Things I Learned This Week

• that the Chicago Cubs & The Bears are the best sports teams of all time.  (well, Daddy & Mommy know that's not entirely true...but we love them anyway...and I love wearing Daddy's hat and eating pretzels with him on Game Day!)
• how to say "more" (with a New Jersey accent, no less) and "dog" and "bubbles"
• how fun it is to Skype with Daddy when he's on break at work.  (but now I don't like talking on the phone so much, 'cuz I can't SEE the person on the other end...what a drag.)
• that 90 minutes sitting still in a movie theater is a lot longer than when I'm watching TV at home (but regardless, Lion King RULES!!!)
• that I don't have to be afraid of the water, and I actually LOVE blowing bubbles!...(and that our tub makes for a fantastic slip & slide when bath time is over--it's TOTALLY a stall tactic, but as long as I keep bringin' the cuteness, I think I've got 'em hooked in)
• how to perfect my "controlled dizzy girl fall" in the tub that makes Mommy & Daddy laugh like crazy
• how to make tug boat sound effects with my bath toys.  (okay, it actually sounds like a chainsaw more than a boat noise, but I'm workin' on it!)
• how to draw with crayons...and how to bite off their tips...and how to peel the paper...and eat it  (Mommy has yet to find one in my diaper...but she's SURE the day is coming)
• how to sit through an entire board book reading (Mommy finally feels a satisfying sense of accomplishment in her day...and I'm glad I could help.)
• that I like talking to my Grandma Judy and Grandma Dot's pictures on the wall and giving them kisses (I have a LOT to catch them up on, and SOOOO much love to give.  It's what I do.)
• that I can spend HOURS climbing in and out of a big empty box that Daddy cut & taped up for me so it looks like a boat...or a race car...  (who knew?)
• that being thrown onto the bed makes me giggle hard every. single. time.  (without fail)
• how to give spontaneous hugs and kisses to Mommy, Daddy...Mazi & Gracie (...and that sometimes the dogs need their space...it's nothing personal...they just don't like having their eyes poked out!)

As you can see, it's been a verrrrrrrrrry busy week!  :)

Strike A Pose

Not sure what prompted this spontaneous photo shoot, but needless to say, we HAD to capture it with our phone camera.  We're going to learn to have our real camera ready at a moment's notice...

This one is my FAVORITE!!!  What a cutie!

"Beautiful History" by Plumb

This song brought us to tears when we heard it.   We've decided to make it our heart song for Ellie.

(Listen here)

I have made mistakes
and I have been afraid
I have felt alone
Then you called my name

Things were crashing loudly
Happening all around me
But you´re still small voice
Was all that I could hear

I am here
I´m holding you
You´ll make it through this
I am here I am here

Whenever you run away
whenever you lose you´re faith
It´s just another stroke of
the pen on the page

A lonely ray of hope
is all that you need
to see
a beautiful history

Well I have been such a fool
when I have known the truth
I´ve wasted so much time
Doing what I want to do

I´ve been living solely
for myself and myself only
but your still small voice
is whispering

Whenever you run away
whenever you lose you´re faith
It´s just another stroke
of the pen on the page

A lonely ray of hope
is all that you need
to see
a beautiful history

I toss and turn and scream
I try to do everything
with two feet on the ground
I just keep falling down again

I feel so far from home
Completely on my own
and then I hear you say
I am here I am here

Whenever you run away
whenever you lose you´re faith
It´s just another stroke of
the pen on the page

A lonely ray of hope
is all that you need
to see
a beautiful history
a beautiful history
a beautiful history

Brushing Teeth with Daddy

Sorry it's sideways...but hope you enjoy the moment anyway!

Ellie's (and our) Story

How it began...

At the end of July, I received a text from a friend at church.  She had a friend who was trying to find a family for a little 18-month-old brown-haired, blue-eyed girl.  

John and I have been very open-armed with God about having children of our own.  We haven't tried to NOT have children, but we never got to experience seeing the blue line on the stick for ourselves.  Over the past couple of years, we started to notice the void that would surface on special holidays...and in life...and we knew something was missing.  

