We've Been Chosen!

Today I received a message that we have been chosen as one of the first two families to adopt from Uganda with a wonderful agency called Across the World Adoptions! I am overjoyed!

The best part is this: Jason Forquer will be coordinating the program. His wife, Hedda, is the adoptive mom who "found" Dorie and sent me her photo. She then helped us determine her eligibility for adoption. I am amazed that God is going to use this incredible couple to find both of my daughters! So fun!

Hoping there are many of you out there still, willing to walk with us through this. I want to move FAST to bring home my new little girl.

Looking for Little Sister

It's official...we're looking for a Little Sister for Dorie!  I'll be updating my blog more regularly now. I'm so excited, but I have to admit, Dorie talks about it constantly. She cannot wait. She is willing to sacrifice. Big.

We're not eating out. She doesn't even want me to buy groceries.
We're not renewing our Disneyland Annual Passes. Her idea.
We're not enrolling her in private school for next year. My idea. She willingly agreed.

As a second source of income, I've become a Scentsy consultant. I love Scentsy. I think you will, too. If you'd like to help us, you can host a party or buy products from my website.

https://ugandamom.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy?partyId=93351571

You were all so supportive throughout Dorie's adoption, and I want you to know it has not been forgotten. I pray that you are willing to travel this journey with me again. I know God can do all things, and I trust He will. I'd sure love to have you be a part of it!

Dorie with her Scentsy Cupcake Warmer! She LOVES the Newborn Nursery scent...that's my baby girl. :)

Time Flies!

I know I am WAY overdue for a post...so here are some photos...look how she has grown and changed!!!

Class Birthday Party at School! She's 7!!!

Coloring Easter Eggs

All the cousins on Easter Sunday at Nana & Papa's house!

Sweet Baby Girl! Loving that I got her a handmade Easter basket in Uganda!

Cousin Maleah's birth

Learning to roller skate!

Heard At My House

Tonight at Yogurtland...

Dorie: "Mom, on purpose I ate a chocolate chip that dropped on the floor."

Me: "Oh well."

Dorie: "I can't help it, Mom. I'm Ugandan."

She cracks me up! She uses that excuse for everything. Love this girl.

I promise to post pictures and updates soon!

ADOPTION DAY!!!!

On March 11, 2010 the Ugandan judge made me legal guardian of my sweet girl....On July 27, 2011 the American judge made me her mama forever!
(Think she's grown much???)

We had a wonderful day...

Waiting to go into the courtroom....Meeting the judge....Making it official...she's mine!Making it official...I'm hers!We were just a little excited...!!!We had a party at Jaja Nana & Jaja Papa's house. Dorie wanted Miss Bekka to do some facepainting...

Papa and friends got the barbeque going...

Uncle Freddie loved helping with the pinata....

And the day ended with a quick swim. A perfect day.

Lifelong Friends and Special Memories

My college friends are lifelong friends. You know the kind that you don't see for a while, but when you do, you pick up right where you left off? Like no time has passed? My college friends are like that. I love them so much! Look at this amazing group!! And we were missing some, too. (Love you, Ronda and Rachel!)

We've committed to getting together more often...we want our kids to grow up knowing each other. They had so much fun playing together. Made my heart so happy.

One Happy Girl!

We found a delicious East African restaurant very near our house. Though the food was technically Kenyan, there was enough crossover that I had one happy little girl! And I was one happy mama with my cup of African tea...how I miss that!This is the face of a tortured child...they brought out the food, but no plates. She had to wait and it was painful!!
So thankful for special friends who love exposing their kids to new cultures! Robyn and I have been friends since college. The kids had a blast together. The adults did, too, by the way!