Thursday, June 19, 2008

Rohler Referral!!!!

Congratulations to Dan and Nicole on the referral of their little girl! Click here to read all about it!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Monday, June 2, 2008

I've been tagged by my friends Carla and Tina and I'm playing along! I’ve seen many “bloggers” lately doing this and thought I’d join in when they asked me to!

Favorite person (outside of family): How do you list just one name? I am blessed to have several close friends and I can't list just one name! I love you girls...Sheree, Angel, Sue, Patty....just to name a few :)

Quirks about you? I say "I don't know" all the time, which bugs my husband. Make plans tell the whole family and then change my mind.

How would the person who loves you the most describe you in ten words or less? "the sweetest thing on the face of the earth." Mike said that :)

Any regrets in life? Of course who doesn't have regrets?

Favorite charity or cause? Shohannah's Hope! I love that this organization is helping families bring precious children into christian homes.

Favorite blog recently? I love them all really. Lately I haven't been following very many. My little Noelle keeps me busy :)

Something you cannot get enough of? squash

Worst job you ever had? Working at Dunkin Donuts when I was 15. Once this man came in with his children and ordered donut holes. He got upset at me for some reason and threw them at me in front of the other customers!

What job would you pay NOT to have? cleaning public restrooms! GROSS! I do my best to avoid them!

If you could be a fly on the wall, where? Some of my daughters classes.

Favorite Bible verse right now?

" ... Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act ..." -- Proverbs 24:12


Guilty pleasure? Ice cream

Got any confessions? I love to shop!

If you had to spend $1000 on yourself, how would you spend it? Bathroom makeover

Favorite thing about your house? New carpets, couch, paint on walls

Least favorite thing about your house? Unfinished projects.

One thing you are bad at? Answering questions like these :)

One thing you are good at? scrap booking

If you could change one thing about your circumstances, what? All our bills would be paid off!

Who would you like to meet someday? My next adopted child!

What makes you feel sexy? Being at my goal weight.

Who is your real life hero? My husband! He works hard so I can be a stay at home mom! Thanks honey...I love you!

What is the hardest part of your job? changing poopy diapers

When are you most relaxed? In the evening when the entire house is cleaned all the laundry is done, I've just had a shower and I'm in new pjs resting on the couch with my husband with a candle burning.

What stresses you out? When I'm asked to make a decision on where to go out to eat.

What can you not live without? Jesus! And my family!

Why do you blog? Started it to keep people posted on our adoption process but now it’s a great way to keep in touch with others and meet new people

Who are you tagging? I am tagging Angel, Angie, Patty,Nicole

Rules:1. Answer the questions.
2. Link back to who tagged you.
3. Tag 8 bloggers in the above categories to do the same.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Cinderella Story

This is the video and the story behind Steven Curtis Chapman's song Cinderella.

Maria is at her "grand ball" with the bridegroom!

Friday, May 23, 2008

In Memory of Maria Chapman


Our hearts are breaking for this family, and especially for their teenage son. Please pray with us for the comfort and healing we know the Holy Spirit brings to each of us in our times of hurt and need.

This article was taken from the internet....

Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday evening after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said. No charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.Singer/songwriter Chapman, who recently was inducted into Music City Walk of Fame, is one of contemporary Christian music’s most recognizable and most awarded names. He and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria was the youngest.The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah’s Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt. With his latest music tour, which came through Nashville in November, Chapman started a campaign called “Change for Orphans”. He asked audience members at each stop to bring spare change to the concert, where it was counted and given to a local family to aid in their adoption process.“I don’t know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension,” said John Styll, president of the Nashville-based Gospel Music Association.“He talks about his kids all the time. That’s his life. His kids are more important to him than music, that’s for sure.”The tragedy was announced during Wednesday-night services at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, which the family attends. Maria had just graduated from the church preschool.And word spread throughout the tight-knit Christian music community on Wednesday evening.Styll got the news not long after Maria’s death.“I’m confident I can speak for everyone in the community to say we will do everything we can to support this family, as we would do at any time, but especially at a time like this,” he said.Most of the Chapman family was at Vanderbilt children’s hospital after the accident and could not be contacted. The long, gravel driveway leading to the home west of Franklin was blocked off by Williamson County sheriff’s deputies.


A sweet video of Maria and her Daddy.....


In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah’s Hope. Donate here at .... Maria's Miracle Fund

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Hi Friends

Wow it feels like forever since I posted on this thing! It's kinda funny how I was on the computer everyday before we had Noelle . Now its very seldom that I have the time to sit and blog or do anything on the computer for that matter. I have to admit I do feel guilty being on it while she is awake and wants her momma to play with her or read her books. When she's sleeping that's when I try to clean the house or read. OK enough about me and my excuses, I know all you want is an update on Noelle and some pictures : )



Noelle is doing wonderful! She just turned 20 months old/young on Sunday the 18th. She is still a very happy little girl! She is a sleeping great both at nap time and at night. She is still on the bottle mostly at bedtime, and still only drinking about 4oz. She wakes up with a smile on her face (most of the time) and is ready to play! She is starting to say some words, here are a few of her favorite....good girl, bye-bye, kitty, star, turtle, ma-ma, da-da, ra-ra (robin), mimi, papa, cracker.

Lately she's been patting herself between her legs when she goes in her diaper (that's another word she knows) so we'll be getting a potty for her pretty soon. She loves to slide and swing and will giggle when she's doing both. Last night she crawled up onto the rocking chair by herself with a book, which was very cute but scary. I don't want her to fall on the hard wood floors.

