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Real Life Confessions

I feel as though it's time for another update in our wonderfully crazy life here in the Sanders home.

Summer is almost over... can I get an amen from all the mama's? Listen, I love my kids fiercely. Don't come near them with any intent of harming them or I will gladly take you down with whatever force necessary. With that said, it's time for them to stop saying my name one million times a day, and telling me they are bored, or eating another meal every second I turn around. Summer is great and I really enjoy it through the month of July, but by the time August roles around I'm ready for my sanity back. With school comes structure, and some much needed time for us to have a chance to miss each other again, and Lord knows that is needed (especially with siblings!) If I break up one more fight.... Anyway, I think you catch my drift.
This summer has brought many ups, downs, and life changes in our home. We saw our sons face for the first time, we are stepping into a season of great change in our ministry (more on this another time... it's good, I promise), and we recently had our first pet funeral.
Yes, some of you may not be aware that we even had a pet? This is because we had her all of one week. Somehow after a day spent with their papa, my girls came home with a brand new bunny (what a pushover my dad is!) The girls were over the moon about this new addition to the family. We had the usual "She will be your responsibility" conversation and we were off to a smashing start to this new bunny parent journey! If you are a parent, then you know that the kids being "in charge" of a pet looks and sounds a lot like you reminding them an endless amount of times in a day about picking up after said pet. And y'all know what bunnies do? Well, let me fill you in...

They poop.
They poop a lot.
Everywhere.
All the time.

So, after a week, I had my fill and I told the girls to take her cage outside (with her in it) so that we could clean the house and all of her "deposits" she had made.
They protested, but I won this battle and they put her outside.
We then leave the house to run some errands and leave the bunny outside. If you have a bunny, let me just save you some heartache.... don't leave a house bunny outside. I have never owned a bunny. I was unaware of this fact. She was outside for maybe 3 hours and it wasn't even that hot of a day (these are clearly the words of a guilty mom).
You know the end of this story, we come home to a dead bunny. The emotions were very real and I felt like the scum of the earth.
How does a mom kill her kids bunny?
I need to begin saving for their therapy now.
We had an emotional funeral and burial in the backyard.

RIP Ally. We didn't know you long, but you will have a forever place in our family memories.

The girls are healing well, and they did get their favorite lunch out of the deal the next day.

Ella: Mom, can we go get chicken and rice for lunch today?
Me: I'm not sure.
Laynie: Please mom.... you did kill our bunny.

Chicken and rice it is! But the guilt train stopped there (well, there and the promise of a new pet... currently in the market for a puppy because we clearly can't be trusted with bunnies!)

Clearly, I am currently winning in the mom department. But I am choosing to laugh it off and focus on the good. I have more victories than losses, and that is real life.

Now, for the adoption portion of this blog (how about that segway, huh?)
We are quietly tackling each step as it comes. It's moving at a good pace, but we still don't know when we will be able to travel. Our prayer is to travel in December.... please join us in praying the Lord will make a way for that to happen!
Some days are motivating as we cross steps off this list, some days feel pretty normal, and some are incredibly difficult. As we get updated pictures from the orphanage and new little video clips of him, it's such a joy to see him grow but also so painful to know he is growing without us! Our latest picture has him sitting up all by himself.
Milestone missed.
It's the exact definition of bittersweet. This portion of the journey brings with it a deep ache. I know his face, he has a name, he is our son, and I just want him in my arms.
But I know it will happen and it will be soon so I have a good cry when it is needed and then move forward and keep checking things off the list!
We have made good progress with fundraising, and we will be doing more things soon. Another prayer point for you all is to pray over the grants that we have applied for. Lord, bring the increase!

I hope you enjoyed this peer into the chaos that is my life. I love you all and it's only one week until school begins!

Bless all our souls.


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