"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
John 14:27

I am clinging to this promise as we begin a new year. I am thankful that He is the Prince of Peace and I do not need to fear. He is sovereign, and in control of every aspect of the adoption. We are thankful, and by His grace, peaceful.

Happy New Year!

My friend, Bethany, received her referral. I am so excited for her!

I was driving with the kids the other day and this song came on the radio. It was my first time to hear it this Christmas season. As I was trying to explain the significance of the song, I was overcome with emotion. My Seth and my Addison are there, Do THEY know it is Christmas? Are THEY hungry?

Tears were streaming down my face as I told the kids that this was a song recorded because of the Ethiopian famine.

It was recorded in 1984 by the organizers of Band Aid. It is funny to watch and see the big hair of the 80's, but it is also heartbreaking to think about all of the kids that still suffer from starvation and disease this Christmas season.

Lord, please let Seth and Addie know of you, of your birth, and of your redemptive love for them. Keep watch over them, protect them, and comfort them until we can go get them!

1. My parents were at a dinner on Friday (brunch was on Saturday) and my mom said it is always fun to see who you will sit next to, as they don't seat you with your spouse. My precious mom always prays for these opportunities, that she would see why the Lord placed so-and-so next to her for a dinner!






































My boys talking to the President with their Nanny and Uncle Joey.

Please read this post on Journey to Baby Baker! (titled Leap of Faith) It is amazing to read these stories of the Lord bringing families together.

Trusting in His perfect timing when we will be able to share our happy referral story:)

Tomorrow marks 18 weeks.

Another blog friend received their referral yesterday! Reading referral posts make me so happy. See her sweet family looking at pictures here.

The weekend was amazing. We were very blessed to see Washington D.C in such a unique way. We are tired, and I have several specifics that I want to share. Until then, enjoy these photos.



All 11 grandkids on Nanny and Bunty's bed in their White House bedroom!

I will be checking out of the cyberspace/bloggy world for a few days. I won't be obsessively checking blogs (which I'm sure will mean referrals-like Keva got one last week when I was away from the computer for 1 day)! I think it will be a good exercise for me, though the reason isn't one of trying to learn self-control.

We are headed out of town. I will let my sister-in-law over at A Long Way From the Theta House give you a glimpse as to what we will be doing. I will share the other side of the story when we return. I sure hope it is a good story and not a oh-so-funny, I'm sure glad that didn't happen to me funny. :)

Pray that the kids mind their p's and q's!! Praying for referrals, court dates and safe travels.

Sweet 16? I guess that is true for turning 16 years old, but waiting for a referral-- not so much. Waiting is hard. Tomorrow will mark 16 weeks of waiting. I really feel like it will come soon. I have been around international adoption just long enough though to know that we may be waiting another 16 weeks. I sure hope not......

Trusting in the One that has ordained these two precious kids to be Alexander's before the foundation of the world! That gives me peace.

We had a blessed Thanksgiving. We ate too much, enjoyed fellowship with family and friends, and played a serious game of catch phrase. We also had an unexpected snowstorm. What a delight it was to see the joy in the kids eyes when out of nowhere, it started snowing. It didn't last long and certainly didn't think about sticking, but it was wonderful while it lasted.

I am one of those that wants to fully enjoy Thanksgiving- so I don't listen to any Christmas music or do any decorating until the day after the big feast. All bets are off come Friday morning though. I hate to shop, so the thought of waking up at the crack of dawn to get a good deal, doesn't appeal to me AT ALL!! I will however relax a bit, enjoy my coffee and then hit it hard to get the house Christmas ready. Moody takes all of the Rubbermaid's full of greenery, ornaments, Santa's and nativity scenes down from the attic and we get busy. The boys stay interested for about 10 minutes, and the girls a little longer. This year Moody took the kids to his parents ranch for the day, and my mom came to help me. What a gift! We had so much fun and I'm so happy that the house is decorated. We have the fire burning, Christmas music playing and I love it!

I love the anticipation of Christmas. I enjoy celebrating the coming birth of my redeemer and King. Christmas is also so much fun through the eyes of a child. The wonder they bring, the notes to Santa (in our house, you have to believe to receive-- any age) and the excitement as it gets closer. I just love it!