We have a cute little video of her and we'll do our best to post it soon.



I don't want to forget Robin : ) She is doing great too. She loves having a little sister! She is very busy with school and track. Her last day of school is June 6th! And next year she'll be a freshman!!!! That is just crazy!!! I don't feel old enough to have a high school student.



Well that's all I have for now, I'll post a few pictures.....



Reading the Bible : )




Thursday, May 1, 2008

Recognition of Noelle's Adoption April 30, 2008

Today we went to court and had her adoption recognized by the State and had her name changed. I know it was changed over there, but we still needed to change it here if we wanted her to have a new birth certificate. So we'll be getting that in a couple of weeks along with her SS Card which we also ordered yesterday! We'll be applying for her passport in the next couple of months. It's not a requirement but we want her to have one.
Our judge was Alan Woodcock Jr. he was very nice and took his time with us. He asked us about our trip to China and wanted to know how Noelle was adjusting to everything. He went around the room and asked everyone there for their name, relation to us and wanted to know how they felt about the adoption. Both sets of parents were there along with Sheree. It was nice having them all there.



This is Noelle just before we left dressed all cute in her USA colors!

Waiting patiently for her turn in court : ) Actually she was all over the place I think she stood there for 15 seconds or less.



Here's the family with the Judge. I should have stood up so the picture would have looked better, but the Judge seemed to like Noelle down there.....they played : )


The whole gang....from the left you have my dad and mom, Mike's Dad and mom, Mike, Robin and Sheree

On another note, things are moving along with the adoption group. I have been talking with the leaders of the adoption group at our church along with AWAA and I believe we're all set to get this group rolling! Since we already have an adoption group at church we're going come together and just add the AWAA piece. I'm excited to see how the Lord is going to work through this group! Please keep everyone in prayer as we move forward.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Reckless Faith

This is very inspiring and speaks to the needs of orphans and the opportunity we have to be reckless in our faith.


Saturday, April 12, 2008

AWAA Associates for Maine.

I am so excited!!! I have seen a need for an international adoption group for quite awhile. A place where people can come together for encouragement, support, prayer and help with paperwork and to get answers to questions relating to international adoptions. I had been praying for almost two years asking the Lord if this was something he wanted me to do or was he calling us to just adopt. In those two years I've had several families approach me with lots of questions regarding international adoptions and asking for some help with their paperwork. I don't have any experience with adoptions only what we went through during our two years of paper chasing and waiting for Noelle, but I was willing if he wanted to use me. I have to say that anyone who has ever adopted and done the paperwork themselves know that you learn A LOT in a relative short amount of time : ) I loved doing all the paperwork involved and love the thoughts of helping other families with theirs....if they need it.

Well this past week AWAA emailed me and asked if we would consider being associates here in Maine.....of course I said YES! Part of our "job" would be holding monthly AWAA meetings, help assist families with paperwork, hold two seminars a year, get the word out about international adoptions and promote AWAA to name a few.

I also want to somehow start raising money to help other families who have the desire to adopt, but may need some financial help. Our church has a wonderful adoption ministry already so I hoping we'll be able to do more in that area. I know not all are called to adopt but we are all called to help orphans and widows (James 1:27). Helping an orphan may be helping a family financially bring a child into a home where he or she will learn about Jesus and how He adopted us as God's children. I really believe this is something more families need to consider and pray about.

So this week we are waiting for the paperwork from AWAA and hope to get started soon!

Mike and I are very excited about the opportunity given to serve as America World Adoption Associates here in Maine!

Here are a few new pictures.



Monday, March 31, 2008

Friday, March 28, 2008

The Violetts have been matched!!!!!!!

If you read March 14th post you read about our friends Jason and Patty who had just submitted an application with AWAA for the Ethiopia program. Well, they really felt the Lord was speaking to them about an older child and the age range they gave was 3-15 years. Early this week they got a call from the Ethiopia director and she said they had an 11 year old daughter for them!!!! They are so excited to see how fast the Lord is working this all out. This is an email they sent to their friends. To see their blog click here.

Jason and I are tentatively approved to adopt an 11 year old girl in Ethiopia. The wait is usually around a year but we could go get her home tomorrow if we had everything done. If everything goes right she could be with our family this summer. We have to move Amy's room to the basement, do our home study, dossier and background check. This little girl has been waiting a long time for a family. Please pray that God will prepare her heart to join our family as Ethiopia is the only home she has ever known. Please pray for protection for her until we can bring her home. Please also pray that we can get our paperwork and home study done quickly. Also, we do not have all of the money yet for this adoption, but we know that God will provide. Some of my family are very opposed to this adoption, please pray that God will show His power and might and that this be for His glory. Lastly, give glory to Him for always answering our prayers and for blessing our family with this opportunity.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Happy Resurrection Sunday!






My Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32


Love, Your Dad.
...Almighty God


Friday, March 21, 2008

My last post for today...I'm loving this software!

Here's one more page I made this afternoon. I love this software!

These pictures are of the girls just hanging around. Robin dressed Noelle up and pushed her around the house in her car. Noelle loved it!

Later while doing laundry Noelle decided she wanted to crawl in the basket with the warm clothes....cute!

Robin was working on her homework and Noelle wanted to sit at the table with her and read her Noah book.


Practice 2

Trying to make the picture bigger.



Practice

I just got the creative memories storybook plus for my birthday! Thank you honey! I'm trying to figure out how to post picture pages to my blog.