Living Christmas Tree

2010 Living Christmas Tree: This Is Christmas from patrick murphy-racey on Vimeo.

What Happens Next

We finally got our court date! In most cases, a court date is not a good thing, but in our case, it's what we've been waiting on since mid-September. And funny enough, we got the phone call just hours after the final performance of the Living Christmas Tree. Once again, God's timing is ALWAYS best.

So, what happens next? We'll fly over to Ethiopia for the court date, but while we're there, we'll do a little sight-seeing, make several trips to the orphanage to play with the kiddos (we'll know who they are, but they won't know us), scout out things to do for the second trip, attend a church service, and so on. We'll be there for about 5 days. Then, we fly back home and wait on a U.S. Embassy appointment over there, which is about 6 weeks after the court date. We'll fly back over for that with Jack and Big Mama and Nana in tow. This is the final trip and we'll bring the kids back home with us. Since the timelines have been nothing like we thought, I don't know if 6 weeks for the embassy appointment is accurate, but let's pray it is. Estimated timeframe now: April?

I wish I could post their pictures. They're beautiful. But I will post this little guy. :)

Jack's New Room

We've been making changes around here preparing for the little boys. We've switched the boys' bedrooms, divided toys, cleaned out closets, painted rooms, and on and on. We've finally finished Jack's room. Thanks to the parents who helped us out...ceiling fans, curtains, etc. :)

And it's even complete with a Christmas tree and a dirty sippy cup. Oops.

Adoption Article, Fundraising and other Stuff

First of all, thank you to all who left a comment on our article. There are more comments on there than we would have ever imagined! And it's just the second day! Thank you also to those of you who have passed our story along. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Second, I've had a lot of people ask me about Sixseeds. A friend of a friend is one of the writers for this organization. I've gotten to know them through emails regarding adoption. I've been getting their e-magazine for about a month now. I've really enjoy reading it! To those of you who are adopting and would like to get involved, here is a link to a $2,000 adoption giveaway they're doing right now! Just leave a comment and it enters you in the contest. As far as the articles go, they're not taking anymore right now, but they do plan on doing this again soon, so stay tuned to their website. It doesn't take long to get 30 adopting families to submit their story. I'm talking days. Even hours.

Thirdly, I've also gotten a lot of questions about fundraising. Adoption is quite expensive, as some of you know. We haven't talked much about the cost, and may disclose a little more info after we're done with the process. Just to put it into American terms, adopting two children can be equivalent to buying two new cars. The thought can be overwhelming. But then you begin to think of things you can live without. Like a home phone, especially when you have two cell phones. Cable. If you're like us, cutting your home phone and cable will save you $100/month. Now is a perfect time to refinance. Don't go out to eat as much. Instead, plan theme dinners. They take a little more preparation, but it's much more fun than going out to eat.

We've made a lot of changes over the last year, but we could do so much more. The things we've cut out of our normal daily life are things we should have cut out from the beginning. One challenge though. Don't change the way you give. Give cheerfully and give abundantly. God will bless your obedience. Deuteronomy 28 talks specifically about the blessing of obedience. Verse 12 says, "The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands." If God has called you to adopt or take another leap of faith, He is faithful to complete whatever He's called you to do. 1 Thess. 5:24 says, "The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." End of story.

If you would still like to comment on our article, here is the link. Feel free to post on your blog or facebook page! 28 days and counting to leave your comment. :)

Adoption Opportunity that Involves YOU

Dear Friends,

A new parenting e-magazine SixSeeds.tv is partnering with our family to help bring our child home! Leave one comment under our family’s article located here:

http://sixseeds.tv/s/content/adoption/626-adoption_the_tyner_family

You can say anything in the comment, make it short and sweet or leave a heartfelt note. Then, SixSeeds will donate $2 toward our efforts! Not only will you be helping our family's adoption, you will also receive a weekly e-zine that talks about the best in good, family, fun! (SixSeeds includes team members who brought you the Narnia movies, best selling authors, and other great family fun!) (You may unsubscribe to this article at any time; you're under no obligation to keep it.)

