College Kids & Cribs!

Our journey definitely continues....but the past month or so has been a tremendous whirlwind of activities, plans and preparations. I knew it had been a little while since I had written on this blog. But I didn't realize it had been almost a month. Wow! Time continues to pass by so very quickly....with the exception, of course, of bringing our little girl/s home from China. As always, though, God's timing is perfect and His design is always best.

Last week we moved our daughter, Rachel, back to Kentucky Christian University for her Senior year. Unbelievable! How did the years go so quickly for her in college? But the truth remains that she is definitely a senior in college and is gearing up for classes, clinicals and all the activities involved. She is so excited about her nursing major and we know she will be an incredible nurse as she touches lives for Him. We are so proud of her!

We also moved our son, Micah, to Lexington to begin his freshman year at the University of Kentucky. That was very exciting for him...and a bit tough on Mom and Dad! :) But he seems to be adjusting well. He is presently majoring in Chemistry and hopes to pursue the College of Pharmacy. We are so proud of him, as well. Watching him move away was yet another reminder of how quickly time passes. When we moved to our present home, Rachel was only four years of age and Micah was sixteen months old. Now they are both in college. We have been majorly blessed with these dear children and we are excited to see where God leads them in the days ahead.

We have often been asked how we like the "empty nest" syndrome we now face. However, we don't see it as an empty nest situation at all. Instead, we see it as "Rearranging the Nest" time. We will spend the next several months preparing our home for our sweet little baby girl/s from China. There is much work to do and life in our home will never be boring! :) Tim and I still look forward to Rachel and Micah coming home on weekends and breaks to work at the pharmacy...plus, of course, to raid the fridge and keep the laundry room busy. We have multiple house projects to complete. I have two AACC courses to finish before our family grows again. And we have other goals and dreams we wish to pursue during this time. So the "empty nest" really isn't empty after all. Of course, we miss Rachel and Micah...so very much. But when they aren't home, or texting, calling, or spending time with us on their campuses, there is a great deal to keep this "nest" going at full speed. :) Yes, we have moved our older children to college. Now it's time to prepare the crib/s! :)

More good news is that we did receive our updated I-600A form from Homeland Security! We are definitely thrilled about that. No one needs to be fingerprinted until next summer. We have been logged in for over forty months now! Time is getting so much closer! We pray we will have our little JennaBeth (EmmaKate?) very soon. I can hardly wait to have Rachel, Micah and our little China daughter/s all together!

Thank you for continuing this journey with us. If you will, please pray for our family as Rachel and Micah adapt to college life this fall, for our family as we face life with two children in college, for our sweet JennaBeth (EmmaKate?) in China and for God's hand to move in such perfect design and timing that our family honors and glorifies Him each step of the way. This journey has been much longer than we ever anticipated. But we know it is in His hands and He will see us through in every aspect we must face. We thank Him for each of you as you pray, encourage, love and care along our journey. We cherish each step our family has taken all these years and we shall cherish each step ahead. From cribs to college...to cribs again, we are so blessed and grateful for this journey of life, faith, family and friends. God bless each of you in your journeys!
Cherishing this amazing journey,
Terri & family