May each of you enjoy the wonder of Christmas this season! (and may many referrals be received!!)

Today marks week 14 of waiting for a referral. I borrowed this image of 14 from Jaclyn. Go see her precious baby boy, Judah. They have been home for about a week now. Reading these stories encourage me to wait and trust in His timing!!

I don't know why my mommy is so mad at me! She had to run Wick to football practice and I didn't want to go. I hate to ride in the car. Of course Charlie and Tibbi hopped right in the car, they love to ride in the car. Tibbi hangs his head out of the window and lets the wind blow his ears back. Charlie sits in Hill's lap and couldn't be more content. I usually throw up in the car, so I didn't go.

Apparently mom and Avery worked hard preparing dinner for tonight. Apparently mom paid a little extra for some Organic chicken breasts! Who knew? All I know is they smelled really good as they were sitting on the counter, just waiting to go in the oven.

Mom was NOT happy when she came home. She made me go outside and I guess worked hard to clean up the mess that I made because when I came back in-- the kitchen was clean. She was still mad at me though.

Wow, that barbecue she went to pick up sure does smell good too! I wonder what time she has to leave to pick up Wick from practice??????

This is the crew getting our shots at the health department. I was so proud of the kids. They DO NOT like shots, but they did awesome! The kids didn't think it was funny when Moody said "Merry Christmas guys, hope you like your yellow fever shot!" :).....he was just kidding.

I realized that I haven't officially introduced Jessica. What would our family do without Jess?? Wow, don't want to think about it! The Lord blessed us years ago with Jess when she walked into Moody's office looking for a job. Praise the Lord he hired her and she has been a constant in our lives ever since. She can literally walk in the door, and we can walk out the door for a weekend + -- no instructions, no worries!! She LOVES my kids and my kids LOVE her. Our guest bedroom is called Jessica's room, and we all love it when she spends the night. She is family. She is fun! Fortunately for her I don't know how to post home video yet, but when I learn- you will see one sweet High School Musical 2 music video. She loves Jesus, and has fully embraced all things adoption related. She is traveling with us and we are so thankful. She will be an invaluable help, allow us to bond with the kids, and still give H, W, A and I the opportunity to experience Ethiopia!

Week 13 has come and gone....my mom's birthday is Tues, that would be a great present!

These are old and new friends. I don't know why I still get blown away by God's infinite goodness and provision of exactly what we need at exactly the right time. As you may have seen in the Home Alone post, I had a fun little getaway to Nashville last weekend. My nearest and dearest, Corinne, lives there. She is that friend- the one that encourages your heart, speaks truth, allows you to be completely honest and loves you still!! The Lord blessed my life greatly by providing her as a friend over 10 years ago, back in Dallas. Thank you Lord for sweet Rinne.

Corinne is the link and adoption is the tie that binds this group together. We all had dinner Saturday night and it was a rich blessing. The disclaimer to the above photo is that this was taken immediately after we all had an incredible time of prayer - many tears of joy were shed. Gwen (far right) left early the next morning for China to pick up sweet Maggie. Please visit her site to follow her journey, pray for her time in China and pray for Scott and their three children while mama is away.

Lindsey is next to Gwen. I asked you to join her faith team as they are in the process of adopting a baby girl from Guatemala. Lindsey and her husband, Chris, have a deep faith and it was an encouragement to spend time with them. I'm excited to watch their road to their daughter and see God work in mighty ways.

Suzanne is in the middle. Have you ever met someone and felt an instant connection, just felt like you had always been friends? Corinne has told me for years that would be the case, and it was-- her family was incredibly gracious and hospitable. Suzanne will be a wonderful resource for me when it comes to raising children in a transracial family. They do it so well. Her fifth is a precious boy that was adopted domestically. They are praying for the Lord to reveal who their next child is soon and I am too:)

Sometimes this journey can be lonely and I am very grateful for these women. Each of their obedience to the call that Christ has put on their hearts, inspires me to press on. I can't wait for Moody and the kids to meet their new friends.

p.s-- It is now Thursday night and I just saw a picture of Suzanne and Mikes beautiful baby boy. He was born today. Suzanne was talking about longing to get the call but wondered when it might actually come-- Suzanne was keeping Gwen's kids during the day while she is in China. Doesn't God have a wonderful sense of humor?? Pray that all goes well and they can travel home with their new son.
Maybe we will get our call soon.....trusting in Him

One guess who wasn't very happy about their costume last night? I decided that this year we weren't going to spend a dime on Halloween costumes! Growing up, we came home from school on Halloween and threw something together. Maybe your mom sewed something, but we didn't have Halloween superstores all over the city begging you to come and spend a small fortune on a costume that may or may not make it through the evening.