Please comment, send others to our page, and spread the word about this offer. We have the entire month of November to comment, but please do it today!

Thank you so much!

The Tyner Family

Drumroll please...

And the winner of the 3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest is: SHIM! Congratulations Shanle!

Second place goes to Shay for the Pirate Pumpkin and third place goes to Jack for Frankenstein!

The 3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

The contestants this year were Shay, Shanle, Tim, Jenny, Jon, Angie and Jack. Vote for your favorite on the poll to the right.

1. Shim

2. The Pirate Pumpkin (P.P.)

3. Deja Vu

4. Starry Night

5. Swoosh

6. Frankenstein (this might possibly be Jack's pumpkin) :)

7. Haunted Ghost House

HILARIOUS

My sister called me today and told me about a clip on Sesame Street that she'd seen. The song was written by Sesame Street's head writer for his daughter from Ethiopia. So funny!

Fall Fun

I'm probably the only person in East Tennessee who has not chosen fall as my favorite season. Even though I do like fall, my favorite is actually spring. Maybe it's because Jack was born in the spring. Anyway, it's my favorite. And winter is my LEAST favorite.

Back to fall. We had a big day lined up this past Saturday to do the usual "fall" things. There was a lot of talk about a pumpkin patch just outside Maryville, so our plan was to do the real pumpkin picking this year. Well, Jon came down with a bug, and we settled for make-shift fundraiser pumpkin patch at a nearby church. They had the prettiest pumpkins! I'm attaching just a few pictures.

We also went on our annual beach trip. The weather was perfect...80 degrees and sunny every single day! Pictures to come soon on that. I do think it's important to make note of some improvements that can be made for the following year. So far on my list...

1. Don't forget the camera.

2. Or Jack's shoes.

3. Always keep medicine handy. (in case we get the stomach bug again)

4. Eat more seafood. (like 3 meals a day instead of 2)

Adoption update: Still waiting on that court date. If there's one thing we learned from the timing of the referral, it's that God knows best! As badly as we want those sweet boys home, God's timing is always perfect. As my dad said the other day, "The good thing is, you don't even have to worry about it!" And right he was.

The annual pumpkin carving contest begins tomorrow! Competition will be fierce this year. Shanle has been taking a woodcarving class, which puts her skill above everyone! We'll put a poll on the blog so you can vote. It only adds to the fun.

Stay tuned for the pumpkin carving pictures as well as an adoption opportunity for our family that involves YOU. More details to follow on the blog and on facebook.

I Like Mondays

I'm probably the only person that does though. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE the weekends, but something about getting everyone off and cleaning the house on Monday morning is refreshing. A sunny beautiful Monday morning definitely makes it that much more enjoyable. I am not a person that enjoys too much routine nor am I a creature of habit. I just like Mondays.

Waiting. Patiently. And other stuff.

This week, hopefully, we'll hear about a court date for the boys. We keep thinking that it may be today. So, maybe today, we'll hear something. :) We're still thinking about names. We think we have the top two candidates, but are open to suggestions.

In other news, and I will probably jump from subject to subject quickly and randomly, Jack moved into his new room Friday. It's not completely finished yet. Pictures to come very soon though. We had a great night of praise last night which focused on Redemption. In a few days, I'll post a link and you can watch it on the church's website. We're so glad that God has us serving at Sevier Heights. Hopefully many more years to come. Our annual beach trip is coming up! One of our FAVORITE times of the year! Charleigh, who was an itty-bitty 2 week old last year, will be running, eating sand, and splashing in the waves. Can't wait!!! Avery will make her grand appearance this year. I have a feeling she will be a beach bum! It will be so hard to leave these little girls after spending a week with them. Whew.

