Why didn't I think of that?

I saw this little number, laughed out loud and thought, "Dude- I'm with you on that!"  If only I could've been that clever ;)

I am an Elephant

Elephants are pregnant for 22 months.  My "paper pregnancy" is hitting that mark.  At least I can take comfort that I'm not going to deliver a 230lb baby!  I'm still #12 in the Congo line, although my caseworker said she hopes that I will be moving up soon.  This waiting thing is not all it's cracked up to be.  I'll be honest, I've been frustrated.  I *know* that God is working behind the scenes and in other areas of my life to help me become the best mom I can be for these kiddos.  There are good days when I'm completely fine with this and trust that things are going to happen at the perfect time.  And then there are the bad days.....

I am really struggling with Sofia's case.  It's driving me crazy that she is just sitting over there in an orphanage and has no idea that there's a mom WAITING TO LOVE HER!!!   I was praying about this, confessing my frustrations and asking for some patience.  Then God gave me this verse:

"The Lord says, 'I will give you back the years you lost....and you will praise the Lord your God who does these miracles for you.'"  Joel 2:25-26

I have been clinging to this verse because it physically hurts my heart that I have already missed out on her first 5 years.  I don't want to miss out on any more time with her!

So if I come across your mind, please pray that I will have patience and more importantly, comfort while I wait and trust that she will indeed come home at the perfect time.

little by little!

I have moved up to the #12 spot in the Congo line!!!!!

In the Meantime

I've been busy teaching, slingin' pizza and photographing families while I wait for more news, hoping that something good in the "let's move forward" direction will happen soon.  In the meantime, I have been having so much fun with the photography fundraiser!  It's been great hanging out with families and also seeing how happy they are with the pictures!  I love being able to give someone something that they will cherish so this has been a total blessing!  Below are a few shots from several of the shoots I've done.

A very good friend of mine and her sweet family!

I love her expression!

He was all smiles!  and a little bit a spit up :)

I got to spend a day in the park with this father and son duo.  They were so fun as you can see from the pics!

Goofing around!

He has the bluest eyes!

LOVE the grass stains- they were acquired during the photo shoot!

If you are interested in getting some great pictures of your own family, email me at kgraephotography@gmail.com so we can set something up!  It's great weather right now in Cincinnati!!

I absolutely loved the 90's.  I know, I'm showing my age, but seriously- the music was so amazing!!!  Whenever I hear a song from that era, man does it take me back and I'm filled with great memories.  Spacehog was one of those bands that had an amazing sound and their breakout hit always puts me in a great mood.  It also just happens to be titled, "In the Meantime."  Since I happen to be in a perpetual "meantime" state, I figured it was clearly my Fall theme song.  My friend Janet knows that I like to have theme songs for each season.  I know I'm nerdy fly like that so, for your viewing and listening pleasure, I will leave you with this video from their Jay Leno promo performance!

Calling All Prayer Warriors

I received an email today that was very unsettling and brought back remnants of how I felt during the Nepal Crisis.  My initial thought was to panic, but I reminded myself that I am trying to stay positive and also that I'm believing that God has Sofia in the palm of his hand.  I'm still not sure how all of this is going to pan out but this is what I know so far.

My agency informed me that CARA has pushed back accepting new dossiers until December.  This is disappointing since originally they had said it would begin accepting dossiers again after September 30th.  Then my agency went on to say that specifically, things have been moving slow in AP (where Sofia is) because of political agitation in the city.  I will remind you that this particular state in India has proved difficult in the past to complete adoptions.  Furthermore, she added that she didn't know how viable of a program this would be after all...and that she would have to consult with the India program director and get back to me.  Yeah.  That last part made me want to vomit.  I emailed her back and told her that I am 110% committed to bringing Sofia home- that if it takes longer, then that just gives me more time to save more money to pay for her adoption.  I also told her that I don't want to give up on her- that I've been praying for her every single day since June 16th-the first time I saw her face.  She wrote me back saying she understood and told me that she would see what kind of plan they could devise.

I got this email while I was in school and I did manage to keep it together until the day was over.  I talked to my sweet friend in the parking lot after school who reminded me that I don't know what the bigger picture is- and that I have to keep trusting that this is all part of the plan.

