Life With Janaa

Wow! What a crazy and fun weekend we had.  Friday started with a pizza party with Janaa's class at school.  Saturday we had a party at home with family then Sunday she had a party at Sunday School.  We had so much fun. 

It's always a precious time when we get to celebrate Janaa's birthday with her. This year we have finally spent as many birthdays with her as we have without her.  It is also the first year that I have not been terribly sick.  I think I've enjoyed it so because I've been able to really be part of it all. 

While our hearts are full of joy we are reminded that her birth family is not. We know they are thankful she's with us, but that was a painful and loving choice.  I always think of what her birth mom must be feeling this time of year.  What a selfless gift she gave Janaa. We continue to pray that she will come to know Jesus' immeasurable love.

There hasn't been a lot going on to write about. Life is going on as normal as it goes.  Janaa is loving school still.  

For those who are not from our area Extreme Makeover Home Edition has been in our little town.  This is the only  "real" tv show that Janaa watches, and she loves it. I had not planned to join the chaos at the site, but we decided that it would be a neat experience for Janaa to actually see what goes on.  It was pretty neat to see. The photos below are from the night we went.  No, we were not like some people in town who went out daily to see the progress.  It's one thing if you live beside it, but it's another to have to deal with the public transportation to get there.  

We have now been home two years, which seems crazy.  Two years ago today was our first day at home. We still, however, are waiting for her adoption papers.  We should be a little closer as we know that the adoption agency now has papers to fill out. I'm beginning to thin, that the waiting never ends :).

I just realized that I have not uploaded photos in awhile. This is an odd thing for me. I normally upload every day or two.  When Janaa first came home I would upload them every few hours.  It's hard to believe that we've been home for almost 2 years now.  

I'm thankful to see the sun out and as soon as I finish the budget I think I'll join it. Hopefully, I'll post again tonight. 

I am sitting here listening to a musical reminder of God loves.  It’s truly baffling.  The thought that the look in my Saviors’ eye drew me to redemption in Christ is one I cannot seem to grasp.  He’s jealous for me?  Why?  It’s something I have been wrestling with for a few months now and the magnitude of it is too great for my mind.  I’m truly drowning in the ocean of His grace.

This past week my eyes have been opened to the fact that God’s grace is amazing when He we see His answers to our prayers, but then it occurred to me that He gives me so much that I forget to even ask for.  Anyone can answer our requests, but only the Omniscient can know what we need when we do not and give it anyway.  That is giving when we do not deserve.

When I look at my precious growing bundle of joy I am reminded of His grace. We had a wonderful weekend.  It started with a SNAP!  Janaa had a loose tooth with the new one already growing in. The dentist told us to really work on getting it out even though it wasn’t very loose. Friday right before supper Janaa asked me to wiggle it. Two wiggles…I head a terrible snap and my finger hurt.  When I looked down her tooth had come out. It scared me to death. It hurt Janaa and she fell apart. Keep in mind she has been looking forward to losing a tooth for a few months now. But when it happened she fell apart. Originally she was crying because it hurt, but once she saw it she was embarrassed. We have explained everything about losing a tooth except the obvious…there will not be a tooth there. She thought the new one popped up behind the baby one.  Mommy Rachel had a book on losing a tooth that she read via Skype (which we haven’t done in about a year, strange) and saved the evening. Janaa learned that she could put her straw where her tooth was and she was all good from there.

Saturday was a fun day. We spent some time at our church’s fall festival.  I am not a big trick or treat person. (No, I don’t have issues with the concept. I just don’t enjoy it.)  But! Brent thought it would be a good idea so he was the escort and I was the driver.  Janaa had never been before. It was so much fun. She thinks Halloween is a stupid name.  It should be called Candy Day because that’s what it is all about.

We have not forgotten you. I know how you love to follow our lives. The weekend was quite eventful, which has hindered any hope for posting. Seeing as it now after 11:00 I'll just let you know more is to come....