwed over it for about 30 minutes. I put it back and then got it back in the cart and then put it back and then back in the cart. I'm so happy I finally chose to buy it. It was only $10 for the quilt, valances, bumper, and diaper stacker. I had also found three animal prints that I really liked before I found the bedding. After looking online, they actually go with the set. Now I have to repaint those dark dark purple walls. And all the girl furniture! I love the furniture, it's very solid, great for a little boy, but it's rather girly right now. I'm thinking about painting it dark blue with a white trim and new knobs. My goal is to have this done by July 4th, we'll see.

There was a lot of Cub Scout issues last week that had to be worked out. I think we got the major issues covered. Johnny is taking the summer off as Cub Master and focusing on our family. There was a lot of petty nonsense going on and it was taking its toll. I'm thankful for the summer to relax and have fun just the 6 of us.

Johnny took the boys hiking in West Point yesterday afternoon. Fun for them and quiet time for me. The tried to geo-cache, but didn't know how to work the GPS thingy. BUT, the found one anyway! The kids came home bragging loudly of the treasure that they found and what they traded for! I guess we might have to invest in a real GPS unit if they get this excited about it!

Those are some gross smelly boys!

Anderson Academy is opening this afternoon. We're going to be focusing on finishing the non-essentials and work on lots of reading. There's lots of weeks of camps coming up, so there will be lots of individual time with each kid, reading. Sam will officially start Kindergarten. I can't believe that if I did send them to school, they would all be gone! (minus the baby) Time flies.

Also, for some randomness, we love our new kitty! She's a lot of fun. Our older cat keeps giving me looks "please woman, stop bringing home tiny things!!!"

Well that's it from the Anderson Clan. I'll try to get back into the blogging swing, for those loyal readers. All 2 of you :)

Manic Monday (with a little Photo Friday thrown in)

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 It was a beautiful weekend. My favorite Charity kept my kids early in the morning so I could leave for the weekend! I spent it with some of my favorite people! Me and little man drove to Fayetteville, NC to help Brandy and Jermaine unpack. That didn't go well, I unpacked a blanket, for myself to sleep with. The rest of the time was spent talking, laughing, and shopping. We found thrift stores and yard sales. We found a Hobby Lobby, new best store ever. We found a loud pool with warm water! We found out that Jermaine can put a baby to sleep! (he was in training) I love them. They are a great couple. I loved having some time just to relax and hang out. Just one baby doesn't seem to be as big of a deal as it used to. He's a pretty calm guy anyway. I drove home late yesterday and spent the evening with my own little family. I have potential good new on that front but I can't share yet. I so want to though!!!! So without anymore delay, a mish-mash of photos

Trying to figure out the game.

Sadie was extremely excited about the coin race game.

M starting to grab his blankie.

New favorite place.

1/3 of the line at the 70% off sale.

Our treasures.

The mammoth frame for their LOVE poster.

Homemade Jamaican wings. YUMMY

What's your name? Andrea. Okay Audria. Hmm, I kind of like this one.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for my new T-Mobile cell phone. It's a prepaid deal, but it's only $30 a month for 1500 minutes, can't get that with any service around here.

I am thankful for Weight Watchers online. I've lost 2 pounds already!
I am thankful for wonderful people who want to give M donations. People who never will meet him or even see him, but they want to help him.
I am thankful for a child who gets the biggest thrill over drinking the pickle juice.

I am thankful that my rental car went off without a hitch. Hertz, 2 for 2 guys!!!
I am thankful that I realized I have enough points on my credit card for a $25 gift card to Bath and Body Works, right before their big 75% off sale!!!

I am thankful that Women of Faith tickets are almost gone. There will be lots of happy women this summer.
I am thankful that we were able to offer our van to a wonderful young woman to use and it's been so good for her to have a second car.
I am thankful that after two days of fussiness that M seems to be feeling better.
I am thankful that the book 4 of Diary of a Wimpy Kid was at Walmart, Shane is reading!

Wacky Wednesday

Here's a great one! So last night at Bible Study I was gathering up the baby and Sam. Our welcome center has a basket of candy, if the kids are good they get a piece. Well last night the babysitters dad was getting a piece of candy and told Sam they were $1 a piece. Sam about lost it (dude my kid doesn't have a sense of humor about candy) however, the adorable babysitter steps in to save the day. She says "don't worry Sammy, I'll buy it for you." She pretends to give her dad the money. He gives Sam the candy. Sam stands there for a second and hands the candy back to the babysitter and says "Can I just have the dollar instead?" I about peed my pants. He's so funny sometimes!

Teaching Tuesday.

I don't have much. We did a typesetting project to go with our lesson of jobs in Jamestown. That's about all I have. Shane nearly had a meltdown when his new Diary of a Wimpy Kid  book wasn't at Walmart. Then it wasn't at the library! Come on book genies my kid wants to read! Thankfully there was a 'making of a Diary" book with movie photos. So he got that to read for his 20 minutes. Whew!