When I got home, I spent some time on my front porch praying about everything.  I needed a word. A word of confirmation.  A word that He has everything under control.  A word to not freak out.  So, I started reading my bible and stumbled upon this verse:

"When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and raging waves.  Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.  Then he asked them, 'Where is your faith?'" - Luke 8:24-25

I just kind of laughed out loud because I thought how many times during this journey have I felt like I was in the midst of a raging storm?  And when they are both finally home, will I look back and think to myself, "where was my faith during that trial?"  This has definitely been a battle and sometimes the wounds hurt more but at least I'm learning that it's not up to me and what I'm capable of but that everything is in God's hand and I just need to trust that it is going to work out the way it's supposed to in his perfect timing.

And just to keep things interesting, I also heard from my other agency today.  I have moved up on the list!  I am now the proud real estate owner of spot #14 on the waiting list!!!  Just 3 short weeks ago I was number #17, so I am thrilled to be movin' on up!

Finally,  I am begging you to PLEASE, PLEASE pray that Sofia's adoption would go through and that I would get the official match paperwork.  She deserves a family of her own.  I know that she is safe in the orphanage and her basic needs are being met, but FAMILY is something that no one should be deprived of and it breaks my heart with each passing day that she is missing out on time with her family.

Thank you so much for all of your support!!!

This for That

Short and sweet.  If you live in the greater Cincinnati area, I want to bless you so that you can bless me!  I am doing an adoption FUNdraiser for Sofía's adoption.  I have been passionate about photography for many, many years.  I've even had some of my photos published, including one in Photographer's Forum Magazine.   I've been praying and praying about different ways to raise funds and I really feel that God brought this to my mind so....  I think that pictures are such sweet memories and at least for me, I feel like the older I get the faster time flies :(  Anyway, what better way to document the sweet years of life than through pictures?  So, here's the deal:  I will come to the location of your choice and photograph your family (including the furry kind!) for an hour, do some minor editing if needed, and save all of the pictures to a disc so that you can make as many prints in as many sizes as you like!   I consider myself a "natural light" photographer, so I prefer to stick to the outdoors.  Besides, natural lighting is way more flattering! All of this for the sweet price of $125!  A steal, right?!!  AND, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping me get 1 step closer to bringing Sofía home since 100% of the session fee will go directly towards her adoption!  

A dear friend took me up on this offer and I got to spend a wonderful September afternoon photographing her beautiful family!

we crashed a wedding to get this shot!

I love how they are looking at each other!

If you are interested, email me at kgraephotography@gmail.com   I would love to hang out with you and your family and get you some great family photos!!

A Year Ago Today

I opened my email to find the "Welcome :)"  subject line staring at me!  I was so excited and couldn't believe that I was officially accepted into the Congo program!  There were several miracles that took place for that to happen and seeing the welcome sign completely flooded my heart with joy.  As I reflect back on this year I am still so amazed, humbled, and encouraged by everything that God has accomplished with these adoptions and also with me.  I can truly say that this journey has been the most life-changing experience and they're not even here yet!

I asked my caseworker if I'm still holding strong at #17 or if I've moved up at all.  She told me that I'm still #17 that things were slow for a couple of weeks but that referrals are starting to come in again.  I am anxiously awaiting to see baby Joaquín's referral picture!

In regards to India, my homestudy visit is next Wednesday.  I will be crazy busy cleaning and gardening and trying to not stress out.  I just might serve dinner on the floor after she leaves because I know it will be clean enough to eat off of it!!  I still need to have the Fire Marshall come over and hang out and tell me that my house is safe, update my medical that was just done in March and a couple of other things.  I am really going to believe and trust that the reason AP asked for the resubmission of all the paperwork is because of the implementation of the new procedures at the end of September.  I want to be ready to go so I can start working on my dossier and apply for immigration.  I can't do ANY of this until I get that stinkin' MATCH PAPERWORK back!  PLEASE, PLEASE pray that at the end of the month they get their booties movin' and issue the match.  Once I have that precious piece of paper it's GAME ON BABY!!!
I love Jesus and I know he loves children and has a heart for the orphans.  I'm going to cling to the promise he gave us:

"According to your faith, let it be done to you." - Matthew 9:29

Can I get a witness??!!