Dear Mr. Good Looking,

One of the Ukrainian sites you're listed on, has this majorly adorable picture of you on it. You look younger in it, but still, super cute!! Have I ever told you how cute you were when you were younger? And you still are, way too cute!


Love you bubby,
Sissy

Exciting News + Trip To Target

I have some pretty awesome news, buddy! We have our taxes back!! Yep, that means our in-country expenses are covered. We are just $3,000 short, which we need for the plane tickets. At the moment, we're planning on taking part in a yard sale at our church, while hosting an online fundraiser with the Falvo's. So that's where we are in funds, now an update on our trip to Target :) The other day we went shopping, and picked out your first two pairs of PJ's! They're cute little monster pajamas for you to wear in Ukraine when mom and dad come to get you.



P.S. I wanted to post a baby picture of you. You were probably like 2 when Mrs. Gretchen took it. I just can't get over how adorable you were! And still are ;)

Love you to the moon and back,
Sissy

Hey There Delilah...

The Plain White T's sing 'Hey There Delilah' which is pretty much about this guy missing his girlfriend while she's away in NY (I think). It just reminded me of you because I'm missing you like crazy while you're in another country and I'm here in my air conditioned home with a rather large family that is anxiously awaiting your arrival. I know, really the song doesn't reflect our story, your not my boyfriend and none of us are in New York but hey, give me a break! On another note, incase you wanted a little update on the process, we were USCIS approved a few days ago, so now we're just waiting on the money. The oh-so slow and steady funds! But I promise, we will come rescue you SOON!!! We're hoping that May or June will be 'our month' :) I know I've already covered this, but man am I excited!! I see your pictures in the dining room, on the fridge, on my bedroom wall, in the boys room, all over the house and I just think of you being home, here, with us. And how amazingly awesome God is, to allow us to bring you home, and with that he is providing! I mean, I should really thank him more often. You were a long shot dream, someone you don't want to say goodbye to but you know you have to and probably won't see again. It sounds sad. Pretty depressing actually. But with God, you could have a happy ending! Not that this is the end, just a really good chapter in our story ;) Because between you and me, I don't think our story book will be closing any time soon. So anyway Kole, mommy and daddy are hoping to come get you in the next month or two, and until then, I'm here, preparing for your arrival (which will be the best chapter!) in fact, I already have a board on Pinterest (don't worry, you'll be learning about that very soon) that's titled "Kole's Homecoming". So you can only guess what type of stuff I pin on there.... Cute little ideas for your homecoming party, and airport arrival=)



I love (and miss) you to the moon and back 1,000,000,000 x 1,000,000,000!
Love,
Sissy

My Sunshine

I heard this song, and couldn't help but think of you. Seriously, this song was written for you! YOU ARE the sunshine on rainy days, for me my dear. And remember, there must be rain before the rainbow. And that storm is almost over for you, I promise. 












Love you sunshine,
Sissy

Dear Little Brother,

Dear Kole,
I hope you're aware of how excited I am! Of  how much preparation is going on down here, how many prayers are being prayed. And don't even get me started on the amount of time you are on my mind! I always think of you when we're out doing something or even when we're home, I think of what you would be doing or how different it would be with you, or how things would go if you were here. I mean seriously, homestudy, you could not come sooner!? 


In conclusion to that, we do have stuff to keep us busy while we're waiting. Such as, preparation, shopping, fundraising, more paperwork, oh and 4 other boys to look after ;) Speaking of shopping, my mom and I did a little a few days ago............

Of course, you can never be too prepared! We bought you your "gotcha day" outfit!! Which includes your first pair of skinny jeans, a button-up shirt, and a t-shirt we'll be making. So don't worry, you'll be leaving the orphanage in style. Oh and we haven't forget about your homecoming outfit. We are still to make that.... But pictures will come! 










Love you bud,
Sissy
 

All This Time

I just thought I would remind you of how much you are loved. How much I love you. And how much we're thinking about you over here! You are going to turn five this year, probably before mom and dad get to you. You're going to be the 'baby' in the family! :) Zane is very excited about that. Speaking of which, you and your big brother Zane are only a month apart! How cool is that? You'll probably be sharing clothes with your other older brothers, Gabe and Levi, or maybe even Zane Man. You'll also be sharing a room with the 4 boys. And there's plenty of toys I'm sure your bros wouldn't mind lending to you ;) Gee, I hope you don't mind sharing!

So anyway, just remember that God is with you, and he'll wrap his arms around you and care for you until we can. "All this time, it was you and I, you've been walking with me all this time."- Britt Nicole You know, the song All This Time really resembles you. "I remember the story, I remember the pain. I was just a girl (boy) but I grew up that day. Tears were falling. I know you saw me." So whenever you feel alone, just replay those lyrics in your head, or think of us. Because you're not alone. Not forgotten. Not un-loved. I can assure you, you are not any of the above! Especially forgotten. You couldn't be even if you tried. There are so many people here thinking about you, praying for you, helping, fundraising, and sharing the same excitement and anticipation. We are working so hard to get you home. And are trying our best to expedite everything we can. We can not wait for you to join our family!! Until I can say "Kole House". And until you can come home and play with your many brothers! To see you playing, interacting, smiling, like a 4 year old should! Kole, when that day comes, all I think I will be able to do is smile. At not only you, but God's amazing miracle. What He did. He made you. And brought us to you....again. And that is just one of the many reasons I thank God!!



Love you!
Sissy

Have I Told You?

Dear sunshine,
Have I told you you are going to be rescued?
Have I told you you are going to be loved?
Have I told you you are going to be hugged and kissed?
Have I told you you are going to have a hand to hold?
Have I told you you are going to have a home?
Have i told you you are going to have a family?
Have I told you you are going to have 4 big brothers to play with?
Have I told you I'M GOING TO BE YOUR SISTER?

Of course I haven't! So I'm just giving you a headsup right now ;) It's a little belated, but oh well. At least now I can tell you we are home study updated/approved! It's hard to believe we were doing this same exact thing, a year ago. Yep, we tracked it all, and it seems that if all goes as planned, we will be back in UA in May. The same month we traveled to bring Gabe and Levi home. Which also means almost a full year as gone by since we met. It was bitter-sweet, leaving you- the bitter part, and leaving Zap with G & L-the sweet part. But now it's just all sweet! Sweet that I get to look at your pictures and say "see you soon". Sweet that I can now cry of longingness, knowing that you will soon be in my arms. Instead of knowing you won't any time soon. And sweet that I get to blog, write, chat, shop, and talk about you, as my new brother. Once we got home, I immediately missed the whole 'adoption feeling'. I wanted so badly to go through the process again. I wanted that excited, longing, happy, feeling an adoption brings. It's sort of a love-hate relationship we have actually. Whenever a family is in the adoption process, they just want it to end. They went their little one home with them, they will do whatever it takes to speed up the whole thing. I know because that was us a year ago. And that was/is so many adopting families I know. But yet, and I don't know if this goes for everyone, when it's all said and done, the one thing I want is to go through it all again. So this time around, I'm gonna enjoy every step we take. Every struggle or road bump we encounter, because I know when we're finished... well, let's just say that word "finish" won't be used to describe our family for while ;) But anyway, one thing I want to clarify is that I won't be taking my time. You don't deserve to spend one more minute in that place, so yes, it is all in God's hands and timing. As far as right now, we are trying to expedite anything and everything we can. But while cherishing and savoring these moments and feelings too.




So I can VERY gladly say, with a smile from ear to ear on my face, see you soon!!!

Love you,
Sissy (eeepp! I like the sound of that:))