Perfect day

The sun was shining, kids were in a good mood...made for some pretty pictures. Enjoy!

The Beautiful Minivan

There has been a new theme in our household lately...."Do you really need that?"  This question is asked of everything we purchase.....EVERYTHING. It has been a new way of looking at our spending and measuring what is important to our family.
There was a time in the not-to-distant past that I was set on saving to buy a new car. The Kia Sorento. The kids would see one when we were driving and say, "There is mommy's car. Mommy LOVES that car." And it was true...I wanted to drive around in that shiny new car with all the bells and whistles. This would mean I had finally arrived. Shane and I had worked hard and we deserved this new vehicle.
Wow! What a change a few months can make. The thought of spending the same amount of money to buy a car as we are spending to bring a child out of poverty and starvation makes me sick. My paid off minivan has been looking pretty good to me lately. We have all found that there is very little that we really need. We have each other, we have enough to eat, and a safe place to sleep.  And that is more than enough.

Dark Before the Morning

Driving to work this morning, a song came on the radio that I've heard many times but understood anew. 

"Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing?
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling,
It can't compare to the joy that's coming!"

I believe this is true...these daily trials and stresses can't even compare to the joy that is coming. 
So hold on my child, wherever you are....this darkness will break for you...we love you...we are coming.

APPROVED!

Got the word this morning that we were officially approved from the Ethiopia team! So to celebrate...our favorite Target Lady. Enjoy :)






Saturday Night Live - Target Lady - Video - NBC.com

My Cup Runneth Over...with Coffee

Shane and I are addicts....completely....to coffee.  When I'm tired...coffee....bored....coffee....stressed....coffee...happy...coffee.  You get the picture.   I know that many of you are like me and have to have that warm comforting cup in the morning.  Here's our challenge. Trade the coffee you normally buy anyway and buy from us. We get some proceeds from every bag which will go directly to baby Song's homecoming fund.
This is the link to our store.  Check out the credentials...it's a great company.
http://www.justlovecoffee.com/TheGroves

Love to you all! Happy (coffee) drinking :)




 

Always reading...

I can't seem to read enough these days. In between filling out paperwork and researching, I've been reading everything I can get my hands on to help prepare for the coming months...I've found some really amazing resources!

Sunburns and Yard sales

After a long week, a yard sale is not on my top three activities for a Saturday morning. Nonetheless, to help fund the summer youth events, we set up shop bright and early in our driveway. About an hour in, the kids started to bring out some crafts they had been working on the night before. Emma brought out a jar and Elijah made a sign saying "help us bring our afrikkan baby home" :)
Shane and I were humbled, and with tears in our eyes watched our children fearlessly ask strangers to help. Although $55 doesn't seem like much in the face of what's ahead, we are excited to see how the Lord has united our family in a common, and beautiful goal.