The Road to Adoption-$$

I wanted to start a blog post to keep track of how we are "laboring" for our adoption. Most people would probably refer to this as "fund raising," but my husband and I don't really like that term. It gives us visions of him carrying around a suitcase door to door as a boy scout trying to sell "treasures." Don't worry we aren't coming door to door so don't lock your doors (yet). Although I know this process will involve selling things I hope you will see how it is more of an opportunity to be a part of this great big adventure God is taking our family on. Its like throwing us the longest baby shower ever.

Selling Jewelry $500

This was a "party" business I tried. I didn't make it very long with this one, it just wasn't me.

Garage Sale $500

This was a huge success and we are hoping to do it in the fall again. People have started offering to give me their junk!

Hosted a Creative Memories Online "Party"

The consultant donated all her commission to us!

Gracious Gifts

We have made the personal decision not to send letters to our family and friends, but God has still been good in leading His people to generosity and random gifts have shown up in our mailbox. :)

Odd Jobs

So far I have cleaned a friend's house. Anytime I hear of an opportunity to do something like this I volunteer and put the money in our adoption account.

Sweet 2 the Soul

This is our newest venture selling cupcakes. You can read more about it HERE.

Rebates

If I ever get a rebate check for something I try and go without replacing the amount in our regular budget. Just a little thing, but it brings me joy anytime I deposit a check.

Windows 4 Sale

I found some AWESOME antique windows on the side of the road for free. They are ready to be turned into unique decor for your home. Check it out HERE.

Coming this fall (just in time for holiday shopping :)....

Somethin' to Talk About

Dinner Conversation Questions (I told you about the idea HERE.)

Nativity Blocks

This is a family project. They will be similar to THESE, possibly with "cricut" cut figures versus stickers. We will also be selling "kits" to make your own as a family.

**This post will continue to be updated as we find new ways to bring future baby/child Humiston home.

1,000 Words or Less

Well, I haven't posted much this summer that involved any deep thoughts. Its mostly been a play by play (with less details than normal) on our life. But, the good news is that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking. I've actually been thinking, searching, praying, and trying to figure out all the stuff God has thrown our way. But, sometimes your life is such that the deep stuff just isn't ready for a blog post and that is still true as I type these words.

They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words and I feel like this picture is a pretty good representation of my life right now. You see that plant with the tag on it is my lilac bush.

Remember, the one I've always wanted and been too afraid to buy that my family got me for Mother's day?

Its still sitting in my backyard waiting for me to plant in... I picked a spot and then our house SOLD.... and I thought I would transplant it to that bigger pot its sitting in so I could keep it alive until we moved. A glimpse at what we thought might be God's direction. And then our buyers backed out at the last minute...and we were back at the familiar (although unsteady) ground of waiting.

Waiting for God to give our family clear direction about what he wants our family's faith legacy, our mark on this earth to be. Waiting for our house to sell or to figure out to wait where we are again. Waiting for kindergarten to begin and life to change again. Waiting for God to reveal his timing for our adoption. Waiting & wanting for our child to come home. Waiting on God to change me into the person he needs me to be for all that to happen. Waiting. Again.

The truth is it is hard on my lilac bush to wait in that pot. It needs more soil to dig down its roots and grow. Its surviving, but winter is coming and it won't make it through in that pot. And oh, how I feel I can't wait much longer either. But, unlike my plant God is doing his best growing in the unsteady ground of the unknown. Its not the sunny, sweet rain, soft breeze kind of growing. Its the scorching heat, torrential downpour, whipping wind kind of growing.

How long will I fight the Lord's desire to give me peace now in the "storm" of the unknown instead of waiting for the path to be clear? Oh, Lord I've glimpsed that peace this summer, but like my poor lilac bush I just can't seem to set down roots there.

Will I ever learn to wait with patience?

Until then I'm so thankful his grace is sufficient for one of my greatest weaknesses. Just like I'm tending to that bush while I wait to plant it I know God is tending to me. Even though it might not feel like "love" I am planted in the truth that it is.

Purina Farms Trip

Last summer I read about Purina Farms in a St. Louis visitor's guide. When I found out it was free it totally had my attention. So, this summer our play group planned a trip. We LOVED it. I would definitely recommend stopping there sometime if you are in the St. Louis area.

When we arrived they were doing a cow milking. The kids all got a chance to try it out. Faith was totally uninterested in touching the cow and getting her hands dirty, but Grace was all about it.
After the kids were finished the worker hooked up a machine and the kids got to watch it fill with milk.
Checking out the cows.
After a quick look around the barn it was time for the outdoor dog show to begin. We got there just in time to get front row seats.
Grace REALLY loved this place since she is such a dog lover. She had to bring "Buster" along to see it.
Waiting for the show to begin. It was HOT that day, and Titus thought he should go check out the pool.
The dogs would run and "dive" of a platform after frisbees. You can see the water on Titus' face. My camera also got a lot wetter than I would like.
We were in the "splash" zone. Look how
More cool tricks.
After the show they gave Grace one of the frisbees from the show. She was SO excited. We then got to go up to the Pet center and pet all the dogs from the show and see their 3 story cat house.
After this we headed back to the barn to check out more farm animals.

Upstairs was hay w/ ropes to swing.
Their were also corn tables with tractors and trucks. This was great for the little ones.
In once section the kids could ride tractors. Grace was too tall and couldn't get in.
This is the view of the upstairs in the barn. Inside each painted "barn" was a nook with hay and a rope to swing. There were also lots of tunnels to crawl through. Grace and Wyatt scared me big time when I couldn't find them at one point. They were way back in the tunnels.
Downstairs there is an interactive display that explains how they make their dog food in their factories. The kids thought it was interesting, but didn't really understand what it was. But, they liked turning the big blue wheel.

After lunch (the only cost of the whole trip besides gas) we went to another indoor dog & cat show. It was very cute and the kids loved it. I didn't get any pictures though because at that point Titus was melting and really needing a nap. We just barely made it through the show before everyone was worn out and we were at the "time for the van" point. They also had a hay ride around the grounds but we opted not to do this since it was way over 100 degrees outside.

It was a great trip especially for my dog lover. I was very impressed with the farm's hospitality. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. If you met a trainer on the way to someplace they always stopped to let the kids visit with the dogs. And the animals were very accessible for loving on and not just looking at. I'm glad we went.