We hadn't formally planned to adopt yet.  We hadn't met with any agencies.  We hadn't had a Home Study.  We hadn't worked on savings to help fund any of it.  Not yet.  We just hadn't turned that corner to actively pursue it all.  It seemed so daunting.

But on the Monday that we met my friend's friend and little Miss Elizabeth for the first time, none of that really mattered.  The way she snuggled up to John...those sweet blue eyes and her happy nature...and the idea that her family didn't want her...it tugged on our hearts in a way that nothing ever had before.

So we sought council.  We sought wisdom.  We didn't want to do this out of reckless emotion...but we wanted to do this only if God meant for us to do this.  We knew we had all the love she needed...and we are surrounded by the most loving community of believers on the planet.  

Every meeting we had with pastors and friends came back a resounding, "Yes!  Absolutely!"  So we agreed to an overnight visit with Ellie in our home on Sunday, July 24th...and she's been with us every since.

Ellie was born to a 13-year-old mom in South Carolina, who's mom and stepdad adopted her.  But Grandma and Grandpa's relationship deteriorated, and the Grandpa found himself as Ellie's main caregiver.  He had a demanding job with the police force and worked long hours and extended tours.  He didn't want Ellie to constantly be in daycare, and he knew he couldn't handle parenting on his own...so he wanted to see her placed in a home that would love her and care for her well.

So we say that God dropped Ellie on our doorstep.  We believe that He lead her to us...and He lead us to her.  It truly was a match made in heaven!

• Our first challenge was getting the Consent To Adopt papers signed by the Grandparents.  Check.  (Thank God!)  
• Our next challenge is pleading for leniency with the South Carolina authorities because SC babies cannot be placed in North Carolina homes without filing paperwork that complies with the Interstate Treaty between NC and SC.  We have the cart behind the horse in this respect, since we already have accepted Ellie into our care.  We need your prayers specifically over this.
• Our most urgent (and expensive) step is to have an Expedited Home Study.  It should take 3 weeks--3 1-hour sessions.  We each will be interviewed, the agent will check out the house/neighborhood, etc.  But most of the emphasis will be on us, as potential parents.  
• Our final challenge will be going before the judge and making things completely legal.

For all of the prayers and support and love and clothing and food and gifts...we are forever grateful, and profoundly humbled.  We have been so blessed by God's gift to us...and so blessed by your love.

So that's Miss Ellie's story.  As you can see, we have a few more hurdles to cross together until we are an official family, and you can help us in so many ways.  We always will need your prayers.  We are taking donations, we are hosting a Benefit Concert on October 15th, we are selling t-shirts, and we'll be selling art prints to all help us fund this wild and crazy adventure.  

Any way that you feel you can contribute would be an incredible blessing to The Hogan Family.  We are starting to understand the "it takes a village" theory...we know we couldn't do this alone.  We are meant to be woven into community.  And we are so thankful to have all of you in our lives!

"Family Is Forever" Tees FOR SALE!

Men's Dark Gray V-Neck RIngspun

Medium $20.00 Large $20.00 XL $20.00

Women's Brown Round Neck RIngspun

Small $20.00 Medium $20.00 Large $20.00 X-Large $20.00

Hard to Say Goodbye

Sometimes we're all sad when Daddy leaves for work...and we can't wait 'til he comes home again.  Sometimes we wait and we watch...

Sand & Surf

Thanks to Teresa and Alayna Davis, I get to play in the sand & surf in my very own back yard!  What a great gift!  I've had hours and hours of fun digging in the sand and splashing in the water....aaaand putting the sand in the water!  At least it's not in my diaper!  :)

Bath Time & Bunnies

Thanks to our good friend, Rita Keen, I now have a super duper special way to leave the bathtub that leaves me giggling every time.  Once bath time is done, I am transformed into a pink bunny...complete with a carrot in my hand, big floppy pink ears and a fluffy white tail.  

Mommy & Daddy LOVE cuddling me in my new cozy.  They think it's one of the best times of the day!