Signs of Spring!

Bullard City Park. The first big swing of 2008!
Blake: Short Sleeves & Blue Skies! I love it!
Bryce AKA Spiderman!

The grass is turning green & the sky is blue...the first "swing" of the year! And, a new jungle gym!

Help!

Help! I can't stop buying smocked bishop dresses! Someone please take E-Bay off my computer favorites!!!

Officially on Steps 2-6

Today we received an e-mail from the Dillon Staff stating we are officially on Steps 2-6 of the paperwork process in VietNam. We will be in this "phase" for approximately 6 weeks. I am hoping for a height & weight update before too long.

The Baby's Stroller

Here's Baby Girl's Stroller...set to be delivered today by the UPS Man! I couldn't help myself & bought the Powder Pink color! So a check by the stroller & now I can concentrate on the car seat......

Recovering...

I had day surgery Friday Morning, so I am glued to the recliner & have been blog surfing & such. My boxer puppy has kept me company; such a sweet dog. Our boys have been at their grandparents since Thursday night. Truly, this house is way too quiet without them, so I had my mom bring them back this afternoon. James is home & has been a great help, but I am just not very good at this 'resting' thing. I'm more of an up & doing things type!

We finally got the long awaited "Vietnam Waiting Families Letter" from our agency on Friday. I was discouraged for my forum friends that the referral times have been extended from 6-9 months wait for a girl to 12-15 months. We all thought "it" was coming, but it really doesn't make "it" any easier for those still waiting. It's just really so darn long!

We are hoping to hear that our I600 form has been received/logged in the system in VN next week. The time frame for approval is supposed to be a maximum of 60 days, but it can be extended.

Take Care everyone & try not to let the wait make you crazy....I should say the same for myself! :)

I came across this photo earlier today. It's one of my favorites. This was taken at age 5 & I had titled it Remember Me Little. It's one of my favorites....

You Build Your Nest, I'll Build Mine

Getting started.

She's done...not me!

Mama Bird is getting ready for Spring on the front porch. This is her spot. We used to have swallows here every year, but this little bird stole her spot last year & it looks like she is back. So, here she is & I'll call this post, You Build Your Nest, I'll Build Mine. Although, as you will see, she totally finished before me!

I just had to try this out!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Wishing you much Love! From Blake, Bryce & Caleigh!

He watches over us.....

I picked up this antique picture at a local shop a few weeks ago. It was before our referral. I have it hanging in our home now. It reminds me every day of His Promise. I know that He is watching over our child. He carries her & holds her in His arms safe & sound while her mother looks up at Him. I'm in Texas & my baby's in Vietnam. She is well taken care of until I can be there to carry her home. Forever Grateful.....

*****************************************

Caleigh is 4 months old today!!!

Height & Weight Update: On January 25th, Caleigh weighed 10 1/2 pounds & was 22" long. This is not always exact, but it sounds right by tracking her weight each month since birth.

*****************************************

Blake & Bryce's Room

Well, there's been talk in blogland about kids'/baby rooms. I love seeing how others have decorated their kiddos' rooms. It's fun to get cute ideas & storage ideas. So, here's my sons' room. They're 7, but it's been decorated like this since they were 3 1/2. I like it because it's lasted well through these years & since it wasn't a true "theme" room, they still haven't grown out of it! I'm working on Caleigh's room. It will be a while before I'm done, but I'll post photos when I am! :)

Acceptance Papers to Vietnam

Our acceptance paperwork for baby Caleigh is on its way to VietNam!

Sweet Little Girl...Smile for Me!

Caleigh age 3 1/2 months. I think I got lucky & got a picture in with Christina's referral. Sweet little girl, next time won't you smile for me???! :)

Acceptance Papers Mailed

Our acceptance papers were mailed to Dillon today...along with a nice little check.

I think I enjoyed filling out this set of papers the best. It definately got done the quickest!!!

On the referral being from CanTho.

Several people have asked me, so I thought I would address it here. The question being "Did you request that your referral come from CanTho?" The answer is no. First of all, Dillon works with 5 different orphanages in Vietnam. I am not aware of PAPs being able to request what orphanage their child will be in....if it is an option, I was not told. I will be honest, I was very uneasy when I first learned that Dillon worked with the Red Cross Orphanage in CanTho where our boys were. The adoption of our boys was not smooth to say the least. There were too many problems & obstacles to mention...it would take all night. Long & short of it is that the local province of CanTho had much to do with numerous delays. I also think our previous agency didn't know how to deal with it too. When our friends & family heard that our baby girl is in CanTho waiting for us, they were dumbfounded. "Seriously, do you want to go back??? " Well, I would go to the ends of the Earth if that was where our daughter is, so I guess I can go back to CanTho! Don't get me wrong, I love Vietnam & we loved our time in CanTho as well. It was just the long wait to go! I am eager to travel back to Vietnam. I hope to have many days to tour & sightsee because we didn't venture out too much with the twins. CanTho....well, well....God does work in mysterious ways now doesn't He!

Sweet Friends & Sons

Thanks to my sweet friend, Julie, for bringing me these tulips yesterday in celebration of learning about our daughter. She has such a sweet heart & I honestly do not know how she found pink tulips (my absolute favorite!) on the 1st of February in East Texas!

I also found the sticky note where Bryce spelled Caleigh's name for the first time over a year ago when we told them we were going to adopt. I framed it for fear it would be lost. Thank you Bryce. You & Blake are going to be wonderful big brothers.

Just for Leigh B.