Yesterday afternoon we started to discuss various options-- Avery decided to dress up as an Olympic gymnast with her friend Abbi. Easy: gymnastics leotard, boys baseball medal around her neck, hair up in a bun and she was good to go. Hill found an adult clown costume (Moody's moms) and threw on a cowboy hat-- a rodeo clown was born. Two down, two to go.

Wick honestly didn't care. He thought about wearing big baggy pants, hoody jacket, big sunglasses and being a rapper. Issy: nothing, she couldn't find anything that she liked. She isn't a "dress up" kind of girl. She likes to play sports and looking back, I should have had her wear a uniform of some sort- basketball, karate, etc. That would have been better:) I just needed more time to think.

Avery had the great idea for Issy to be a witch. We typically don't do any "scary" costumes- but I was willing to make an exception. She would be a cute witch, not a scary witch! Avery had an old dance recital costume- I can't believe she even tried it on. She said she needed a hat, so off to Spirit Halloween Superstore we go.

We walk into a huge warehouse that is literally wall to wall in Halloween paraphernalia!! We found a witches hat, she "needs a broom" and if meant we could leave sooner--grab the broom. Wick eyes a rasta hat. Cute hat with built in dreds. Great, you now have a costume too. All four down!!!

We get to the Halloween party (thank you C and C) and Issy won't go in. She hates her costume and doesn't want anyone to see her in it!! Wow-- we finally talked her into putting on a jacket, not wearing the hat and I carried the broom. We did manage to take this one picture first:)

So the Halloween that wasn't going to cost a dime, cost me $28 and all but the hat, didn't even get used!! Next year, we will start planning earlier!

We all ended up having a great evening with the kids and our friends.

Any creative costume ideas out there?? I would welcome the suggestions.

Thanks to my friend Jamie- I have a very encouraging story to share with you! Please take a moment to watch this Anderson Cooper video about Plumpy Nut and how it is literally changing lives.

Check out this family that just received their referral call today!! It is so exciting to see the Lord bringing families together.

We had the privilege of spending last Sunday afternoon with some old and new friends. Martha and Bryon had us over for lunch. Martha and Moody have been friends since Jr. High, and Bryon's brother, Doug, is married to Maza. Maza is a gorgeous woman that just so happens to be Ethiopian. Maza and her precious mother made us some yummy Ethiopian food for lunch. We loved it. Hill couldn't get enough of the spicy beef dish they made!!



All the kids! Our crew (Issy woke up with some allergic reaction in her eyes), Martha and Bryon's two, Maza and Doug's two, plus a cute nephew.

I love PRODUCT(RED)! I love that you can purchase something that you already buy, and a portion of the proceeds go directly to Africa and the fight against AIDS. I have many (RED) shirts from the Gap, I'm trying to justify getting these really cute Converse low-tops, and now Hallmark has joined the (RED)campaign!! Just in time for Christmas. Please visit your local Hallmark store and support this great cause. Let your store know that you appreciate them making a difference. The proceeds go to the the Global Fund. I took the following from the join(RED) website.

MEASU(RED) RESULTS
The Global Fund has selected established grants with sound performance to receive money raised through (RED). To date, of the $45.5 million received by the Global Fund from the sale of (RED) products, $30.7 million has flowed directly to Global Fund financed grants in Ghana, Rwanda and Swaziland. In these countries this money is helping to finance comprehensive national HIV/AIDS programs led by the ministries of health, to provide antiretroviral treatment for children and adults, to assist in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, as well as essential counseling and testing activities to reduce the overall risk of HIV transmission.

