We are packing our bags and heading out the door tomorrow morning for the First Annual Blog Union!! It is a gathering of families that have a passion for Ethiopian adoption and it is taking place in Hermosa Beach, CA.!! Yahoo.

Remember the chain game? Well, that one didn't turn out as planned........but Avery had the best idea today. She made a new chain to countdown the days until we head out the door for Ethiopia. We leave on August 21st. Apparently with all of the cases being pushed through before the courts close has created a little backlog at the Embassy. So instead of traveling 3 weeks after a successful court date, we leave 4 weeks post court. We will spend 2 days in Dubai and then go get Abe!! We will return on Labor Day (Sept. 1st) We can't wait!!

Our court date is tomorrow. We would appreciate your prayers. :)

Both boys are in a week-long baseball tournament, so we are definitely busy.  That has helped me not obsess over the court date that is coming up on Thursday.  The Lord has faithfully given me scripture to ease my mind and remind me that He is King of Kings and the Ultimate Judge over all.  

One week.  In 7 days we have our court date.  In 7 days baby A could legally become an Alexander. 

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

"Do not worry about tomorrow! This is not a suggestion, but a command. I divided time into days and nights, so that you would have manageable portions of life to handle. My grace is sufficient for you, but its sufficiency is for only one day at a time. When you worry about the future, you heap day upon day of troubles onto your flimsy frame. You stagger under this heavy load, which I never intended you to carry.

Throw off this oppressive burden with one quick thrust of trust. Anxious thoughts meander about and crisscross in your brain, but trusting Me brings you directly into My Presence. As you thus affirm your faith, shakles of worry fall off instantly. Enjoy My Presence continually by trusting Me at all times." (from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)

Today our precious babe is 4 months old. It is hard to think about missing these moments, but prayerfully we will only have one more month without him. We are anxiously awaiting our court date.

We love you little one and can't wait to celebrate these milestones here at home.

One way to help pass the days until our court date is hanging out at the boys baseball games!! We have several week long tournaments to keep me busy and my mind occupied! 

I got this from Lori's blog. Great little history lesson. Have a great 4th of July!!!

Independence DayIndependence Day, in the U.S., an annual holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence and is celebrated in all states and territories of the U.S.At the time of the signing the United States consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was a growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly refered to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts, the battle of Concord would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.June 1776 a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. A vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware was undecided and New York abstained. To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. On July 8th the Declaration had it's first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" which would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after it's inscription - "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof."The holiday was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, at which time the Declaration of Independence was read aloud, city bells rang, and bands played.People celebrated with fireworks and with candles which they lit and placed in their windows.The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America's birthday. It was declared a legal holiday in 1941.The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated publicly with parades and pageants, patriotic speeches, and organized firing of guns and cannons and displays of fireworks. Early in the 20th century public concern for a safe holiday resulted in restrictions on general use of fireworks. Although fireworks have been banned in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have large firework displays for all to see and enjoy. Family picnics and outings are a feature of private Fourth of July celebrations.Today, the most popular way to celebrate Independence day is to get together with family and friends, have a cook out and attend a fireworks display!

My boys just got back from an incredible weekend in NYC.  They went with Moody, Moody's dad, M's brother and his two sons.  All of the male Alexander's.  Moody's brother and his family live in Colorado so this was a treat for all of them to be together for this special trip.

This is the most recent post from my amazing sister-n-law, Melissa. Please read and then go encourage her with a comment. She is hilarious, has a tender heart for the Lord, but ministry can be hard and tiring! They are making a huge difference in the lives of many living in the inner city of Big D.

MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2008

An ounce of prevention.