Thankful List for October and November 2017

Thankful List for October:
-DTC (stands for Dossier to China) was official at the beginning of October. This is a big pile of paperwork that feels like it takes half your life to collect, then papers have to be notarized, certified, authenticated- all while your head spins and your hair turns gray. Huge milestone!!!
-LID (stands for Logged in Date) happened mid October. The day our dossier was officially logged into the Chinese system.
-after its logged in... back to lots of waiting. Officially waiting for LOA (Letter of Acceptance)... approval from China to adopt the specific child you are requesting to adopt.

And a few random things that have nothing to do with adoption:
-Libby's growing love for the piano
-flamingo painting class
-Ben Milam Family fun night (and Carson walking my kids around)

--sweet October visit with Nana and Papa
-pumpkin patches

-MSU homecoming fun

-Tuck deciding to mow the grass to surprise his Dad (I didn't even know he knew how to start the lawnmower)
-watching Tuck light up getting to show us what he was learning in TAG
-the Morningside park

-wonderful time with our dear friends, the Weavers, in Missouri

-Halloween fun (Libby is a fairy princess and Tuck is Klaus Baudelaire)

Thankful List for November:
-received the amazing pictures our dear friend Meegan took
-began painting ornaments as a fundraiser.... we made over $2,000. Thank you to Ben, my in-laws, and Krista Tiller who all helped cut ribbons and put together packages. Thanks to my Mom who bought and sent super cute bags for them to go in. Thank you, thank you to everyone who purchased... we were so overhwhelmed!! 
-LOA (Letter of Acceptance) received at the end of the month... lots of celebrating!!! 
-our dear friends, the Bachmans, officially matching with a little girl!!
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" Psalm 27:14

And a few random things that have nothing to do with adoption:
-Red Ribbon week: career day (writer and baseball player) and 80's day

-school events (touch the truck night and passing out thank you letters to Veterans)
-time celebrating birthdays and victories with friends

-beginning Deepen Discipleship with Lauren
-sweet Thanksgiving visit with Mimi and Pops

-a big brother and his desire to help his sister feel safe... setting up tons of pillows and a barricade to protect her in bed. Curious George is definitely a fierce protector
-fall leaves
-getting to watch Hannah Padilla

-Christmas celebrating beginning in November... end of year party in Children's Ministry, Libby's game of Christmas Land, kids getting big enough to put up the tree by themselves (this feels HUGE!)

"If the joy Jesus promises is real and you believe Him, there's no circumstance that can steal your thanksgiving."
-Jon Bloom