Additional contributions of funds will continue to be made to these programs as they achieve tangible, measurable results in their lifesaving work. Additional amounts of money are sent by the Global Fund to (RED) grants according to the grants’ own requests to the Global Fund – usually every 3 to 6 months – and additional amounts are sent once results have been reported and verified.

To read Impact Stories about beneficiaries of (RED) money in Africa, click on http://joinred.blogspot.com.

The Global Fund
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was established in 2002 with the support of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the world's leaders, to dramatically increase resources to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases. Since its creation, the Global Fund has become the dominant financer of programs to fight AIDS, TB and malaria, with $8.4 billion invested in 136 countries.

The Global Fund is an innovative partnership of governments, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. It is not an implementing agency -- the Global Fund relies on local ownership, planning and expertise and enables countries to design and execute their own programs, but provides funds only on the basis of proven results to ensure that funds are used efficiently to create real change for people and communities.

Global Results
In five years, the Fund has achieved substantial results. As of September 2007, Global Fund financing has provided:

1.1 million people with treatment for HIV and AIDS
9.4 million people with voluntary HIV testing
1.2 million orphans with basic care and support
2.8 million people with treatment for tuberculosis
23 million people with treatment for malaria
30 million families with insecticide-treated mosquito nets
Donate to the Global Fund
Purchasing (PRODUCT) RED is just one way you can support the Global Fund. If you've been INSPI(RED) to do more, please make a contribution to the Global Fund. On the donation form, be sure to check the box designating that you want your money to go toward fighting AIDS in Africa.


Click here to see the Hallmark (RED) collection. Now getting wrapping and writing......send the love people!!

I've been tagged!! (by Jaclyn)

Ok, here it goes.

Jobs I've had:
1. babysitter
2. elementary school teacher
3. ENVP, Arbonne International
4. chauffeur, laundress, chef, nurse, counselor (worst paying, but the best by far)

Places I've lived:
1. Dallas, Texas
2. Waco, Texas -- Sic Em Bears!!
3. Arlingon, Texas
4. Do you feel sorry for me, only a 90 mile radius?? No wonder I like to travel!

Foods I love:
1. All things Mexican, especially the Mexican liquids:)
2. Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper, Kettle chips
3. Pizza
4. Chinese food

Places I'd Rather Be:
1. Ethiopia, of course!
2. Aspen, Colorado
3. Costa Rica- sis-in-law lives there and it is beautiful!
4. Bavaria- visiting friends in Germany and maybe take a little road trip to Italy

Movies I love:
1. Life is Beautiful
2. The Bourne trilogy
3. Miracle, Invincible (any sports movie really)
4. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

TV shows I love:
1. Office
2. 24
3. Brothers and Sisters
4. many reality shows, yes its true:) Top Chef, Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance - and the list goes on!

Books I love:
1. Same Kind of Different as Me
2. Mark of the Lion series
3. Peace Like a River
4. There is No Me Without You

People I'm tagging:
1. Keva - The Fruit of the Spirit is Not a Coconut
2. Melissa- A Long Way From the Theta House
3. Lori- Adventure to Ethiopia
4. Jessica_- Twenty-Something

It has been eight weeks of waiting for a referral. Jaclyn has been doing posts with numbers each week as they wait for sweet Judah's court date. I thought it was cute, and I hope she is ok with me pirating the idea!

Since Arlington will soon be home to the Dallas Cowboys, I decided to pay tribute to a Cowboy great-- Troy Aikman. Number 8! Praying the next 8 weeks will involve a referral for our kids.

I'm officially closer to 40 than 30!! Yesterday I turned 36 years young. Not sure yet what I think about it, but I did have a great birthday. I felt very loved and cared for by my family and friends. Thank you:)

No news on the adoption front- just praying we get the call!