Leigh B. had mentioned that she couldn't see that CanTho hair! Well...here it is. I just didn't have time add it yesterday....I can't imagine how much she may have by now!!!

Caleigh Lydia~Grace

With great joy & full hearts, we announce the referral of our daughter, Caleigh Lydia~Grace!

Born on October 12, 2007, she shares her birthday with a great man...my husband.

She was only 4 days old when she entered the orphanage on October 16th.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for this child & prayed for our family.

Thanks be to God who makes no mistakes, who guides my heart in the right direction, who speaks to me in His own way if I listen. Thanks be to Him, who will watch over our daughter every day of her life!

JOY! JOY! JOY!!

A Place At The Table

Back to School

The kids had a four-day weekend! They are back in school today after being spoiled by their MaMaw this weekend. Our Dillon Rep. is in Vietnam until the end of the month. We hope that she brings back lots of good news for everyone! We also hope the meetings that she is attending go well & are positive for the children who wait for families in Vietnam.

Here's an update on our new boxer puppy! She had her last puppy shots last Friday & weighs in at a whopping 33 pounds!!!
Peace!

It's Snowing!

It is snowing today! Seriously, in East Texas, this is an event to write about! I had to take Bella to the vet about 20 minutes away & left around 9:00 this morning. It snowed all the way there & back & is still snowing now at 11:30. So, got my pot of coffee on & watching it snow. It is very peaceful! I hope there is snow in Heaven.

Today I was remembering the call that we received for the referral of our twin boys. It was not the call I had expected as we were on the waiting list for a little girl. Our children are a reminder every day that we should have an open heart and mind. What if we would have said 'no' & waited...we would not have these precious ones in our lives. I know that God has a plan & unites us with the children that we are to raise, whether it be by birth or adoption. We are so blessed & I am so happy that I heard God's word speak to me that day & we said "YES!"
I cannot wait to say "yes" again to our daughter....well, I can & will wait....but I'm so humanly impatient...

The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a Chickadee sang. But, the man did not hear.

So the man yelled "God, speak to me!" And, the thunder rolled across the sky. But, the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly. But the man did not notice.

And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle!" And, a life was born. But, the man did not know.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here!"Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.

Fridays...Ugh...

I really don't like Fridays anymore. Fridays have come to symbolize another week that has passed with no referral. I used to love Fridays...here comes the weekend & the kids off of school, etc. , etc. Now I look forward to Mondays with a new hope of a referral during the week. I know that our time will come because I know that a child waits for us. My Faith is strong. My heart is growing tired. Today would be good....

The Boys

The best investment we ever made for the boys is this trampoline. Going strong at 3 years, they never tire of it! Yesterday was a beautiful day for January & they played outside all day after school. They have only been back 2 days & are ready for another holiday! I am looking into piano lessons & hope to start them in the next few weeks. Blake has shown an interest over the past few months, so I think I'll jump on it! Still praying for a referral in the next few weeks. We have been waiting 9 months now & the longest anyone has waited so far is 9 1/2. Dillon rep said that she hopes they don't have to extend the waiting period past 9 months...me too! Peace!

Another One Bites the Dust...

Bryce pulled another tooth out today...in the car after a pizza lunch & a trip to the Mall. In the car...ewwww... Well both bottom teeth are now out & the tooth fairy is going broke! He's so excited to go to school tomorrow & show everyone his 2 teeth came out over Christmas break. My boys are growing up! Boo Hoo ! Big teeth coming in & all. Sigh.

If You Live In Texas.....

Happy New Year's Everyone!

If you live in Texas, you can spend December 31st at the Zoo! It was a breezy 62 degrees, but fine with a hoodie! We had a great day visiting the animals at Caldwell Zoo today. Here are a few of my favorite photos. I'm playing around with some new special effects my camera software has...so I did two photos in the Cartoon style. Pretty Cool. Hope 2008 is a great year for us all!

Bryce Lost A Tooth !!!

Right after he pulled it! EWWWWW! Boys love this kind of stuff, so if you have all girls & are adopting a boy, get ready!



Bryce pulled his first tooth out last night! He was so excited.
The 2nd photo is the morning after...Blake has 5 missing & now Bryce finally has had a visit from the tooth fairy!


The 3rd photo is Blake's "Big Boy Teeth" coming in!

A Glimpse of Christmas Morning

http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/CaleighLydiaGrace/Christmas%202008/?action=view&current=eda1c8bf.pbw

Just click on the link to view our slide~show...it's short but sweet. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas. Wishing for many new blessings in the New Year!

Isaiah 43:5
My daily prayer for the new year. Thanks be to God!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL & TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

We wish you all a Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year

May 2008 bring you Peace, Joy & Happiness

Love, The Murphys

Christmas

Christmas changed we we became a family of four. I pray for all of you waiting for your first child & just know that you will be standing in lines at Toys R Us soon at Christmas~time! After about age 4 is the best because they really understand what Christmas is about & really look forward to the day in anticipation of Santa having come! This year at age 7 is really neat because they fully understand that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birth, they know the meaning behind the candy cane & everything that makes Christmas so special. I can hardly imagine what next Christmas will be like for our family!

We hung our special ornament that we bought last Christmas for Caleigh on the tree again this year. I hope it is the last year that we only celebrate her at Christmas in spirit.....next year, we hope she's home with us! It's funny, I was going to write this post last night. This morning I get up and read Christina's note on the forum asking us if we "feel" the presence of our children yet....my answer was yes, I do feel her spirit. I do not know if she is in the womb or if she has been born, but She Is....she has a heartbeat. I can just feel it.
God Bless.