We decided to Adopt!!!!

I am so thrilled and beyond excited to announce that we have decided to move forward through the long process of an international adoption. I know it is December now, but we will make the offical step paperwork wise about the time Frank returns home from this deployment (March/April). This gives us more time to pay off our dept completely and save a little money. However, in our hearts the process begins now! We had discussed requesting a little girl between the age of 2-4 yrs to bridge the age gap between Aliyah and Judah. This would give Aliyah a sister to play with and also young enough and close in age to Judah to also be his playmate. As of now, we are looking into a Latin America country, possibly Africa as well. We will see where the Lord leads us and the doors He opens in the end. I personally have a heart for these areas because of the poverty and overcrowded orphanages. I also think about the fact that the Latin countries are relatively easier and cheaper to travel to, thus opening doors for our whole family to revisit and do missionary work with the orphanage that we adopt our daughter from. There is so much to think about and this will be a long process as well with much anticipation. The kids are so very excited and have mentioned they think it is so cool that we will adopt from another country and love the child as their own natural sibling. It is cute though because Josiah said that he won't tease his adopted sister at first like he teases Aliyah (a nice tease) because he knows she will come from a hard life. He says he will love her and teach her English first and then he will teaser her lovingly when she understands him! Malachi said that he knows the little sister will love coming to a new family that loves her. And Aliyah said that she will help take care of her sister at night if she wakes up and cries. They are such loving children and I"m truly blessed!! As we officially begin the process I'll be posting updates along the way.