Look at my groovy hubby in his Africa t-shirt! I saw these in a magazine and went online to purchase the shirts. (I got a cute tank) I bought them here. The great thing is that you look stylish and support the Millennium Promise. They are an organization committed to ending global poverty by the year 2025. I have actually purchased several shirts that support various causes related to Africa. See photo below:)

The cute red one with elephants was a gift from a friend whose husband organized mission trips to Africa. The ONE.org shirt is so cozy, really soft cotton and looks like a black dot -- but is really 1,000's of tiny people:)

I have supported Product Red by purchasing a few things from the Gap. Ok, more than a few- but it is a great way to give back right? When Moody was in Brasil, we went shopping for wedding clothes remember?? We also went into the Gap. I tried to explain to the kids that these products were different-- 50% of every Product Red item that you buy at the Gap goes to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Well, I didn't do a very good job of training the kids how to break this news to their father. He hadn't been home for 5 minutes when my oldest said, "hey dad, we gave $150 to Africa when we got our sweatshirts and stuff at Gap!" I should have been thrilled that he was able to calculate percentages huh?!! We will work on the slow and steady approach of enlightening dad of future shopping trips!! The good news is that I hate to shop and only go to the mall when absolutely necessary-- so we don't do too much damage on a regular basis.

Seriously-look how cute these sweatshirts are with the continent of Africa on the back! I want to get one of the precious onesies, but don't know if we will get a referral for one small enough.

This is a pic of my right arm. I wear this white One.org and Red bracelet everyday. You can see them in the first pic at Moody's high school reunion. It may sound silly, but it makes me feel connected to my kids. I don't know them yet, but I do know that I love them and their birthplace. Africa will forever hold a special place in my heart--so for now-- I will support it anyway that I can.

It has been almost a week since I have posted. I started thinking last night what I have done over the past week that has prevented me from writing a post for this here blog.....well....we attended Wick's second football game...he scored another TD...we are very proud...we had Moody's 25 year high school reunion (remember, he is 8 years older)...it was fun to see people, but reunions are really never fun, right?..."yes, still in Arlington, practice is good, I know it is crazy to home school, 11,9,8 and 6, I know two more, Ethiopia"...that is about how it goes...attended a lovely baby shower in Dallas...watched the Emmy's...did school...cooked a few meals...raced off to catch a plane to San Antonio to play Florence Nightingale for my sister, that is holed up in bed, recovering from a nasty knee surgery (view lovely headshot above)...cooked a few more meals there...watched an entire season of Top Chef (did I mention that she is confined to bed?)...helped nephew study for a geography test...laughed with my sister's friends...laughed at my brother in law (what ever loser)...played on her cute macbook...took sis to Dr...flew home...went to soccer practice...loved on my kiddos...enjoyed a glass of wine with my man...ate leftovers...went to bed!!! Whew...I'm still tired but ready for a fun weekend:)

Please take a moment to watch this video of Sara Groves. It is beautiful....I can't wait for my life to be changed by a trip to Africa.

Please take a few minutes to discover my kiddos beautiful birth country. This is a slide show done by one of the Wide Horizon social workers on a recent trip to Ethiopia. The beginning is the amazing countryside, then it shows the love and care the kids receive from the nannies at Horizon House, and finally is shows a travel group picking up their kids. It is really exciting to think that we will be in a travel group, seeing these things firsthand!

There are many pictures, but you can go through them quickly if you hit the forward arrow on your computer. Imagine the Alexander family there, and pray for all of the kids that are currently awaiting the courts to reopen so their parents can come get them!

Blessings to Misty and Jon as they begin their new life together:)


We are such a casual family- it is fun to have a picture of us in our "Wedding Best"!

My sweet nanotechnology lovin' mama brought it to my attention that I might not have been crystal clear on a previous post. The "are you in" contest will see one lucky winner receive a crisp $20 bill! My mom thought it was a requirement to put $20 in the pot to guess and then the winner would take all--- that is not a bad idea-- but not the game! (she was sweet to guess anyways!)

So- if you still want a chance to win and were leery of the entry fee-- go ahead and join the game. If you thought you were sending some cold hard cash to play-- go ahead, no not really....

Bonus points if you can name the movie quote from the title..

We are back at it! It is always difficult to get back into the swing of things after the carefree days of summer, but we are ready for a great school year. We have one in K, 3rd, 4th and 5th/6th!!
Wow-- praise the Lord for Miss Stacy. Stacy is the cute one in the front of the picture. She is from our church and is a huge help to me with the kids. The kids love her and so does mom!