Cookies for Daddy!

I don't know why they always show my pictures in backward order. Oh well. Here are some yummy pictures from last week. The Betty Crocker Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are amazing! * Don't forget to pray for court tomorrow. The Judge will decide if Sissy goes to her grandparents, or if they have to do what DCFS has requested. (That they take counceling and parenting classes.) I have been praying this week that the Grandparents would change their mind and they would leave her with us knowing really that that is where she should be...God has changed the hearts of Kings..right? I will let you know! Also pray for the Kostjuk's. Reese's funeral is Saturday, they are going to bury her tomorrow and all of her other kids have the flu! Thanks so much!

Random Acts

Here are some funny pictures. I took some pictures of Ivy eating a "tear jerker" sour ball. She said that she wanted it so bad so I said she could eat it if I could take some pictures. It only lasted for a couple of licks....so the only person in tears was me from laughing so hard. Then...the other pictures are from me tickling Ivy to where she got gum stuck in her hair and I had to cut it out! Really...I'm a good mom!

Happy Halloween

Good News

Sorry for the delay in my post. We didn't find out what happened yesterday until just this morning. They said that the meeting went really long. I prayed that at the meeting, everyone would see the "true colors" of the Birthmom and the Grandparents. It seems that is exactly what happened. The Birthmom got mad at what was being said in the meeting and she stormed out of the room a couple of times. The Grandparents have NOT been approved yet to take the baby. Their home has been approved but they haven't.



DCFS is going to recommend to the judge that the Grandparents have individual counceling, couples counceling, and parenting classes. The Grandma was not happy about that. She doesn't want parenting classes. The Grandparents also have like 9 fractions against them on record with DCFS. The Judge would have to dismiss all of them. (I think) They are recommending that all of that happens before they can get the baby. So that means the Judge would give them a couple of months to do that....or he can dismiss all of it and give them the baby.



All of that to say...we get her until November 7th. Matt is going to go to court to see what happens. Thank you for praying! Pray that the Judge does not give them custody on that day. Then....there will be more waiting. Also pray that the court will give us permission to take the baby to Washington for Christmas. God is good!
( I hope that this all makes sense.)

Ivy's 2nd "Gotcha" Day

Today was Ivy's 2nd "Gotcha" Day. That is the day we "Gotcha"...the day we went to court and Ivy officially became an Elliott. Friends stopped by with ice cream and balloons and Aunt Hollie came for dinner. The day started with a card from Grandma and Grandpa Elliott. She had a great day! God is so good in giving us such a treasure of a daughter.

Please pray for the meeting tomorrow between the DCFS social workers and Sissy's grandparents. Pray that she gets to stay in our home and they can see the Grandparents for who they really are. The Birthmom has already called , saying she will be at tomorrow's visit, so we will be making a trip to the valley for that. Thanks!

Date Night with Matt

Our wonderful friends, Chris and Kaci Metzger offered to watch the girls while Matt and I had a date night. It was so thoughtful of them and it was so great to get out alone with Matt. Our whole date cost $15 for the night because I had gift cards for every place we went. We went to the Americana in Glendale to The Cheesecake Factory and then window shopped. Thank You Chris and Kaci!!!! We love and appreciate you!

Getting Weak and Weary

I had a visit with the birthmom today. As I walked in the door, the DCFS social worker met me . She said that the Grandparent's home was approved and the DCFS wanted to take Sissy out of our home yesterday (we didn't know that that could happen.) This social worker told them not to do it because she has some concerns about the Grandparents. They are going to have a board metting with the grandparents this coming Tuesday to ask them questions and determine what to do (it is very possible that they could decide to take her on Tuesday.)



I also found out that the Grandma is now going to drive the Birthmom to all of her visits to see the baby. The birthmom said that she has a good relationship with her parents now. (My social worker thinks that they might have no intention of adopting Sissy but wants her out of our home and is going to help their daughter to "appear" to be back on track so that she can have her and they just be grandparents again. Poor Sissy.



Bottom line is that I am tired and weary. They are wearing me out and I feel like I am hitting bottom. It is so good to trust in the Lord knowing that He has everything in control and I don't have to try and run the show like this grandma is. Honestly, I am just getting tired of doing everything by the book, running Sissy everywhere she needs to go, having social workers in and out of my house, loving on her, making sure that I am taking care of Ivy, checking my heart to make sure that I am honoring the Lord....it is enough to wear a girl out.



The Lord brought to my mind Galatians 6:9 " And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Bottom line...I WILL NOT ALLOW SATAN TO BE VICTORIOUS IN MY HOME! He might think that he will ruin Matt and I and our family. HE IS NOT HAVING IT WHETHER IT IS MATT, I AND IVY OR IF SISSY IS WITH US TO. The End! ( I am feeling better already.)