I was writing Jack's Bible verses on his dry erase board to learn this week, and one of the verses was the same as last year. I remember this particular verse because he could never say it right. The verse is from James 2:10. It says, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." It was slightly shortened last year though. I believe when he got into his class and said the verse, it went something like this, "Whoever fumbles the ball gets just one point." Not even close. Funny though. We'll try harder to learn it word for word this year.

Back to adoption stuff for just a second, we have a friend from college who has also decided to adopt from Ethiopia. We've only kept in touch through facebook, but now since they've decided to adopt, it's kept us in closer touch, which I am so thankful for. If you get a second, you should read Kelly's blog.

I guess that's all for now. Have a great fall day!

Hats Off to Christi

Jack's new room was in need of a fresh coat of paint. So I had the idea that I would paint the whole room a neutral color and then add blue horizontal stripes. I knew stripes were a lot of work, and I anticipated extra work. Well, now that I'm finished, I'll say that 3 horizontal stripes will be the extent of my stripe-painting career. Then I recalled the nursery of sweet Charleigh. My sister-in-law, Christi, painted this...

Notice the detail...

Until now, I was guessing that took a LOT of work. Now I know it took A TON OF WORK. So, congratulations to Christi. The Paint Queen of the family.

Theme Dinner: Stranded on a Desert Island by Jon

The Islanders with visitors Ginger and the Professor

On the menu:

Fish (fish tacos)

Assorted grasses and plants (cole slaw & avocado)

Pineapple

Berries

Fruit Relish (Mango salsa & chips)

Worms and Dirt for dessert (chocolate pudding)

And the preparation begins...

It's been a busy week at our house. Jon has finished the Christmas recording sessions. Last night, he was even home for dinner. :) Jack has started violin lessons, so he had his 3rd violin lesson this Thursday followed by Open House at the school. He's waiting so patiently for his teacher to teach him "Rocky Top".

During all the normal busyness, we signed the acceptance papers for these two little boys. We think about them all the time, especially since we have a face and a name to go with these little ones we've been praying for for SO long! Right now, they're Big Z and Little Z, but soon will have American names for their first names and the Z names for the middle names. It's strange to name a child who is already walking around. When naming a baby, you choose your favorite name, and their personality grows into that name. Maybe we'll know it when we see them that first time.

Jack has decided to graciously give the little boys his room with the two twin beds, and he's taking the guest room with the big bed. We've been cleaning out the extra closet, looking for a dresser, and choosing new bedding and paint colors for him. He's picking out his favorite things (books, toys, wall hangings) and moving them over to the new room. We hope to have him acclimated to it around the time we leave for the court date. At least everyone will get something new, not just Z and Z. :)

Speaking of the court date... the courts in Ethiopia close for a summer hiatus every year from August to September. They're scheduled to open back up September 28. As soon as they re-open, they'll schedule all the families that have received referrals during the court recess. As soon as they have it scheduled, we'll book tickets and be ready to go. They key is flexibility, so we've heard. :)

I guess that's all for now. Back to cleaning and painting.

The Post We've All Been Waiting For

We got a referral!!! And in record timing I might add. Our paperwork has been over in Ethiopia for a total of 3 weeks now and so have our boys! Yes, we're getting two boys, ages 2 and 3. Shocked and completely thrilled all at the same time! God, in His sovereign wisdom, placed our paperwork and little boys there at the same time. More to come later about this, and we promise to post pictures as soon as we can. Their names are Zekiyos and Zelalem. We're just guessing at the pronunciations. :) Continue to pray for them and us as we prepare for their arrival sometime around Christmas.

"Delight yourself in the LORD

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."

Psalm 37:4-6

Drink Coffee? Support Adoption.

Well, we're in the final stretch of the adoption process. All the paperwork is done. Gone. Out of our hands. What a great feeling it is. Now what? This begins the waiting process. The real waiting process that is totally out of our control. It's God's timing now. People ask us..."So, when are we getting those babies???" (which we love, by the way) And the answer is, "We don't know. Could be 2 weeks. Could be 12 months." But in the meantime, we're praying for those babies, praying for our little one here who will experience SO much change in the coming months, saving money, and plugging along like normal.

