Depraved Indifference

This video is so powerful! If you have a few minutes, please watch the whole thing! Today my prayer is "Lord move me!".

Skip 1

Just saw this on another family's blog and had to share.

Skip1 PSA "Restaurant" [Francis & Lisa Chan Version] from Skip1 on Vimeo.

Another fun day in the snow!

Today we decided to take the boys up to Cades Cove because they have never been (and it was too loud and crazy to stay in the house...we HAD to get out!) They had a good time. We don't have snow clothes and neither did they...so, there were tears when their fingers froze and their socks and pants were wet. But, then we'd just get back in the car and warm up until we found another spot to do it all again. It was fun to see all of the snowmen. They were everywhere...every field, on fence posts, rocks, etc. We had snowball fights and tried to build a snowman or two...but, without gloves it just wasn't happening.

Notice Luke having a meltdown on the left.

The boys had also NEVER seen a deer before! We were so excited...we saw them everywhere today!

They were dying to get a stick and break up the ice to grab the quarters they saw!

Stockings, Snow Angels, Sledding, Snow Cream!

This past week has been amazing! We've had so much fun and made such great memories!

Christmas morning we got ready to head to downtown Knoxville. But, before we left we had the boys open their stockings. Chad and I each wrote them a letter (got that idea from a friend). It was really sweet watching Ethan soak in each letter. When he was done he let out a heartfelt "wow, thanks guys". I loved holding Luke on my lap and reading his letter to him. It was so special.

We then loaded up our baked goods, hot chocolate and coffee. We also had some blankets to pass out from a friend. Ethan walked around giving them out. We ran into some folks we know from Water Angels. It was neat to watch Ethan from a distance. It was like he felt so comfortable with the people and was so eager to give them something that would help them keep warm. We had a great time. Chad and I both said it was the best Christmas we've ever had!

This weekend we got several inches of snow! It was so much fun! Chad didn't have to worry about risking his life to get to work. We all just got to stay home and enjoy it. We did some sledding, made snow angels, and the boys rolled around in it.

After we came in, we had some hot chocolate and played games. Then, later we made some snow cream! Someone told Ethan about it and he begged to make some. So we just got some snow off the porch and added some sugar, cream, and sprinkles to it. It was actually really good!

I have no words for the rest of this.....

Ice Storm and Gifts

We had an ice storm here last week. It was a little scary with all of the big trees we have over our house, but, thankfully it wasn't that bad. It was actually very pretty!

We went shopping yesterday for our kiddos in Ghana. It was so fun! The boys were disappointed when we had to finally get groceries. It's hard to find summer stuff right now, but, we managed to find a little skirt and shirt and some CUTE shoes. We also got a pack of onesies for baby. Our favorite thing was the "wooby". Each of our boys had one when they were babies. We found one that was an elephant and we got excited because it's going to Africa and it just seemed right! We are going to send a little photo album and hopefully it won't be too awfully long before we get to meet them in person. These gifts will be taken over by a couple that is going to be doing some mission work over there.

It's so strange. I've only seen pictures of our kids, but, I've fallen completely in love with them. It's like being pregnant...except totally different. You don't have them close to you, you can't make sure they are getting what they need, you can't feel them move...and you have no idea when you will see them. It's terrible and wonderful all at the same time! We're just blessed to be a part of what God is doing!

I think I'm going to like having a girl! :o)

Auction Closed!

The auction is now closed! Thanks to everyone who donated and everyone who bid! It's so amazing to see people reach out to help! Thanks again!!!!

I will be sending out emails to all winning bidders. I can deliver items this week or mail smaller items.

You can either pay through "chip in" on the side or mail/hand me a check. Just let me know if you need my address.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Silent Auction

This Silent Auction is to help us bring home a little girl and boy from Ghana, West Africa. These items have all been donated and most of them have been handmade.

The bidding starts at 8 a.m.

***If you wish to place a bid, please email me at stephbowling@gmail.com to receive a number. Then, you can bid in the comments section of the item you wish to bid on. Just choose to bid anonymously and start your bid with the number you are given and then the amount you wish to bid.

The starting bid for each item is $5.00 and you must bid in $1.00 increments.

At the end of the auction I will send each winning bidder an invoice to pay through paypal or a check may be sent.

Thanks and happy bidding!!!!

Auction Item #18 Handmade Christmas Ornament

Here is an item that was just donated! This was made by a precious 10 year old that really wanted to help with our adoption!

His sweet mama is the one who made the purse that was donated. He also wrote the poem on the back of the ornament.

"This is an ornament of the great birth...of when God's love was sent down to earth."