Come one, come all!

Our ADOPTION FUND Yard Sale is set for Friday and Saturday, July 13th & 14th!  I hope everyone can stop by and shop, get a cup of lemonade or drop off a monetary donation.

We are also still taking in Donated items to sell at the Yard Sale. Please bring your items by before June 29th.

Adoption Update:  Jay and I are still working on our 28 pages application. It is very thought provoking and tough.  Please continue to pray for us as we continue on this journey!

Round 1

YEAH!  We are celebrating today!  We mailed in our Pre-application and we received an email today saying we have been ACCEPTED to move forward in the Adoption Process!!!  WHOOOO HOOOO!

Our next step is a 28 pages, VERY DETAILED, application!

Its been awhile....

I honestly can't remember why I stopped blogging. I guess emailing pictures and posting on FB took less time.

IV is about to be 3 yrs old at the end of the month.  Man, how time passes!  And although we coasted through the 2's, the 3's appear to be where the 'sin nature' kicks in full force.  As disobedient as he can be, he can be that much more loving!  And the Lord reminds me that He probably sees us in the same way sometimes.  And our love for him, just like God's, never changes!  IV is a precious gift from God that we never take for granted.

We have a fun summer plans...joined the pool, play dates, painting, biking, traveling, and some learning!

And although, my '3 yr old self' kicks in and wants things my way, the Lord has shown me that He has something else in mind.  After 3 failed IVF attempts, we knew our next steps immediately.  Not because of the failures but because God showed both of us His plan for our family very clearly.

We are ADOPTING!

After much prayer and seeking Godly wisdom, we have chosen to begin the application process with Family Life Services.  Our initial application is turned in and we hope to hear about our next steps this week.

Right now, our only steps are are pray and to seek God's guidance on Fundraising.  So far, we have planned:
- Yard Sale on Fri and Sat, July 13th & 14th to raise money for our Adoption Fund.  We are asking friends and family to donate items for us to sell (along with our stuff).
- All the funds I make with Tastefully Simple (www.tastefullysimple.com/web/jdove1) will go towards bringing our Child home.   I'm currently seeking more Team members and Hosts for taste testing parties.
- Apply for Grants when we are at that point in the Adoption process.

We hope to re-start this blog to keep you updated on the Dove's Nest!

No way that would happen!

If you would have told me that the 1st 8 months of IV's life would be the way it has been, I would have told you "No way that would happen!"

• One car for the 1st 5 months of his life.
• He would have Swine Flu at 3 months.
• Our house would be for sale.
  
• We would not have clear direction of where God is leading our family in the next year.
• I would be diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• I would make all of IV's food myself using all organics

All these things have happened and we are still joyous every day. IV is so much fun and so happy all the time. I am honored that he is mine!!!!

8 is Enough

Playing on the deck.

London Bridges with Zeke

Reading the morning paper with Nana

IV's new hair style!

8 months old

The most joyous child!

8 Is enough in my book. I think he can just stop growing, etc. b/c I love 8 months!

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Starting to crawl.
• Giggles really hard when you tickle him or throw him up in the air.
• Loves taking showers
• Would rather be outside or climbing on Zeke than playing with toys.
• Have 2 bottom teeth and now 2 top teeth.
• Loves to be in the shopping cart.
• Dances to the music...he made his Sunday School teachers laugh last week when they turned the Children's Praise and worship music on.
  
• Great eater! Loves his bananas and tahini!

LO-LIGHTS:

• Spits when he eats so I have to discipline him :(
• Found the monitor on his crib which is way more fun then napping.
• Has already bitten his tongue and his lip. Imagine the horror when I saw blood all over his crib!

He is such a joy and I love this age :)

7 months....no way!!!

I just don't understand where 7 months goes? It is unbelievable that he is that old! As you can see in the pictures he is growing so fast. He is able to get up on his hands and knees and rock back and forth. I have a feeling he is going to be crawling VERY soon! He is also very 'busy'. We wants to touch and see everything. In Pic #1, he is helping me with coupons (which is my newest hobby!)

Update on our move...well we are still moving. III and I are working VERY hard to get our house ready for the market. We have made a ton of progress this week even though IV has been a little under the weather. We hope to have a FOR SALE sign up next week!!!!

Sit'n and Play'n

At 6 months, IV hit the milestone of sitting up on his own. At this point, we both became very busy! He wants to look and touch everything in site and I was able to walk away for moments at a time and accomplish something. We have both really enjoyed this stage of life. The look in his eyes when he sees something new is just so refreshing.
A couple of updates: His eyes are still a dark navy/gray color. His hair is still blonde with some redish tint to it and it has gotten thick. He started solids on Christmas day and has liked everything I have made for him except Avocados....we may try again soon.