22 days and Praying!

Well, there are only 22 days until our court date. While at moments it seems like it's forever away, it's going to be here before we know it. I get a rush of emotions thinking about it. Thinking about how our lives will soon change. It makes me yearn and long for it to hurry up and get here in one moment, and in another moment it makes me remember to treasure each second we have with our boys now. I certainly don't want to wish away their lives. Their lives are already flashing before me. I wish you could hear their sweet prayers for their sister. Our hearts are being knitted together by THE ONE who knows all of our names. We are comforted knowing our Lola is being cared by her heavenly Father.

We have a sweet family that is going to Ethiopia tomorrow morning to get their sweet babies. They are going to be meeting the birth mothers on this trip, which happens to be where Lola is currently residing. She has agreed to act as a stork and bring Lola two hours into Addis where she will now reside in the "transition house". She will receive excellent care. We are so grateful to this sweet family!!!! I cannot tell you the peace I feel knowing she will be there. Please pray that the Lord helps her as she mourns for the ones who've cared for her up until this point. My heart breaks for the little on who has had to endure so much in her short little life. Please pray that the new nannies adore her and shower her with love and affection. Pray that she gets her tummy full of milk whenever she needs it. Please pray that she gets her blood work done soon and that it is all normal. Please continue to pray that we will find favor with the judge and pass on the first try. (Not all people do. Some people have a few court dates before being successful.)

Thank you sooo much for your prayers through this journey. It's an amazing ride, let me tell you. God is real. He is Faithful. He is Sovereign! He cares for the needy. He knows Lola's name. He has written her name on the palms of His hands!

Blessings!!
Julie
Hopefully I will post updates from the woman who will be transporting our angel. She is sending us pics when she gets home. Can't wait to see her sweet face!

Big Big House!

It is the best Easter ever~

Bryson was baptized on Easter Sunday, His Dad's birthday! He had the sweetest smile on his face!

My heart is full!!!
I pray that the Lord equips you will the knowledge and gifts you need
to share His love with the world!
We love you!

Happy Birthday To you!

Love this pic of Doug and his Sis! I have the MOST amazing hubby!

He is my high school sweetheart!

My Best Friend!

The Most Amazing Dad to my boys!!

I must say, God has been Sooo good to me!!!

Look forward to sharing many more, my sweet!

Play Ball!!

Baseball season has officially started! We are enjoying every minute of following our boys!

Go G.C.!!

Referral!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our Ethiopian Princess

We are OVER the moon and so humbled to announce our daughter...

Lola Joy K. Stanley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lola is from Ethiopia, AFRICA!!!! (Yes, we are still waiting for our China doll as well.)
She is approximately 4 weeks old. We received an email about her on March 16th and have been waiting to hear about her medical info before telling everyone. We have a courtdate for May 22nd!!!! This means a lawyer in Ethiopia will act as our Power of Attorney on May 22nd. Pray that we pass court the first time. Some do not! Pray that we can find favor with a soft-hearted judge!! If we pass court, we can travel 2-4 weeks after to go and get her! Yay~

Lola is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous!! WE are in LOVE!!

Here are things to pray for;
Pray that her medicals all come back normal
Pray that we find favor with a good judge
Pray that Lola has excellent care
Pray that ALL her needs are met
Pray that she is the Nanny's favorite! :)
Pray that she will know that we are her Mommy and Daddy the Moment we embrace her
Pray that the Lord heals the hole in her heart for her birthmother
Pray that she attaches and bonds to us
Pray that she and our boys form a bond that is closer than blood!
Pray that the Lord knits all our hearts together in HIM
Pray that God gives us provision and takes care of every detail and obstacle that may come our way
Pray for our boys as this transition will be a big one for all of us.
Pray that we will be able to give equal love and affection to all of our children so that they know how much we deeply love them individually~
There are SO MANY things to pray for....but that's a start!

Dear Lord,

Help Lola lie down and sleep in peace at night, for you alone, O Lord make her dwell in safety~
Allow her to take refuge in you.
Sing over her with joy!
Spread your protection over her!
Be her stronghold!

Lola Joy,
We LOVE YOU BABY GIRL~
Our hearts are so full of love for you!
We're coming soon!!!!

Thank you to those of you who have prayed and supported us throughout this process.
Your love and prayers mean so much to us!!

Humbled.
Blessed!
OVERJOYED!!!!!!!!

Scripture Verse for March 30th

Psalm 3:3,4

But you are a shield around me, O Lord;
you bestow your glory on me and lift my head.
To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me
from His holy hill.

Psalm 8

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put EVERYTHING under his feet:
all the flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the fields,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

I stand amazed in the presence of the ONE I love.
The works HIS hands have made.
IN AWE.
In LOVE.
HUMBLED TODAY.