life lately

Happy Easter. Happy Spring. It's almost May!

We had a great Easter weekend! Having both sides of the family in town makes for joyous holidays. I've been especially emotional with Easter this year and thinking about all that Jesus went through for me. I feel such a deep sense of thankfulness and love for all that He endured and SUFFERED for me. Me. Wow.

Little family photo at my sis's place. We were outside between the rain showers to do the Easter egg thing. A big thank you to my sister and bro-in-law for getting a new Golden Retriever puppy for their kids. Now, I can send my kiddos over to auntie's house and get their "dog" fix. Awesome.

Spring soccer is in full swing. This time around Josh is coaching Melia's team. To say that Melia loves soccer would be an understatement. She plays outside every chance she gets. On game day, she insists on keeping her uniform on once we are home and begs us to play with her for the rest of the day in the back yard. It's been fun to see her improvements from the fall when she first set foot on the field.

Running update!

Yep, still huffing and puffing away. Does it ever get any easier? I don't think so. Melissa is a good buddy that is running with me. She is a constant source of encouragement, fun, and most importantly accountability. I can't tell you how many times I have run in the cold, dark, rainy, windy weather with this chick. The plan is for Melissa and another good friend, Shannon, to run the half marathon with Josh and I for orphans in Rwanda. And of course for our little guy. We now have a TEAM that will be pounding the pavement to raise money and awareness. How cool is that!

How is the change collecting going? I am so proud of you. There are approximately 7,000 street kids who walk the streets in Kigali, Rwanda and have no place to go and no food! Try going one day, or even skipping one meal, with nothing to eat and see how you feel. It's horrible! 10% of whatever we raise goes directly to a program that feeds these kids. Thank you for all the coins you are collecting! I have a deep gratitude for each and every one of you. I pray that your family will be blessed by helping us with this campaign. You're helping me get my boy home. I can't thank you enough.

Just completed a 10 mile run. We just had to take a picture.

Action shot. There's no gym membership here baby. I think we were a bit loopy. :)

Well done. That was hard but we did it!

I would love to report something new and exciting about our little guy. There is no new word. Still waiting for our non-objection letter. We are at the 11 month mark! I can't believe it. The documents that they asked for after initially looking at our dossier have been in their hands for about two months now. Or maybe longer. I quit keeping track. Oh please let it be soon.....

blessings!

mammo-what!

The last couple of weeks have been a bit of a roller coaster. There have been highs and lows and yet, we remain. We've had two birthdays in our family. We've welcomed home our sweet friends with their daughter from Ethiopia (yes!). Journeyed alongside friends going through a hard time. We still wait to hear any word from Rwanda.....

I'm getting really good at answering questions with, "I don't know". I love being asked what's going on and if there is any new news. I feel so loved and honored that people would care enough and take the time to ask not knowing what they may be stepping into. My answer has been a solid, "I don't know" for many months. Kind of a weird place to be. Unnerving one moment and surprising peaceful the next, keenly aware that I've never had any control in the first place so let go and let God work it all out for His glory.

We keep facing waves. Upon my yearly (okay maybe it had been a year and a half) doctor's visit my doctor felt a "mass" in my left breast. I had been having pain and was concerned so you can only imagine when the doctor agrees that something is indeed there and needing further attention. She ordered an ultrasound and since I am over 30 it is required to have a mammogram as well. Talk about feeling old! I'm 32. Just barely over 30, right? My doctor said that pain was actually good, usually breast cancer doesn't hurt. However, my mother-in-law is a breast cancer survivor and she originally found it from experiencing pain.

Talk about scary walking into that appt. not knowing what you're going to find out. Ya know what I kept thinking..... God won't let me have breast cancer because I have to get my Jo-jo. Jo-jo is my son and I am meant to be his momma, along with my little beauties. One mammogram and ultra sound later, I am given the news that it is....JUST A CYST! Praise God. All looks good, no need to worry. Cue the mighty exhale.

Cheers to lumpy boobs and medical technology (got to lighten the mood). Puts waiting for my little guy into perspective. I don't know when I'm gonna get him but rest assured... I'M GOING TO GET HIM.

blessings!