It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

FALL that is!  

"Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully and shout for joy."  Psalm 33:3

I absolutely LOVE FALL!  It is definitely my favorite time of year.  New schedules to learn, new adventures to have, new memories to be made...everything feels new and fresh.

This Fall our family certainly has a full plate!

Little Mac starts Pre-K.  This will be the first time he has ever gone to school.
Big D starts Mommy & Me Music Class.  I cannot wait to enjoy this with him!
Little Mac starts Violin lessons.  He is so excited!
Big D and I will have a chance to enjoy story time at the library.
Little Mac has 4 year old Choir & Mission Friends at church.
Big D and I will have dates at Frog Legs.
Mommy will continue to do ZUMBA!
Our family will be tailgating & watching football on the weekends.
We will take a trip to the pumpkin patch.
We will enjoy the annual Loachapoka Syrup Soppin' Festival.  (yes, you read that right)
Of course, we will trick-or-treat on Halloween.
And don't forget Thanksgiving food and fun!

You may be wondering how on earth we are going to fit all of this into three months...well, so am I!
I sure am excited to watch it all unfold, and I plan to enjoy every minute of it!
Hooray for Fall!

Back to it...

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun."  Ecclesiastes 3:1

God has been teaching us a lot about seasons lately.  He is showing us that our lives are made up of many seasons.  Some seasons for playing, some for learning, some for discovering, some for working, and some for resting (haven't seen that one yet).

To say that we just went through a BUSY SEASON is an understatement!

It has been crazy busy, but also crazy blessed!  I cannot wait to share all that God has done for our family in the past few months.  (That will come in a later post.)

This post is just to say, I'm back to the blogging world, and I'm so excited to share with you all!

DTC!!!!

It's official...we are DTC (dossier to China)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


**Now that our documents are on their way to China, what happens next? 


When China receives our paperwork we will be logged into their system, and we will receive our LID (log-in date).  It should take 3-4 weeks to get our LID.  Once we receive our LID we can begin the referral/matching process!


Our agency says that we should be ready to begin the referral/matching process when the May lists come out!


Please pray for us as we begin the matching process.  Thanks!

Beautiful

"He makes all things beautiful in its time."  Ecclesiastes 3:11

This was the theme verse for an amazing weekend.
I had the privilege of attending the Created for Care conference for adoptive moms this past weekend, and it was truly a time blessed by God.

We focused on many BEAUTIFUL things this weekend.
*The beauty of my marriage.
*The beauty of my children.
*The beauty of our adoption journey.
*The beauty of my relationship with my mom.
*The beauty that God sees in me.
*And most importantly...the BEAUTY of GOD!

I am so thankful to have had the chance to worship and hear from my God with more than 400 other like-minded women.  I was able to learn about practical parenting, attachment and fundraising.  I was greatly encouraged through the study of God's Word.  I met so many other moms who are going through the same things as me, and who are at the same point of their adoption journey as me.  As well as those who have gone before me, and those who are on completely different, yet beautiful, paths.  I just love seeing God's plans unfold!

God is so good, and He truly does make all things beautiful!

Little Mac.....3 & 1/2 years old

Bows for Baby Stoves

We have been blessed with a sweet friend who has offered to make and sell hairbows to help fund our upcoming adoption!  Thank you so much, Laura!

Here is the info:

     Help the Stoves family bring their baby girl home from China!
     Purchase any of our hand-made hairbows - proceeds will be donated to the
     Stoves Family Adoption Fund.

     TO ORDER:  Post to the facebook page, "Bows for Baby Stoves"
               http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bows-for-Baby-Stoves/356176167760922
     or email:  laurabarnesfuller@yahoo.com

     We are offering a selection of handmade hairbows available for a great cause!
     70 cents of every dollar spent will go to the Stoves Family Adoption Fund!!

     If you are local (Auburn/Opelika),
     we will deliver your bows to you within 3 days of your order.

     Not local?  No worries!!  We can ship your bows to you.
     Just $2 shipping for first bow, and $0.50 for each additional bow.

     Basic gift wrap is available upon request!!

     Please pass this along to your friends!  Thanks!

Here are the bows!!!  So cute!!!

MADE TO ORDER - SOLIDS     $6 each

Hot Pink     $6 each

 Brown     $6 each

Red     $6 each

 White     $6 each

Light Pink     $6 each

MADE TO ORDER - DOTS:     $6 each

Pink/Green/Red Polka Dots     $6 each

Black & White Swiss Dot     $6 each

Brown w/Pink Polka Dots     $6 each

LIMITED QUANTITIES:     individually priced

Pink/Brown Argyle  Medium Bow     $7 each

(2 available)

Pink/White/Brown Dots & Stripes  Large Bow     $10 each

(1 available)

Pink/Brown Stripes  Large Bow     $10 each

(1 available)

Brown/Pink Polka Dot  Medium Bow     $8 each

(2 available)

Pink/Green with Fun Polka Dot Ribbon  Large Bow     $10 each

(1 available)

Red/White with Fun Polka Dot Ribbon  Large Bow     $8 each

(2 available)

Multi-Color Stripe     $6 each

(4 available)

Spring Yellow Stripe     $6 each

(1 available)

Hot Pink/Green Curly Bow     $6.50 each

(2 available)

Light Pink/Brown Curly Bow     $6.50 each

(2 available)

What a Difference a Year Makes

Today, Big D went to the doctor for his one year check-up.
Here are his stats:

                          BIRTH:               %                              
WEIGHT:          11 lbs, 6 oz        >95th                        
HEIGHT:           21"                      90th                            
HEAD CIRC:    14.75"                 b/w 75th & 90th          

                          ONE YEAR:          %                              
WEIGHT:          22 lbs, 5 oz            b/w 25th & 50th
HEIGHT:           29.75"                     b/w 25th & 50th
HEAD CIRC:    18.5"                       b/w 50th & 75th

Big D's Big Day!

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" Jeremiah 1:5

Big D is ONE!

I cannot believe how quickly the last year has gone by!  We are so blessed to have gotten to know and love on our sweet Big D this year.

This past weekend, we celebrated his big day with friends and family.  We had a great time!