So, in the midst of all the waiting, we've decided to combine our two passions. Coffee and adoption. Check it out here.

"Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD.

Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."

Psalm 5:3

Theme Dinner: Farmer Night by Shanle

We left our camera in Pensacola a few weeks ago, so these were taken with Shay's phone. Too bad we couldn't get our traditional "everyone stand behind the table in the exact same spot as last time" pose. :)

Holy cow! Jack is SO tall! Ha!

On the menu:

Fried Chicken

Corn on the Cob

Mashed Potatoes

Fried Okra

Tomatoes

Cornbread

Peach Pie

Next theme dinner should be interesting. Stay tuned.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Since we're going to a Smokies game tomorrow night and a Braves game next week, Jon chose "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" as the theme for tonight.

On the Menu:

Peanuts

Chili Dogs

Soft Pretzels

Corn on a Stick

Frozen Lemonade

WE GOT THE PAPER!!!

Guess what we got??? YES! The immigration paper that we've been waiting on for about 4 months. Woo hoo!

So now what? We are collecting just a few additional papers today and tomorrow and these, along with our homestudy, will be our dossier that we send to Africa. But first, we need them checked by Bethany, notarized, county sealed (Knox Co.), and state sealed (in Nashville, of course). We HOPE to have all this done by Monday. After that, send it off to Ethiopia.

And wait.

Good Things

The day started today with some great news. We received a email today stating that we have been chosen to receive a significant grant from Show Hope. We applied several months ago and basically forgot about it. Until today.

We're SO thankful, yet so undeserving of all these good things. Thanks be to God for the good gifts that come from Him alone. I'm happy to say that we're more than halfway done paying for this adoption. And I know that He is faithful to finish it.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations,

forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Thank you, thank you, thank you...someone

Tuesday, we received a call from our caseworker at Bethany. I think she was just as excited to call and report the news as we were to receive it. Someone anonymously donated money to Bethany's corporate office. Our case worker said this amount would be enough to cover our entire first trip to Ethiopia...two plane tickets plus lodging. We can't even begin to express how thankful we are to Jesus for providing this money and to this person, who I hope is reading this. We're forever grateful.

"The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it."

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Catching Up

Where to begin. So much going on lately. We'll back up to May and start with the garage sale. So many people gave so much of their time, energy, money, garage sale signs, treasures, tables, brownies, cookies, hangers, regaining our stolen garage sale signs, basement and garage space, and more-than-happy-to-help attitudes. Thank you so much to Amy for coordinating this thing for us. Her great vision combined with organization skills (and love for our babies) helped make this so successful. One verse that we really tried to focus on for the garage sale was Deuteronomy 28:12 which says, "The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands." We give God the glory for He truly blessed us that day.

Next, we had our choir trip to Washington D.C. In the midst of all our adoption paperwork, I'll admit that the plans and preparations for the trip were not on the forefront of my mind until about 3 days before. But we had THE BEST time! I honestly can't say what I enjoyed the most...working in the inner city neighborhood or getting to know people that I only knew as a smiling face or touring all those great museums that I haven't seen in years... I hope we get to take another trip like this soon. :)

Following this trip was a night away at Whitestone Inn. Catching up on a little needed R & R before our trip home. More pictures to come soon.

Birthday Party Pics

Ahhh, I can't believe I didn't post pictures from the real birthday shindig. So here they are...

Squirt guns, silly string wars, cheetos, and cupcakes. What more do you need?

Theme Dinner: Pajama Night

This theme dinner by Shay. And of course, we ate breakfast. :)

Theme Dinner: Beef

You guessed it. It was Jon's turn to pick, and he chose BEEF night. :)

On the menu:

Beef with a side of grass

Texas Toast

Dusty Water

*This post is actually about a month overdue.

Another theme night tonight.*

Birthday Snapshots

Paw Paw came to see us for Jack's birthday. Just a few snapshots from his visit. :)